Cheaper, more powerful tools for creators

When DJI’s Avata came out in 2022, its agility and personnel-safe propeller guards made it an instant hit, especially among video professionals and content creators. However, it’s hampered by poor video quality, which means users can’t see the outside world while using the Goggles 2 pilot headset. It is also less maneuverable than other FPV drones and is quite expensive.

Now, the company has released its successor, the Avata 2. The camera now uses the same 1/1.3-inch sensor as the Mini 4 Pro, so video quality has been greatly improved. Goggles 3 features a pass-through camera that shows you the world around you, while Avata 2 can now operate like a true FPV drone. Battery life is improved and startup costs are cheaper.

DJI/Engadget

Avata 2 improves on nearly every aspect of the popular original while cutting costs

advantage

• Improved video quality
• better mobility
• cheaper
• Longer battery life

shortcoming

• Goggles 3 may lack comfort for some

Amazon $999

Sounds great, but how does it look in the real world? We tested it in various scenarios and events with my drone and FPV pilot friends. Overall, it’s a big improvement over its predecessor, but there are a few things you need to know if you’re considering buying one, especially one related to the Goggles 3.

Body

Avata 2 has been completely redesigned for improved flight characteristics. It’s more rectangular and top-heavy, has a larger battery, and weighs 30 grams less at 377 grams. It also looks less toy-like and more professional.

Updated propeller guards and extensive obstacle detection make it more collision-resistant than other drones. Updated dual-eye fisheye sensors cover the bottom and rear views to detect hazards while improving flight stability. It also has a “turtle mode” that flips the drone back to its normal take-off position if it hits an object and flips during flight.

The propeller size is still 3 inches, but the engine noise is reduced to 81dB, making it more suitable for events such as weddings.

The camera unit and gimbal are larger, and the protective covers are easier to install and remove. USB-C and card slots are notoriously difficult to access on the Avata, but they’re easy to access here. Another welcome update is the generous 46GB of onboard storage, which is more than double the previous model and significantly higher than most other drones.

18 minutes of battery life was a big deal for the Avata, but the new model now has a maximum flight time of 23 minutes, a 28% increase. The battery can also be quickly charged using the charging hub, going from 0 to 100% in 45 minutes using a 60W charger – a bit faster than before considering the higher capacity. The hub also supports DJI’s new battery accumulation feature, which allows you to completely drain the two weakest batteries and transfer power to the strongest battery.

transmission and control

Like the Mini 4 Pro and Air 3, the Avata uses DJI’s latest O4 transmission system, which increases range to 13 kilometers in the US and 10 kilometers in Europe – impressive for an FPV drone. It streams 1080p video at up to 100 fps, with latency as low as 24 milliseconds using Google 3.

Speaking of which, Goggles 3 has a built-in battery like the Goggles Integra, and has been updated to O4 functionality. In addition to improved transmission, they now feature a higher-resolution 1080p MicroOLED display and improved eye comfort compared to the Goggles 2 that came with the original Avata.

The biggest update, though, is the Real View pass-through camera. Double-click the side button on the side of the headset or on the RC Motion 3 controller and you’ll instantly switch to a front view of the Goggles 3 exterior. The resolution isn’t very high, but at least you can see outside without having to delete them. With settings, you can view the drone view as a picture-in-picture for enhanced situational awareness.

Goggles 3 now lets you capture up to 1080p video directly to the microSD card on the headset itself, and you can even stream live to another Goggles 3 headset at the same time. Of course, the video quality is still higher when capturing directly from the drone, but it does provide a backup. You can also record a view showing the on-screen controls – handy for checking flights.

Another new feature is head tracking, which allows experienced pilots to control the aircraft and gimbal through head functions.

There are some disadvantages. It still doesn’t support glasses, so people with astigmatism will need to buy custom lenses. If you have Goggles V2 that supports glasses, but unfortunately it is not compatible with Avata 2.

DJI Innovations has not completely solved the comfort problem. The padding isn’t soft enough, so the edge pushes against the bridge of my nose, causing some discomfort. Better results after installing additional (included) pads, but still not perfect.

The RC Motion 3 controller has been vastly improved and made even better. It’s smaller, lighter and more comfortable to hold. Control is also more precise, and a new sidechain wireless solution improves the quality of the joystick signal. For FPV enthusiasts who prefer a classic drone controller, the Avata 2 can also be used with the new FPV Remote Control 3.

Performance

The original Avata dialed down FPV performance, while the Avata 2 goes all out. It is incredibly maneuverable and unlike most FPV drones, it is highly collision resistant.

In manual mode with obstacle detection turned off, maximum speed is the same as the Avata’s, around 60 mph. This may be slower than a dedicated open propeller FPV, but it’s fast for a consumer product and doesn’t divide bystanders like a regular drone.

While it’s not very fast, it’s faster and more precise than the Avatar thanks to a leaner, better-balanced body. It can turn quickly around obstacles and climb and descend with agility. At the same time, you can plow through small branches or leaves and barely slow down.

It’s really fun to drive. Improved Goggles 3 with O4 provide a clearer view, and the Motion 3 controller provides precise and intuitive control. For events involving crowds, you can fly in Normal or Beginner mode for safety, or use Sport and Manual modes at speeds of 35 or 60 mph elsewhere.

Motion 3 adds a new trigger setting that rotates the Avata 2 into position for easier operation, and now includes a dedicated mode button for normal or sport flight. The joystick is larger and the controller overall is more responsive and precise.

Head tracking, a common feature on FPV and Cinewoop drones, is now available on the Avata 2. I find it mainly useful for controlling camera tilt, as this is the natural way to adjust this parameter.

If you want to fly the Avata 2 at top speed in manual mode, you’ll need the FPV Remote Control 3, which is sold separately for $199.

Easy Acro mode is cool, but a bit cumbersome since you have to turn it on and off. And, it’s so easy to do it with the RC motion controller that it’s almost… boring. Tricks include slideshows, 180-degree drifts, and flips, but you can’t record video in flip mode.

The Avata 2 performs better in strong winds than before, but it still takes a beating from the surroundings and often needs to lean against the breeze, resulting in unstable or uneven footage. Compared to drones like the Mini 4 Pro, it takes a lot more practice to stay on track, especially outdoors.

It has no front-facing sensor, so its main protection is pillar guards and high durability. It does detect obstacles behind and below, which kept me safe in some tight spots. Still, I knocked it into pieces at least four or five times, luckily just on grass or twigs and leaves – no scratches left. However, this may make some pilots overconfident.

Battery life is significantly better than the Avata, and it eliminates the range anxiety common with FPV drones. However, you only get a realistic range of 18-20 minutes. Most serious pilots will want a Fly-More kit to come with at least three batteries, and preferably more.

video

Avata 2 eliminates the Avata’s mediocre video quality with a larger 1/1.3-inch sensor and 10-bit D-LogM functionality borrowed from the Mini 4 Pro.

As before, it offers regular, wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle shots with a field of view of up to 155 degrees. It has two stabilization modes: RockSteady 3.0 and HorizonSteady. The latter is best if you want to stay level, especially in strong winds – it does tend to go into the wind. RockSteady smoothes footage while allowing the camera to tilt to better showcase thrilling action.

It supports 4K video at up to 60 fps or 1080p, and 2.7K video at 120 fps. However, it can only shoot 12-megapixel JPEG stills, so it’s not very suitable for photography.

All of this puts it ahead of the Avata in video. Images are generally clearer and have more accurate colors. 10-bit D-LogM mode enables higher dynamic range in bright or contrasting conditions. One quality flaw I noticed was occasional blocking in 4K 60p footage when flying fast, which may be an artifact caused by the 130Mbps bitrate (note YouTube’s re-encoding).

It’s also much improved in low-light conditions in cityscapes or indoors thanks to the larger sensor. It’s not up to the level of a mirrorless camera, but like the Mini 4 Pro, it’s suitable for well-lit night scenes in most situations. The ISO level can be used up to 12800, with noise reduction, and the highest setting is 25600, for emergency use only.

wrap up

Avata 2 is sure to become another popular product from DJI. It eliminates nearly all the flaws on the Avata and improves image quality, FPV mobility, battery life, range, and more. The video quality, in particular, will make it more popular with content creators, event photographers, and others (my professional friend already owns an Avata and is planning to order one). It’s also a great FPV drone for beginners – it’s super fun to use.

It’s also more affordable. The Avata 2 is priced at $1,000 with a single battery in the Fly-More Kit (complete with Goggles 3 and Motion 3 controller), or with three batteries, a two-way charging hub, and carrying case for $1,200. You can also buy it separately for $490.

By comparison, the Avata’s original price was $630. This model of Avata with goggles and motion controllers costs $1,388, plus a 2-battery/charger Fly-More kit for $279 (total $1,667) – so the Avata 2 is nearly cheaper in this configuration $500. As mentioned, the FPV Remote Control 3 is priced at $199, and the ND filter set is priced at $79.

The Avata 2 doesn’t have much competition, as regular FPV drones typically lack propeller guards, and competitors like Autel don’t offer anything similar. That doesn’t matter, though, as DJI’s latest drone is powerful and attractively priced, making it a highly desirable product for creators of all kinds.