DJI Neo drone flights across Southern Xinjiang: A beginner’s thrilling adventure
To capture the stunning landscapes of Southern Xinjiang with a drone, I decided to give drone photography a try. However, being a complete novice, I was hesitant to bring my Mini 4 Pro or Air 3 for fear of crashes and heartbreak. So, I opted for the Neo and embarked on a magical journey through Southern Xinjiang!
When I visited the official store, the salesperson dismissed the Neo as just a toy—poor video quality, short battery life, weak wind resistance, and shaky performance beyond 20 meters [Laughing Cry]. But then again, for $1299, what more could I ask for? I was curious to see how far this little Neo could take me!
With high hopes, it soared to incredible destinations: the westernmost border marker of China, the majestic convergence of the Kunlun and Tianshan mountains, the breathtaking Oytak Red Valley, the vast Taklamakan Desert, the serene Taheman Wetlands, the awe-inspiring Muzi Volcano, and even the towering peaks of Mount Muztagh and Khunjerab Pass at over 5,000 meters above sea level!
**Buying Experience [Proud]**
Uncertain about how long my passion would last and lacking any prior experience, I initially purchased just the drone itself for $1299. For casual users, this was sufficient—it can perform six pre-set actions and shoot aerial Vlogs without needing a controller. However, without a remote control, the flight range is limited to 30 meters, and it must remain within your line of sight; otherwise, relying solely on a phone signal increases the risk of disconnection.
Additionally, a single battery only lasts around 13 minutes under ideal conditions (no wind and moderate temperatures). After some practice, I borrowed an RC2 screen controller and bought a second battery on Xianyu before heading to Xinjiang. Once back, I confidently added the N3 controller via Xianyu, bringing my total investment up by another $700.
In hindsight, purchasing the Fly More Combo for $2299 would have been a much better deal—it essentially comes with a free charging hub.
**Video Quality [Sweating Smile]**
While it can’t compete with its bigger siblings in the DJI family, the Neo’s 4K 30fps footage is more than enough for social media. All the images you see here are straight from the Neo, with just a touch of editing on my phone. This little device will undoubtedly make your feed stand out!
**Wind Resistance [Disappointed]**
Officially rated for Level 4 winds (gentle breezes), the Neo struggles in stronger gusts. However, if you’re familiar with operating mini-series drones in Level 5 winds, you might manage to fly it even in Level 6 conditions. While it can handle taking photos in such winds, video stabilization suffers, and returning home can be quite nerve-wracking.
If you plan to push its limits, consider adding DJI’s Care Refresh service, which offers two opportunities to replace your unit for just $129.
**Important Tips ⚠️:**
1. **Return Home Early**: Aim to start your return when the battery is above 30%. Xinjiang’s unpredictable “devil winds” demand ample power for safe landings.
2. **Control Distance Wisely**: You can fly up to 120 meters in height but keep the distance within one kilometer.
If flying at maximum height and distance, switch to Sport Mode to ensure enough power for both flying and shooting.
3. **Avoid Water Hazards**: The Neo’s sensors are small, so flying too close to water surfaces risks a sudden dunk!
4. **Monitor Signal Strength**: On the Pamir Plateau, magnetic interference can disrupt navigation points.
If your Neo is over one kilometer away during such disturbances, recovery becomes extremely difficult [Crying]. (This happened once.)
5. **Use Custom Actions Cautiously**: Actions like large-scale (20-meter) orbits or comet-style flights can be risky since the Neo lacks obstacle avoidance. Without a controller, these maneuvers can easily lead to accidents [Facepalm].
(Another crash lesson learned.)
So don’t let others’ opinions discourage you—just go out there and fly! Let your creativity soar alongside your drone!
Ryan O'Brien 
Dorothy Soto 
Joshua Warren
I can totally relate to your hesitation about using higher-end drones as a beginner—crashes would be devastating! It sounds like the Neo was a great choice for capturing those beautiful landscapes without the stress. That salesperson’s dismissive attitude is frustrating; sometimes “toys” surprise you with their capabilities. I’d love to see more of your Neo shots from the trip!
It sounds like you had an amazing time exploring Southern Xinjiang with the Neo! I can totally relate to your hesitation about using more expensive drones as a beginner—crashes would have been devastating. The scenery you captured must be breathtaking despite the salesperson’s doubts. I wonder how the Neo handled in such diverse landscapes!
It sounds like the Neo was a great choice for a beginner adventure! I can relate to your hesitation about using more expensive drones, but those landscapes look incredible. Have you considered upgrading to a better model now that you have some experience?
That sounds like quite the learning experience! I can relate to your hesitation about bringing more expensive drones, but it’s awesome that you still got some great shots with the Neo. The landscapes of Southern Xinjiang really do look breathtaking, even if the equipment had its limitations.
I totally get why you were nervous about using a more expensive drone as a beginner—crashes can be brutal. The Neo seems like a great entry point though; it’s cool that you captured such amazing views in Southern Xinjiang without breaking the bank or your confidence.
That sounds like quite the learning experience! I can relate to your hesitation about bringing more expensive drones, but the Neo seems like a great option for beginners if it helped you capture such amazing views in Southern Xinjiang.
It sounds like the Neo was a great choice for a beginner adventure! The landscapes you captured in Southern Xinjiang look incredible despite what the salesperson said. I can imagine how nerve-wracking it must have been flying a drone for the first time, but also how rewarding to come back with such amazing footage. Next time maybe try editing some of those clips—you could have a real winner on your hands!
That sounds like quite the learning experience! I can totally relate to your hesitation about using more expensive drones as a beginner—crashes are no joke. It’s cool that you still managed to capture some great shots with the Neo despite the salesperson’s dismissive attitude. Would love to see more of your adventures in Southern Xinjiang!
Thank you for your kind words! Yes, it was definitely a crash-filled but rewarding experience. The Neo still managed to surprise me with its capabilities, even when others doubted it. I’m excited to explore more of Southern Xinjiang and share my journey with everyone!
It sounds like the Neo turned out to be a surprisingly capable little drone for your first-time adventure! I can totally relate to your hesitation about using more expensive gear when you’re still learning—crashes happen. Those salespeople can be pretty dismissive sometimes, but it’s clear the Neo exceeded your expectations in terms of performance. I’d love to see some of the photos you captured along the way!
I totally get why you were nervous about bringing your more expensive drones—it’s scary to take that leap as a beginner. The Neo sounds like it was the perfect choice though, especially for capturing those amazing Southern Xinjiang views without the stress. It’s pretty disappointing that the salesperson downplayed it, but clearly they didn’t understand how well it performs in real-world situations.
That sounds like such a fun adventure! I love how you chose the Neo despite the salesperson’s doubts—sometimes the “beginner” gear lets you focus more on the experience than stressing about equipment. The landscapes in Southern Xinjiang must’ve been incredible to capture, even with a simpler drone. Makes me want to try drone photography too!
That’s awesome you chose the Neo for your first drone adventure! Sometimes the “toy” gear is perfect for learning without stress. Your photos must’ve been incredible with those Xinjiang landscapes as your backdrop!
Interesting read! I totally get why you chose the Neo over more advanced models for your first drone adventure – better to start small than risk damaging expensive gear. The landscapes in Southern Xinjiang must look incredible from above, even with a “toy” drone!