Even with its US future up in the air, DJI keeps releasing impressive drones. Its latest is the Neo 2, a cheaper, lighter model for creators and hobbyists. It is an upgraded version of the Neo, a hugely popular drone in the US and elsewhere. The new model is equally safe and easy to fly with covered props, palm takeoff and voice controls.
However, DJI didn’t just stick to one number and nail it. The Neo 2 includes new features like LiDAR obstacle detection, better video quality, and longer battery life – all at a slightly higher price. In fact, some of the new features can’t even be found on high-end DJI drones.
dji/ngadget
DJI has added impressive technology to the Neo 2 that makes it the best personal drone on the market.
- Calm
- LiDAR obstacle detection
- fast for a small drone
- better battery life
- powerful gesture control
- No 10-bit LogM video
- makes noise
- low light performance
$250 at DJI
The original Neo wasn’t perfect; The propeller of that model made a banshee-like scream. The lack of obstacle detection and short battery life were also not ideal. Has the company resolved these problems in the new model? Mostly, yes – and it’s now almost the perfect personal drone.
design
Although the Neo 2 has the same 6.5-inch square size as before and looks friendly, there are a few key differences. A new LiDAR sensor next to the camera is designed to detect obstacles ahead, and it’s a surprising inclusion for such an affordable drone. On the left is a small display – a first for a DJI drone – that shows the current shot mode (Follow, Droney, etc.).
The gimbal has also been upgraded and can now rotate instead of just tilt. This means the camera will remain level on the side of the drone, with no ugly cropping or low resolution as I sometimes saw when performing extreme maneuvers with the Neo.
The Neo 2 has three buttons on the side (instead of just one on the top as before), along with two new omnidirectional sensors. In addition to helping the Neo 2 avoid obstacles, these improve stability in featureless or non-GPS environments such as indoors and in water.
Finally, if you buy the Neo 2 with the optional RC-2 or RC-N3 controller, it includes a removable digital transceiver with a pair of antennae. Those components give it a butterfly-like appearance and can affect long-term durability. However, making them add-ons gave DJI a way to make the basic (non-controller) version as cheap as possible.
With all those changes, the Neo 2 is slightly heavier at 5.6 ounces (160 g) with a digital transceiver, compared to 4.8 ounces (135 g) for the Neo. It’s still small enough to easily fit in a bag and light enough (less than 250 grams) that you won’t need to register your drone with the authorities.
features
Gesture control is a major new Neo 2 feature that isn’t found on other DJI drones. This lets you fly with amazing precision if you don’t mind looking a little silly. To do this, wave your hand up, down or sideways to climb and move to the side, move two hands apart or together to make it come closer or farther away (think of a pinch to zoom in the air), make a fist to stop it and spread your palm to land on the ground. Gestures can be used in conjunction with other fly modes to get the exact shot you want.
Steve Dent for Engadget
Along with the ability to move your hands, the Neo 2 also offers other ways to fly, such as palm takeoff. After selecting flight mode (shown on the new display and audibly announced), you can launch Neo 2 with your hand by pressing the takeoff button or using the voice controls. It will then execute the chosen mode, fly back to you and land on your outstretched palm.
Smartphone control (not seen on other DJI drones) is available for manual flight. Wi-Fi range has been increased tenfold to 546 yards compared to 55 yards for the Neo. However, for that range you need a clear signal path with no obstacles between you and the drone. For more precise flight and longer range (up to 6 miles), the Neo 2 supports RC-N2, RC-N3 or RC-2 controllers. And FPV (first person) flight is still an option when using DJI’s Goggles N3 or Goggles 3 paired with an RC Motion 3 or FPV Remote Controller 3.
The Neo 3’s Quickshots repertoire has also been updated. A fun new mode is “Hitchcock Zoom.” When activated, the drone moves back while zooming in at the same time, creating a strange perspective effect that you may have noticed vertigo And jawsAgain, this feature is unique to the Neo 2 in DJI’s lineup,
Other key functions include compatibility with DJI’s microphones, including the Mic 2, Mic 3 and Mic Mini. Since the Neo 2 is quieter than the Neo (more on this shortly), noise cancellation requirements are reduced so audio quality is improved. Onboard storage has also been upgraded to 49GB (up from 22GB), allowing you to record up to 175 minutes of 4K video. At the same time, DJI more than doubled the Wi-Fi transfer speed to 80Mb/s.
Display
Neo 2 now has omni sensors and LiDAR for obstacle avoidance (Steve Dent for Engadget)
Neo 2 retains the toughness and safety of Neo, but it can now fly around obstacles instead of over them, thanks to LiDAR and sensors. To test it, I used it to follow subjects around trees, buildings, and other obstacles. The objective was not only to see how well it survived crashes in all directions, but also to see how smoothly it tracked while doing so.
To start, I engaged the ActiveTrack Follow feature and used the trace mode “steering wheel” to follow subjects from the front, side, and back. When flying ahead, the Neo 2 avoided most obstacles using its LiDAR, swooping cinematically around trees and branches. It occasionally failed to detect small twigs and leaves, but unlike open-prop DJI drones, it generally did so without incident. With just two Omni sensors, the Neo 2 is less adept at avoiding obstacles to the side and back, so if you’re using it to vlog while walking or biking, it’s best to make sure there’s nothing in the way.
With a top speed of only 18 mph, the original Neo was so slow it could barely track a bike. Luckily, the Neo 2 is very fast with speeds up to 27 mph in follow mode and even has a special “cycle tracking” mode. I tested it on an e-bike and the drone easily kept up with me and easily avoided obstacles in the forward direction. Again, you need to be extra careful when it is flying backwards or sideways.
The Neo 2 is as agile as ever, so the added velocity makes it an even better FPV drone. While wearing the Goggles N3, I was able to enjoy that sensation of extra speed as it swooped around obstacles. This, as well as the low price, make it a good first drone for anyone looking to get into FPV flying.
I’ve compared the Neo’s prop noise to the roar of a banshee, but the Neo 2 is probably a… banshee meow. Both decibel levels and pitch are now tolerable, even indoors. I flew it at a fairly noisy party and hardly anyone noticed; It did not attract much attention even in a public park. The only downside is that it is loud, a noise that reaches even at high altitude.
video quality
DJI’s Neo 2 now offers 4K at up to 100 fps (Steve Dent for Engadget)
With the new 12MP, 1/2-inch sensor camera, video quality is excellent for this price range. The Neo 2 now supports 4K at up to 60 fps or 100 fps in slow-mo mode. On the previous model, it was only 30 fps. The Neo 2 also has an f/2.0 iris to let in more light compared to the previous f/2.8. With those updates, the drone delivers clearer and more color-accurate videos and photos than the Neo.
At this price, there are undoubtedly some sacrifices. The smaller sensor means the Neo 2 has average low-light capabilities, with obvious grain at a maximum ISO 12,800 rating that’s noticeable even at ISO 3,200. Unlike the $400 Flip, the Neo 2 doesn’t have 10-bit D-LogM capability, so it’s harder to correct over- or underexposed video.
With those problems, the Neo 2’s video and photos aren’t good enough for professional work. However, it is excellent for social media users, hobbyists, and content creators looking to deliver smartphone-quality aerial shots.
wrap up
Due to the December 23rd ban, DJI has not yet revealed availability or pricing for the Neo 2 in the US (or whether it will even come here). If it does arrive, it will effectively have no competition at its price point, which I expect to be around $250. The HoverAir X1 is the only name brand option, but it costs twice as much. That model offers solid follow-me capabilities for activities like biking and hiking. However, feature-wise, it pales in comparison to the Neo 2 with inferior video quality, battery life, range and obstacle detection.
DJI’s Neo 2 is not only the best personal drone; This is the best tech product I’ve seen in a while. It retains everything I loved about the Neo, especially the ease of use and security features. In addition, it adds many useful functions like barrier protection and, thank God, reducing noise levels. With all that said, the Neo 2 displays the rare trick of doing more than I expected – for very little money.