With advancements in technology, there have been many improvements in the functionalities of a lot of devices and gadgets we use today. Drones are one of the gadgets today with high-level technology. Many people are familiar with DJI drones because of their advanced functionalities, but Skydio is producing drones that can compete with DJI drones in technology.
Skydio 2 is one of the most advanced drones in the UAV world; it is equipped with a 4K60 camera, has a control range of 6 km, a top flight speed of 36 mph, and a battery life of 27 minutes. The Skydio 2+ is an upgrade to the Skydio 1. It comes in four kits, starter, sports, cinema, and professional.
With a drone like the Skydio 2+, you are guaranteed to have a great time operating it, recreationally or professionally. However, you should know that the Skydio 2+ is very expensive.
Skydio 2
Skydio developed the Skydio 2 drone in 2019; from the moment it was launched, there was increased demand, and getting one was very difficult. Skydio could not keep up with the demand, and production was paused as a result of the COVID-19 virus; the manufacturing company in California stopped production.
About a year later, precisely in June 2020, Skydio initiated production but was scaling slowly to ensure all safety and health protocols and procedures were enforced. By the end of June, Skydio announced that their online store had reopened and products could be purchased online as the company was fully functional.
After the Covid-19 pandemic that caused many organizations to stop functioning, Skydio stopped producing the Skydio 2 drone and produced the Skydio 2+ drone, an upgrade to the former. The Skydio 2+ features a lot of updates, including a longer control range, increased flight time, and a stronger radio control system.
The best and most anticipated upgrade Skydio implemented was the computer vision-aided intelligence, allowing the drone to self-control utilizing the onboard cameras installed. A new software feature has been released, the KeyFrame, and is available for both the Skydio 2+ and the Skydio 2.
The AI-powered feature of the Skydio 2 makes it possible to capture videos and pictures in a more cinematic view. The drone pilot can define each shot using the software application of the drone; the drone then auto-pilots at the right angles to capture the shots without missing any point of interest.
The Skydio 2 is equipped with 6, 200-degrees cameras that allow the drone to see everything in all directions, making it difficult to crash. Unlike other drones with a follow-me feature that relies on the software in your device, Skydio 2 utilizes its camera to remain locked on the drone pilot.
The Skydio 2 and Skydio 2+ are termed super smart drones for a reason; their cameras do watch not only everything but also the operator. The drone is constantly calculating how to navigate between objects without crashing. The application you use to control the drones is compatible with Android and iOS operating systems.
You have access to skills like boomerang, hover, cable cam, front, vortex, front right, right, rear, rear right, dronie, keyframe, orbit, manual, rear left, front left, left, and rocket. These skills are all accessible via the mobile application. With the press of a button, you can use any of these skills for navigation, complex tracking, or obstacle avoidance.
The Skydio 2 features a 5 GHz radio control system with 2 collapsible omnidirectional antennas that allow you to fly at an extended range. We mentioned that the control range of the Skydio 2 is 6 kilometers. If you do not want to control the drone using your mobile phone, you can use an optional controller.
The controller is produced by Parrot, but it has the Skydio software; this is the controller you get when you purchase any Parrot Anafi drones. The only setback is that it can be difficult to connect the drone to the controller. This is one of the issues DJI drones do not have that makes them stand out.
How Much Is The Skydio 2?
We mentioned earlier that the Skydio 2+ is available in four kits; each kit has a different price; the cheapest is the starter kit, and the most expensive is the professional kit. The Starter kit costs $1,099, the Sports kit costs $1,549, the Cinema kit costs $1,949, and the Professional kit costs $2,169.
Skydio 2+ Starter Kit
The Skydio 2+ Starter kit is the regular Skydio 2+ drone, and it comes with a 360° obstacle avoidance and autonomous subject tracking while capturing impressive 4K60 HDR images and videos. The Skydion2+ Starter Kit is 229 millimeters long, 274 millimeters wide, and 125 millimeters high with the antennas up.
Skydio 2+ Sport Kit
The Skydio 2+ Sport Kit is designed for sports enthusiasts; this is a drone you can use to capture sporting events. It has an automated online calibration of parameters, lens, camera rotations, air density, and wind speed. Cinematic skills available on this drone are fixed track, motion track, cable cam, and one-shots.
Skydio 2+ Cinema Kit
The Skydio 2+ Cinema Kit is a Skydio 2+ Starter Kit with a Cinema upgrade; it features the Skydio 2+ Beacon that increases the control range to 3 kilometers and the controller range to 6 kilometers. This kit contains 2 Skydio 2+ batteries, 1 controller, 1 SD card, 2 extra propellers, 1 dual charger, 1 Skydio 2+ Beacon, Polar pro ND filters, and 1 Skydio Por case.
Skydio 2+ Professional Kit
The Skydio 2+ Professional Kit is the most advanced and expensive; it is perfect for professional jobs. The Professional kit contains a dual charger, a controller, an SD card, a tablet adapter, polar Pro ND filters, two Skydio 2+ batteries, one Skydio 2+ Beacon, a Skydio pro case, four extra propellers, and Skydio Care for two years.
Is The Skydio 2 Worth It?
If you are about to purchase a Skydio 2 drone for the first time, you would be worried if it is a good choice. The Skydio 2 is one of the best drones you can own, equipped with advanced features and technology in a drone that costs less than other high-end drones. However, if you want to control the drone completely, you will not enjoy Skydio 2.
The Skydio 2 is one of the safest drones available in the market; its 6 cameras prevent obstacle collisions, ultimately making it avoid crashing. This is a feature you need if you fly a drone professionally because it can detect objects on its own and maneuver around them while still locked on the target.
Can You Fly Skydio 2 At Night?
Most people buying a drone for the first time always ask if the drone can be operated at night. Not all drones can be operated at night; the Skydio 2 is one of such drones; despite being equipped with 6 cameras for obstacle evasion, there must be adequate light for it to operate perfectly.
The Skydio 2 can only operate in full performance in normal daylight conditions; the advanced AI vision is not configured to work well in low-light conditions, including nightfall. The Skydio 2 application will alert you of low light conditions when you try to operate it at night and suggest that you land it.
Final Thoughts
The Skydio 2 is perfect for recreational drone pilots who want to capture themselves having fun. As a result of the advanced obstacle avoidance feature, the Skydio 2 can be configured to lock on the operator and capture nice shots and videos without collision or crashing into any object.
Also Read: Propel Drones
Shawn Manaher loves to play with new toys and dive into new hobbies. As a serial entrepreneur, work definitely comes first but there is always room for hobbies.