DJI are renowned for pushing new ideas and boundaries that nobody ever sees coming, and their drones seem to just keep getting smaller and smaller, but yet pack in more technology......Welcome the Spark!
The spark is currently DJI's smallest contender, that gives it's users a taste of it's larger siblings like the Mavic and Phantom series drones.
It still comes complete with some amazing features like collision avoidance, and sports mode, but what still makes it a winner is it's micro size coming in at 143×143×55 mm and weighing just 300g!....it's the ultimate stealth rocket!
The collision avoidance isn't as advanced as the Mavic but does still do an amazing job of 'seeing' objects up to 5M away, and will fully activate if on a RTH mission.It'll film in 1080p, and take 12mp photos. It will also stream to your device in 720p, which is ideal for the user to see where the spark is.
There are a few ways to control the drone...
1- palm control.
Palm control is activated by turning on the spark and allowing it to finds its GPS points, then by holding it in your hand at arms length, looking directly at the gimbalised camera, and pressing the battery twice. It'll then recognise your face and arm the motors. Once the power is sufficient, then you let go! Place your palm about 2 meters from the spark, and hold your palm open at the camera. The lights will flash green to confirm it has seen your hand. From this point you can move the drone with the movement of your hand. If you wave at it, it will ascend backwards and start tracking you. You can use a series of gestures to control the spark.
2- Mobile device.Use your mobile device to control the spark, with its virtual joysticks. You still see the DJI go 4 app on display, but ghosted in front of it is the joysticks. You'll get around 80m range using your phone,
3- Transmitter.
If your thinking of buying a 'fly more combo', you'll get a transmitter which will enable you to have full control without virtual sticks. It will still only give you approximately 80-100m range BUT....4-Transmitter tethered to mobile device.
This little trick will enable a far greater range. Tethering my handset to my mobile device has allowed me to see a 638m distance, which via wifi is tremendous!
Obviously, that range will depend on where you intend to fly from. To get any decent range, it should out in the open and unobstructed, and obviously local laws should be abided by.
You'll still get great gimmick features like, follow me, active track, and POI which is pretty standard with DJI these days.... but remember this is a huge amount to stuff into such a tiny frame.
The fly more combo, will give you an extra battery ( which sees running times of up to 15mins), a carry bag, prop guards, charging ancillaries(hub), and spare props. This will cost you around £698 but if you want to just go for the spark, then it'll set you back around £519.
Overall, I do think the spark is a bit over priced, but all DJI gear is because they control the market, however, this a great piece of kit with character and versatility, that all the family can enjoy.For more info please visit www.dji.com/spark
Specs...
Aircraft
| Takeoff Weight | 300 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 143×143×55 mm |
| Diagonal Distance (propellers excluded) | 170 mm |
| Max Ascent Speed | 9.8 ft/s (3 m/s) in Sport Mode without wind |
| Max Descent Speed | 9.8 ft/s (3 m/s) in Auto Landing Mode |
| Max Speed | 31 mph (50 kph) in Sport Mode without wind |
| Max Service Ceiling Above Sea Level | 13,123 feet (4,000 m) |
| Max Flight Time | 16 minutes (no wind at a consistent 12.4 mph (20 kph)) |
| Max Hovering Time | 15 minutes (no wind) |
| Operating Temperature Range | 32° to 104° F (0° to 40° C) |
| Satellite Positioning Systems | GPS/GLONASS |
| Hover Accuracy Range | Vertical: +/- 0.1 m (when Vision Positioning is active) or +/-0.5 m Horizontal: +/- 0.3 m (when Vision Positioning is active) or +/-1.5 m |
| Transmitter Power (EIRP) | 2.4 GHz FCC: 25 dBm; CE: 18 dBm; SRRC: 18 dBm; MIC:18 dBm 5.8 GHz FCC: 27 dBm; CE: 14 dBm; SRRC: 27 dBm; MIC: - |
| Operating Frequency | 2.400 - 2.483 GHz; 5.725 - 5.825 GHz |
3D Sensing system
| Obstacle Sensing Range | 1-16 ft (0.2 - 5 m) |
|---|---|
| Operating Environment | Detects diffuse reflective surfaces (>20%) larger than 20x20 cm (walls, trees, people, etc.) |
Camera
| Sensor | 1/2.3" CMOS Effective pixels: 12 MP |
|---|---|
| Lens | FOV 81.9° 25 mm (35 mm format equivalent) f/2.6 (shooting range: 2 m to ∞) |
| ISO Range | Video: 100-3200 Photo: 100-1600 |
| Electronic Shutter Speed | 2-1/8000 s |
| Image Size | 3968×2976 1440×1080 with ShallowFocus 2300×1280 with Pano (horizontal) 960×1280 with Pano (vertical) |
| Still Photography Modes | Single Shot Burst Shooting: 3 frames Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB): 3 bracketed frames at 0.7 EV bias Interval: 2/3/5/7/10/15/20/30/60 s |
| Video Resolution | FHD: 1920×1080 30p |
| Max Video Bitrate | 24 Mbps |
| Supported File Systems | FAT32 |
| Photo Format | JPEG |
| Video Format | MP4 (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264) |
Remote Controller
| Operating Frequency | 2.412-2.462 GHz; 5.745-5.825 GHz |
|---|---|
| Max Transmission Distance | 2.412 - 2.462 GHz (unobstructed, free of interference) FCC: 1.2 mi (2 km); CE: 0.3 mi (500 m) SRRC: 0.3 mi (500 m); MIC: 0.3 mi (500 m) 5.745 - 5.825 GHz (unobstructed, free of interference) FCC: 1.2 mi (2 km); CE: 0.18 mi (300 m) SRRC: 0.7 mi (1.2 km); MIC: - |
| Operating Temperature Range | 32° to 104° F (0° to 40° C) |
| Battery | 2970 mAh |
| Transmitter Power (EIRP) | 2.4 GHz FCC: ≤26 dBm; CE: ≤18 dBm; SRCC: ≤18 dBm; MIC: ≤18 dBm 5.8 GHz FCC: ≤28 dBm; CE: ≤14 dBm; SRCC: ≤26 dBm; MIC: - |
| Operating Current/Voltage | 950 mAh @3.7 V |
| Supported Mobile Device Size | Thickness range: 6.5-8.5 mm Max length: 160 mm |
Intelligent Flight Battery
| Capacity | 1480 mAh |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 11.4 V |
| Max Charging Voltage | 13.05 V |
| Battery Type | LiPo 3S |
| Energy | 16.87 Wh |
| Net Weight | Approx. 0.2 lbs (95 g) |
| Charging Temperature Range | 41° to 104° F (5° to 40° C) |
