My Little Nev: Conquering the Scottish Skies (One Gust at a Time!!!)

It’s been a few days since I’ve put fingers to keyboard, but I wanted to share some thoughts about a rather exciting (and occasionally bewildering) addition I made to my kit a few months ago: my DJI Neo, affectionately known as Nev Drone (or just Nev for short).

Now, if you’re into drones, you might be thinking, "The Neo? Isn't that the little one with the funny cage?" And you’d be absolutely right! While the newer, shinier Mk II is out there doing its thing, I'm quite happy with the original, for now. Why? Well, I’m on a bit of a journey, you see.

My "Man of 2 Worlds" YouTube channel is slowly but surely taking shape (think silent videos with interesting B-roll footage – a whole different vibe!!!), and I needed something to help me learn the ropes of drone flying. Nev isn't just a toy; he's my aerial tutor, my crash-test dummy, and hopefully, eventually, a provider of some rather unique perspectives for my videos.

First Impressions: Fun, Furious, and a Fighter

The first thing you notice about Nev is how incredibly fun he is. DJI really nailed the whole "toss it in the air and go" experience. It’s light (135g, for those who count every gram!!!), and the integrated propeller guards mean it bounces off obstacles like a rubber ball. Believe me, that’s a feature I’ve already tested a few times – mostly thanks to my own ham-fisted flying, not Nev's fault!!!

But then there's the noise. Oh, the noise 😄😄😄 If you've ever heard a Neo, you'll know what I mean. It’s a high-pitched, furious whine that some describe as a "banshee." Me? I actually quite like it. It’s distinctive, a bit aggressive, and lets you know Nev is giving it his all!!!

The RC-N3 Controller: A Game Changer!!!

I use the RC-N3 controller, and wow, what a difference!!! This takes Nev from a "flying camera toy" to a proper "pilot trainer." You get much more precise control and, crucially, access to Sport Mode.

Now, this isn't full-on "Acro Mode" (where the drone doesn't self-level, which sounds terrifyingly fun for another day!!!), but Sport Mode certainly unleashes a bit more gusto from Nev. He gets snappier, faster, and much more responsive.

Brave in the Breeze: Conquering Scottish Winds

Living here in Scotland, "wind" isn't just a weather forecast; it's a way of life. And flying a 135g drone in Scottish winds? Well, during a recent conversation, my digital co-pilot Gemini, put it rather  brilliantly, that's "brave." I actually laughed out loud at that one!!!

Nev is rated for about 18 mph winds, but that’s really his absolute limit. I’ve learned a few crucial lessons already:

• Fly out against the wind: Always head into the wind first. If you fly downwind, you might find Nev doesn't have the oomph to fight his way back against a strong gust. This is something I'm mentally drilling into myself!!!

• Sport Mode is your friend: If I see Nev drifting backwards, I immediately flick into Sport Mode. That extra tilt helps him cut through the wind and hold his ground.

• Keep it low: Wind speeds are much higher up high. If Nev’s struggling, I drop him down a bit. The ground helps break up the wind.

The Educational Pathway: Not Just a Toy

For me, Nev is all about learning. I knew when I bought him that he wasn't going to be challenging the big boys like the Mini 3/4 or the Mavics for cinematic quality. But that wasn't the point. He’s teaching me the fundamental physics of drone flight without the wallet-paining consequences of crashing a £1000 machine.

I'm currently focused on:

1. Precision Hovering: Trying to hold Nev perfectly still, especially when he’s fighting a breeze, using just my stick inputs.

2. Smooth Yaws: Practicing rotating the drone while moving forward – essential for those sweeping cinematic shots.

My aim is to be truly proficient with Nev before I even think about an upgrade. When the time comes, it'll likely be a Mini 4K. The cost is a big factor, but also the portability. A folded Mini is actually smaller in footprint than Nev, which will be a godsend for my camera bag when I'm out hiking in the Highlands!!! Plus, the Mini 4K has much better wind resistance – a proper game-changer for my local flying conditions.

Techy Tidbits for the Curious (and my future self!!!)

I've also been getting some great advice on the technical side, especially regarding the footage. Nev shoots 4K, but it’s more "acceptable" 4K rather than "stunning." For my B-roll footage, it'll be more than fine. I've got DaVinci Resolve for editing, which is excellent, but there are a few things to watch out for:

• H.265 Codec: I use the free Resolve on Windows and was seeing "Media Offline," so I grabbed the cheap HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store. Lifesaver!!!

• Shutter Speed Jitter: On bright days, Nev can crank the shutter speed up, making fast-moving footage look a bit juddery. The long-term fix here is to get a set of ND filters to get that lovely, smooth motion blur.

• Fisheye Correction: Nev's wide lens gives a great perspective, but it can curve the horizon. Resolve has a "Lens Correction" tool that can flatten it out nicely.

• Gyroflow: This is for the truly adventurous!!! I understand you can turn off Nev's internal stabilisation, which will give super shaky raw footage, well apparently it can be stabilised perfectly using free software called Gyroflow. Something to try when I'm feeling brave!!!

So, that’s where I’m at with Nev. He’s a noisy, capable, and wonderfully fun little drone that’s teaching me a ton. I’m hoping to get out into a quiet green space soon to really put those flying lessons into practice.

Wish me luck (and calm weather!!!). I’ll keep you updated on Nev’s adventures!!!