Being a former airman, drones have always excited me. Its ability to not just fly but take photographs thrill me as I also studied aerial photography as part of my work in my former life.
That’s why it was a no-brainer for me when offered the opportunity to check out the DJI Neo 2.
A compact, beginner-friendly drone weighing just 151g, the DJI Neo 2 is a beginner’s joy. It excels as a palm-launched flying camera for selfies, vlogging and tracking shots with upgraded 4K video and omnidirectional obstacle avoidance.
Being lightweight (sub-250g) makes it regulation-friendly worldwide, including in space-constrained Singapore where no registration or licence is needed for recreational use.
Easy to use and versatile across gesture, app or controller modes, it offers plenty of plus points.
- Exceptional tracking and avoidance: Upgraded ActiveTrack follows subjects at up to 12 m/s from eight directions, with LiDAR and full-coverage propeller guards enabling safe indoor/outdoor flights even in cluttered spaces.
- Impressive 4K camera: The 12MP 1/2-inch sensor with two-axis gimbal delivers sharp 4K/60fps video (or 100fps slow-mo), vertical 2.7K for social media, and 49GB internal storage for seamless QuickTransfer.
- Versatile controls: Palm takeoff/landing, gesture commands, app-based piloting, or FPV goggles/motion controller make it accessible for novices while offering manual modes for creators.
Area for Improvement
Each battery lasts only 19 minutes per charge, which may frustrate users during longer shoots despite the Fly More Combo option. On the upside, the package comes with two extra batteries so technically the drone can be in the air for nearly one hour with battery swaps.
Another bugbear is the need to download an apk file for the software. As an Android user, I wonder why DJI cannot just list this on Play Store. Due to this download, I had to use another phone as my usual one does not allow apk downloads, which poses a security risk and would impact my banking apps.
Singapore usage context
In Singapore’s urban density, the Neo 2 shines for recreational flights under 60m in approved areas such as parks or beaches, avoiding no-fly zones near airports or the CBD — check OneMap.sg. No permit is required below 250g, but indoor private spaces or open recreational spots suit its tiny size (167×171×54 mm with guards) perfectly amid HDB constraints.
However, the strict usage restrictions make it difficult to check out the drone as I stay near the airport. The DJI Neo 2 sounded a warning even when I tried to fly it on my patio.
I considered bringing it on my holiday to China, thinking that the views would be spectacular, but usage restrictions apply in many places.
Recommendation
Priced from S$269 (for the drone only), I strongly recommend the DJI Neo 2 for beginners, vloggers, travellers, and families seeking recreational aerial shots without regulatory hassles. It’s also perfect for tech enthusiasts needing portable content tools, but pros who need longer battery life may want to consider higher-end models.
101reasons.blog 