The Inspire 1 is the newest entry into the “prosumer” end of the RTF (ready to fly) quadcopter market. It is produced by DJI, the makers of the well known Phantom series.
DJI is on track to quickly become a billion dollar company in the year 2016. They grow by staying one step ahead of the competition and delivering as much technology as possible at the lowest price. According to DJI Founder Frank Wang, just the parts for the modern Inspire would have cost tens of thousands of dollars a few years ago. Todays DJI models are one example of Clarkes Law which states:
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”
Is it out of our League?
Droneflyers.com focuses on consumer multirotors – those which the hobbyist, technology nut or photographer can use for enjoyment, learning and lower end prosumer or commercial work (real estate, etc.). At about 3K the Inspire 1 is definitely at the upper end of the market. Still, I paid $5200 for my first IBM PC in 1982 (that’s about $15K today!) and purchased it as a “hobbyist”, so although $3,000 sounds like a lot of money, you are certainly getting a lot of technology for the price. Although we are not doing a full hands-on review yet, one of our site partners has just purchased one and we will do some videos as well as a written article on our initial impressions.
What makes a Inspire Different?
Although DJI enjoyed a vast market share in the <$1500 quadcopter “hobbyist” market, they decided to build a higher-end “prosumer” quad with features that previously required a custom “build” costing $6-10,000+. Even then, you’d end up with a system which was less integrated than the Inspire.
Specifically, the Inspire has these advantages over other camera/gimbal equipped quadcopters, including DJI’s own Phantom line:
1. Digital FPV - the view from the Inspires camera is sent back to the controller with a high speed technology called Lightbridge. This has very low latency (lag) and less interference - as well as longer range.
2. 4K Camera of higher quality - the Inspire camera is purpose built from scratch for aerial video and photography. It features a better lens and bigger sensor as well as advanced settings. The camera is also designed to be swapped out for newer and upgraded cam modules from DJI.
3. 360 degree camera gimbal - the rotors legs lift out of the way allowing the camera a full view in any direction.
4. Two person operation - allows for one person to operate the Inspire and another the camera - this can result in much more flexibility in obtaining proper video and picture angles.
5. Additional sensors for indoor flight - a special camera along with an ultrasonic sensor (sound, sonar) allows for obstacle avoidance indoors.
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DJI Inspire in Flight – Note camera can turn in any direction![/caption]
While there are other differences, these are what sets the Inspire apart from most other quadcopters on the market.
Built-in intelligence makes it easier to fly and less likely that the operator will lose it. The payload capacity allows lifting of various HD cameras – giving the operators an “eye in the sky”. As technology has advanced, DJI has built in more and more features. Although competition is a good thing, there are currently very few other companies offering the same level of sophistication and reliability in a RTF consumer quadcopter.
Click for DJI Inspire Specs and Description At DJI.COM
Should You Buy a DJI Inspire Quadcopter?
The Inspire contains amazing technology, however skills are required to fly – and most importantly keep – your Inspire. In addition to piloting skills, imaging skills (video and still picture experience) is needed to get the most out of this drone. The internet is full of stories about new pilots crashing and losing expensive quadcopters. There is a good chance this will happen to you if you do not spend the time to properly understand the machine and it’s capabilities.
These are very delicate machines and should not be used as your sole flying machine – that is, don’t practice with it, demo it and fly it around for your regular hobby. Rather, these are flying cameras which should only be used when you intend to actual take footage and still photos. Flying them for other reasons will likely cost you time and money.
1. If this is your first quadcopter – don’t fly it! Buy a couple toy quadcopters and then perhaps a low price (stripped) Phantom 1 or older Blade 350QX and get a number of hours of flight time.
2. Please don’t experiment with your Inspire to “see what it can do” – it seems many who take up this pursuit like to push things to the limits…and then far beyond. If you want to keep your Inspire, think and act very conservatively.
3. If you regularly fly for long periods over large bodies of water you are more likely to lose your Inspire – this is simply because any accidents, defects, etc. will likely result in the total loss of your quadcopter, while such events over land usually end with just some parts needing replaced.
4. Many of the fancier videos taken from the Inspire require two operators – one for the quadcopter and one for the camera. Here is some sample video from some folks who know what they are doing – make sure you turn the settings up to HD or 4K on the youtube settings (the gear icon). Better yet, watch on youtube directly and go into HD and full screen.
Crashing or losing your expensive aircraft is not covered under the DJI warranty…this is true of any and all hobby quadcopters.
Guide to 2015 Inspire and Options
The Inspire is sold in a base model with a single battery and one TX (remote) for approx. $2900. Extra batteries are available in two sizes and cost $150-$200. The Inspire 1 with dual TXs cost approx. $3400. DJI has announced a hand-held adapter which allows you to remove the camera from the Inspire and use it for stabilized ground-based video – the price has not yet been announced.
Summary
Without a doubt the DJI Inspire is the most advanced RTF quadcopter available today. You simply cannot get this combination of integrated features elsewhere. The real question is what whether you have the need – and the ability (financial and otherwise) to use this machine to it’s fullest. It’s also important to keep in mind exactly what you are buying. This is NOT a $3,000 camera. In fact, you could buy a camera for $350 which takes better pictures! What you are buying is:
A $300 camera mounted on
A $500 stabilized gimbal carried aloft by
A $1500 multirotor which is controlled by
A $500 Remote Control with digital “lightbridge” FPV capability
The above doesn’t include your own tablet or phone which is needed to complete the ensemble.
All in all we are pleased to see the state-of-the-art advancing and give kudos to DJI for taking such a bold step. Hopefully the Inspire will “inspire” other drone makers to step up their game as more competition is great for the industry and consumers.
We’ll be back to you soon with our initial videos and impressions on the DJI Inspire. Here is the unboxing video brought to you by our contributors the Quad Brothers. They have also completed the first tests and are busy editing and writing a review for us!
Links for the DJI Inspire:
DJI.COM Direct Link for Inspire 1
Amazon Link for Inspire 1
(graphic link below)
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