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 reasonably priced pricing choices.
Due to the various 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 shall be a step-by-step tutorial displaying the way to take away the DJI Neo’s propeller guards and change the propellers, ought to the necessity come up. We’ll additionally study why one may need to take away the propeller guards.
Advantages of the Propeller Guards
One of many nice issues concerning the DJI Neo is that it’s a comparatively secure 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 permits the Neo to fly in tight areas, with out harming most objects, because the motors should not uncovered. After all, care ought to 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?
In line with 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 won’t seem to be a lot of a rise in flight, that further 1 minute of flight time may be the distinction between the Neo pressure touchdown randomly or as an alternative in your hand. After all, flying any drone battery down to almost 0% shouldn’t be suggested, but it surely may occur nonetheless.
Open Entry to the Propellers
The obvious motive 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 get together firms making equipment for the Neo, there could come a time when aftermarket propellers, by the likes of firms resembling Grasp Air Screw, change into obtainable. Simply accessing the present propellers shall be helpful for swapping them out.
Moreover, propellers, like several transferring 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 desirous 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’d examine, rotate, or change tires on a automobile earlier than an extended journey, you’d need to examine or change the propellers in your Neo periodically.
Whereas drone producers don’t particularly suggest altering props after a selected variety of hours or flights, DJI help and different drone producers have been recognized 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
In brief, to make sure secure flights, you need to change your Neo’s propellers after they have been on for too lengthy (leading to discoloration), after they seem worn and/or broken, or after they have are available contact with an object.
Methods to Take away the Propeller Guard(s)
One of many good issues concerning 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 strong objects.
To take away the propeller guard(s):
STEP 1: Find the primary tab on the prop guard and carry it (with both your nail or the included screwdriver).
It will 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 proper propeller for its motor location. If the mistaken propeller is used, the Neo will both fail to take off or fly incorrectly.
In the event you 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 appropriate propeller for the correct 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, rigorously screw within the new propeller or each.
Though that is pretty easy and easy, placing the brand new propellers on incorrectly or loosely could end in a crash or the lack of the Neo.