It might be impossible to be bored while flying a drone. The breathtaking altitude, thrilling high-speed acceleration, and sharp visuals offer videographers a nearly unparalleled sense of euphoria. So while money can’t buy happiness, it certainly can buy a DJI FPV Drone.
The New DJI FPV Drone
DJI specializes in tech-equipment for camera stabilization and videography. During the beginning of March this year, they launched their first ever first-person view (FPV) drone. This first-person experience is achieved by using the immersive goggles and handheld controller that comes with the drone. So in total, it’s several high-tech gadgets being sold in one box, adding up to $1,299. With that kind of price tag, it’s important to know if DJI’s FPV Drone is worth it.
It’s certainly a robust piece of technology — sturdy, versatile, and advanced. DJI describes their drone on their own website as “sleek and aerodynamic”. It can shoot in 4k definition at 60 fps, 4x slow motion at 120fps, has LED lights, 150° field of view, and a top speed of 30 mph (DJI, 2021).
The Good
These types of drones are especially unique because, as a review from The Verge explains, “every FPV pilot will tell you that FPV drones are way more fun to fly… The drones are more responsive in the air and they move at hair-raising speeds. They can also be much more challenging to fly” (Pavic, 2021). FPV drones are undoubtedly the most popular, but due to their high degree of sophistication and user-difficulty, they’ve been almost exclusively limited to professionals and tech experts. Many FPV drones are actually used for drone racing — a relatively new sport that requires technical know-how and a decent sum of money to play.
It should be no surprise that DJI’s latest product is making headlines, being that it is exceptionally user-friendly and ready to fly day-one. The tech news website TechRadar wrote in their review that “it’s certainly a neat, consumer-level FPV drone that’s easy to fly in the ‘Normal’ mode and provides an accessible entry point for beginners” (Abbott & Wilson, 2021). Plenty of creatives who want to develop a new craft will often embark on rigorous learning curves. This usually involves taking the time to understand their sophisticated equipment, and the proper techniques required to use them. The DJI FPV Drone is ideal for beginners looking to accelerate this process — unlike most FPV drones on the market today.
However, the DJI FPV does have its downfalls.
The Bad
Arguably the most disappointing aspect is the lack of features that DJI drones typically come equipped with. Gizmodo reports that “this drone doesn’t have Activetrack, or the handful of program flight patterns or photo modes other DJI drones have that are perfect for content creation” (Reyes, 2021). It seems as if DJI wanted this drone to emphasize its first-person flying experience, more so than its ability to record footage.
Gizmodo also explains that the complex aerial acrobatics that are commonly performed during drone racing are significantly limited by DJI — being that this drone was specifically designed for beginners. In fact, it is programmed with numerous safety features to prevent overly adventurous maneuvers (para. 8). While this drone is able to ascend to great heights, the sky might not necessarily be the limit in terms of its capabilities.
Conclusion
The DJI FPV Drone is simple to set up, and intuitive to use. It is expensive however, and lacks the advanced features that FPV drone veterans are accustomed to. It also does not have the best programs for recording and producing content, as compared to other DJI drone models.
This drone is nearly ideal for beginner videographers, especially ones who primarily want to experience first-person, real-time aerial adventures. The recording quality is still great, but imperfect nonetheless. Overall, the DJI FPV drone is a technological innovation, and for those who can afford it, an abundance of joy and creativity.
Sources
Abbott, J., & Wilson, M. (2021, March 16). DJI FPV drone review. TechRadar. https://www.techradar.com/reviews/dji-fpv-drone.
DJI. (2021). DJI FPV – Redefine Flying. DJI. https://www.dji.com/dji-fpv?from-google&gclid=Cj0KCQjwl9GCBhDvARIsAFunhslQGQ6YmHycIYf4uOncU90fd1zuLer_vBv_E5P3ZG3wUeAqgm2FYtgaAqh0EALw_wcB.
Pavic, V. (2021, March 2). DJI FPV review: fast and furious. The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/22308345/dji-fpv-review-first-person-drone-price.
Reyes, M. (2021, March 2). DJI’s First FPV Drone Offers an Exhilarating but Imperfect Experience. Gizmodo. https://gizmodo.com/flying-djis-first-fpv-drone-is-an-exhilarating-but-impe-1846383319.
