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TECH REVIEW

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REVIEW

The perfect drone for beginners, the DJI Neo is simple to fly and boasts high-end features like 4K video capture and AI subject tracking - and without a sky high price tag. Words Scott Hocking DJI NEO DRONE

Out of the box DJI claim that the Neo is their ”lightest and most compact drone to date” at just 135g, and its diminutive design will immediately impress. This is a lightweight drone that sits comfortably in the palm of your hand, from where it can be easily launched and landed with a few simple steps, and effortlessly slipped into a bag or backpack. It’s also equipped with propeller protectors, making it an ideal drone for children to fly, under parental supervision of course. We received our demo model as part of the optional Fly More combo that includes the DJI RC-N3 remote controller and a hub for charging three batteries simultaneously, so there’s always back-up power on hand.

experimenting with different flight modes to capture professional looking short videos. And vloggers can literally elevate their content! Palm takeoff and landing makes capturing footage a breeze, particularly if an area is unsuitable for launching, and its compact design can navigate narrow spaces with ease.

or shooting product reviews for socials. And for drone newbies, it eliminates the need for panning to keep up with a moving subject. 4K all the way The Neo captures ultra-stabilised video at 4K/30p, which is a huge plus in a drone at this price. The test footage we shot came out sharp and clear, with even greater detail when viewed on a large TV or monitor. Recorded footage is saved to the drone’s 22GB of internal memory – up to 40 mins of 4K/30fps video or 55 mins of 1080p/60fps video – and wireless transfer to the app for saving and sharing is quick and easy. While mostly designed for shooting video, the Neo’s half-inch image sensor can also snap 12MP stills, and audio is captured using the connected phone’s mic – the app will merge sound with video and cancel out propeller noise. The bottom line If you’ve ever put off buying a drone due to lack of flying experience, the DJI Neo is the perfect entry point. Boasting top-end features like 4K video and AI subject tracking at a price that isn’t sky high, along with its simplicity of use and pre-programmed flight patterns, the Neo comes highly recommended for beginners and seasoned flyers alike.

The DJI Fly app is a reliable co-pilot, with virtual joysticks for precise control and settings for tracking angle and distance, or you can just press a button and let the Neo do all the work for you. Simply select from six preset modes (or QuickShots) on the top of the drone to get airborne, and let the pre-programmed flight patterns enhance your footage with a variety of manoeuvres and angles. The Neo has a flight time of up to 18 minutes, a maximum flight distance of 7km, and can make up to 20 successive palm ascents and landings. It also supports the automatic Return to Home (RTH) failsafe in the event of signal loss or a low battery. Follow me The Neo’s inbuilt AI subject tracking uses advanced algorithms to follow a subject and keep them centred in the frame. This is particularly handy for low altitude use and capturing shots in a crowd while hovering,

Let’s fly Whether you choose to fly indoors or outdoors, the Neo can be fully controlled with or without a remote. Download the DJI Fly app, pair the drone and phone via Wi-Fi, and you’re ready for takeoff! There’s a lot to love about the Neo’s simplicity of use. If you’ve never flown a drone this is a great entry-level aircraft for perfecting takeoff, landing, and short flights, as well as

Before you start droning Check out the full drone rules and regulations at www.casa.gov.au/knowyourdrone. Ignorance of them isn’t a valid defence should anything go wrong.

30 OCTOBER 2024

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