DJI has just released its second-generation Neo drone. The Neo 2 follows in the original’s compact and easy-to-use nature, but adds advanced collision detection sensors, updates to the camera and stabilisation, a longer flight time, and an improved top speed. So with all of these updates, is the DJI Neo 2 finally ready to handle mountain biking?
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DJI Neo 2 – Technical Details
There is a lot of tech packed into this small package, so let’s jump into this!
The DJI Neo 2 measures in at 167 x 171 x 54mm, which is slightly larger than the original Neo at 130 x 155 x 48.5mm, but DJI has packed all of that extra space with new and useful features that make the Neo 2 a far more capable flying camera.
One of the biggest updates to the Neo 2 is the inclusion of an Omnidirectional monocular vision system, paired with a downward infrared sensing system and forward-facing LiDAR, features that the original Neo simply didn’t have. This trio of sensing systems helps the Neo 2 to understand what’s around it while in flight and enables it to do its best to avoid collisions.
The Neo 2 also gets updated camera hardware. The camera sensor is still a 1/2 inch module like the old Neo, but it gets a larger F2.2 aperture, and updated high-performance image processing for clearer video. The camera also supports 4K/60fps plus 4K/100fps slow motion.
On top of the improvements in image quality, the camera is now mounted to a two-axis gimbal, which vastly improves the image stabilisation and allows the little Neo 2 to produce impressively smooth video.
The eagle-eyed among you will have noticed that the new drone has two antennas sticking out of the rear. This is the transceiver module and is a requirement for anyone who hopes to use the Neo 2 with one of DJI’s various remote controls. The Neo 2 can be purchased and used as a bare drone without the antenna and can be flown using gesture controls, your mobile phone, or even through voice commands (again through your mobile phone), but plug in the antenna and you get access to manual flight controls, including DJI FPV goggle systems for some serious acrobatics.
One common question about the antenna is ‘Won’t they just snap in a crash?’ The answer so far is ‘No’. DJI has made the antenna from a flexible material to prevent snapping, and I can confirm that they’re still in one piece after a handful of aerial accidents.
With improved sensors, the ability to follow and avoid collisions, and updated camera hardware, the Neo 2 does begin to sound ideal for MTB and cycling selfies. In fact, the Neo 2’s operating system even has a dedicated ‘Cycling’ mode. DJI says the top speed of the new drone is 12 m/s, an increase from the Neo’s 8 m/s. Some napkin maths tells us that 12 m/s is 43.5 km/h. That’s a fair amount of speed and should mean the Neo 2 can keep up on all but the fastest of trails (or will it?).
Other technical details include removable 1606mAh batteries. A single battery ships with the drone-only bundle, but a ‘Fly More’ bundle comes with three batteries and a charging dock. These new batteries won’t fit the original Neo, or vice versa, but offer a claimed 19 minutes of flight time.
And finally, there is a small front-facing display, which allows you to see which mode the Neo 2 is in, along with on-body controls to switch modes and LED lights that inform you if the Neo 2 is in gesture tracking mode.
DJI Neo 2 – Performance
Due to the sheer amount of features that the Neo 2 has, it simply won’t be possible to cover everything in this review, but instead, I’m going to focus on the features that I’ve used while testing the drone for use in the outdoors, shooting a YouTube video, and getting action footage of riding.
The basic controls of the Neo 2 are very, very easy to use and don’t require a mobile phone or even a controller. Simply turn the drone on via the button on the battery, and it will wake up. The new front-facing display will tell you which mode it is in, and using the two toggle buttons, you can switch modes, while a two-second-long press enables you to adjust each mode all from the drone.
For example, in the follow mode, you can adjust the position of the drone. Front, Front Left, Front Right, Left Right, Rear, etc. How close you want the Neo 2, close, medium, far, and then finally the angle, low, flat, or high. Once you’re happy with the settings, press the larger red button with and the Neo 2 will verbally confirm which mode it is in, and your settings, before taking off and getting into position! You’ll also hear an audible ‘bong’ which tells you that the drone is also recording. Super cool stuff.
The Neo 2 will now happily track you, but this isn’t the Cycling Specific follow mode, just a more generic one, but it will be plenty fast and smart enough for slower-moving targets, climbing shots (cycling), or running and walking.
While in this ‘auto’ mode, you have the option to override the setting you have the Neo 2 in by using various gesture controls. Lift up your open palm to face the camera, and the Neo 2 will activate its gesture controls, and a blue LED will indicate so. Moving your palm left, right, up, or down will move the drone around in the sky, but there’s a max height you can fly in this mode, which is around 4m. Using 2 hands, moving them apart sends the Neo 2 away, while the opposite brings the Neo closer. Closing your fist turns gesture controls off, and the Neo 2 will continue to follow.
But what we really want to know is how well the Neo 2 performs in the Cycling Follow mode? To access this for the first time, you will need to connect to your mobile phone. It’s easily accessible from the drop-down, but if you head into the settings, you can also drop it into the Neo 2’s onboard menu, too, so that in the future you don’t need to access the app, and you can get to this setting from the drone, which is super convenient.
With Cycling Follow activated, you get the same options for height, angle, and position, but the Neo 2 will now aim to keep up with the rider at a faster pace, unlocking its full 12 m/s speed, and it does a very impressive job. There are limitations, though! While the top speed of the Neo 2 might be 12 m/s the max operating speed for the collision systems is 8m/s so as soon as you put on the gas, the Neo 2 is basically blind to any branches or trees, but at lower speeds it does an excellent job of avoiding potential crashes, adjusting its flight path and even regain control and tracking if it is knocked off course. The active tracking on the Neo 2 might be the most advanced I’ve seen, and given the low entry price, it’s even more impressive what this little drone can do.
To get the best from the Neo 2, though, it’s best to choose a clearer trail and aim to film on a less windy day, as higher winds do make it more difficult for the drone to keep up, and the footage won’t be as impressive. Also, keep in mind that active tracking and flying in the wind will deplete the battery faster, and while DJI claims 19 minutes of flight time, I have been getting close to 16 minutes.
So you’ve had your fun flying the Neo 2, but if you’re not using the mobile app or a controller, how do you bring it back and get it to land? Well, again using gesture controls. Place your palm out flat, and the Neo 2 will understand you want it to come back and land, and it will! In your hand! How cool is that!
DJI Neo 2 – Verdict
So as you can tell, the DJI Neo 2 isn’t just a slight update on the original, but a massive upgrade in every single way. Sure, it might be slightly larger than the original, and it’s annoying that you can’t use the same batteries, but the sheer power and technology that this little drone offers is honestly mind-blowing.
To compare to similar drones, well, there aren’t all that many around that’ll follow you by themselves, but there is the Hoverair X1 Pro that retails at £459. This little chap can fold, so it’ll fit easier into bags, and it can shoot up to 8k.
Like any drone, action camera, or piece of tech, it certainly isn’t a ‘must have’, but if you dabble in content creation and you have always longed to have your very own camera person to grab shots at different angles, then the DJI Neo 2 is the drone to look at. Sure, drone connoisseurs will lament that the camera quality isn’t as good as a higher-end drone, but at this price, it’s more than competent enough for YouTube and social media.
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