Page 68 - Stuff - September 2017 UK

TESTED DJI SPARK

A bird in the hand

Wave hello to the DJI Spark – this tiny but
talented drone can be launched from your
palm and even controlled by gestures

£519 / stuff.tv/DJISpark
For most of us, drones are still
a bit like camcorders were in the
1980s – great gadgets to have
around, as long as someone else
is responsible for them. They’re
just a bit needy. First, there’s
the cost. Then carrying the
thing around. Followed by finding
somewhere to fly it. And then a
humiliating tree-based incident
as you can’t get the hang of that
intimidating controller.
But the DJI Spark is different.
Its controller is an optional extra,
because it’s aimed at complete
beginners. You can control it
by tapping your smartphone’s
screen or even by waving your
hand, thanks to some clever
auto-flying modes.
This alone would be enough
to make it a bundle of joy, but it’s
also impossibly tiny. And despite
weighing the same as a compact
camera, it’s packed with high-end
tech, including a two-axis gimbal
for steadying its 1080p video.
The DJI Spark may not be a
perfect (or cheap) drone, but it
is one of the most fun gadgets 1
we’ve played with in years.

1 Precious little 2 Social eyes 3 Life’s too short
When you consider what the The Spark has a forward-facing There’s no 4K, but the Spark’s
Spark can do, it is astoundingly vision system (to stop it flying 1080p video is good enough for
small and light. Mini drones aren’t into things), a downward-facing YouTube. More of an issue is the
new, but ones this capable are. At camera that helps it auto-return 10-15-minute battery life. You will
300g, the Spark is less than half to the exact spot it took off really need some spare batteries.
the weight of the Mavic Pro and from, and the main 12MP 1080p These cost £55 each, or you can
200g lighter than its closest rival, camera, which is stabilised very get two plus the controller with
the Parrot Bebop 2. nicely by the two-axis gimbal. the £699 ‘Fly More’ bundle.

24 hours with the
…and it’s great to have the option to
thanks to the Spark’s easy controls…
Battery’s gone already… good job
At 300g it’s also really light – no
they’re a bit too shaky for my liking.
DJI Spark
I invested in some extra batteries.
and no need for a stupid stick.
strained back for me today.
sensors weren’t so smart.
Good The 12MP cam takes cracking selfies,
Meh The Spark is so tiny I can fit it in my I can’t get over how cool it is to see I love using gesture controls, but I’m getting the hang of drone flying I’d have crashed loads more if the
Evil bicycle bag without any issues. the Spark launch from my palm. fly it with a smartphone as well.
[ Words Mark Wilson ]
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