DJI AVATA 2 review

The Avata 2 is based on the FPV style of drone and follows on from the popular Avata, which was small and compact, although not quite as small as the new release. DJI also released the DJI FPV, a larger, growling FPV drone that, for all intents and purposes, was slightly insane with a max speed of 39m/s. This compares with the Avata at 27m/s, although it is limited to 19m/s in the EU, which is still fast.

The appeal of these drones lies in their speed, but unlike traditional drones like the Mavic 3 or Mini 3 Pro, there is more of a theme of fun and immersion, and that is more the case with the Avata 2 than with any previous iterations of DJI FPV drones. For starters, there are quick acrobatic modes built-in, and with the Motion 3 controller, a quick combo push of the buttons sees the small craft flip and roll through the sky. When it comes to control, the drone is incredibly easy, with all the usual flight characteristics that have made DJI drones so dominant in the market.

The DJI Avata 2 builds on the compact Avata and refines the design with more features, a better camera, and accessories that now perfectly complement the flying fun and experience.

The whole point about FPV drones is that they should be small, lightweight, and agile. The issue is that most FPV drones are self-built by the pilots, so while fast, they often look a little DIY. The Avata, while resembling those FPV drones due to the size, couldn’t be further apart with the usual design flair that comes with DJI products.

The small frame features the battery pack as the main body of the craft with an ergonomically designed frame that incorporates the prop guards and ultra-tough body. Really, when it comes to drones, this one feels far more robust than any of the other consumer drones on the market, which is good considering all the aerobatics it’s able to do and the higher than normal likelihood that you’ll crash it at least once during the initial test flights.

The setup of the Avata 2 is simple, with propellers already in place; all you need to do is insert the battery, and that part’s ready. Then download the app to your phone, connect the Goggles 3 via USB to your mobile (a long cable is required), and then power on the controller. You then go through the registration, activation, and any pairing that might need doing. I found the whole initial setup process took around ten minutes, but that was using a pre-release app, and there were a few firmware updates that needed to be applied through the process.

Once set, the Avata is ready to go, so put the headset on, and you’re ready for lift-off. It’s worth stating at this point, in order to fly with the Goggles 3, you need to have a spotter, essentially someone who is stood next to you looking out for any obstructions that you would usually see and avoid. This is a requirement to fly in the UK and many other countries when using an FPV headset, so it’s well worth considering. The drone can, of course, be flown without the headset; it’s just that you won’t get that full immersive experience.

The DJI Avata 2 has significantly advanced in features, aiming to outperform or even better the original Avata, especially when it comes to the First-Person View (FPV) experience and the user-friendly nature of the drone. This latest release follows the usual solid line of updates that we’re used to seeing from DJI, pushing the boundaries of drone technology with design, ability, and the integration of the latest accessories.

The Avata 2’s compatibility with the newly released DJI Goggles 3 enhances the immersive experience, taking the comfort and specifications of the Goggles up a notch from the previous generation. The new DJI Goggles 3 offer high-definition Micro-OLED displays and ultra-low latency transmission, similar to the clarity and reliability seen with DJI’s FPV and consumer drones like the DJI Mini series.

While not the core focus of this drone, it still sports a camera that provides quality far surpassing what would be needed for simple FPV video transmission. The camera features a 155° super-wide FOV lens, enabling the Avata 2 to capture expansive scenes, a field of view much wider than that of the DJI Mini 3 Pro, which is aimed at imaging. The camera quality has received quite a boost, with a 1/1.3-inch sensor that provides rich details and dynamic range.

The most exciting features of the Avata 2 are focused on the flight capabilities. The Avata 2 integrates advanced flight modes and safety features, making it a great choice for beginners while offering experienced pilots high-speed thrills and acrobatics. It’s worth noting that while the top speed is 27m/s, this has been limited to 19m/s in the EU. A feature that particularly appeals to me is the solid propeller guards and Turtle mode for self-righting after crashes. The guards are sturdy and can withstand more than a few knocks, and the Turtle mode is interesting, helping to right the drone if it flips while navigating an obstacle course or FPV track.

Another significant improvement is the 23-minute maximum flight time, along with fast charging capabilities, which is closer to the DJI Mini 3 Pro and provides a decent amount of time in the air between battery swaps.

The intuitive control of the Avata 2 is managed by the new DJI RC Motion 3, which makes executing complex maneuvers easy. You can also combine button presses to initiate flips and rolls. Getting used to this new controller takes a while, but once mastered, it’s far faster and more intuitive than traditional stick controllers. It’s worth noting that you can use a standard controller if you prefer, and if you’re going to be taking some images, then the standard controller is probably a better option.

The DJI Avata 2 advances the FPV features over the previous model, but it’s really boosted by the combination of new accessories, the Goggles 3 with high resolution and fast latency, camera upgrade, and ultra-responsive Motion 3 controller. This all comes together to offer a drone that’s great fun to fly, easy to control, and capable of taking some great pictures.

The beauty of DJI drones lies in their ease of use and safety, and the Avata 2, despite being a fun, thrill-seeking FPV drone, is probably the easiest, safest, and most fun drone they have yet produced. In real terms, this is a true entry-level drone, but one that can adapt and enhance its performance and features to suit the pilot.

Before delving into the acrobatic features, the standard flight is simple enough with the Motion controller: double press the trigger to start the rotors and long press to take off. The design of the controller has changed somewhat since the Motion 2, so if you’re familiar with the old version, take some time to check over the new button positions.

In flight, the mode is set to N or normal, with the Goggle display showing exactly what’s happening and where you are. In fact, there’s a complete readout of all the flight characteristics and data, including speed and altitude, if you need to know.

The Motion controller works like a joystick and enables relatively free and easy movement, but it does take a while to truly master all the moves and types of flight that are possible. Staying in Normal flight mode while you get the hang of the control is highly advisable, and 6m/s through the Goggles 3 is actually far faster than you might imagine.

One point to note is that with a quick double tap on the side of the Goggles, the view switches to what’s in front of you rather than the drone. This is very handy and means that you don’t have to remove the goggles if you just want to check something. The view through the goggles is a little narrow but far better than nothing at all.

Back to the flight, and in normal mode, you can start to experiment with the flight and how the drone handles in the air. Compared with standard drones, such as the DJI Mini 3 Pro, the control feels just as solid, but at all times you have the reassurance that the drone is safe from crashes due to those strong propeller guards. Moreover, there are object detection sensors, which, like those in other drones, prevent the Avata 2 from crashing into most objects, including the ground. As you get more familiar with the drone and its functions, these avoidance sensors start to play a more significant role and, in fact, make it relatively difficult to crash the drone as easily as one might initially think.

Switching up to sport mode, you start to get some speed into the mix, and the small drone really comes alive. In this mode, you still have most of the flight protections, so again, it’s a great place to learn and really start to get a handle on some fast-paced flying. One of the interesting features is the turtle mode, which was available on the original Avata and allows the drone to flip itself back the right way when you crash it. Essentially, if it lands on its back, it flips itself over; it’s very clever.

Stepping into the more advanced manual mode, everything is taken up a notch. Currently, the speed is limited to 19m/s in the EU due to the C1 drone class. However, as the UK doesn’t adhere to that structure or classification at present, there’s no real reason that it should be limited in the UK, so maybe an update after the launch is possible.

In manual mode, you have access to the full features of the drone, and you will need space to flip and roll the drone using different button presses and gestures.

At the end of the test, the real feature of this drone is the fun of flying rather than capturing any images or video. However, the camera is very good, and footage from the camera will follow shortly. A few notes on the camera: it’s mounted on a single-axis gimbal, unlike the more standard 3-axis seen on DJI’s other drones. Like the DJI Osmo Action 4, it uses RockSteady 3 to digitally stabilize footage. Like the action camera, the effect of RockSteady and its partner HorizonSteady is outstanding. You also have the ability to move the camera up or down, although not progressively as you can with the DJI Mini 3 Pro, rather it’s just vertically up or down, still, it’s some adjustment.

When it comes to performance, the DJI Avata 2 is very much about the fun of flying rather than the imaging. But more than that, this is a great training drone, as it has none of the frailty of the imaging drones, so for anyone just starting out, it’s an ideal option. Moreover, if you start with the Avata 2 combo with the Goggles 3 and Motion 3, these can also be paired with DJI’s other drones. It also means that for many who have an imaging drone, it provides another drone option for practice and fun, and enables you to get shots that would be tricky with other drones. One

The Avata 2 is a drone with a difference and a fitting update to the original Avata. While the new drone targets the FPV market and those just wanting to take their first steps into the immersive world of FPV racing, it should find equal appeal with photographers and videographers.

Firstly, it’s fun, and one of the things that all drone pilots like is flying; there’s just something about the fun of flying drones that encapsulates you, with the imaging often almost being secondary to that fun. However, at the same time as being fun, the design of the Avata means that it’s more solid than most imaging drones and can be flown in a different way. This enables you to practice your maneuvers and skills a little more and inevitably helps you to improve your flight skills at a faster pace than with a more delicate drone.

The second point that will appeal is that robustness, which enables you to fly with a certain reassurance that if you hit something, then it’ll be fine. This means if you want to get that shot of flying through trees, then it’s far more likely to be a success if shot with the Avata 2 than with the Mini 3 Pro, and that gives you more options. Likewise, if you’re flying through a building or indoors, the small drone has decent object avoidance, and if you do clip something, then it will just be a small touch and bounce rather than a clattering of blades and a death drop.

Overall, the Avata 2 isn’t an imaging drone and doesn’t try to be one, but the camera is now so good that it can complement the imaging drones. So, while not a core drone for filmmaking, there’s definitely a very strong case for getting one, for fun, practice, and getting the shots that other drones just won’t survive getting.