DJI RC Pro Controller vs RC, RC-N1? Advantages?

[3rdof5]

And to be clear you're referring to the tablet/smartphone by, "the device on the N1", right?

Correct. I personally find the DJI RC to be laggy. It is the RC that came with my Mavic 3 Classic, I now use it solely for my mini 3 (not the pro) and I purchased an RC-Pro for use with my Classic, I have not had any range issues with either RC or bird. I do use an external device with my Phantom 3 and GL300C RC.
I do not have an N1 so I can't comment on it's performance.

 

[MS Coast]

Well RC Pro does in fact have the 2T4R antennas and is the only RC that can use O3+, so on paper it could possibly have an advantage. However, most actual tests of this seem to indicate there’s not a whole lot of real world difference but maybe in these fringe situations it could make a difference.

The problem with trying to compare what you used to be able to do with what you can do now is the environmental factors change. Down there in Mississippi in the summer even the humidity can be a factor. But if there’s a big noticeable difference on the same day using the two remotes to would send it in

I'm in mid-Georgia now. The comparison flights I've done have all been during the past three days, with multiple trails of each configuration.

 

[MS Coast]

And to be clear you're referring to the tablet/smartphone by, "the device on the N1", right?

In my case, I'm using a Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e with the RC-N1.

 

[pommy]

Can you put apps on the cheaper one now?

 

[3rdof5]

Can you put apps on the cheaper one now?

The RC-Pro and RC-N1 support 3rd party apps, the DJI RC does not.

 

[pommy]

The RC-Pro and RC-N1 support 3rd party apps, the DJI RC does not.

Thanks. That might indicate that the processor in the RC Pro (or phone/tablet in the RC-N1) matter in the way that the DJI RC doesn’t have sufficient processing power to run apps (not just locked by DJI).

 

[3rdof5]

Thanks. That might indicate that the processor in the RC Pro (or phone/tablet in the RC-N1) matter in the way that the DJI RC doesn’t have sufficient processing power to run apps (not just locked by DJI).

Could be the RC is limited by its processing, would not surprise me, its a capable RC as is.
Honestly though, other than the fact that the RC-N1 has no right side scroll wheel, I would much rather have the N1 over the RC for many reasons, it even trumps the RC-Pro when it comes to map displays. I'd love to have an N1.

 

[Droning on and on...]

The RC-Pro and RC-N1 support 3rd party apps, the DJI RC does not.

Actually, it's been hacked around at this point, but there's too little storage available for apps, so it's a bust anyway.

And to clarify, the RC-N1 doesn't accept app installation. However the attached device running DJI Fly does.

 

[Duncan McCall]

Just my two cents: I really like the DJI RC and I’m usually that guy that needs to have the latest and greatest. Sure the little bit brighter display, the custom buttons, and the higher signal output of the Pro would be nice.

However, the DJI RC has a couple of advantages over the pro. It is really lightweight, in fact almost half the weight of the Pro and better balanced than the RC-N1 with a phone attached. I know that may not seem like a big deal but it is very comfortable to hold even with one hand and that makes a surprising difference to quality of life in the real world when flying.

But I like the heavier weight. Doesn't feel like a toy. And I definitely need the extra range. Not just distance, but through trees and building. I would get a 'weak signal' almost every time I flew with the RC. There might be one house between me and the drone. I shoot a lot on the beach, so the brighter screen is nice.

 

[BobbyLashley]

Correct. I personally find the DJI RC to be laggy. It is the RC that came with my Mavic 3 Classic, I now use it solely for my mini 3 (not the pro) and I purchased an RC-Pro for use with my Classic, I have not had any range issues with either RC or bird. I do use an external device with my Phantom 3 and GL300C RC.
I do not have an N1 so I can't comment on it's performance.

How bad was the lag on the RC that comes with Mavic 3 classic? Did it lag for everything even when not touching the screen?

 

[3rdof5]

How bad was the lag on the RC that comes with Mavic 3 classic? Did it lag for everything even when not touching the screen?

It was only slow on screen presses, sometimes I wondered if it actually registered my touch because of the delay responding. The sticks and buttons work perfectly fine.

 

[BobbyLashley]

It was only slow on screen presses, sometimes I wondered if it actually registered my touch because of the delay responding. The sticks and buttons work perfectly fine.

Thanks. So it sounds like if you avoid on screen presses and use the buttons, then you will be fine. When you first mentioned this, I thought it was even lagging on the video feed too when maneuvering the drone. That would be a dealbreaker for me.

 

[3rdof5]

Thanks. So it sounds like if you avoid on screen presses and use the buttons, then you will be fine. When you first mentioned this, I thought it was even lagging on the video feed too when maneuvering the drone. That would be a dealbreaker for me.

Correct, the video feed is as good as my RC-PRO. Just navigating the onscreen menus has lag. All other functions work fine.

 

[BobbyLashley]

Correct, the video feed is as good as my RC-PRO. Just navigating the onscreen menus has lag. All other functions work fine.

Thanks. This may now convince me to stay with the RC over the N1. Tough call.

 

[djiuser12345]

Rc pro does 1080p60 whereas RC only does 1080p30

 

[BobbyLashley]

Correct, the video feed is as good as my RC-PRO. Just navigating the onscreen menus has lag. All other functions work fine.

I just saw this on the DJI forums. Im concerned.

"I have an RC controller for my Mavic 3 and an RN-N2 for my mini 4 pro. I fly the Mavic with the RC daily with the RC controller and boy is it terrible. It's honestly horrible enough that it creates a safety concern. Basically any time you try to do anything other than just fly and take pictures / video it's incredibly laggy and will even crash the fly app with the drone in the air. Yes the controller restarts and I have control again after a minute or so but if anything were to happen during that time

The app crashing in flight is basically a daily occurrence as I do many waypoint missions. From my experience the RC controller is unsafe to use in a commercial setting unless your literally just tooling around and snapping pictures."

If the app on the RC crashes a lot,then that's a deal breaker for me.

 

[3rdof5]

I just saw this on the DJI forums. Im concerned.

"I have an RC controller for my Mavic 3 and an RN-N2 for my mini 4 pro. I fly the Mavic with the RC daily with the RC controller and boy is it terrible. It's honestly horrible enough that it creates a safety concern. Basically any time you try to do anything other than just fly and take pictures / video it's incredibly laggy and will even crash the fly app with the drone in the air. Yes the controller restarts and I have control again after a minute or so but if anything were to happen during that time

The app crashing in flight is basically a daily occurrence as I do many waypoint missions. From my experience the RC controller is unsafe to use in a commercial setting unless your literally just tooling around and snapping pictures."

If the app on the RC crashes a lot,then that's a deal breaker for me.

My RC has never crashed or caused any issues other than being annoying laggy. I still use it with my mini 3 (not the pro) and it has no issues. You might have a defective unit.

 

[BobbyLashley]

My RC has never crashed or caused any issues other than being annoying laggy. I still use it with my mini 3 (not the pro) and it has no issues. You might have a defective unit.

Okay thanks, that's from another user. Right now I'm leaning towards just getting the N1 bundle and use it with my backup phone. I've never had lag with that on the Air 2S. I have a feeling the lag with the RC will be a deal breaker for me. Even if its lag when you take pics or video.the phone has zero lag and other benefits too

 

[3rdof5]

Ya I have all 3 controllers (well not the N1 but I have the N2 which should be identical other than O4 support) and the RC-Pro is definitely superior to the RC. The N2 has no range or lag issues (I use a Samsung S10 plus with it) but I do really miss the zoom wheel and rear C1 and 2 buttons that both the other 2 have.

 

[BobbyLashley]

Ya I have all 3 controllers (well not the N1 but I have the N2 which should be identical other than O4 support) and the RC-Pro is definitely superior to the RC. The N2 has no range or lag issues (I use a Samsung S10 plus with it) but I do really miss the zoom wheel and rear C1 and 2 buttons that both the other 2 have.

Other users are saying that theres a delay when switching between photo and video using the RC. What about taking a pic or video using a programmed button...any delay? I do like the two dials on the RC and the two extra buttons. I never liked having to take my right thumb off the stick on the N1 just to change between photo and video.