Well, how about that. Mere hours after we reported on Drone DJ’s story that we wouldn’t see the long-fabled Mavic 2 professional controller at CES 2019, DJI publicizes that very merchandise. We work on the details now we have at time, of us…though I’m certain none of our readers are disenchanted by this shock announcement.
The DJI Smart Controller is a $650 R/C controller fitted with a 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen that runs on the Android working system. The firm says that it’s “designed to maximize your outdoor flying experience with the Mavic 2 or other aircraft equipped with OcuSync 2.0.”
OcuSync is the transmission system that communicates between DJI drones and controllers – the Mavic 2 Pro and Zoom editions are at the moment the one fashions geared up with model 2.0, though the wording of this description actually suggests we’ll see extra drones with the expertise sooner or later.
At any price, the principle focus of the Smart Controller itself appears to be maximizing usability in harsher out of doors situations. Its first promoting level on the DJI web site is an Ultra-Bright show (1,000 cd/m2) that’s presupposed to make your FPV dwell feed simpler to see when working in direct daylight.
Since the transmission itself is powered by the aforementioned OcuSync 2.0, it ought to stream sooner and extra clearly than different FPV controllers and helps automated switching between 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz transmission frequencies. This reduces the affect of environmental interference on drone operation and picture high quality whereas additionally making certain long-range video transmission at distances of as much as 8 kilometers (about 5 miles.) However, Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi connections are additionally obtainable for many who don’t care about having the longest potential vary once they fly.
Further cementing the concept that this can be a controller designed for use wherever, the Smart Controller can also be designed to function in temperatures that vary from -20° Celsius (-4 levels Fahrenheit to 40°C (104 levels Fahrenheit.) It shall be attention-grabbing to see if photographers use these options to seize new forms of landscapes within the coming months.
DJI has not specified precisely which model of Android powers the controller, however the underlying machine has 16GB of ROM and helps microSD UHS-I Speed Grade 3 playing cards as much as 128GB. These are used to run the DJI ap and a small assortment of video modifying apps in addition to to speak with the drone itself.
Though contact display screen controls are supported, most customers who purchase this controller will most likely need the better diploma of precision supplied by the 2 throttle sticks mounted onto the machine itself. We don’t have a reporter at CES ourselves, however early studies recommend that the controls work nicely and really feel pretty snug for many customers (at all times a priority with these blocky, rectangular transmitters.)
With so many options you is perhaps questioning what the catch is to all this. Well, because it seems, there’s two. The first is that the Smart Controller prices $650 USD. That’s greater than the worth of some drones, and can most likely worth this controller proper out of the novice market (a disgrace for hobbyists enthusiastic about extra exact controls.)
The second is that the Smart Controller’s 5000 mAh battery solely lasts 2.5 hours, can’t be eliminated, and takes a full two hours to cost. While that’s longer than the lifespan of the one battery included by default with the Mavic 2, for drone photographers who like to make use of a number of batteries and have longer shoots that mainly means the Smart Controller is a no-go.
What do you suppose? Is the long-rumored Smart Controller all the pieces you Mavic 2 homeowners have been hoping for? Or does it depart so much to be desired? Sound off within the feedback, and search for our Dronethusiast overview someday within the close to future.
The author referred to as I Coleman is a veteran tech reviewer who’s spent seven years writing about all the pieces from PC to drone tech and who joined the Dronethusiast staff early in 2017. I brings his attribute humorousness and a spotlight to element to our product evaluations and purchaser’s guides, ensuring that they’re filled with professional evaluation in a approach that’s nonetheless straightforward for pastime newcomers to grasp. In his spare time, I is utilizing drones to create 3D modeling software program for a corporation in his hometown.