If I need to stop suddenly, I can hit the brake button and it will return the drone to a safe hover. That doesn’t mean it couldn’t have crashed, I managed to steer the drone directly towards the post of said fence, knocking it down. It fell about 8 feet onto the beach rocks but quickly resumed its flight without leaving any visible traces. This thing is impeccably built, and while I don’t doubt that repeated high-speed collisions will eventually damage it, it’s clearly designed to take some punishment.
But what about those mind-bending aerial stunts on YouTube? Unfortunately, you can’t really do them with motion controllers. The downside to its user-friendly simplicity is that it doesn’t work the same way as a twin-stick controller. Think of it as a controller with training wheels. If you stop flying (such as diving), it will eventually stop moving and hover in place. Smart, but limited.
For those who want to upgrade to more sophisticated manual flying, DJI sells the $199 Console Remote 3, which allows you to fly the drone in manual mode. Here, the training wheels are off, and the slightest mistake can lead to an embarrassing and potentially costly crash. You can also perform incredible tricks if you know how.
For me, I’m eager to return the Avata 2 sample to DJI in one piece, and now the RC Motion 3 feels more than adequate. It allowed me to capture some great footage using the Avata 2’s electronically stabilized camera, which records video at 4K/60 fps or 2.7K/120 fps. There is also the option to use the 10-bit D Log M color profile for more post-production color grading. The drone comes with 46 GB of built-in storage for videos and 12 MP photos, and also has a microSD slot for those who need more space.
My first first person perspective
Ultimately, the Avata 2 is the latest in DJI’s line of drones that make it easy for amateurs to achieve great results. In this case, it makes FPV flying incredibly easy and intuitive, and its camera lets you create some exciting, smooth cinematic sequences with ease.
There are also few similar products on the market, with most FPV drones being hobbyist-built kits rather than consumer-friendly designs. Therefore, the main replacement for Avata 2 is the original DJI Avata. For those of you who own the first-gen model, I’d say that aside from the Goggles 3 not being retro-compatible, the improvements here don’t really make it worth the upgrade.
Image source: DJI Innovations
But if you are new to FPV games, I strongly recommend you to choose the latest version. It’s only $179 more, but it comes with improvements across the board, including enhanced flight performance, longer flight time, intelligent flight modes and advanced safety features. If you’re looking for a way to enjoy FPV fun, look no further than Avata 2.