At CES 2019, DJI unveiled a new controller for the Mavic 2 series of drones. Based on Android, the controller effortlessly runs the DJI GO 4 app and the 5.5″ built-in screen delivers a brighter, clearer image than a standard smart device. It was put on sale for €649.
If you are flying a drone on a bright, sunny day, it can be difficult to navigate using the screen on your phone or tablet, as it is difficult to get information from the screen. To alleviate this, some pilots use a sunshade to block direct sunlight from hitting the screen, but in the long run this is a clumsy solution and it also takes some time to set up the sunshade. DJI still has a range of bright CrystalSky monitors that can be attached to the controller using a mount, but with the launch of the Mavic 2 series, however, no proper CrystalSky mounts were initially issued. Now we have the answer to why – DJI had something else planned. The Smart Controller is designed to replace the conventional controller, smartphone/tablet, cable and sunshade with an integrated solution – an all-in-one option that allows the pilot to save time on preparation and further highlights the convenience of use. Its most notable feature is the 5.5-inch 1080p 1000 cd/m² monitor, which promises excellent visibility in bright sunlight (while the new smart controller’s 1000 cd/m² screen is bright, standalone DJI CrystalSky monitors have a maximum brightness of 2000 cd/m²). The controller runs Android, but it is an older version of Nougat 7.1.2 and does not have Google Play services installed. This means that it is possible to download third-party developed apps via the built-in browser or install APK files directly from a microSD card. The remote has a modified version of the DJI Go 4 app installed, which gives the user a few extra features such as the ability to stream video footage from the drone as well as live streaming over Facebook, Instagram and WeChat (the YouTube option is missing, perhaps because it doesn’t have Google Play services).
The remote has 16 GB of internal memory, a microSD card slot and HDMI, USB-A and USB-C inputs. The Smart Controller has a 5000mAh battery with a runtime of 2.5 hours and can be quickly recharged with any QC 3.0 charger. It is also capable of operating efficiently in temperatures ranging from -20°C to 40°C.
The price of €649 may take your breath away, but if you think about it the other way round, with the CrystalSky monitor costing €549 and the individual control unit under €400, the price is actually reasonable. Buyers can now choose between a conventional drone kit and a smart controller kit. The DJI Smart Controller is slightly cheaper when bought with the drone. The controller is currently compatible with the Mavic 2 Pro, Mavic 2 Zoom and Mavic 2 Enterprise drones.
- Source: DJI