Certainly one of my favourite tech devices ever is the HoverAir X1, a video-selfie drone that takes off out of your palm, follows you round and lands proper again the place it began — all with the push of a button. It is genuinely cool and nice for capturing hands-free cinematic video from the sky. When DJI introduced an identical product, the Neo, I anticipated it to be extra difficult (based mostly on previous expertise) and equally costly (identical). However my sticker shock went the opposite means: The Neo begins at simply $199, lower than half the unique value of the X1, and it is almost as straightforward to make use of. Plus, it provides a number of fascinating extras to the function combine. There are some shortcomings, certain, however this appears like a game-changer — to say nothing of among the best vacation presents of 2024. Here is my DJI Neo evaluate.
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VERDICT: A enjoyable and inexpensive flying digital camera that is additionally straightforward to make use of and surprisingly versatile. It is a steal at $199.
- Lower than half the worth of its essential competitor
- Palm-launch flight modes straightforward to study and use
- Sufficient onboard storage for as much as 55 minutes of footage
- Can file regular 4K video, even in windy situations
- As much as 18 minutes of flight time on a cost
- Suitable with different DJI controllers for expanded vary, flight choices
- Flight-mode changes require the DJI app
- No obstacle-avoidance
- Storage cannot be expanded
- Cannot fly over water, sharp drop-offs
- Dolly mode struggles if you stroll towards the digital camera
So what is that this factor for? Selfies when your arm is not lengthy sufficient. Group pictures from above. Stroll-and-talk movies, no cameraman required. Dolly pictures that transfer with you — no dolly required. In different phrases, it is a flying digital camera that may lock onto you, orbit you, fly alongside you and so forth. Whenever you’re executed, you simply obtain the footage to your telephone for speedy evaluate, modifying and sharing.
You should purchase the drone and one battery for $199, or get the Neo Combo for $289; the latter comes with three batteries and a charging dock. Each signify a major financial savings over the HoverAir X1, which begins at $429 (however does routinely get discounted). Alas, neither one features a carrying case, although there’s already not less than one third-party DJI Neo case available, with extra certain to comply with.
DJI Neo design
You are more likely to need some sort of case, as a result of one key bodily distinction between this drone and the HoverAir X1 is the design: The latter can fold in half, making it sufficiently small to really slot in a pocket. The Neo is pretty compact (roughly 6.25 x 5 x 1.75 inches) and light-weight (simply 0.3 kilos), however undoubtedly not pocketable. It does, nonetheless, have full-coverage blade guards making it protected for each indoor and outside use.
There is no controller included, or essential; the Neo can fly simply as autonomously because the X1. Merely flip it on, select a flight mode, then lengthen your palm for takeoff. Though you do want the DJI app for issues like preliminary activation, downloading movies and tweaking flight settings, for essentially the most half you possibly can depart your telephone in your pocket. That is a fabulous factor.
But it surely’s not the one factor. You’ll be able to manually management the Neo by way of the app (see screenshot beneath) or an precise DJI RC-N3 controller ($159). You can too pair it with the RC Motion 3, a slick “point-to-fly” controller ($99), and the DJI Goggles 3 FPV headset. (Each these equipment are sometimes used with the DJI Avata 2 I reviewed earlier this year.) These afford not solely many extra flight-control choices, however a lot larger vary as nicely. The HoverAir X1 is “tethered” to a most vary of 30 meters.
DJI Neo setup
My preproduction pattern got here with none printed documentation, however there is a quick-start guide and full manual available online. (I am assuming the previous might be included in retail containers.) Each are surprisingly detailed and straightforward to comply with, although I did run into one setup glitch.
After charging the battery and firing up the drone, I opened the DJI Fly app for the one-time activation course of. Whereas I used to be pleased to see that the app routinely detected the Neo (by way of Bluetooth, I am guessing), it took a number of tries to efficiently set up a Wi-Fi connection — which is important for preliminary activation and later video downloads. In the end I needed to force-restart the app and “laborious reset” the Neo (by pulling its battery for a number of seconds). Then all the things labored usually, together with the compulsory firmware replace.
DJI Neo options
The Neo can carry out half a dozen aerial acrobatics (extra, truly — learn on), all with you as the point of interest. A few these “QuickShots” have hard-to-remember names, like Dronie (zoom out after which again in) and Highlight (by which the drone stays in a hard and fast place however the digital camera nonetheless tracks you), however that is a minor quibble. What’s essential is that the Neo helps each 1080p (at as much as 60 frames per second) and 4K video (30 fps). The HoverAir X1 tops out at 2.7K — fantastic for on a regular basis taking pictures, however 4K is actually preferable.
To decide on a taking pictures mode on the drone itself, you merely press the mode button repeatedly to cycle via them. You will hear an audio announcement of the choice and see a corresponding LED gentle up. Then you definitely press and maintain the button for a number of seconds to begin the takeoff countdown. Easy.
The sixth mode is known as Customized, and by default it is set to DirectionTrack Me, which is sort of like Comply with Me however from the entrance or facet. (That is also known as a dolly shot.) Throughout the DJI app, you possibly can change Customized mode to Helix (a curving flyaway) or Boomerang (an oval-shaped orbit). Technically, then, the Neo can do eight completely different QuickShots, however solely six are accessible by way of the drone correct.
Inside lots of these modes, you possibly can modify issues like distance (how far-off from you the Neo ought to fly) and angle (low, flat, or excessive). To make these modifications, nonetheless, it’s essential to use the app. On the HoverAir X1, you possibly can toggle distance settings proper on the drone, which is each handy and a time-saver.
On the flipside, the Neo can reply to voice instructions, which the X1 cannot do. This requires your telephone to be linked and the display to stay on throughout flight, however it’s a fast and straightforward method to change modes and parameters. Simply say the wake phrase (“Hey Fly”), then a command like “Comply with,” “6 meter Rocket,” “Farther” or “Land.”
And talking of voice, the Neo shares the X1’s capacity to file audio throughout a flight, utilizing both your telephone’s mic or one thing like AirPods. Meaning you possibly can seize a whole walk-and-talk video, no cameraman or boom-mic operator required. Simply as exceptional, the app eliminates any hint of noise from the drone propellers, leaving you with utterly clear audio. I attempted this not solely exterior but in addition in my workplace, utilizing simply my iPhone’s microphone; the propeller noise was deafening in that small area, however the software program labored its magic and my voice got here via loud and clear within the recording. Fairly superb.
The Neo comes with 22GB of usable storage, which DJI says is sweet for 40 minutes of 4K video (30 fps) or 55 minutes of 1080p (60 fps). Do I want it had a microSD slot for enlargement? Certain. Do I believe that is ample recording time for hobbyist functions? Sure.
DJI Neo: The way it flies (and data)
Most small drones have fairly restricted flight time; you are often fortunate to get greater than 10 minutes. Certainly, the HoverAir X1 is sweet for under about 11, however DJI guarantees as much as 18 minutes of flight on a cost. That is spectacular.
Additionally spectacular: how nicely the Neo handles itself in windy environments. My first flights came about on a reasonably blustery day, with gusts hitting as much as 18 mph, in accordance with my climate app. However in most modes the Neo saved me within the body as anticipated and produced admirably regular video. (It does have image-stabilization options, although it is not clear if that occurs via {hardware}, software program or a mix of the 2.)
The place I bumped into bother was with DirectionTrack Me: The drone had bother staying at a gradual distance from me, as an alternative transferring nearer after which farther as I walked towards it. I believed the wind may be the trigger, however I attempted once more on a relaxed day and the outcomes have been the identical. General the HoverAir X1 did a greater job on this explicit mode.
In the meantime, there are a number of flight limitations, beginning with issues like tree branches and other people: The Neo has no obstacle-avoidance capabilities. What’s extra, it is not suggest to be used over water (the ground-facing sensors have a tough time recognizing it), nor must you fly it out over a pointy drop-off, like the sting of a cliff. (To be honest, the X1 shares all these limitations.)
The DJI app is my least favourite a part of Neo expertise. For starters, the busy dwelling display relegates the drone to a small nook as an alternative of presenting you with an enormous “fly now” field or the like. Tapping that nook initiates a Wi-Fi connection, which is gradual to finish and typically returns an error message (after which there’s one other wait earlier than you possibly can strive once more). The HoverAir app permits you to entry the drone and its settings with out Wi-Fi; you want it solely to switch media to your telephone.
I’ll say that when you are linked, the UI is admirably streamlined and intuitive. I simply want getting there was a bit faster and simpler.
It ought to come as no shock that the Neo captures crisp, colourful video — perhaps not filmmaker-quality, however actually ok for social media and trip recollections you wish to watch in your TV.
DJI Neo: Must you purchase it?
Sure, sure, all of the sure. It could have a number of quirks and limitations, however the DJI Neo appears like a steal at $199. It is a must-have companion for holidays, household gatherings, particular events, nature outings and wherever else aerial video could be welcome. It is easy to function and it captures sharp, share-worthy video. (DJI’s extra full-featured Mini drones start at just $279, however they’re bigger and much much less automated than the Neo.)
I do suppose the HoverAir X1 is a bit simpler to make use of (largely because of its beginner-friendly app), and I really like that it will possibly fold as much as journey in a pocket. But it surely prices considerably extra and does not assist 4K. A forthcoming new mannequin, the HoverAir X1 Professional, does — however its introductory value begins at $449.
Most of all, the Neo is simply enjoyable. Out of doors enjoyable. Display-free enjoyable (for essentially the most half). That makes it equally well-suited to children and adults. Whether or not you are shopping for one for your self or as a present, I extremely suggest it.
