DJI FPV Drone Combo Hands-on Review

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• DJI launches the DJI FPV Drone, offering a fun and thrilling flight experience;

• Key features include 87mph top speed, 150° super-wide FOV,  record 4K/60fps video at up to 120Mbps; HD video transmission at up to 120fps, and emergency brake;

• Use the new Motion Controller accessory to fly the drone with your hand movements;

• Drone's versatility and features make it perfect for FPV racing and cinematic FPV content creation;

• Three intuitive flight modes ensure the drone is suitable for all levels of experience, from beginner through to FPV experts;

• Read our hands-on review of the DJI FPV drone and Combo.

The new DJI FPV drone is here - and it is awesome.

Dynamic, responsive and powerful, this incredible aircraft can reach speeds of 87 mph, record video at 4K/60fps, and places you at the heart of the action with a 150° super-wide-angle FOV.

For a truly immersive FPV experience, pair with the DJI FPV Goggles V2 to enjoy low-latency HD video transmission at up to 120fps.  

For an alternative way of flying, deploy the new Motion Controller, which enables you to control the drone with your hand movements.

The drone caters for a variety of users, from operators wanting to experience the adrenaline rush of high-octane FPV flying, through to professional filmmakers wanting to capture cinematic, wide-angle FPV content and utilise the drone's agility for unique shots.

With three flight modes to choose from based on your confidence and skill set, DJI FPV caters for all levels of experience, enabling each pilot to complete an array of dazzling and daring manoeuvres.

Key features include:

• Immersive flight experience

• 4K/60fps super-wide FOV

• HD Low-latency transmission

• New S-Mode for a hybrid flight experience

• Intuitive Motion Controller

• Emergency Brake and Hover 

The best way to enjoy DJI FPV is with the DJI FPV Combo, priced £1,249, featuring the DJI FPV drone, DJI FPV Goggles V2, and the DJI FPV Remote Controller V2, among other essential accessories.

heliguy™ has stock of these on launch.

Click to buy the DJI FPV Combo View the entire DJI FPV ecosystem

Ahead of launch, heliguy™ got the chance to test the DJI FPV Combo and put it through its paces. Read our full review below.

DJI FPV Drone - Key Specifications

The table below highlights the key specifications of the DJI FPV drone, as well as some key information about the goggles and remote controller.

DJI FPV - Performance

FPV flying is as intense as it is thrilling, and DJI FPV offers an immersive and high-octane experience.

The FPV Experience - Camera, Transmission, And FOV

For this section, we'll take the drone, goggles and remote controller as one, as the three are intrinsically linked to create a breathtaking FPV experience.

A look at the key details shows this is one truly capable FPV system.

Incredible Footage

First off, the DJI FPV aircraft can record 4K/60fps video at up to 120 Mbps, capturing crisp details and beautiful footage, while the super-wide angle FOV draws more out of every shot.

For a real cinematic effect, utilise the 4x slow motion feature, while RockSteady stabilisation and distortion corrective ensure even smoother results - no matter the ambition of your manoeuvres.

The DJI FPV aircraft supports two video coding formats (H.264 and H.265), to give you more video editing options, while the DJI FPV Goggles V2 support H.264.

Next-level Immersion

Feel the thrill of immersive flight and get sucked into the action with the DJI FPV goggles and DJI FPV's super-wide 150° FOV. Incredible HD video transmission at up to 120fps ensures you enjoy an ultra-smooth, real-time view of your flight.

Note that the 150° FOV is only applicable when shooting at 50 or 100 fps.

OcuSync 3.0 Transmission System

Specially engineered to meet the need of DJI FPV, the DJI 03 (OcuSync 3.0) Transmission System enables operators to enjoy sharp and clear real-time video transmission at up to 6km (CE) or 10km (FCC) and benefit from a video transmission bitrate of up to 50 Mbps.

For a fully immersive experience, enjoy reliable footage through low video transmission latency. In 810p/120fps Smooth mode, the video transmission latency is lower than 28ms; in 810p/60fps HD mode, the video transmission latency is lower than 40ms.

As an added benefit, DJI FPV supports auto-switching between 2.4 and 5.8 GHz frequencies and provides a video transmission bitrate of up to 50 Mbps, significantly reducing stutter and compression artifacts.

Achieve a reliable and stable video feed and enhanced signal thanks to the aircraft's high-gain transmitters, which include three transmitters and four receivers.

'No drop out, no distortion, no blur'

It's all impressive stuff, but how does it play out in the real world?

Truthfully, very well. During our test flights, the low latency of the goggles yielded highly-impressive results. 

Significantly improved from DJI's original goggles, the V2 version resulted in a sharp, crisp and clear image with a reliable relaying of the scene - no drop out, no blur, no distortion, and no pause in the frame, not even from a distance as the drone pulled away.

Meanwhile, being able to capture 4k video at 60fps, and then having the ability to slow the footage with the slow motion function created some fabulous cinematic content. The stabilisation was also impressive, presenting us with shake-free footage.

DJI FPV Flight Modes

DJI FPV has three flight modes - S Mode, N Mode and M Mode.

Not only does this provide variety, but it also means that the drone can cater for all levels of FPV experience. 

And a button on the remote controller enables you to quickly and dynamically switch between modes.

These modes are:

N Mode

Ideal for new users, N Mode offers immersive flight with traditional drone flight controls along with DJI safety features, like obstacle sensing.

In fact, obstacle sensing is only available in N Mode. Within this mode, DJI FPV will automatically decelerate when it detects obstacles, but it will not automatically stop.  

If you're a beginner, N Mode is the perfect place to start.

S Mode

Next up is S Mode. This hybrid flight mode - which enables you to easily achieve the dynamic look of FPV footage - combines the freedom of flying manually - such as disabling obstacle sensing - with the simplified controls of previous DJI drones.

M Mode

For the seasoned FPV flyer, or the more confident operator looking for the ultimate thrill, M Mode is the jewel in the crown.

As you've probably guessed, the M is short for Manual, so engage this mode for complete, limitless control and the full FPV flight experience.

M Mode enables you to customise parameters and enjoy flight and footage unlike anything else. It is a thrilling experience! 

DJI FPV Speed

At the heart of this is the drone's speed. Quite frankly, it is incredible. 

When set in M Mode, the drone can top out at a whopping 39 m/s; that's 87.2mph! It is a truly exhilarating experience. On S Mode, its top speed is 27m/s (27 m/s), while N Mode is 15m/s (33.5 mph).

The drone's flight speed is aided by its incredible acceleration, going from zero to 62.1 mph in just two seconds in M Mode in the right conditions.  

Maneuverability And Handling

Despite these epic speeds, the drone is highly responsive, enabling you to dart up, over, and around obstacles.

Weighing in at just shy of 800g, DJI FPV is a fairly substantial FPV aircraft but it is not overly heavy, allowing it to handle freestyle moves well. Our test flights showed its capabilities while performing a series of rolls. 

Indeed, this aircraft has unbelievable levels of agility. Check out the maximum ascent and descent speeds, for instance.

These specs enable DJI FPV to whizz, nip and tuck around obstacles - whether that's trees out in the open, racing air gates on a track, or fast-moving objects, like cars, during a film shoot.

The limitless ascent and descent speeds in M Mode speak for themselves, but even the 'slower' speeds in S and N Modes are mightily impressive and make for one agile mover.

To put it into perspective, the teeny-tiny DJI Mini 2's maximum ascent speed is 5 m/s, while its max descent speed is 3.5 m/s, while the Inspire 2 - a key tool for film production - has a maximum ascent speed of 6 m/s and a maximum vertical descent speed of 4 m/s.

When it comes to control, the drone can be maneuvered in two ways; using the standard remote controller, or the new Motion Controller.

More on both later, but, the Motion Controller - an additional accessory - is a novel way of flying, enabling you to steer the drone with your hand movements. 

DJI FPV Battery Life

The drone can muster around 20 minutes of flight time, when flying at about 24.8 mph in windless conditions.

Needless to say, the battery will be drained a lot quicker when pushing the drone to its limits. 

But such are the high demands on this type of aircraft, FPV drones aren't typically known for their overwhelming endurance, so the DJI model's flight time is nothing to be scoffed at when travelling at quicker speeds.

However, to enjoy maximum time in the field, the DJI FPV Intelligent Flight Batteries are available as additional accessories, with one already included in the DJI FPV Combo. This means you can pack your bag with batteries to prolong the FPV experience.

Key additional accessories, such as the Battery Charging Hub - which can power multiple batteries at once - will help keep you in the air for as long as possible.

At full power, the battery for the DJI FPV Goggles V2 has a lifespan of around 110 minutes. Similar to the Intelligent Flight Battery, a battery for the goggles comes with the Combo package, but additional ones can be purchased as an extra to bulk up on power.       

Durability

While the drone is packed with safety features, accidents can happen, especially when engaged in high-octane FPV flights at mega speed.

Admission time. We managed to crash the aircraft while travelling at speeds of around 50 mph.

But thankfully, the DJI FPV is a strong and robust bit of kit, and even though it took a clatter at high speed under our watch, it only suffered a few scratches and was back in the air in minutes.  

However, while our drone came away relatively unscathed, DJI FPV has easily replaceable parts, with the drone's gimbal camera, landing gear, and top shell all modular, meaning you can replace parts of the aircraft, if needed.

As an aside, the top shell is available in different colours - such as clear and green versions - enabling you to customise the look of the aircraft.

heliguy™ is offering Repair Refresh crash cover for DJI FPV, providing protection against a range of accident scenarios and giving you greater peace of mind when you fly.

The durability of the drone is further enhanced by its wind-speed resistance of up to 31 mph, while it can operate in temperatures ranging from -10°C to 40°C.

However, the drone does not have an IP rating, and therefore, is not waterproof.

DJI FPV Drone - The Versatile 'All In One' Drone

One of the major plus points of the DJI FPV drone is its versatility; offering multiple uses in one package.

For instance, it can benefit pilots wanting to enjoy the full FPV experience, right through to professional filmmakers capturing cinematic FPV footage.

Its incredible transmission, low levels of latency, 150° FOV, high speeds, and limitless agility (especially in M Mode) provide an immersive and thrilling FPV experience.   

As an aside, DJI FPV supports Audience Mode. Just set other DJI FPV Goggles V2 units to your aircraft channel and you’re ready to share the view from above.

Likewise, for filmmakers, it is a powerful tool. Thanks to its agility, nip and tuck and swing around obstacles or fast-moving objects, like cars, for some thrilling and up-close content, capturing footage which would not be possible with other drones.

And the ability to obtain 4k/60fps video, and then slow down the action, is truly impressive. This type of cinematic capability on an FPV drone have not really been seen before, particularly on an out-of-the-box, pre-built solution.

Because of its dual-use capabilities, DJI FPV helps to simplify workflows.  

Previously, if you wanted to conduct FPV work, you'd need an FPV drone, and then record or fly something else for a different type of footage with a different type of aircraft.

Now, you can combine both with the DJI FPV ecosystem.

Not only that, but you can see exactly what you are shooting, removing the guesswork and helping you to achieve that perfect shot. 

Advanced Safety Features 

No matter your level of experience, FPV flying can be intimidating, especially when making the switch to manual mode.

But DJI has thought this through, with a series of robust mechanisms in place to make flying the aircraft as safe as possible and to ensure operators feel confident in both controlling the drone and take immediate action if something does go wrong.

The stand-out feature is Emergency Brake and Hover. A quick tap on this button, located on the remote controller, will stop the drone and keep it hovering stably - essential for correcting yourself should something go wrong, or you feel you have lost control of the aircraft. 

We tested this feature and it worked instantly, rapidly halting the drone in mid-flight.

The drone is packed with further safety features, providing an extra layer of security, even when flying at high speeds. These include:  

• Auxiliary bottom light

• Smart Return to Home

• Low Battery Return To Home

• Forward and downward obstacle sensing

• ToF

DJI AirSense has become a popular and renowned safety feature on the company's enterprise aircraft.

DJI FPV benefits from this, with built-in Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology.

This alerts pilots to nearby manned aviation. If anything is close by, warnings are sent to the Goggles V2, providing the drone pilot with enough time to avoid a collision or serious incident.

DJI Virtual Flight App

To further grow confidence, DJI has introduced the Virtual Flight App; which is very similar to DJI's enterprise-focused Flight Simulator.

The Virtual Flight App allows DJI FPV pilots to hone their skills and increase their confidence in a virtual world.

This intuitive app provides lifelike, simulated scenarios to enable pilots to practice in a risk-free environment, before flying in the real world. 

Simply connect the DJI FPV Goggles V2 and remote controller and your flight simulation can commence.

It's a nice addition, and from our experience, the drone flies accurately to the simulator. This means if you are flying well in the simulator, you will be able to replicate this in the real world.

However, please note that the DJI Virtual Flight app currently supports iOS devices only.

Design

FPV DRONE

Put simply, the DJI FPV drone is an incredibly cool-looking, aerodynamic aircraft.

Weighing in at approximately 795g, it is certainly a lot weightier than your average FPV racing drone, and places it in between the Mavic Air 2 (570g) and the Mavic 2 Pro and Zoom (907g and 905g respectively).

In terms of size, the DJI FPV measures in at 255 mm (L) x 312 mm (W) x 127 mm (H).

So it is quite a substantial FPV aircraft, but it is not a large drone, generally speaking, and so retains a sleek appearance.

The drone also sports front LEDs and has aircraft arm lights with customisable colour, for you to further tweak the look of the aircraft. 

Designed with high speeds, propulsion and manoeuvrability in mind, the drone's propellers are powerful, durable and well-balanced. Different from what DJI has done previously, the props are triple-winged to help provide more thrust. They are easily mountable and detachable.

A key part of the design is the integrated camera, capable of capturing 4k at 60fps video.   

DJI FPV Goggles V2

Immerse yourself in the action with the DJI FPV Goggles V2, which provide HD, low-latency long-distance transmission.

Tipping the scales at 420g (including the headband and four antennas), the goggles are incredibly light, especially when compared to previous editions of DJI Goggles. For instance, the DJI Goggles Racing Edition weighed just over 1kg (502 g, headband: 500g), while the original DJI Goggles were just under 1kg (goggles 495 g, headband, 500 g).

A big reason for the lightness of the goggles is the fact that the battery itself is not housed on the goggles; rather it is connected to the side of the goggles via a cable. This means that the portable battery - which affords up to 110 minutes of life - can be placed in your pocket, for example.

Not only does this reduce the weight of the goggles, it also means that you can carry numerous goggle batteries at any one time, prolonging your FPV experience by quickly swapping the batteries while out in the field.

When used in conjunction with the DJI FPV drone, the DJI FPV Goggles battery comes with a real-time battery level indicator.

The high-tech goggles are littered with an array of buttons - including a 5D button for menu scrolling and a record/shutter button - and features USB and microSD slots on the side, as well as a headphone jack hole.

The screen resolution on both screens is 1440 x 810.

The goggles also feature adjustments for eye pieces, and one of our team, who wears glasses, said that the goggles were very comfortable over the top of his specs. 

DJI FPV Remote

The DJI FPV Remote Controller - with DJI O.3 Transmission System - is a hall-effect joystick with an ergonomic design.

Comfortable to hold, and weighing 346g, the device has a more natural gaming controller feel to it; as opposed to the more classic DJI flight controller, which is a bit more bulky.

Designed with a simple and easy-to-navigate layout in mind, the controller has a streamlined feel to it, featuring only essential buttons and dials. These include a gimbal control wheel, and the Return to Home and emergency brake buttons. There is also the flight mode selection, allowing operators to quickly switch between the three flight modes.  

Another feature of the controller is its foldable antennas, which are connected to a spring-loaded bracket to prevent damage.

A nice feature is that the detachable control sticks are customisable, enabling you to make them looser or stiffer, depending on how comfortable you feel.

The DJI FPV Combo - What's Included?

The best way to experience the DJI FPV drone is with the DJI FPV Combo, priced £1,249.

This bundle features the key items to get you well on your way to FPV flight. including the drone itself, as well as the DJI FPV Goggles V2 and the DJI FPV Remote Controller 2.

The Combo works out cheaper than buying the items individually.

Another benefit is that, in typical DJI fashion, the Combo provides a straightforward, out-of-the-box solution.

There's no need for complicated wiring, assembly, or hunting down separate items, such as a transmission system; it is all already there.

Some FPV aficionados may well scoff at skipping the construction stage, saying it removes part of the fun, but for those who are new to FPV flying or do not have the desire to construct an FPV kit from scratch, the DJI FPV Combo is an extremely accessible package.

It's all there, and ready to go; just turn on and activate the aircraft, remote controller, and goggles, and go fly.  

DJI FPV Drone - Accessories, Inc Motion Controller

The DJI FPV Combo has many of the essential accessories to get you started, but there is a plethora of additional items within the ecosystem to bolster your FPV flight experience.  

In our opinion, the most exciting accessory is the Motion Controller.

This intuitive device enables you to control the drone with your hand movements, for a totally different flight experience.

The stick - which is a similar concept to the Nintendo Wii's Nunchuk - features a trigger to control the drone's speed: The harder you squeeze, the faster the drone goes.

Twist your hand left, the drone will follow. Move it right, the aircraft will go that direction. Move the controller up, and DJI FPV will increase its altitude; turn it down to reduce the flight height.

It is certainly an alternative way of flying, and while it may not be for everyone, it does add to the fun. And during our test flights, we found the Motion Controller a reliable and intuitive method of control, with the drone responding quickly and accurately to our movements. 

The Motion Controller is not included in the DJI FPV Combo, and needs to be purchased as a separate accessory. 

We've already mentioned the Motion Controller, but other accessories include:

• DJI FPV Fly More Kit: For extended flight time, utilise the DJI FPV Fly More Kit, which contains two DJI FPV Intelligent Flight Batteries and a DJI FPV Battery Charging Hub. The Charging Hub can charge up to three batteries in sequence.

• DJI FPV Car Charger: Use the DJI FPV Car Charger to charge the drone's Intelligent Flight Battery through a car's power socket. The charger features overheating protection.

• DJI FPV Battery Charging Hub: Charge three additional batteries with the DJI FPV Battery Charging Hub, when connected to the DJI FPV charger. The Charging Hub expands efficiency by charging batteries in sequence. 

The DJI FPV Combo includes one Intelligent Flight Battery and one Goggles battery. But these two items are also available as stand-alone accessories, enabling you to bulk up on power to give you greater time in the field in any one go.

Click to view all of the DJI FPV accessories.

DJI Fly App

DJI FPV can be used in conjunction with the DJI Fly App to enhance your flying experience. Features on the app include:

Edit and Share: Playback footage, edit, and share your breathtaking FPV flights and dazzling content on social media - quickly and easily with just a few taps.

Smartphone Live View: Display the live view from the goggles on a smartphone when connected via a cable (USB-C to USB-C or USB-C to lightning). Please note that this function will be available in a future firmware update.

FPV Drone - The Law

The DJI FPV set-up provides a thrilling, immersive and engaging flight experience, which is great fun in the process.

But there is some legal stuff that you need to be aware of. And for more on third-party liability, click here.

Competent Observer

In terms of operating an FPV drone in the UK, FPV pilots are allowed to fly without keeping direct eye contact with the drone - provided they are accompanied by an observer who keeps direct visual contact with the drone.

The observer must be located alongside you so they can immediately communicate with you in case they see an obstacle, and give you instructions, such as to immediately land the drone.

In terms of areas of flight, the new drone laws which began in the UK at the end of December 31, 2020, introduced three new categories: The two most pertinent being the Open (low risk) and Specific (medium risk) categories.

Open Category Flights

Under the rules, the DJI FPV drone can currently be flown in the A2 subcategory under Transitional provisions, as it is not class marked (C2) - meaning you can fly up to 50m horizontally from uninvolved people. However, for this, you will need an A2 CofC, which can be acquired with heliguy™.

For pilots who do not have an A2 CofC and wish to operate in the Open Category, the drone will need to be flown according to the rules of the A3 subcategory, which states that no uninvolved people can be present within the area of flight, and there must not be any flight within 150m horizontally of residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas.

As long as you abide by the flying rules in the Open Category, you can fly as a hobbyist or for commercial gain. 

Specific Category Flights

FPV pilots can also operate in the Specific Category, which covers operations that present a greater risk than that of the Open category, or where one or more elements of the operation fall outside the boundaries of the Open category.

The new UKPDRA01 permits the use of an observer next to the remote pilot.

For Specific Category flights, an Operational Authorisation - similar to the old PfCO - is required from the CAA. To help achieve this, you may need to sit a GVC course with heliguy™.   

FPV Rules for Association Members 

Association members of drone and model aircraft clubs are afforded greater flexibilities for FPV flights and drone racing.

For a full breakdown of the rules, read our FPV Drone Laws In The UK blog, or our UK Drone Laws blog.

UK Drone Registration 

The DJI FPV drone meets the criteria for UK drone registration. If you have not already got a Flyer ID and/or an Operator ID, visit the CAA's registration website for more details.

If you are already in receipt of an Operator ID, remember to label the drone with your unique code.

DJI FPV Drone - The Verdict

High speeds, incredible immersion, quality transmission, and cinematic camera capabilities - the DJI FPV drone ecosystem is a highly impressive release from DJI, and one which is bound to excite a lot of people.

It is also a highly-versatile aircraft, catering for all levels of pilot thanks to its range of flight modes and safety systems.

Furthermore, it can be used for out-and-out FPV fun, but it can also be deployed as a key cinematic tool, capturing unique content which other drones simply cannot achieve.

The addition of the Motion Controller is one of the stand-out accessories and should prove popular, presenting a different way of flying.

DJI is renowned for changing the landscape of the drone industry, and the DJI FPV system feels like yet another innovation.

And with the DJI FPV Combo providing a pre-built, out-of-the-box solution, it ensures a streamlined way to harness the power and capabilities of FPV flight, whether you are a hobbyist or commercial user.     

DJI FPV Drone - In Stock Now

heliguy™ has stock of the new DJI FPV range at launch.

Click to buy the DJI FPV Combo View the entire DJI FPV ecosystem