Hey all,

Just an note of consideration.

I purchased a NEO about a month ago, just as they hit the market.  I was astonished that I got a DJI for under $200 US.  Amazing I thought.  After a while I decided to get the most out of this drone, I needed some more equipment (decision based on DJI marketing, and YouTube etc etc...)  So, I purchased an N3 controller, $130.  (Actually purchased 2, as Amazon messed me up by presenting a 3rd party seller who had the price jacked up.  Returned that one, after a lot of quibble with the reseller...)

OK, now I've spent $430 for a sub 250g drone, no license a big deal for me.  But then realized that the barely 7 mins battery I was getting each flight was NOT worth it so spent another $123 on 2 batteries and a charging controller.  So far I'm over $550 in this drone.  Then, I spent about another $100 on various accessories, a case and a tablet mount (bigger is better, right?)  

So, all things considered I spent around $700 to fly my NEO.  Why didn't I spent $500 on a Mini 2 (various versions) with all included items right off?

Not especially pleased with my consumerism at this point.  Please let me know if you agree or disagree?

"Why didn't I spent $500 on a Mini 2 (various versions) with all included items right off?"

That's a question only you can answer.. If you only bought the Neo because of the weight, then yes, it was a big mistake... If this can be of any consolation, there are no winners in this hobby, other than the manufacturers... The RC hobby is an expensive one...

Burt37 Posted at 10-26 21:45
"Why didn't I spent $500 on a Mini 2 (various versions) with all included items right off?"

That's a question only you can answer.. If you only bought the Neo because of the weight, then yes, it was a big mistake... If this can be of any consolation, there are no winners in this hobby, other than the manufacturers... The RC hobby is an expensive one...

Well....   Duh.

7 min? I can easily fly 10 min
And very close to objects, while Mini2 cant

Well, I chose to Purchase Neo+Combo last month as it was my first DJI Drone and it costed 430$ comes with RCN3 + 3 Batteries…

Narg Posted at 10-26 21:46
Well....   Duh.

I know the feeling... I was thinking the same the first time I read it...

"Please let me know if you agreee or disagree"

Disagree.
It seems like you just bought something without ever thinking about what your goal is.
The Neo is small Cinewhoop, You can fly in tight areas or living room, and even crash against a obstacle without much damage (if any at all). You can also do basic acrobatics in FPV manual mode with Goggles.

Good luck doing things like that with a Mini 2

=DUH= Posted at 10-27 06:29
"Please let me know if you agreee or disagree"

Disagree.

That is a possibility, but DJI does offer this cheap protection for the Mini 2.

https://store.dji.com/product/mini-2-360-propeller-guard?vid=99591

I'm actually selling my Neo (already sold) and saving up for the Avata 2, which I should have done to start with in my opinion.  The Neo is just too much of a starter drone for me.

JMHO, if not purchasing the Neo as an autonomous flying "selfie" drone it is not an inexpensive quad. That said, it is a good value if you compare it against other digital video quads.  IIRC, last year the video 03 set up if purchased separately for a build was selling for ~$239.  Check out the prices for other comparable digital video systems for UASs.

My sessions flying the Neo has been consistently delivering ~10 minutes of flight times in S mode flying down to 30% battery capacity. Have removed the top propeller guards. Supposedly adds ~1 minute of flight time.

DJI marketing is "intelligent".  What better way to get people into their product line but release a quad like the Neo.  Consumers need to be aware of the added cost for use beyond an autonomous platform. Sort of obvious. JMHO, if looking for a platform other than a selfie drone.  Avata2 Fly More Combo is a better value at ~$1200usd.  Subtract the Avata2, batteries, charger, bag.  Then add the Neo Fly More Kit.  Net is ~$800 for a Neo combo kit, Goggles3, and MC3.  Back to not inexpensive.  Is the Neo vs Avata2 worth saving ~$400.  Your choice.   

Narg Posted at 10-29 06:17
That is a possibility, but DJI does offer this cheap protection for the Mini 2.

https://store.dji.com/product/mini-2-360-propeller-guard?vid=99591

Good decision.  Avata2 handles the wind better. In S mode I have no concern flying in conditions with the "high wind velocity" warning box flashing on the OSD.  The DJI stabilization system makes life almost too easy.  More challenging flying my much heavier 6s non-DJI quad in angle mode under similar conditions.

Just a recommendation.  Consider eventually upgrading from the MC3 to the FPV RC3 controller if any desire to fly true manual mode or even ATTI engaged manual mode which is sort of like trad. angle/horizon mode.   At least with the Goggles3 and those controllers you are set for future 04 hardware.