by 222 reviews.
Autel Robotics EVO 2 Pro V3 Review: A High-End Drone with Stunning Features and a Few Quirks
The Autel Robotics EVO 2 Pro V3 is a premium drone designed for professionals and enthusiasts who demand top-tier performance. With its Sony 1-inch CMOS sensor, 6K HDR video capabilities, and 360° obstacle avoidance, this drone is a powerhouse in the world of aerial cinematography and mapping. It also boasts a 40-minute flight time, 12-bit DNG post-production flexibility, and no geo-fencing restrictions, making it a versatile tool for creative and professional use.
But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the pros and cons based on real customer experiences.
Pros and Cons: A Detailed Breakdown
1. Build Quality and Design
The Autel EVO 2 Pro V3 is built like a tank. Customers have praised its rugged design and the inclusion of a hard plastic case in the bundle, which ensures safe storage and transport. The improved gimbal cover is another highlight, making it easy to remove and replace without hassle.
However, some users noted that the drone is bulkier and heavier compared to competitors like the DJI Mavic series. While this adds to its durability, it can be a drawback for those who prioritize portability.
2. Camera and Video Quality
The Sony 1-inch CMOS sensor is a game-changer, delivering 20MP stills and 6K video with stunning clarity. The adjustable aperture (F2.8 to F11) and maximum ISO of 44,000 allow for exceptional low-light performance. Customers have raved about the sharpness, dynamic range, and color accuracy of the footage, making it ideal for professional real estate photography, videography, and mapping.
One user mentioned that the 12-bit DNG format provides incredible flexibility in post-production, retaining rich details in shadows and highlights. However, a few customers reported issues with white balance and exposure inconsistencies, which can be frustrating for professionals relying on consistent results.
3. Flight Performance and Battery Life
The 40-minute flight time is a standout feature, offering ample time for capturing footage. The 7100mAh battery ensures long flights, though some users noted that the battery drains quickly when not in use, losing about 50% charge over a week.
The 360° obstacle avoidance system is highly praised, with 12 computer vision sensors and 2 sonar sensors working together to detect and avoid obstacles up to 30 meters away. One customer shared a story of the drone successfully returning home after a 3-mile flight down a valley, even with low battery levels, showcasing its reliability.
4. Usability and Features
The 6.4-inch Smart Controller SE is a major plus, allowing users to fly without needing a mobile device. The Autel Explorer app offers a variety of flight modes and settings, though some users wished for more intelligent flight modes like those found in DJI drones.
The no geo-fencing feature is a significant advantage, especially for professionals who need to fly in restricted zones. However, Autel still alerts users when entering such areas, ensuring compliance with local regulations.
5. Customer Support and Firmware Updates
While many customers praised Autel’s responsive customer service, others expressed frustration with delayed firmware updates. One user reported issues with white balance and exposure compensation that remained unresolved for months, despite promises of an upcoming update.
Conclusion: Is the Autel EVO 2 Pro V3 Worth It?
The Autel Robotics EVO 2 Pro V3 is a high-performance drone with impressive features like the Sony 1-inch sensor, 6K video, and 360° obstacle avoidance. Its no geo-fencing policy and 40-minute flight time make it a strong contender for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
However, it’s not without its flaws. The bulky design, battery drain issues, and occasional camera inconsistencies may deter some users. Additionally, the lack of intelligent flight modes and delayed firmware updates can be frustrating for those accustomed to more polished systems like DJI’s.
Final Verdict: If you’re looking for a drone with unmatched image quality, flexibility in restricted zones, and reliable flight performance, the Autel EVO 2 Pro V3 is an excellent choice. However, if portability and advanced automated features are your top priorities, you might want to explore other options.
Specification Autel Robotics EVO 2 Pro V3: Son-y 1" CMOS Sensor & 6K HDR Video, Moonlight Algorithm 2.0, Max ISO 44000,12-Bit DNG, 6.4" Smart Controller SE,15KM Transmission, 360° Obstacle Avoidance, 40 Minutes:
Comments from Amazon:
I purchased this drone because I liked that it could be flown anywhere without restrictions. This was very important to me because I was considering this product for work and wanted to see how it stood up against what we currently had. For starters, it delivered on its promise to fly anywhere without geofencing restrictions. The next thing that was great was the ease of use. The controls are intuitive and simple. You can just link up a cellphone to the remote control dock and fly the drone. The picture quality is great and video is fantastic too. The battery life in operation is standard; about 40 minutes flight time or 30 minutes under windy conditions. My only gripe is that the battery depletes quickly (about 50%) just sitting in the case over the course of a week. Overall though this drone is a good buy. It's performed so well that I am trying to get a few more scheduled in the budget for work.
This purchase was for my brother Rudy... This drone is used for both professional real estate photography and videography. A few months afterwards, began using this drone with the Autel Smart Controller (both V1). This drone is amazing! First of all, the fact that it informs and warns but does not restrict flying in areas that require Authorization is priceless. It is always required to get authorization to legally fly in these areas. Anyone who has dealt with DJI knows the issues that we law abiding remote pilots face. Here is one example from my experience. I had to wait a couple days for authorization for an assignment. I then arrived on-site, and powered on the DJI drone and got a warning from my controller that there was no SD Card. If I recall correctly, I turned off my drone to avoid any memory card issues. I then reattempted to fly and I lost my authorization. I also lost track of the number of times that DJI restricted me from flying in areas that did not require authorization or the authorization process was time consuming and failed. With my Autel, I get authorization ahead of time and get peace of mind that once I have authorization, my drone will not question me. Autel, please do not go the route of DJI with No-Fly Zones. My only complaint is a minor one. I wish that Autel had many more intelligent flight modes that matched or exceed DJI. I am forced to learn how to do many cinematic moves manually. While I agree that manually flying looks more natural and is a great skill, sometimes I don't want to spend time manually controlling my drone. Some jobs don't require that level of cinematography. Sometimes, those intelligent flight modes incorporate nicely. And sometimes, I just want to have fun with my drone and miss that type of help so I can focus on quick fun videos especially when the weather is a bit colder for my fingers. I do enjoy flying this drone and have no regrets selling my DJI and replacing it with Autel for professional Real Estate Photography and Videography. I love the variable aperture, the sharpness, and the colors that it produces. I do wish it was a bit smaller for travel purposes but the size and weight helps with wind resistance so it is a good compromise. I know that this is a review for the drone and not the smart controller but buying a smart controller makes this so much more fun when you don't worry about the setup and device issues before every flight. I wish the smart controller supported the VR flying though :< I don't really fly very far so I can't comment on reception. But I will say that I once had an assignment to record one of the tallest skyscrapers in the Chicago. So, I was in the middle of downtown Chicago and I flew as high as the antennas. The video transmission was very choppy and I got nervous about reception but the video recorded flawlessly. If you are considering Autel I definitely recommend it. I am very happy with it!
a drone with amazing potential, but so far my experience with Autel is just horrible. I received a drone in mid April, and for over two months haven't been able to do a proper video. the white balance keeps changing without any control, and only when i dial in a fixed kelvin wb it's ok. but once i do that , exposure starts changing very sharply. it seems like it wants to do some kind of exposure compensation but that looks really bad. i've been in touch with the seller , and they assured me that the new firmware update,coming out in late may, early june, will solve the issue but no update has been released yet. so i haven't been able to do a proper video with a 2000 dollars drone for over 2 months!!! I would like to return the drone, and get a new one, but now the seller is not even replying. Horrible experience that is far from over!
I been a Mavic user for some time, but the specs of the EVO 2 Pro capture my attention. I bought and recommend the rugged bundle. It came in a great rugged case with 2 extra batteries, propellers, charger and SD Card. The gimbal cover has been improved and is easy to remove and replace. It has all the help you need to fly with GPS, Vision, RTH, Automatic Take Off, Accurate Landing and a pause button to stop a mission or any automatic fly modes. The all-around collision avoidance is a piece of art. The gimbal can be changed for the Infrared or the 8K, making it nice base drone with growing possibilities. No geofencing is a plus to fly in everywhere, but it alert, not forbidden, when in a restricted zone. Even without the inconvenience of flying zones of DJI, I follow the rules and ask for authorization. Uses the Autel Explorer for your mobile device but the controller has a nice screen and you can fly without the mobile phone or tablet, something not found with the Mavic 2 Pro. The Autel Explorer gives you more options and flying modes, but for a fast and relaxing fly, you don't need the phone. It synchronizes with AirData and keep all the information of the flight, the drone, the batteries and even a map of your flight with all the information, telemetry and animation. The great customer service tells me that Autel Robotics listen to the customer and can wait for the new releases of the firmware. Update 10/8/2020- One thing I want to trust of my drones is their the capability to return home when something goes wrong or simply lost communication with the aircraft. I sent my Evo 2 Pro down a valley for 3 miles and when the battery level reach critical levels, It came back making a perfect landing. It won my trust. The capacity of creating autonomous missions just with the Autel Explorer saves time. To complete my equipment I bought the Autel Charging Hub. It doesn't take too much space and charge the batteries in parallel or sequential. Great addition to my equipment. Very satisfied with the Evo 2 Pro.