The DJI Spark is here!
DJI just announced the much rumored and leaked DJI Spark! The Spark is a brand new mini drone from the leader in drones, DJI. The feature packed little package offers a lot of the features found in DJIs larger more expensive drones. The DJI Spark allows you to capture images and video in the moment, as you can control it and capture images with just gesture controls. No phone or remote control required! Let’s dive into the exciting features of the Spark: (Available in 5 different colors) DJI Spark Features Camera Mechanical Gimbal The 2-axis mechanical gimbal in addition to UltraSmooth technology reduces shake and rolling shutter. This allows your images and video to be stable and sharp. Powerful Lens Images are sharp, vivid due to its f/2.6 wide-angle lens with a 25mm equivalent focal length. The lens also has been designed to reduce color aberration and distortion. The lens features 5 lens elements. 1/2.3″ Sensor A larger camera sensor than in an iPhone 7 allows you to capture stabilized video at 1080p and stills at 12MP. The large sensor allows for use of larger pixels which improve low light performance and color accuracy. The camera also allows you to take automatic panorama photos as well as ShallowFocus pictures. This is a similar feature to the iPhone 7 plus’ Portrait mode where the background of the image gets magically blurred allowing for that professional look. Flight Performance The DJI Spark will fly up to 50 km/h (31mph) in sports mode (RC required) 2km HD Wi-Fi Video Transmission 16 minute max flight time 1480 mAh 3S LiPo (Lithium Polymer) intelligent batteries are monitored using 12 protection functions FPV flight possible with DJI Goggles FlightAutonomy Sparks Systems include the main camera Vision Positioning System (VPS) 3D Sensing System Dual Band GPS (GPS/GLONASS) Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) 24 powerful computing cores Return-to-home (RTH) All these systems allow the DJI Spark to hover accurately anywhere while utilizing its VPS assistance up to 30m (98ft) and sense obstacles from up to 5m (16ft) away. Interactive Features Quick Launch – With “Face-Aware” Spark lifts off directly from your hand once it recognizes your face. It will then hover in place seconds after being turned on. Simple Control – This allows you to use gesture control to move the drone as well as take pictures. No more asking strangers to take a picture of your group! Create with Ease using QuickShots – Intelligent flight modes allow you to capture videos like a professional drone pilot. Create cinematic footage right away. Quick Shots Rocket – The Spark will ascend with the camera facing downward creating an amazing zoom out...
DJI Mavic Pro Firmware Update Guide
Welcome to our DJI Mavic Pro Firmware Update Guide. Here you will find the steps necessary to update the Firmware on your Mavic Pro. Firmware updates can be daunting when doing them for the first time, but rest assured we will walk you through all the steps required to get a successful update. Let’s get your Mavic Pro updated. Firmware updates can reset all settings, so be sure you note the settings that are important to you prior to updating. Release Notes Release Notes for version v01.03.0200 Improved gimbal performance when flying in low temperatures. Added Cinematic Mode for smoother the footage. Release Notes for version v01.03.0000 Added AR route display in TapFly mode when used with the DJI GO 4 app. Added a vibration warning for the remote controller when the aircraft enters ATTI mode. Added wind speed evaluation and a high wind speed warning. Added more film looks and color modes (when used with the DJI GO 4 app). All Release notes (for current and earlier versions) are also available for download here. Mavic Firmware Update Steps Install the DJI Assistant 2 on your PC or Mac. Link >Here< Launch the Assistant 2 Software Ensure the Mavic has a charged battery Plug the Mavic into the computer with a USB Micro cable Turn on the Mavic Pro (Don’t forget to remove the gimbal brace from behind the gimbal) Select your Mavic Pro in the Assistant 2 Software Select the firmware update you would like to install in this case it was V01.03.0200 Click Start Update Let the Assistant 2 do its thing. The fans may turn on inside the Mavic for cooling. It’s a good idea to take off the gimbal cover to allow for sufficient airflow. The Software downloads the firmware update you selected The Software transfers the firmware update to the Mavic Pro The Software then finally installs/updates the firmware update onto your Mavic Pro Finally, when the updated firmware is successfully installed you will receive the following screen Please note you may not be finished! The remote control and the batteries could also require updating. Read on! Update the Firmware on the DJI Mavic Pro Remote Control Once you have updated the firmware on your Mavic Pro drone you can update the firmware on its remote control. Follow the following steps to do so: Ensure the remote control is fully charged. Connect the remote control to the PC or Mac using the microUSB cable you used for updating the Mavic Pro Power on the remote control Launch the Assistant 2 Software Select the “RC for Mavic Pro” Select the firmware you would like to updated onto...
Mavic Pro Unboxing – DJI’s compact drone
The new DJI Mavic Pro has revolutionized the drone industry. Up until now, the Phantom-class drone was as portable as you could get for good 4K Video and 12MP stills. The Mavic Pro changes this. Today we get to Unbox the Mavic Pro. Mavic Pro retail box First peak of the Mavic Pro Manuals and four (two for the front arms and two spares) propellers under foam packaging Cables and propeller bags removed from the retail box Everything laid out Top of the Mavic Pro drone without the front propellers installed Bottom of the Mavic Pro with gimbal cover and silicone protector still on. Right side of Mavic Pro Left side of Mavic Front arms extended into the flying position Rear arms in process of being folded out. This is about half-way unfolded to the flying configuration. Bottom of Mavic in unfolded flying configuration Top of Mavic in unfolded configuration. Mavic with front propellers and spare propellers laid out Front propellers matched up with color coded motor hub. Note the motor on the left side of the picture has 3 white stripes on the edge of the motors’ cans. The propeller with the white circle in the middle of the propeller hub goes on the motor with the white markings. The opposite motor seen on the right side of the photo, without stripes receives a matching propeller without any markings. Striped motor with matching propeller Propeller placed on top of the spring loaded motor shaft. You install the propellers by pushing down with a little force to compress the spring, then rotate until the propeller doesn’t spin further onto the motor. Releasing the propeller will lock it in place. If the propeller pops back up, twist the propeller into the other direction after pushing down on it. Installed propeller Other motor without white markings Installed propeller Mavic Pro with all four propellers installed Mavic with propellers unfolded. It literally can not get larger than this :) Gimbal cover without the silicone cap Close up of the gimbal, camera and gimbal cover. You can also see the front obstacle avoidance sensors. Left front arm of the Mavic with the Arm LED visible on the tip of the arm. Removal of the gimbal clamp and gimbal protector Gimbal protector being removed Gimbal without gimbal cover. Mavic Pro GL200A remote control Rear view of the Mavic transmitter/remote control remote control unfolded to accept smartphone or tablet. Rear of the remote control The lightning cable is installed by default for iOS devices, but a microUSB and USB-C cable are also included with the Mavic for Android devices. The bottom of the remote control. Note the Fullsize...
DJI releases the Phantom 4 Pro and Phantom 4 Pro+
At their Media Event in Los Angeles today, DJI released three new drones! The Inspire 2, Phantom 4 Pro and Phantom 4 Pro+ joined the fleet. Let’s check out the Phantom 4 Pro and Pro+. Order your Phantom 4 Pro/Pro+ Now! Features at a Glance: 1″ 20MP sensor capable of 4K/60fps & 14fps Stills Mechanical Shutter H.264 and H.265 Encoding Titanium Alloy and Magnesium Alloy construction FlightAutonomy syste adds dual rear vision sensors Infrared sensing system additionally allows a complete five direction obstacle sensing and four direction obstacle avoidance 4.3mi/7km Transmission Range 30min flight time “Draw” Waypoint Control Active Track Trace Mode Profile Mode Spotlight Mode Phantom 4 Pro: 2.4Ghz and 5.8Ghz Tx cuts through interference in busy 2.4Ghz areas Phantom 4 Pro+: Dual Frequencies from Phantom 4 Pro and: Included 5.5″ 1080P Display with 1000 cd/m2 brightness (twice that of normal smartphones Integration of Tx, Display & App allow for an even greater reduction in Video Lag Tx: Built-in HDMI Port, microSD card slot, microphone, embedded loudspeaker and Wifi connection allow images to be edited and shared on the go almost instantly Five-hour battery life on the TX with display Here are the Details: One of the main features of the Phantom 4 Pro is the new 1″ camera sensor. How large is that compared to the Phantom 3 or the Inspire 1 Pro cameras such as the X5 and X5S? On the image below we have all of the DJI sensor sizes to date. You can see that we also included Full Frame and APS-C (Canon) Sensor Sizes so you can compare to sensors you may already have used or seen in normal photography gear. (Phantom 4 Pro/Pro+ Sensor Size Comparison) (Phantom 4 Pro) (Phantom 4 Pro Feature Overview) The Phantom 4 Pro features a brand new 1″ Sensor in its upgraded camera allowing it to record 4K/60fps video and Burst Mode stills at 14 frames-per-second. (New 1″ 20MP Camera Sensor) (Five Directions of Obstacle Sensing) (Built-in Display into the Phantom 4 Pro+ Remote Control) (New Waypoint Control “Draw”) (Active Track on the Phantom 4 Pro and Pro+) (Expanded TapFly) (Upgraded Return-to-Home) (Gesture Mode) (Dual IMU and Compass) (Increased 30min Flight Time) (Full Manual Control in the DJI Go...
DJI Phantom 5 Rumors & Leaks
When will the DJI Phantom 5 be released? With the DJI Mavic Pro being just released people are torn between the Phantom 4 and the Mavic Pro, should people hold out for the DJI Phantom 5? Based on past releases we still have some time till a Phantom 5 release. The DJI Mavic Pro was just announced in September, and the next drone to be up for a new release is the Inspire 2. Our best guess is that this will happen around November...
DJI launches the Osmo+ (Plus) with optical zoom
DJI launched the latest version of the popular stabilized handheld camera also known as the Osmo. The latest release called the DJI Osmo+ (Plus) features a modified version of the Z3 gimbal and camera just recently launched for the Inspire 1. How is this Osmo+ different from the original Osmo? For one the new Osmo+ features a new 22-77mm (35mm equivalent) zoom lens allowing a total of 7x zoom consisting of 3.5x optical zoom and 2x digital lossless zoom (the fine print for the lossless digital zoom; is when filming in 1080p). This means if you’re shooting in 4K you will be able to take advantage of the 3.5x optical zoom, just not the digital 2x zoom. The Osmo in comparison has a prime 20mm (35mm equivalent) lens with no optical zoom. As with most zoom lenses at the telephoto end, meaning the lens is zoomed in, there is less light able to enter the lens as when it’s wide open. On the Osmo+ this means F2.8 on the wide end and F5.2 on the telephoto end. The new X3 Zoom gimbal weighs 47grams (1.65oz) more than the normal non-zoom X3. The minimum focus distance has been moved down to 50cm (1.64ft) allowing for even better selfies and other close-up shots, both for photo and video. The sensor is the same in both Osmo models, the 1/2.3″ Sony Exmor R CMOS featuring 12.40M effective pixels. The Osmo+ has the new Zenmuse X3 Zoom gimbal, similar to the Z3 Zoom gimbal for the Inspire 1 and larger drones it supports the camera on both sides. The good news is it doesn’t affect the controllable range of the Osmo+. You will get the same -35° to +135° of Tilt, ±320° of Pan and ±30° of Roll that you got on the normal Osmo. Update: The new Zenmuse X3 Zoom Gimbal and Camera which ships on the Osmo+ is now available for existing DJI Osmo owners here. Interestingly the video resolutions are slightly different on the Osmo+ than the normal Osmo. 4K, UHD, 2.7K are the same, yet at 1080p the Osmo+ claims to only go up to 100p vs 120p on the Osmo. These faster fps (frames per second) settings are used for the slow motion feature. The Osmo+ also doesn’t list any 720p (1280 x 720) settings. These differences could of course, be brought out via a software update as the internals of the camera could essentially be the same. New OS1C11 Charger for the DJI Osmo+ (Plus) One bigger difference between the two models is the intelligent battery. The new Osmo+ comes with a (HB02-542465) “High Capacity Intelligent Battery”. This newer battery holds 1225mAh vs 980mAh in the normal (HB01-522365)...
Get your own!
