Day 86: I suggested we go for a walk today, so I could find and pick up a new drone. We headed to an Apple reseller which is less than a kilometer from our Airbnb. We walked a longer route going than when returning. Yet, I had my intended purchase in hand when we got back.
I do a lot of research before a purchase but eventually decided to go ahead with the purchase of a DJI NEO Combo Pack. My original DJI Mavic Mini of five years has now been officially replaced! Although the old device still works as well as it did when new, it is not with me. That drone is light enough to easily take along but it is a bit too much of a hassle to use. It requires a few minutes to get ready and set up. This makes it less useful as a travel drone. Although it shoots video, I snapped photos almost exclusively from altitudes impossible otherwise.
I am looking forward to get to know the NEO as it can practically fit in a jacket pocket. The camera isn't much of an upgrade and the gimbal is less sophisticated. A battery only allows for 15 minutes of flight. Yet it has other features I want. As well as using the traditional controller and phone app, it can fly with a number of pre-set modes right from the palm of one's hand. It'll follow its user around autonomously. I hope to practice using video and uploading clips to YouTube and other social media.
After lunch I had the battery and the two spares, the controller, and the NEO charged up. I downloaded the new firmware and let it follow me around the living room a bit. In the days ahead, I plan to learn and practice a lot.
