Thorough Rebranding
It is a clone. It is not just some simple reboxing or some simple badge removal. This is extremely thorough rebranding. This is priced where DJI realistically would price their drone with an RC the Drone and no extra batteries. They actually dont offer an air3 that has just the Drone in the RC. They either offer it with the RC N2 and the Drone, but not the DJI rc2 and the Drone.
Similar Packaging
Interestingly, its packaged pretty much the same way that DJI packages theirs even have some of the same icons that theyve used very similar per se. So opening this up, this is packaged identical. The Branding, of course, is not DJI its the Specta branding, and it appears as if it is a fly Flawless copy. I mean truly Flawless uh.
Identical Design
The thing youll notice is that normally there is a DJI logo here on the air3. This is not the case. You now have, of course, this its identical. I mean it truly is identical. Uh, the same prompts for camera same camera. On that front there. This is the Specta RC, and this is the dgr RC 2. They are pretty much identical where the logo for DJI is thats been put with this black box funny enough, even when you boot this up, it has a rebranding. It follows the same pattern.
Software Features
It is really the same Music software same noises, an older version. This the spe to RC has an older version of the DJI software, but it realistically same thing: it all looks the same profile is the same.
Rebranding and App Versions
You can start your thing up camera view. It only gives the option for the air, but it it really is the same thing its of course anywhere that you would expect to see. Dji is, of course, going to then have Specta, so here you can see its all rebranded, its all different app versions. This looks like done a contr F on the source code and replaced it all with Specta.
Internal Components and Issues
We start opening this up. The batteries are all rebranded anywhere that there’s a sticker is an entirely different sticker. You can take a look inside side of the Drone and see that it’s all rebranded, even on the sides, it’s all rebranded, so fun fact. They originally sent me a kit that had difficulties registering your account, so you couldn’t authenticate the Drone and you couldn’t fly the drone at all. So it was expensive, brick, basically which sucks, because I know how much this Hardware costs and it’s basically just an overrated.
Firmware Issues and Factory Settings
They sent me another one that we couldn’t get this firmware to flash, but interestingly enough it’s because this software is at a lower version, which means they’ve made some oopsies. What do I mean by oopsies is in you very clearly can see that there was some times that it says DJI and it uh shouldn’t have so also. It appears that the firmware or the version of software on the controller is, has the ability to access some settings at the factory that I don’t think are ever have ever been seen before.
Testing Menu Discovery
One of those is, I think, the testing menu for DJI, because this isnt like new testing. So this is something that very likely is part of DJI and not supposed to be seen so so weirdly enough, the older firmware, the older version broken one. Has this weird logo, I think its the Snapdragon logo and then it switches over to Specta so also a fun fact. I tried doing this on my actual DJI controller, but it appears that there is a way to access a secret menu on this controller.
Secret Setting Menu
It will take you the secret setting menu and, as you can see, there is a lot of different options here: um fun fact: you can get your controller to play. Dubstep uh! If you test the speakers, so your DJI controller will play a Chinese dubstep. Uh lets. Do that real, quick here we Music go! This just got demonetized by the way so funny enough.
Development Insights
They call this the Specta RC, but it is called in here the RC 331, which is actually the RC name of the DJI rc2 notice. The date that this firmware was compiled was October 8th, which was around the same time that the Drone was released, which pretty much shows that this has been. I want to say under some level development since the beginning, which makes me lean heavily towards the fact that this is probably sanctioned by DJI, rather than being some like offshoot, so fun fact.
Controller Identification
When I plug in the RC, it shows up as the spect to RC.
References to DJI Stuff
Not the DJI rc2, however, we can take a look at some of these files and we can find references to DJI stuff in here. The most notable is, if you’re familiar with Waypoint map its a software service that allows you to automatically fly the drone and it relies heavily on the waypoints feature. So if we actually deep dive into the waypoints file, there’s references to DJI like documentation in the files that it creates for waypoints, it is identical to what you would get on their rc2. But if we even go into the Waypoint missions, we can take a look here, this kmz file when we decrypt it. We can see that it has this clear reference to DJI’s documentation about how to use this file so again a clear reference to DJI within this device.
Fully Compatible Waypoint Map
Funny enough, I was actually able to load the Waypoint map files into the Specta air and fly an automated mission just like I would with the Air 3. Funny enough, if you’re interested in checking that out and how to do that, there’s a link, a tutorial video for that in the description. But the main point is this actually is like fully compatible Waypoint map, which is actually a pretty strict guidelines for how to fly the drone.
Properties Details
We can go to the properties now and we can take a look at the details and see just kind of what’s inside of this notice that it lists the Specta as the camera maker.
Thorough Rebranding
Upon closer inspection of the Cogito Tech Specta Air Drone, it becomes evident that the device has been meticulously rebranded to mirror the DJI Air 3. Despite the absence of any DJI branding or water detection stickers typically found in DJI products, the resemblance at both hardware and software levels is strikingly similar.
Identical Features
The Cogito Tech Specta Air Drone boasts features that mirror those of the DJI Air 3, from its camera quality to its overall functionality. The device performs seamlessly, with both lenses working perfectly to capture stunning pictures. The overall performance is on par with what one would expect from a DJI product.
Firmware Concerns
While the Cogito Tech Specta Air Drone excels in replicating the features of the DJI Air 3, it is worth noting that the device currently runs on an older version of the firmware. As a result, some of the newer features introduced by DJI, such as obstacle avoidance cameras and AR overlays, may not be accessible on this clone.
DJI Branding and Updates
Those features were awesome additions, but I doubt that they’ll be able to remove all of DJI’s branding quick enough to actually put reasonable updates. I would be curious to see if we ever get updates for this drone or we’re stuck on this same default firmware version when you buy a DJI drone.
Ecosystem Concerns
For example, when you buy a DJI drone, you get access to that ecosystem. You get access to the ability to buy more batteries, replacement parts, and DJI care refresh. It raises concerns about compatibility with other parts and getting replacement parts for the Specta Air Drone.
Reliability and Maintenance
If something happens to the Specta Air Drone, there may be difficulties in finding replacement parts or batteries. It’s important to consider how reliable this drone will be in the long run and if maintenance will be a challenge.
Potential Issues
There are questions raised about the reliability of using this drone in case of accidents or damage. If certain components like the camera or batteries need replacement, it may be challenging to find compatible parts or accessories.
Battery Concerns
I like to at least have a couple batteries when I’m flying, so that way I can switch them out and stuff. If you can only get one battery, that’s already a big drawback. The Specta Air Drone is priced right around where I would expect DJI to price it. Given that it only comes with the RC and not additional batteries, one might question if you are saving that much money by opting for a drone priced 100-200 cheaper without the extra batteries.
Value for Money
Perhaps if the drone was a little cheaper, around $1000, it would be more appealing. When you buy a DJI product, you are not just paying for the drone itself but also for the ecosystem and support. DJI is a popular brand with a well-established support system, whereas the Specta Air Drone has no backing whatsoever. This lack of support raises concerns about the potential for restrictions in the US market.
Authentication Issues
One of the issues experienced with the early version of the Specta Air Drone was the inability to access authentication servers. This led to concerns about possible blocks preventing access to essential services. Without a reliable support system in place, users may encounter difficulties in using the drone effectively and accessing necessary features.
Quality Comparison
So if they truly are not an offshoot of DJI, then there’s a real present issue that you could buy this and have a break or 10 5 weeks down the road, it’s a break and that’s a wild thought to spend a th000 something dollars on this. The drone is great, it’s flawless, but why would you pay realistically the same amount as a DJI drone for a lot of unknown if 3 weeks down the road?
Concerns about Durability
If a month down the road they come out and they say, hey we’ve got extra batteries, we’ve got replacement parts, we’ve got refresh Id, be interested, I seriously would say, OK um, but I think the only person that’s really going to buy this is some type of government agency – that’s who they have to be targeting. If you’re targeting a consumer, this is a really hard sell, especially at that price point. If this was $800, definitely I see this is a much better alternative, but it’s just you’re losing out on so much and there’s such a great unknown.
Potential Target Audience
It’s hard for me to look at this like this is a great drone, but the first one that said me as a Breck cuz. This is a really hard sell, especially at that price point. If this was $800, definitely I see this is a much better alternative, but it’s just you’re losing out on so much and there’s such a great unknown.
