This is how happy I am with my NEO

[Adembar]

Don't read this while driving (you might fall asleep before the end)
1)- I don't worry about "high image quality"
2)- I make short videos (my videos are not sleeping capsules)
3)- I only use YouTube, I'm not a "slave" to different platforms.
4)- I publish without regularity, I'm not committed to dates
5)- I've used apps (Kinemaster, PowerDirector, InShot) on IOS and Android, now I use Filmora 14 on Windows (for videos) and Canva (Windows) for photos.
6)- After publishing, I don't worry about the "number of views"
7)- I respond to any comments that exist
8)- For those who subscribe to my channel, I also subscribe to theirs, I see this as a way of saying thank you 9)- NEO, video editing, publishing on YouTube is just a pastime (I'm 74 years old) and I consider this to be my hobby
10)- NEO is for me a video camera for outdoor locations (for indoor locations I use a smartphone) Conclusion:
a)- Did you like the text? I'm glad
b)- Didn't read it to the end? Congratulations, you made use of your freedom of decision
c)- Did you fall asleep while reading it? That's great, you didn't need any capsules.
Have a good flight and take care.

 

[NeoNeo]

Ditto.

Avata2 is my windy day FPV cruiser. Neo is the calm to light wind "every" day quad. Lets fly beyond the edge of sensible.

Enjoy the Neo just as an immersive FPV flier. The quality of a digital images reduces the chances of hitting things not noticed flying analog. Plus the propeller guards, low mass, and if flying relatively slow reduces the chance of crashing in glancing blows. Low price for a digital FPV quad is important when you crash and trash.

1. I don't worry about "high image quality". Unless I crash and need the "last 30 seconds" or occasionally look at recorded segments. Not into image capture or processing. Have way too many files of still images to process or tweak.

2. I do view Ytube, but do not subscribe to any channels. No real "account".

3. Posting here and couple other forums is the limit of my social media presence. Do have a FaceBook page but no access since the long lost HotMail account days prior to the Pandemic.

 

[Droning on and on...]

Oh how far we've come... the neo image quality is about the same as the Air 2. Not quite as good in low light, but about the same sensor.

 

[NEO 317]

So far so good with my NEO and the accessories I purchased.

I'm still learning about the goggles and mc remote.

I like the NEO with the phone and standard remote.

It's a tough little piece of tech.

 

[NeoNeo]

I've JINXed my Neo. Heaped too many praises on it.

Think I'm developing worn starboard, front motor bearings. Quick blast of canned air just incase there is grit in the motor. Shot of CorrisionX. A conformal coating that also cleans, lubricates, and waterproofs. Normally don't use it on motors. No need and can attract dust and grit. On the bench in Manual mode motors engaged and throttle up. No real imbalance issues noted. Did confirm an "issue" I have taking off in manual mode. The Neo drifts backwards when taking off. Outdoors I notice it, but assumed maybe wind since I prefer to take off facing the breeze. Motors off, battery removed. Still a bit noisy sound when manually rotating the prop relative to the other motors. But less than before.

Guessing there is going to be a day when the bearings bind up enough that I crash. Will monitor and keep apply CorrisionX if needed. Hopefully not stressing the ESC too much. Might have to retire this Neo for flying in S mode only. See how well DJI stabilization can compensate for a wonky motor.

 

[NeoNeo]

Did a quick search for "how to replace Neo motor". Cak3, has a "short" on his Ytube Channel. Straight forward if you have basic solder skills. Wiring diagram and the specific off the shelf motor used. Neo looks to be designed for diy repair. Only question is a simple and easy way to snake the wires to the board?

Good to know there is an option for repair once the motor bearing fail. Sure wish DJI would sell replacement motors. Off the shelf motors used are the Happymodel "Mobula 8" EX1103 11,000kv. ~$10 at a wide number of reputable online FPV stores.

Did a quick view of his test flight video. He was trying out a 4 blade HQ propeller and noted the Neo still lacked the power even with the more powerful motors. Might be built in limits to the tuning. Unfortunately no way for user to tune throttle settings. Cak3 next was going to try a 3 blade similar to the original Neo propellers. One + for those looking for a quieter Neo is the 4 blade HQ were significantly quieter. They do fit on the stock motors, but require a longer mounting bolts. 1.2 x 6mm. The 6mm is ~1mm too long. Need to add a washer to prevent the bolts from hitting the motor.

 

[Droning on and on...]

The motor's only a piece of the puzzle... You also need ESCs that can send more amps, and a battery that can deliver the power.

The only way to increase the performance with just a motor change would be more efficient motor with lower thermal power loss.

 

[NeoNeo]

The motor's only a piece of the puzzle... You also need ESCs that can send more amps, and a battery that can deliver the power.

The only way to increase the performance with just a motor change would be more efficient motor with lower thermal

Agree that the motor is just part of the puzzle...Slightly different opinion. Regarding "The only way..." With the Neo. Probably correct. Real limited to what we can tweak in the Neo. Limited to propellers and now at least one other motor model. Propeller design from pitch, number of blades, end profiles can influence various performance characteristics with a given motor. For the majority of us minimal differences. "Improvements" tend to be overhyped to generate sales.

As long as you have an ESC with enough capacity not to "brown out" or worse you should be ok. Lithium ion chemistry , 2S limits of the Neo are hard limits. No spec on the DJI Neo motors. Concern of aftermarket motors were pulling beyond the ESC's capacity. Motor bolt mounting dimensions. Apparently the motors used by Cak 3 did not cause any ESC issues. From what I understand Lithium ion powered quads such as some used in the long distance models need to limit kv to less than 20000. Higher KV motors should work, but would limit flight times. Lower kv tend to be higher torque capable motors. Guessing Cak 3 first used the 4 blade prop for that reason and for a quieter Neo. But maybe the additional tip turbulence more or less reduced the thrust gained by the 4th blade? Or the motor is no more powerful than the stock Neo's. Or????

Not really looking for any performance improvements with any replacement motors. More efficient combo of motor and propeller to extend flight times would be just an added bonus to being able to diy replace the motors. The major reason for +decade I have avoided DJI has been the very closed "ecosystem" and basically no spare parts, hard to repair models. If into image capture. Would have gone DJI from the release of the Phantom2 or 3. But just into immersive flying. Did consider the original Avata, but it has significant design issues that effects flying. Then looked at the DJI FPV as the 1st digital video immersive platform. But then the Avata2 was released. Plus I didn't want to somehow stick the RID onto the DJI FPV.

 

[Droning on and on...]

Nice writeup, @NeoNeo!

 

[NeoNeo]

Nice writeup, @NeoNeo!

Thanks. Just a collection of bits and pieces of info that may or may not be accurate acquired over the years of modeling. Spent too many hours and $s building and crashing mostly bad ideas. At least no lipo or ESC explosions or fires. I do have bins of more or less useless parts. The tackle box full of a wide variety of propellers is sort of an embarrassment. If I get really bored in retirement. Might build another battery discharger using a propeller, ESC,motor,...

First need is to wire up a connection cable adapter for the DJI Avata2 and Neo batteries to fully discharge when they need retiring. Anyone know what type of connectors? DigiKey, Pololu... retailers that might carry the part.

All the "smart" lipo chargers owned have discharge options. JMHO, that function stresses the charger. For a few dollars you can build a ceramic/wire resistor discharger. Slow, but low heat and simple design prevents bad things from happening. Proper safe disposal once you drop the voltage to a fraction of a volt. Something IMHO that should be part of the hobby. Imagine causing a lithium battery fire at a dump or waste collection site.

 

[NeoNeo]

Found a wiring diagram for the DJI Spark battery. Eyeballs internet fatigue searching for Avata2 and Neo battery diagram. Gave up. Wonder if the all the 2s DJI batteries are the same. I guess I could break out the multimeter and check. My luck will short the battery.