DJI Avata Controller Options

While most FPV drones come with one control method, the DJI Avata features two, making it more appealing to people looking for variety and applicability in a wide range of use cases, both enterprise, and hobbyist.

So, what are the Avata controller options?

The Motion Controller and the DJI FPV controller are the controllers available for the DJI Avata. The Motion Controller is a simpler albeit limited version that offers an intuitive experience. The DJI FPOV controller is more advanced and gives you more freedom to control the drone.

Please keep reading to learn more about these two controller options, including their features, strengths, drawbacks, and what situations each is best for.

DJI Avata controller options #

Motion Controller #

This handheld controller allows you to control the drone by moving your wrist.

It’s the easiest way to control the Avata, and you can pull off some awesome moves with it even without much experience flying an FPV drone.

The Motion Controller is also the default controller that comes with Avata.

However, it has been around since DJI first released the DJI FPV drone, but since it was just an option, not many people got to use it.

Below are the main features of the Motion Controller.

• Accelerator button – This is the large lever that looks like a trigger at the back of the controller. The more you press it inwards, the faster the drone moves, and vice-versa.
• Brake – This is the large circular button at the front of the controller. Press it once, and the drone will stop and hover in place. It comes in handy when there is an emergency and you want to avoid a crash. This button also acts as an RTH button. Press and hold it if you want the drone to fly back home to activate the RTH feature.
• Start – This is the red button at the front. You use it to arm and disarm the propellers, take off, and land the drone.
• Mode switch – Below the Start button, the Mode button allows you to switch between Sport and Normal Modes. Unfortunately, Manual Mode is not available when using the Motion Controller.
• Tilt – Located on the left side of the controller, this feature allows you to adjust the gimbal tilt.
• Record – Below the Tilt button, the Record button allows you to start and stop recording.
• Power button – Located at the right of the controller, this is the button you use to switch the controller on or off.
• Head Tracking – This feature allows you to add a yaw movement to the drone as it flies by moving your head. You can switch it on or off on the goggles settings. However, this feature is only available for the Motion Controller.

How to take off and land with the Motion Controller #

• Conduct a pre-flight check of the drone, goggles, and controller. Ensure all the batteries are fully charged, then power them on and connect them accordingly.
• Once you are ready to take off, double press the Start (Red) button to arm the propellers, and press and hold to take off. The drone automatically takes off and hovers about 4 feet above the ground.
• To accelerate, press the accelerator button. To bank front or backward, twist your wrist downwards and upwards.
• To bank to the left or the right, move your wrist in the respective directions. Remember that you should only move your wrist, not the whole arm.
• When you want to land, press and hold for a few seconds.

Motion Controller drawbacks #

Below are some issues with the Motion Controller we can’t ignore.

• DJI sort of “forces” you to get Motion Controller with the Avata. It would be great to have the option to swap between the two instead of having to buy the regular controller separately.
• You can’t customize it. The only settings you can change for this controller are recalibrating the compass and IMU, but you can’t change the sensitivity or responsiveness of the controls.
• It takes some getting used to, especially if you are used to the usual controllers.
• With this controller, some moves like dives, flips, or reverse are difficult.

DJI FPV controller #

This controller comes with the first FPV drone DJI made, the DJI FPV. As mentioned earlier, to use this controller with Avata, you must purchase it separately.

If you’ve seen or used controllers from regular drones, the DJI FPV controller is no different. You get two joysticks.

The right joystick controls pitching forward and backward and rolling left and right.

The left control stick controls the throttle and the yaw.

At the front of the controller, you get the following features:

• At the top, to the left, there’s the mode select button to switch between Normal, Sport, and Manual (Acro).
• Next to the mode select button to the left is the RTH button.
• Below the RTH and mode select button is the gimbal dial.
• At the top on the right is the C2 switch button, which you can assign a shortcut.
• Next to the C2 button is the Shutter/Record button.
• Below the C2 and Shutter/Record button is the Start and Stop button, which you will need when flying in Normal Mode.
• The lanyard holder is at the front in the middle, where you attach your lanyard straps.
• To the left is the C1 button to assign any available features.
• On the right, next to the lanyard holder, is the controller’s power button.

How to take off and land with the DJI FPV controller #

1. First, you need to bind the controller to the drone. You do this by powering up both the drone and the controller.
2. Then, press and hold the drone’s power button until it starts beeping and flashing the LED lights. Do the same for the controller. The binding is successful when the beep stops, and you get solid LEDs.
3. Arm the drone by pushing both sticks downwards and inwards when in Normal and Sport Modes.
4. In Manual Mode, push the throttle stick down completely, then press the Start and Stop button twice.
5. Use the left stick to take off, land, and yaw left to right, and use the right stick to pitch forward and back and roll left and right.
6. To land the drone in Normal and Sport Modes, you can manually use the RTH or bring it to the ground.
7. Once it’s on the ground, you can stop the motors by pushing the left stick downwards.
8. To stop the motors in Manual Mode, press the Start/Stop button twice.

Drawbacks of the DJI FPV controller #

• The only drawback with this controller is that it has a steeper learning curve than the Motion Controller.

Which controller should you choose? #

If you’re a beginner in FPV, starting with the Motion Controller is best since it’s easier to use and you can pull off some basic drone maneuvers.

If you want to get good at FPV flying and use FPV drones for enterprise applications such as public safety or for filming cinematic shots, pick up the DJI FPV controller as soon as possible.

The Motion Controller is only for fun and is limited in that there are some moves you can’t pull off, and you don’t have access to Manual Mode.

With the FPV controller, you can flip, dive, hit gaps, and get creative with your drone.

However, you must invest a lot of time in practice, mainly on a simulator. It’s good that DJI created a simulator specifically for Avata where you can connect the controller and practice flying.

Manual Mode is a custom mode in which you must open up the controller to activate it.

Unless you’ve had enough practice or have some prior experience in flying FPV drones, it’s advisable to stick to Normal and Sport Modes and switch to Manual Mode once you’re comfortable with it.