DJI Product Appreciation
Normally, my reviews are inspired when I get hold of a bad product. The good rarely gets my praise. Just being honest. When I came across the overall review of this review forum, I was shocked; shocked enough to weigh in if anyone cares to read. I am a DJI drone fan. So much so, that my limited dollars have purchased a great number of drones to include the DJI Phantom FC40, Mavic Air, Mavic Pro, Mavic 2 Pro, Air 3, Mini 4K and soon to be the Mavic 4 Pro...fingers crossed. I do not buy them because of any dissatisfaction. I buy them because they have opened a world of perspective that was not possible before 2013, unless you decided to rent a helicopter and fly over an iceberg with a shoulder-held camera system. The first set Phantom drones were not using multiple satellite constellations. We all got what was called "SA Selected Availability" rather than the "precise" telemetry code. So, the odds of losing your drone were HIGH. However, despite the risk and anxiety, I was hooked. I filmed as much as my 16GB SD card would hold, lol. I went from watching my FC 40 move nearly a 1/2 football field while hovering in place to a drone so accurate and dependable, I could theoretically put the remote on the ground, go pour a cup of coffee, add cream, drink 1/2 of it and return to find the drone in the exact coordinate that I left it. AMAZING! Capturing waterfalls, icebergs, beachfront, real estate, commercial buildings...I am amazed and never take this hobby for granted. Since my first DJI drone over 11 years ago, I have not been disappointed. Nothing comes close for the price, features, form factor, and reliability. Similar capabilities can be purchased but for 10X or more the cost...no joke. Do they spy for China...no proof has been submitted to the public, so forgive my distrust in the government. It does appear a political game of "picking favorites" is at play in order to end the era of "privately owned" hobbyist drones. After all, the only options to meet or exceed DJI drones is well over 30k. I can spend just under 3k and have the features and portability that commercial drone buyers can only dream of. I can't speak to "toy" drones that DJI offers. I am in this hobby for capturing unique perspectives that inspire my creativity. I am happy to entertain alternatives but there are NONE that compare for price, form factor, ease of use, complexity of options, durability, safety, accuracy, warranty/repair options, insane battery life, camera imagery. It is the example of quality and is currently mass market winner among the drone hobby enthusiast