DJI takes drone capabilities to a new level with the release of Phantom 4 Pro and Inspire 2. These two models produce high-quality footage and recordings. They are also adept at avoiding collisions and selecting safe flight paths.
DJI Phantom 4 Pro
The new Pro version of Phantom 4 cleverly avoids obstacles and other flight hazards. A video posted on DJI’s website shows how slick it flies through narrow urban areas like alleyways. It uses infrared signals from two sensors positioned on the sides to navigate. The sophisticated FlightAutonomy system employs no less than three visual sub-systems in order to generate a 3D map of its surroundings.
The camera has also been upgraded. It records in 4K video at a frame rate of 60 fps. The sensor has a resolution of 20 MP and thereby pushes the ISO up til 12,600.
The flight capabilities are impressive. The flight duration is 30 minutes between recharges. The DJI Phantom 4 Pro provides several different flight modes including
- tripod mode – ideal for precision flight with a maximum speed of 7 km/h.
- alti mode – constant altitude flight that requires a skilled pilot.
- sports mode – maximum agility mode that allows for top speeds up til 72 km/h.
- return to base mode – a safety mode that forces the drone to return to its starting position in case of a lost GPS signal.
DJI Inspire 2
Pricing & availability
Phantom 4 Pro is already available for pre-order in the US. It retails at NZ$2,460 including GST and the standard controller. The price increases by stunning $490 for the high-luminance display and controller.
The Inspire 2 costs US$2,999, which converts to about NZ$4,920 inclusive of GST.
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