You’ve gotten your hands on the DJI Avata and are ready to start filming. Well, you’re in for a treat.
This FPV drone has so many incredible features that can help even the greenest of novices take their skills to the next level.
In this article, I’ll share the best tips and lesser-known features you can use with the DJI Avata.
Let’s get into it.
Table Of Contents
- 1. Using Gyroflow for Super Smooth Video
- 2. Center Point for Precise Alignment
- 3. 4×3 Aspect Ratio for Social Media Posting
- 4. Rapid Camera Setting Adjustments
- 5. Adjusting Gimbal Angle for Controlled Speed
- 6. Pinching the Joysticks for More Control
- 7. Utilize a Lanyard for Easy Drone Control
- 8. Simplified Landing Techniques
- 9. Use the ‘Find My Drone’ Feature in Case of a Crash
- 10. Practice with the LiftOff Simulator
- 11. Avoid Sun Damage to Your Goggles
- 12. Set Your Return-to-Home Height
- 13. Attach the Battery Correctly
- 14. Be Careful Removing The Battery
- 15. Motion Blur for More Cinematic Clips
- Final Words
1. Using Gyroflow for Super Smooth Video
DJI Avata offers three stabilization options, with the final one being a somewhat clandestine wonder.
While you can select Rocksteady and Horizon Steady from the settings menu for basic stabilization, turning off the EIS setting is the secret to getting super smooth videos.
Turning off EIS allows the drone to store gyro data in your video, which you can then enhance using Gyroflow software. The software simplifies the process of creating incredibly smooth videos, regardless of your skill level.
If you’re having trouble keeping the Avatar lined up on a subject flying straight along red lines or even through narrow gaps for example then you will want to turn this next feature on.
2. Center Point for Precise Alignment
Trust me! As a beginner in manual mode, I know how tough it can be.
In settings, in the camera menu, turn on Center Point. This adds a small point in the center of the video you see in the goggles.
Turning on Center Point adds a small point in the center of your view to the goggles, and this can be really useful for keeping the Avata lined up and flying straight
3. 4×3 Aspect Ratio for Social Media Posting
If you’re regularly posting your drone video clips to social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok, using the Avatar’s 4×3 aspect ratio in 2.7k video resolution can help you preserve more of your video content when cropping it to fit a vertical format.
4. Rapid Camera Setting Adjustments
Rather than going through several steps to adjust camera settings like resolution or ISO limit, you can quickly swipe up to access these settings.
Keep swiping right to reveal even more options, like aspect ratio, field of view, stabilization mode, and color profile.
5. Adjusting Gimbal Angle for Controlled Speed
For beginners finding it hard to control speed, adjusting the gimbal angle can help.
If the gimbal points upward, you’ll likely fly faster, but setting the gimbal to zero will allow you to fly slower, giving you more time to line up your shots or make turns.
6. Pinching the Joysticks for More Control
If thumb control on the joysticks doesn’t offer enough precision, especially in manual mode, try pinching the joysticks.
This technique involves using both your finger and thumb to control the joystick, which allows for increased accuracy.
7. Utilize a Lanyard for Easy Drone Control
Between the C1 and Pause buttons on the Avatar controller, you’ll find an attaching point for a lanyard.
Using a lanyard makes handling the controller easier, especially when you’re wearing goggles.
8. Simplified Landing Techniques
Landing can be tricky for beginners, but switching the drone to normal mode makes it easier. In normal mode, the drone will hover until you’re ready to land.
You can also use the hand-catching method when landing in areas with tall grass or sand to prevent damage to your drone.
9. Use the ‘Find My Drone’ Feature in Case of a Crash
In the unfortunate event of a crash, DJI provides a ‘Find My Drone’ feature in the DJI Fly app.
You can plug your phone into your goggles and use this feature to locate your drone on a map or by triggering a beeping sound if the Avata is still connected.
10. Practice with the LiftOff Simulator
If you’re still learning to fly manually, consider using the LiftOff simulator.
Although it’s a paid simulator and doesn’t have a DJI Avatar model, it’s a great alternative to the DJI virtual flight app for honing your skills.
If you want to use other simulation software, check out this article.
11. Avoid Sun Damage to Your Goggles
Never point your goggles towards the sun, as the sun’s rays can burn the screen, causing irreversible damage.
This can happen in just a few seconds if the sun is strong enough and you get unlucky, so don’t do what I did.
I know, know, know, fail, and point the goggles up towards the sun. Alright, this tip is super important; I can’t stress this enough as it will save your drone.
12. Set Your Return-to-Home Height
Always set your return-to-home height to a level higher than any potential obstacles in the drone’s path before you go flying in the safety settings menu.
This prevents the drone from crashing into objects when the return-to-home feature is activated.
13. Attach the Battery Correctly
When you’re attaching the battery to the goggles, you will notice a little “click” on the cable when it’s inserted fully.
This snaps into place, creating a super strong connection so that the cable doesn’t accidentally detach when you’re flying.
It’s really important to make sure that it’s kept in place because if it’s not, and you keep the battery in your pocket, it could come loose during your flight if you move around a lot.
This will cause your goggles to turn off, and you’ll lose visual on your drone, which wouldn’t be very good. It only takes a few seconds before each flight, but just make sure it’s attached securely, and you won’t have any problems.
14. Be Careful Removing The Battery
Another tips!
When you’re removing the battery, you do so by pressing the two orange tongs together and pulling the battery out of the back of the drone.
Sometimes it can be quite tight and require a bit of a tug. Make sure you have the drone held securely when you do that; otherwise, you might drop the Avatar in the process.
So just to be safe, put the drone down on the ground whenever you’re removing the battery. This way, you won’t run any risk of dropping it if it’s a little tight to remove.
Remember to take your time and ensure the battery cable is securely in place before takeoff.
15. Motion Blur for More Cinematic Clips
For those seeking cinematic clips, adjusting the shutter speed to create motion blur can yield stunning results. You can use ND filters (also known as drone sunglasses) to achieve this effect without overexposing the image.
Final Words
I hope with these tips and hidden features, and you’ll be able to maximize the potential of your DJI Avata drone and create incredible, professional-level videos.
Happy flying!