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

[Droning on and on...]

I've begun checking out all the features of the new Neo 2, so thought I'd capture my observations in one thread. Everyone else is encouraged to add their own here as well, please!

I would ask we keep this thread free of criticisms, and negative comments in general. There is always fertile ground for complaints, often well justified. Please, lets do that in a different thread.

 

[Droning on and on...]

GESTURE CONTROL

Played quite a bit with the Gesture Control. I expect I'll use it occasionally when I'm using the drone in autonomous selfie mode when out with family and friends.

Biggest observation: BOY has this come a long way since the Mavic Air and the Spark. It seemed like a nifty "cool" thing to impress your friends with back then, but it didn't work reliably, and was more frustration than useful.

Technology has caught up enough that I found it to be very reliable and responsive. 100% detection of my gestures, enabling it, moving it around L/R/U/D, and changing distance from me. And, with the OA, did a good job of avoiding trees, house, bushes, fence, etc. while I was directing it.

The only thing that wasn't 100% was Palm Landing. It would detect my outstretched hand every time, but about 1 in 4 times it wouldn't land after flying over my hand. I would have to put my arm down, then raise it again with my palm under the drone, and it would land.

Overall, I'm very impressed with the improvements in GC. While it may be nothing more than a gimmick to many, it's reliable enough now to really use if you want to, and will not embarrass you showing off to a friend like the Spark and Air did.

 

[Droning on and on...]

PAIRING WITH RC2

I had some trouble pairing with my RC2, which I tried immediately upon taking the Neo2 out of the box. I got the FMC with the RC-N3, which I presume was paired at the factory.

Tried the usual procedure, holding down the drone power button for 4s until the lights start blinking in sequence on the battery, then hit the Pair button on the connection screen of the RC2. The controller would start beeping, but would never find the Neo2, after 5 attempt or so. Major bummer.

Turns out the drone won't do an O4 pairing until it's been connected via wifi at least once to Fly on your smartphone, and activated. After you've done that, it will pair immediately with the RC2.

 

[Droning on and on...]

GESTURE CONTROL DISABLED DURING QUICKSHOTS

I haven't tried them all, so I don't know if this applies to all the automated quickshots. It does, at least, for the "selfie" shot... GC gestures are detected and acted upon in "follow" mode. However, when I selected "selfie" and then palm launched, the drone dutifully carried out the selfie algorithm, and ignored my attempt to gain gesture control.

So, control is non-existent during the automated shots (just like the neo) if not initiated from Fly. Whenever possible, I'd recommend using your cell phone connected to the drone to initiate these automated shots so you have the option to regain control if necessary.