It’s time for a new drone sports testing Gauntlet: The Mallorcan Gauntlet. This one is objectively more challenging than the long-standing Amsterdam-based Gauntlet. Both for the drones, but frankly, me trying to piece the portions together.
In any case, the first entrant to this course is the new DJI NEO 2, which takes the existing DJI NEO 1, substantially upgrades the imaging pipeline (and video quality), and then adds in a bunch of super useful gesture-based controls (arguably the first time I’ve ever found any gesture-based control system even halfway useful, most just suck).
As always, this test features a few core sections:
- Stage 1: An initial slightly easier warm-up period testing tree avoidance, following and different angles
- Stage 2: A much tighter mountain-bike course, with tons of branches into the trail itself
- Stage 3: A high-speed follow section, up to the claimed speed limits of the DJI NEO 2
- Stage 4: The Yolo section, riding down into an abandoned building/resort, through concrete structures and more.
As always, this video is definitely not sponsored. And more critically, like all my videos, no manufacturer has seen this video beforehand (DJI now requires almost all reviewers they seed with early access units to send a copy of their review to them for ‘approval’, something I definitely don’t agree with, thus…why my DJI reviews are a bit later after the products I’ve purchased finally arrive).
With that – enjoy the video!
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Thanks once more for the great and thorough tests you perform, you never disappoint! :-)
As an amateur triathlete, I am just wondering, if you are planning on testing out the DJI Neo 2 for open water swimming auto tracking.
I could imagine setting it up for high and rear tracking, having it take off from the shore, as you’re walking to the water and swim for a few minutes. Assuming it would stay upwards of 1 meter from the water, it “should” be ok, and any issue with battery level would have it return automatically to the take off location on the shore.
Regardless, thank you once more for all the effort and details you put in your reviews.
I could give it a whirl, though I’m pretty confident it won’t work. And worse yet, it’ll land after it can’t find you, directly into the water, unless you were using a controller to start it all (and thus left that on-shore). The problem with the NEO 2 without a controller, is that it doesn’t RTH to the starting location, but rather just lands where it is.
I’d say the far better option is the upcoming HoverAir Aqua, which is set to start shipping any week now.
Maybe I’ll give it a whirl though.
I believe you’re right, if only we could set “RTH mode” in tracking mode for when the battery dies….but I would still love to see if something could be achieved with the Neo 2, in case you are tempted to give it a whirl. Maybe just have it hover over the shore in Spotlight mode while tracking you in the water?
In regards to the HoverAir Aqua, which I checked out when the IndieGoGo campaign was launched and seems like an amazing solution for water sports, it’s also 5x more expensive than the Neo 2 drone, so it became a bit out of my “non-content-creator-just-shots-for-memories-training-helper-family-and-friends” budget :-)
Thank you *again* for you swift and helpful reply
Yeah, I’ll try and find a time to get out and see if the NEO 2 will track and RTH with the DJI RC-N3 or DJI RC2. You can usually find the RC-N3 for pretty darn cheap as bundles.
Quote:
As always, this video is definitely not sponsored. And more critically, like all my videos, no manufacturer has seen this video beforehand (DJI now requires almost all reviewers they seed with early access units to send a copy of their review to them for ‘approval’, something I definitely don’t agree with, thus…why my DJI reviews are a bit later after the products I’ve purchased finally arrive).
Thank you for your honestly
Appreciate it!
where are you allowed to use this drone without a permit?
It’s a sub-250g drone, so that helps a bunch in terms of licensing and such. You don’t need a formal license, but you do need to register the drone, which is silly easy. That’s also standardized across the EU.
Beyond, that, maps here for the Netherlands: link to map.godrone.nl
So , basically, did it beat the Hoover x1 pro max ? :)
I’ve done the Pro on most parts of this course. In the main ones that count, it’s actually pretty similar. Both did well in the trees, though both have definitely hit trees on that same section. It hasn’t done the abandoned section, but honestly, it’s done harder things than that for me without issue.
On the high-speed, both have identical top-follow speed limits, though Hover claims to be able to burst higher in chunks to 60KPH. I’d have to go re-test side-by-side to see how those handled on the hill in the same-day wind conditions. But I’ve relatively easily cycled away from the Pro while descending over thge past year.
Thanks for the quick reply, yes , ideally, a side by side comparison on the exact same track would be great
cant watch the video – what’s the verdict? game changer vs Neo 1?
I’d argue it’s a massive step up.
Sorry Ray, but unless it is a European thing, it is pursuit, with a u. Although, having made videos before, I know how annoying it will be to fix one title, re-export, re-upload, re-link, etc…
Hi Ivan – thanks for being a DCR supporter!
Sorry, roughly where in the video is the error? I can’t quite find it.
At 20s, the text flash-over is “Stage 3: High Speed P_e_rsuit”.
Ahh…yeah…doh.
Kinda surprised I didn’t get a spelling error in FCP, but then again, as noted, title work sucks (and why I generally keep things silly simple).
Good catch!
Off topic, but it just blows my mind how what was clearly once a massive resort complex which must have cost millions can just become a ghost resort.
There’s a famous one on site at Disney World. If I remember right, it was a water park of some kind. The remnants can still be seen. Of course, there are any number of abandoned malls across the US.
any chance you’re planning on doing a post on the new inreach(s)?
Yup, coming up soon!
You were recommended by Greg @ PI
Ahh cool! Any particular video he mentioned me in?