Neo just decided to take off on its own!

Product Support Forum
1

We were out at 7 Mile Beach in NSW, and after getting some great shots with the Mini 4 Pro, I handed it over to my partner. While relaxing, I set our Neo to do a helix shot of us, but instead of circling, it just took off over the water, going higher and higher. We quickly landed the M4P and tried to reconnect to the Neo using the RC2 to bring it back, but no luck.

Pretty disappointing - this was just a simple automated function it’s supposed to handle! I hadn’t even taken yesterday’s videos off the drone yet (lesson learned, I got a bit too comfortable since I mainly use it for QuickShots and follow-me footage).

My partner’s heading out of the country in a week and was planning to take it with her. I filed a flyaway report with DJI Care, but paying $130 for a replacement due to a glitch is frustrating. DJI support was friendly, but it sounds like their hands are tied until they review it. Has anyone in Australia managed to get a replacement without using up the flyaway coverage? I feel like it should be covered under consumer laws here since QuickShots with safe return were features they advertised.

2

Mine did the same! Watched it fly right off a cliff. Luckily I managed to retrieve it, but yeah, not fun.

3

I did a ‘rocket’ shot once with the Neo without the controller, and instead of coming back down, it hovered too high for me to reach. I had to connect my phone to lower it before the battery died. Now I only use the remote - just don’t trust it otherwise. Was your flyaway in low light? I’ve noticed it can act up when it’s dark.

4

@Mackenzie
Nope, it was bright with almost no wind. It was odd because I’d flown it in Canberra in windy weather a few days earlier with no issues (using the RC2). Today was perfect weather, but it decided to take off anyway :man_shrugging:

5

@Mackenzie
Same thing happened to me. I also had to use my phone to bring it down. I don’t fly it without the RC anymore.

6

Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be. The drone felt the need to leave.

7

Steele said:
Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be. The drone felt the need to leave.

It was like watching the Batcopter fly away in The Dark Knight Rises… except without the cool explosion, just the loss of a drone.

8

@Ameliascarlet
Kind of like finding out your kids aren’t actually yours but in a less tragic way.

9

Steele said:
@Ameliascarlet
Kind of like finding out your kids aren’t actually yours but in a less tragic way.

Haha, yeah, definitely a bit less intense! Mine’s just a flying gadget :joy:

10

Did it fly over water or off a steep drop? Both are known to cause potential flight issues and flyaways.

11

Hi there, we’re sorry to hear about your experience. Could you please share your case number from DJI support? This will help us follow up on your case more effectively.

12

Tait said:
Hi there, we’re sorry to hear about your experience. Could you please share your case number from DJI support? This will help us follow up on your case more effectively.

Just sent you a message with the details.

13

@Ameliascarlet
Got it! We’ve responded, so please check your inbox for more updates. Thank you!

14

I almost had a flyaway with my Neo last week while it was connected to my phone. It was sunny, barely any wind. I sent it for a rocket shot, and it started to fly off, then suddenly came back but crashed into a roof. Now I’m too nervous to fly it again.

Full story: https://www.reddit.com/r/dji/s/7ObhIa9EQ7

15

I was thinking of getting the Neo as my first drone for road trips around Australia, but these flyaway stories have me second-guessing it now :worried:

16

Luca said:
I was thinking of getting the Neo as my first drone for road trips around Australia, but these flyaway stories have me second-guessing it now :worried:

Honestly, it’s still a fantastic drone. Even if I didn’t have DJI coverage, I’d probably buy another but just be extra careful. For example, I’d make sure it’s connected to my phone before doing any QuickShots. If you want a more stable option, you could consider the Mini 3 series on sale - similar price but without all the fancy automated shots. The Neo is great as a backup, though, because it’s small and portable.

I think the Mini 4 Pro + Neo combo works really well!