Which controller to choose for a drone?

2024-05-16

DJI FPV 3 blog

Do you know if your controller DJI will work with the new drone model you want to buy? In this article, we have prepared a comprehensive guide to various controllers DJI, so you can find out which one will fit your drone. You'll find all the information you need about the compatibility of DJI controllers with various drone models. Controllers can be divided into three categories:

Standard control instruments DJI RC-N and DJI FPV, which allow you to control the flight of the drone, adjusting flight settings.
Apparatuses DJI RC with live video preview, from a drone camera. Enabling more immersive and precise control, giving you full control over your shots, even when your drone is at greater distances.
For those who prefer a more interactive form of control, motion controllers in the style of a joystick are an excellent option, allowing you to control the drone through hand movements, making control intuitive and exciting.

After reading this post, choosing a counterfoil will definitely be easier.

Compatibility acontrol paratures DJI

DJI kompatybilność aparatur sterujących

Below you will find tables that will make it easy for you to quickly find out which controller DJI fits which drone model. Effortlessly check if you can control the drone with a particular camera. If you use professional drones, you will need special controllers assigned to a specific model. DJI RC Plus is a specialized device that operates a specially dedicated drone model, one example is the control apparatus DJI RC Plus FlyCart 30. The table shows standard controllers, live view cameras, and single-handed controllers:

Controllers DJI

	DJI RC-N1	DJI RC-N2	DJI FPV 2	DJI FPV 3
Mavic Mini	✘	✘	✘	✘
Mini-SE	✘	✘	✘	✘
Mini 2	✔	✘	✘	✘
Mini 2 SE	✔	✘	✘	✘
Mini 3	✔	✘	✘	✘
Mini 3 Pro	✔	✘	✘	✘
Mini 4 Pro	✘	✔	✘	✘
Mavic Air 2	✔	✘	✘	✘
Air 2S	✔	✘	✘	✘
Air 3	✘	✔	✘	✘
Mavic 2	✘	✘	✘	✘
Mavic 3	✔	✘	✘	✘
Mavic 3 Classic	✔	✘	✘	✘
Mavic 3 Pro	✔	✘	✘	✘
DJI FPV	✘	✘	✔	✘
Avata	✘	✘	✔	✘
Avata 2	✘	✘	✔	✔

Controllers DJI with screen

	DJI RC	DJI RC 2	DJI Smart Controller	DJI RC Pro
Mavic Mini	✘	✘	✘	✘
Mini-SE	✘	✘	✘	✘
Mini 2	✘	✘	✔	✘
Mini 2 SE	✘	✘	✘	✘
Mini 3	✔	✘	✘	✘
Mini 3 Pro	✔	✘	✘	✔
Mini 4 Pro	✘	✔	✘	✘
Mavic Air 2	✘	✘	✔	✘
Air 2S	✔	✘	✔	✔
Air 3	✘	✔	✘	✘
Mavic 2	✘	✘	✔	✘
Mavic 3	✔	✘	✘	✔
Mavic 3 Classic	✔	✘	✘	✔
Mavic 3 Pro	✔	✘	✘	✔
DJI FPV	✘	✘	✘	✘
Avata	✘	✘	✘	✘
Avata 2	✘	✘	✘	✘

Controllers DJI Motion

	DJI Motion Controller	DJI RC Motion 2	DJI RC Motion 3
Mavic Mini	✘	✘	✘
Mini-SE	✘	✘	✘
Mini 2	✘	✘	✘
Mini 2 SE	✘	✘	✘
Mini 3	✘	✘	✘
Mini 3 Pro	✘	✔	✘
Mini 4 Pro	✘	✘	✔
Mavic Air 2	✘	✘	✘
Air 2S	✘	✘	✘
Air 3	✘	✘	✔
Mavic 2	✘	✘	✘
Mavic 3	✘	✔	✘
Mavic 3 Classic	✘	✔	✘
Mavic 3 Pro	✘	✔	✘
DJI FPV	✔	✘	✘
Avata	✔	✔	✘
Avata 2	✘	✔	✔

Popular controller models DJI

Each controller differs in individual features, technology, control method, and even in appearance, size or weight. Choose the camera model that best suits your needs, preferences and is compatible with the drone you own or one you want to purchase.

Control unit DJI RC-N1

Aparatura sterująca DJI RC-N1

Introduced with the launch of the DJI Mini 2, the DJI RC-N1 controller was a marked improvement over previous DJI cameras and quickly became the brand's standard controller. It is also the one that can be used with the largest number of different drones DJI, thanks to its compatibility with various transmission systems O2, O3 and O3+.

It does not have a screen, so you have to connect your smartphone, to get the image captured by the drone and access various settings. Its spring clip designed for this purpose, located on the top edge, is very convenient. The controller is ergonomic, fits very well in the hand and allows precise control of the drone.

The DJI RC-N1 controller is compatible with the following drones:

Control unit DJI RC-N2

Aparatura sterująca DJI RC-N2

The DJI RC-N2 is an improved version of the DJI RC-N1 controller. Appearing with the launch of DJI Air 3, the purpose of this controller was to introduce the next generation of the manufacturer's video transmission system, i.e. DJI O4. The new system supports an additional frequency band in Europe (5.1 GHz).

The appearance of the RC-N1 has been retained in the newer model, the only difference from the old model is internal changes: its transmission system has been updated, and the antenna system has been upgraded from 1T2R to 2T2R, allowing a range of up to 20 km in the FCC standard / 10 km in the CE standard and a more stable connection.

The DJI RC-N2 controller is compatible with the following drones:

Control unit DJI FPV V2

DJI FPV Remote Controller 2 was introduced at the same time as the release of the first FPV drone created by the DJI. It comes by default with the drone, but can also be purchased separately. DJI FPV V2 is also compatible with the drone DJI Avata.

DJI FPV V2 is a simple controller that resembles the form of a video game console pad. Without a screen, of course, because you get the image directly from the goggles. It is simple, precise and easy to use with intuitive joysticks.

Controller DJI FPV V2 is compatible with the following drones:

Control unit DJI FPV V3

DJI FPV Remote Controller 3 is designed to transmit DJI O4. Equipped with an integrated antenna array, it is lighter than its predecessor, allowing for longer operating time. Longer control sticks by 2 mm provide a more ergonomic grip and allow one- or two-finger control for improved precision and comfort.

In addition to Normal and Sport modes, it also introduces manual mode, designed for advanced users who want to improve their skills.

The DJI FPV V3 controller is compatible with the following drones:

DJI Avata 2

Control apparatus DJI RC

The DJI RC apparatus is a revolutionary control system with a built-in screen. Specifically designed for the drone DJI Mini 3 Pro, it is convenient to use and functional. Available in sets with the drone as well as separately. With the latest updates, the remote control is also compatible with other popular models, such as the Air 2S and Mavic 3.

Its lightweight design and ergonomic design provide a comfortable hold, while the 5.5-inch touch screen with brightness 700 nits guarantees very good visibility even in bright sunlight. Battery life of 4 hours allows several flight sessions without recharging, so you can focus solely on flying and enjoy complete freedom.

The DJI RC controller can be used with the following drones:

Control unit DJI RC 2

Like the DJI RC-N2, the DJI RC 2 camera was introduced simultaneously with the "Air" series of drones DJI, including DJI Air 3. Newer version supports video transmission system DJI O4, which offers an additional frequency band in Europe (5.1 GHz), which translates into a reliable connection and a maximum range extended to 20 km in the FCC standard and 10 km in the CE standard.

Along with these improvements, there have also been some physical changes, the most notable of which is the addition of two external folding antennas on top of the control unit. The new antennas are designed to improve transmission stability, which provides better control over a drone.

The DJI RC 2 controller is compatible with the following drones:

Controller DJI Smart

Kontroler DJI Smart

Camera DJI Smart Controller premiered in 2019, originally designed for the Mavic 2 series. Thanks to various updates, however, the controller has been optimized to work with the Mavic Air 2, Phantom 4, and then Mini 2 and Air 2S. Despite its versatility and popularity, DJI ended sales of this controller in August 2021.

Smart Controller is distinguished by its large, ultra-bright (1000 cd/m²) 5.5-inch touchscreen display. It includes the Android operating system, which provides scalability and the ability to install third-party applications such as Facebook and Instagram, allowing direct online sharing of photos and videos.

The controller is compatible with the following drones:

DJI Mini 2
DJI Mavic Air 2
DJI Air 2S
DJI Mavic 2 Pro
DJI Mavic 2 Zoom
DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise
DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0

Controller DJI RC Pro

Successor to the DJI Smart controller, the DJI RC Pro controller represents the latest development in high-end controllers offered by the DJI. Originally released with the Mavic 3 as part of a kit, it is now also available separately. DJI further expanded its compatibility, allowing it to be used with the Air 2S and Mini 3 Pro as well.

Equipped with an impressive 5.5-inch touchscreen with a brightness of 1000 nits, rC Pro remote control provides a full touchscreen interface for excellent control comfort, regardless of lighting conditions. Its scalable interface also allows the installation of third-party applications such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and with a mini-HDMI port, the RC Pro camera allows direct share a live video stream on the external display.

The DJI RC Pro controller is compatible with the following drones:

Controller DJI Motion

Kontroler DJI Motion

Another remote control created by DJI is the Motion controller, sold by default with the Avata model, but is also available as a controller for DJI FPV.

Controller differs from previous DJU offerings. Joystick-like shape, allows you to pilot the drone in an intuitive way through hand movements. It is an interesting tool for those who want an even greater experience.

The motion controller DJI is compatible with the following drones:

Controller DJI RC Motion 2

Introduced in April 2023, the DJI RC Motion 2 controller is the second generation of the joystick-style remote control manufactured by the DJI.

It has a number of innovative features that were not present in the first version of the motion controller. These include:

the ability to reverse the drone thanks to a new trigger that can be pulled toward you
new mini joystick to control ascent, descent and horizontal movements left and right
a new FN wheel that allows live camera parameters to be adjusted for even greater flexibility and precision

The DJI RC Motion 2 controller is compatible with the following drones:

Controller DJI RC Motion 3

The new controller, introduced in April 2024, is the third version of the joystick-style remote control DJI .

With RC Motion 3 and DJI Goggles 3, you control your drone's movements with simple wrist gestures. DJI RC Motion 3 is characterized by its ability to eliminate interference to achieve precise point-to-fly control. It is lightweight and portable, it was designed with comfortable grip, and its streamlined design makes it a pleasure to hold in your hands. Placing the various function buttons naturally on the compact chassis allows you to conveniently perform takeoffs, landings, and switch modes with the touch of a finger.

The DJI RC Motion 3 controller is compatible with the following drones:

Summary

DJI aparatura sterująca

As time goes by DJI releases better and better control hardware, some controllers are assigned to specific models, so it is good to know what hardware will be compatible with your drone. In some cases, older apparatuses are supported by upgrades so that they have the ability to support newer devices. If you're looking for a controller and don't already have a drone for it, it's worth finding out if there are kits available with an attached controller. This gives you the opportunity to reduce your expenses and be even more confident that everything will be compatible with each other.

Author

Bartholomew Rasztar

Editor specializing in e-commerce for 3 years. Master of Science in Management - Marketing and Social Media. Passionate about sports, extreme experiences and challenges, which he shares on his Instagram. Inspired by the use of technology to show the world in fascinating and interesting ways.

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