DJI has officially launched the Avata, its second first-person view (FPV) drone after the first model that debuted back in March of last year. On that note, the device itself isn’t actually a direct successor to the DJI FPV despite being available in the same category.
For starters, the DJI Avata is more compact and lighter, coming in at only 410 g. It also features integrated propeller guards underneath its main body instead of the usual foldable arms that are often featured on most of the brand’s drones. Despite this, it’s still the smaller device when compared to the DJI FPV.
Additionally, the newer drone packs a larger 48 MP 1/1.7-inch CMOS camera with 155-degree field of view, which is mounted on a single-axis (tilt) gimbal up in front. With this, the Avata can deliver 4K videos at 60p or 2.7K at up to 120 frames per second, as well as still images in JPEG format at 4000 x 3000 pixel resolution.
As with most drones from DJI, you can also let it shoot videos in Standard or D-Cinelike colour profiles. In terms of stabilisation, the drone’s cameras rely on the brand’s RockSteady and HorizonSteady electronic image stabilisation (EIS) systems instead.
Besides that, the Avata comes with DJI’s GEO 2.0 geofencing system to advise pilots of airspace restrictions and potential hazards, as well as automatically redirect drones from flying nearby high-risk locations such as airports. Other safety features include the brand’s AirSense ADS-B receiver system, Infrared Sensing System, and a dual camera Downward Vision System.
As for flight modes, the new drone features Normal, Manual and Sport. The first is basically the standard flight mode that’s featured on all DJI drones, while the second is designed especially for use with the brand’s FPV Remote Controller 2, and the final mode is basically a hybrid between the two.
Being an FPV-based drone, pilots can also use it together with the DJI’s Goggles 2 or FPV Goggles V2, as well as the Motion Controller or the aforementioned FPV Remote Controller 2. Apart from the remote controller, these accessories are included together with the device, though the goggles type will depend on the combo that you’re going for.
Performance-wise, the Avata has a maximum takeoff altitude of 5000 m, maximum flight distance of 11.6 km and maximum flight time of approximately 18 minutes, which is slightly lower than the DJI FPV. It is also slower as well, with a maximum speed of 28.9 km/h on Normal, 49.9 km/h on Manual, and 96.5 km/h in Sport.
The all-new DJI Avata is now available in Malaysia, and can be purchased via the brand’s official store on Shopee, among others. Interested buyers can opt for the Fly Smart Combo at RM 4,899, which comes with the drone, FPV Goggles V2 and Motion Controller; or the Pro-View Combo at RM 5,899, which includes the Goggles 2 and Motion Controller.
