Hi everyone. Really would like to upgrade from P4 to
I2. Not sure the cost will meet with the approval of the home management (wife). Certainly not the whole shebang with the nice lens and super ssd etc - and premium cost - at least not initially.
Herein lies the question: the package that DJI is selling with ProRes and Cinema DNG licenses, the super SSD and better lens, if I DON't get them, am I selling myself way short?
I live in the north (cold) weather; it gets really windy at times; and I like to shoot during the golden hours; so I could really use the heated batteries,better flight dynamics and greater dynamic range.
Do I pull the trigger on the "lesser version" of the
I2 or wait?
Sent from my iPad using
InspirePilots
KranMc, how do you plan to use the copter (photos, video, etc). Some of your use may determine what I would recommend but I'll take a stab at a basic
I2 system vs I1 Pro or anything else you would be considering.
One thing that caught my attention in your original post was the windy conditions you will sometimes need to fly in. While the Inspire 1 has proven to be a very capable machine, it was originally built before the X5 camera system. As you know there are 2 versions of the Inspire 1 v1 and v2. V2 was modified with different motors and ESCs. The motors have a higher KV (RPM per volt) so the same battery voltage spins the motor faster and generates a little more lift and payload carrying ability. This was a good improvement for X5 users. The X5R is heavier than an X5 (it has the RAW video recording system on the camera). While we have flown the X5R under a v1 Inspire, it feels under powered in the wind. We had a client up in the Boston area just experience the same thing with a v1 - got the wind warning and also the propulsion system warning and the copter began to drift without being able to hold its position in the wind. I think a v2 Inspire with an X5 camera would do well for you - it might bounce around in the wind a little more than you like, but the camera tends to remain very stable. If you go Inspire 1 I would consider that route.
If you think you can get an
Inspire 2, you could definitely start with the basic
I2 and put on a X4S camera. The copter is $3K and the camera is $600. You would be able to record on an SD card and could avoid all the other costs associated with RAW, ProRes, SSDs, etc. Your upgrade paths are good from here. Since your camera cost was not too bad, if you decide to upgrade to the X5S you can sell your X4S and probably get a decent part of your money back. You can get the X5S for $1400 without the stock DJI lens or for $1900 with the stock lens. In an upgrade situation like this I might go for the one without the lens - saving $500 and pick the lens (or lenses) that you think will work well for you. You can always find other people selling them if you wanted to pick up a couple used ones...these lenses are used on lots of Micro 4/3 cameras.
Finally, if you are loving the X5S you can add the licenses on 1 at a time (get ProRes for great quality video files - or RAW for the best quality - or both). I think you can get the ProRes license for $500 and your video quality would be a nice improvement from an X5 on and Inspire 1.
Finally, while I have not gotten to fly an
Inspire 2 yet, I expect it to be substantially better than an Inspire 1. Its heavier, more powerful, uses larger props, has more redundancy and like a much improved flight controller as well as all the sensors, etc.
Summary: Inspire 1 Pro (Inspire 1 v2 + X5 + DJI lens) current retail price $3400
Inspire 2 plus X4S (
Inspire 2 + X4S and fixed 24mm lens) $3600
Inspire 2 plus X5S (
Inspire 2 + X5S and no lens) $4400 - you would need to pick up a lens or two.
Hope this helps get you thinking a little. If you have any more questions, reply back (others may benefit as well) or shoot me a PM to discuss offline. Of course when you get ready to make a purchase, keep
www.FloridaDroneSupply.com in mind. We have everything ordered and premium combos arriving as soon as next week.