Well I did it, I have bought an Inspire 2 and already I have a couple of tips for anyone thinking of doing the same. Like many things in life, there are advantages and disadvantages.
There are more than a few hidden costs, the sort of things that you do not consider when first starting your jump of the cliff. By hidden costs I am not referring to things like the fact that the Inspire 2 requires 1200 Euros worth of batteries for a one-hour flight or, that a second controller is a useful extra, maybe even a Cendence to get the full experience of Inspire 2 flying at a very modest 1.150 Euros. No, ladies and gentlemen, well more the men actually, there are other, much more serious hidden costs. The additional costs started for me immediately following the delivery of a large eye-catching black case. Please DJI, why can you not make the case more innocent and label it something like “Scientific Instruments” with a “Biological Hazard” sticker to discourage superfluous opening. My wife found the case before I could integrate it innocently into the inventory. My appeals that it was a new type of x-ray machine were useless particularly because the case has DJI clearly readable on it. My wife wanted to know, since when DJI had branched out into the medical field and what an “Inspire 2” x-ray machine was capable of. In the meantime I have learned how much a woman can spend on new shoes and clothes in just two days, in addition I have had to learn how the washing machine works and be nice to my sister-in-law.
Do not imagine that you can fly the Inspire 2 for the first few days, you have to register it first and then update it. There are more updates to deal with than there are sexy women at a Hugh Heffner party. Updates for the firmware, for the aircraft, the controller, the batteries, the camera and then general updates for everything in between, not to forget of course the no-fly zones. They even update the “Centre Board”; apparently, the Inspire 2 has one; I though up to now that such a thing was part of a sailing boat. This update orgy creates of course a perfect environment for an outbreak of something like “software Ebola”. Indeed, it did not go perfectly, not quite, one of the batteries became stuck; it is obviously not quite as intelligent as the others are. On the third try, it worked and there are now no obvious problems. I have not flown it much though; I have to find time between doing housework and the washing.
What is the Inspire 2 like? It is difficult to describe really, to get an approximation I suggest you make a little excursion. If you have not done this before, then go to a Porsche dealership, examine the vehicles diplomatically and slip into the driving seat of one, when the salesperson (consultant) comes over, ask if you can hear the sound of the engine and perhaps even take a short test-drive. This is the closest equivalent to the Inspire 2 that I can think of. It is not only the feeling of speed and power; it is also the quality feel of fine engineering, high-technology and quality materials. It is the grace of a lady and the forcefulness of a man in one, in harmony.
DJI, you have done an outstanding job, and you could do me a favour. Please write and explain to my wife that if we cannot all live together in harmony, either she, or the Inspire 2 must go. I would really miss her a lot. |