Why is there so much hate for the Motion Controller?

Product Support Forum
1

It might be seen as a beginner tool, but the Motion Controller can actually pull off some seriously smooth and fluid close-up shots — think indoor fly-throughs, urban areas, or weaving through trees. Once you get used to the feel and muscle memory, you can snap turns and shift altitude really effectively.

It’s honestly just fun to fly. Great for folks who’ve played flight sims or are new to FPV — makes the entry less intimidating. I still carry my FPV controller for manual mode, but if I’m not doing hardcore acro stuff, I prefer using the Motion Controller. It frees me up a bit mentally so I can focus more on composing my shots and less on constantly correcting drift or wind in manual.

The downsides? Would love the ability to disable ATTI limits, remove the sport mode ground limit, and loosen some of the throttle/speed caps. Also wish it had twist-based yaw control or at least a better way to angle the gimbal down while flying forward — without relying on head tracking.

TLDR: I thought it’d be a gimmick, but after forcing myself to stick with it for a week, I was really surprised. It’s capable of a lot more than folks give it credit for, especially in tighter spaces.

2

I think the hate mostly comes from the fact that seasoned FPV pilots are used to traditional controllers. DJI forcing folks to buy the Motion Controller with no option to skip it kind of rubs people the wrong way. Also, you can’t use it with FPV sims to practice — so it’s a bit of a walled garden.

3

@Rowan
Can’t you just buy the drone separately and then pick up a different controller?

I’d consider DJI goggles eventually, but after all the work I put into getting ELRS working, I get why their approach doesn’t vibe with everyone.

4

@Kerry

Can’t you just buy the drone separately and then pick up a different controller?

You can, but you’ll still end up paying for the motion controller since it’s bundled by default.

ELRS

Yeah, DJI has their own closed protocol so Radiomaster and similar aren’t compatible.

5

@Rowan
Letting buyers pick their controller from the start would honestly solve most of the complaints.

6

If you’ve flown drones before or played console games, a traditional controller just feels more natural. I couldn’t stand the Motion Controller — used it once and immediately swapped to the standard controller. Haven’t looked back.

7

It’s like comparing apples and pears.

With the Motion Controller and something like the Avata 2 or Neo with head tracking, you can get buttery cinematic footage super easily. It’s also the perfect intro tool — I’ve let friends and even my kid try it and they were up and flying in a minute.

Manual flying is way more thrilling and free-form but takes serious skill and practice. Each tool has its place.

8

I don’t think there’s that much hate, honestly. The Motion Controller is great. Some days I just want a chill flight, so I grab that. Other times I want the full FPV experience and go manual. Just depends on the mood.