Introduction
Now already. This sounds like an amazing Valley proposition, but it really wasn’t until I started using this thing and learned just how versatile it really was that that value proposition skyrocketed, hello, everybody, my name is Robert, and this is bsize Music, so yeah. This is the Neo. It was released a couple of days ago by DJI and it promises to be their cheapest and most versatile drone, and, quite honestly, I think I might be in love with it.
Price Point
Lets talk about price to start with, because that’s one of the key selling points. It starts at $169 for the drone on its own, or, if, like me, you can also buy the fly, Mall bundle. This comes with the Drone three batteries, the charging dock and an rc3 controller. It’s worth noting, though, that normally DJI will sell drones without their controllers. You can do this with the mini and a few other models, but this is the only drone in their lineup that you can actually fly without even having to have a controller. You can fly this even without your phone.
Design and Build
It’s really light too, coming in at 135g. When I learned how light it was, I was a little bit worried that it simply wasn’t going to hold up in high wind conditions, but thankfully it has level four wind resistance, and this is similar to what you get on the DJI mini range. I was actually very impressed with how well it held up to some of the high winds and even some of the more adverse weather conditions here in the UK.
Easy to Fly
The DJI Neo is incredibly easy to fly, even for beginners. If you choose to fly the drone on its own, you can do so without the need for a phone. By simply holding it out on your palm, you can use the buttons on the top to switch through a range of different quick shots, such as following dronies, Helix, and more. Once you’ve selected a mode you like, hold down the button on the front for a few seconds, and the drone will automatically take off from your hand and complete the selected quick shot. Landing is just as easy hold your hand underneath the drone, and it will automatically land. It’s incredibly simple to start flying and using the Neo, even for someone who has never used a drone before.
User-Friendly Features
The Neo also comes with features that make it even more user-friendly. It uses AI to try and keep you in the shot while you’re engaged in activities. Whether you’re walking, running, or playing sports, the Neo will work to keep you in frame. This feature came in handy when I took the drone to the golf course with my father. It effortlessly captured our game, keeping me in the frame at all times. Even when it momentarily lost track of me, it quickly regained focus and resumed following me seamlessly.
Impressive Performance
Despite its affordability, the DJI Neo delivers impressive performance. It can capture high-quality footage and photos with ease, making it a great choice for both beginners and more experienced drone users. The stability of flight and the precision of its shots are remarkable, especially considering the price point of the drone. The Neo’s ability to autonomously take off and land adds to its convenience and user-friendliness, making it a standout option in the market.
The DJI Neo’s Performance
The DJI Neo doesn’t understand personal space and will get right up close to you, but the shots it produces are still pretty impressive when connected to your phone. With a whole new range of controls for various quick shots, you can choose how they work to suit your needs. For instance, you can decide how far away the drone will fly – 2m, 4m, 6m, or 10m – as well as its height. The option to have full manual control using on-screen controls also adds to the user experience.
Controller Support
While using the on-screen controls is fun, having an actual controller will provide you with proper control over the drone. The RC3 controller is recommended for those who want a more hands-on approach to flying the DJI Neo. The additional haptics of the thumb sticks make it easier to navigate and capture those perfect shots, though the on-screen controls still work surprisingly well for those looking to try something different.
Battery Life and Flight Time
The DJI Neo comes with small batteries, with the Fly More bundle including three of them. Each battery will last for approximately 17 minutes of flight time or around 20 takeoff and land cycles. While this flight time is decent, it is not as long as some of DJI’s other drone models. The reason for this shorter flight time is to keep the weight of the drone as low as possible, allowing for more maneuverability and agile flight patterns.
Flymore Bundle
In the flymore bundle you do get the normal charger that you would see with DGI drones. However, normally with these Chargers, it will only charge one of the batteries at a time. With the Neo charger, though, it can charge all three simultaneously, meaning that you’ll be able to charge your batteries up pretty quickly and get back to flying even quicker.
Propeller Guards
The drone itself has propeller guards which can be removed and will bring your flight time up by around another minute. But quite honestly, if you’re going to be flying this thing, I would suggest having them on, because there is no obstacle avoidance on this drone and it will hit trees, walls, and could potentially hit people too. Even if it did end up hitting you, it probably wouldn’t do any damage and would bounce right off. This thing has hit walls and trees quite a few times in my testing over the last few days, and quite honestly, looking at it, I don’t think you’d notice.
Sensors
The only sensor we do have is, of course, the Palm sensor on the very bottom of the drone, which allows it to understand when your hand is underneath it to automatically land and take off, etc.
Camera
Let’s talk about the camera, because this is something that a lot of people are very upset about. DJI went with a half-inch sensor here. It can shoot in 4k up to 30 FPS or if you take it down to 1080p, you can shoot in up to 60 FPS.
Quality and Technology
The quality of this camera is about what you would expect from a 200 lb drone. Youve got to keep in mind that it is surprisingly cheap, especially for the amount of technology that youre getting here. The video looked okay and was fairly color accurate. My major issue with it was that it was definitely oversharpened.
Adjustable Sharpening Levels
If you were to connect this fully to the DJI Flyer through an RC remote, you can change the sharpening levels. By default, its set at plus two. Bringing it down to zero or even into the minus figures might improve the overall shot quality of the videos. Overall, for around $200, the video and photos youre getting here are serviceable, especially for family holiday snaps and light social media work.
Camera Crew Experience
Having the Neo follow me around almost felt like having my own camera crew. While my wife can take videos of me talking, she cant keep up with me halfway up in the sky while Im running along. The Neo provides a unique filming experience that you won’t get with a handheld camera.
Storage Options
In terms of storage options, there is only one storage option and theres no way to add a micro SD card to this. Youre stuck with the 22 GB of internal storage that comes by default with the drone. This limited storage may be a downside for some users who need more space for storing their footage.
Pulling Footage Off
You can either pull footage off using the DJI Fly app or by using the USBC connection on the back of the drone to plug it into your computer and copy the files off. It’s a simple process that allows you to easily access and transfer your footage.
Control Options
The DJI Neo comes with the RC3 controller, which is a standard DJI controller. If you have experience flying mini drones like the Mini 2, the controller will feel familiar. However, it is worth noting that the controller is actually heavier than the drone itself. With the controller, you have complete control over the gimbal, allowing you to adjust the pitch and tilt while flying.
Flight Experience
While flying, the Neo utilizes a one-axis gimbal and digital stabilization to ensure smooth footage. Despite this limitation, the quality of the footage remains impressive, especially considering the price range of the drone. The drone handles like any other DJI drone, giving you a familiar and reliable flying experience.
Additional Accessories
For those looking to enhance their flying experience, DJI offers accessories such as the DJI goggles and RC remotes, as well as the motion remote. By investing in these accessories, you can transform the Neo into a tiny racing drone, providing a thrilling FPV experience for those who are more adventurous.
Control Options
There are five different ways to control the DJI Neo, all for a price tag of only $200. This impressive affordability makes it a popular choice among those looking to capture holiday shots, online Vlogs, and TikToks. The various control options cater to a wide range of users, from young children to adults with YouTube channels.
Indoor Flying
Despite its small and compact size, the DJI Neo can be flown indoors. However, caution is advised when doing so, as the drone can become overwhelmed, especially when using follow modes. Using the remote control can help stabilize the drone in indoor settings to avoid mishaps.
Versatility
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced drone pilot, the DJI Neo offers versatility and fun for all users. Its ease of use and various control modes make it a great choice for capturing memorable moments on family holidays or creating unique content for social media platforms.
Future Plans
The DJI Neo offers exciting possibilities for future adventures, especially for those with growing families. The ability to capture interesting and fun shots while on vacation or during special occasions makes it a valuable tool for creating lasting memories.
Overview of the DJI Neo
The DJI Neo is a lightweight drone that weighs only 135 grams and comes equipped with a camera. It is important to note that you will need to register the drone with the relevant authorities and adhere to drone flying regulations. Avoid flying it in heavily populated areas and follow standard drone laws.
Connectivity Options
When flying the Neo using the mobile app, it will connect via Wi-Fi. You can fly the drone up to approximately 30 meters away from you before losing connection. The drone has a feature that allows it to return home if connection is lost, similar to other DJI drones. However, it is advisable to keep the drone within a reasonable distance to avoid losing connection. Alternatively, using a remote like the rc3 will allow you to achieve the full control distance, which can be as far as a couple of miles.
Recommendations
If you are in the market for a drone to capture creative and interesting shots, especially for holidays or social media, the DJI Neo is a great option to consider. It offers a fun and simple way to explore aerial photography. However, if you are looking for a more advanced camera drone for professional aerial photography and videos, you may want to consider investing a bit more in a model like the DJI Mini 3.
The DJI Neo is a budget-friendly option for drone enthusiasts looking to enhance their photography and videography skills. It offers a good balance of features and affordability, making it a practical choice for beginners and hobbyists. Share your thoughts on the DJI Neo in the comment section below and consider subscribing for more drone-related content. Thank you for reading!
