I've finally taken the plunge and upgraded the standard controller that came with my DJI Mavic 2 Pro drone to DJI's Smart Controller, which was first released in 2019.
It's certainly a game-changer for me, allowing me to fly my drone without relying on my smartphone, as shown in the picture below.
The advantages absolutely outweigh the disadvantages of this new controller.
Flying the drone with this new controller is much more pleasant due to its more ergonomic design compared to the original. I no longer need to fumble when removing the protective case from my iPhone before attaching it to the cable and control arms of the original controller. There was also the risk of dropping the phone while attaching it, which has happened more than once.
With just two buttons to press, you're ready to take off, making the process much quicker than with the original controller.
Another benefit is not needing to put your phone into aeroplane mode before flying. Receiving calls and messages during a flight can be distracting and potentially disastrous.
A further key feature is the 2.5 hours of battery life with this controller, allowing for four to five flights before needing a recharge. The short battery life of the original controller was a significant issue, as was the drain on the smartphone's battery.
Additionally, this controller can be used in temperatures ranging from -20 to +40 degrees Celsius, which is another advantage.
The MicroSD card slot on top of the controller allows you to expand its storage capacity, and I have inserted a 128 GB card to assist with backups and transferring videos and photos.
For me, the main disadvantage is the price. It costs $1,099, but in my case, it is money well spent.
