• The Drone Girl
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Sony Airpeak drone leans into industrial side with a better battery

On the heels of DJI announcing a further pivot into cinematography drones with the launch of its Inspire 3 drone, a major competitor has done the opposite. Today, the Sony Airpeak drone got a makeover of sorts that transforms the aerial cinematography star into an enterprise applications workhorse.

Sony today announced a roundup of new upgrades available for its Airpeak S1 drone that solve issues with the originally-launched product while also unlocking new features that should be appealing to folks using drones for industrial applications like mapping or inspections.

The newly-announced highlights include a:

• More powerful battery.
• Real Time Kinematic Kit.
• New, more-advanced and lightweight gimbal.

Here’s what you need to know about the new add-ons, how much they cost, and why today’s news is a game changer not just for the company’s own trajectory but for commercial drone pilots seeking an alternative to DJI (and an alternative to any other Chinese-made drones, for that matter):

3 major new product upgrades for the Sony Airpeak drone

There are 3 major announcements to come out of Sony around its Airpeak drone:

A better battery

Easily one of the top complaints from users and in my own Sony Airpeak review is the abysmal battery life. While Sony at launched touted 22 minutes of battery life, it felt a little disingenuous, as that was a figure without a payload. Add in a common payloads, say an Alpha camera and gimbal, and the battery life drops down to 12 minutes.

But Sony’s trying hard to fix that with today’s launch of a new LBP-HM1 Battery, which allows for significantly longer flight times.

The Airpeak S1 with the better battery can now fly for up to 30 minutes without a payload (up from 22). Throw in a standard payload like, say, the new RTK Kit, PX1 gimbal, an A7RIV, and the Zeiss 35mm F2.8, and you can expect flight times up to 20 minutes (up from the formerly-paltry 12 minutes).

Sony also tested out flight times for a sample configuration with the T3 gimbal for Airpeak, A7S III and a 24mm F1.4 G-Master lens, and you can expect up to 17 minutes.  That’s still far less than the 28 minutes that DJI promises on its Inspire 3 drone using hot-swappable TB51 intelligent dual batteries, but it’s a big improvement over the original Sony Airpeak battery. (Of course, with any drone battery, actual performance varies based on settings, environmental conditions, storage, and usage.)

Many users have said battery lives under 15 minutes is non-negotiable, so the 17 minute battery life with that camera configuration could finally make the Airpeak a realistic choice.

Alongisde the actual 3,938mAh enhanced battery, Sony also invested in the drone’s intelligent battery management system, which uses the Airpeak Flight App to provide real-time information about the battery’s status. The physical battery also shows four LEDs to display information on charge level. The high-capacity battery is model

If you want the new battery, you’ll need a pretty penny and some patience. Each 3,938mAh Enhanced Battery will cost $399.99. That’s more than the standard Airpeak drone batteries, which cost $230 each. 

And, the batteries are not expected to arrive in customers’ hands until June 23, 2023.

RTK GNSS system for Airpeak S1 with high-precision positioning capability

RTK, short for Real Time Kinematic, is a crucial tool for many industrial applications. RTK systems allow drones to achieve far more precise positioning than they would be able to without it (typically meaning centimeter-level accuracy). That’s crucial for applications like mapping, where a drone cannot afford to be off by an inch or two in its waypoint. Sony’s RTK also promises no lag.

This announcement should be a huge win for the growing community of enterprise users turning to Sony drones. With RTK, the drone is better able to maintain a stable flight path and gather precise data to geotag images for inspections and other applications. And because the RTK has a networking port, it might turn out to be useful to pilots seeking to sync image and mapping data.

RTK works via a base station that receives satellite signals from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Pair it with an Airpeak mounted receiver, and the drone can determine its position, making for stable flight even in environments with strong magnetic field interference. By comparing the signals from multiple GNSS satellites, the system can calculate Airpeak’s precise location, velocity, and orientation, providing centimeter-level accuracy in positioning and reproducible flight. This provides centimeter-level accuracy in positioning, allowing the S1 to maintain a stable flight path and gather precise data for inspections and other applications.

Alternatively, to the use of the base station, the RTK system can be connected to the internet and make use of a GNSS correction data service to achieve centimeter-level accuracy supporting various work environments. The accuracy of the data is calculated in the module so it can determine exactly where the sensor is, the position its facing and track the timing of the RTK and geotagging data.

RTK data can be taken off the Airpeak through one of two options. The first, available now, is taking the SD card out of the RTK interface model, and then taking the images off the SD card on the Alpha, and then running it through a third-party software like Pix4D which will merge the geodata with the images.

The next option will require a dongle. A company spokeserson said the team is woking on a tool through the Airpeak flight app that will take the data it has captured off the RTK unit and then write that data to the images on the SD card, though that’s coming later.

The RTK Kit w/ Base Station (RTK-1) will cost $3,999.99. It’s expected to be in customers’ mailboxes by June 9, 2023.

Gremsy Gimbal PX1 for Airpeak (GBL-PX1)

Here’s a lightweight, easy-to-use gimbal designed for enterprise applications. How light? It’s 40% lighter than the GBL-T3 from Gremsy that was originally built for Airpeak (also serving as a key factor in reducing flight times).

The gimbal, named the Gremsy Gimbal PX1 for Airpeak (GBL-PX1), is compatible with Sony’s full-size mirrorless interchangeable lens α cameras such as Sony’s A7R V, A7R IV, or the A7R IVA cameras. Likewise, it supports various lenses such as the Zeiss 35mm F2.8, the 24mm F2.8G, 40mm F2.5 G, or the 50 F2.5 G. The gimbal also integrates with the remote controller (and the Flight app), so you can control the gimbal’s movements and adjust camera settings in the air.

The app also allows for gimbal customization, as settings can be changed without touching the camera. It also supports touch-operated focus area setting and selection of focus position, which can be flexibly changed on the mobile app for more accurate capturing.

It goes hand-in-hand with the RTK Kit, literally, via a Hot Shoe Cable, which can even-more precisely record positioning and log orientation to capture data.

Though, this gimbal will not come cheap, priced at $3,999 (the same price as the RTK-1, and more than the cost of the initial, heavier T3 gimbal.). Of the three major new products, this one has the earliest estimated delivery data that’s just about a month away: May 19, 2023.

A firmware update

Whether or not you’re shelling out thousands of dollars for these three new products, all Airpeak users should expect a free update to their drone.

Sony this week launched an update for the Airpeak system software to version 2.0.0 for the aircraft and controller.  While it’ll obviously support the newly released products, it provides a few other updates that should solve a few existing pain points for users, including gimbal camera shake correction in combination with the FX3 camera. There are also better display and notification functions to improve usability during shooting.

How today’s news might contribute to the rise of the Sony Airpeak drone in enterprise use cases

The new products should boost efficiency, productivity and overall functionality of the drone, especially in the eyes of enterprise users.

“When we first launched (the Sony Airpeak), we came from the photo cinema side, yet we always had intention to move into the industrial and enterprise space,” said Gabriel Johnson, a marketing manager for Sony Airpeak. “With the coming announcement of these new accessories, we’ll expand our focus into the enterprise space in a more fervent way.”

The team is calling today the beginning of phase II of the drone, which originally was heavily marketed at cinematographers. Sony dominates the camera space with its mirrorless line of Alpha cameras, so it feels nature for Sony to take those cameras and put them in the air — especially as opposed to a company like DJI that was an expert at flying robots first and then had to build cameras at a caliber that could match the high quality of its drones.

Phase II expands the Airpeak into the enterprise space, which has proven to be a surprisingly successful avenue for the drone.

Enterprise users have praised the Airpeak for features like ultra-high wind resistance (that’s higher than most competitors) and sense and avoidance. The Airpeak’s compass cycles on its own so — if flying in areas that might otherwise cause electromagnetic field issues — the drone’s compass remains robust and reliable. It offers high-resolution (full-frame up to 61 MP), ultra-light lenses, hot hot swap batteries and third-part integration.

Now given the improved battery life and RTK kit, the Sony might be a more appealing bet for enterprise users.

Why the industry should be watching Sony right now as a key non-Chinese drone

DJI has seen success with its enterprise drones like the Matrice line, but it’s increasingly running into roadblocks in acquiring new commercial users given the uptick in concern around Chinese-made drones.

NDAA-compliance is one of the hottest buzzwords in drones right now. (The National Defense Authorization Act prohibits the use of equipment manufactured by a limited set of Chinese manufacturers.) But the Airpeak is made in Japan, as are all the critical components for NDAA compliance.

Meanwhile, many commercial users are ditching DJI to appease their customers who demand NDAA-compliant gear, which has opened a door for the Airpeak to thrive. But it’s hard to ditch a drone when there are few good alternatives.

With today’s news, Sony is coming in ready to shine in the enterprise space — perhaps with even more experience and knowledge than when Airpeak first launched as an attempt to disrupt the aerial cinematography space.

Will the improvements like RTK and better battery life make the Airpeak a go-to for enterprise users? Or are the improvements still not enough? After all, 20 minutes of flight time with the new battery still isn’t a ton.

It remains to be seen, but the industry should be watching the Sony Airpeak drone — especially with these new products.

• The Drone Girl
• Posted By

Sony Airpeak drone leans into industrial side with a better battery

On the heels of DJI announcing a further pivot into cinematography drones with the launch of its Inspire 3 drone, a major competitor has done the opposite. Today, the Sony Airpeak drone got a makeover of sorts that transforms the aerial cinematography star into an enterprise applications workhorse.

Sony today announced a roundup of new upgrades available for its Airpeak S1 drone that solve issues with the originally-launched product while also unlocking new features that should be appealing to folks using drones for industrial applications like mapping or inspections.

The newly-announced highlights include a:

• More powerful battery.
• Real Time Kinematic Kit.
• New, more-advanced and lightweight gimbal.

Here’s what you need to know about the new add-ons, how much they cost, and why today’s news is a game changer not just for the company’s own trajectory but for commercial drone pilots seeking an alternative to DJI (and an alternative to any other Chinese-made drones, for that matter):

3 major new product upgrades for the Sony Airpeak drone

There are 3 major announcements to come out of Sony around its Airpeak drone:

A better battery

Easily one of the top complaints from users and in my own Sony Airpeak review is the abysmal battery life. While Sony at launched touted 22 minutes of battery life, it felt a little disingenuous, as that was a figure without a payload. Add in a common payloads, say an Alpha camera and gimbal, and the battery life drops down to 12 minutes.

But Sony’s trying hard to fix that with today’s launch of a new LBP-HM1 Battery, which allows for significantly longer flight times.

The Airpeak S1 with the better battery can now fly for up to 30 minutes without a payload (up from 22). Throw in a standard payload like, say, the new RTK Kit, PX1 gimbal, an A7RIV, and the Zeiss 35mm F2.8, and you can expect flight times up to 20 minutes (up from the formerly-paltry 12 minutes).

Sony also tested out flight times for a sample configuration with the T3 gimbal for Airpeak, A7S III and a 24mm F1.4 G-Master lens, and you can expect up to 17 minutes.  That’s still far less than the 28 minutes that DJI promises on its Inspire 3 drone using hot-swappable TB51 intelligent dual batteries, but it’s a big improvement over the original Sony Airpeak battery. (Of course, with any drone battery, actual performance varies based on settings, environmental conditions, storage, and usage.)

Many users have said battery lives under 15 minutes is non-negotiable, so the 17 minute battery life with that camera configuration could finally make the Airpeak a realistic choice.

Alongisde the actual 3,938mAh enhanced battery, Sony also invested in the drone’s intelligent battery management system, which uses the Airpeak Flight App to provide real-time information about the battery’s status. The physical battery also shows four LEDs to display information on charge level. The high-capacity battery is model

If you want the new battery, you’ll need a pretty penny and some patience. Each 3,938mAh Enhanced Battery will cost $399.99. That’s more than the standard Airpeak drone batteries, which cost $230 each. 

And, the batteries are not expected to arrive in customers’ hands until June 23, 2023.

RTK GNSS system for Airpeak S1 with high-precision positioning capability

RTK, short for Real Time Kinematic, is a crucial tool for many industrial applications. RTK systems allow drones to achieve far more precise positioning than they would be able to without it (typically meaning centimeter-level accuracy). That’s crucial for applications like mapping, where a drone cannot afford to be off by an inch or two in its waypoint. Sony’s RTK also promises no lag.

This announcement should be a huge win for the growing community of enterprise users turning to Sony drones. With RTK, the drone is better able to maintain a stable flight path and gather precise data to geotag images for inspections and other applications. And because the RTK has a networking port, it might turn out to be useful to pilots seeking to sync image and mapping data.

RTK works via a base station that receives satellite signals from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Pair it with an Airpeak mounted receiver, and the drone can determine its position, making for stable flight even in environments with strong magnetic field interference. By comparing the signals from multiple GNSS satellites, the system can calculate Airpeak’s precise location, velocity, and orientation, providing centimeter-level accuracy in positioning and reproducible flight. This provides centimeter-level accuracy in positioning, allowing the S1 to maintain a stable flight path and gather precise data for inspections and other applications.

Alternatively, to the use of the base station, the RTK system can be connected to the internet and make use of a GNSS correction data service to achieve centimeter-level accuracy supporting various work environments. The accuracy of the data is calculated in the module so it can determine exactly where the sensor is, the position its facing and track the timing of the RTK and geotagging data.

RTK data can be taken off the Airpeak through one of two options. The first, available now, is taking the SD card out of the RTK interface model, and then taking the images off the SD card on the Alpha, and then running it through a third-party software like Pix4D which will merge the geodata with the images.

The next option will require a dongle. A company spokeserson said the team is woking on a tool through the Airpeak flight app that will take the data it has captured off the RTK unit and then write that data to the images on the SD card, though that’s coming later.

The RTK Kit w/ Base Station (RTK-1) will cost $3,999.99. It’s expected to be in customers’ mailboxes by June 9, 2023.

Gremsy Gimbal PX1 for Airpeak (GBL-PX1)

Here’s a lightweight, easy-to-use gimbal designed for enterprise applications. How light? It’s 40% lighter than the GBL-T3 from Gremsy that was originally built for Airpeak (also serving as a key factor in reducing flight times).

The gimbal, named the Gremsy Gimbal PX1 for Airpeak (GBL-PX1), is compatible with Sony’s full-size mirrorless interchangeable lens α cameras such as Sony’s A7R V, A7R IV, or the A7R IVA cameras. Likewise, it supports various lenses such as the Zeiss 35mm F2.8, the 24mm F2.8G, 40mm F2.5 G, or the 50 F2.5 G. The gimbal also integrates with the remote controller (and the Flight app), so you can control the gimbal’s movements and adjust camera settings in the air.

The app also allows for gimbal customization, as settings can be changed without touching the camera. It also supports touch-operated focus area setting and selection of focus position, which can be flexibly changed on the mobile app for more accurate capturing.

It goes hand-in-hand with the RTK Kit, literally, via a Hot Shoe Cable, which can even-more precisely record positioning and log orientation to capture data.

Though, this gimbal will not come cheap, priced at $3,999 (the same price as the RTK-1, and more than the cost of the initial, heavier T3 gimbal.). Of the three major new products, this one has the earliest estimated delivery data that’s just about a month away: May 19, 2023.

A firmware update

Whether or not you’re shelling out thousands of dollars for these three new products, all Airpeak users should expect a free update to their drone.

Sony this week launched an update for the Airpeak system software to version 2.0.0 for the aircraft and controller.  While it’ll obviously support the newly released products, it provides a few other updates that should solve a few existing pain points for users, including gimbal camera shake correction in combination with the FX3 camera. There are also better display and notification functions to improve usability during shooting.

How today’s news might contribute to the rise of the Sony Airpeak drone in enterprise use cases

The new products should boost efficiency, productivity and overall functionality of the drone, especially in the eyes of enterprise users.

“When we first launched (the Sony Airpeak), we came from the photo cinema side, yet we always had intention to move into the industrial and enterprise space,” said Gabriel Johnson, a marketing manager for Sony Airpeak. “With the coming announcement of these new accessories, we’ll expand our focus into the enterprise space in a more fervent way.”

The team is calling today the beginning of phase II of the drone, which originally was heavily marketed at cinematographers. Sony dominates the camera space with its mirrorless line of Alpha cameras, so it feels nature for Sony to take those cameras and put them in the air — especially as opposed to a company like DJI that was an expert at flying robots first and then had to build cameras at a caliber that could match the high quality of its drones.

Phase II expands the Airpeak into the enterprise space, which has proven to be a surprisingly successful avenue for the drone.

Enterprise users have praised the Airpeak for features like ultra-high wind resistance (that’s higher than most competitors) and sense and avoidance. The Airpeak’s compass cycles on its own so — if flying in areas that might otherwise cause electromagnetic field issues — the drone’s compass remains robust and reliable. It offers high-resolution (full-frame up to 61 MP), ultra-light lenses, hot hot swap batteries and third-part integration.

Now given the improved battery life and RTK kit, the Sony might be a more appealing bet for enterprise users.

Why the industry should be watching Sony right now as a key non-Chinese drone

DJI has seen success with its enterprise drones like the Matrice line, but it’s increasingly running into roadblocks in acquiring new commercial users given the uptick in concern around Chinese-made drones.

NDAA-compliance is one of the hottest buzzwords in drones right now. (The National Defense Authorization Act prohibits the use of equipment manufactured by a limited set of Chinese manufacturers.) But the Airpeak is made in Japan, as are all the critical components for NDAA compliance.

Meanwhile, many commercial users are ditching DJI to appease their customers who demand NDAA-compliant gear, which has opened a door for the Airpeak to thrive. But it’s hard to ditch a drone when there are few good alternatives.

With today’s news, Sony is coming in ready to shine in the enterprise space — perhaps with even more experience and knowledge than when Airpeak first launched as an attempt to disrupt the aerial cinematography space.

Will the improvements like RTK and better battery life make the Airpeak a go-to for enterprise users? Or are the improvements still not enough? After all, 20 minutes of flight time with the new battery still isn’t a ton.

It remains to be seen, but the industry should be watching the Sony Airpeak drone — especially with these new products.

• Your Drone Reviews
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DJI Inspire 3 Takes to the Skies – Drone news and reviews

DJI, the global leader in drone technology, has unveiled the much-anticipated Inspire 3, the latest iteration of its popular Inspire series. The new drone comes with a slew of cutting-edge features, including an 8K full-frame camera, an ultra-wide FPV lens, and an extended transmission range. The Inspire 3 boasts advanced safety features, such as omnidirectional obstacle avoidance and RTK technology, positioning it as a game-changer in the industry.

DJI Inspire 3 Camera

The Inspire 3 is equipped with the Zenmuse X9-8K Air Gimbal Camera, which allows users to capture stunning 8K video footage at 25fps or 75fps in the Apple ProRes RAW format. This is a significant leap from the Inspire 2, which offered a 5.2K video resolution. The Zenmuse X9 camera can capture 4K videos at 120fps to Apple ProRes RAW and can be upgraded with different lenses for added versatility.

One of the standout features of the Inspire 3 is its “all-new 161° FOV ultra wide-angle FPV lens with a 1/1.8-inch night-vision sensor.” This new lens, combined with the O3 Pro Transmission system, offers a video transmission range of up to 15km – a notable improvement over the Inspire 2’s Lightbridge technology, which had a maximum range of 7km.

DJI Inspire 3 Advanced Features

The Inspire 3’s performance is equally impressive, with a top speed of 58mph. The drone also comes with a single-operator and dual-control mode; the latter mode reduces the range to 12km. In terms of flight time, DJI claims that the Inspire 3 can stay airborne for up to 28 minutes in ideal conditions, albeit at a reduced speed of 22mph.

To ensure the safety of both the drone and the surrounding environment, the Inspire 3 is equipped with omnidirectional obstacle avoidance sensors. This advanced system allows the drone to detect and avoid obstacles in its path, providing a higher level of safety during flights and making it easier for operators to focus on capturing stunning visuals.

The Inspire 3 also features RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) technology, which significantly improves the drone’s positioning accuracy. This feature is particularly beneficial for professionals working in industries such as surveying, mapping, and construction, where precise positioning is crucial. With RTK technology, the Inspire 3 can provide centimetre-level accuracy, enabling more reliable and efficient data collection.

To handle the vast amount of data generated by the 8K footage, the Inspire 3 uses a 1TB DJI PROSSD with integrated heatsinks, allowing for write and read speeds of up to 1,100 MBps and 900 MBps, respectively. This high-speed storage solution ensures that users can easily manage and process their footage.

DJI Inspire 3 Price

The Inspire 3’s price tag is set at $16,499, and the package includes six rechargeable batteries, a 1TB SSD, the DJI RC Plus remote controller, and a rolling carrying case for easy transportation. While the price may seem steep, the drone’s advanced features and capabilities make it an attractive investment for professional filmmakers, aerial photography enthusiasts, and industry professionals alike.

With the release of the Inspire 3, DJI has once again demonstrated its commitment to pushing the boundaries of drone technology. The combination of high-resolution

video capture, enhanced transmission, and advanced safety features make the Inspire 3 an exciting addition to the company’s lineup and a potential game-changer in the world of aerial cinematography and various professional applications.

The Inspire 3’s combination of advanced safety features and cutting-edge technology not only enhances the user experience but also helps to mitigate risks associated with drone operation. This ensures that pilots can confidently navigate complex

environments and focus on achieving their objectives, whether it be capturing breathtaking visuals or gathering accurate data for industry applications.

Final Thoughts

The DJI Inspire 3 represents a significant advancement in drone technology, offering users unparalleled video quality, enhanced transmission range, and safety features such as omnidirectional obstacle avoidance and RTK technology.

Its versatility, and cutting-edge features make it an ideal choice for professional filmmakers, aerial photographers, and various industry professionals looking for a reliable and high-performance drone.

As DJI continues to innovate and push the boundaries of what’s possible with drone technology, the Inspire 3 stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to providing top-tier products that cater to the needs of professionals and enthusiasts alike. With the Inspire 3, the sky’s the limit for capturing stunning visuals, precise data collection, and exploring new frontiers in aerial technology. The drone will be available to purchase from the DJI Store and authorised sellers at the end of June.

• The Drone Girl
• Posted By

DJI Inspire 3 is a full-frame, 8K cinema drone for filmmakers

In a big product launch that is surprising to no one (especially if you read my blog post with DJI Inspire 3 predictions that ran last week), DJI’s flagship cinematography drone is finally, officially here.

DJI today announced its Inspire 3, a long-awaited follow-up to the original Inspire and Inspire 2 drones that targeted filmmakers. But it’s hardly fair to even group the Inspire 3 together with the Inspire 1 and 2, given those felt like high-end consumer drones. The Inspire 3 marks DJI’s only cinema-grade drone.

It earns that moniker because the Inspire 3 is more powerful and reliable than those before it — and its camera is far-higher quality too. Among its key features:

• A full-frame 8K cinema camera
• Up to 28 minutes of flight time
• 161° ultra-wide FOV night-vision FPV
• O3 Pro transmission and control
• Supports omnidirectional sensing
• Supports RTK- powered Waypoint Pro
• Supports internal recording of up to 8K/25fps CinemaDNG video as well as 8K/75fps Apple ProRes RAW video

But if you’re more of a casual photographer then — unless you’re also a lottery winner — this drone probably isn’t for you. It’s priced at $16,499, and that’s before you add on all the additional accessories, which you might as well spring for if you’re already going this far on what is easily DJI’s highest-end camera drone.

Perhaps unsurprisingly (though still unfortunate), you’ll have to purchase the license key for Apple ProRes RAW video separately. You’ll also need a separate license key for CinemaDNG video.

Here’s a deep dive into everything this drone is about:

DJI Inspire 3 camera: a full-frame Zenmuse X9-8K Air Gimbal Camera

The feature everyone wants most — a full-frame 8K Zenmuse X9 gimbal camera — is in fact a part of the DJI Inspire 3 drone.

Seriously, we asked Drone Girl readers to vote on their most-wanted feature of the upcoming Inspire 3 drone last week, and you overwhelmingly said the full-frame, 8K camera. 22.2% of you asked for foldable propellers and 11.1% asked for O3+ video transmission as a top priority).

Here are some key details of the camera:

• Features DJI’s latest image processing system, CineCore 3.0
• Supports internal recording of up to 8K/25fps CinemaDNG video
• Supports 8K/75fps Apple ProRes RAW video
  • In S&Q mode, X9-8K Air supports internal recording of up to full-frame 4K/120fps ProRes RAW video without cropping.
• Dual native ISO
  • At full-frame 30fps and below: Offers EI 800/4000 (this supports the 24fps commonly seen in film productions and the 25fps used in commercial and television productions).
  • At above 30fps: Offers EI 320/1600 (this is good especially for still getting details in low-light scenes)
• 14+ tops of dynamic range
• Uses DJI’s proprietary DL mount

That proprietary DL mount allows for compatible with a range of lenses, which include:

• An additional 18 mm F2.8 full-frame ultra-wide lens
• A new telephoto lens specially made for 8K aerial cinematography (though it hasn’t been released yet and there’s no firm date when it’ll arrive)
• Full-frame 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm lenses

The camera also uses DJI’s in-house color science tech, called the DJI Cinema Color System (DCCS), which is designed to “retain authentic colors that redefine the look of aerial cinematography…and also accurately captures skin tones in different environments and lighting conditions.”

DCCS is also designed to pair with the company’s ground-based cinema cameras, like the DJI Ronin 4D. A filmmaker in theory would film the bulk of the footage on the ground with this camera, but those aerial shots would seamlessly blend given the same DCCS.

Another nice feature is the included DJI PROSSD 1TB, offers up to 1100MBps write speed and up to 900MBps read speed. The footage can be read on a computer directly through the provided USB-C to USB-C cable without the need for a card reader, convenient for DITs.

The Inspire 3 drone itself

Despite being much larger than drones like the Mavic 3 Cine, it’s still a lightweight, portable drone. The FPV camera, visual sensors, positioning antennas, and storage card slot are integrated into the airframe, which cuts down on free-dangling parts and streamlines the airframe.

Flight time is up to 28 minutes using hot-swappable TB51 intelligent dual batteries. Hot swapping means that — when replacing the battery — the aircraft does not need to power off.

If you need to fly fast, use the propulsion system which brings a flight speed of up to 94km/h, 8m/s ascent and descent speed and even dive speed up to 10m/s.

New features that aren’t in DJI’s other drones include Tilt Boost and 360° Pan structures. With that, the gimbal supports obstruction-free 80° upward-angle shooting when the landing gear is lowered.

An FPV lens

While this isn’t what you’d film with, there’s also a 161° FOV ultra wide-angle FPV lens with a 1/1.8-inch night-vision sensor. It’s got 3μm pixel size and offers up to 1080p/60fps live feed.

Pilots can use that for a stabilized, ultra low latency view that gives them situational awareness even in low-light.

The controller

The Inspire 3 comes with the DJI RC Plus controller, which entails a 7-inch 1,200-nit high-brightness screen to operate even in strong sunlight.

The controller’s internal battery provides up to 3.3 hours operation time, and extends to 6 hours with an external hot-swappable WB37 battery.

Other features include an HDMI out port, customizable buttons and dials and an-installed DJI Pilot 2 app.

DJI’s smartest omnidirectional sensing system to date

If the drone is zipping around filming all sorts of complicated shots, then it better not hit any objects in its route. That’s possible thanks to DJI’s most-advanced omnidirectional sensing system to date, which puts nine visual sensors on the drone.

DJI promises that the Inspire can detect obstacles in all directions.

But you don’t have to use all nine sensors if you don’t want to. There’s a new customizable function where you can choose to independently enabled or disable the horizontal, upward, and downward obstacle sensors. You can also preset an obstacle alert range manually. That’s helpful if you want to fly close to an object and still have obstacle avoidance on — but you need to fly closer than what the old presets allowed.

You can also choose to turn off active avoidance. Even if you do, there are safety features including the ability to view the distance from an obstacle on the navigation display in real-time, and/or receive an audio alert when an obstacle is within a set range — even without the aircraft performing an automatic avoidance movement.

O3 Pro Transmission

Another feature that pilots desperately wanted was an improved transmission system.

DJI’s newest drone up until this new Inspire 3, the DJI Avata, offers DJI’s O3+ video transmission, allowing for a max transmission range of 15 km and a more stable signal.

The Inspire 3 offers an even better version called O3 Pro Transmission. Like O3+, the O3 Pro Transmission enables a transmission range of up to 15 km. But that’s assuming just one controller.

Now, you have the option for dual-control mode, which offers transmission range up to 12 km. With the enhanced dual-control mode, two remote controllers can now receive transmission and control links from the drone independently, so the pilot and gimbal operator can be at different positions on set.

There’s the option to display a live feed of up to 1080p/60fps, with an ultra-low latency of 90 ms. But with this new Pro version, the 4K/30fps live feeds are also supported with a reduced 5km transmission range, which unlocks the ability for ultra-HD output and livestreaming on set.

RTK- powered Waypoint Pro

A huge leg-up on the Inspire 3 is the high-precision RTK positioning technology, which allows the drone to fly routes with centimeter-level accuracy. This is a must-have spec in more industrial applications such as inspections, precision mapping and surveying, where a drone can’t afford to be off by a centimeter if a model or map needs to be made.

While this hasn’t typically been a must-have spec in the cinematography world, it very well could be as the Inspire 3 sets this strong precedent. RTK not only makes flying more stable, but also flight-route planning more accurate, thus allowing filmmakers to get repeatable routes that are truly accurate, even in challenging environments.

Waypoint Pro

This function enables customized flight-route and shot planning, allowing for the drone to capture video in highly-complex scenes — whether solo shooting or in a professional crew.

Here’s what Waypoint Pro can do:

• Fly repeatable routes: Pilots can input preset parameters such as altitude, speed, gimbal angle, and camera settings — and repeat that same flight mission over and over again. That’s crucial in improving the ability to film otherwise difficult one-takes. It’s also a useful function if you’re flying at different times in the same place, like if you’re taking long-duration timelapses (e.g. day to night or season to season).
• Simulate a crane, cable cam or dolly: The Waypoint Pro has a function called 3D Dolly, which basically allows the drone to simulate a crane, cable cam, or a dolly — without actually needing to buy and setup one.
• Spotlight Pro: This uses machine-learning algorithms to offer pilots single-object recognition and tracking. In turn, that allows the pilot to entirely focus on the flight while the gimbal camera stays automatically focused on the subject — even if it’s a complicated flight and they’re a single pilot.

How does RTK work on the Inspire 3?

The integrated 3 GNSS System (GPS + Galileo + BeiDou) is powered by built-in dual-layered ceramic RTK antennas. Activate the RTK network or set up a D-RTK 2 Mobile Station (which requires a separate purchase) to achieve highly accurate positioning — all without the need to mount any additional modules.

Because this tech provides the Inspire 3 with internal orientation, compass calibration isn’t needed in most scenarios.

When RTK is disabled, DJI Inspire 3 uses GNSS positioning by default.

Other DJI Inspire 3 accessories, add-ons and ecosystem integrations

DJI doesn’t just want you to buy its Inspire 3. It wants you to buy into its full ecosystem of products designed for professional filmmaking — a field DJI is increasingly leaning into. Just last month, DJI announced the Ronin 4D Flex, a product designed for cinematographers that added the first cinema zoom lens add-on to DJI’s camera platform as well as introduced a way for operators to separate the Zenmuse X9 gimbal camera from the main body. Last month, DJI also finally enabled customers to be able to buy an activation license key for the Apple ProRes RAW codec on Ronin 4D at the DJI Store.

And that spirit of continuing to be a superpower on film sets lives on with the Inspire 3. One example of that is that the Inspire 3 features Timesync Support through a 3.5mm jack. That’s useful for teams dealing with tons of footage from multiple cameras, as timecode sync makes the editing process significantly more simplified and efficient.

The drone can also pair with one RC Plus and one High-Bright Remote Monitor. The monitor is in turn able to link your whole system to the DJI Pro Ecosystem, which brings in compatibility with other DJI products such as the DJI 4D Hand Grips and DJI Master Wheels.

DJI also today released a few accessories including:

• New foldable quick-release propellers: With the new model 1671 propellers, you now likely won’t have to reinstall propellers before each flight and — should you take them off — are far easier to store. There’s also a version designed for high-altitudes of 3,000 meters or more that’s slightly more expensive (that’s model DJI 1676). Spare quick release propellers run for $69 per pair, while the high-altitude version runs for $89.
• Foldable battery charging hub: Make your charging more efficient without demanding too much storage size. This hub can accommodate eight batteries and can charge two batteries to 90% simultaneously in just 35 minutes in fast charge mode, and to 100% in only 160 minutes . The included 65W USB-C port can also be used to charge an RC Plus. Though, it’ll cost you big: the hub comes in at $899.
• A new trolley case: This version has an extendable handle, two side handles, and four 360-degree-movement wheels.
• Strap and waist support for the RC Plus remote controller: This should simply make shoots more comfortable. The DJI RC Plus Strap and Waist Support Kit costs an additional $99.

Also expect to pay an additional price to get the license keys for CinemaDNG video and/or Apple ProRes RAW video.

Here’s a full breakdown of all the add-on accessories and their costs:

Who is the DJI Inspire 3 best for?

Who is the DJI Inspire 3 best for? This is a drone for filmmakers and other content creators who don’t mind a serious, bulky rig in the name of the highest-quality camera.

But before we dive into why this drone is so ideal for filmmakers, let’s discuss the Inspire 3’s two closest competitors — and why (on some key levels) they aren’t really competitors at all.

What about the DJI Mavic 3?

Travelers, bloggers and other folks who prefer a lighter-weight system and still want high quality video (say for YouTube) but don’t necessarily need cinema-quality footage would still be better served by the DJI Mavic 3. That drone is foldable and compact, and records in 5.1K and DCI 4K/120fps with Apple ProRes 422 HQ encoding — if you opt for the DJI Mavic 3 Cine. There are a few models of the DJI Mavic 3, starting at just $1,599 for the Mavic 3 Classic and past $5,000 for all the bells and whistles with the DJI Mavic 3 Cine Premium Combo.

It’s a lot cheaper than the Inspire 3, but also lacks a lot the truly top-of-the-line features.

What about non-DJI competitors?

Given its high emphasis on cinematography, the DJI Inspire 3’s closest competitor is another ultra serious camera drone: the Sony Airpeak. The Airpeak is the best way to fly the Sony Alpha full frame cameras, as that line of mirrorless cameras coupled with a GBL-T3 from Gremsy integrate seamlessly into the drone.

This drone has one especially-major downfalls versus the Inspire 3, though: battery life. The battery life on this drone is abysmal. While it’s technically 22 minutes, that assumes no payload (and thus no gimbal or camera). Once you add on weight, like the camera, it drops too closer to 12 minutes, which can hardly be sufficient time to get the shot you need before you need to land the drone again.

With the hot-swappable TB51 intelligent dual batteries, the Inspire 3 provides flight time of up to 28 minutes — measured when the drone is flying a constant speed of 36 km/h in a windless environment at sea level with the gimbal camera and lens attached to the aircraft (though without other accessories).

On the cost front, the Airpeak and the Inspire 3 are a bit more aligned. The Airpeak drone itself costs $9,000, but that’s before the camera and gimbal. Expect to pay an additional $2,000+ for the gimbal, between $1,800 and $6,500 for the camera body, and we’ll say at least $1,000 for the lens. A $17,000 budget for the Airpeak rig is far more reasonable, which is roughly the same as the Inspire cost.

A big reason why the Airpeak might be better is that you can use your Alpha camera for more than just drone flying. You cannot use the Zenmuse X9-8K Air independently from the DJI Inspire 3. To get the same-level image quality on a ground-based platform, you’d want to buy a separate DJI Ronin 4D – which is an additional cost.

A history of the DJI Inspire line

The DJI Inspire 3 is a long time coming. The last time the Inspire got a significant upgrade was in November 2016, when DJI launched the Inspire 2 drone. The Inspire 2 was notable for features including 5.2K video and limited sense and avoid. At its launch, it cost $2,999 for the standalone drone, or just over $6,000 for a kit that includes the aircraft, Zenmuse X5S camera, CinemaDNG and Apple ProRes License Key.

When the Zenmuse X7 came out, the Inspire 2 also supported that camera — but the new Zenmuse X9-8K Air has even more features, serving up a full-frame image sensor that can record video at up to 8K RAW. In terms of lens mounting, the X9 adds a lens locking lever.

The Inspire 2 followed the DJI Inspire 1, which launched in November 2014 with a built-in Inspire 1 camera that could shoot up to 4K video and capture 12 megapixel photos.

How to get your hands on an Inspire 3

If you’re ready to spring $16,499 for the Inspire 3 (and likely more, considering you’ll want the add-on accessories) hold tight. It’s not available for purchase until the end of June.

At that time, you’ll be able to buy the drone, most accessories and also DJI Care Pro, an extra insurance plan for accidental damage that offers an unlimited number of free repairs for covered reasons, which includes water damage, drop damage, improper use, and other accidents. Coverage also gets you two free replacements for new batteries each year and Flyaway coverage. Coverage is $2,099 for one year or $3,899 for two years of coverage.

Pre-orders are open now, so you can reserve your drone and be the first to get it.

• DroneLife
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DJI Releases Inspire 3: Fully Redesigned, Cinema-Grade Drone (Check out the Images and Video)

DJI Announces Inspire 3 Cinema Drone

by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian M. Crosby

Today, drone and camera technology leader DJI announced the DJI Inspire 3, a full-frame 8K cinema drone designed for top-level movie productions. Its integrated design features a 161° ultra-wide FOV night-vision FPV and the O3 Pro transmission and control system. DJI’s first and only cinema-grade drone, the Inspire 3 supports both RTK-powered Waypoint Pro and omnidirectional sensing to conduct safer and more accurate flight missions.

“The Inspire 3 is the professional-level aerial platform all filmmakers have been waiting for,” said DJI Creative Director Ferdinand Wolf. “It empowers users to fully maximize the potential of any shot as they can record in cinematic-grade image quality previously only available with large and clunky camera systems. We are looking forward to seeing how the Inspire 3 will push aerial cinematography to a completely new level.”

The fully redesigned Inspire 3 features a compact, robust airframe integrated with an FPV camera, visual sensors, positioning antennas, and storage card slot. The model supports the newly added Tilt Boost and 360° Pan structures. Upon lowering the landing gear, the gimbal enables obstruction-free 80° upward-angle shooting. The new hot-swappable TB51 intelligent dual batteries grant up to 28 minutes of flight time. Its propulsion system provides a flight speed of up to 94km/h, 8m/s ascent and descent speed and dive speed up to 10m/s.

Inspire 3 Features

The Inspire 3 utilizes the lightest ever full-frame Zenmuse X9-8K Air Gimbal Camera, featuring DJI’s CineCore 3.0, supporting internal recording of up to 8K/25fps CinemaDNG video as well as 8K/75fps Apple ProRes RAW video. In S&Q mode, X9-8K Air supports internal recording of up to full-frame 4K/120fps ProRes RAW video without cropping, enabling greater creative editing options.

The X9-8K Air supports dual native ISO, offering EI 800/4000 at full-frame 30fps and below, and EI 320/1600 at above 30fps. It covers over 14 stops of dynamic range, with high dynamic range allowing greater possibilities for post-editing. The X9-8K Air is compatible with an additional 18 mm F2.8 full-frame ultra-wide lens and a new telephoto lens specially made for 8K aerial cinematography, as well as full-frame 24, 35 and 50mm lenses. With the DJI Cinema Color System (DCCS), the X9-8K Air is able to retain authentic colors and offer seamless color matching between X9-8K Air and ground-based cinema cameras like the DJI Ronin 4D.

The included DJI PROSSD 1TB offers up to 1100MBps write speed and up to 900MBps read speed and can be connected directly to a computer via USB-C cable for easy file sharing and seamless workflows.

Inspire 3 leverages high-precision RTK positioning technology for more stable flights and more precise flight-route planning. The integrated 3 GNSS System (GPS + Galileo + BeiDou) guarantees accurate flight maneuvers even in challenging environments. Activating the RTK network or setting up a D-RTK 2 Mobile Station provides users with precise positioning and internal orientation without the need for additional modules or compass calibration.

The Inspire 3 features nine visual sensors for advanced omnidirectional obstacle sensing. Horizontal, upward, and downward obstacle sensing can each be enabled or disabled independently, and an obstacle alert range can be set manually for different scenarios. With active avoidance off, users can still view the distance from an obstacle on the navigation display in real-time and receive an audio alert when an obstacle is within a set range without the aircraft performing an automatic maneuver.

The Inspire 3’s 161° FOV ultra wide-angle FPV lens features a 1/1.8-inch  night-vision sensor with 3μm pixel size and up to 1080p/60fps live feed for a stable, ultra-low latency view of 90 ms for situational awareness and improved flight safety. The model’s new O3 Pro Transmission supports a transmission range of up to 15 km with one controller and up to 12 km in dual-control mode. The 4K/30fps live feeds are also supported with a reduced 5km transmission range, meeting the demand for an ultra-HD output and livestreaming on set. The dual-control mode allows two remote controllers to receive transmission and control links from the drone independently, enabling the pilot and gimbal operator to remain at different locations.

The Inspire 3 comes with the DJI RC Plus with a 7-inch 1,200-nit high-brightness screen. The internal battery offers up to 3.3 hours operation time, extending to 6 hours with an external hot-swappable WB37 battery. The device also features an HDMI out port and customizable buttons and dials on the front, back, and top. The DJI Pilot 2 app grants users a fast startup time and intuitive user interface with easily accessible functions.

Inspire 3 also features Timesync Support through a 3.5mm jack for high-precision control on set. The device can be paired with one RC Plus and one High-Bright Remote Monitor. The monitor serves as a link to the DJI Pro Ecosystem, supporting products like the DJI 4D Hand Grips and DJI Master Wheels. The DJI Three-Channel Follow Focus can also be connected to the RC Plus, allowing for Remote Focus and Iris Control on the Zenmuse X9-Air camera.

DJI Care Pro is also available for DJI Inspire 3, offering total protection for accidental damage with unlimited free repairs within the coverage limit, as well as two free replacements for new batteries each year and Flyaway coverage.

Priced at $16,499, DJI Inspire 3 will be available for purchase from store.dji.com and from authorized retail partners by the end of June. The bundle comes with the DJI Inspire 3 Aircraft, Zenmuse X9-8K Air Gimbal Camera, RC Plus remote controller, 6x TB51 Intelligent Battery, Charging Hub, PROSSD 1TB, Trolley Case, 3x Foldable Quick-Release Propellers (Pair), Lens Carrying Box, RC Plus Strap, and more.

Read more:

Ian attended Dominican University of California, where he received a BA in English in 2019. With a lifelong passion for writing and storytelling and a keen interest in technology, he is now contributing to DroneLife as a staff writer.

• TheDroneBlog
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DJI Inspire 2 Gimbal Failure (And How to Fix It)

The DJI Inspire 2 is a powerful, professional tool used in many industries, notably film and television. Investing in an Inspire 2 drone can provide incredible aerial photography and videography results.

As a drone camera operator in the film industry, I’ve used the Inspire 2 for over two years and have become intimately familiar with its capabilities and limitations.

Unfortunately, one of its common problems is gimbal failure, which can cause significant issues during flights.

DJI Inspire 2 gimbal failure can occur for many reasons, such as hardware damage or software issues, and can cause unreliable or shaky footage.

In this article, we’ll discuss Inspire 2 gimbal failure, its causes, and how to fix it

Inspire 2 gimbal failure: Causes and symptoms

Inspire 2 gimbal failure can occur for several reasons, such as excessive vibrations, motor malfunction, software bugs, or physical damage.

The consequences of a gimbal failure can include the camera’s inability to stay level or sudden camera jerks, blurred images or videos, or even a complete inability to control the camera during flight.

One of the most common reasons for Inspire 2 gimbal failure is improper calibration.

When the gimbal is not calibrated correctly, the drone’s vibration can cause the camera to shift from its original position, resulting in shaky footage.

Additionally, a bad motor can cause the gimbal to fail, which could result in the camera becoming completely unresponsive.

This can be incredibly anxiety-inducing when you’re out in the work field.

When it comes to any piece of firmware technology that requires periodic updates, there’s always a risk of new bugs affecting your system, so this one is worth mentioning.

Always test each component of your drone after a software or firmware update to make sure everything is in working order.

Finally, in my experience, physical damage has to be the most common cause.

The gimbal is a very sensitive component of our drone and can easily be knocked, tampered and damaged by negligence, accidents, or just poor maintenance and handling in general.

Keeping a dirty drone can affect the physical working order too, such as excessive dust/dirt, rocks lodged in places they shouldn’t be, etc.

If you do not clean your drone of debris frequently enough, this can cause damage to any part of your drone, not just your gimbal!

Fixing Inspire 2 gimbal failure: Step-by-step guide

If you’re experiencing issues with the Inspire 2 gimbal, don’t panic. Here are the steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix the problem.

Step 1: Diagnose the issue

The first step in fixing any gimbal issue is to diagnose the problem.

With the Inspire 2, common symptoms of a gimbal failure include shaking or vibrating during flight, an unstable horizon, or a complete failure to stabilize the camera.

Once you’ve identified the problem, you can move on to the next step.

Step 2: Check for physical damage

Before proceeding with any repair, inspecting the gimbal for physical damage is important.

Check for cracks, dents, or other signs of impact or wear and tear. If you find any damage, you may need to replace the entire gimbal assembly.

Step 3: Reset the gimbal

Sometimes, the issue can be resolved with a simple reset of the gimbal.

To reset the Inspire 2 gimbal, power down the drone and remove the camera.

Next, hold down the power button on the drone for 10 seconds, then release it. Reinsert the camera and power up the drone to see if the issue is resolved.

Step 4: Update firmware

Outdated firmware can also cause gimbal issues.

To update the firmware on your Inspire 2, connect the drone to your computer using a USB cable and launch the DJI Assistant 2 software.

Follow the instructions to download and install any available firmware updates.

Step 5: Calibrate the gimbal

If resetting the gimbal and updating the firmware doesn’t fix the issue, the next step is to calibrate the gimbal.

To do this, open the DJI Go 4 app and navigate to the settings menu. From there, select “Gimbal Settings” and then “Auto Calibrate.” Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the calibration process.

Step 6: Check the roll motor

The roll motor is a common point of failure in the Inspire 2 gimbal. Power off the drone and remove the camera to check if the roll motor is the issue.

Next, manually move the gimbal to its limits in all directions. If you hear any clicking or grinding noises, the roll motor may need to be replaced.

Step 7: Replace the roll motor

To replace the roll motor, you must order a replacement part and have the proper tools on hand. You can find replacement parts online or through a DJI-authorized repair center.

Once you have the replacement part, carefully remove the old roll motor and install the new one, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

It’s always my suggestion to consult a professional if you don’t know how to replace the motor yourself.

Step 8: Test the gimbal

After replacing the roll motor, reassemble the gimbal and test it to ensure the issue has been resolved. Power on the drone and check if the camera is stable during flight.

If it is, congratulations – you’ve successfully fixed your Inspire 2 gimbal!

Inspire 2 gimbal failure can be frustrating but can be fixed with patience and the right tools. Following these step-by-step instructions, you can diagnose the problem, repair your gimbal, and get back in the air.

Always be careful when handling your drone and gimbal, and consider seeking professional help if you’re uncomfortable with DIY repairs.

If none of these steps fix your gimbal, contacting DJI support for further assistance is recommended.

What happens if your gimbal isn’t failing but having other minor issues?

Non-failure issues: The roll/horizon problem

Apart from the gimbal failure, another common issue with the Inspire 2 gimbal is the roll/horizon problem. This is the issue I encountered most while working as a camera operator on the Inspire 2.

The roll/horizon problem occurs when the camera’s horizon is not level with the drone’s horizon, resulting in crooked or tilted footage.

This issue can be fixed by calibrating the gimbal, but sometimes the calibration may not solve the problem.

Or, you may be in the air during a shoot and don’t have time to bring it down for calibration.

Now, of course, this problem is not the end of the world, you can always fix it in post, but it’s always better to not have that issue in the raw footage in the first place.

One of the solutions my colleagues and I like to use is the drone spin. Spinning your drone 360 degrees in both directions can help balance out the camera and straighten out the horizon.

Another quick fix is to customize your controller to adjust the roll manually on the go.

For example, with the Cendence controller, you can customize one of the controller inputs, whether a dial, a joystick, etc., to adjust the roll.

This ensures on-the-go level footage but is an additional axis to control as a framer, which could overcomplicate your workflow if you are already responsible for many cameras and gimbal controls.

Other Common DJI Inspire 2 Gimbal Issues

While the DJI Inspire 2 gimbal failure and horizon/roll issues are the most serious problems that users may encounter with their drone’s gimbal, there are a few other common issues to be aware of.

These issues may not necessarily be classified as failures, but they can still impact the quality of footage captured by the drone and can be frustrating for users.

Here are a few examples.

Gimbal motor overload

Users may encounter an issue with the gimbal motor getting hot and the drone giving an error message stating “Gimbal Motor Overload.”

This can be caused by a few factors, such as the gimbal being overloaded with weight, the gimbal being bumped or hit during flight, or a firmware issue.

Gimbal drift

Another issue is the gimbal drift, where the camera slowly starts to tilt or rotate on its own.

This can be caused by a few factors, such as a loose connection between the camera and the drone, the drone being flown in high winds or turbulence, or incorrect camera settings.

Gimbal calibration

Finally, there is the issue of gimbal calibration. Sometimes the gimbal may need to be calibrated to function properly.

This can be caused by various factors, such as a firmware issue, the drone being flown in high winds or turbulence, or the drone being bumped or hit during flight.

By understanding these common issues, users can ensure their Inspire 2 gimbal is functioning properly and can capture high-quality footage during every flight.

Conclusion

The DJI Inspire 2 is an exceptional drone that can take stunning aerial footage. However, its gimbal is prone to failure, particularly with the tilt motor and ribbon cable.

These issues can be resolved by the steps outlined in this article, which include diagnosing the problem, ordering replacement parts, carefully installing them, etc.

If you’re experiencing the roll/horizon issue, the first step is to calibrate the gimbal. If that doesn’t work, you can try the 360 spin or adjust the roll manually in flight using a customized controller.

Taking the necessary precautions and performing routine maintenance on your Inspire 2’s gimbal can prolong its lifespan and prevent costly repairs.

If all else fails, don’t hesitate to reach out to DJI’s customer support for assistance. Happy flying!

• TheDroneBlog
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DJI Mini 3 Pro Top Speed (Explained for Beginners)

Fast (Mini 3 – 58.6kph or 36mph). Faster (Mavic 3 – 75.6kph or 47mph). Fastest (Inspire 2 – 93.3kph or 58mph).

When it comes to speed, the DJI Mini 3 doesn’t quite stack up to the big boys, it would seem.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t be impressed. Oh, my no! You should be. The Mini 3, for its size and its weight, actually ranks right up there with the Inspire 2 or the Mavic 3.

That’s the thing we have to think about. The Mini 3 is an aircraft that weighs less than 250 grams and has a footprint of 171×245×62 mm or 7″ x 10″ x 3″ unfolded. Its got a wind resistance of 5 and a top speed of 36mph when in sport mode.

The Mini 3 is quite a mighty little flyer indeed. Upon scaling it up, it certainly does equal out to be the equivalent of a larger system.

The Mavic 3 when unfolded (without propellers) is 347.5×283×107.7 mm or 14″x10″x4″ and 900grams. The Inspire 2 is even larger and heavier. Either way, if we were to scale that Mavic 3 or that Inspire 2 down to the Mini 3’s size and weight, well, I think we’d be right where we’re at with the Mini 3.

When we talk about drones and their speeds, it’s all relative. The speeds are programmed into the system and we shouldn’t see much of a difference between what is claimed by the manufacturer and what we would achieve in the field.

There can be many considerations as to what might slow an aircraft down or even speed an aircraft up during a flight, such as weather conditions, location, and even connection strength.

There’s also a time and place for a fast flight over a slower more cinematic one. Depending on what you’re looking to achieve during a flight, the top speed may not even be an issue.

Who am I kidding right? Who doesn’t want to push their Mini 3 to the max and see if it can do it? The fact is there’s really only so far you can go.

Below are the numbers. Sorry, these are the top speeds programmed in by DJI.

Top speeds for the three different Flight Modes for the Mini 3 Pro:

• Sport Mode – 16 m/s – 57.6 kph (35.79 mph)
• Normal Mode – 10 m/s – 36 kph (22.36 mph)
• Cinematic Mode – 6 m/s – 21.6 kph (13.42 mph)

DJI Mini 3 Pro Flight Modes

So, if you’re feeling cheeky and really want to dash around, Sport Mode is for you. Similar to all DJI drones, the Mini 3 features three different flight modes. As with anything drone-related, each mode has its benefits and its drawbacks.

Sport mode allows you to fly the aircraft at its top speed. It also disables the obstacle avoidance system, so the trade-off is speed vs. safety. In this mode, the only active sensor is the Downward Vision System and GNSS for positioning.

Other enhancements in Sport Mode would be more responsiveness from the sticks and increased agility. With the maximum speed in sport mode set to 16 m/s, you’ll certainly be dashing about.

Normal Mode is just what it sounds like. Unlike in sport mode where the speed is increased, and the agility is optimized, in Normal Mode, the craft utilizes its GNSS and all of the aircraft’s vision systems to locate itself and stabilize.

Normal Mode is where you will have all of the craft’s protective obstacle avoidance systems active and operating to assist you. It is also the flight mode you will need to be in to use any of the Intelligent Flight Modes within the Fly app.

With the top speed for the mode set to 10 m/s, this all-around mode will cover nearly every need you could have during a flight.

Cine Mode is similar to Normal Mode with the obstacle avoidance system being active during flight. When flying in Cine Mode, the speed is limited so that the craft can maintain a more stable flight.

If you are familiar with DJI and its products, you will be familiar with an Intelligent Flight Mode named Tripod Mode. Cine mode is very similar and is programmed in a way to place thresholds on the control settings to limit the ranges of speed in which the aircraft can be operated.

Cine Mode slows the overall speed of the craft down; it also affects the pitch smoothness on the gimbal and braking as well. If you’re the cheeky guy from sports mode, Cine Mode might not seem too interesting.

If you’re looking for that perfect cinematic shot though, you may never fly in any other mode again. You may not be going very fast at a top speed of 6 m/s, but the footage will be amazing.

Real Life Top Speeds!

I just so happen to have been spending some time with the DJI Mini 3 Pro. Like most of you, I know other drone pilots. The drone community is one of the most welcoming and friendly groups of people you could ever find and be a part of.

As such, although I don’t own a DJI Mini 3 (yet!), I have had ample opportunity to fly one and check it out through and through.

One of the things we looked at was the aircraft’s speed while flying in the different flight modes. In our experience, we got pretty much just what we were expecting.

DJI SPEED ACTUAL FLIGHT SPEEDS

Sport Mode 57.6km/h / 36mph 58.5km/h / 36.35mph

Normal Mode 36 km.h / 23.2mph 37.7km/h / 23.2mph

Cinematic Mode 21.6km/h / 13.4mph 21.1km/h / 13.1mph

If you look at the above numbers, our flights were right along the line of what we should have seen. You can even notice by the numbers above that we had a little wind that helped out on the first flight in Sport Mode. It also kept us from achieving the top speed while flying in the same area, height, and direction in cinematic mode.

The wind speeds at the time of flight were 8 to 10mph. In our example, the wind helped add some speed during our Sport mode flight and must have shifted some and worked against us when we conducted the same flight in Cinematic mode.

Another factor could have been the aircraft’s speed since it was flying slower through that airspace allowing the wind to affect it more. All three flights were at 100ft altitude if you’re interested.

What it shows is that the DJI Mini 3 is well-engineered, something we have come to expect from the folks over at DJI. They haven’t disappointed, and they even seem to have over-engineered the areas you would expect to see over-engineered in a device such as this.

This aircraft certainly is capable of faster flight, by design. That extra bit is important. This means the DJI Mini 3 is able to achieve these speeds while fighting the wind to some degree.

Wind Resistance

When we talk about an aircraft’s speed of flight, we always have to take into account the aircraft’s wind resistance. The Mini 3 is no exception.

As a matter of fact, due to the aircraft’s diminutive size and weight, being able to ward off the wind during flight is not only very difficult, but could very well lead to a flyaway, and should always be of concern not only to the crafts speed but it’s safety as well.

With the Mini 3, they thought about this quite a bit and it shows with the Mini 3 having a Level 5 Wind Resistance Rating, with a Max wind speed resistance of 10.7 m/s or 24mph. For an aircraft the size of the Mini 3, well that’s pretty darn good.

Since wind resistance is dependent on the aircraft’s propulsion, having the top speed and the ability to still acquire solid stable footage in that type of wind is impressive.

It’s almost hard to believe that we were only introduced to the DJI Mini in 2019 and we have had such advances in that drone platform in such a short time since then.

What with the DJI Mini 2 leaving us all pleased and warm inside, with its camera advancement and improved flight controls, and especially its low cost, it was hard to think of what DJI would produce next. Then they give us the DJI Mini 3, setting a new standard for Mini drones.

With its blend of power, portability, and performance it makes a welcome addition to any drone pilot’s hanger. It straddles both the consumer and professional fields with ease. The addition of the quirky rotating gimbal will no doubt please content creators worldwide.

So, get out there and have yourself a Mini adventure, the world awaits. Don’t forget to share!

Fly Safe, Fly Always, Always Fly Safe!