From the scarcity of posts about shortcomings, it looks like DJI has a solid flying platform.
Not happy with the short flight times, but, that is to DJI's advantage, isn't it?
More interest in the
Fly More Package and extra battery sales?!!
My only 'complaint' is DJI could have included 'kit' in the package with which to help conform the goggles to one's face.
TK
The flight times are double to triple what you'll find on any other FPV platform, and yes, you'll want extra batteries, because it's really fun to fly.
You can find aftermarket foam kits for the goggles pretty cheap, so I wouldn't get hung up on that.
Here's my synopsis of the common complaints I see. Keep in mind this is just my understanding and many of these problems are fixable or may not bother you:
1. It's loud. General agreement from freestyle guys is that it's not that loud for a cinewhoop, but if you've been flying a quad where your phone is the display, this is an adjustment.
2. It's underpowered. It is. You won't notice it until you are trying to do a powerloop and can't pull out. The Avata is EXTREMELY tough, so the crash will be survivable, but...
3. The battery pops out. The Avata has a turtle mode so if you land upside-down you can flip it remotely and get back in the air no problem. IF..the battery is still connected. There's tons of cheap 3d printed gadgets on eBay or Etsy that snap on behind the battery and keep it seated. Problem solved.
4. The kit doesn't come with the RC controller. The joystick is cool for a week or two, but the Avata is locked out of manual mode until you're using the RC. That means no loops, flips, or dives, and you'll be stuck with about a 35mph speed limit. Still fun, but you'll want the controller soon enough. Then you can go 70mph.
5. Prop wash makes decent shaky. You can mitigate it by going slow, but if you're wanting to go down quickly without looking like an earthquake, the only way to do it is a free fall dive. Which you can do with the RC remote.
6. With remote id now in place, you can't lift off without being connected to your phone, app on, and confirming on the phone. Wouldn't be a big deal if you were using the phone to fly, but with the Avata, you're using the goggles. Click the box on your phone, more you can fly, but the phone is in your lap, waiting to slide off and bust it's screen as soon as you get fully immersed in the goggles. Wires everywhere, too many things to hold. It sucks. You can buy a cheap track phone with a tiny screen, zip tie it to the googles, and leave it plugged in, but why? It sucks.
7. Yaw snap tumble. There's an airflow issue on super snappy 180 turns, where the drone wants to flip. Unless you're flying like a fighter pilot, it probably won't be an issue, but it's a known problem.
8. Short stick throw on the RC control. It makes every little stick input very exaggerated and finicky. Some of this can be solved by changing rates, but a $10 pair of longer sticks is the actual fix. No biggie.
9. USB port and memory card slot are in a stupid location and you'll cuss every time you want to access them
All that said, it's a super fun drone to fly and right out of the box it's still plenty cool and capable. You'll probably end up spending another 3 or 4 hundred to make it complete. You'll need a case, shorter goggles battery cord, etc. In my opinion, none of those complaints are a deal breaker. I love mine and fly often. The clarity on the googles is shocking. It's immersive to the point you'll be looking like Stevie Wonder as you lean your body in real life as you bank the quad.
Finally, all the problems have solutions. You can upgrade the motors and frame, buy the aftermarket add-ons to make it better, and above all else, this thing is really tough. I've crashed multiple times and except for cosmetic scratches from sliding across a highway, it's still flying perfect.
Can't wait for that cheap piece of plastic cover to come loose one flight and cause the bird to go in. I close it securely every time, but I feel this location is just "Stupid" and its only a matter of time before I have to use tape or something. Buy then I will tear it apart and replace the door I guess. I will say while that plastic is new (Like now) it is firmly clipped when properly closed. This is just a silly problem to have IMHO. How about a remote mounting (tiny PCB) and a ribbon, weighs what 3 grams..... cost what $0.50? its just annoying......
