DJI RCN2: A Game Changer for Drone Flying
Introducing the DJI RCN2
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Today, we will be looking at the new DJI RCN2, the controller that you attach your phone to and what is changed compared to the original DJI RCN1.
The Benefits of the DJI RCN2
The DJI RCN2 is an upgrade over the original DJI RC. Before the original DJI RC was released, we had to use the DJI RCM1 controller, which required you to connect your phone open the DJI fly up and use that as the drone camera view. This not only took longer to set up when on location, but also meant you could get things like phone calls or text messages appearing on the screen while flying the DJI RC.
The DJI RCN2 solves these problems with its built-in screen, meaning you don’t need to use your mobile phone to fly your drone. This controller is also cheaper and lighter than the DJI RC Pro, making it more accessible to more people.
We have our wheel for controlling the gimbal, so you can tilt the camera up and down and on the back of the controller. We have our two fold out antennas, which are used to connect to the Drone and on the side of the controller. We have our USB port for connecting to your mobile device and on the bottom of the controller. We have our micro USB port for charging the controller and our micro SD card slot.
DJI RC2: A Closer Look
Visual Differences
Putting the new DJI RC2 side by side with the DJI RC, you can see visually there is not much difference. The first difference you might notice is the new DJI RC2 comes in a slightly darker gray color to match the appearance of the Air 3.
Buttons
All of the buttons on the front of the controller remain the same. We have our joysticks for controlling the Drone and these are stored just like the DJI RC on the back of the controller and screw on to the joystick bases. We have our emergency brake and return to home button. One press of this will make the Drone do an emergency stop and hover in place and pressing and holding this button will engage return to home. Next to that we have our mode selector, so you have cine, normal and sport mode and lastly, we have our power button on the top of the controller.
Additional Features
Next to the two fold out antennas, which we will talk about shortly, we have our photo button and pressing this will capture an image with the Air 3. On the other side, we have our start and stop video recording button. Pressing this once will start a recording and pressing it again will stop a recording. Also, if you are in photo auto mode and you press the video record button, the Drone will switch to video mode and if you are in video mode and press the auto button, the Drone will switch to photo mode. Below this, we have our wheel for controlling the gimbal, so you can tilt the camera up and down.
Connectivity & Charging
On the back of the controller, we have our two fold out antennas, which are used to connect to the Drone. On the side of the controller, we have our USB port for connecting to your mobile device and on the bottom of the controller, we have our micro USB port for charging the controller and our micro SD card slot.
DJI RC2: A Comprehensive Review
Scroll Wheels
The DJI RC2 has two scroll wheels – one on the top left and one on the right. The left scroll wheel will rotate the gimbal up and down while the right scroll wheel will Zen the camera in or out. These scroll wheels are black instead of silver and have a different texture, making them easier to grip with your finger when making small adjustments.
Customizable Function Buttons
On the back of the controller, there are two customizable function buttons, C1 and C2. These buttons can be configured in the drone’s settings menu to do a range of things such as pointing the gimbal straight down or at the horizon, enabling cruise control, and more. The layout of the buttons has been changed slightly from the middle of the controller to down near the bottom.
Screen
The DJI RC2 has a 5.5 inch 1920×1080 screen with 700 nits of brightness, the same as what we see on the DJI RC. This screen is more than bright enough for most scenarios. The brightness can be adjusted by swiping down on the top right of the controller to bring down the controller menu and then using the slider.
Micro SD Card Slot
Unlike the original DJI RC, the RC2 no longer has a flap covering the micro SD card slot, making it cleaner and easier to access.
DJI RC2: 32GB Internal Storage and USB-C Port
32GB Internal Storage
The DJI RC2 is a big improvement over the original DJI RC, as it comes with 32 gigabytes of internal storage. This allows users to store screen recordings directly to the controller, without needing to insert a Micro SD card. This is especially useful if you are out on location and forgot to bring a Micro SD card. You can still do screen recordings and store them to the controller, and then transfer them off the controller and onto your computer for editing when you get home.
Micro SD Card Expansion
If you need additional storage, you can insert a Micro SD card into the DJI RC2 to expand the memory. To start a recording, just swipe down on the top right of the screen to bring down the controller menu and then press the screen recording button.
USB-C Port
The DJI RC2 has one USB-C port for charging or transferring files. This replaces the host port from the DJI RC, which was for connecting the DJI cellular module.
Screw Holes
Both controllers have two screw holes on the bottom, for attaching accessories such as a lanyard.
Augisync 4.0 is a new technology that allows for a much more reliable transmission between the controller and the drone, and this is especially useful when flying in areas with a lot of interference or obstacles.
DJI RC2: Improved Battery Life and Augisync 4.0 Support
Battery Life
The DJI RC2 offers up to 3 hours of battery life on a single charge, and charging time takes around 1.5 hours.
External Antennas and Augisync 4.0
The main area of improvement on the DJI RC2 is the addition of two fold out external antennas on the top of the controller. This doubles the number of both transmitter and receiver antennas compared to the previous generation RC, making it a 2 transmitter, 4 receiver system. This greatly enhances signal strength and improves the transmission, making it much more reliable in areas with a lot of interference or obstacles.
The DJI RC2 also supports Augisync 4.0, which is an upgrade over the Augustine, 3.0 and Augisync 3 Plus supported by the original DJI RC. Augisync 4.0 is a new technology that allows for a much more reliable transmission between the controller and the drone.
DJI RC2: Improved Transmission Performance and Processor Performance
5.1 GHz Frequency Band Added for Improved Transmission Performance
Flying in Europe has become even easier with the addition of a 5.1 gigahertz frequency band to improve transmission performance. The new augustync 4.0 system, using the DJI rc2, allows up to 20 kilometers FCC and 10 kilometers CE. However, if flying in areas with strong interference, such as an urban landscape, you’re more likely to get a max range of around 1.5 to 4 kilometers.
Signal Strength and Quality Improved
The augustync 4.0 transmission has been super stable and very reliable, and this just held your confidence, especially as a beginner when flying. Even in areas with a lot of trees or around obstacles, the signal strength and quality have been improved.
DJI RC2 Processor Performance Improved
The performance of the processor on the DJI rc2 has been improved. Switching around menus and making changes is now super fast, whereas before you might have had a little lag here and there. One area where the DJ RC struggled was when using smart modes such as quick shots, while doing a screen recording. You would sometimes start to experience lag on the screen when using the controller, but with the improved performance of the DJI rc2, this lag has been eliminated.
DJI RC2 vs. Original DJI RC: A Comparison
Faster Processor
The DJI RC2 has a faster processor than the original DJI RC, making things much faster. This is especially noticeable when starting the controller, as the DJI RC2 boots up a little bit faster than the original DJ RC, allowing you to get in the air and flying quicker.
Weight Difference
The last area of difference between these two controllers is the weight with the RC2 being slightly heavier at 420 grams over the original RC at 390 grams. This additional weight is lightly due to the additional antennas, but when holding it in your hand, its hard to notice any difference in weight over the original DJI RC.
Compatibility
One thing to mention is the compatibility of this controller with other DJI drone models. As it stands when making this video, because the controller supports augisync 4.0, the only drone this controller will work with is the DJI air 3. It won’t work with the DJ Mavic 3 Pro, Mavic 3 Mini, etc.
Future Compatibility
It is predicted that future DJI drones will be using augisync 4.0 and therefore be compatible with this controller. However, it is not known if a firmware update will be released in the future that would make this controller backwards compatible with drones such as the Mavic 3 Pro and Mavic 3 Mini.
DJI RCN2 vs DJI RC And1
The DJI RCN2 and DJI RC And1 are two controllers used to fly drones. Visually, they look almost identical, with the same design, button layout, cables for attaching a phone, and joysticks. The only difference is that the scroll wheels on the back of the RCN2 are black and have a new texture, making them easier to grip.
Upgraded Video Transmission Solution
The real differences between the two controllers are found inside. The video transmission solution of the RCN2 has been upgraded, and the antenna system has been upgraded from a one transmitter: two receiver system to a two transmitter: two receiver system, allowing for the use of Augisync 4.0 with the DJI Air 3. This will provide improved transmission range and performance.
Conclusion
If you are looking to purchase the DJI Air 3 or the DJI RC2 controller, links can be found in the description. If you have learned something new from this article, please let us know by clicking the like button. If you want to learn more about how to get better images and more cinematic videos with your drone, there is plenty of content on our channel that can help you level up your drone game.
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Conclusion
The DJI RCN2 is a great upgrade over the original DJI RC. With its built-in screen, it is easier and faster to set up and use, and it is also cheaper and lighter than the DJI RC Pro. This makes it a great choice for anyone looking for an affordable and reliable drone controller.
Overall, using the new DJI RC2 just made the flying experience so much better. With all of the same features as the DJI RC, plus additional features such as the fold out antennas, USB port, and micro SD card slot, the DJI RC2 is a great upgrade.
The DJI RC2 is a great upgrade from the original DJI RC. It has two scroll wheels for better control, customizable function buttons, a bright screen, and an easier to access micro SD card slot.
The augustync 4.0 system, using the DJI rc2, is a healthy upgrade over augustync 3.0. The 5.1 gigahertz frequency band added to improve transmission performance, as well as the improved signal strength and quality, make flying in Europe easier and more reliable. The improved performance of the processor on the DJI rc2 also allows for faster menu switching and smart mode use.
In conclusion, the DJI RC2 is a great controller with a faster processor and slightly heavier weight than the original DJI RC. It is only compatible with the DJI air 3, but it is predicted that future DJI drones will be compatible with this controller.
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