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The Pros and Cons of DJI Avata
The DJI Avata is one of the company’s most remarkable drones to date. With prop guards offering greater protection and an incredibly light yet durable body, pilots can navigate through tight spots while confidently avoiding potential dangers around them. The Avata also comes with the new, lighter and more sharp goggles as well as an updated motion controller that offers greater convenience and navigation options. However, there are some problems that are worth considering before investing in the Avata.
Lightweight with Added Protection
The Avata has a square shape with prop guards that make it different from other DJI drones. Weighing in at only 410 grams, it is small and light enough to fly through small spaces. The batteries come with a flexible connector to limit damage from a potential crash. According to DJI, the flight time can last up to 18 minutes, but during out testing we experienced closer to 12-13 minutes. The batteries charge quickly at around 45 minutes, and you can get two extra batteries and a charger with the flymore kit. The micro SD slot is inconveniently placed at the bottom, as is the USB-C port, which can be difficult to access.
Time-of-Flight Sensors for Terrain Mapping and Prescription Eyewear
The Avata has two time-of-flight sensors beneath it which maps the terrain for greater safety, but it is missing forward-facing sensors. You get the motion controller to fly the drone, but it does not offer the ability to transit vertically or below, requiring a separate button to land. It lacks some precision, particularly when flying indoors. The goggles let you view footage without connecting a mobile phone, with a mini version of the DJI Fly app already installed. The new goggles come with 1080p resolution for each eye, as well as built-in diopters to correct astigmatism. You can also opt to have lenses mounted with your prescription, but note it is not possible to wear glasses underneath.
Highly Manueverable, Yet Not Quite Fast
The Avata is an absolute thrill to fly, but the maximum speed (60 miles per hour in manual mode) is slower than some other FPV drones. It is great for showing off your skills and has plenty of maneuverability, allowing you to fly it through obstacles, like handball players during a practice or around a castle rooftop. It also bears up well to crashes, and you can even bounce it off a person without any hurt. The mini controls are intuitive and perfect for beginners, even allowing to hover.
Built-In Camera with Good Image Quality, 4K Video Support
Rather than having an external camera attached to your Avata, the drone comes with a 1.7-inch sensor, with 64% larger sensor area than the FPV. You can record 4K videos at up to 60fps, or 1080p and 2.7K at 120 fps with the goggles V2. Granted, the image quality is quite impressive giving sharp and accurate colors, nevertheless it could benefit from an improved dynamic range. The gimbal and rocksteady stabilization prevent shakes and wind, even in rough conditions.
Summary
The DJI Avata is surely a remarkable drone that comes with some advantages such particulary its lightweight shape, prop guards for extra protection and an internal camera with good image quality and 4K video support. On the downside it isn’t as fast as some FPV drones, with a maximum speed of 60 miles per hour in manual mode, and has limited access to the micro SD and USB-C ports. Plus, the goggles don’t fit over glasses and the motion controller can lack precision when flying indoors.
