It is not frequently that DJI is at the back of the curve, however even the arena’s main drone producer is not going to be main the pack the entire time. The DJI Neo is a sub-250 g newbie drone that may be flown autonomously, with the DJI Fly app, the use of the DJI RC-N3 Controller, or even flown as an FPV drone when attached to DJI’s FPV controllers and goggles.Key SpecsWeight: 4.76 ounces / 135 gDimensions: 5.12 x 6.18 x 1.90in / 130 × 157 × 48.5mmBattery: 1435 mAh / as much as 18 mins flightCharger kind: USB-C cable / battery charging hubModes: Cine, Standard, Recreation (Handbook with the FPV Controller 3)Video transmission vary: 6.2 miles (FCC), 3.7 miles (CE/SRRC/MIC)Video answer: As much as 4KFrame charges: 4K 30 FPS / FHD as much as 60 FPSThis drone is very flexible for those causes, however at the most simple finish of operation, this can be very very similar to the HoverAir X1. The Neo does, then again, take artful independent flight a step additional with its more than one keep an eye on choices, which blended with the low worth of the bottom package make it one of the crucial highest newbie drones. It’ll by no means be one of the crucial highest drones, however it’s no doubt an enchanting addition to the DJI solid.
The DJI Neo is small and light-weight. (Symbol credit score: James Abbott)The Neo isn’t a specifically rapid drone and along GPS positioning, it most effective options downward visible positioning and a single-axis gimbal that is supplemented through efficient Rocksteady and HorizonBalancing stabilization. Digicam capability could also be elementary with 4K 30 FPS being the mounted 4K possibility for video seize along FHD at 30, 50, and 60 FPS. You’ll additionally seize 12MP footage, however those are restricted to JPEG structure in both 4:3 or 16:9 side ratios.Digicam capability could also be elementary with 4K 30 FPS being the mounted 4K possibility for video seize along FHD at 30, 50, and 60 FPS. You’ll additionally seize 12MP footage, however those are restricted to JPEG structure in both 4:3 or 16:9 side ratios.Digicam barriers apart, which can be of no result for rookies, the Neo is designed for amusing and ease and it indubitably achieves this. And at simply $199 / £169 for the bottom package the place you’ll fly the drone autonomously without or with the DJI Fly app, it makes coming into drones extremely reasonable and simple for completely someone.DJI Neo reviewDJI Neo assessment: DesignImage 1 of three
Propeller guards make the Neo protected for palm take-off and touchdown.(Symbol credit score: James Abbott)
Downward imaginative and prescient positioning sensors. (Symbol credit score: James Abbott)
Controls for independent app-free flying.(Symbol credit score: James Abbott)Small and lightweightPropeller guardsMultiple controller optionsThe DJI Neo sports activities a design that places it someplace between a micro whoop and a cine whoop FPV drone, with enclosed propeller guards to stay folks and gadgets protected. This makes it protected for hand take-off and touchdown, in addition to for flying with reference to folks when the use of the independent topic monitoring modes.It’s just a bit greater than the palm of your hand with a weight of simply 4.76oz / 135g, so if you’re the use of the Neo controller-free, the use of the on-drone controls to begin independent flight or the DJI Fly app, it is a minimalist package to take out. You’ll additionally take usual keep an eye on of the Neo the use of the DJI Fly app the use of the onscreen virtual controls or turn on voice keep an eye on.Voice keep an eye on calls for the DJI Fly app to be opened for your telephone and attached to the drone anyway. So, it is only as simple to begin flight the use of the app the place you’ve extra keep an eye on over flight parameters similar to flight distance when monitoring an issue.The Fly Extra package contains the DJI RC-N3 Controller, which makes the Neo behave extra like a digital camera drone and extends the transmission distance from 50m when the use of the app with the Neo’s WiFi to plain digital camera drone distances. Plus, you’ll pair the Neo with the DJI FPV Far off Controller 3 or the DJI RC Movement 3 and DJI Goggles 3 for FPV flight.Symbol 1 of two
The DJI RC-N3 Controller comes with the Fly Extra Package deal.(Symbol credit score: James Abbott)
The Battery Charging Hub is a part of the Fly Extra Package deal.(Symbol credit score: James Abbott)In spite of the small measurement and light-weight weight, the Neo is well-made and indubitably feels powerful sufficient to take a knock or two. Plus, the propellers are enclosed best and backside, in addition to having usual propeller guards which can be constructed into the airframe, so it is a protected drone to fly round and with reference to folks. Then again, care nonetheless needs to be taken for the reason that Neo most effective has downward imaginative and prescient sensors and no longer collision avoidance sensors.DJI Neo assessment: Capability AI topic trackingLevel 4 wind resistanceGPS positioning
The DJI Neo in flight. (Symbol credit score: James Abbott)The Neo could also be a rather easy drone in the case of operation, however behind-the-scenes AI topic monitoring is tricky at paintings to stay the topic within the heart of the body when taking pictures footage and movies. This works along the Clever flight modes, which come with Observe, Dronie, Circle, Rocket, Highlight, Omni, Helix, and Boomerang.Flight pace is beautiful gradual at 1.11mph in Cine mode, 13.42mph in Standard mode, and 17.89mph in Recreation mode when flying the use of the RC-N3 Controller. However even though the highest pace is not anyplace close to as rapid because the DJI Mini 4 Professional, it must nonetheless be rapid sufficient to stay alongside of maximum transferring human topics, together with cyclists.The flight pace will also be higher to 35.79mph when the use of the DJI FPV Far off Controller 3 in Handbook mode, along the use of DJI Goggles 3. Plus, when used with the DJI RC Movement 3 Controller you’ll make the most of Simple ACRO the place you’ll Turn, Roll, and 180° Flow the Neo whilst additionally making the most of the intuitive FPV keep an eye on equipped through the Movement 3 Controller.What number of people will use the Neo for FPV is tricky to bet as a result of the extra FPV equipment which can be required. The perhaps use of the drone it is going to be palm take-off and touchdown, the use of both the controls at the drone or the DJI Fly app. However despite the fact that you plan to basically use the Neo this fashion, the Fly Extra Package deal with the RC-N3 Controller does open issues up fairly.With the RC-N3 Controller, the Neo behaves extra like a normal digital camera drone with extra actual keep an eye on to be had. This additionally opens up GPS positioning, Go back to House, and an on-screen map. To not point out, the use of this controller vastly extends the drone’s vary past the 50m transmission distance when the use of the DJI Fly app to keep an eye on the Neo over its WiFi connection.As prior to now discussed, there’s no collision avoidance, which might be helpful for a drone like this, however it will additionally force up the fee. There are downward imaginative and prescient positioning sensors with a precision vary of 0.5-10m, and throughout checking out the drone was once ready to fly underneath and round hindrances when monitoring topics — perhaps for the reason that topic have shyed away from them, however it’s nonetheless spectacular.The Neo provides as much as degree 4 wind resistance, which is 18mph, however it isn’t nicely fitted to flying in winds even with reference to this degree. It is not in any respect solid, and even though Digital Symbol Stabilization the use of a 1/2-inch sensor covers as much as 45 levels of horizontal tilt, more potent winds make the drone roll additional than this. With decrease wind ranges, then again, the Symbol Stabilization is superb.With 22GB of onboard garage, which DJI says equates to 40 mins of 4K 30 FPS or 55 mins of 1080p 60 FPS video, you’ve various garage for an afternoon out. Footage and movies can then be transferred to the DJI Fly App the use of Fast Switch, or downloaded on your pc when the Neo is attached by means of the incorporated USB-C PD cable.DJI Neo assessment: PerformanceImage 1 of five
The DJI Neo can most effective seize footage in JPEG structure.(Symbol credit score: James Abbott)
Symbol high quality is excellent however no longer DJI’s highest.(Symbol credit score: James Abbott)
The usage of the RC-N3 Controller opens up extra digital camera keep an eye on.(Symbol credit score: James Abbott)
Robust wind can negatively impact compositions.(Symbol credit score: James Abbott)
Footage will also be seize in 16:9 or 4:3 side ratios.(Symbol credit score: James Abbott)1/2-inch sensor 12MP sensorUp to 4K 30 FPS video Computerized shootingOne of the good stuff in regards to the Neo when flying within the independent topic monitoring modes, is that footage and movies are captured routinely, so that you would not have to fret a few factor. Merely take off, and the drone will do the remaining for you. Digicam capability is maximum restricted in those modes, nevertheless it does open up when the use of the RC-N3 Controller.The drone includes a 12MP 1/2-inch sensor which is reasonably huge for this type of small drone, however this offers greater than sufficient pixels to house the 45 levels of horizontal tilt when the use of Digital Symbol Stabilization. That is extremely efficient, however greater bumps of the drone from wind stay noticeable in movies.The digital camera supplies a large 117.6-degree box of view, with a full-frame identical focal duration of 13mm. The aperture is mounted at f/2.8 and the mounted center of attention lens supplies sharpness from 60 cm to infinity. ISO and shutter pace levels are sufficiently big for a variety of lighting fixtures prerequisites, whilst Handbook and Auto taking pictures modes are to be had.
Shut up of the DJI Neo gimbal and digital camera. (Symbol credit score: James Abbott)The picture high quality is excellent however no longer exceptional, however there’s not anything to bitch about right here. Digicam capability is restricted with 4K video mounted at 30 FPS whilst taking pictures at 1080p opens up extra body charge choices. The colour profile is Usual for straight-out-of-camera pictures, and not using a flat profile to be had for colour grading, whilst the bitrate is about at 75mbps. The video does glance quite oversharpened, however this will also be lowered for a extra enjoyable and herbal glance when the use of the RC-N3 Controller.Footage can most effective be captured in JPEG structure in 16:9 or 4:3 side ratios. Symbol high quality is highest in brighter prerequisites, like maximum drones and motion cameras with small sensors, so not anything is abnormal right here. All in all, it’s a shockingly easy digital camera, however since simplicity is a key characteristic of the Neo, this comes as little marvel.Manually captured videoIntelligent Flight ModesDJI Neo assessment: CostThe Neo is to be had in two kits and the bottom package contains the drone, battery, and equipment which prices $199 / £169. This package permits for controller-free and app-controlled flight and is probably the most obtainable possibility for absolute rookies. The Neo is admittedly fantastic at this elementary degree, however through making an investment within the Fly Extra Package deal you’ll building up the usability of the Neo, permitting it to be managed and used as a digital camera drone.The Fly Extra Package deal (DJI Neo Combo in america) contains the drone, a DJI RC-N3 Controller, 3 Sensible Batteries, a Battery Charging Hub, and equipment. This package prices $289 / £299, so it’s nice worth whilst you imagine the 2 additional batteries and the controller which can be incorporated. The Neo will also be managed with the DJI FPV Far off Controller 3 and DJI Goggles 3 for guide FPV flight or the goggles and the DJI RC Movement 3, however those would make it an excessively dear drone package until you already personal the FPV equipment.Must you purchase the DJI Neo?The DJI Neo is numerous amusing and makes drone flight as easy or as sophisticated as you may find it irresistible to be due to the more than one keep an eye on choices which can be to be had. This no longer most effective makes it flexible but in addition supplies a transparent trail for upgrading the drone as your talents and necessities develop.For rookies, this is a drone value taking into consideration and the 2 affordable package choices make it extremely obtainable to even the ones on a good finances. However for extra complex drone pilots having a look in particular for both a digital camera drone or an FPV drone, there are higher DJI drones that you’ll put money into.However despite the fact that you’re a extra complex pilot and you may merely like a drone that may observe you autonomously while you’re out for your adventures, the Neo will just do that and do it nicely.If the DJI Neo is not for youThe HoverAir X1 is the primary independent drone of this sort. This is a nice performer and extremely simple to make use of. It does not have the entire flight keep an eye on choices introduced through the DJI Neo, nevertheless it does characteristic a foldable design that makes it extra compact.The DJI Mini 4 Professional is an incredible sub-250 g digital camera drone and is a lot more robust than the Neo with a significantly better digital camera. It additionally options complex topic monitoring so even though it may be flown as with reference to folks because the Neo, this is a forged possibility for the ones searching for a light-weight digital camera drone.If you need to get into FPV, the DJI Avata 2 is a significantly better drone for this than the Neo and has a awesome digital camera for taking pictures 4K video. What is extra, to fly the Neo as an FPV drone you want the DJI FPV Far off Controller 3 or the DJI RC Movement 3 and DJI Goggles 3, which might take the fee with reference to the Avata 2 if purchased one by one.
