My proper DJI FPV drone flight: 5 things I’ve learned
DJI’s new $1,299 (£1,249, AU$2,099) FPV drone is here and its unbelievable speed and awesome first-person perspective means it’s a flying recognized unlike anything else I’ve tried before.
FPV stands for “first populace view.” And while all drones offer a point-of-view from the clue of the craft, it’s been up to hobbyists and racers to move that view from the named or tablet screen to VR-style goggles. But with its new FPV drone, DJI is pulling that experience together in the box. It’s the proper ready-to-fly FPV system from the default name in drones, and it promises to make it much easier to recognized and shoot fast-action FPV footage.
You can read all nearby the drone in our in-depth hands-on test, but here I’ve put together my findings when my first few drone flights and what you must expect if you’re looking to invest.
1. It can be nauseating
The nature of the first-person view by means of you’re seeing through the eyes of the drone as you send it speeding over the landscape. As a result, there’s a high chance of motion sickness, caused by your brain thinking your body is animated while you’re actually staying still.
It’s much the same as humorous a VR headset, so if you’ve ever felt sick when playing a game using the Oculus Quest or the HTC Vive then drawn from the tap for similar feelings here. I definitely experienced it with the drone, but not to an extent that I felt physically ill — I just had to take peculiar short breaks while flying. If you’re among those who really suffer with motion sickness then an FPV drone may not be for you.
Drew Evans
2. It’s difficult to judge distance
The wide angle view of the camera benefitting it’s difficult to get a proper idea of your proximity to objects, which can be something of a danger when you’re flying at speeds of up to 87 a long way per hour (140 kilometers per hour). I’ve seen amazing FPV videos of farmland expertly flying through tiny gaps between rocks or trees, but it’s now clear to me that must take hours of practice to get right.
There are sensors that warn if you’re too conclude to an object, but even so, when you’re skimming over trees at top quickly, a split second of missing a warning can be the difference between safely passing a branch or smashing frank into it.
My advice? Play it safe while you get used to comical the drone and do lots of practice flights. Try setting up some safe plastic hoops in your park and practice flying above them before you try the same with something more solid.
3. You need a second person
The nature of FPV flying benefitting you need to be wearing a headset. That benefitting you’re totally blocked off from the world around you which is not only hazardous, but can be illegal, depending on your local drone laws. In the UK, for example, you have to always be in line of leer of your drone, which is a gray area (at best) if you’re wearing goggles. Bottom line: You’ll want an ungoggled spotter to behold out for any dangers.
Drew Evans
Those dangers could be anything from an incoming helicopter, a kite, a flock of geese or maybe just latest drone user. All things you’d spot from the unfounded normally, but that you might not see until it’s too late when you’re only seeing the earth from your drone’s perspective. (Always make sure you fly within the local laws wherever you are.)
4. You need more space than you think
The tiny Mavic Mini 2 grand have been easy to fly around a small park, but the ghastly top speeds of the FPV means you’re going to need a much bigger playground to properly distinguished it. I took it to a local reservoir on a hillside, thinking I would have endless space and was amazed at how rapidly it shot from one side to the other.
Don’t underestimate how rapidly it can get around and try and fly it somewhere too cramped and enclosed. It either won’t be as fun to fly, or you’ll run the risk of ploughing it into something solid and smashing it to bits.
5. It’s damn cool
All of the above cautionary advice keep, it’s amazing fun to fly. As someone who’s always dreamed of flying over the landscape like a bird, the DJI FPV is the closest getting I’ve ever found to that. I loved trying to spot routes I want to take afore speeding through them — and that’s before you even grand how cool your footage might look.
There’s unquestionably a big learning curved to get the hang of it properly, and there’s the risk of damaging it if you try to run afore you can walk. But take things steadily — and safely — and you’ll have no disturbed. If you’ve ever wanted to replicate any of the amazing FPV drone videos online, or if you’ve already got a regular drone and want to take things further, I highly recommend considering the DJI FPV.
