The DJI FPV opens up so many creative possibilities. This drone beast combines the stability and intelligence of DJI drones with the agility and perspective of traditional FPV (first-person view) drones.
In this mega guide, I’ll share my top tips, tricks, and accessories to help you get the most out of your DJI FPV. From beginner flight modes to pro camera settings and LED customizations to cruise control—I’ve got you covered.
Let’s do this!
Table Of Contents
Flight modes
The DJI FPV offers 3 main flight modes suited for pilots of all skill levels:
Normal mode: steady and stable
Normal mode is the perfect way to start off flying your DJI FPV. This mode provides a familiar drone flying experience for beginners and DJI pilots transitioning to FPV.
The controls are smooth and stable thanks to the downward and front-facing sensors that help you avoid crashes. Normal mode tops off at a comfortable 15 m/s (54 km/h), so you can get used to the FPV perspective without too much speed. Practice makes perfect!
Sports mode: faster and more responsive
Once you’ve honed your skills in Normal mode, it’s time to kick it up a notch with Sports mode. The sensors are still active to catch any major mistakes. But the speed and responsiveness increase significantly up to 27 m/s (97 km/h).
The linear throttle control in Sports mode gives you much finer control over your speed. Small stick movements result in subtle speed changes rather than sudden bursts of acceleration. This allows for sweeping cinematic shots as you weave through confined spaces.
Sports mode highlights the true agility of the DJI FPV. But controlling the drone does take more precise hand-eye coordination. So ease into it and keep practicing!
Manual mode: unleash your inner maverick
Manual mode unlocks the full potential of the DJI FPV with max speeds of up to 86 mph (139 km/h). This puts you in complete control of the drone for freestyle stunt flying.
The intelligent flight modes are disabled in Manual mode. So you won’t have the assistance of sensors or obstacle detection. It’s up to your piloting skills to avoid crashes.
Manual mode allows you to perform flips, dives, and other freestyle moves to your heart’s content. Just be sure to practice in a wide-open area before taking on complex maneuvers near obstacles.
Intelligent flight modes
In addition to the core flight modes, the DJI FPV is packed with advanced intelligent flight and safety features:
QuickBreak
QuickBreak instantly pauses your drone mid-flight with the press of a button if you get into an uncomfortable situation. The drone will brake, level out, and hover until you’re ready to resume control.
Cruise control
Engage cruise control to lock in your current speed setting hands-free. You can adjust speed up or down while cruise control is active. Tap it again to disable it.
Find my drone
If you lose orientation or connection with your drone, Find My Drone can guide you to its location. The system shows the drone’s last known position and the flight path leading up to it.
Lost drone recovery
In the worst-case scenario that you completely lose or crash your drone, all hope isn’t lost!
Initiate Lost Drone Recovery from the goggles, and the drone will automatically start flashing its LEDs and emitting beeping sounds. You can also view the live camera feed and GPS coordinates from the downed drone if the system damage isn’t too severe.
These intelligent features help you stay in control and recover your drone if things go wrong. But still, fly responsibly!
Some DJI FPV customization options
One of the coolest things about the DJI FPV drone is all the ways you can customize it to match your style. Here are some options you can choose:
Customize your controls
The DJI FPV comes with an intuitive controller featuring spring-loaded joysticks that center themselves after you release them. This allows for easy control while automatically leveling out the drone.
But in Manual mode, you’ll want the constant throttle control that non-centering joysticks provide. Thankfully, DJI makes it simple to customize your controller for optimized manual flying:
- Flip up the threaded collar at the base of the right joystick.
- Apply the included hex key to loosen the screw and slide the collar down.
- Tighten the screw to lock the collar in place.
Now you have a non-centering throttle control for precise adjustments in Manual mode. Just slide the collar back up when you want to return to the auto-centering spring joystick.
Light up your life with LEDs
The customizable LED lights on the DJI FPV are more than just flashy accessories. Here are some practical uses:
Identify your drone
When flying with friends, color-coding your drones with custom LEDs prevents mid-air mishaps.
Illuminate your drone
The LEDs make it easy to keep visual orientation on your drone in low light conditions.
Special effects
Program animated LED sequences to add a cinematic flair to your videos.
Increase visibility
Switch to a high-contrast LED color if you fly in an environment where the drone could potentially blend into the surroundings.
You can customize the LED colors and effects right from the goggles:
- Navigate to Settings > Control > LED Settings
- Select your favorite static color or dynamic LED effect
- Save your new theme and see it light up on the drone!
Pick your look: shells & skins
Further, customize the style of your DJI FPV with interchangeable shells and skins. The kit includes an extra top shell in a bright green colorway that makes the drone stand out against the sky.
For a more personalized look, DJI offers stick-on skins to deck out your drone:
- Abstract patterns
- Camouflage prints
- Brilliant colors
- Custom graphics
Skins allow you to add a touch of personal flair while also protecting your drone from scratches and scuffs. They can be easily removed and changed out if you get tired of the look.
Camera and recording
Let’s switch gears from flying to filming. The stellar camera and recording capabilities of the DJI FPV let you create stunning videos. Here are some camera settings to take advantage of:
Video quality
The camera supports video capture up to:
- 4K at 60fps
- 2.7K at 60fps
- 1080p at 120fps
Shoot in 4K or 2.7K when you need super sharp, detailed shots. Drop down to 1080p 120fps to capture gorgeous slow-motion footage. Adjust the settings in the goggles under camera> Video Quality.
RockSteady EIS
RockSteady electronic image stabilization produces silky smooth video by compensating for vibrations and movements. This lets you pull off aggressive flying while recording completely stabilized footage. RockSteady EIS works up to 4K/60fps.
Automatic recording
Enable Auto Recording in the goggles, and the DJI FPV will automatically begin capturing video when you take off and stop when you land. Never miss the shot again!
Advanced shooting modes
Alright, it’s time to take your aerial footage to the next level with these advanced shooting modes!
Panorama
Capture stunning 360-degree panoramas from the sky by flying around the entire scene. The drone will automatically stitch together a high-resolution spherical image perfect for VR headsets.
Hyperlapse
Hyperlapses condense time while moving over long distances for a unique perspective of scenery in motion. Fly around a landscape while the DJI FPV records and processes hyper lapse video.
Dronie
The aptly named “dronie” reveals your position in relation to epic surroundings. The drone flies back and up for a majestic selfie with your environment.
Helix
The helix maneuver orbits a fixed subject while ascending upwards into the sky above. It’s a mesmerizing way to showcase people, buildings, landmarks and more. Take the time to learn these intelligent shooting modes inside the goggles, and you’ll capture eye-catching videos that stand out from the crowd!
How to master manual mode
For FPV pros, Manual mode unlocks the full aerobatic potential of the DJI FPV. Here are some tips for learning to fly in Manual mode:
Find wide open spaces
It takes time to get comfortable flying without the assistance of sensors or intelligent flight modes. Start off practicing Manual mode in a wide open area free from obstacles and hazards.
Master throttle control
Having full manual throttle takes finesse to control your speed and altitude. Spend time simply hovering and moving forward, back, up, and down to dial in smooth throttle control.
Practice orientation
Learn to visualize the orientation of your drone from the FPV camera perspective. If you lose track of directions, perform slow yaw rotations until you can reestablish your bearings.
Add flips and rolls
Once you have complete control at moderate speeds, start experimenting with flips, rolls, and other tricks. Perform these maneuvers at altitude until you can nail them consistently.
Challenge yourself
Look for unique locations and terrain that will test and expand your manual flying skills. The more experience you gain in various conditions, the better pilot you’ll become.
It takes dedication, but mastering Manual mode gives you complete control over this amazing drone. The effort is well worth it!
How to maximize your DJI FPV drone range
Achieving long-range flights is all about managing radio interference. Here are some tips for extending your video transmission distance:
- Position the controller antenna points vertically for best reception.
- Keep your FPV goggles antenna pointed towards the drone.
- Fly above or away from sources of interference like power lines.
- Use the Boost Mode in the goggles system settings when maximizing range.
- Maintain line of sight with the drone at all times.
- Watch for video signal warnings in the goggles and turn around if issues arise.
With ideal conditions, you can expect around 6 miles (10km) of range with the DJI FPV system!
Some essential accessories you might need
To enhance your flight experience and keep your drone in tip-top shape, check out these handy accessories:
Extra batteries
At around 20 minutes per battery, flight time is limited on the DJI FPV. Picking up a few extra batteries lets you maximize your airtime and minimize downtime by swapping packs.
ND filters
ND filters (neutral density) reduce the light entering the camera lens, which can allow you to shoot with a slower shutter speed and really crisp up those prop-blur shots.
Propeller guards
The optional prop guards provide an added safety buffer when flying around people or in tight spaces. If you bump something, the guards can help prevent propeller damage.
Landing pad
Takeoffs and landings on abrasive surfaces like concrete can degrade your props over time. A portable landing pad lets you protect your propellers on the go.
Drone backpack
Transport and protect your drone with a dedicated FPV backpack. Look for one with custom cutouts for your drone, controller, goggles, accessories, and more.
Motion controller
The optional DJI Motion Controller offers a more immersive and intuitive way to fly your FPV drone. Instead of using thumbsticks, you control the drone by pointing the controller in the direction you want it to fly.
It’s an ultra-responsive control method that feels incredibly natural. Small wrist movements translate to smooth flight motions. And the smart orientation tracking prevents you from getting disoriented.
The Motion Controller has all the core controls like emergency stop and cruise control conveniently located. Everything you need is intuitively placed right at your fingertips.
If you really want to feel one with your drone, the Motion Controller is a must-have upgrade!
Top tips for your DJI FPV Drone
Here are some final tips and reminders for getting the most out of your DJI FPV drone:
Train your skills with virtual flight
Mastering an FPV drone takes time and practice. But unfortunately, real-world practice can lead to real-world crashes. That’s why the DJI Virtual Flight simulator app is invaluable for honing your skills without the repair bills. The incredibly realistic simulator allows you to get stick time with the DJI FPV from the comfort of your home.
Here’s how to use Virtual Flight:
- Download and install the Virtual Flight app on your mobile device. Currently only available for iOS.
- Connect your FPV goggles to your phone with an HDMI or USB-C cable.
- Set up your FPV controller and launch the app.
- Choose a photorealistic environment and take off!
Practice flying through gates, around obstacles, and over terrain. The physics and controls mirror the real drone, so your muscle memory transfers to real flights. It’s incredible how immersive the simulation is.
Virtual Flight is the ultimate training tool for mastering the DJI FPV drone. You’ll save money on spare parts, too!
More tips and tricks
- Always fly in unobstructed areas away from people and property.
- Keep your drone within line of sight at all times.
- Monitor battery levels, signal strength, and flight warnings.
- Land immediately if you lose orientation or video signal.
- Carefully follow all pre-flight checks and maintenance procedures.
- Keep software up to date for the latest features and improvements.
- Adhere to all local regulations regarding drone flight.
- Have fun and explore your creativity with confidence.
FAQ
Final Words
The DJI FPV packs high performance into a compact, ready-to-fly racing drone. This guide only scratches the surface of its capabilities. As your skills progress, you’ll uncover creative ways to capture stunning visuals. The possibilities are truly endless with the DJI FPV. It opens up the skies to explore and master.
So get out there, fly safe, and have a blast! Happy flying!
