Neo 2: Notes, observations, surprises as I test and learn

[MS Coast]

If you have a Part 107 certificate and add a RID module and the prop guards, the Neo and Neo 2 are Category 1 drones,

Has the Category 1 qualification for the Neos had any official confirmation?

 

[jaja6009]

Category 1 is self certifying.

The regulation:

A remote pilot in command must use a small unmanned aircraft that—

(1) Weighs 0.55 pounds or less on takeoff and throughout the duration of each operation under Category 1, including everything that is on board or otherwise attached to the aircraft; and
(2) Does not contain any exposed rotating parts that would lacerate human skin upon impact with a human being.

(b) No remote pilot in command may operate a small unmanned aircraft in sustained flight over open-air assemblies of human beings unless the operation meets the requirements of either § 89.110 or § 89.115(a) of this chapter.


Also, there is no labeling requirement.

 

[MS Coast]

Category 1 is self certifying.

The regulation:

A remote pilot in command must use a small unmanned aircraft that—

(1) Weighs 0.55 pounds or less on takeoff and throughout the duration of each operation under Category 1, including everything that is on board or otherwise attached to the aircraft; and
(2) Does not contain any exposed rotating parts that would lacerate human skin upon impact with a human being.

(b) No remote pilot in command may operate a small unmanned aircraft in sustained flight over open-air assemblies of human beings unless the operation meets the requirements of either § 89.110 or § 89.115(a) of this chapter.


Also, there is no labeling requirement.

Yes, but does anyone know of any authoritative or semi-authoritative source that says the Neos meet the requirement? FAA memo or email, Pilot Institute, ... ?

 

[jaja6009]

You cannot get more authoritative than the regulation quoted above.
But Pilot Institute has a video:

Also you must be Part 107 to exercise this and don't forget to charge and secure your Remote ID module.

 

[MS Coast]

OK, one simple answer to the question I posed about substantiation of the the Neo models being Category 1 is that the Pilot Institute says it is if there's a RID module installed.

So, if I fly under Part 107 and have an RID module on the Neo 2, I'll feel comfortable citing that to any LEO or other official who challenges me for flying over people. It's not my own interpretation of the regs, but that of the most significant drone pilot training group in the country.

 

[RcHawks]

They are very good!

 

[jaja6009]

OK, one simple answer to the question I posed about substantiation of the the Neo models being Category 1 is that the Pilot Institute says it is if there's a RID module installed.

So, if I fly under Part 107 and have an RID module on the Neo 2, I'll feel comfortable citing that to any LEO or other official who challenges me for flying over people. It's not my own interpretation of the regs, but that of the most significant drone pilot training group in the country.

Yes, you must have Remote ID, and the top propguards.

Most normal patrolmen will more than likely not know drone regulations, but at the end of the day, you will be legal and compliant.

I do see where you are coming from in terms of having something more than quoting regulations that they will not know and then pointing to something more substantial and easy to understand.

If it makes you feel any better, I have the AVSS PRS for a Matrice 4 series. It makes the drone a Category 2. The label on the PRS is nothing more than a generic, cheap strip label that says "FAA CAT 2". It absolutely looks like I made the sticker. I carry a printed version of the DOC along with my other paperwork though.

 

[ryguy80]

I picked up a Neo 2 even though I thought I would be done with buying drones with the DJI situation in the U.S. Trying to see if this will reinvigorate my interest in flying. The Neo 2 seemed to be a significant update to the original Neo in pretty much every aspect. The original Neo was enjoyable to fly and I liked the concept but definitely had its limitations. Hoping to run it through its paces this summer.

 

[jaja6009]

I picked up a Neo 2 even though I thought I would be done with buying drones with the DJI situation in the U.S. Trying to see if this will reinvigorate my interest in flying. The Neo 2 seemed to be a significant update to the original Neo in pretty much every aspect. The original Neo was enjoyable to fly and I liked the concept but definitely had its limitations. Hoping to run it through its paces this summer.

I fly drones at work and when I am creating things I find great interest in drones. Flying "normal" drones for me just for fun, is not in fact fun anymore.

I then got into FPV. First with the Avata 2 and the motion controller. Then that became too easy. So I took a year to learn manual/acro mode.

Now I fly because there is a serious challenge to flying and when flying true FPV I still am literally on the edge of my seat.

The Neo and Neo 2 make a good and pretty good cinematic, manual/acro drones. The Neo 2 especially because the video from it is quite good for the price point.

A bonus is that both can fly manual/acro mode. Again the Neo 2 does it a bit better.

If you try manual/acro, do at least 10 hours in a simulator.

 

[Chrislaf]

I picked up a Neo 2 even though I thought I would be done with buying drones with the DJI situation in the U.S. Trying to see if this will reinvigorate my interest in flying. The Neo 2 seemed to be a significant update to the original Neo in pretty much every aspect. The original Neo was enjoyable to fly and I liked the concept but definitely had its limitations. Hoping to run it through its paces this summer.

Congrats on your Neo 2! I decided to skip the Neo 2. I’m happy with the original Neo. Maybe I’ll consider an upgrade when they actually make more tangible improvements to the camera (better sensor, more software features like panos, AEB etc).

Chris

 

[RcHawks]

I’m very happy with the Neo 2 purchase. I like using it with my apple watch and being able to place it at different vantage points as I walk. Front, back, side, easily done and being able to monitor the battery level quickly by looking at my watch, that is amazing. Neo is easier to carry around than the Neo 2 but I bought a case to solve that issue for me. I like using both type of drones and it adds a different type of fun in many ways compared to the larger drones I have.

 

[RcHawks]

Is the Goggles 3 compatible with the neo 2 after some kind of update. Youtube guy says it is, but then he’s showing the avata 2 in the video not the neo 2. I tried to update thru my iPhone and got no where. Only update showing is for the avata 360.

 

[jaja6009]

Is the Goggles 3 compatible with the neo 2 after some kind of update. Youtube guy says it is, but then he’s showing the avata 2 in the video not the neo 2. I tried to update thru my iPhone and got no where. Only update showing is for the avata 360.

Yes, the Goggles 3 works with the Neo 2.

The Neo 2 is also decent in Manual/Acro mode with the FPV controller. If there is wind greater than 10 mph it struggles abit, but with low to no wind it rips pretty good.

 

[RcHawks]

I tried out the gesture control for the first time tonight with my neo 2. Wow, what fun! It’s always a much bigger deal when you make it work yourself than watching someone in a instructional video. It had me laughing out loud as I did the different options. So easy and receptive to do. Still have to try the voice command option yet.

 

[Droning on and on...]

I tried out the gesture control for the first time tonight with my neo 2. Wow, what fun! It’s always a much bigger deal when you make it work yourself than watching someone in a instructional video. It had me laughing out loud as I did the different options. So easy and receptive to do. Still have to try the voice command option yet.

I actually love the gesture control, and use it all the time when the Neo 2 is serving in "social camera" mode.

I've been playing with Gesture Control since the Spark. It was unreliable and useless on that drone. Only slightly better on the Mavic Air, still basically useless. I even think I remember it being available at one point in the original Mavic then disappearing in a later firmware update, but that may be a hallucination In any case, it was crap there too.

The Neo is much better, but still a bit problematic. They nailed it with the Neo 2, and now it's good enough to rely on and use, so I can literally take it with me and control it for selfies with friends and family at outings to get that unique perspective that a regular camera can't provide.

Combined with the automated flights (dronie, circle, etc.) it's a wonderful addition to my social outings.

And a great talking point... people are almost always curious, fascinated, and impressed.

 

[RcHawks]

I’m very impressed with this drone. I wanted to capture some pics today but decided to take my neo 2 for a ride. Man, I’m glad I did. Being a Sat. everyone’s out and about and I didn’t want to draw too much attention if I didn’t have to be flying my A3S. I have some previous shots from that drone that I wanted to match up so I used my neo2. Thing is the wind velocity was pretty low but the gusts were about 22mph and I flew it anyway. The pictures and video I captured was exactly what I was hoping to achieve and then some. As I flew higher of course I got the strong wind warning that comes with flying in strong gusts, and it handle perfectly. WoW. Love this drone. Did the hand launch and landing using my RC2, even in strong wind gusts it was so easy!