DJI RC 2 vs RC-N2: should Mini 4 Pro pilots upgrade? 

Posted by Dronerator

If you’re about to purchase your DJI Mini 4 Pro, you’ll have to choose between the DJI RC 2 vs RC-N2 controller. Of the two Mini 4 Pro controllers, which is better? Is it worth upgrading to the more expensive DJI RC 2? After all, the key differences between these two controllers boil down largely just to price.

If you’re made of money, go ahead and skip reading and just buy the pricier DJI RC 2. But if you’re judicious with your spending — and only want to buy what’s truly worth it — then here’s your ultimate guide to deciding between the DJI RC 2 vs RC-N2:

The DJI RC 2 (left) versus the DJI RC-N2 (right). (Photo by Caroline Dobrez)

DJI RC 2 vs RC-N2: how to choose

The DJI RC-N1 is the DJI Mini 4 Pro’s standard remote controller that pairs with your smartphone or tablet. Download the DJI app to allow that phone or tablet to display a live feed from the drone’s camera. The app also allows you to check the flight status and adjust settings on your smartphone.

However, for an additional $200, you can skip using your smartphone altogether. That’s because the DJI RC 2 features a built-in 5.5-inch, 1080p 700-nit high-brightness screen that takes over all the functions you’d normally rely on your smartphone for.

So, how do you decide between convenience and price? Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of both DJI drone controllers to help you make the right choice for you. 

DJ RC 2  DJI RC-N2
Screen  5.5″ 1080p FHD Screen N/A
Screen Brightness 700 nits N/A
Video Transmission DJI O4Features enhanced anti-interference capabilities and crystal-clear, low-latency video transmission within a 20km max range.
Antenna  2T4R 2T2R
Max Flight Time  Max 3 hours (though you’re limited by your smartphone/tablet battery life) Without charging any mobile device: 6 hoursWhen charging a mobile device: 3.5 hours
Live Streaming Does not support installing third-party apps for live streaming.Supports RTMP live streaming in the DJI Fly app. Supports live streaming through the connected smartphone.
The DJI RC 2 with the DJI Mini 3

DJI RC 2: convenience at a price

Opting for the DJI RC 2 with your DJI Mini 4 Pro purchase will increase your total from $759 to $959, a 26% price hike. Despite this, many find the convenience of a built-in screen worth the extra cost. It saves you the hassle of mounting your phone to the controller and keeps your phone free during flights. 

You won’t have to worry about bringing the right cord or remembering to charge your phone before flying. Post-flight, you can connect the controller directly to your drone via Wi-Fi for quick footage transfers to your smartphone. The controller also boasts a 5.5-inch 1920×1080 FHD screen with 700 nits of brightness for better outdoor visibility and comes pre-installed with the DJI Fly app.

Compared to its predecessor, the DJI RC 2 features upgraded video transmission and an improved antenna configuration, switching from 1T2R to 2T4R. This enables it to support O4 video transmission with the DJI Mini 4 Pro, offering both internal and external antennas that can be manually adjusted for better video quality. Additionally, it includes 32 GB of built-in storage, providing a backup in case you forget your Micro SD card or run out of storage.  

Additionally, the DJI RC 2 also comes with 32 GB of built-in storage. You’ll still want to bring along a Micro SD card, but it can come in a pinch if you forget your card or are out of storage. 

DJI RC-N2

DJI RC-N2: budget-friendly option

The DJI RC-N1 remains a cost-effective choice that delivers a great flying experience. While lacking a built-in screen, it allows for real-time HD image display on your smartphone through the DJI Fly App. This controller is not limited to the DJI Fly App. It can also use other third-party apps, like Litchi, or be used for FPV flying without breaking the bank.

The DJI RC-N1 has received an upgrade to the DJI RC-N2. The upgrade offers the ability to monitor live feeds and flight status directly on your smartphone screen. The video transmission and antenna system have also been improved, supporting O4 video transmission with the DJI Mini 4 Pro.

The DJI RC-N1 is a budget-friendly remote controller that offers a great flying experience. 

While it does not come with a built-in screen, it can be connected to a smartphone. This allows you to display HD images in real-time on your phone through the DJI Fly App. 

The DJI RC-N2 alongside the DJI Mini 3

DJI RC 2 vs. DJI RC-N2: what is right for you?

The $200 difference can seem steep. However, if convenience and ease of use are your priorities, the DJI RC 2 is worth considering. It frees up your phone for other uses during flights, allowing you to access weather conditions, Google Maps, and more.

However, if budget is your main concern when purchasing the DJI Mini 4 Pro, the DJI RC-N1 is a solid choice. You always have the option to upgrade later, as the DJI RC 2 is available for separate purchase.

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Russian Lancet Drone Caught by EW System Goes for Research

Posted by Dronerator
Ukrainian soldiers are boasting on social media about their latest achievement – the capture of a Russian unmanned aerial vehicle or an anti-tank kamikaze missile, administered by a particular type of electronic warfare system. The apprehension of the Lancet drone marks a significant breakthrough for the Ukrainians, as it provides an opportunity to examine its […]

Skyports Raises in Excess of $110M in Series C Funding

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AeroVironment Teams with Parry Labs to Develop Modular Next-Gen Long Range Reconnaissance UAS

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First Drone Pilot to be Named US Marine Corps’ Top ‘Aviator of the Year’

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Embention Partners with Amazon Prime Air

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Skyfish Unveils New Portable American-Made, Engineering Grade Drone

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Osprey Drone to Enhance Infrastructure Inspection and ISR Capabilitie Skyfish, a Montana-based American drone manufacturer, has announced the release of the Osprey, a new lightweight drone designed for professional use in infrastructure inspections and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). The drone will be introduced at the upcoming AUVSI Xponential 2024 event, where it will be […]

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Skyfish launches American-made answer to the DJI M30

Posted by Dronerator

Drone pilots seeking a drone similar to the DJI M30 — but that’s made in America — might now have their answer. Montana-based drone company Skyfish today launched its new Osprey drone.

And it’s shaping up to be an alternative for pilots demanding a U.S.-made drone that’s also lightweight, compact enough to fit in a backpack, and is powerful enough for enterprise use cases including infrastructure inspections as well as ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance).

The survey-grade drone targets though two use cases — inspections and ISR — specifically. That’s due in large part because of its ability to support third-party sensors such as the new Sony LR1 61-megapixel camera for inspection and photogrammetry and NextVision’s Raptor for ISR. 

The Skyfish Osprey drone. (Photo courtesy of Skyfish)

Here are some key features of the new Osprey drone:

  • 14 lbs (all up weight)
  • Flight time of up to 60 minutes
  • 3-5 mile radio range
  • Includes collision avoidance software
  • Allows for automated in-flight geotagging of frame synchronous data
  • Features RTK for cm grade location accuracy
  • X80 EO zoom (X40 + X2 digital) and significant IR range
  • High resolution: up to 61 megapixels for inspection and photogrammetry

Perhaps most tantalizing, though, is how many boxes it checks in terms of security compliance and American-made. It satisfies the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)’s Buy American Act requirements. That Act mandates that 65% of the content (as measured by cost) was made in America. It’s also NDAA-compliant, which means it has achieved critical security standards. And it’s Army DEVCOM certified Airworthiness Level 3. 

“Osprey was designed to be lightweight, fly up to an hour, record an exact location, and support best-in-class industry sensors for either infrastructure inspection, or ISR.” says Dr. Orest Pilskalns, CEO of Skyfish.

The Osprey controller

The new remote controller for Osprey is designed, engineered and built by Skyfish, leveraging a Samsung tablet.  The controller, like the drone itself, is NDAA-compliant.

Osprey works with a customized version of QGroundControl for its flight navigation, which is integrated with Skyfish’s proprietary remote controller. The ground control station for the MAVLink protocol uses a Samsung tablet and offers an 8″ or 10″ screen for viewing of real-time video feeds and 4 joysticks (2 for navigation, 2 for sensor control).

Using Osprey for infrastructure inspections

Skyfish has long been a specialist in mapping, modeling, and radar technology. Its new Osprey drone creates very precise 3D models, or digital twins, that are are crystal clear, measurable, and accurate to within 1/32 of an inch. They’re designed for use cases including inspection, precisely measuring and analyzing infrastructure including cellular towers, bridges, roadways, wind turbines, airports, power lines and specialized land use management.

Beyond the new Osprey drone, Skyfish builds a full UAS technology stack, including an autonomous navigation platform, and precision measurement capabilities. Its customers are those needing highly accurate inspections, measurements, and analysis. 

For use cases like inspections or photogrammetry, the Osprey drone works with the Sony ILX-LR1. That ultra-powerful camera dropped in fall 2023 as a a full-frame, interchangeable lens camera. With a backside illuminated sensor and compatibility with the Sony Camera Remote SDK, it’s a critical tool for drone pilots. Here are some of the Sony ILX-LR1’s key specs:

  • 61-MP camera
  • Full frame image sensor
  • Interchangeable e-mount precision lenses
  • Remote operation
  • 35mm full-frame back illuminated Exmor R™ CMOS image sensor
  • Natural gradations and realistic colors
  • Wide ISO range of 100-32000

The Sony ILX-LR1 alone retails for about $3,000.

But the package together could prove to compete in some capacity with the DJI M30. The Chinese-made DJI M30 starts at about $6,500 and is designed for mapping — even in harsh conditions like heavy rain. Like the Osprey, it’s also designed to be ultra-portable, this one weighing only 3.7 kilograms and capable of folding via just pressing a button.

Using Osprey for ISR

When paired with the NextVision Raptor EO-IR sensor, Osprey is able to provide compact and powerful visual awareness, That sensor stands out for its zoom function up to 80X.

Some key specs of the NextVision Raptor:

  • X80 EO zoom (X40 + X2 digital)
  • Significant IR range
  • Rainproof
  • Day, low-light, and night-time capabilities ranging from Near-Infrared (NIR) to Long Wave Infrared (LWIR) imaging

If you want to see the Osprey with your own eyes, head to AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2024. That conference is arguably one of the top drone events of 2024. XPONENTIAL will feature dozens of exhibitors including Skyfish, and will run from April 22-25 in San Diego, California.

Other drones in the Skyfish family include the Skyfish M4 and Skyfish M6. Those drones famously integrate with the Sony Alpha series of cameras, providing a U.S.-made way to fly Sony cameras. The company also serves up a compelling alternative to the Sony Airpeak drone.

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