DJI Inspire 1 – Parts and New Releases

I love my Inspire 1, its such a great piece of tech…

But.

Ask any owner of an Inspire 1, could it be improved? They will say yes, and then reel of a list of improvements. Granted, this is a very small list, but it will contain fairly major improvements. Mine is a very short list to be honest.

• Lack of Zoom on the Camera. How close are you prepared to fly £3k to your target. It will clearly be solved with a later updated camera from DJI later this year or early 2016.
• Thank you for my case, but why not make it easier to carry distances. 
• Thank you for my case, but why not make one side flat, making transport to flight mode quicker.
• An additional front facing camera, fixed, solely for the Pilot, would be great, especially when working alongside an additional camera operator.

Not a long list, and these are all improvements that can be overcome. I have more issues with DJI than the Inspire, itself. Releasing the Phantom 3, so soon after the improvement to the Vision 2 Plus, and the unavailing of the delayed Inspire 1, for example.

What has annoyed me with the Inspire, is the lack of parts and spares. The TB48 5700mAh, has only just made its was to the UK, Quadcopters.co.uk and Heliguy had some in stock last week, but when i last checked they were out of stock again.

One of the Mobile Phone device holders i had for my second controller was faulty. Lee at Quadcopters.co.uk, told me that DJI hadn’t sent many of replacement parts for the Inspire, and it might take a few weeks. (luckly, Lee knows a lot more than i do and he was able to fix it while i was there today – not saying how though)

There is one major part that seems to be impossible to locate – A Replacement DJI Inspire 1 Camera. The camera isnt the best 4K on the market, but it is still amazing, and better than most will need it for. But if you trash your camera, for many, your out of business till you buy a new one. But if you cant even find a supplier, you only option is buying a new Inspire!!!!!!

This might give those of you who have a damaged Inspire Camera. Turns out DJI do make some replacement parts!

http://gerrygibbscamerawarehouse.com.au/drones-and-accessories/dji-inspire-1/dji-inspire-1-gimbal-and-camera-unit

Ok, so its not available yet, but at least its coming! And at £500 (approx), its not a lot more than a replacement camera and gimbal for the Phantom 2 Vision Plus!

Here is another piece of Inspire 1 tech, many owners are itching to get their hands on, but cant find anything on the UK quad sites. The new Camera Mount

http://gerrygibbscamerawarehouse.com.au/drones-and-accessories/dji-inspire-1/dji-inspire-1-camera-mount

This camera mount looks great, and at £300 roughly, (if that what it ends up costing) is cheap enough for most Inspire owners add to their DJI horde. Also expected at some point in April 2015 according to the site, but i’m thinking its more likely we will see both items for sale in May or June.

I also heard from a very knowledgeable chap, (who has helped me lots, in fact from day one of my BNUC-s) who has been flying for years, that DJI is going to be releasing details of a new Thermal Imaging Camera for the Inspire very soon! I have no other details yet on spec or price yet, soon as i hear anything it let you know.

It was never a case of if, it was always when. And i shall be most defiantly, be parting with whatever they charge. Damn you Apple, sorry DJI.

You heard it here first!

TU.

Thanks to Jeff and Lee @ Quadcopters.co.uk for replacing my faulty Inspire battery and letting me fly my Inspire behind the office. And thanks to my pal Des, who gave me some invaluable flying ATTI tips in prep for my exam next week. Cheers guys.

Buying an Inspire 1 – My Mistakes

So, on Friday last week, i finally got my hands on the new DJI Inspire 1.

I had placed my order through SimplyElectronics.net on 2nd February. I was told it would be in my hands within 14 working days. 6 weeks later they were still fobbing me off. I decided to cancel my order and request a refund.

That was 2 weeks ago and i’m still waiting on my refund – lesson for the day, don’t buy from companies who offer such a huge discount; if it appears too good to be true. Thats because it probably is!

But at £2150 for a Dual Remote Inspire option, you can see why i initially gave those cowboys my money. (They have also now put the price up to £2474, so your only saving £300 now)

After waiting over 7 weeks, i couldn’t wait any longer. I’m very impatient. I needed to get my hands on an Inspire 1 that they day! I contacted Heliguy, in Newcastle first, as they were closer to my house than anyone else. They were expecting 8 units that day, but had not taken delivery by the time i called.

As i said, i’m not the most patient person ever……

Next on the list was Quadcopters.co.uk. I spoke to Jeff, (whom later turned out to be the owner) who said they had 30 units in stock. I took the 2 hour drive over the Pennines, surrounded by hills, valley and lakes, just wishing i already had my Inspire.

I arrived in Euxton, found the Farm they are based at, and headed to the office. They have a great set up there, an pleasant glass fronted office overlooking farm lands. Boxes of DJI products ready to be shipped stacked to one side, and a great selection of different UAVs and RC Craft on display.

We chatted about the UAS Industry in general, DJI customer service and Inspire, 1. Jeff showed me a demo model, and some footage he had recently shot, using two Inspire 1, which really showcased the Inspire 1 camera footage.

The Inspire 1 cost me £2747, which is the standard UK price set by DJI. I also bought an extra battery at £166. Granted it cost me more than £500 more than buying from the cowboys at SimplyElectronics, but i have piece of mind, that if i have an issue, i have experts in this country, who are more than happy to help.

Thank You to Jeff @ Quadcopters.co.uk for taking 30 minutes out of your day to chat with me. It was really appreciated.

http://www.quadcopters.co.uk/dji-inspire-1–extra-controller-1618-p.asp

Nathan

TU!