DJI Avata 2 Advance Review!

The long-awaited DJI Avata 2 FPV drone was released on April 11, 2024, so let’s do a preliminary review!

Two years after the release of the previous DJI Avata, the long-awaited complete FPV machine with “acrobatic abilities” was released by DJI on April 11, 2024. This review author, who uses not only DJI drones but also self-made FPV drones for business purposes, provides detailed explanations of DJI Avata 2 from various angles

Overwhelmingly low latency at 2.4GHz that creates an immersive feeling

As soon as I opened DJI Avata 2 from the package and activated it, the drone took off and started recording videos. It only takes about 2 minutes to set up. The first thing I felt when I started flying was…

“What? There’s no delay?”

When I learned that it would be released with technical qualifications in Japan, I was quite worried about the “delay in video reception.” Usually, self-made FPV drones use the 2.4GHz frequency band for control and the 5.7GHz frequency band for video transmission and reception. One of the reasons for this is that large amounts of data such as video can be transmitted at high speed without delay. That was one of the goals within the design of this drone.

However, this DJI Avata 2 is limited to 2.4GHz in the Japanese specifications, so I suspected that there would be a delay, but my first surprise was that I was able to operate it comfortably with lower latency than I expected.

Acrobatics even suitable for 2.4GHz! Even beginners can immediately start FPV flight

As mentioned above, conventional FPV drones have used the 5.7GHz frequency band to transmit and receive images. Therefore, if you are a hobbyist, you will need a 4th class amateur radio qualification, and if you are a professional, you will need a 3rd class land special radio operator or higher qualification. In addition, you will need to apply to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications to open a radio station and obtain a license. Those are the qualifications of operating this drone within Japan.

Although it is understandable that there are not enough laws in place for FPV drones, which are a very niche among drones, the use of FPV has been limited until now due to the extremely high hurdles for introduction. DJI aimed for a solution.

With this DJI Avata 2, the solution seems within grasp. As you read on, I hope you will imagine what kind of changes this will bring not only to the drone industry but to other industries as well, such as from viewpoints and angles that we have never seen before, to moving through narrow spaces, etc.

Completed FPV machine with outstanding flight stability and high efficiency

Let’s first touch on the DJI Avata 2 aircraft, goggles, and accessories. The first thing you notice when you hold the aircraft is how light it is and how well balanced it is. I previously owned the earlier model, “DJI Avata,” and have used it overseas, and I can clearly see the difference in the two drones.

The center of gravity is located in the middle, with almost no deviation up, down, left or right. A high-quality FPV camera is also located in the center, and not only can you watch the image while flying, but it also records the image at 4K60fps, so there is no difference in the angle of view when piloting.

When you actually fly it, its lightness and stability stand out. The propeller is 3 inches, and the motor standard is probably about 1407 size. Although it feels larger than previous self-made micro drones, it feels quite small when you fly it.

It’s also interesting to see how they are solving one problem after another that home-made FPV drones have had until now. The sensor on the bottom and the fisheye lens on the back also have the role of stabilizing the distance to the rear and below, and the unevenness at the bottom of the frame plays the role of a heat sink, which can easily heat up and stop the O4 video transmission. Extending the continuous operation time of the unit.

Although it crashed quite violently during this test, the frame and camera were completely unharmed, and past experience with microdrones suggests that it is quite durable. It is also efficient that the propeller can be replaced in just a few seconds.

High definition and high color tone comparable to other action cameras

DJI Avata 2 is equipped with a 1/1.3 inch image sensor. When I looked at the footage I shot, I could immediately tell the difference from the previous work, and I felt that the resolution and richness of color tones had changed.

In terms of camera settings, in addition to being able to shoot with D-Log M 10bit, the upper limit of ISO is 25600, and the shutter speed can be changed regardless of fps, which is a good point compared to other action cameras. Note that, like other company’s action cameras, the aperture value cannot be changed, and it is a pan-focus system.

One thing that I felt was great compared to other companies’ action cameras is its ability to handle low-light environments. Even if you increase the ISO to 6400, the resolution remains and you can use it as a material if you perform noise reduction. One of the advantages of FPV micro drones is the “one-cut video”, because the exposure of the shooting environment changes drastically, so it is easy to change the exposure on the camera side and to deal with it in post-processing.

However, since it is a one-shot, it is difficult to adjust using lighting, etc., and changing the shutter speed can greatly change the depiction, so expanding the upper limit of ISO is a very helpful point (sold separately) There is also an ND filter).

What is the difference between the DJI Avata 2 micro drone and a self-made FPV micro drone?

DJI Avata 2’s functionality, camera quality, ease of installation, and stability in narrow spaces are so high that it seems that very few people will start building their own drones for FPV shooting in the future.

I think many FPV drone schools and FPV courses will be replaced by operations with DJI Avata 2. So, if you ask me whether self-made FPV micro drones will disappear, I think it’s a little different.

The stability of DJI Avata 2 is, of course, due to the fact that it is equipped with various sensors (GPS/barometric pressure/infrared rays/obstacle camera sensor). Homemade FPV drones that are not equipped with these sensors are much more difficult to operate and difficult to manufacture. You also have to tune the flight controller yourself, so there’s a lot to learn.

Conversely, since there are no sensors, it is more synchronized with the pilot himself. There are some visual expressions that can only be achieved because the aircraft is unstable. I believe there is a more animal-like, more instinctive perspective that can only be captured by homemade drones that can move freely in the airspace. I think more people will use DJI Avata 2 as a starting point to build their own FPV drones.

How stable is flight in a narrow space?

Let’s return to DJI Avata 2. As I introduced in this video review, this product makes it very easy to fly in narrow spaces. The FPV drone lab “YDL” that I run is a drone experiment facility that utilizes abandoned buildings.

We built a cardboard tunnel measuring 70cm high x 40cm wide x 17m deep that one of the members had prepared for hydrographic survey using a small drone, so I decided to try flying DJI Avata 2.

As a result, I was able to pass in one go. What’s interesting is that by combining the camera tilt function, we were able to easily create a trajectory that would enter a waterway from above, like a manhole.

The facility is in ruins and in disrepair, so the ceiling is missing. In some rooms, microdrones have been flown over and over again in the same location. With DJI Avata 2, I was able to freely look up and down, so I was able to quickly find the entrance to the attic and go straight in to explore.

Even I, who have built more than 500 drones over the past eight years and have flown almost every aerial camera on the market, felt like a child when I was able to pass through the cardboard aisle and enter the attic for the first time. I was moved and said, “Wow!”

I was very surprised to see how the world could change so much with just a little bit of technological advancement and application.

There are many more recommended features of DJI Avata 2

PiP function that allows FPV to fly within visual range!?

DJI Goggles 3 included in the DJI Avata 2 Fly More combo is equipped with Real View + PiP (Picture in Picture) functionality. Images from a camera attached to the outside of the goggles can display a real view of what’s in front of you. And by using the PiP function, you can watch the FPV view and the real view at the same time.

In other words, since it is possible to check the surrounding environment without taking off the goggles, it should be possible to fly outside of the Japanese aviation law, which requires flight beyond visual line of sight.

Acrobatic flight with just one push

In addition to features that were included in toy drones, such as the “One Push Flip,” which allows for acrobatic rotation techniques, it also includes a high-speed turn-like function called “One Push 180° Drift.” I haven’t been able to use it yet, but I imagine it could be used in combination with visual expressions, rather than just spinning around for fun.

Wireless video transmission to mobile terminals

Wireless video is now possible with this drone. In addition to being able to view FPV videos in real time by connecting DJI Goggle 3 via USB-C with the DJI Fly app connected, you can also view wireless video by connecting wirelessly via Wi-Fi without a wired connection. Although there is some delay, previewing has become easier and options have expanded.