Our Rating - 4.7
DJI FPV Combo - First-Person View for Beginners is something completely new from DJI. The amazing specs combined with first-person view goggles make the drone-flying experience out of this world!
DJI FPV
DJI is the leading company in the industry - in both professional and consumer drones. Their new model, the DJI FPV, is a drone that takes the game to the next level.
This drone is not an update to an existing model - it’s the first DJI drone that offers a first-person view. DJI brings quality, reliability, and safety systems into the FPV world, known for high risks, steep learning curve, and big demands to enter. The experience of using goggles and the DJI FPV is something that words can only begin to describe. In this detailed review, we will talk about all the specs and details that make the DJI FPV stand out from its competitors.
So, without any further ado, let’s get on it!
Key Specs | |
Flight Time | 20 minutes |
Control Range | 4 km |
Battery | Intelligent Flight 2000mAh |
Charge Time | 85 minutes |
Camera | Built-in 4K/60p with 150º FOV and RockSteady EIS |
Controller | Two options: a regular controller and the new motion controller |
DJI FPV AT A GLANCE
Up until now, FPV pilots had to rely on themselves to make their drones (this includes welding by hand), source batteries, and set both energy and transmission systems. In the FPV world, most parts come from 3rd parties, and you have to be skilled to build the drone to begin with.
Image credit: DJI
That’s where DJI comes in:
Now, anyone in the world can get an amazing drone without doing a DIY drone project, or learn anything about aerodynamics and drone setup!
Being known as a reliable and high-quality manufacturer, DJI brings the level of craftsmanship and performance which is not easy to achieve on your own.
The DJI FPV is packing all kinds of fantastic features. It gives a new perspective with the first-person view and the attractive motion controller. Let’s look at the in-depth specs and the performance of this drone:
FLIGHT TIME & BATTERY
Firstly, the flight time is one of the things that make this drone stand out in the crowd. The battery is a great selling point for DJI FPV Combo because it makes a 20-minute flight time possible - yup you read that right - 20 minutes of FPV craziness on a single charge!
As always, the weather interference through wind conditions always applies to this feature, and it’s expected not to reach the advertised numbers. However, DJI FPV actually comes really close to this number - in my tests, it could last for nearly 19 minutes in normal settings. When zapping left and right at max speed, the battery drains significantly quicker, of course.
Credit to blog.studiosport.fr
Still, most FPV drones offer much shorter flight time - from 3 to 10 minutes, and that’s why DJI’s Intelligent Flight battery changes the game. This 2000mAh battery is larger than the typical one you’d see on an FPV drone, so it makes the drone slightly heavier and bulkier in size, as well.
The Intelligent Flight battery is made to discharge after a few days when not in use. This system was created to maximize the life span of the battery and avoid potential battery swelling.
Also, something worth noting is the smart charge technology of the battery, which makes the battery charge very fast. With average FPV drone batteries taking hours to charge, DJI FPV makes a point with its 85-minute charge time!
It’s so fast - but you still might need to invest in an extra battery. The charging hub offers to charge up 3 batteries at once, so you can get significantly more fly time overall!
Flying Experience
With standard FPV drones, the visuals can be just not that great due to static disturbances. Those can occur if you fly the drone behind a tree or a little out of the transmission range. Luckily, the DJI FPV Combo experiences no such issues thanks to the OcuSync 3.0 transmission. The picture remains crisp even at the distance of 6 miles - if the weather conditions allow it. Do note that the picture stays crisp as long as towers, buildings don’t interfere with the connection.
With a max speed of 86 miles per hour, this drone can reach speeds unavailable to your average drone. This speed is only available in Manual mode, which is reserved only for experienced users.
Because of the sweet top speed, the chances for crashing the drone are higher, too. Lucky for us, DJI thought about this and made the build stronger and left you the option to replace the landing gear, the top shell, the props, and of course, the gimbal.
Credit to camerajabber.com
What truly swept me off my feet is the acceleration - which is truly something else. This bad boy goes 0-60 in the astonishing two seconds in the Manual mode!
Despite the high speeds in the Manual mode, this drone is still very responsive. Even when you’re racing, you can still dart up, over, and around any obstacle in your way immediately.
For those that aren’t yet comfortable with such speeds, the Normal and Sport modes are a better option since their top speed is way under 86 mph.
Without a doubt, this fantastic drone is extremely agile - especially if you take the maximum ascent and the descent speeds. In the Normal mode, the ascent is limited at 8m/s and descent at 5m/s. In the Sport mode, the ascent is limited at 15m/s and the descent at 10m/s, while the Manual mode has no limits regarding the ascent and descent speeds.
Besides the speed limits, the Normal mode has automatic obstacle detection that slows the drone as it approaches trees. The Sport mode has the front sensors off, but it still has the bottom sensors for the ground, so it prevents crashing.
The limitless ascent and descent speeds in the Manual mode are so great that I have no words. However, the limits may exist in the other two modes, but the agility is still amazing!
Experience with the Controller
The range of the DJI FPV remote control is over 6 miles, so you can get the best footage of anything you set your eyes on without worry. The tiny hand controller is pretty much the industry standard, and it’s no different than most controllers with its strong gaming look.
On the other hand, a few buttons on the back of the controller are very specific to this model. The back rocker switch is used to change between the flight modes. Then, you have a gimbal tilt wheel, which will make the view in the goggles tilt as well.
Moreover, you have an emergency brake and the ‘return home’ button. Those buttons work in all flight modes - another innovation in the world of FPV droning. Kudos to DJI!
The drone has three flight modes which you can switch to by a flip of a switch. The first mode is Normal, the perfect setting for newbies since everything is reduced to make the first light experience smooth, with a top speed of 33 mph. Each mode has a different level of help while flying, adjusted to fit novice pilots as much as possible (it’s still an FPV drone, so it won’t be easy to fly it).
The next one is the Sport mode, which ups the speed of 60 mph. In this mode, all the safety functions from the Normal mode are operational.
The last one is the Manual mode, which turns this drone into a speedy racer. In the Manual mode, the DJI FPV can do dragonfly turns, flips, and spins. The top speed in this mode is the astonishing 86 mph, so if you’re not fully experienced, you should lay off this mode until you master it since this mode leaves you on your own!
Moreover, the hover/break button is also notable as it allows you to stop at once and hover. Once you let go of the throttle stick, the drone will stay in place - so you get more control in sticky situations. Quite a functional upgrade if you ask me.
What we also need to discuss here is the Motion Controller, which comes in the FPV Combo bundle. The motion controller is controlled with your hands, and the remote is rather intuitive. With every motion of your hand, the drone will move as well, mimicking your movements. Now that’s something to write home about!
The buttons controlling the camera, takeoff, and landing are located on the top and used with your thumb. It can be a bit tricky for beginners, but it’s equipped with a big textured button for the emergency brake that stops the drone and puts it in hover mode. Moving the drone is done with the trigger in the front of the motion controller.
The buttons on the controller are very responsive, so you can escape sudden obstacles at the very last second. Using the regular controller is easy, but the motion controller can be a bit tricky. The motions are intuitive, but it can get scary if you’re not too gentle with the movements!
Camera
The DJI FPV can film 4K at 60fps, or up to 120fps on 1080p, so it’s neat to know that you can slow down that video for a dramatic effect. The camera itself performs very well during the day, but during the night some lack of detail is to be expected.
The camera is installed on a two-axis gimbal so the image is rock-steady even in the most challenging conditions. DJI FPV camera lens has a super-wide view - 150 degrees, meaning the view is so wide that the footage can portray the ends of the drone’s propeller. If that is undesired in your videos, you can easily apply lens correction in the goggles.
Like all FPV drones, the gimbal lacks a horizontal axis. Because of that, when the drone tilts to the side, the image tilts, as well. The tilted view is the unavoidable part of the FPV flying, so if you’re looking for horizontal footage when tilted, you may need to look for more traditional drones. That being said, ½.3 inch sensor is pretty decent, but the drone could benefit from a more advanced sensor.
The Goggles
The goggles in most FPV bundles have the problem with the quality of the visuals - but not the goggles in the DJI FPV Combo. DJI FPV goggles have an extremely sharp picture, so sharp that the user could watch a movie with them with no issues whatsoever.
The DJI goggles are adjustable, so they can fit any head comfortably. Also, the goggles are lightweight despite being so bulky. The battery that powers the goggles is so tiny, it can fit right into your pocket. It lasts up to 110 minutes on a full charge, which is more than enough for 5 DJI FPV batteries of flying spent.
Another pro of the DJI goggles is the ultra-wide field of view of 150˚. The view gives the user perfect confidence even when flying the drone in demanding surroundings like forests and narrow passages.
What Do We Like?
As soon as you lay your eyes on the box, you can see the quality of this drone. When you open the thick cardboard box, you can see the plastic case where the drone is placed, as well as the accessories. The box is rather convenient to carry the drone and keep it safe from damage.
The flight time of 20 minutes is much longer than most FPV drones come with. The long flight time allows you to take breathtaking footage.
The drone and the controller are easy to use, even the motion controller. The motion controller may be trickier to figure out, but it offers something entirely new on the market.
The 4K 60fps camera makes the footage surreal with the picture quality. Also, the battery is charged in just over an hour, making a difference compared to most drones.
The strong battery, high-quality camera, fast charge, and the first-person view with the goggles make the DJI FPV Combo truly something else. This drone doesn’t just offer great footage, it offers a chance to feel like you’re in the driver’s seat!
PROS
What Don’t We Like?
The top speed of 86 mph may seem like a great selling point. What isn’t so great about the high top speed is that it raises safety concerns. With the first-person view, it’s easy to get lost and push the throttle to its limits. When that happens, the drone can easily get damaged and the repairs can cost a lot.
Furthermore, the price may be a deal-breaker for beginners since it’s a steep price to pay for their first drone. Do note that the price is rather regular for FPV drones!
CONS
Advice to Buyers
The DJI FPV Combo is a high-performance quadcopter, and it offers the ultimate experience of being in the driver’s seat.
The DJI FPV is packed with fantastic features, extraordinary camera specs, and it comes with an extra-large battery. The extra-long battery life helps you get out more fly time than many similar drones.
Credit to Victor Abarca
The price makes this drone fall into the high-end category, so it costs quite a bit more than what you would usually pay for your starter drone. On the other hand, it offers a first-person experience that is so much more than just satisfying, thanks to some of the best DJI’s technology!
Credit to www.cined.com
Conclusion
To conclude, the DJI FPV is one of the best drones out there, despite the fact it’s not a camera drone. This drone is intended for those that would like to experience drone racing.
Because of that, the DJI FPV has first-person goggles for the full pilot experience. To top it all off, it has three flight modes, from normal to extreme racing. That may seem like enough at once, but there is the motion controller that makes the entire experience even better. The motion controller may be a bit too much for newbies, but an experienced user could certainly get a kick out of it.
The drone’s speed is extraordinary, there is no doubt about it. However, having the first-person, pilot experience while roaming the blue skies is the main reason why you should consider buying the DJI FPV.
About the Author: Ruan Nelio
When I'm not geeking out over the newest drones, I'm busy flying my DJI Mavic 2 Pro all over Oslo. The coolest part about this job is I get to keep some of the drones I review, which happens to be how I got my Mavic 2!
