DJI recently released its second FPV (first-person-view) drone and its packed with amazing features and a solid build out of the box. The Avata is a palm-sized FPV (first-person view) drone that’s designed for both beginners and pro fliers who want to shoot some impressive aerial fly-throughs both indoors and out.
Loaded with a 1/1.7in sensor with a 48MP resolution and can shoot both 4K/60p 2.7K/120p slow motion video. You can buy it with the current DJI FPV Goggles V2 or, buy it with the new DJI Goggles 2, which brings micro-OLED screens and compatibility with DJI’s new O3+ transmission.
The Avata also has a newly-created Turtle mode that flips the drone right side up if it’s upside down on the ground and comes standard with prop guards so a pilot can worry less about destroying their investment with tricky maneuvers. Video is stabilized with DJI RockSteady and DJI HorizonSteady. The former minimizes overall shake from the onboard camera while the latter keeps the picture level.
Files are stored using microSD cards, but in case you forget yours at home, the Avata has 20GB of internal storage as a backup.
Built-in flight modes include Normal (N), Manual (M), and Sport (S). In Normal mode, the Avata will operate like all of DJI’s other drones, using satellite navigation and/or visual positioning to keep the drone steady in the sky. Manual mode, which only works with the DJI FPV Remote Controller, allows for full control of the drone to provide an immersive FPV experience. Sport mode is a combination of the two previous modes that will offer the safety features of the Normal mode while giving users more control.
Controlling the DJI Avata is done using DJI’s Fly app or by using the DJI Motion Controller. The Motion Controller is a new flight control device that lets pilots perform precise movements using hand motions, akin to a wireless joystick, such as those used with virtual reality headsets.
The Avata is available to purchase through DJI’s online store and authorized DJI retailers. The drone itself, without the goggle or controller, retails for $629. To get the Avata Pro-View Combo, which includes the Avata, Goggles 2, and Motion Controller, it’ll cost you $1,388. A ‘Fly Smart’ combo, which includes the Avata, FPV Goggles V2, and Motion Controller is also available for $1,168. The add-on Fly More Kit is available for $279 and will include two Avata Intelligent Flight Batteries and one Avata Battery Charging Hub.
Specs and Features
- Sensor: 1/1.17 inch 48MP CMOS image sensor
- Optics: Ultra-wide FOV (155-degree), fixed focus, f/2.8 aperture
- Video/max frame-rate: 4K/60fps, 2.7K/120fps, 1080/120fps
- Max bit-rate: 150Mbps
- Stabilization: 1-axis gimbal, RockSteady, and HorizonSteady EIS
- Transmission: DJI’s O3+ transmission system for 10km range, dual frequencies, 50 Mbps bitrate
- Max flight time: 18 mins
- Weight: 410g
- Dimensions: 142 x 94 x 55mm
- Max Speed: 97 kph (60 mph)
- Ability to capture photos and video on the same flight
- H.264 and H.265 video codecs
- Emergency brake and hover
- Downward obstacle sensing
- Turtle mode that corrects drone’s orientation before take-off
