Since its launch in September of 2024, the DJI Neo has been a drone favourite to many across the globe. A lot of this has to do with its small measurement, sub-150g weight, a number of clever flight modes, and management choices, all in inexpensive pricing choices.
Due to the numerous flight modes packed in such a small and light-weight package deal, together with its detachable propeller guards, the DJI Neo is ideal for these on the go whether or not outdoor, and even indoors.
This text and video tutorial present how you can take away the DJI Neo’s propeller guards and change the propellers, ought to the necessity come up. We’ll additionally look at why one may wish to take away the propeller guards.
Advantages of the Propeller Guards
One of many nice issues in regards to the DJI Neo is that it’s a comparatively protected drone due to its minimal results (if any) on folks or property ought to a crash happen. A lot of that is because of the weight of the Neo, weighing in at a mere 135g.
Moreover, the propeller guards on the Neo totally encase the entire motors.
This allows the Neo to fly in tight areas, with out harming most objects, because the motors aren’t uncovered. In fact, care must be taken when flying the Neo round branches and small limbs, as these might probably attain the motors.
One of many extra attention-grabbing advantages of getting propeller guards that totally encase the motors on the Neo is that in the US, it may be used as a class 1 drone, which means that, Half-107 pilots can function the Neo over folks when an RID module is hooked up.
Why take away Propeller Guards?
With the 2 talked about advantages of getting propeller guards on the Neo, why would anybody take into account eradicating them?
Weight Financial savings
The Neo is already a particularly light-weight drone. Nonetheless, eradicating each propeller guards drops the general weight just a few grams, which nets the DJI Neo extra flight time.
Precisely how a lot flight time is gained from eradicating the props?
Based on DJI, the Neo with propeller guards hooked up achieves flight instances of as much as 17 minutes and as much as 18 minutes with the guards eliminated.
Whereas this may not seem to be a lot of a rise in flight, that additional 1 minute of flight time is perhaps the distinction between the Neo power touchdown randomly or as a substitute in your hand. In fact, flying any drone battery down to almost 0% will not be suggested, however it may occur nonetheless.
Open Entry to the Propellers
The obvious purpose to take away both propeller guard from the DJI Neo can be to have full entry to the propellers.
Though the Neo’s props are totally encased and guarded, there could also be instances when the propellers should be modified or changed.
With third occasion corporations making equipment for the Neo, there could come a time when aftermarket propellers, by the likes of corporations reminiscent of Grasp Air Screw, change into obtainable. Simply accessing the present propellers will probably be helpful for swapping them out.
Moreover, propellers, like every shifting half, can put on out over time. Or, they could get broken if the Neo is flown with out the propeller guards hooked up.
In both case, the propellers will should be modified. Eradicating the propeller guards ensures the props may be eliminated or swapped out ought to that point arrive.
Understanding Propellers
Right here at Droneblog, we like to make use of an analogy when excited about drone propellers.
Drone propellers are like tires on a automobile. Tires are the one factor connecting a automobile to the highway. Likewise, props join the drone with the air.
Simply as you’ll examine, rotate, or change tires on a automobile earlier than a protracted journey, you’ll wish to examine or change the propellers in your Neo periodically.
Whereas drone producers don’t particularly advocate altering props after a particular variety of hours or flights, DJI assist and different drone producers have been identified to recommend altering propellers after 200-300 flights.
When to Change Propellers
There are numerous issues to search for to find out whether or not the propellers on the DJI should be modified.
Propellers should be modified if they’re:
- Warped
- Chipped, Cracked, Dinged, or Dented
- Discolored
- Making odd noises
Briefly, to make sure protected flights, you must change your Neo’s propellers once they have been on for too lengthy (leading to discoloration), once they seem worn and/or broken, or once they have are available in contact with an object.
Methods to Take away the Propeller Guard(s)
One of many good issues in regards to the propeller guards on the Neo is that, though the Neo may really feel like a toy, the prop guards are affixed snuggly.
That is nice for safeguarding the Neo within the case of contact with numerous stable objects.
To take away the propeller guard(s):
STEP 1: Find the primary tab on the prop guard and elevate it (with both your nail or the included screwdriver).
This may disconnect the tab from the notch on the Neo’s airframe.
STEP 2: Proceed working across the airframe, pulling the tabs. As soon as all 5 tabs have been eliminated, the propeller guard will detach from the airframe.
Methods to Change Propellers
Earlier than altering the propellers it is very important use the right propeller for its motor location. If the unsuitable propeller is used, the Neo will both fail to take off or fly incorrectly.
For those who have a look at the 2 propeller packages your spare Neo propellers are in, the packages are color-coded by motor location.
The entrance proper and rear left propeller packages are color-coded yellow, and the entrance left and rear proper propeller packages are color-coded blue.
When getting ready to alter propellers, you’ll want the screwdriver included within the DJI Neo field and the correct spare set of propellers, both yellow or blue, for the respective motor location.
To alter the propellers:
STEP 1: Take away the correct propeller from its packaging, making certain it’s the right propeller for the precise motor location.
You may as well take away the spare screws and set them apart, saving them as future spares.
STEP 2: Unscrew the propeller.
STEP 3: Put aside the broken propeller. Subsequent, fastidiously screw within the new propeller or each.
Though that is pretty easy and easy, placing the brand new propellers on incorrectly or loosely could lead to a crash or the lack of the Neo.