DJI FPV Combo – The first racing drone with goggles from DJI
The DJI FPV is the first racing drone from the Chinese industry leader. While DJI’s previous drones focused primarily on photography and filming, the DJI FPV clearly focuses on pure flying.
The FPV racing drone is aimed primarily at FPV beginners and offers a high level of user-friendliness and many convenience features – without sacrificing the most important things: Speed (up to 87 mph or 140 km/h), extremely agile flight behavior and above all a lot of fun!
The Highlights Of The DJI FPV
Compared to conventional FPV racing drones, with the DJI FPV you get a fully assembled FPV racer ready to go. The combo includes the drone with FPV goggles and remote control. Until now, you first had to deal with the topic of FPV racing in detail, read countless instructions, order individual parts and build your own drone completely yourself – with the DJI FPV, the first complete set of an FPV racing drone is now available, with which you can take off immediately.
Even though the DJI FPV is primarily a drone for pure flying, the fast quadcopter comes with an excellent 4K camera so that you can record first-class videos of your freestyle flights.
The DJI FPV is initially available in the FPV combo, including remote control and FPV video goggles, or together with the DJI FPV Fly More Set with two additional batteries and a battery charging station. In the near future, the racer will also be offered as a stand-alone version. In addition, the popular DJI Care Refresh can also be purchased for the DJI FPV.
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The fact that the DJI FPV is primarily aimed at FPV beginners is evident from the drone’s extensive features. GPS-supported flying (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo) or safety functions are not available in conventional FPV racers. The DJI FPV, on the other hand, can be brought to an instant stop in all three flight modes via the emergency brake function. In N and S flight modes, an obstacle detection system is also available to warn you of objects in the flight path. In N mode, the drone also brakes automatically when obstacles are detected, but does not stop completely.
Furthermore, the drone handles automatic takeoffs and landings and can be returned to the starting position at the push of a button via Return-to-Home function.
The three different flight modes (N-/S-/M-mode) allow you to slowly approach the drone’s full capabilities, so you can get used to the controls at your leisure. Only in M mode (Acro mode) does the DJI FPV unleash its full potential, reaching top speeds of up to 87 mph (140 km/h).
Other highlights include a manually and automatically tiltable 4K camera with image stabilization, a long flight time of up to 20 minutes, an integrated flight simulator and a spectator mode.
Last but not least: Thanks to OcuSync 3.0, the drone can be controlled at distances of up to 6.2 miles or 10 km (USA) and 3.7 miles or 6 km (Europe), and video transmission is also said to be possible up to these distances.
Design and weight
When you take a look at the DJI FPV, you immediately notice that this drone is by no means a typical DJI drone. The bulky design of the copter deviates strongly from the usual shapes of a Mavic or Phantom and signals that this is a completely different type of drone.
The dimensions are 255 × 312 × 127 mm (with propellers) or 178 × 232 × 127 mm (without propellers). On the diagonal, the FPV drone comes to 245 mm.
The takeoff weight is 795 grams, which is about 100 grams less than, for example, the DJI Mavic 2 Pro. An interesting design feature is the interchangeable cover of the housing, which is available in anthracite (Void Grey) or green (Eternal Green) as standard. A transparent cover is also supposed to be available. This makes it possible to customize the paint job according to one’s own preferences.
The gimbal and landing frame (which also houses the antennas) can also be easily removed and replaced if necessary.
In terms of lighting, the DJI FPV has two front LEDs on the landing legs, four elongated RGB LEDs on the arms (whose colors can be adjusted via the app), and a bright LED on the underside that provides the right lighting conditions during takeoffs and landings.
The propellers make use of the quick release function already familiar from other DJI drones, and the practical colored markings for confusion-free assembly are also present.
Unlike classic racing drones, the DJI FPV also only has a single camera, which is used for both FPV viewing and video recording.
Flight modes and speed
As already mentioned, the DJI FPV has a total of three different flight modes in which the drone can be flown. The modes differ on the one hand by the possible maximum speeds, and on the other hand by the connected sensors (GPS, obstacle detection) and other setting options. Thanks to the powerful motors, the drone can withstand winds of approx. 24 to 30 mph (39 to 49 km/h) in all flight modes.
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N mode: Normal mode
In normal mode, the DJI FPV flies similar to a conventional camera drone. The maximum speed is limited to 14 m/s (31.3 mph or 50.4 km/h) and the activated GPS ensures a stable hovering flight, even in relatively strong winds.
In addition to the obstacle sensors on the bottom of the drone, the front sensors are also active in N mode and warn you of objects in the flight envelope. If you steer the drone towards an obstacle, colored markings appear in the field of view of the FPV goggles and the drone brakes independently – but it will not stop completely. So there is always a certain risk and you must always be alert.
S mode: Sport mode/hybrid flight mode
In S mode (Sport mode), the DJI FPV reaches a maximum of 27 m/s (60 mph or 97.2 km/h). The mode is aimed at pilots who have already gained initial experience in N mode. It offers a mix of classic flight behavior and true FPV feeling.
In S mode, the drone continues to independently maintain the current flight altitude and is stabilized in the process. The maximum tilt and roll angle is also limited, though the tilt can be adjusted individually. The front sensors for obstacle detection are disabled as of this mode.
The gimbal is fixed in S mode and the camera therefore moves with the upward and downward movements of the drone.
M-Mode: Manual Mode (Acro Mode/Rate Mode)
M mode provides full control of the DJI FPV and should only be activated after ample practice. In this mode, the DJI FPV reaches speeds of up to 39 m/s (87 mph or 140 km/h), which is about twice as much as a DJI Mavic 2 Pro or Mavic Air 2. But not only is the top speed blazing fast, the acceleration is impressive as well. From 0 to 60 mph (100 km/h), the DJI FPV accelerates in just 2 seconds.
By default, the attitude limit is activated first in M mode as well. Pitch and roll movements are limited to a set maximum and rollovers are also not possible at first. Only after manual deactivation of the attitude limit, the DJI FPV becomes a real racing drone with which freestyle flights are possible. The “open” M-mode is therefore similar to the “Acro-Mode” or “Rate-Mode” of classic FPV racers and offers the pilot all the freedom.
For flight in M-mode, the thrust lever (either the left or right one, depending on the mode) must also be adjusted manually. Normally, the thrust control remains in the center position if you do not touch the joystick. However, in FPV racing, the 0 position is not in the middle, but at the bottom. To achieve this, you need to remove the rear cover of the remote control and adjust a small screw. This sounds cumbersome at first, but it is done in a few easy steps.
What kind of flight maneuvers you can perform with the DJI FPV in manual mode, the drone pilot MCK FPV shows you in the following video.
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Max. Climbing speed
- N mode: 17.9 mph or 28.8 km/h (8 m/s)
- S mode: 33.5 mph or 54 km/h (15 m/s)
- M-mode: No limit
- Maximum altitude of climb 4.1 miles or 6600 meters
SMax. Sink rate
- N mode: 11 mph or 18 km/h (5 m/s)
- S mode: 22.4 mph or 36 km/h (10 m/s)
- M mode: No limit
Max. speed
- N mode: 33.5 mph or 54 km/h (15 m/s)
- S mode: 60.4 mph or 97.2 km/h (27 m/s)
- M mode: 87 mph or 140 km/h (39 m/s)
Flight time and battery
The flight time of the DJI FPV is up to 20 minutes under perfect conditions. Compared to classic FPV racers, which only stay in the air for about 3 to 10 minutes, this is an extremely good value.
However, the long flight duration is only possible in N mode, in which the drone flies a bit more leisurely through the air. As soon as you fly the drone in M mode and take advantage of the full speed and acceleration, the flight time decreases to the FPV-typical values of about 3 to 10 minutes.
Powering the motors is a 2000 mAh, 22.2 V LiPo battery (6S), which has an output of 44.4 Wh at 0.5 C. The weight of the battery, which sits securely in the housing thanks to a stable lock, is 295 grams.
Remote control and range
Just like the drone itself, DJI has also given the DJI FPV controller a completely new design. Weighing 346 grams, the remote control now strongly resembles a typical gaming controller, as we are used to from current game consoles.
In the middle of the hand control is a small eyelet for attaching a lanyard. Four small LEDs provide information about the current charging state. In addition to the two control sticks (which can be unscrewed), the front of the controller also has an on/off button and a freely assignable button. The antennas on the upper side can be folded out.
A short press on the left shoulder button activates the drone’s emergency brake function, which makes the DJI FPV stop instantly. A long press on the button initiates the Return-to-Home mode, which can also be canceled by pressing the button again.
Next to the left shoulder button is the switch for switching between the three flight modes N, S and M. Just below it you will find a small wheel for tilting the camera.
The right shoulder button is used to take photos and videos. Directly next to it is another freely programmable button as well as the unlock button for the M mode.
For using the DJI FPV in M-mode, the 0-position of the thrust controller can be adjusted downwards from the center position. To do this, a small screw on the back must be adjusted. Likewise, another screw can be used to adjust the resistance of the control joystick.
The battery life of the remote control is up to 9 hours. A recharge takes about 150 minutes.
The maximum distance you can control the DJI FPV is up to 6.2 miles or 10 kilometers in the USA (FCC) or up to 3.7 miles or 6 kilometers in Europe, China and Japan (CE, SRRC, MIC). In the unlikely event of a signal loss between the drone and the remote control, the Return-to-Home mode will automatically activate and the drone will safely return to the launch position.
DJI FPV Goggles V2
The included video goggles are the newly released DJI FPV Goggles V2. Compared to the first version, the FPV goggles feature an increased signal range as well as an improved video transmission.
The transmission range of the live image is now about 6.2 miles or 10 km in the USA (FCC) and about 3.7 miles or 6 km in Europe (CE) and is thus as high as the range of the remote control.
Not only has the signal transmission range increased compared to the first version of the DJI Goggles (2.5 miles or 4 km), but the quality of the live image has also improved. In addition, the goggles can now also transmit the stereo sound of the drone in real time. A memory card of up to 256 GB can be inserted into the Goggles to back up the live recordings.
Thanks to the new DJI O3 technology (OcuSync 3.0), the live HD image is now transmitted in 810p at 120 fps to the two screens of the goggles. The video data rate is up to 50 Mbit/s and the transmission latency is less than 28 milliseconds. However, this value only applies when the 810p/120 fps low-tolerance mode is selected. In 810p/60 fps HD mode, the latency is a maximum of 40 ms.
Automatic frequency selection between 2.4 and 5.8 GHz also ensures optimal signal quality and provides interference-free transmission.
The DJI FPV Goggles V2 are not only technically up to date, but also offer a high wearing comfort. On the one hand, this is due to the ergonomic fit and the continuously adjustable eye relief from 58 to 70 mm, on the other hand, it is also due to the relatively low weight. Since the battery is not integrated into the glasses, but can be worn separately on the body (e.g. in the trouser pocket), the glasses are pleasantly light at approx. 420 grams.
The dimensions of the FPV goggles are 184 x 122 x 110 mm (without antennas) or 202 x 126 x 110 mm (with antennas). The 2S LiPo has a capacity of 1800 mAh and a battery life of about 110 minutes.
The size of the two screens is 2″ each. The live image from the drone camera is transmitted to the 30° to 54° wide field of view of the goggles at a refresh rate of 144 Hz (image size 50 – 100%).
In addition, a lot of helpful information about the current flight is displayed in the field of view. Among other things, you get information about the signal quality, the remaining video duration and memory space, as well as the battery status of the drone and the goggles. Other important flight parameters are also displayed. These include the current distance, altitude and speed of the drone as well as the number of connected satellites.
Apart from the technical features, the FPV goggles also have other practical functions. These include the fact that the goggles can be connected to the DJI Fly app and the software then automatically adjusts the settings to the locally applicable laws and regulations. There is also a novel system for warning of other aircraft. Called ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast), it receives location data from nearby planes and helicopters and warns you about them through the goggles.
Spectacle wearers can also use the DJI Goggles, although this depends on the frame of the glasses. The recommended maximum dimensions of the goggles are 55 mm wide and 41 mm high per frame.
Furthermore, a spectator mode is also available: Provided you have a second Goggles V2 and set it to the same channel, another person can witness the real-time flight of the drone.
Last but not least, you have access to the DJI flight simulator via the goggles. In conjunction with the remote control, you can thus virtually learn FPV flying before you really take off with the DJI FPV.
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The Motion Controller (optionally available)
With the optionally available motion controller, you can control the DJI FPV in a completely new way. The controller strongly resembles a classic joystick and allows one-handed control of the drone based on wrist movements.
This intuitive way of operation opens up a whole new flying experience and adds another interesting element to the DJI FPV that you won’t find on any other drone.
For safety reasons, the maximum flight speed is limited to 33.5 mph or 54 km/h (15 m/s) when using the motion controller. GPS is also enabled by default. Just like the remote control, the signal transmission range is 6.2 or 3.7 miles (10 or 6 km).
Just like the remote control, the motion controller also has a charge indicator. The speed of the drone is controlled with the index finger via a trigger switch. The emergency brake function is triggered with the thumb via the brake switch. A long press on the button activates the RTH mode.
Furthermore, there are buttons for triggering photos and videos, starting and tilting the camera.
The battery life of the Motion Controller is about 300 minutes. It is charged via USB-C charging port. The weight is 167 grams.
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The camera of the DJI FPV
Even though the DJI FPV is primarily a drone for pure flying, the FPV racer still has an excellent camera with 1-axis gimbal and electronic image stabilization (RockSteady).
The 1/2.3″ CMOS sensor allows recording 4K videos in 3840 x 2160 pixels at 50 or 60 fps. In Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 50, 60, 100 or 120 fps are possible.
The extremely wide field of view (FOV) of 150° provides a very good overview and lets you perceive your surroundings perfectly thanks to distortion correction. In the 35 mm format known from normal cameras, the field of view corresponds to a focal length of 14.66 mm. However, the 150° are only available when shooting at 50 or 100 fps. At 60 and 120 fps, the field of view is reduced to 142°, which is still very wide-angled.
The camera is attached to a 1-axis gimbal which, together with the electronic image stabilization, ensures an exceptionally smooth image during flight. The RockSteady image stabilization can stabilize the footage in the roll axis when the aircraft is tilted at an angle of up to 10° and may already be familiar to some from the DJI Osmo Action.
At maximum, the gimbal can tilt at a speed of 60°/s between -65° to 70°, with a controllable range of -50° to 58°.
The maximum video data rate (bit rate) of 120 Mbit/s ensures high-quality recordings, which are subsequently saved in the video formats MP4 or MOV (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, H.265/HEVC). Standard and D-Cinelike color profiles are available for selection.
The flight videos can be recorded directly on a memory card in the drone as well as via the DJI FPV Goggles V2. The drone does not have an internal memory. Since minor interference could theoretically occur during the transmission of the video signal to the goggles, the recordings from the memory card are usually of higher quality.
The DJI FPV takes photos in 12 megapixels as JPEGs. The camera lens has a fixed focal length with an aperture of f/2.8. The focus range is from 0.6 m to ∞. ISO values range from 100 to 12800 and the shutter speed is 1/50 – 1/8000 s. Photos can only be taken as single shots.
Obstacle detection
The DJI FPV’s obstacle detection consists of two ground cameras as well as two additional sensors at the front of the drone, which, however, only provide for independent braking of the drone in N mode. The front sensors cover a field of view of 56° horizontally and 71° vertically.
The entire system works under “reasonable lighting conditions” (lux > 15 with normal indoor lighting), according to DJI. The stated values refer to non-reflective surfaces. In hover flight, the vision sensors have a range of 1.6 to 98 feet (0.5 to 30 meters). During flight, the precision measurement range is 1.6 to 59 feet (0.5 to 18 meters).
In both N and S flight modes, the two front sensors are activated and warn them visually of any obstacles that may occur. When flying in N mode, the DJI FPV additionally brakes independently – but not completely, so manual intervention always remains necessary.
The downward-facing dual vision sensors have an effective detection height of 33 feet (10 meters) and are enabled in all flight modes. They also enable the DJI FPV’s automatic takeoffs and landings.
Detected obstacles are also displayed graphically in the field of view of the FPV goggles, with different colors depending on the distance.
Scope of delivery
- 1 x DJI FPV Drone
- 1 x Intelligent Flight Battery
- 4 x Propellers (pair)
- 1 x Gimbal Protector
- 1 x Top shell
- 1 x Remote Control
- 1 x Additional control sticks (pair)
- 1 x DJI FPV Goggles V2
- 1 x Goggles battery
- 1 x Goggles power cable (USB-C)
- 4 x Goggles antenna (dual band)
- 1 x Goggles head strap
- 1 x Goggles Pad
- 1 x power adapter
- 1 x power cable
- 1 x USB-C data cable
- 1 x USB-C OTG cable
DJI FPV vs. racing drone: advantages and disadvantages
In normal and sport mode, the single-axis stabilized camera always tares itself and points permanently in the direction of the horizon. This is a very helpful feature for anyone who has mainly been flying with classic video drones. For experienced FPV pilots, however, it will take some getting used to at first. The camera angle can also be adjusted in M mode, but this has to be done manually here.
Unlike pure FPV racing drones, the DJI FPV’s propellers are very flexible, which has an influence on agile freestyle maneuvers. Experienced drone racing pilots will immediately feel the difference and probably wish for more rigid rotors here. The higher weight and the weight distribution also influence the overall flight behavior. A true racing drone is therefore even faster and more agile.
Even if the price of the DJI FPV seems a bit high at first, you will have to pay a similar amount for a complete FPV equipment as an FPV newcomer. Still, the copter is a bit pricey in our eyes, considering that a racing drone will crash every now and then. A normal racing drone can almost always be repaired inexpensively, since only a few individual parts need to be replaced. Moreover, you can do the repairs yourself.
However, if you crash the DJI FPV, it almost always has to be sent in, which means additional costs. The complex construction of the drone prevents you from doing it yourself.
In summary, we can say that the DJI FPV is especially suitable for pilots who want to enjoy FPV racing, but can do without ultra-dangerous flight maneuvers.
Conclusion
The DJI FPV is an excellent hybrid drone that combines speed and ease of use. Thanks to different flight modes, stabilization and sensor technology, the drone is very beginner-friendly and can be used both as a video and racing drone.
Everything you need for FPV flying is included in the DJI FPV Combo. The drone offers real racing feeling and can also be used as a normal camera drone at the same time, with the M mode making unique videos possible. Rollovers, abrupt direction changes and speeds of well over 60 mph or 100 km/h are currently not possible with any other video drone and therefore offer filmmakers unique possibilities without having to do without helpful additional functions such as GPS, Return-to-Home, obstacle detection or emergency braking function.
While the copter does not have a 3-axis gimbal like the Mavic series, for example, the electronic stabilization of the camera works very well and delivers excellent footage.
All in all, the DJI FPV is a beginner-friendly racing drone that combines breathtaking speeds and agility with comfort and ease of use. So whoever the combination appeals to can strike without hesitation!