DJI yesterday announced their new ‘Smart Controller’ accessory for the DJI Mavic 2 drone range. The community has embraced this impressive new product with mixed reactions, many complaining specifically about the price but also a lack of backwards compatibility to the original DJI Mavic Pro drone.
Watch how the community responded…
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- DJI Smart Controller for Mavic
- DJI Mavic 2 Pro + Smart Controller Bundle
- DJI Mavic 2 Zoom + Smart Controller Bundle
Launched just yesterday at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2019 in Las Vega, the new DJI Smart Controller provides greater efficiency, ease and more rapid deployment time for users of the DJI Mavic 2 series.
Following our exclusive first-look at the new DJI Smart Controller yesterday, viewers of our DroningON YouTube Channel have commented in their hundreds, expressing both positive and negative reaction.
Many are disappointed by the price which at £579/$600 is costly in comparison to the cost of a regular controller, stating that it is too high to justify. In contrast, others purchased immediately, impressed by the convenience and form-factor of this new, sleak device.
The DJI Smart Controller is designed to maximize the outdoor flying experience with the Mavic 2 or other aircraft equipped with OcuSync 2.0. It includes a 5.5-inch built-in screen which displays clear, bright images, even under challenging conditions.
Intuitive controls and pre-installed features like SkyTalk and the DJI GO 4 app get you up in the air quicker, clearer, and more conveniently than ever before.
You can buy the new DJI Smart Controller direct from the DJI store for delivery globally:
- DJI Smart Controller for Mavic
- DJI Mavic 2 Pro + Smart Controller Bundle
- DJI Mavic 2 Zoom + Smart Controller Bundle
DJI Smart Controller features…
The new Smart Controller incorporates many features which the existing controller does not, the following is a brief summary of the new and exclusive features of the Smart Controller:
- Built-in Ultra-Bright Screen: The DJI Smart Controller has a built-in 5.5-inch 1080p screen, providing an ultra-bright display to keep your live feed easily viewable, even in direct sunlight. At 1000 cd/m2, the display is approximately twice as bright as conventional smart device screens.
- OcuSync 2.0 Full-HD Video: Equipped with OcuSync 2.0 Full-HD video transmission technology, the DJI Smart Controller supports automatic switching between 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz, reducing the influence of environmental interference on drone operation and image quality.
- Efficient and Portable: The DJI Smart Controller connects to your drone as soon as it’s powered on, letting you take off in no time and never miss a moment of the action. Featuring an integrated design with detachable control sticks, the DJI Smart Controller is also portable enough to bring with you anywhere
- Reliable in More Environments: The DJI Smart Controller is capable of stable operation in temperatures ranging from -20°C to 40°C, giving you reliable, HD connection with your drone in more places.
- Go Share: Easily transfer your aerial photos and videos from the DJI Smart Controller to your mobile device using the DJI GO 4 app’s new Go Share function.
- Customized System: The DJI Smart Controller’s customized Android system and optimized DJI GO 4 app give you freedom from the restraints of conventional mobile devices to ensure faster, focused aerial creation. The Smart Controller also supports third-party apps for a variety of additional sharing and editing options.
- Excellent Audio and Video Performance: With a built-in microphone and speaker, the DJI Smart Controller can playback videos through the HDMI port at 4K 60fps on the H.264 and H.265 codecs.
- SkyTalk: The new SkyTalk feature is an amazing way to let others in on your aerial experience. Use it to live-stream your drone’s camera view directly to social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. It also allows you to create and share short videos instantly.
- Long-Lasting Battery Life: The 5000mAh battery supports quick charging and can work continuously for up to 2.5 hours.
Full Smart Controller specifications…
The early specifications that we have for the new Smart Controller are as follows, but are subject to change.
| Operation Frequency Range | 2.400-2.4835 GHz, 5.725-5.850 GHz* |
| Max Transmission Distance (unobstructed, free of interference) | 2.400-2.4835 GHz: 8 km (FCC), 4 km (CE), 4 km (SRRC), 4 km (MIC) 5.725-5.850 GHz 8 km (FCC), 2 km (CE), 5 km (SRRC) |
| Transmitter Power (EIRP) | 2.400-2.4835 GHz: 25.5 dBm (FCC), 18.5 dBm (CE), 19 dBm (SRRC), 18.5 dBm (MIC) 5.725-5.850 GHz: 25.5 dBm (FCC), 12.5 dBm (CE), 18.5 dBm (SRRC) |
| Protocol | Wi-Fi Direct, Wireless Display, 802.11a/g/n/ac, Wi-Fiwith 2×2 MIMO is supported |
| Operation Frequency Range | 2.400-2.4835 GHz, 5.150-5.250 GHz¹ 5.725-5.850 GHz¹ |
| Transmitter Power (EIRP) | 2.400-2.4835 GHz: 21.5 dBm (FCC), 18.5 dBm (CE) 18.5 dBm (SRRC), 20.5 dBm (MIC) 5.150-5.250 GHz: 19 dBm (FCC), 19 dBm (CE) 19 dBm (SRRC), 19 dBm (MIC) 5.725-5.850 GHz: 21 dBm (FCC), 13 dBm (CE), 21 dBm (SRRC) |
| Protocol | Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Operation Frequency Range | 2.400-2.4835 GHz |
| Transmitter Power (EIRP) | 4 dBm (FCC), 4 dBm (CE), 4 dBm (SRRC), 4 dBm (MIC) |
| Battery | 18650 Li-ion (5000 mAh @ 7.2 V) |
| Charge Type | Supports USB power adapters rated 12 V/2 A |
| Rated Power | 15 W |
| Storage Capacity | ROM 16 GB + scalable (microSD) |
| Charging Time | 2 hours (Using a USB power adapter rated 12 V/2 A) |
| Working Time | 2.5 hours |
| Video Output Port | HDMI Port |
| Power Supply Current / Voltage (USB-A port) | 5 V/ 900 mA |
| Operation Temperature Range | -4° to 104° F (-20° to 40° C) |
| Storage Temperature Range | <1 month:-22° to 140° F (-30° to 60° C) 1-3 months:-22° to 113° F (-30° to 45° C) 3-6 months:-22° to 95° F (-30° to 35° C) >6 months:-22° to 77° F (-30° to 25° C) |
| Charging Temperature Range | 41° to 104° F (5°~40° C) |
| Supported Aircraft Models2 | Mavic 2 Pro, Mavic 2 Zoom and Mavic 2 Enterprise |
| GNSS | GPS+GLONASS |
| Weight | Approx. 630 g |
| Model | RM500 |
| Supported SD Cards | Micro SD™ Supporting Micro SD with capacity up to 128 GB and R/W speed up to UHS-I Speed Grade 3 |
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