I’ve had the DJI Neo for a few weeks now, and I’m genuinely excited about it. As someone who wasn’t a drone user before, this little gadget has sparked my enthusiasm for flying drones.
Why It’s a Gateway Drone
First off, it’s affordable. At S$250 for the drone and S$400 for the Fly More combo, it’s easy on the wallet. When a drone is this cheap, you feel more daring to fly it without the constant worry of damaging an expensive investment.
The Neo practically flies itself. You don’t even need a phone to get started; you can simply launch it from your hand in selected modes. It’s incredibly light, compact, and portable—even with three batteries in the charger, it’s easy to carry around.
What’s more, the DJI Neo is a conversation starter. Every friend who sees it wants to give it a try. After a few test flights, you can connect it to your phone to retrieve footage. Before you know it, you’re adjusting presets like follow distance and height.
Once you’ve connected to your phone, the next step is to fly it directly from the app. There’s slight latency, and the speed is toned down, but it’s a fun introduction for someone with zero experience.
Then you can pair it with the RC-N3 controller, which adds even more excitement. You can switch between cinematic, neutral, and sport modes, making flying easy and enjoyable.
I took the drone to Bishan Park and Dempsey Hill for more practice. The internal memory is a fantastic feature—there’s no need to fuss with memory cards and their varying sizes.
Specs Overview
DJI Neo Specifications:
- Weight: 135g
- Camera: 12 MP (max video resolution of 1080p at 30fps)
- Flight Time: Up to 18 minutes per battery
- Maximum Transmission Range: 4 km (with controller)
- Internal Memory: 16 GB
- Charging Time: Approximately 60 minutes for a full charge
DJI Neo Fly More Combo Specifications:
- Includes: 2 additional batteries, a charging hub, and a carrying case, RCN3 controller
- Total Flight Time: 18 mins per battery
- Convenience: The charging hub allows you to charge multiple batteries simultaneously, ensuring you’re ready for extended flying sessions
The Downsides
While the drone is easy to fly and compact, the footage quality is akin to smartphone videos—not quite on par with the current flagship levels. But given that the drone weighs just 135g and fits in the palm of your hand, that’s entirely understandable.
Overall, the DJI Neo has fueled my desire to fly more and explore other models that offer more capabilities. I’ve never felt this excitement before, mainly due to barriers like high prices, lack of flying skills, and the fear of crashing—barriers the Neo effectively breaks down.
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