Understanding the Impact of High Temperatures on LiPo Batteries and Best Practices for Safe Usage DRONELIFE presents this guest post by Douglas Spotted Eagle, Director/Client Experience and Pilot at theLIDARPros and Director of Education Programming at drone training and consulting firm Sundance Media Group. As the temperature rises, this post is a timely reminder that […]
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Japanese Developer SkyDrive Collaborates with JCAB and FAA to Bring the SD-05 to Market, Targeting 2026 for North American Expansion by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb Japanese “flying car” eVTOL (electronic vertical takeoff and landing) developer Skydrive recently announced that the FAA had accepted their application for type certification for their three-seater “Skydrive” SD-05 […]
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House Bill Aims to Extend and Enhance Authorities of DHS, DOJ, and FAA to Address Growing Drone Threats By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill A bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this month would extend the authority of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to mitigate […]
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DJI has entered the portable power station arena with two incredibly compelling options that are good enough to already make our guide to the best portable power stations for drone pilots. The company known for making drones in April 2024 dropped two products that are similar to each other — but that have appeal for not just drone pilots but a far broader population. Those are the DJI Power 1000 and DJI Power 500. But between the DJI Power 1000 vs Power 500, which is better for you?
In short, the DJI Power 1000 is about twice as powerful as the DJI Power 500. It’s also twice the cost. For some users, that doubling of power is critical. But for others, you might end up paying twice as much for power storage that you might ever tap into.
If money is absolutely no object, then sure, you might want the DJI Power 1000. But even that’s not always the case. Given its higher-power storage, it’s also about 12 pounds heavier. It comes in at 28.6 pounds versus just 16.06 pounds for the DJI Power 500. Certainly pilots might prefer the DJI Power 500. This guide will help you compare these new DJI stations and decide which best suits your aerial adventures.
So what, exactly are portable power stations for? Consider them the future that’s progressed beyond generators or car chargers. Car chargers just aren’t that powerful, meaning you won’t be able to charge power-sucking products. Or if you can, it’ll be a slow process.
On the other hand, generators can be powerful. But they’re generally massive, they emit gross fumes, and they can be noisy.
Consider portable power stations like the DJI Power 1000 or DJI Power 500 to offer the best of both worlds. Even the larger of the two, the Power 1000, weighs less than 30 pounds. They recharge devices within roughly an hour. And, they’re super quiet. To prove it, the DJI Power 1000 generates just 23 dB, for example. That’s quieter than most household refrigerators.
Power stations like these certainly benefit drone pilots who need to recharge out in the field, but they’re also super useful to campers, who want to keep phones and lights recharged without the blaring noise of a generator disrupting their peace out in nature. They can also have practical function at home — serving as backup power in the case of a power outage.
So with that, here’s a guide to some of the best portable power station options from DJI:
| Feature | DJI Power 1000 | DJI Power 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 1024 Wh | 512 Wh |
| Maximum power outputs | 2200W | 1000W |
| Fast recharge mode | 1200W | 540W |
| Standard recharge mode | 600W | 270W |
| Weight (lbs) | 28.6 | 16.06 |
| Price (USD) | $999 | $499 |
| Ideal For | Extended trips, multiple batteries | Shorter trips, backpacking |
| Standout Features | High Capacity, Fast Charging | Portable, fast charging, lightweight |
| Ports | Two 140W USB-C ports, AC port, Car port | Two 100W USB-C ports, AC port, Car port |
And let’s say you’re curious about number of times each portable power charger can recharge specific items. Here’s a table comparing recharge times on common products. Of course, if you might recharge, say, a mobile phone twice, a laptop once and a drone 3 times, you’d need to consider some combination of these charging figures:
| Feature | DJI Power 1000 | DJI Power 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile phone | 57 times | 28 times |
| Laptop | 9 times | 4 times |
| Drone | 12 times | 6 times |
| Car refrigerator | 19 hours | 9.7 hours |
Now what about recharging the DJI Power stations themselves? Both devices can recharge fully within 70 minutes. If you don’t have that much time, you can at least get to an 80% charge within 50 minutes.
A true powerhouse, the Power 1000 boasts a massive 1000Wh capacity. This translates to multiple drone battery recharges, making it ideal for extended trips or supporting multiple drones on a professional shoot. It’s also expected to offer fast-charging capabilities, getting you back in the air quickly.
The drawback? It’s fairly heavy at more than 28 pounds. You don’t want to lug this around when you’re out hiking. Given that, this isn’t ideal for backpacking or situations where portability is a major concern.
With a 500Wh capacity, the Power 500 is more compact and portable than its bigger brother. While not quite a powerhouse, it still offers enough juice for several drone battery charges, making it perfect for shorter outings or weekend adventures. It prioritizes fast charging as well.
At just 16 pounds, I’m not calling it light. But, it’s among the lightest portable power stations you’ll find. Consider it a great choice for drone pilots who prioritize easy carrying and want a station that fits comfortably in a backpack.
Using a standard power socket, the Power 1000 supports both 1200W Fast Recharge Mode and 600W Standard Recharge Mode. Meanwhile, the Power 500 supports both 540W Fast Recharge Mode and 270W Standard Recharge Mode.
It’s a similar story with USB-C, where the Power 500 is less powerful versus the Power 1000. Though both have two USB-C output ports, the Power 1000 is 140W with a total power output of up to 280W. The Power 500 is just 100W with a total input power of 200W.
Here’s where the two are practically the same. Both products can connect to solar panels through either the DJI Power Solar Panel Adapter Module (MPPT) or the DJI Power Car Power Outlet to SDC Power Cable.
With their impressive capacities and focus on fast charging, these stations are sure to be game-changers for drone pilots. So which should you choose? The ideal DJI Power Station for you depends on your drone and overall needs. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide:
No matter which DJI Power Station you choose, you’ll be well on your way to keeping your drone, and your entire exploration kit (including laptops, lights and phones), powered for unforgettable adventures.
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Red Cat Holdings, Inc. , a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations, has introduced its new family of unmanned Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and precision lethal strike systems. The announcement, made on the first day of Eurosatory in Paris, comes on the heels of Red Cat’s LOI […]
The United States House of Representatives passed a ban on the future sale of DJI drones in the U.S. on Friday, making the DJI ban more likely than not. The ‘Countering CCP Drones Act’ is part of the United States’ 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (FY25 NDAA), a major piece of yearly legislation allotting defense […]
Dedrone has announced the launch of its latest airspace security solution, DedroneOnTheMove (DedroneOTM). This solution expands Dedrone’s suite of offerings for agile, modular, adaptable, battle-proven counter-drone defense for expeditionary forces deployed in volatile or high-risk environments. DedroneOTM was developed in partnership with several Dedrone customers, partners and world-renowned defense suppliers like Supacat, and it will […]
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, California, is awarded a $9,536,612 modification (P00009) to a firm-fixed-price order (N0001921F0806) to a previously awarded basic ordering agreement. This modification is for the procurement of last-time buys, material required for the continuance of the MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System production and sustainment efforts for the Navy and Royal […]
Merlin, a developer of safe, autonomous flight technology for fixed-wing aircraft, and EpiSys Science, Inc. (EpiSci), a software AI and autonomy company delivering groundbreaking solutions for dual-use applications, has announced that it has agreed to terms for the future acquisition of EpiSci by Merlin. With this strategic move, Merlin will solidify its position as the […]The House of Representatives narrowly passed the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA FY25) on Friday, a move that also advances a controversial provision targeting China: the Countering CCP Drones Act. This act, embedded within the NDAA, now heads to the Senate, raising concerns for the future of American drone pilots.
The $883.7 billion NDAA FY25 defense bill was in what was a tight 217 to 199 vote, which largely fell along party lines. 196 Democrats opposed the bill and just six supported it. Meanwhile, Republicans came in with 211 votes in favor, and only three against it.
The bill covers a range of topics and had all sorts of amendments. Some are quite specific to the military such as funding for Ukraine. Others cover less military-sepcific topics like drag shows and abortion.
The topic that the drone industry has been closely watching, though? A potential ban on DJI drones, as well as other drones made in China. That’s through a piece within NDAA FY25 called the Countering CCP Drones Act.
The Countering CCP Drones Act aims to limit DJI drones by adding DJI to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Covered List. In doing so, future DJI technologies would be unable to operate on U.S. communications infrastructure.
DJI drones are massively popular among both hobbysits and enterprise operations for their affordability and ease of use, but some politicians have leaned into fears that these Chinese-made drones pose security risks.
Meanwhile, many drone pilot advocates worry the act could have unintended consequences. Replacing a large number of existing drones would be expensive and time-consuming. More importantly, some fear the switch to potentially less user-friendly American alternatives would make operations more difficult — and render their existing fleets potentially moot (it’s not clear whether the ban would only apply to new drones versus existing ones too).
Representatives Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Mike Gallagher (R-WI) introduced the controversial bill in the House in April 2023.
“DJI drones pose the national security threat of TikTok, but with wings,” Stefanik said. “The possibility that DJI drones could be equipped to send live imagery of military installations, critical infrastructure, and the personal lives of American citizens to China poses too great a threat. Allowing this practice to continue in the U.S. is playing with fire. This Chinese-controlled company cannot be allowed to continue to operate in the U.S.”
The act’s fate in the Senate remains uncertain. But for what it’s worth, Republicans hold a majority in the U.S. House, where the NDAA FY25 bill overwhelmingly passed. Meanwhile, Democrats — and independents who caucus with Democrats — hold a majority in the U.S. Senate.
Given that, the House’s version of the bill could have a tougher time passing there. After all, while some lawmakers share concerns about Chinese drone security risks, others might prioritize the cost-effectiveness of existing technology. Additionally, the tight budget constraints outlined in the NDAA could lead to a scaling back or removal of the act entirely.
As is typical, the Senate is working on their own version of the NDAA FY25 legislation. In fact, the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) held a full committee markup last week for the NDAA FY25, advancing legislation to the Senate floor for consideration. The Senate version includes an even-higher figure of $912 billion in funding for the national defense of the U.S.
Both the House and Senate versions far exceed the bipartisan debt ceiling agreement.
As for what’s next? The Senate will then need to pass its own version of the NDAA FY25 bill. From there, House and Senate leaders will negotiate a compromise bill.
Often, controversial measures — like the Countering CCP Drones Act — end up getting stripped out or heavily modified in order to pass both chambers — and to avoid President Joe Biden potentially vetoing the bill.
But that’s not to say the bill doesn’t still have a chance at passing. And if it does, it could significantly upend the drone industry as we know it.
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