DJI 04 Air Unit Pro full review. Somehow, they just keep making it better.

[@dougsisk619]

We never made it that far up the road in the Analog days. What a time to be alive!

[@TriMeX1987]

As with the 03 I's like to see it tested to 03 with some high end dual sma antennas.

[@gimbalair]

No low light test?

[@executioner7400]

Another have been tested

[@LehtusBphree2flyFPV]

Just got to have more content you create on separate videos. This is how you make money on KZbin. Can't put 4 videos all in one and screw yourself on making multiple videos every week.

[@amazn1234]

Also freezing outside for him at night. I wouldn't wanna stand outside flying for more than 1 min at civil twilight 😂

[@gimbalair]

@ only interested in indoor darkish environment for fly throughs i do.

[@LehtusBphree2flyFPV]

@amazn1234 hell with the 04 I guess JB could sit on his couch and fly the neighborhood just to prove the preparation is EPIC and stay warm at the same time

[@MiratzFPV]

Woohoo... the real review. I chose to skim the rumor videos waited for JB to do it proper. :) Looking forward to Lite review (it will be Lite forever) .

[@vehicularMCS]

News Daddy bring us the news! We need it!

[@vidyadharpatil6683]

I heard someone calling Bruce granddaddy of FPV and Now Jashua is Daddy.😂

[@ryanstotsky1261]

Need some low light footage. Around dusk and street lights.

[@emilejobin1695]

Just look up avata 2 low light footage.

[@rizsu82]

Potato jet just posted a video have a look.

[@zentriceggofficial]

@@rizsu82 Looks not too bad. I guess no smart-audio feature though.

[@joshb5480]

@@zentriceggofficialgoggles control the channel and power tho right?

[@zentriceggofficial]

@@joshb5480 Yup. But you can control those things from a TX16s for example.

[@IDrone-l5m]

Good review, Josh. You sure did put a lot of hard work in this review.

[@markpfeifer1402]

I haven't flown much the last 3 years, my last build was an original Air Unit. I gotta admit this looks tempting. Love that long range signal stability.

[@fdtank81]

Wait for goggles

[@UAVfutures]

Great video. The real question with the race mode option is not "is it better than analog" its "is it better than HD zero"

[@nullfield1126]

Comment for the algorithm because I like these videos~

[@alexchulzhanov]

I think the different mounting screws was just due to the physical constraints with the larger sensor and not to spite everyone. Is it slightly annoying, sure, but a 1/1.3” sensor in that small of a package is pretty incredible.

[@shermangomez1154]

Yup the lite on a micro drone is super exciting!

[@Dorff_Meister]

Thanks Joshua! Good stuff. I look forward to flying O4 some time this year!

[@4slime]

Thanks, Bardwell! You nailed everything I was interested in for the pro unit. Looking forward to your lite review too when it comes out

[@fritzprints7182]

If I do a new quad build with this unit, will I have to deal with geofencing?

[@AlexanderKA-i4w]

Godfather of fpv🔝

[@LehtusBphree2flyFPV]

@@AlexanderKA-i4w JB IS THE G.O.A.T. KWADFATHER

[@CrashTestDummyFpv]

Hahahah

[@fpvmaniac]

can you try to swap cameras between the "lite" and the pro version?

[@RhondaChamberlain-j2k]

Can the 14mm cam be attached to the pro? Would be nice to have a modernized version of the nebula pro nano

[@chrisbee5481]

I'm wondering the other way around. If the pro cam will fit the lite VTX?

[@princesfpvdrones]

Ordered three of the 04 air unit!

[@fpvsmurf]

Same

[@ArchieDroneFPV]

It's finally here!

[@stevejakab]

Great video. Shame the ‘lite’ isn’t 1-4S. Does the lite unit work with the full fat 04 Pro camera (to save weight but get great quality - better than with the lite camera)? Also, can the lite be powered by standard 5v pads on a small 4S build using older FCs? Thanks Joshua

[@MCsCreations]

Ok... NOW I'm impressed. And interested!!! Thanks for the review, Joshua! 😃 Looking forward to the tests with the light version! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@JZEFPV]

Have you or anyone tested if the o4 pro camera will work with the lite vtx?

[@MrValente]

You are a king Joshua!! Great review congrats! Thanks!

[@intensegamer7559]

Great video! The new Air unit seems like great stuff. But it kinda sucks for people who bought into the O3 just a couple of months ago.

[@FireN2k9]

That's typical of dji You have to buy everything new here and there to get all the features or that it even works...

[@ulightme]

9:39 I've never heard any photographers or video people complain about increasing the size of the image sensor (that's why the camera is bigger)

[@FelipeCristancho]

i think in this case we have a bigger sensor. But almost same quality...

[@ulightme]

@@FelipeCristancho bigger sensor = more light (there are other benefits but not desired to fpv, like shallow depth of focus) MORE LIGHT is a very good thing

[@LoganimFPV]

because now the frames to carry this need to be changed

[@CloverFPVSystems]

you should ask an fpv pilot

[@ulightme]

@LoganimFPV that's good for frame makers and economy ;) ( you're right that is the annoying part, but hopefully worth it )

[@twinturbostang]

Thanks for all you do JB. Affiliate link activated. 👍😀

[@PortalFPV]

Well hell.....a few years ago I bought a bunch of Vistas, then fell out of the hobby for the past two years. Now I have a ton of back stock of Vistas and this awesomeness shows up. They'll be on version 6 or 7 by the time I break all these cuz as you said, DJI makes some robust components. Oh well

[@APS-yo8oy]

Vista is bare minimum of the digital world. Your fine. Vistas imo are still good

[@brodyport6395]

Vistas and gen 1 air units are so durable. Which means youll at least get your money put of them.

[@mrcrally263]

​@@brodyport6395vista was actually gen2 , they were o2 but no one called like that ( I guess some other company use o2 name 😉)

[@rudini45]

Are you selling any used stuff? I'm a 100% newby who has committed to the hobby starting this year

[@dddddyyn]

This is me, but with analog gear I bought a ton of spares right before the first dji system launched.

[@PeterRospond]

Awesome info! Thanks Josh and Happy New Year my friend.

[@chrisnevergrowold330]

This is what I was waiting for. I have goggles n3, cant wait for a mobula with 04, going to be so much fun!

[@fpvstef]

Great video as always, thanks Joshua 🙏

[@piotrmatusik333]

Orderd the O4 lite already today for a small drone. And decided to wait before ordering the pro because I have only G2 and wouldn't get all the benefits of the O4Pro without G3.

[@LowVoltage_FPV]

Would only take a couple of strokes with a file to make that camera fit into a 19mm mount.

[@ClubbFPV]

No 4:3 mode @ 4k 120fps means I’m sticking with the GoPro. We are close but not there just yet for me, I like being able to record 4:3 because I can use gyroflow to get a decent 9:16 and 16:9 exports from the same video file. IMO GoPros 8:7 sensor is still undefeated because of this reason.

[@alexoliver9201]

Does it need an arming input like the 03 to get full output power or is it like the original air unit that doesn’t need an arming command to get full power? I ask as I like to use fpv on ground units with no ability to arm the unit 👍🏼✌🏼

[@Mossinthewoods]

You can turn that off in the goggles menu

[@alexoliver9201]

@ so it’s similar to the original units in this case ?

[@Mossinthewoods]

@@alexoliver9201 I believe it is the same as it was on the o3. I assume you're talking about the option to have low power mode enabled when not armed?

[@alexoliver9201]

@@Mossinthewoods I’m on about being able to output 1200mw from powering up the air unit like the vista or original air unit. The 03 you need to arm the air unit to output full MW power

[@Rcschim]

Hah - you've entered the "chicken chasing" business like Rimzler? Copycat ;) Great review - great product. Not sure if I will get one soon - but of course it's tempting! When the O3 already was good enough to replace Gopro (for my needs) the O4 pro will even be better. This will make epic longrange crusing and footage in 2025. Greets, Mario

[@LehtusBphree2flyFPV]

@@Rcschim I love Rimzier accent and the way he says Jell-O and chasing the chickens.

[@uvraj1028]

It'll also make it all the more frustrating when you lose it :P

[@MattyCowPatty]

0:59 are you just playing Lift Off right now?

[@magiofthoth]

He must have a mod, "bardwells yard" doesn't have that shed 😂

[@BrianMikasa]

Got the lite version. Now the question is if the n3 goggles would suffice or if the goggles 3 would be that much better

[@JeffWok]

DJI Corporate greed! Great channel JB, loved the review.

[@MRooooA6]

To be honest, I'm quite a beginner when it comes to self-build FPV. I recently got an Avata2 and I'm thrilled. My son would now also like a toy like this. Now I would like to build a drone myself with the Air Unit 4 Lite. Can I simply fly the Air Unit with the DJI FPV remote control or do I need other receiver components?

[@espi721]

You won't need other components as it has it's own wire dedicated to that on the SBUS.

[@risgrigg]

Great review! Is the ride along, "Audience Mode" any better with this unit?

[@Kromatikeys]

4k on tinywhoops/toothpicks is going to be insane, but I can't bring myself to switch to DJI from walksnail. I hope this pushes walksnail to make a 4k lite unit.

[@benjaming9835]

Can be used with the DJI Goggles 2, that's very nice !!

[@benediktheitmann3014]

It would be interesting to see how the separate antenna design helped improve performance, and also a comparison between g2 and 3 because I can get by with 50mhz, just more range would be good.

[@stephenpatton8690]

Can you do a beginners guide to the crossfire tx and rx using a surface/car setup with futaba t4pm, moonlight kit, gimball, and head tracking? Will crossfire even work with this? Hope so as I ordered it!

[@Skankhunt-42-]

no it wont work. Futaba have no external module bay. How are you planning on plugging in a crossfire tx to a futaba radio? You need to either buy a tbs radio or a radio that accepts a JR module and buy a crossfire module. Futaba are proprietary and dont play well with any external components. Their software wont even give you an option to run anything like crossfire.

[@matt0725]

To piggyback off of the other comment, you can do this with ELRS. They have a ground vehicle radio and bardwell has videos about it showing how they work

[@cleitinFPV]

I bought a pavo20 PRO but the O4 lite camera don't fit in. Sadly I must buy the O3...

[@maxsteal1982]

JB. @17:28 o4 is 5Mbps while at same location @17:51 o3 is at a higher 10 Mbps. Additionally it seems like the o4 weak (yellow) warning kicks in fasted i.e. at a higher Mbps than the o3. Look @16:41 o4 is 28 Mbps with low yellow warning while the o3 at same location @17:18 is at a lower 20 Mbps but with no warning. Does this mean that the o3 has better transmission at a lower bitrate.? Looks like more testing is needed.

[@mcronfpv8736]

Yep I wasn't impressed with this particular test either. Antennas are different on both drones, and the antennas of the receiver/ headset were not exactly fixed either, so the variation could come from that. My guess is that it's the same penetration on both. The o4 just seems like a finished version of the o3 lol.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

You can cherry pick one location where the O3 was higher, but if you look at the overall tend of the flight, O4 was much better, much more often. O4 outputs 50% more power than O3 so that probably has a lot to do with it. Complaining that the antennas are different makes no sense. I'm using the stock antenna that DJI ships with the air unit. That's part of the test. If one air unit has a better antenna, that should be reflected in the results.

[@JamesLarson]

That whole section near the end of the road by the yellow truck, the o3 looked perfectly clear, and the o4 was a blocky mess. It seemed like the o3 is much clearer at the same low bitrate.

[@burdfamfpv]

Hope the low light aspect is better than 03 guess I'll have to break down and buy one to find out for myself

[@graysonmiller8195]

Are the v2 goggles comparable?

[@willtoulan]

According to rotor riot the o4 is NOT compatible with the goggles v2

[@brodyport6395]

The chart on pyro makes it seem like the v2 goggles are compatible with the o4 standard but not the pro.

[@aidanfarley9566]

If they aren't it's a real deal breaker for me. The O3 is good enough to where I don't feel the need to upgrade especially if it means spending 300-600$ more on a new pair of goggles.

[@beksfpv]

how many month ago you have it

[@tailiangzuo2420]

Great introduction!! Is the Pro camera compatible with O3's? (width and screw hole) I'd exchange on some quads designed for O3... And not "D-Log M"??? If "D-Log" it's the first true Log camera for own build quads!?!?

[@WinstonSmith1984]

They should've made 3 versions: a pro, a lite (what is now the standard version), and a mid version (like lite) with added SD card recording. It really sucks that I can't use it on light models without another HD camera. Also another question: can the O4 pro air unit be used as a secondary recording-only camera (so no transmitting) just in case one wants to use it as an action camera (e.g. rear view) on a model that already has an air unit for FPV?

[@andreastornesel8404]

Looks almost as good as the Avata2 picture quality 😊

[@AykutArgun]

I think camera size is a physical limitation. If we want better IQ than o3, the most straight forward way is to use a bigger sensor. If I can dump my action camera, I am very happy to adapt some new frames.

[@JeSSTeR81]

Great video, so want a mini/micro build.. should I purchase the lite or pro? Not understanding the full benefit difference!?

[@GENERALLee-jp4xr]

Bad ass quad 💯🔥😳👍🏼nice flying 😮😮😮🤫🤫👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@adamfedrau1568]

Is it worth it now to get into the system with the Goggles 3 and Remote 3? Anything with the 04 air unit will now be worth buying in a small package (nearly everything) as opposed to other platforms it seems. For units that come PNP or with the 04 it seems like a no brainer. Am I wrong??

[@360PictureUK]

will it fit into the HEQ Gimbal? Width and Cable connector?

[@srqTactical]

Do they work with the old school DJI goggles the 2020 ones?

[@APS-yo8oy]

Nope

[@APS-yo8oy]

For now they only work with goggles 3

[@NunoFlyer]

Which setttings are available for Goggles 2 and O4?

[@ReedRoams]

Will this work with g2 right away or do we have to wait for an update?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

I was able to bind it to G2 with firmware I flashed from DJI Companion. But my DJI Companion had approval to download pre-release firmware for the O4. So I don't know 100% whether the firmware on my G2 is public yet. But if it's not public, it's coming.

[@duckie250]

What are your thoughts on the new Matrice 4? I am waiting for the Magic 4 pro for taking pics and video. I was wondering if the Matrice 4 is the one drone that can do it all. Digital zoom is insane for inspections and the camera seems very good for taking pictures and video.

[@AlanzFPV]

What about low light performance? Bigger sensor should be better than 03. Anxiously awaiting reviews on this

[@zippomaker]

Hi Joshua, do you have a chance to try the O4 with the FPV RC3?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

I confirm it works but no I didn't try it other than binding.

[@alpenfoxvideo7255]

how better are those new goggles?

[@tomas.sessions]

That camera mount.... 😤😤

[@jeffmcclain]

Love your videos, JB. At 26:40 you pop the G3's in the fridge, supposedly in RACE MODE testing at 25mW...uh, which I thought race mode sets you at the 20MHz ch width and 20Mbps, but the on screen display shows 60Mbps still???

[@JoshuaBardwell]

That wasn't in race mode. It was just in fixed output power.

[@jeffmcclain]

@@JoshuaBardwell Got it! Thanks for the clarification. I thought the fixed output was ONLY in race mode, but that makes more sense. Thank you!

[@AbuAhmadKurd1]

Iam new to fpv I will buy 2, 04 air unit lite for mini whoops to learn on I have the radiomaster pocket and ordered the new one to what is called the gx12. And bought that of your link to. I have free rider sim on my phone learning till everything comes

[@BreeZieDoesiT]

What would be a good FC to run for a 2S frame with the 04 lite?. Best ?

[@Spiloli]

how easy is it to use as a standalone real time pov camera?

[@skupper672]

In your opinion how would you gauge the low light performer over the O3 in a percentage of improvement?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Marginal improvement due to larger sensor, but still not really usable compared to something like the Walksnail Pro camera.

[@skupper672]

@ dang that’s disappointing…

[@scu-dub]

I thought the n3 goggles weren't compatible with the 04 air unit🤔

[@KOrnhOliO1]

Nope. 04 is for N3

[@NitronNitron]

Great review!

[@NaorFPV]

this ? ....we are here for you 🙂

[@bansheerider619]

I literally just finished my first O3 Air build last night 😂

[@greenthumb6033]

Thanks for sharing, good info, how about using it with RC2 or RC3 as VTX & TX combined? Might be a very good feature as a lot of people have goggles and one of their FPV RC's radio.

[@Nickxis]

what about the pricing compared to older models?

[@jprizzle2604]

229 and 109 for the new models,

[@CoopzVideo]

Awesome, thanks as always for teaching us all something today! The o4 looks really impressive, although after being excited for it I suddenly find myself wondering if it's worth upgrading. It doesnt seem like the huge jump we had from vista to o3. If it worked with goggles V2 I'd do it without a second thought, but I don't want to be forced into the newer goggles - especially if that will then force the use of GPS and transmitting pilot location etc? Is that the case, or is there a way around all that?

[@IcedOmega13]

What would be a good 3s build for the o4 lite??

[@nosajix]

For us lackies, what can you tell us about dji controller compatibility and performance?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

O4 with G3 or N3 works with RC3. O4 with G2 or Integra works with RC2.

[@LehtusBphree2flyFPV]

If you have 04 and 03 can you switch between 03 and 04 on the same goggles without rebinding each Air unit like vista and 03 AU. This is one feature I wish DJI would make their products compatible with the goggles without rebinding each time between what you have on hand.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Yes you can switch. The binding-loss bug only existed on the V2.

[@LehtusBphree2flyFPV]

@JoshuaBardwell now DJI will sell out with this feature. I hated flying with Vista on G2 and 03 then rebinding every time I go from 03 to the Vista we have in hand.. TY JB

[@cluelesschemist6060]

If you’re starting out in hobby, would you wait for this to be available or just go with the current walksnail offerings?

[@r.eyvprdctn]

If you ask for performance than the choice will be clear as day. The real question is if you got problems with dji as a company, Joshua once put it in a metaphor like Dji is your Dad who from time to time brings home cool toys only that he could leave you alone at home. Just recently we experienced dji to forward flight data to the government no questions asked... Walksnail on the other hand is like your older brother who has time playing with you. I went with Walksnail, no regrets.

[@xXlURMOMlXx]

​@@r.eyvprdctnboth are Chinese so there's not much of a difference. Both will cooperate to minimize from getting banned, only difference is walksnail only makes camera systems so they can't give flight data. I doubt dji could either with just an air unit

[@PixelRacer64]

When it comes, if possible I will machine drill and tap new holes or hole. Unfortunately one of my drone mounting opening is maxed out for the 03. Obviously only once in my hands I will know. ie: thickness of alloy. To make it fit inside the Mario 5 frame/I believe the 20mm ? Won't be an issue. But more will be revealed.

[@propz0ut545]

Does the 04 Air units have remote ID that sends info to the Goggles 3? If so, any idea of away around?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

No it doesn't.

[@propz0ut545]

@ Excellent. Could you possibly tell if the Goggles 2 may have the same range as the Goggles 3? I’m assuming the 50 vs 60mbps doesn’t make difference in range?

[@ericstratten6974]

Other than lower max bitrate, does the performance improvements also hold for the Googles2? Or is it going to be no better than G2/O3??

[@JoshuaBardwell]

G2/Integra does not to "04 transmission" according to DJI marketing materials. I have not done a back to back test yet but this suggests the range is not as good when used with G2 vs. G3.

[@Fpv-H2R]

Hey Joshua I would probably ask them about your affiliate link for the Avata 2 when I went to buy mine recently I told them to specifically give you credit because of your video I was able to make the decision purchase and they said that the link wasn't a good one so please look into that.

[@Raphi-l5g]

I have a Dji Osmo Action 5. would you still buy this air unit? And how would you build your first fpv setup, If you have the Osmo Action 5 and want the best footage possible?

[@linaskerbelis5636]

So when I can buy Betaftv Meteor 75 o4 unit?

[@fpvraver]

Can I use the 04 with V2 DJI Google? Thanks for the review!!!!

[@JoshuaBardwell]

No.

[@fpvraver]

@ I just checked it out that sucks. I figured they would eventually phase it out.

[@APS-yo8oy]

Nope and never will

[@FlydreamMedia]

Awesome info. Test comparison of stock dual antenna vs a 03 style antenna would be interesting...hint hint

[@Kjetilaf]

Goggle 2 compatability?

[@th3s41nt]

So at this point do I buy the DJI Goggles or the Fat Shark HD?

[@APS-yo8oy]

Do you buy the Lamborghini at 750,000 or the Honda at 750,000? That’s the comparison basically

[@JonQuinn-f2s]

So fast and responsive hdzero ❤ it it flies so better F DJI when you start ripping a 5" drone about properly

[@berndr5896]

why not show the copter with O3 air unit?

[@frodobeutlin1361]

How much volts.does the lite o4 needs? Do 1S even give you enouch power?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

3.7v to 13.6v. You can run it on 1S but not all the way down.

[@satishfilmaker8806]

How much price in india

[@twinturbostang]

Is the power/data plug the same as the original AU also?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Yes, identical.

[@Fly_High_FPV]

@joshuabardwell how many channels on 60mhz mode? 2 pilots or 1?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

3 channels. Whether you can use all of them simultaneously though, I don't know.

[@MrKeithw124]

No link on beginners series below

[@rcrdps8144]

What's the bitrate of the goggle dvr with G3 and O4? I'm running G2 and O3, and it kinda sucks compared to what you see in the goggles. This and the "livefeed" usb-out bitrate,....

[@JoshuaBardwell]

The DVR is exactly the same feed as what you see in the goggles. The bitrate is the same as the bitrate you see in the lower-right of the goggles. I don't know what to make of your impression that the DVR recording is lower quality than what you see in goggle. That doesn't seem right to me.

[@rcrdps8144]

@@JoshuaBardwell Interesting. I'm looking at a file right now from my G2 goggle DVR, and it is ~25Mbit. It does seem to be variable, and I have one file that hits 30Mbit. My impression has always felt that I'm not able to display the full quality that I see in my goggles. And the usb-out is much much worse.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

I just checked when you left your comment and the real-time Mbps readout from VLC very closely matched the Mbps I saw in the DVR. It must be acknowledged that if you are recording the OSD in the DVR, then the goggle IS re-encoding. Whereas if you do not record the OSD, it simply writes the video feed to the SD card without re-encoding. So it's possible there is a tiny bit of quality loss from the re-encode. But not much.

[@rcrdps8144]

@@JoshuaBardwell That's cool. Didn't know VLC would do that. Watching it now, 30 mbit while the OSD says 50. I'll have to try without the OSD recording and see if it goes up. I always want the OSD on it, but will be a good datapoint. Thanks.

[@davidtapia813]

Does using the DJI controller affect latency?