The most useful things to know about the DJI Avata 2: it starts in Beginner mode at 1 m/s, it has no forward obstacle avoidance (even during Return to Home), and tricks are done with Easy ACRO from the shortcut menu, not by stick skill. Set your RTH altitude every flight, keep a visual observer next to you, and learn Real View, Find My Drone and Turtle mode before you need them.
Before the first flight
- Watch the built-in tutorial. In the goggles: Settings > Control > Motion Controller > Flight Control > Motion Controller Instructions.
- Activate with DJI Fly on your phone through the goggles. Until then, flights are limited.
- Remove the gimbal protector before powering on, and refit it when you pack up.
- Close the dust covers on the USB-C port and microSD slot.
- Unfold the goggles antennas.
- Register it. At 377 g it needs FAA registration. See Avata 2 license.
Flying tips
- Beginner mode caps speed at 1 m/s. Turn it off under Settings > Control > Beginner Mode once you can hover and turn smoothly.
- Mode button: one press switches Normal and Sport. Press and hold to start RTH. Press the lock button once to cancel RTH.
- Take off 15 m or more from buildings and wait for "Home Point has been updated." DJI says buildings can throw off the compass and GNSS.
- Set RTH altitude above the tallest trees nearby under Settings > Safety. The Avata 2 can't detect obstacles during RTH.
- Head Tracking turns the drone and tilts the camera with your head. Enable it from the shortcut menu. It disables Easy ACRO.
- Use the accelerator gently. Smooth pressure gives smooth footage.
How to do tricks
Easy ACRO gives you Flip, Roll, 180° Drift, Slide and Power Loop with the RC Motion 3:
- Fly above 1.5 m in open space, in Normal mode, with over 25% battery.
- Open the shortcut menu and select Easy ACRO.
- Turn the dial to the action, then push the joystick.
It won't work while recording, so enable it first. Full guide: Avata 2 flips. For real acro, you need the FPV Remote Controller 3 and Manual mode.
Features people miss
- Real View: tap twice firmly on the right side of the Goggles 3, or press the motion controller dial twice, to see your surroundings through the goggles' cameras.
- Find My Drone: Settings > Safety > Find My Drone replays the last 30 seconds of video before the drone was lost. ESC Beeping makes the motors beep so you can hear it.
- Turtle mode flips the drone upright after it lands upside down.
- Share the view: the goggles can stream to one phone over Wi-Fi or cable, or broadcast to any number of other Goggles 3 in Audience mode.
Footage tips
- Gyroflow: turn EIS off and set FOV to Wide, then stabilize in post. See edit FPV footage with Gyroflow.
- D-Log M gives more room to grade; add a LUT. See Avata 2 LUTs.
- Internal storage slows down with long use. Offload and format when the goggles prompt you. See Avata 2 SD card.
- ND filters help get motion blur in daylight. See Avata 2 ND filters.
Battery habits
- Land with margin. Hard flying drains the battery far faster than the 23-minute rating.
- The charging hub can move power from partly used batteries into one: hold its function button with two or more batteries inserted.
- Charge between 5° and 40° C.
More in Avata 2 battery life.
Practice
DJI recommends Liftoff, Uncrashed, The Drone Racing League and DCL simulators for Manual mode practice. A few hours there saves props and arms.
New to it? Start with the Avata 2 quick start. Shop the DJI Avata 2 and a spare battery.
Related guides
- DJI Mini 3 tips and tricks: 12 things to know
- DJI Mini 4 Pro tips and tricks: 14 things to know
- Buying the DJI Avata 2 drone only: what else you need
- Can the DJI Avata 2 do flips? How to flip with Easy ACRO
- Can you fly the DJI Avata 2 without a controller or goggles?
- DJI Avata 2 batteries and chargers: what to buy
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