DJI Inspire1 Test / Review

Much has been written in the first days after the DJI Inspire 1 release.

Most of the current information has been written by people who stay under contract with DJI.

Therefore most reports talk only about the positive facts.

So what is really up with the DJI Inspire 1? Is it Inspirational, good, bad or even the best in its class?

I decided to split my thoughts into three target groups and two technical / legal blocks.

Depending on what you need the questions/answers will be different, so that’s why I’ve created different blocks in this blog.

The groups are:

inspire-riotmedia

Brief technical introduction

Those familiar with the topic of multcopters may like to skip this section.

What is the DJI Inspire 1 and what do I need to be able to fly this?

The Inspire 1 is a multicopter, which comes out of the box with all components to start within minutes and can create images and video from the air. The only accessories additionally required parts are either a current generation tablet, smartphone or an external monitor to view live images send from the DJI Inspire 1. With a standalone monitor, (not a smart device), there are a few limitations. If you use a smart device, you will be able to use an app and control some additional parameters, while using just an external monitor will only show the submitted flight data and images. Even the smart device will give you more options, a monitor solution might be less of a problem if the app crashes. Therefore, that is a point to consider.

There is no technical knowledge needed to get the DJI Inspire 1 build together and ready for start. Components such as flight controler, video Livelink etc. are already installed. Just charge the flight battery, and the battery of the remote control.

However, you should read the manual and inform you about local laws before flying for the first time.

Legally there are big differences from country to country. Some areas even required a legal license to fly. I’ve wrote a legal blog on this topic.

Please check my legal blog before flying and also ask your local supplier about legal regulations. As these rules currently change pretty frequently you should start to follow your regional RC forum or Facebook group.

In addition, you should do your first few hours of practices on an area where no humans are present.

The DJI Inspire 1 is indeed “easy” to fly, but there is always a risk of a crash on which you can injure people set aerias on fire etc. So always pre check where you want to fly.

Filmmakers

Is the Inspire a solution to create broadcast ready material in 4k resolution?

The quick anser is: Yes and no …

As always, the question will be: What kind of images, in which quality and resolution do you needed?

If you are looking for an easily transportable system, that will allow for another perspective in about GoPro image quality, then the DJI Inspire 1 is certainly a possible option.

Even a inexperienced pilot can achieve amazingly good results with just a bit of flight practice.

The DJI Inspire 1 is quite robust due of its compact design and is also easy to maintain. The automatic flight modes allows even a not very experienced pilot to shoot pictures and video. The asked price is not cheap but will also not break the bank for production companies.

It comes with everything you need in the box to shoot simple images. You might want to add a few batteries for more flight time tho. In addition, the Inspire provides an future proofing option to also carry other cameras and gadgets that will see the light in the future. A feature, which can be quite interesting.

Can the DJI Inspire 1 replaced a larger, more expensive multicopter that can carry a DSLR, RED, etc.?

Definitely not. If you are looking for quality images, comparable with the just mentioned cameras you will need a different solution, more experience and x times of budget.

Multicopters in the “big” class can easily cost several 10,000, need more experience in technical design, maintenance and a lot of flying experience.

The DJI Inspire 1 is lik a practical VW Golf, while larger systems can quickly grow up to complicated and expensive Formula 1 class projects.

In a direct comparison of the DJI Inspire 1 to a full pro setup, the Inspire 1 costs about as much as you will pay for a professional 2 man team, with camera for a single shooting day.

So it can be of interesting to use the DJI Inspire 1 to gain experience and to take care of small projects by yourself. You also get a feel of what is possible, which can safe you money when booking a pro team. If you need highly professional images or complex flow flight routes and camera movement, then it is always worthwhile to get professionals into the boat. Basically it’s the same as with a Steadicam operator. Anyone can quickly handle with a Steadicam Gimbal or a gimbal like a MöVI. But If you want/need best possible pictures it takes a lot and most of all very regular exercise.

Thus, the DJI Inspire 1 is something like the gateway drug into the prosumer class, but without the need of real technical knowledge concerning assembling components and need to know their configuration. Its also not breaking the bank if you want to try it out. The price should be ok for most production companies and the provided scope is quite remarkable.

Filmmakers and inexperienced pilots should definitely get the version with two controllers. This way the pilot can concentrate on flying, while another person can act as a cam operator. Although the one-man solution works, flying in a 3-dimensional space, controlling the multicopter while also controlling the camera, is definitely a setup that requires a much more experienced pilot. And there are many cases that just are not possible in a one man setup.  The only exception would be in the case of just shooting stills “only”. In this case, the DJI Inspire 1 can be “parked” in the air by GPS. The multicopter will remain more or less at the desired location and the pilot can concentrate on simple picture and image acquisition.

A sufficiently good GPS reception is needed, of course.

The DJI Inspire 1 also has some additional cameras that are scanning the ground and try to keep the position without even without GPS. However, this only works as long as the Inspire 1 not flying to high. Further up you’ll need good GPS receipton to keep it on a stable point.

Hobby pilots and RC starters

If you want to start with the hobby of multicopter flying, the DJI Inspire 1 might be an option. However, you should be aware that there are cheap ways to get started. In addition, should you as yourself if less good pictures or shorter flight times would be acceptable to you.

Most hobby pilots also love to tinker, tune and work around their multicopter.They see it as part of the hobby to technicaly play around with it. The DJI Inspire 1 is more or less a closed system. It’s not designed to be used as “building platform”. Its though to stay the way you buy it. If you are the type of person who loves to tinlker around with the aircraft then the DJI Inspire 1 would certainly not be the best choice for you. But for people who don’t care about changing anything, it can be quite useful design. Future upgrades will work without soldering and taking parts away.

You might also want to ask yourself to why not start with a DJI Phantom and gradually build it  up with better components when you need them or more budget is available?

Experienced RC users and experts in aerial production

Most people in this group will have their opinion on the DJI Inspire 1 already formed. However, sometimes it pays to think outside the box and consider your own thoughts again after a few days.

I was initially quite skeptical about the concept of DJI Inspire 1 and even a bit disappointed. A few days later I see some new considerations and also a potential for a usage in the professional segment.

Of course, quads won’t be approved in some countries for professional use, of course, a quad crashes when an engine fails,  while a octocopter rather still remains landable.

The camera is not the best and a GoPro4 Black might even be a little better.

But, it is pretty compact, lightweight and flies for reasonably long time. If you really need more then 18-22 minutes of flight time per battery to get the shot, then you should rethink the  shot again anyway or practice much more 😉

If I want or need to take a big octocopter, like my S1000 to a location, that is not directly accessible by car, the logistical plans on how to get it there grow up pretty fast. Saddly  a large multicopter is heavy, bigger ins size and can’t be just taken on a bagpack.

You should ask  yourself if you really need the best images or maybe a sufficient quality of a GoPro style camera could work to get the story told and suported? Often it is so that any image is better than none. So the shot might depend on the budget. Get the best quality from some pros with the big tools or get someone get it done with less bulky gear but with a lower quality. If time to get to a far location this might be a even more important question.

Thus, it is interesting to consider that something “worse” may be a better a better solution after all.

Another interesting point of the DJI Inspire 1 is the max airspeed. In ATTI mode, the DJI Inspire 1 can reach a maximum speed of just under 22m / s (80km / h). Pretty fast and not all big multicopters a capable of it.

Conclusion:

Will I buy one?

Currently not because I have a s1000 for more complex jobs and a small phantom with a stabilized gimbal, GoPro4 and live image transmission.

The DJI Inspire 1 would currently fit somewhere in between of my already owned products.

The situation might be different when I leave the Phantom 1 behind someday, when more cameras or different tools for the DJI Inspire 1 will be available.

Aerial technology is developing extremly rapidly, especially in the multicopter area. So the next top dog might even just start behind the next hill.

But If you are looking for nice solution that comes out of the box, the DJI Inspire 1 might be what you are looking for.

I look forward to do some personal live testing with one in the very near future.

My thoughts on DJI Inspire 1

+ Positve

  • compact design
  • lightweight construction weight
  • Relatively long flight times (18-22min depending on battery type)
  • 720P image transmission
  • portable
  • Out of the box 2-man solution available
  • No additional work/tuning is needed to fly and capture images
  • Indoor position stabilization
  • Relatively easy to fly

– Negative

  • “Just” a Quadrocopter thus partially legal restrictions in certain countries
  • Only the manufacturer’s batteries can be used
  • The camera could be of a better build
  • The mechanism to raise the landing gear / arms works via a central threaded rod. Time will tell if vibrations in the arm system will occur and might have an impact in that design.

 

Swiss pilots can get the DJI Inspire from Aerodron

https://shop.aerodron.ch/en/catalogsearch/result/?q=inspire

aerodron_logo

 

Technical specification

Please check out the DJI product page for most recent data.

Here are some examples of DJI Inspire 1 “footage”

If you know what you are doing, plan a good shoot and work a bit in post, pretty good results are possible

Strong wind gusts show where the limits of the rolling shutter sensor are.