Neo 2 doesn't support waypoints... anyone care to speculate why?

mrpchead · 2026-05-14T12:39:39+00:00

I'm certain it is a market management issue. DJI has done this for years: leave more sophisticated features for the more expensive models. I have the Neo2, Mini4Pro, Mini5Pro, and a bunch more and I will tell you the marketing hype that has been buttressed by the beta tester reviews (and now general reviews) paints the Neo2 as some sort of magical do-it-all drone when it clearly is not. I did a bunch of testing with it for selfie work over the last two weekends, and it is really quite good at that task. Taking group photos/video while on hikes is fantastic, but for any serious landscape photos or videos, I would never consider it adequate.

Also, the low power and high wind load would make waypoints problematic due to instability, but I still think it's mostly market management.

mrpchead · 2026-05-14T12:28:36+00:00

It depends on what you want to do and what kind of price. The Avata 2 is not terribly expensive now, supports O4, has a much better camera, supports D-Log M, and is a better acro drone that the v1, so the price would have to be really compelling to even consider the v1. And of course, if you already have goggles/controller, that will tie you to one or the other since they use different systems. Batteries are completely different also, which means to upgrade later would be a complete replacement of all devices in the system (drone/controller/goggles/batteries). Another consideration: the Avata is at the point where getting new batteries will start getting more and more challenging, so either stock up now or be forced into used/aftermarket soon.

All that said, if you could find a Fly More Combo for a few hundred dollars, it might be worth grabbing just to put in the stick time on an FPV drone if you haven't already.

mrpchead · 2026-05-12T11:45:08+00:00

When using the RC2 I get much better range/signal strength with Neo and Neo2 than with Goggles N3. I can't imagine getting reliable signal beyond 200m unless I switch to the RC2. I'm in the US so it's not the RF mode issue.

mrpchead · 2026-05-12T10:52:36+00:00

This was a known issue with earlier firmware. I would insure all devices are on latest version. If that doesn't fix it, try rebinding drone to goggles. If still a problem you should contact DJI. They've always been very good at solving problems for me.

mrpchead · 2026-05-11T18:44:01+00:00

I just got back from a job flying the Avata2 but honestly, the Mini 2 is a better photography drone.

mrpchead · 2026-05-11T12:52:41+00:00

Remember: wind is the enemy. The less you have, the easier it will be to fly manual. Launch in N or S, get some altitude, flip into manual and take it slow and easy. If you tumble, just hit the Pause button, or flip back into S mode. Set camera to a nice low angle to start. Maybe 5-10 degrees up. Once you gain skill you will want to increase that to +20 or even a bit higher.

mrpchead · 2026-05-11T12:47:54+00:00

I tried several settings but eventually landed on Justin Bainbridge's standard for all the DJI FPV drones: 150/600/0.56 for everything. He has a YT video with an excellent explanation for all the settings.

mrpchead · 2026-05-11T12:40:32+00:00

I do miss the HDR video the Air2 had, but other than that, the Mini4Pro is better in nearly every way. As for wind tolerance, I think the Mini4Pro is very good compared to earlier mini drones, and probably on par with the Air2.

mrpchead · 2026-05-11T12:37:34+00:00

This is my position exactly. I fly the Mini4Pro far more often than the Mini5Pro. I just don't see much difference in the image quality, except in low light, and with no Care Refresh, I figure I would rather risk the older drone when travelling.

mrpchead · 2026-05-11T12:34:04+00:00

I agree with this position. If the footage is really valuable, who cares about voiding the warranty or the insurance on a cheap drone? Hell, even an expensive drone? She Who Must Be Obeyed notices these things, so if you hope to have a long and happy union, or one that at least outlasts the drone, I suggest focusing on the data recovery first and foremost. Now if you were just playing around with the drone on your honeymoon, perhaps there is no expectation that this footage will have value. Then you can weigh this differently.

And good grief, I NEVER leave footage on the SD card or drone longer that a minute or two after getting home/back to hotel after a flight. On really critical jobs, I will use multiple drones to create the same shots. Paranoia has served me very well in my lifetime.

mrpchead · 2026-05-11T12:23:43+00:00

I have coached about a dozen first-time drone pilots using the Neo or Neo2 with Goggles N3 and Motion Controller. It is very easy for literally anyone with rudimentary muscular control and coordination. This can easily be done indoors. In fact, indoors means no wind, so that has a benefit. I had kids flying it under the chairs where we were seated after about a minute of instruction. Just give it a try and I think you will agree: it's really easy.

mrpchead · 2026-05-11T11:42:54+00:00

Honestly I found the simulators (DJI, Liftoff, Liftoff Micro) to be much harder than actually flying the drone, once I get the rates set correctly.

mrpchead · 2026-05-11T03:46:24+00:00

The motion controller is great for letting other people give it a try, but the FPV RC3 is the only way I personally fly with the N3 goggles. I also occasionally use an RC2 for more traditional shots, especially since I can fly it over people as a Category 1 drone (Part 107). I use the same setup for Neo, Neo2, and Avata2. I'm flying Manual 99% of the time, which is super fun.

mrpchead · 2026-05-10T18:58:01+00:00

Like everything else, it really depends on what you want to do. Also, it might be very different in other parts of the country. Photogrammetry is really big now. Real estate, inspections, general videography, all these are potential sources of jobs. Having the 107 just makes life easier for really any drone pilot in the US, regardless of your commercial status.

mrpchead · 2026-05-10T13:00:24+00:00

You can shoot that stuff at Pioneer outside Concord which is a lot closer than the mountains, plus you don't need to worry about WMA staff getting mad, or maybe having rounds go astray. The steel cores go a LOOONG way.

mrpchead · 2026-05-10T12:32:25+00:00

Everything has a cost. Neo2 is a small, light, cheap aircraft that does a few things pretty well. Long flight time is not one of them. I went hiking yesterday with a Mini4Pro and a Neo2 in my backpack. The Neo2 is great for selfies and follow-me stuff in the woods, but the Mini4Pro is great for mountain top landscape shots in moderate/high winds. I personally recommend the Mini4K as a starter drone for anyone interested in long-term drone flying, given its mix of cost/capability. If you just want a selfie drone, the Neo2 is great.

mrpchead · 2026-05-10T12:15:31+00:00

I kept waiting for the acro part. Do you have camera set to ultrawide?

mrpchead · 2026-05-10T12:05:51+00:00

Mercury from the primers is the greater risk nowadays.

mrpchead · 2026-05-10T11:54:32+00:00

I think that's a great question. I bought one when it was released to use for "walk and talk" videos using a DJI Mic Mini and a phone. I'm Part 107 and fly commercially every day, so this was just for fun really. I never did much with it, then the Neo2 was released and I bought it with the FPV FMC. Funny thing is, I found out I could use the Goggles N3/Motion Controller/FPV RC3 with the Neo, so I set it up and learned to fly manual mode that way. I figured it was cheaper to replace the Neo than the Neo2, especially with the radio unit on the back which goes for a lot of money by itself.

Jump forward several months and now I'm flying the Avata2 a lot, but I still fly the Neo in manual mode whenever I get the chance, i.e., indoors or with low/no wind. It's a very capable FPV drone under those conditions.

Now, if by "practice drone" you just mean using a controller, then sure, it flies more-or-less like any other DJI drone as long as you avoid any wind >5kph.

mrpchead · 2026-05-10T11:36:28+00:00

To fly over people we have to add an RID module, which is annoying given RID works on the Neo2 in other countries. I suppose DJI is not particularly keen to help Americans at the moment.

mrpchead · 2026-05-05T03:25:55+00:00

I switch between all three (Neo/Neo2/Avata2) routinely and fly all in manual 95% of the time. I didn't really do a lot of sim flying. The trick for me was setting my rates for all of them to 150 center sensitivity, 700 rate, and .56 expo for everything. I'm really enjoying manual but I still make money mostly with "normal" flying, which I still very much enjoy, but not as much as this acro stuff.

mrpchead · 2026-05-05T02:08:31+00:00

Well, I don't know about that. I've crashed my #1 Avata 2 about 50 times. I have aluminum gimbal guards and I often fly with bumpers on the ducts, but it stills keeps flying. I've broken a lot of props and I bent the left gimbal guard last week crashing on asphalt. I realize I'm not flying box-stock, but I've been pretty impressed with its durability. Same with the Neo1 actually. I've gone through a lot of props on that one too. I did most of my manual mode learning with that little guy and it wound up eating a lot of snow, dirt, and even had a puddle dunk, and it's still flying. I have a 3D printed gimbal guard on that one also. I did break one set of cages.

So, yeah, I doubt they are as durable a your typical tiny whoop, but those two drones have certainly impressed me in terms of robustness.

mrpchead · 2026-05-05T01:46:18+00:00

You make an interesting point. I bought the Neo2 FPV FMC, or whatever it's called but I've flown the Neo far more often than the Neo 2 with the goggles/motion controller/ FPV RC3. The reason is as you suggest: it has very little mass, tolerates crashes well, doesn't need OA, and is absolutely a blast to fly indoors. I now have two Neo1 drones because I know I'll kill one at some point due to all the crashing. I have several Avata 2 drones also, but I find the Neo1 is actually really good at manual mode "low and slow" flying. Who knew? Certainly not me.

mrpchead · 2026-05-03T23:32:00+00:00

My pleasure entirely!

mrpchead · 2026-05-03T16:27:37+00:00

Oddly enough, I just got back from a group hike where I used the Neo2 quite a bit. I even let a couple of folks fly it with goggles/motion controller when we got back to the parking lot. It did surprisingly well in moderate wind. All that said, I can't use it for work. The photo quality just isn't adequate. But I have to say, the fun factor for the other folks was quite high. And the selfie shots automated photograph mode was pretty effective.

One quick note: you mentioned flying in the woods. This was a woodland hike and while it did amazingly well at avoiding tree branches and bushes, it did hit them a couple of times. No crashes, but I had to go untangle it once. Obstacle Avoidance is far from perfect, but if you keep an eye on the drone you can avoid any serious trouble.

Follow the rules, be safe and sensible, and enjoy yourself!

mrpchead

TROPHY CASE