The DJI FPV drone burst onto the drone scene in early 2021, offering something entirely new – an easy to fly, beginner-friendly racing drone with DJI’s signature digital video transmission system.
As both an aerial cinematography tool and an insane fun flying machine, the DJI FPV drone has made quite the impression over its first 6 months on the market.
But how does it hold up over the long run? What’s it like to live with the DJI FPV as your main drone for half a year? I’ve been flying this unique quadcopter regularly since launch day, through all kinds of conditions and situations.
In this in-depth guide, I’ll share my long term experience as a DJI FPV owner, along with everything you need to know after 6 months of flying this groundbreaking FPV drone.
Table Of Contents
Overview: Meet the DJI FPV Drone
DJI took the drone world by surprise when they announced the DJI FPV, their first ready-to-fly racing drone, in late 2020. While DJI was no stranger to first person view (FPV) drones, having previously released the digital FPV system, the DJI FPV drone was their first foray into the world of racing quads.
The DJI FPV drone isn’t your typical racing drone. It combines the speed and agility of a racer with DJI’s legendary flight control systems from their camera drones like the Mavic and Phantom series.
The result is a hybrid drone that offers:
- DJI-quality 4K/60fps video with RockSteady stabilization
- Easy and safe GPS-based flying modes
- Full manual/acro mode for flips, rolls and racing
- Blisteringly fast top speeds up to 87 mph (140 km/h)
For many drone enthusiasts, the DJI FPV was the perfect entry point into FPV flying. It provided an easy transition from flying a camera drone like the Mavic to learning the thrill (and skills) of manual flight.
The drone was met with tons of excitement from both drone cinematographers and FPV racers alike. But 6 months later, does the magic of the DJI FPV still hold up?
Let’s find out!
My Journey: From Mavic to FPV Racer
I’ve been flying DJI drones as an aerial cinematographer for over 5 years, starting with the legendary Phantom 3 and moving onto the Mavic series. I loved the portability, image quality and ease of use DJI drones offered for capturing stunning aerial views and sequences.
But over time, I started feeling limited by the safe, camera drone style of flying. Don’t get me wrong – I still loved my Mavic 2 Pro. Yet I yearned for a more immersive, free-flowing FPV experience.
Of course I’d seen skilled FPV pilots racing tiny quads through abandoned buildings and complex stunt flying. It seemed awesome, but the high learning curve, regular crashes, finicky gear and overall cost had always held me back from taking the plunge into building a racing drone.
That all changed when DJI announced the FPV drone in 2020. Finally, an easy way to get a taste of true first person flying, without needing to master a totally foreign type of machine! I was hooked instantly and bought the DJI FPV fly more combo on launch day.
Over the past 6 months, I’ve put well over 300 flights on my DJI FPV drone across all types of environments. Through crashed, repairs and many replaced props, batteries and accessories, it’s become my go-to drone for its unparalleled mix of creative shot potential and sheer flying enjoyment.
Here’s what stands out most after half a year of owning, flying and testing this one-of-a-kind racing drone.
Long Term Review: 6 Things That Stand Out About the DJI FPV Drone
1. A Unique Hybrid Design
One of the most ingenious aspects of the DJI FPV drone is its hybrid design, fusing DJI’s renowned flight controller system with an FPV racer layout. You get the reliability and video quality of a Mavic combined with the agile acrobatics of an FPV racing quadcopter.
This makes the DJI FPV surprisingly easy to fly even for beginners. Features like GPS and altitude hold give you a safety net as you learn, while manual mode unleashes the full aerobatic potential of the drone.
Having both options available in one drone makes it extremely versatile. One day I’ll use it primarily for cinematic drone footage in Normal mode, the next day I’m flying full Manual mode just for fun, pushing myself to get better at racing acro skills.
And while traditional FPV drones certainly have their place, the advantage of DJI’s hybrid FPV model is clear if you ever suffer a crash or flyaway. Losing a custom built racing quad often means losing the drone entirely, but features like Find My Drone and Return to Home have recovered my DJI FPV multiple times.
2. Digital FPV is a Game Changer
The other huge innovation DJI brought with the FPV drone is their digital first person view (FPV) system. Analog video simply can’t compare to the low latency, long range and interference-free digital transmission you get with DJI FPV.
Being able to fly over 1.5 km away or punch out at over 85 mph without worrying about video breakup or latency is an absolute game changer. DJI’s digital video feed stays crystal clear no matter how fast or far you fly. Having that complete control and confidence in your video system opens up shots that would be way too risky with analog FPV.
The onboard camera and recording system has been impressive too. While the image quality can’t match my Mavic 2 Pro, it holds up surprisingly well for such a fast moving drone. Recording in 4K at 60fps produces excellent footage that captures all the action smoothly.
Plus I love how I can tilt the camera up or down to adjust my framing on the fly. Overall, DJI nailed it out of the park when it comes to the importance of a solid digital video experience on an FPV racing quad.
3. Speed and Agility Galore
Of course, searing speed is a prerequisite for any good FPV racing drone. In that department, the DJI FPV delivers excitement in spades. This thing moves, hitting a blistering 140 km/h (87 mph) at full tilt. It’ll leave your Mavic or Phantom in the dust without breaking a sweat.
And that’s just flying in sport mode – switch this quadcopter into manual mode and purpose built FPV racers are about the only drones that can catch it. Unleash the full speed potential of the DJI FPV and it’ll melt your face off!
Yet it’s not only flat out speed that makes this drone so fun. The DJI FPV handles like a true racing machine too, offering extremely precise controls with silky smooth responsiveness. Performing tight flips, rolls and dives feels almost effortless once you get the hang of the controls in manual mode.
Combining that nimbleness and pace with the more cinematic potential of the camera and gimbal makes this drone an creative aerial thrill seeker’s dream machine.
4. Stable & Safe Flight Modes For Learning
As an FPV newbie, learning to fly all out manual was one of the more daunting parts of getting into First Person View drones. That’s what makes DJI’s suite of intelligent flight modes so invaluable. They provide a safe, stable environment to practice the basics of FPV flight before hopping into full acro mode.
For instance, Normal mode works just like a Mavic drone, holding position and altitude with GPS. You can take your hands completely off the controls and the FPV will hover steadily in place. Having this easy, stable flight while you get used to navigating FPV is brilliant for beginners.
Meanwhile, Sport mode unlocks way more speed while still retaining some GPS safety nets like altitude hold. This middle ground is perfect for practicing faster flying and more advanced maneuvers at your own pace.
Finally, Manual mode unleashes the drone’s full aerobatic potential for professional racing, freestyle tricks and maximum speed. This is where the true thrill of FPV flight lies! The fact DJI allows you to smoothly transition between and learn each flight mode at your own pace makes this an awesome drone for newcomers and veterans alike.
5. Dedicated Accessories & Upgrades
Another benefit of the mass market appeal and unique hybrid design of the DJI FPV drone is the huge range of aftermarket accessories available. Everything from spare batteries and propellers to crash protection kits, ND filters and custom camera mounts.
Some of my favorites FPV drone upgrades include:
- Landing Feet Guards – These $15 plastic covers saved my drone’s delicate extending landing gear multiple times. Absolute must have upgrade.
- Arm / Body Guards – Adds structural support and protects vital components from crashes.
- ND Filters – Reduces jello effect and overexposure during bright conditions.
- Foam Light Leak Pads – Enhances goggle immersion by blocking light leakage. Can’t wear glasses though.
- Extra Batteries – Flight times average 5-6 mins, so extra batteries are essential!
Having full manufacturer support for an FPV drone makes customizing and upgrading so much simpler. Spare parts are readily available instead of having to DIY fixes. And there’s tons of passionate DJI FPV communities and accessory makers catering specifically to this drone.
6. Still Going Strong After Hundreds of Flights
Even after over 6 months and 300+ flights, my DJI FPV drone still flies incredibly well with minimal issues besides the occasional broken prop or scratched body panel. I give it a thorough inspection and check over before each flight session and perform periodic firmware updates.
Following DJI’s guidelines around proper flight conditions, crash avoidance, battery maintenance and overall care has certainly helped maximize the lifespan and performance of my drone so far.
That being said, I did need to replace the original gimbal and camera module after a couple nasty crashes early on. But thanks to DJI offering it as an affordable spare part, I was back up and flying again after an hour installing the new gimbal system. Can’t do that with most racing quads!
Overall the durability has impressed me given how hard I’ve pushed this drone at times. And it still gives me the same wild thrill today as it did on day one!
So even as a seasoned FPV pilot at this point, I have no desire to build or fly a custom racing drone anymore. The DJI FPV delivers everything I could want out of a First Person View quadcopter – insane speed, impressive agility and buttery smooth digital video, all wrapped up in DJI’s signature smart safety features.
FAQs About DJI FPV
I still get a TON of questions about my experience owning, flying and filming with the DJI FPV drone. So let’s dive into some of the key things people want to know after 6 months using this racing quadcopter.
Final Thoughts
After over 6 months and 300+ flights, the DJI FPV drone has cemented itself as my absolute favorite quadcopter. It’s just so much fun to fly thanks to its sheer speed anddialed acro performance. Yet it still captures excellent 4K video too.
This really is the perfect hybrid drone in my experience – easy enough for beginners to learn FPV, yet loaded with customization and performance that rivals dedicated racing drones. All wrapped up with DJI level video quality and smart safety features.
So whether you’re into cinematic drone cinematography, want to get into FPV freestyle and racing or just love flying drones for fun like me, the DJI FPV is an excellent option worth considering in 2023 and beyond!
