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CNET's Cheapskate scours the web for great deals on PCs, phones, gadgets and much more. Questions about the Cheapskate blog? Find the answers on our FAQ page. Find more great buys on the CNET Deals page and follow the Cheapskate on Facebook and Twitter!
Get your smart-home lighting off to a smart start by saving 40 percent on this kit.
Philips
Cheeps! Seems like many of you enjoyed yesterday's roundup of early Black Friday deals at Best Buy (traffic was through the roof), so let me add one more that should have made the list: The Philips Hue A19 Starter Kit for $59.99 (reg. $99.99).
You get four "smart" LED bulbs and the Hue bridge, all of them adjustable and manageable via voice and app. (To be fair, Amazon just matched that price, and according to CamelCamelCamel, it's the first time the kit has ever been priced below $100.)
Speaking of yesterday, I also shared the very tempting DJI Sparkdrone for $400. It's a pretty capable little guy, but one designed mostly for selfies and other near-area flying.
Alas, the big-brother Mavic Pro starts at $999 -- not exactly affordable for most folks.
Phone not included.
CNET
Okay, but could you swing $699? Because the official DJI Ebay store has the refurbished Mavic Pro with remote for $699 shipped -- by far the lowest price I've seen for this highly celebrated quadcopter.
First things first: a refurbished drone? That must mean "crashed and glued back together," right? Nah, these are fully inspected and certified to be good as new, and they come with a full one-year warranty, same as new Mavic Pros.
Second: You may find this model selling new for maybe $50 more, but chances are good it won't come with a remote. Trust me when I say you want the remote.
The Mavic Pro is capable of pretty much all the best drone tricks, including following you around, flying to and from waypoints and so on. It can capture 4K video via its built-in gimbal-assisted camera, and it will avoid obstacles so it's less likely to have an unfortunate encounter with a tree.
I especially like the fold-up arms, which make the Mavic much easier to toss into a bag or backpack. The controller also folds up into a nice, compact little bundle.
Take note though, extra batteries are crazy-expensive (around $150 apiece), and there's definitely a learning curve if you want to take advantage of the various flight modes. (Watch the how-to videos, they help a lot.)
Obviously this is still a pricey item for most folks, but it's also a huge discount on arguably the best consumer drone currently available. It was too good not to share!
Give your desktop or laptop the speakers it deserves.
Klipsch
Bonus deal: If you use your PC for anything that involves audio -- games, movies, music -- you owe it to yourself to hook up some good speakers.
Like these: For a limited time, and while supplies last, BuyDig has the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX-certified desktop speaker system for $109 shipped. That's after applying coupon code CHEAPSKATE40 at checkout. Price elsewhere: at least $130. Price when they hit the market back in 2003 (!): $180.
Indeed, the ProMedias have been around forever, and with good reason -- they're awesome. You get two pro-grade satellites and a robust subwoofer. Check any online store and you'll see an average user rating of around 4.5 stars. Are they on the pricey side overall? Yep. Are they worth it? That's your call.
This pocket-friendly speaker does it all: Bluetooth, line-in, microSD card and FM radio.
Archeer
Bonus deal No. 2: Admit it, I've cut wayyyy back on Bluetooth speaker deals. But the holidays are coming, so don't be surprised if I fall off that particular wagon.
Starting now: For a limited time, and while supplies last, you can get the Archeer Ultra Slim Portable Pocket Speaker for $15.32 when you apply promo code Z6SELL9F at checkout. (This is a rerun, last time it was $19.53.)
I really dig this model. It's not much larger than your average smartphone, yet it delivers pretty decent sound. It's also an FM radio. At this price, it's kind of a no-brainer gift item, either for yourself or someone else.
Black Friday deals: See every Black Friday 2017 deal we've found so far.
Holiday Gift Guide: CNET's full gift guide, including dozens of products priced under $25, $50 and $100.
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DJI Air 2S is the drone landscape photographers should buy
DJI Air 2S is the drone landscape photographers should buy
DJI's latest drone -- the Air 2S -- might just be the best drone for landscape lovers. It's compact, it's lightweight, it's got surprisingly good battery life, it's packed with intelligent flight modes and its upgraded 1-inch sensor captures superb imagery.
The Air 2S is basically an upgraded version of the Air 2 that DJI launched last year. Reviewer Josh Goldman found a lot to like about that drone, and while the 2S is physically almost identical, it's got a bigger camera sensor that promises much improved quality.
The Air 2S is available now and costs £899 (converts to approximately $1,240 or AU$1,600) for the drone and controller, or as part of the Fly More combo which adds two extra batteries, a charging hub, a set of ND filters for the camera and a carry bag for £1,169 (about $1,610).
Here then are the biggest reasons why the Air 2S should be in every landscape photographer's kit bag.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Compact size
Physically you won't see any difference between the new Air 2S and last year's Air 2. It weighs roughly 595 grams (1.3 pounds) and has an identical footprint when folded or unfolded. It's roughly around the size of a DSLR zoom lens and in fact fits perfectly comfortably in a lens slot in my photography backpack. That makes it superb for landscape photographers, like me, who want the option of getting some great aerial images, but don't necessarily want to drag a dedicated case for a larger drone up a hillside.
It's smaller and lighter than 2016's Mavic Pro but larger than the teeny-tiny DJI Mavic Mini, so that's still the one to consider if every single ounce is important, but the added size of the Air 2S will provide extra stability in more windy conditions.
The controller is pretty chunky, being almost as big as the drone itself, but it's robust enough that you can chuck it in your bag without worrying about damaging it, and the spare batteries for the drone can sit in any side pocket of your bag without weighing you down. It connects to your phone (iOS or Android) using a supplied cable.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
It can fly up to 12 kilometers away from you, although I didn't test this out as my local laws don't allow it. Make sure you're always flying within the law, wherever you are.
Excellent image quality
The main upgrade in the Air 2S is in its camera. Outwardly it looks basically the same, but it's been equipped with a larger 1-inch image sensor that offers 20-megapixel still images and up to 5.4K video. I'm impressed with the overall image quality in my tests so far, with video footage being packed with detail and having excellent colors and dynamic range. The gimbal provides rock-solid stabilisation, so all of my footage looks super slick and cinematic too.
You can shoot video at 30 frames per second at full 5.4K resolution or up to 60fps if you drop the resolution down to 4K. I found shooting in the auto mode gave me the best footage with the least effort, but you can switch to pro mode for granular control over white balance, ISO speed and shutter speeds. The more professional among you can also shoot footage in D-Log, which will allow for more control when it comes to editing color and contrast in software like Adobe Premiere or DaVinci Resolve.
Taken in DNG raw and edited in Adobe Lightroom, this scene has excellent detail and dynamic range.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Still images look good too, particularly when taken in raw DNG format and then adjusted in Adobe Lightroom afterwards. The drone can automatically take bracketed images (multiple images taken intentionally brighter and darker) in order to merge those in post to produce an image with more detail in the extreme highlights and shadows.
One thing it can't do is flip the camera and shoot in portrait orientation. It's a shame as this is often an angle I'd like to capture for still images. The rise in popularity of vertical videos on TikTok and Instagram Reels means no vertical shooting option on a consumer drone like this feels like a missed opportunity.
The sensor's high resolution means the Air 2S can offer 2x and 4x digital zoom in video. The effect at 2x is pretty cool, particularly if you're circling around a point of interest as it can create the sort of telephoto effect you'd normally only get with a long lens out of a helicopter. The effect is certainly more pronounced at 4x zoom, but the image quality noticeably drops and likely wouldn't be usable for professional purposes at least.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Good battery life
DJI promises 31 minutes of flight time from a full battery, which from my own testing isn't quite realistic. With mixed use -- ranging from simply hovering in place, through to fast fly-bys and circling a point of interest -- I found around 20-25 minutes was achievable.
That's still a good real-world amount of flight time from each battery however, and easily outpaces what I got from my much older DJI Mavic 2. With three fully charged batteries in your bag (as you'll get with the Fly More combo) you'll comfortably be able to get a full hour of air time from the drone each time you head out.
Easy to use
The Air 2S is one of the easiest DJI drones I've flown. Setting up to fly is quick and easy, and you can comfortably be in the air in under a minute if you know what you're doing. The overall control scheme is the same as before so owners of previous DJI drones won't need to relearn how to control it, and it won't take long for newbies to master the basics.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
As with previous DJI drones -- including the Air 2 -- there are a range of automated flight modes designed to help you get better-looking footage when you're out and about. My favourite is the point of interest mode that will have the drone automatically circle around you -- or someone else -- just by tapping on them on your phone's screen. And thanks to the sensors on all sides of the drone, it won't crash into anything while it's following you.
The auto modes are particularly handy if you're trying to get footage of yourself while you're out solo, or maybe you're mountain biking with friends and want the drone to simply follow you down the trails without any of you having to control it. Budding YouTubers who frequently shoot outside in nature should definitely consider whether a drone like the Air 2S could add a new element of production to their videos.
DJI has also added a new mode called MasterShots which will apparently automatically record video along a set flight route, and then edit the video together for you, along with a soundtrack. I haven't tested this yet and while it sounds like a fun addition for absolute beginners, I suspect that the majority of people wanting the Air 2S's image quality will be wanting to do their own edits back at home.
So maybe the DJI Air 2S doesn't offer the sort of commercial-level image quality you'd get on bigger setups like the Inspire series, but it does offer great video and stills quality, some great easy to use auto features and all in a package that you can chuck in a backpack and hike into the hills.
If you've never flown a drone before, you've got lots of fun in store. Learning how to fly a drone is an exhilarating experience. But it's even more fun when you can use a drone camera to take beautiful videos and photos from the sky. The best drone cameras can bring you views that you'd never be able to shoot from the ground, which will wow your family, friends and TikTok fans. And these days, you can get a great drone with a camera for less than $500.
There are plenty of affordable options for drone owners that offer various combinations of features, video quality and prices to suit every drone enthusiast. So, whether you're looking to get into drone photography or just want to enjoy the thrill of the flight, we've got some recommendations. Here are the best drones for both beginner and intermediate drones.
We've outlined our top picks for the best drones for beginners, intermediate users and "prosumer" enthusiasts, as well as an introductory drone for folks interested in racing, which is a whole scene unto itself. We'll update this list periodically. We've also included a more in-depth buying guide and FAQ on the best drones below, with more information about the key things to consider before you buy.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
With its large 1-inch image sensor, the DJI Air 2S is able to take great-looking photos and videos from the sky. It'll shoot video at up to 5.4k resolution, while still images can be taken in DNG raw format at up to 20 megapixels. The drone has a variety of intelligent flight modes too that makes it particularly easy to capture cinematic footage even when you're out hiking by yourself, including a mode that follows you as you walk through the hills and a mode that automatically circles a point of interest.
One thing it doesn't do is flip the camera over to let you shoot in portrait orientation. That's a shame, as it means that capturing vertical video for TikTok or Instagram Reels is more difficult as you'll need to crop your video down the middle, losing a lot of resolution in the process. If that's a priority for you, look towards DJI's Mini 3 Pro.
It's as easy to fly as others in the DJI range and it has a range of obstacle sensors to help keep it in the air and avoid it plouwing headlong into a tree or a wall. Its maximum flight time of up to 31 minutes is solid for a drone of this size but it can be bought with a bundle of extra batteries for those of you that want to capture more footage from the sky.
Its folding design makes it quite easy to fit into a photography backpack, but it's physically larger and heavier than DJI's 'Mini' range, so keep that in mind if you're after the lightest model to take on your travels. But its combination of flight time, automated flying modes and excellent image quality make it a superb all-rounder that's well worth considering.
Read our DJI Air 2S review.
Joshua Goldman/CNET
The DJI Mini may have launched back in 2020, but it's still available to buy today and it's still a superb option for those of you looking to take your first steps into the world of aerial photography. Its compact, folding size means it's super easy to chuck in a bag and carry anywhere while its 249g weight means you don't need to register it with the FAA (in the US).
It uses the same control scheme as other DJI drones, which we've found to be easy for beginners learning the ropes while allowing more advanced flyers the flexibility to test their skills. It can fly for up to 31 minutes on a single charge and has a flying range of up to 6.2 miles (10 kilometers).
Its small camera unit is stabilized for smoother footage and it can shoot video at 4K at up to 30 frames per second. Still images are captured at 12 megapixels.
One of the reasons that the foldable drone is so light is that it has no sensors for obstacle avoidance. That means there will be a learning curve and potentially some crashing. So while it is an affordable beginner options, those of you with no existing flying skills should start out practicing in wide-open spaces until you get the hang of things. Once you do get more confident, the Mini 2 is stable, nimble, safe to fly and quieter than other DJI models.
Read our DJI Mini 2 review.
Andrew Lanxon/CNET
While DJI's Air 2s and Mavic 3 offer superb image quality from the air, they lack the ability to flip the camera over and shoot video and photos in portrait orientation. As a result, those of you wanting to use your footage for your TikTok page or Instagram Reels will need to crop the video right down the middle, losing a lot of resolution in the process and making it harder to compose your shots when you're out on location.
The Mini 3 Pro has no such problem, as with a simple tap of an on-screen button its camera flips over into portrait orientation, allowing you to capture social content using the full view and maximum 4K resolution of the sensor. Videos can be shot at up to 60 frames per second, while still images can be captured in DNG at an impressive 48 megapixels.
Its folding design allows it to shrink down to something little bigger than a standard can of coke but it still packs a variety of sensors that help stop you crashing it into trees. Keep in mind though that its tiny size and 249g weight does mean that it's susceptible to strong winds and in blustery conditions will have to fight harder to remain airborne -- reducing your flight times.
Read our DJI Mini 3 Pro review.
Andrew Lanxon/CNET
If you've been on Instagram or TikTok recently then you'll almost certainly have seen exhilarating videos of similar FPV drones flying through bowling alleys, factories or doing other incredible aerial maneuvers. To achieve that, FPV pilots wear headsets that let them see through the eyes of the drone, navigating those twisting turns and zooming through tight gaps as if they're behind the controls and up in the air.
And that's exactly how you'll fly the Avata; with a set of DJI FPV goggles that give you a view directly from the drone's perspective. It's an exhilarating way of flying as it really feels like you're up in the air controlling the drone from behind a steering wheel. It's a more extreme way of flying than you'll get from more typical drones like the Air 2S, with more instant controls and faster speeds.
The upside is that you get fast and exciting footage of your drone speeding through forests or through impossibly-small obstacles which you simply can't achieve with other drones on this list. The downside is that the first-person perspective can make you quite nauseous, particularly if you suffer at all from motion sickness. I found I could manage 5-10 minutes of flying at a time before needing an extended break.
The nature of wearing the goggles also means you're unable to see around you -- which makes it more difficult to spot any incoming dangers, such as rescue helicopters. As such, you're legally obliged in many areas (including the UK) to have a spotter next to you keeping an eye out on your behalf as you race your drone around the sky.
The Avata is smaller and lighter than DJI's first FPV drone and has built-in guards around its propellers which allow it to bump into walls, trees or other obstacles without necessarily being taken out of the air.
Its 4K, 60 frames-per-second video looks great and it's easy to fly using the DJI Motion Controller, which lets you simply maneuver the drone based on your hand movements. You'll see a crosshair in your view that moves around when you move the controller -- wherever you point the crosshair, the drone will follow. It's a simple 'point-and-click' way of flying that I really enjoyed.
Read our DJI Avata review.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
The DJI Mavic 3's relatively high starting price of $2,000 makes it significantly more expensive than others on this list, but if you're a professional or enthusiastic photographer wanting superb photos and videos from the sky then it's an investment that might be worth making.
The Mavic 3 packs a 4/3rd-size image sensor which is physically larger than any other image sensor you'll get from other drones on this page. That bigger sensor allows it to capture more light and offer better dynamic range. As a result, its 5.1k video looks superb, with tons of detail for cropping into and excellent exposures, even in high-contrast scenarios.
It's got sensors all-round too, keeping it safe from smashing into obstacles, while its huge 46-minute maximum flight time is better than almost any other drone around. It folds down to the size of a large camera lens, so it's relatively easy to get into a photography backpack, but those of you wanting a tiny drone for travelling should still look to the DJI Mini 3 Pro.
Read our DJI Mavic 3 review.
Drew Evans/CNET
The DJI FPV was the company's original first-person drone, offering a beginner-friendly entrance into the exhilarating world of FPV drone flying. We loved its lighting-fast 97mph top speed and its solid 4K video quality. And while the DJI FPV has been somewhat usurped by the new DJI Avata which is smaller, lighter and safer (thanks to built-in propeller guards), the original DJI FPV is still worth considering.
That's largely down to its price, which is now around $1,000 for a full kit with everything you need to fly, from the drone itself, to the controller and the original FPV headset. The DJI Avata comes in at $1,170 for the similar 'Fly Smart' combo which I personally think is worth paying (as it includes the motion controller which makes FPV flying much easier) but if you want an FPV experience at the lowest cost then the cheaper DJI FPV might be the better option.
Emax
Though mainstream drones like the DJI Mini can fly fast, racing drones fly even faster, capable of hitting speeds above 100 mph. They're also much more agile, built for acrobatic maneuvers with you at a set of manual controls. That means there's a learning curve that usually involves some crashes.
Getting started will be neither quick nor easy, but for a racing drone, the Emax Tinyhawk 2 keeps things relatively simple. You'll still need to learn how to pilot the thing, but the process will be less expensive and less frustrating than other entry-level systems. For one thing, you don't need to worry about getting all of the individual pieces to work together -- or soldering anything, which is required for many DIY models.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do drones cost?
The prices for drones varies depending on what kind of features you want or the quality you need from the camera. As with most areas of tech, price lines up with performance, with the more expensive models offering higher-resolution video with bigger image sensors and longer flight times.
DJI's range currently starts at only $450 for the Mini 2, which offers decent 4K video and strong flight times but lacks obstacle sensors or any kind of intelligent flight modes. At the higher end, the DJI Mavic 3 shoots 5.1k video with a large image sensor for pristine quality, its 40-minute flight times are class-leading and its range of obstacle sensors means it can fly autonomously to capture cinematic footage of you with minimal effort. At $2,000 though, you pay a lot for these kinds of features.
How far can drones fly?
Many drones in DJI's range can fly in huge areas, with the Mavic 3 being able to fly up to 9.3 miles (15km) away from you. That's in ideal conditions however, and sometimes you may find you get interference from other sources and the drone will advise a closer proximity.
Keep in mind too that while the drone may technically be able to fly a long way away, your local laws may not be so forgiving. In the UK, for example, your drone always has to remain in eyesight of the pilot, and the small size of these drones means they're likely going to be impossible to see once they get too far away.
How fast can drones fly?
The top speed of drones varies depending on their use for the most part. More typical camera-focused drones like the Mini 3 Pro can achieve up to 37 mph in its fastest "sport" mode, while the DJI FPV can hit a whopping 97 mph. FPV drones are designed for faster, more extreme flights so you'll typically find these drones have much higher top speeds. Some drones designed for racing can even achieve speeds of 170 mph.
What's the best DJI drone?
"Best" is of course a subjective word and what might suit your needs most may not suit someone else. If you're looking for the best image quality for beautiful landscape images, the big sensor of the DJI Mavic 3 is the one for you. Looking for the best small drone for travelling? The Mini 3 Pro's tiny design will suit you well.
If you want a generally solid all-round drone then look towards the DJI Air 2S. Its combination of travel-friendly size, excellent image quality and decent flight times means it ticks most boxes and could be the best drone for most people.
Which drones shoot vertical video for TikTok and Instagram?
While you may have seen lots of vertical videos from drones on your TikTok or Instagram feeds, the reality is that very few drones can actually shoot this video natively. Even camera-focused drones like the DJI Mavic 3 can't shoot video in portrait orientation, so drone users will have to crop their footage down the middle before uploading it to their social accounts.
The recent DJI Mini 3 Pro is one of the few drones currently able to flip its camera over and shoot vertically. It means you can take advantage of the full 4K resolution of the sensor, and have a much easier time in composing your shots as you don't need to imagine what it would like after the crop -- what you see as you fly is what you'll post to TikTok later.
How do you connect a drone camera to a phone?
Most drones -- including most of the DJI models featured here -- require you to connect your phone at some stage to act as the viewfinder and control screen for the drone. Usually that'll involve you connecting the phone physically to the controller using either a Lightning cable (for iPhones) or a USB-C cable (for Android phones) and using apps like DJI FLY. The controller then connects to the drone, showing the feed from your drone's camera right on your phone screen.
Which drones are waterproof?
In short, almost none of them. Complete waterproofing is tricky for drones as the propellers need to be able to generate downforce (so can't be fully enclosed) and short of fitting wiper blades from a car, the camera will always be susceptible to raindrops. None of the drones on this list are sold with any kind of "waterproof" promise and while you can certainly get away with flying in a few spots of rain -- or even through clouds -- if it really starts to pour then you should land immediately.
How we test drones
Like all products on CNET, any items that feature on our best lists are tested by us to make sure that they perform as well as the manufacturers claim. Nothing is taken at face value and nothing is recommended to buy based on marketing promises or specs alone. If they don't perform, they simply don't make the list.
For drones, we take them out of the city to a safe flying spot. We set them up and connect them to the controllers and our phones, just as you would. We then send them into the sky, checking out how easy they are to fly, how responsive they are and whether there are any issues with signal transmissions or physical problems such as obstacle avoidance not working properly.
We test the flight times and battery capacity in different conditions. Most manufacturer's claims of battery life are done under perfect, wind-free conditions which isn't realistic for most of us. As such, we fly them in real-world scenarios and give an indication of what actual battery life you can expect.
And we of course shoot plenty of videos and photos, looking at the image quality, at the colors and the contrast. We pay attention to the dynamic range as this will determine how well a drone can balance a bright blue sky against the darker ground. If a drone offers DNG raw photos, we use this too, and we see how well the images can be artistically edited in software like Adobe Lightroom.
Things to consider before you buy a drone
New to the world of modern drones? Don't worry, we've got you covered. Here's a quick overview of what any beginner needs to know to find the best drones for their money.
The price of the drone is only the beginning
Depending on the aircraft, extra batteries can run you from $5 for toys to more than $100 each for camera drones.
Joshua Goldman/CNET
You're going to want a couple extra batteries, some spare propellers, maybe some prop guards and perhaps a quick charger, so you're not waiting hours to fly again. You're more than likely going to crash, which could lead to repair costs -- either for replacement parts or shipping it back to the manufacturer for repairs. (This is exactly why DJI offers crash insurance for new drones.)
Before you buy a drone, it's worth spending a little time researching the price and availability of replacement parts, batteries and other accessories. And be cautious of third-party parts -- especially batteries and chargers -- which may be inferior to those made by the drone manufacturer.
Everyone will assume you're invading their privacy
When you're out flying in a public space, or even in your own backyard, anyone who sees you doing it will think you're spying on them or someone else. You could be standing in the middle of a 20-acre field with no one in sight and your drone no more than 50 feet directly overhead and you might end up answering questions about being a peeping Tom. It's happened to us. Repeatedly.
And along those same lines....
Everyone but you thinks they're dangerous
It doesn't matter if you're the safest drone pilot around or that you could do more damage hitting someone with a baseball than a drone -- onlookers may feel threatened. After all, nothing about plastic blades spinning at high speeds screams "safety."
Parrot's Bebop 2 has some nice safety features including propellers that stop instantly if they hit anything.
Joshua Goldman/CNET
As such, US-based pilots may benefit from an Academy of Model Aeronautics membership. Along with a whole host of benefits including access to AMA-member flying sites, the $75 annual membership protects you with $2,500,000 of comprehensive general liability insurance as well as $25,000 in accident or medical coverage, $10,000 maximum accidental death coverage and $1,000 fire, theft and vandalism coverage.
Finding places to fly can be a challenge
In population-dense places like cities and metropolitan areas, it can be difficult to find places to safely and legally fly. US national parks are off-limits. Regulations differ among state, county and municipal parks. And then there are the no-fly zones, which puts many metropolitan areas out of bounds as well as just dangerous, because of buildings, people and cars.
Before you buy a drone -- even a toy one, if you plan to fly outside -- you'll want to visit AirMap or download the FAA's B4UFly app to check for no-fly zones. These don't cover state or local ordinances, though, so you'll need to do additional research on your chosen environs before you fly.
The EU and UK's drone rules are based mostly on how heavy a drone weighs and no longer differentiate between people flying for fun, or people flying for professional purposes. Europeans among you with new drones should make sure to fully familiarize yourself with the 2022 drone regulations and ensure both you and your drones are registered before taking flight.
Any remote control aircraft except 'toys' need an FAA registration in the US
Screenshot by Sean Hollister/CNET
The US Federal Aviation Administration is requiring anyone who wants to fly an unmanned aerial vehicle that weighs between 0.55-pound (250 grams) and 55 pounds (approximately 25 kilograms) for recreation or hobby to register with the agency. Civil penalties for not registering such an unmanned aircraft may include fines up to $27,500. Criminal penalties may include fines up to $250,000, imprisonment for up to three years or both.
Most sub-$100 UAS drones fall under this weight. A kitchen or postal scale can be used to weigh your drone or you can check with the manufacturer. Also, this applies to both store-bought and homemade aircraft.
The registration cost is $5 and it can all be done online in a matter of minutes. You don't have to register each aircraft you own -- just yourself; you'll be given a number to attach to what you're flying. That's it. Essentially, it's the FAA's way of getting you to agree that you've read its safety guidelines including staying more than five miles away from airports and below 400 feet.
The UK has its own registration requirements. Essentially, owners of drones that weigh more than 250 grams must register as a drone operator, which costs £9 annually. And pilots of drones that weigh more than 250 grams must pass a free online education course every three years. Australia has promised that new rules are "on their way," but for now there are no official requirements.
DJI FPV drone hands-on: A high-speed immersive flying experience with 4K video for $1,299
DJI FPV drone hands-on: A high-speed immersive flying experience with 4K video for $1,299
The DJI FPV drone is made for everyone but is not for everyone. It's built for speed and agility, but its features and capabilities cater to both beginner pilots and those who can keep a drone in the air without the assistance of sensors and GPS. The FPV drone is also much more about experiencing flight than it is about what the camera can do.
In the box for $1,299 (£1,249, AU$2,099) you'll get the FPV drone, DJI's FPV Goggles V2, a new gaming-style controller and a single battery. That means out of the box you have everything you need for FPV flying and, with the exception of a firmware update, it's also ready to fly. That's unusual for the category, which is still mainly a DIY situation. Even the prebuilt drones this size usually require some setup.
The FPV has obstacle detection to help beginners.
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No fear of flying (well, almost)
If you've never flown using an FPV headset, it can be simultaneously thrilling and terrifying, with a little bit of nausea thrown in for good measure (at least for me). It really does feel like you're in the pilot's seat of an aircraft as you soar through the air or zip above the ground at speeds up to 87 mph (140 kph). It also means one small control slip-up could take you out of the sky and empty your wallet.
If you've ever built your own racing drone, you're likely good to repair damage from crashes. Trying to lower that bar, DJI made some of the FPV's parts easily replaceable, specifically the landing gear, the plastic top shell (an extra is included), the gimbal and the propellers. It's sturdier than DJI's other drones, too, which helps if you get a little too close to a tree, building or other obstacles.
The large battery is integrated into the frame and securely clips in. DJI says it will last up to 20 minutes, but that's going to depend on how aggressively you're flying. Still, I didn't have any problems getting past the 10-minute mark in Sport mode, which is about the best you can do. It's typical for an FPV drone to only last five to 10 minutes in the air.
Most of the main body is a battery.
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Choose your own adventure
The FPV has three flight modes -- Normal, Sport and Manual -- with varying degrees of automated assistance. Normal mode is the closest to flying something like DJI's Air 2 or Mini 2 camera drones. Cameras on the bottom can keep the drone hovering in place without your help, while more on the front will slow you down as you approach obstacles. The top speed is 30 mph.
Switching to Sport mode lets you fly at up to 60 mph, but the front obstacle detection is shut off. In Manual mode, you're pretty much on your own, although by default it starts with an attitude limit that can be turned off. There is no obstacle detection and no help hovering in place. You can even open up the back of the controller and adjust the stick tension so they don't spring back to the center.
No matter what mode you're in though, you get an emergency brake on the controller and the same button will trigger the drone to return to the home point. Plus, there's a Find My Drone feature that you can use if you crash and can't see exactly where it went down.
Analog performance with digital clarity
The Goggles are lightweight and comfortable.
Drew Evans/CNET
Most FPV drones aimed at consumers typically rely on using an app and your phone in a VR-type headset. That's fine for casual flying, but the latency of the video feed from the drone's camera to the phone won't be much good at speeds up to nearly 90 mph. On the other hand, FPV racing drones generally use low-resolution analog cameras to send a low-latency feed to a headset while a second camera records the action. The image quality isn't great but when milliseconds count, you want as little delay in the video as possible.
The FPV drone paired with the FPV Goggles V2 solves these problems by using DJI's transmission technologies to give you low-latency video with great visual clarity. When DJI launched the Goggles I said it's like the difference between a VHS tape that's been played a few too many times and a remastered DVD.
It's the clear, cinematic live view at 810-pixel resolution that drives the immersive experience from the FPV. Plus, since all of the pieces are paired and ready out of the box, it's a hassle-free experience. Turn on the drone, the headset and the controller and you're ready for take-off.
A controller fit for FPV gaming
The controller ties it all together.
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Many transmitters used for FPV drone racing are large, clunky and loaded with switches. DJI's controller has more in common with your favorite gaming console controller. Flying by FPV feels a lot like you're playing a racing game with a view from behind the wheel, so it's fitting that the controller feels like one made for gaming.
On top, you just have the two sticks, the power button and a programmable shortcut button. The sticks unscrew and can be stored in the controller's grips and the antenna flips down so it's easier to slip into a bag. The back of the controller is loaded with buttons to control the camera and performance. For example, there's a switch for jumping between flight modes as well as a switch and a dial for moving the camera up and down on its gimbal.
DJI also made a single-handed pistol-grip motion controller. There are buttons for camera controls, the emergency brake and take-offs and landings. Flying, however, is done by pulling back on a trigger and tilting your hand to the sides or up and down. It's available for $200.
More a drone with a camera than a camera drone
The FPV's camera records 4K video and transmits a view to the headset.
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The FPV's camera can record video: up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second and 128 Mbps, or 1080p at up to 120 fps. It's on a single-axis gimbal for image stabilization, as opposed to the three-axis gimbals found on most of DJI's drones. The gimbal helps when rotating vertically, but most of the shake and vibration is controlled with DJI's RockSteady electronic stabilization. The results are overall good, especially given how quickly the drone moves, but it's not without some motion artifacts. If you're expecting the silky smooth -- and level -- video of a three-axis gimbal, you're better off with a Mavic 2 Pro.
Also, recording video is pretty much the end of the road for camera features. There are no drone modes or any other automated camera moves. There's no subject tracking or panorama photos. You can correct distortion to remove the fish-eye look from your recordings and video can be stored in H.265 or H.264. That's it, though, and all of the settings are navigated with a mini-joystick and buttons on the headset. Also, there's a microSD card slot on the headset so you can record the FPV video, but it won't have the RockSteady stabilization.
A big battery for big power.
Drew Evans/CNET
The DJI FPV is fun to use. For beginners, there's just enough flight assistance to take some of the intimidation out of flying. Experienced pilots will appreciate the additional camera control and how agile and fast the drone is and the great-looking video in the headset. And it's also a good, albeit expensive, way to grow as an FPV pilot without needing to cobble together your own drone, headset and transmitter combo.
