TL/DR - for my flying style, what's the best remote for my M2ED?
Time airborne, battery life -
I like my M2ED, maybe not as much as I liked my MPP, but it's a solid platform and the addition of thermal was the driving reason for the upgrade. I don't care for the controller (RC1B, from memory, might be different) - it's battery life is dismal, and it charges my tablet making it even worse. My MPP had the same issue, but controllers were $60 so I picked up a spare and can charge one while flying one. I generally work real estate jobs, which are very weather dependent, with a bit of search work mixed in, so time in the air is important. My MPP with 2 controllers, 6 batteries and an Energen charger allowed me to stay airborne almost continuously when needed. I wish there were a controller with an interchangeable battery pack, so I could have spares charging while I fly.
External monitor -
For search work, I'd like to slave a large monitor to the controller to allow an additional observer to watch the feed while I focus on flying. When I'm looking for a target (pet or person), I want to fly the aircraft, and allow one or more other people to watch the screen (without looking over my shoulder) - I want them 5-10ft away but close enough to direct me back for another look, at the end of a long cable is fine.
Maximize features -
I want a controller that allows the best interaction with the aircraft, that plays best with this particular model.
So which controller is best for my needs? I'm seeing eBay auctions for the DJI Smart Controller (RM500) from a "DJI Store" seller, open box for $330 from China. That offers the external HDMI port (external monitor?), and boasts about battery life (but not interchangeable). No real indication of how it works with an M2ED (anybody have experience with this combo?).
Thoughts?
Time airborne, battery life -
I like my M2ED, maybe not as much as I liked my MPP, but it's a solid platform and the addition of thermal was the driving reason for the upgrade. I don't care for the controller (RC1B, from memory, might be different) - it's battery life is dismal, and it charges my tablet making it even worse. My MPP had the same issue, but controllers were $60 so I picked up a spare and can charge one while flying one. I generally work real estate jobs, which are very weather dependent, with a bit of search work mixed in, so time in the air is important. My MPP with 2 controllers, 6 batteries and an Energen charger allowed me to stay airborne almost continuously when needed. I wish there were a controller with an interchangeable battery pack, so I could have spares charging while I fly.
External monitor -
For search work, I'd like to slave a large monitor to the controller to allow an additional observer to watch the feed while I focus on flying. When I'm looking for a target (pet or person), I want to fly the aircraft, and allow one or more other people to watch the screen (without looking over my shoulder) - I want them 5-10ft away but close enough to direct me back for another look, at the end of a long cable is fine.
Maximize features -
I want a controller that allows the best interaction with the aircraft, that plays best with this particular model.
So which controller is best for my needs? I'm seeing eBay auctions for the DJI Smart Controller (RM500) from a "DJI Store" seller, open box for $330 from China. That offers the external HDMI port (external monitor?), and boasts about battery life (but not interchangeable). No real indication of how it works with an M2ED (anybody have experience with this combo?).
Thoughts?
