Mavic 2 vs Autel Evo

[buckbuck]

Looking for some input from you guys on drones. I want to purchase one primarily for video while on the water. Ability to perform a 'follow me'/'active track' is paramount. I also have high expectations for durability. I found this video helpful.

 

[Bluewater272]

My Mavic 2 Pro just arrived. Charging stuff up and will give some initial impressions later if anyone is interested. I had the Mavic Pro prior to this, and found it to be a great drone. ActiveTrack can be a little finicky (that goes for all drones, except some really sport-focused ones where you wear a tracker).

That durability video is pretty impressive. The DJI products are very stable and you'd have to try fairly hard to crash in the first place. With the additional sensors on the 2, I think it's be next to impossible unless you were really screwing around in sport mode.

 

[Bluewater272]

Nothing fancy here, just popped it up in the air for a quick test flight. Straight out of camera, shot on automatic. No editing. Camera seems nice, lots of detail if you zoom in.

 

[Bluewater272]

The obstacle avoidance sensors are the real deal on this, almost to the point of annoyance. I took off from my front paver walkway there, and it took me a little while to navigate it up through that opening in the trees. Sensors really wanted be to keep away from everything.

 

[buckbuck]

Your drone has the bigger camera, correct? Do you see a noticeable difference in the quality of the video?

 

[Bluewater272]

Your drone has the bigger camera, correct? Do you see a noticeable difference in the quality of the video?

Really haven't had a chance to test it yet. I just flew it a few minutes ago to do a quick grading test. It's hazy and gross out, and missed the good colors of sunset - so I'm not holding too much hope. I'll post it up tonight/tomorrow depending on when I have a chance to play with it. Currently waiting for Adobe to update so I can edit the H.265 file.

 

[Bluewater272]

Quick photo:

 

[Bluewater272]

Well I'm on the strugglebus here trying to import the H265 Video into Photoshop (my preferred grading tool).

 

[haknslash]

Well I'm on the strugglebus here trying to import the H265 Video into Photoshop (my preferred grading tool).

Are you on Adobe Subscription? Not sure if they're still doing it but you used to have to be a subscriber with to get the new codec. You get it in the Media Encoder.

 

[Bluewater272]

Are you on Adobe Subscription? Not sure if they're still doing it but you used to have to be a subscriber with to get the new codec. You get it in the Media Encoder.

Yep, have the CC Subscription, updated all apps, logged out, logged in. I can get the codec to work in Premiere, but not in Photoshop. Weird.

 

[Bluewater272]

No dice on the new codec in photoshop so far. I'll be shooting a bunch of video over the weekend/next week and will capture in the older codec and share here.

 

[buckbuck]

Anyone have an Autel Evo yet? It has features I really want. #1 being I would never have to deal with DJI service department.

 

[Bluewater272]

Anyone have an Autel Evo yet? It has features I really want. #1 being I would never have to deal with DJI service department.

I'm curious about it too. It looks like a technically proficient piece of equipment, but I have qualms about the software end of it (which is getting to be almost the most important part of it).

FWIW, I've never had to deal with DJI Service, and this is my fourth aircraft. I've heard the stories though, lol.

 

[buckbuck]

The reputation they have is what has me wanting the Autel. But this Mavic 2 looks pretty robust.

 

[buckbuck]

Another Mavic 2 test