KAYAKING with DJI NEO - Is it any GOOD?

I will be sharing my experience kayaking with the DJI NEO and share with you if it is any good. I have been using the DJI Mini 2 however the functions of the DJI NEO seemed too good to resist and I believe it will make my life easier while kayaking to get some great footage.
There is definitely a learning curve when using a drone while kayaking so I believe I will get better at it and capture better footage while using the DJI NEO while kayaking.
I especially like the Spotlight mode and the Follow mode. Hope you enjoy!
If you have the DJI Neo, please also let me know if you think it is any good for kayaking!
DJI Neo with Three Batter Combo: amzn.to/3Tu16Wg
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[@dpkgray]

Please read the manual. It states to not use the drone over water or reflective surfaces in the autonomous mode. This video is a good demonstration of what happens when you don’t.

[@roninr8199]

That's only during landing I guess you would have issues.

[@TechInspected]

​@roninr8199 What they're saying is correct. When you launch the drone from your hand, the drone has no GPS lock on. It uses the bottom firing positioning sensors only. With only those sensors, it has no data as to how high it is from the ground. It does not know which way is forward, etc. Its like a PC mouse, but you cover the laser on the bottom. The only way it follows in water is when it gets a GPS lock, and using its front camera recognition software. Which is not perfect or infalliable without the bottom firing sensor data.

[@roninr8199]

@@TechInspected with controller it locks home point.

[@TechInspected]

@@roninr8199 they're launching without it. That's the point. No gps if you launch from your hand. That's the test. Pay attention.

[@TechInspected]

@@roninr8199 He isn't using a controller.

[@lingoting]

Thanks for the video. As far as I know, when the drone is in the autonomous mode, you're not supposed to fly it over water / reflective surfaces and cliffs because the drone only uses its downward sensor to position itself in this mode, when it can't detect anything below it, it goes into ATT mode and land right away. I am happy that you didn't lose your drone.

[@Fishaholicboy]

That makes complete sense.. I suppose I was hoping it would've worked over water. I really like the handheld function so that it's easier to record my paddling trips. Maybe I'll find some way to use it better. Thanks for watching!

[@AJ-77]

Setting it to Follow-High must be safe. The time is the mayor risk

[@SceneryFromSky]

That's definitely incorrect. Even in autonomous mode, the Neo will use GPS positioning to determine its position. It only goes into Attitude mode if it loses the GPS positioning. It does NOT only rely on downward vision sensors.

[@lingoting]

@SceneryFromSky some guy tried to take off at the end of a runway, when the Neo was in autonomous mode or connected via WiFi, he was able to take off, but once it was hooked up to the RC, he got the NFZ message and wasn't allowed to take off. Based on this, I assume that GPS is only enabled when it's connected to the RC

[@SceneryFromSky]

@@lingoting no that’s not it. He just didn’t wait long enough for the drone to get gps lock before taking off. If he had waited a longer time between turning on the drone and taking off, he wouldn’t have been able to because the drone would recognize its location via gps. This has already been proven by another KZbinr. This also explains why sometimes the drone would land unexpectedly during autonomous mode over water, and other times it’s completely fine.

[@SunitDas7464]

Damn! That's so brave (and little irresponsible) of you to test it for the 2nd time above the water, after the first mishap. However, by doing this review video you have saved the lives of many drones out there.

[@alwaysyouramanda]

After some other vidoes that didn’t even involve the water I figured this thing is NOT SAFE around it 🤭 I like to skate by the harbor and I’m thinking maybe that’s not a great spot

[@WaskitoPringgohandoko]

This is actually a test that we've been hoping to do but didn't have the courage to do it 😂 Many will be grateful for this video 👍🏼

[@T3ddyB3arz]

Agreed!

[@tohthunder]

Everyone knows that drones in autonomous mode should not fly over water. But I still have to thank you for testing it out.

[@benja_mint]

It was great to see somebody testing it in more challenging circumstances

[@lawrencemok3848]

Thank you for your demonstration 😉

[@Fishaholicboy]

Hope it helped!

[@slicedpage]

Sometimes YT recommends something when you need it. In a couple of weeks, I planned to use my Neo while Kayaking. I think I'll stick to shots from the shore. Thank you very much for uploading this.

[@ludwi970]

Thanks for your video. I think it’s not your fault. My Neo landed itself in the water, performing a Dronie turn back initiated form a boardwalk, but drifting to one side and landing in the water instead of on my handpalm on the boardwalk. It looked like it got confused by the water. Luckily I had DJI Care+. Returned it friday (using basic option) and received a new one just today (tuesday). No crossing water (without a remote) for me. Just as DJI advises: stay away from water with this NEO. I think thats true for the auto-moves & gsm remote. I saw dji remote videos performing fine above water.

[@Fishaholicboy]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I will have to be extra careful! I also got DJI Care just in case but I hope I don't need to use it.

[@sloflycom]

Had the same. First day. First dronie. It flew back and up and then it lost ballance. Hit a branch and fell in the river. Ups picked it up on Thursday DJI care.Tuesday now and have the new one.

[@mcmiller233]

Those were all questions I had for my Neo when I receive it. I am glad the answers came from your Neo.

[@JanTrowa]

omg - I'm already quite nervous watching. Great video

[@xius0228]

Thank you for testing. In the past two days, I thought it was very convenient, but now I have canceled the order. Happy Paddles!👍

[@Fishaholicboy]

Ahhh.. it really depends how and where you use it. I think the challenge is on top of open water above a certain height. It worked well when I was walking on ground!

[@pdtech4524]

Intense stuff, you're braver than me! 😮😳😁

[@jimb0wie]

Brave test. Good video.

[@SteffenRoller]

I’m so glad you made this video. I’m a kayaker myself and was considering to get this drone. But now I see it’s not ready for prime time (yet).

[@darthsanzodius]

Whoa thats very brave but very insightful thanks for this... More neo vids please

[@fz8964]

Thanks for your great work, so it looks like tracking me while I'm swimming is a pipe dream.😂

[@Fishaholicboy]

Imagine if there was a drone that would follow a swimmer! Who knows right? Tech advances so quickly these days and we can only hope for it :)

[@HtetEi]

Great testing… I was wanting to use while I am kayaking in water. Now, it is not convenient for landing , have to wait for more updates. Thank you

[@phildawe7172]

Well done producing this- was considering it for this very use case, but that’s just stressful! Hahah - prob still want one tho

[@Fishaholicboy]

It definitely was stressful haha. I will keep trying it to see if it gets any better!

[@JamesJoyce-gk5jf]

It's a common thing with small drones. I was speaking to a guy the other day who has a different brand of drone & he said that his one won't land when he's on his kayak as the drone can't judge the distance to ground zero when over water. He's had to put floats on his just in case of a water landing

[@_osimosi_]

Ah that's a shame, i was thinking of buying it maybe but the camera quality and the tracking in the kayak doesn't seem reliable at all...

[@Fishaholicboy]

If you have someone to control it, would be amazing to capture your rolls!

[@fishing_tiago]

Obrigado pelo teste! Ia comprar aqui no Brasil 🇧🇷 e agora mudei de ideia… ia ser muito bom para minhas pescarias de caiaque!

[@iconz7]

So cool.. enjoy your videos...

[@littlfire]

This is So useful test. I kind of guessed it would be something like that though. LOL. I miss my Neo.(signal lost and lost it. )

[@ertvlog]

Thank you for testing. Appreciate it. this is helpful.

[@Packrafters]

Thank you for this test, it’s exactly what I was looking for! I also wanted to buy this drone for shooting over water, but it looks like I’ll have to look for something else

[@jakebrakebill]

Kind of reminds me of hearing people out in the wilderness, screaming "GoPro off" who are they yelling at ? I got a mini pro around may, but it got too hot to use it, now with cooler weather ahead of us, I hope to figure it out more.

[@Fishaholicboy]

Haha I’m always saying “GoPro stop recording!”. I sound like a broken record sometimes..

[@AzBachour]

I should have seen that before buying mine. lol Im going to use it while moving in a ding

[@humbertoMartinez-pm7jy]

Good video...thanks

[@Secretagogue]

Learning from dji spark and mavic air. Phone control was one of many cause of drone runaway.

[@nickfranco7362]

That’s was cool … I am going to use it for fishing on boat. The funny part I’m just thinking that there’s gonna be a lot of people saying that a eagle or an owl snatched there dji neo 😅

[@GoneKayaking]

This is a useful video.. not a great result unfortunately. I'm interested to see if you find a way to make it behave. It would be great to get it following on a wave 🌊 but it doesn't look reliable enough for an adventure

[@Fishaholicboy]

I wasn’t sure what to expect when using it while kayaking. If you take it on adventures on land, I’m sure it’ll work much better! I have to say I was probably part of the problem by not using it correctly

[@GoneKayaking]

@@Fishaholicboy I hope you find a way, but I can't think what you could do differently. I looked like lucky saves. If you'd been further out and not able to recover it.. oops

[@Fishaholicboy]

@@GoneKayaking oh for sure I would’ve lost it if I was out further!

[@Peakabike]

Wow, scary!

[@TrilhanaSerraByAntonio]

Top

[@TechyMedic28]

Thanks for doing this. I currently have a Mini Pro 3 and an Avata 2. Was think of adding the Neo to my fleet but not so much anymore. The $200 price point will definitely increase accessibility but I don’t think it’s for me. Tangent question: do you use Filmora to edit your videos?

[@Fishaholicboy]

The price point is what’s attractive to most people I believe, and people would use it over land mostly so for them, it would make sense. I’m using Davinci Resolve to edit my videos. It’s free to download!

[@Dronematographer]

Bro the only thing Neo is perfect at is flying in bright indoors. And flying full manual acro the mode in windless environment

[@TheClosetMonster]

I definitely think the water reflection could be the case. Mine follows my dog even around several people and smaller skinny park trees they line the path with

[@deathbyautopsy8660]

Ive had no problems with Dronie and Circle over water, however it took off from land. I also now know not to launch from the very edge of water or mountain as it moves back a couple of meters to scan the subject and this is the point it returns to, not you!

[@donaldwilliams9386]

The issue is caused by the machine’s positioning mechanism, and it can only be resolved through manual control for now.

[@Fishaholicboy]

I suppose that’s how I will use it going forward while paddling :)

[@Dronematographer]

Yo bro, the moment I saw your video I was like that was so damn risky man HAHAHAA

[@odlanorirom]

lesson learned: dont try to fly a 'newly' released drone above water even when its tempting....just be satisfied to use the 360cam...but I'm looking forward for the front and side tracking of the neo...

[@BirrOMatic]

I think the probem was that Neo was controlled by wifi with the phone and not a controller. 20~50m is the most you will get out of it that way. The one being filmed have to bring the phone and controller with you to be more safe if the Neo loses contact. Otherwise it will most likely land in the water. Maybe you can try it out with the controller?

[@andrew007s]

Nice video. Where is this at?

[@rollingjunkie]

I did similar tests with DJI Mavic Air six years ago. It didn't work well. I was wondering if the tracking improved over time, but it seems it has not.

[@Fishaholicboy]

I think on land it should be ok… but I believe the challenge is on top of the water with the reflection and the ripples from waves!

[@ThiloD]

Which was the Firmware on the Neo when the Video was created?

[@alwaysyouramanda]

Hilarious the way AI takes over. We lost a fighter jet in the states-! A “misshap”

[@SkydiveToma]

Be very aware! My Neo decided to land when i executed a dronie from the side over water expecting for the Neo to return to me after 10 meters. Unfortunatly after a couple meters in my Neo decided to land....in the water. Before i knew it my Neo was swimming on the bottom of the lake. So watch out with quickshots on water!

[@Fishaholicboy]

Oh no. I hope you had DJI Care! Thanks for the tip. The Neo did almost hit the edge of the rock wall.. but then I realised I had the drone on Low setting.. Will keep trying to use!

[@SkydiveToma]

@@Fishaholicboy DJI is sending me a new Neo. It's shipping atm 🥳👍🏽 They adviced me to not use the Neo near water when using the manual quickshots.

[@sparkzhu]

Errr... Its too late to see this video, already bought 😢

[@Fishaholicboy]

It’s a fun drone and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it! I think I was part of the problem hehe.

[@kdenisz424]

Dji says to avoiding using it in environments such as water surface where it is not suitable for flying DJI Neo.

[@gatway100]

I have problems with the reflection of the water

[@st1ffee]

you need the controller above water as the drone needs gps to avoid crashing into the water

[@MyN_Guitarist]

how about using a racket to catch it on the air ^^

[@ninakruzo]

Going to a remote place. Can the drone work without wifi or data?

[@roninr8199]

Will make sure will not do what you did 😂😂😂 You were lucky. How will dji mini 4 pro perform over water

[@MohammadPoliceBeUponHim]

remember its a selfie drone not for a sport or cinematic drone 😅

[@TrailBikeMike]

Another KZbin confirmed with DJI that without a manual control the drone uses the sensors on the bottom to determine height and the sensors do not work over water due to reflectivity. For the same reason you should not fly it over a cliff. In manual control it is apparently fine. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqS7gKuYl7qNgpYsi=xGMntj0MpRMcD2vn

[@londenard]

DJI Neo User Manual, Page 23 Do Not Fly Over Water.

[@signfull1]

you make me nervous

[@Fishaholicboy]

Haha I was very nervous

[@WestP]

Better get a remote controller.

[@louisdrone]

Wow, you sure it can fly over water surface 😂

[@Fishaholicboy]

I think it’s gets a bit confused over the water… but worked fine on land 😂 I’ll test it more

[@louisdrone]

@@Fishaholicboy Good try, support 🤟🏻

[@sugebeykk]

Follow mode will not come close to you when you stopping, read the manual please.

[@JT-wg5ld]

Lol you lucky, think the GPS and sensor thing issues best not fly neo autonomous over water, thus why there advisory on neo for not flying over water. If want best fly high coz fly low the sensor may cause the drone land into water. If using controller you won't have that issue when flying over water.

[@FrankRostirolla]

RTFM

[@ElburroE]

Jeebus dude...there are warnings about water. Come on.

[@toyshanger8945]

Nah video content is cool. Besides you get to say I told you so! Lol😂

[@rk71happyworld48]

nightmare a joke a toy

[@driewiel]

Maybe fly it in a plastic bag? Just to be sure.

[@000SilaS000]

horrible quality

[@bazlurr]

it is reflection of water surface