Adults need toys, too – and in the world of flying drones with video capability, it doesn’t get much better than the DJI Phantoms. Whether you’re a filmmaker, remote control hobbyist, or someone who just likes to have the coolest and best gadgets out there, both the DJI Phantom 1 and the DJI Phantom 2 are worth a second look, particularly if you have a lot of disposable income to spare. Here are the details on how these guys stack up, including features, price, and other details to help you get a feel for the differences between the two.
DJI Phantom 1
The first thing you will notice about the Phantom 1 is how streamlined and sleek the body is. It features an X-shaped body with four propellers at the corners with a convenient GoPro camera mount underneath. As soon as you take it out of the box, it’s ready to start flying – barring a few minor propeller adjustments and a battery charge. The handy included remote control is very simple to operate, giving you control of your Phantom 1 up to 300 meters away. Users can fly the Phantom 1 in two different flight modes, including position hold, and the low voltage protection alerts you in plenty of time to land your drone without crashing it due to battery death. LED lights shine from the underside of the Phantom 1 to allow you to know the nose position at all times, and the drone will operate for 10 to 15 minutes before needing another charge.
DJI Phantom 2
When a toy as great as the Phantom 1 was released, it was just begging for an even more awesome sequel, and DJI delivered with the Phantom 2. This brand new quadcopter drone promises to be the best on the market, starting with its ingenious self-tightening propellers for added safety. For those who thought that the 10 to 15 minutes of battery life just wasn’t enough, the extended life 5200mAh Lithium Polymer battery in this baby will keep you flying for nearly double the time: up to 25 minutes in all. Likewise, the remote control on the Phantom 2 has also received an upgrade, giving you an impressive range of 1 km and a camera tilt feature with the flick of a switch. Like with the Phantom 1, the Phantom 2 features GPS-controlled position hold for stable shots. To take the Phantom 2 to the next level, grab a few accessories, like the Lightbridge or IOSD for amazing control and flight data recording.
Pricing Information
The Phantoms don’t come cheap, coming in at $479 for the Phantom 1 without a camera or $999 for the Phantom 2 with an integrated camcorder. There are also a number of accessories with equally impressive pricetags.
Which to Buy?
Both the Phantom 1 and the Phantom 2 are a lot of fun, very user-friendly, and will make you the envy of all of your friends. If you can afford it, definitely go with the Phantom 2; the upgrades, extended battery life, and incredible accessories make it well worth the price. On the other hand, if the near-$1000 cost of the Phantom 2 is enough to make you break into a cold sweat, the Phantom 1 is still a great quadcopter drone, and you will not be disappointed, especially if this is your first experience with a device of this kind. The next time you want to get a good shot from above, patrol your property, or simply have a little fun with RC, then the Phantom 1 and the Phantom 2 are both without rival from the other brands.
Related ItemsDJIDJI Phantom 1DJI Phantom 2
