I bought this drone to check the surf, and unfortunately I bought the controller with the built-in display, and it's way too small to evaluate the waves for surfing. Again and again what I see when flying the drone looks completely different than it does when I see it on a larger monitor. It's just terrible for evaluating the nuances of waves. It desperately needs an HDMI port to output the video to a larger monitor, or maybe goggles, but DJI seems to be doing some cheesy marketing crippling to get us to buy the RC Pro controller, which costs over $1k.

I love the drone in so many ways, but if anyone is researching a purchase to use this for checking the surf, or even filming surfers, I recommend you look elsewhere, since the screen is so small I often can't even tell if there's a surfer on the screen.

Unfortunately I didn't research video out before buying it since I figured *of course* the controller has video out.

A long thread about the issue is here:

https://forum.dji.com/thread-264714-1-1.html

And additionally it sure would be nice if I could pre-plan a flight path with waypoints, so I could put the coordinates of the break I want to check out, but it can't do that either. So it's full manual mode, and with the small screen good luck finding the exact spot you want to check out.
Edit: wanted to mention in case someone finds tihs thread thru google, found the solution. Use the RC-N1 controller (the one that expects a phone) with a tablet. I'm using it with a 12.9" iPad Pro, which is overkill but works great. And note the Triplek tablets, which are designed for drone use with a super bright screen. I got the controller on eBay used but in new condition for $40 shipped.

What about using the RC with a tablet? Just an idea.

_SoP_ Posted at 1-19 22:51
What about using the RC with a tablet? Just an idea.

I'd love to. How? (I have the controller with the built in screen). Is that still possible for me?

fanscb66e410 Posted at 1-19 22:53
I'd love to. How? (I have the controller with the built in screen). Is that still possible for me?

But believe me, a complete solution would be the DJI RC Pro with the HDMI output...
That's why (!) there it is...

frankymusik Posted at 1-19 23:05
But believe me, a complete solution would be the DJI RC Pro with the HDMI output...
That's why (!) there it is...

The DJI RC Pro costs $1200... Them leaving this basic feature off the regular controller is full on scammy. Even my old Samsung phone that I had 5 years ago had a USB C to HDMI adaptor to mirror the screen on a larger monitor.

And if I spent the $1200 I still wouldn't have the ability to predefine a flight path. I think? And apparently that feature is there in the drone as well, used for Hyperlapse, but they won't let us use it for regular flying since they want us to spend more $$.

I just can't see giving a company like that more money.

fanscb66e410 Posted at 1-19 22:53
I'd love to. How? (I have the controller with the built in screen). Is that still possible for me?

I think no. But you could use the N1 controller with a tablet. Or, as frankymusik said, the Pro with HDMI...

_SoP_ Posted at 1-20 00:03
I think no. But you could use the N1 controller with a tablet. Or, as frankymusik said, the Pro with HDMI...

Of course you are right!
The N1 controller is also not expensive, really not!!!

fanscb66e410 Posted at 1-19 23:13
The DJI RC Pro costs $1200... Them leaving this basic feature off the regular controller is full on scammy. Even my old Samsung phone that I had 5 years ago had a USB C to HDMI adaptor to mirror the screen on a larger monitor.

And if I spent the $1200 I still wouldn't have the ability to predefine a flight path. I think? And apparently that feature is there in the drone as well, used for Hyperlapse, but they won't let us use it for regular flying since they want us to spend more $$.

If we don't know what hardware requirements would be needed to offer such a solution, then we can always write down "requirements", but they may not be feasible...
The DJI RC is also really cheap, you can't expect the same functions as the DJI RC Pro...
Maybe a more powerful processor was needed in the DJI RC to be able to implement such functions (parallel to the normal flight controller). I dont know...
But it seems to me that the DJI RC is significantly "slimmed down" compared to the DJI RC Pro. That's why I only use the DJI RC Pro and I'm very happy with it.

_SoP_ Posted at 1-20 00:03
I think no. But you could use the N1 controller with a tablet. Or, as frankymusik said, the Pro with HDMI...

I'm wishing I got the N1 controller, I'm sure I could work out mirroring with almost any phone, although it would be a bit of a (needless) kludge. I thought I was buying a premium product with the DJI RC, oh well.

It reminds me of Canon cameras, they had all the premium features built in but they were blocked on the lower end models. Then someone came out with an open source firmware (CHDK) that unlocked all the features.  Call me crazy but I think it's cheesy to penalize your users like that.

You have options.
So that is a good thing.
You can always sell the RC and get the regular one (with no screen) and get a big ... tablet.

frankymusik Posted at 1-20 00:14
If we don't know what hardware requirements would be needed to offer such a solution, then we can always write down "requirements", but they may not be feasible...
The DJI RC is also really cheap, you can't expect the same functions as the DJI RC Pro...
Maybe a more powerful processor was needed in the DJI RC to be able to implement such functions (parallel to the normal flight controller). I dont know...

I doubt that the controller doesn't have the processing power. It's almost certainly running Android, and display mirroring is baked into the OS. And I'm pretty sure a 7 year old Samsung phone (that had HD video out) had a weaker processor than this controller, but that is technically unconfirmed.

Montfrooij Posted at 1-20 00:24
You have options.
So that is a good thing.
You can always sell the RC and get the regular one (with no screen) and get a big ... tablet.

Can the controller without a screen be used with an iPad? The 12.9" ipad pro would make a pretty nice screen. And it has video out...

fanscb66e410 Posted at 1-20 00:30
Can the controller without a screen be used with an iPad? The 12.9" ipad pro would make a pretty nice screen. And it has video out...

Yes it can.
I'm using it with my iPhone and iPad (not simultaneously)
You just need a tablet holder, since it does not fit the regular clamps.

Montfrooij Posted at 1-20 00:34
Yes it can.
I'm using it with my iPhone and iPad (not simultaneously)
You just need a tablet holder, since it does not fit the regular clamps.

Very interesting, thanks.

fanscb66e410 Posted at 1-20 00:34
Very interesting, thanks.

Just one search hit on YT.

Montfrooij Posted at 1-20 00:34
Yes it can.
I'm using it with my iPhone and iPad (not simultaneously)
You just need a tablet holder, since it does not fit the regular clamps.

Is this the controller?

https://www.amazon.com/RotorLogic-Controller-Control-Sticks-Exclude/dp/B09MJQ29Z8

And I found this tablet holder, any thoughts by chance?

https://www.amazon.com/Hanatora-Controller-Extended-Control-Accessories/dp/B095Y9F751
Any other recommendations?

fanscb66e410 Posted at 1-20 00:38
Is this the controller?

https://www.amazon.com/RotorLogic-Controller-Control-Sticks-Exclude/dp/B09MJQ29Z8

No, just the regular DJI controller without the screen.
You can find it in the DJI store at the drone page.

fanscb66e410 Posted at 1-20 00:38
Is this the controller?

https://www.amazon.com/RotorLogic-Controller-Control-Sticks-Exclude/dp/B09MJQ29Z8

I'm sorry, I see it is not in the DJI store.
Just google DJI RC-N1 for the controller.

fanscb66e410 Posted at 1-20 00:38
Is this the controller?

https://www.amazon.com/RotorLogic-Controller-Control-Sticks-Exclude/dp/B09MJQ29Z8

This holder supports tablets up to 10inch.

https://store.dji.com/nl/product ... t-v2&position=2
I'm sure there will be 3rd party ones too.

Montfrooij Posted at 1-20 00:40
No, just the regular DJI controller without the screen.
You can find it in the DJI store at the drone page.

Weird I don't see that controller on their site except when sold with a drone:

https://store.dji.com/product-search?q=rc-n1

Montfrooij Posted at 1-20 00:40
No, just the regular DJI controller without the screen.
You can find it in the DJI store at the drone page.

Is this not it?

https://www.amazon.com/RotorLogic-Controller-Control-Sticks-Exclude/dp/B09MJQ29Z8

fanscb66e410 Posted at 1-20 00:49
Is this not it?

https://www.amazon.com/RotorLogic-Controller-Control-Sticks-Exclude/dp/B09MJQ29Z8

Don't get me wrong my friend, but you got all your answers already. Just spend some time and have a look for it.

But of course it is soooo much easier to ask, ask, ask...

fanscb66e410 Posted at 1-20 00:49
Is this not it?

https://www.amazon.com/RotorLogic-Controller-Control-Sticks-Exclude/dp/B09MJQ29Z8

Looks the same, but I don't get this 'rotorlogic' thing.

fanscb66e410 Posted at 1-20 00:47
Weird I don't see that controller on their site except when sold with a drone:

https://store.dji.com/product-search?q=rc-n1

Yeah, I just realized too.
I think you can find them 2nd hand too as some pilots will have upgraded.

[deleted, oops]

Montfrooij Posted at 1-20 01:02
Yeah, I just realized too.
I think you can find them 2nd hand too as some pilots will have upgraded.

Is there a marketplace for DJI used equipment? Or is eBay the place to look?

Montfrooij Posted at 1-20 01:02
Looks the same, but I don't get this 'rotorlogic' thing.

I don't get the "RotorLogic" thing either. I posted a question on the Amazon listing. If anyone has any ideas, or knows where I can pick up an RC-N1 (used is fine), please let me know.

Pasting in the listing again:

https://www.amazon.com/RotorLogi ... clude/dp/B09MJQ29Z8

Oh wow they're cheap on eBay. I just picked this up ($40):
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3347100 ... kp%3ABk9SR_6zzee5YQ
And I bought this holder:

https://www.amazon.com/Hanatora- ... ories/dp/B095Y9F751

And this cable:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2243779 ... kp%3ABk9SR_6zzee5YQ

Hopefully that's all I need. Thanks @Montfrooij so much for the suggestion.

fanscb66e410 Posted at 1-20 01:05
Is there a marketplace for DJI used equipment? Or is eBay the place to look?

That depends on where you live. We have a very active 'general' marketplace here in NL with lots of stuff changing hands.

fanscb66e410 Posted at 1-20 01:23
Oh wow they're cheap on eBay. I just picked this up ($40):
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3347100 ... kp%3ABk9SR_6zzee5YQ
And I bought this holder:

Sounds great.
Have fun man!
You will have to pair the drone to the new controller, but that should not be too difficult from what I have heard

Montfrooij Posted at 1-20 02:03
You will have to pair the drone to the new controller, but that should not be too difficult from what I have heard

I'm hoping I can switch back and forth between the two controllers without too much fuss. For lots of things the controller with the screen is fine, but for flights that require seeing details I'll use the RC-N1.

fanscb66e410 Posted at 1-20 02:05
I'm hoping I can switch back and forth between the two controllers without too much fuss. For lots of things the controller with the screen is fine, but for things that require seeing details I'll use the RC-N1.

Montfrooij Posted at 1-20 02:06

Oof! Looks like changing the remote would void my Flyaway warranty. Unbelievable.
Edit: the pinned (first) comment on that video says that DJI might have changed that policy. Hoping.

fanscb66e410 Posted at 1-20 02:12
Oof! Looks like changing the remote would void my Flyaway warranty. Unbelievable.
Edit: the pinned (first) comment on that video says that DJI might have changed that policy. Hoping.

I have never read about this myself, but I find it hard to believe.

Montfrooij Posted at 1-20 02:18
I have never read about this myself, but I find it hard to believe.

Me too. The comments in that video say it's no longer the case. I'll update this thread once I get the controller to confirm.

fanscb66e410 Posted at 1-20 02:19
Me too. The comments in that video say it's no longer the case. I'll update this thread once I get the controller to confirm.

As long as DJI gives us this opportunity, it should not void any warranty.

just bind the new remote

Just wanted to post an update: I got the  RC-N1 controller and that iPad holder linked above, it works amazingly well with my 12.9" iPad Pro. Which is amazing given just how huge the 12.9" ipad is. Thankfully the iPad is pretty light. And the tablet holder feels great, no movement.

The ipad obscures the controller, but I found it easy enough to use it without looking at it. And being able to see such detail on the screen is heaven after squinting at the little screen on the DJI RC.



Anyway thanks again @Montfrooij for the suggestion, it was a game changer or me.

You just need to get closer to the waves/surfers or perhaps buy the Mavic 3 and zoom in to get the shots you’re looking for.  From what I see on your video your way to far out and need to get in closer for those tighter shots.  

MHM Posted at 1-27 21:54
You just need to get closer to the waves/surfers or perhaps buy the Mavic 3 and zoom in to get the shots you’re looking for.  From what I see on your video your way to far out and need to get in closer for those tighter shots.

In that video (and usually for my primary use) I'm not going for typical surf vlog shots, I'm trying to get overviews to see the surf conditions. That's not to say I never do closeups of course: