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★★★★★
DJI FPV Drone 1st Flight! "Don't let your Ego write checks that your A** can't cash!"
First Flight impressions from a long time Phantom and Mavic pilot of the FPV drone. I've been flying a Phantom since getting a Phantom 2 back in 2014. I've flown extreme environments on the open ocean and from over 10,000 feet at the caldron of a volcano. I've become quite comfortable with using those DJI drones. I've gained trust in the DJI flight software and capabilities of the drones. Because of that, I've been able to capture some beautiful moments in my travels that I could never have imagined without drone photography. I learned to fly manual on toy drones in the beginning, but, quickly adapted to DJI's GPS technology. After 3 batteries today I find the FPV to be a familiar performing DJI drone, however, it demands respect.
Extremely fast even in "Normal" mode, the FPV is very responsive compared to any Phantom or Mavic. Care should be taken, if like myself, you've never used Goggles and losing sight of the drone before takeoff is a little disconcerting. Your seeing everything through the Goggles that the drone see's, a'la, First Person View. The Goggles transmission is so crystal clear it's like your using your own eyes and suddenly your wondering why you can't move your head to see the drone?
In the air it shoots to 62 mph in "Sport" in a thought. No buildup or lag, it's a Ferrari compared to Phantoms and Mavics. Be respectful of that acceleration and speed. I would recommend getting it a 100 feet or more above the tallest thing you might hit and fly it around. Bank it, dive and climb. The Goggles are so crystal clear you literally feel like a bird in the sky. It's so good some banks and turns gave me a twinge of motion sickness. The illusion of flight is real!
Flight time was about 12 minutes for me with each of 3 batteries. Of course, I was flying in "Sport" as fast as it would go untill the battery level got low. There is no 30% warning default like a Phantom or Mavic of low battery. Keep a close eye on your battery before the FPV goes RTH on you for low battery. Good news is that my 1st battery was fully charged in 30 minutes from 20% and ready to use after my third battery was used up.
Goggles are very impressive! WoW! So clear and immersive. The Ocusync 3.0 is really good. No interference or latency at over 6000 feet from my position. Really impressive range in any direction. This drone is not a marathon runner like a Mavic Pro or Phantom 4 Pro 2.0, but, it's not because it would lose connection. At all times the transmission of video from the drone to the Goggles was perfect! I saw a buzzard in the air riding the current and I got close, it seemed like it was really next to me. I'm blown away by these FPV Goggles!
I also got to see the the ADS system in operation as it alerted me a aircraft was approaching. It's frightening when you 1st see it in your Goggles! I stopped the drone, never saw the aircraft and kept the FPV low. I'm not sure how far away a aircraft has to be before it's triggered but I never saw or heard a plane. The system definitely works, just don't panic when it happens and put your FPV in "Normal" mode and keep your altitude low.
I know that FPV drone flight is like a art form for FPV pilots. It takes hours and months of practice and flying to become competent and only a few can fly like Tom Cruise in Top Gun. However, that's the trap you must avoid if like myself, you've only flown Phantoms and Mavics. The DJI FPV drone is familiar in alot of ways, just don't start thinking it's the same. It's not. It's very quick and fast with extremely responsive movement. I know I'm going to be using the DJI Fpv simulator for some time before I begin entertaining thoughts of putting my FPV in manual mode. And when I do, I'm hoping to fly above a field of marshmallows.
Finally, my first day flying the DJI FPV drone was Epic! I haven't felt this excited about a drone or as anxious about what would happen since the first time I flew my Phantom 2. It's capabilities as a video centric camera is limited only by the pilots imagination and skill. Just remember the immortal words of the Instructor to Maverick in Top Gun, "Don't let your Ego write checks that your A** can't cash!" (and if you do, I hope you got Care Refresh)
March 2021 · Toys and Games · verified purchase