Is the Digital Flight app appropriate with the DJI RC Movement 2?

Subsequent up in our “Ask Drone Lady” collection delves into the historical past of the DJI Digital Flight app, the way it pairs with different DJI FPV drones and controllers, and why it’s now not appropriate with the DJI RC Movement 2. You probably have a query for Drone Lady, contact her right here.

I simply bought the DJI Goggles Integra and DJI RC Movement 2 Combo Package with Avata drone. That is my first FPV drone, and I used to be excited to begin practising with the DJI Digital Flight App. Sadly it seems to be just like the RC Movement 2 is just not appropriate. Any options??

-Lisa

Hey Lisa,

Sadly, you’re appropriate. The DJI Digital Flight App is not DJI RC Movement 2 appropriate. I confirmed with my contact with DJI that there isn’t any answer for practising FPV flight with the Movement Controller 2.

DJI additionally didn’t do something to point that an app replace can be coming that might doubtlessly make it DJI RC Movement 2 appropriate. So, I worry your choices are slim.

That is tremendous irritating. In spite of everything, you spent $1,428 on the DJI Avata Professional-View Combo with DJI RC Movement 2, and you may’t even apply with it by means of an app that was initially highly-touted when the DJI Avata first launched in August 2022. So, earlier than I dive into my options for what to do, let’s give readers a little bit of historical past:

What’s the DJI RC Movement 2?

The DJI RC Movement is a singular sort of joystick controller designed to go along with the DJI Avata, which is a Cinewhoop-style FPV drone. Not like the Nintendo-style controllers of most drones, this one is a tool that you just sometimes maintain in only one hand resembling a blaster gun. As you wave it round, the drone strikes in tandem.

Whereas neat, it had some points. In March 2023, DJI up to date most of the issues with the unique Movement Controller with the launch of what was referred to as the DJI RC Movement 2, which is now what’s marketed as we speak to accompany the DJI Avata drone.

An upgraded joystick and accelerator now affords a reverse perform, which higher offers you energy to dictate multidirectional flight, together with vertical, backward, and sideways — and can be useful in shortly adjusting the course or selecting a spot to land. This controller additionally options an Fn dial that lets customers shortly regulate the digicam’s ISO, shutter, and different parameters with out having to work together with the goggles.

The brand new DJI RC Movement 2 is usually thought of a far superior product to the unique DJI Movement Controller. A lot in order that DJI has phased out even making the unique, and also you gained’t be capable of purchase one instantly from DJI.

However there may be one space the place the unique DJI Movement Controller was higher than the DJI RC Movement 2, and that’s compatibility with a DJI-made digital flight app.

The now (seemingly dormant) DJI Digital Flight app

DJI created a free flight simulator app referred to as the DJI Fly app again in 2021 to accompany the launch of one other FPV drone, the DJI FPV. It was then carried over to be used with the preliminary Avata controller.

And thru it, the app supplied a fairly-realistic flying expertise, coupled with detailed tutorials on methods to function the drone. Via it, you may pair your controller with an Apple or Android smartphone to simulate flying in an in any other case risk-free atmosphere. You might additionally use it to experiment with numerous settings earlier than utilizing them in actual life.

However not solely has DJI stopped producing the DJI RC, it seems to have given up any deal with sustaining the app. The final time this app received an replace within the Apple App Retailer was greater than six months in the past in September 2022.

For what it’s value, the app by no means actually received nice opinions. Folks stated the suggestions of the controllers had been laggier than what they’re in actual life. The app would usually freeze. Switching modes was tough and generally inconceivable.

Evidently maybe DJI has given up on fixing it (not less than for now) although there are not any clear plans to choose it again up.

Your choices for practising with the DJI RC Movement 2 Controller

So with that, listed below are some choices for you:

Purchase one other controller that’s appropriate (not advisable)

If you happen to’re actually set on utilizing the DJI Digital Flight app, you’ll have to show to a different one of many Digital Flight appropriate gadgets. The DJI Digital Flight app is appropriate with:

• DJI FPV Goggles V2
• DJI FPV Distant Controller 2
• DJI FPV Movement Controller

In fact, this implies shelling out extra money than you already paid. It additionally could be arduous to trace down a few of these objects like the unique Movement Controller, although you may discover them on cabinets that haven’t offered out but otherwise you may get a deep low cost by shopping for them used (simply perceive the dangers of shopping for used drones). At press time, it’s accessible on Amazon at a 30% low cost from its unique $200 worth.

Use a distinct simulator

There are different non-DJI simulators that you may experiment with. Whereas I really like simulators like the Drone Racing League’s DRL SIM (which prices $9.99) it’s not designed within the model of the Movement Controller however moderately a extra conventional drone RC, so it won’t grow to be all that useful to you. and is designed to assist full newbies be taught the fundamentals.

Associated learn: 5 tricks to grasp drone simulator racing

Chunk the bullet and simply fly now!

And that brings me to my subsequent piece of recommendation, and that’s to easily fly your Avata drone together with your RC Movement 2 Controller out in the true world. Sure, with out having practiced first!

For starters, there are lots of in-built security options that are perfect for new pilots. The movement controller’s Emergency Brake button enables you to cease instantly just by tapping one button. And with help for RTH, you get added safety when the battery is low or sign drops out.

Whereas it’s not utterly crash-proof, there’s downward binocular imaginative and prescient and ToF infrared sensing, which detect obstacles beneath.

For what it’s value, the controller — albeit a bit completely different for folks used to the normal DJI controllers — is definitely very intuitive after a couple of minutes for most individuals.

My greatest recommendation is to easily take the drone someplace secure, low-risk and guarded the place you possibly can apply in, say, a fenced in yard with no different folks round except for a spotter.

And in case you are flying inside, there’s a built-in propeller guard each to guard the drone and the partitions the place you may inevitably crash into.

Completely satisfied flying!

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