The fun of drone flying is not only the freedom of the sky, but also how you control it. Will you be entangled in using a mobile phone or a smart remote control with a built-in screen? Here, I will tell you whether the drone smart remote control with a built-in screen is what you need.
Using a mobile phone vs. a smart remote control with a built-in screen
Among low-cost small consumer drones, most require their own mobile phones to act as remote controls and download drone apps to perform drone command operations.
Smart remote controls with built-in screens directly come with drone apps, and you can choose not to download third-party apps to avoid interference, and it will be faster to operate the drone.
Compared with smart remote controls, mobile phones have small screens, low brightness, short battery life, and are easily interfered by other mobile phone applications. Especially the screen brightness, under the scorching sun, it is almost impossible to see the content of the drone app.
How important is screen brightness to drone users?
When we are shooting drone missions at noon, the screen of the mobile phone or ordinary remote control is seriously reflective, and the picture is almost invisible. The smart remote controller has a higher brightness and supports adjustment, which allows drone operators to better plan missions.
The Autel Smart Controller V3 supports a brightness of 2,000 nits (about 4-5 times that of ordinary mobile phone screens), and the reflection can almost disappear at noon when the sun is strong. I can easily adjust the flight altitude and camera angle without squinting or looking for cover.
DJI drones also use Smart Controllers, such as DJI RC Pro, with a brightness of 1,000 nits. Although the screen brightness of the drone controller is also higher than that of ordinary remote controls or mobile phones, you need to cover the screen with your hand when operating under the scorching sun, which greatly reduces the operating efficiency.
The importance of brightness adjustment of drone smart controllers
High brightness is not always needed, and the brightness adjustment of Autel Smart Controller V3 is more suitable for different environments. When shooting the city skyline at dusk, you can lower the brightness to about 500 nits to avoid glare. At the same time, with the low-light shooting of Autel EVO II PRO V3 Moonlight Algorithm 2.0, the night scene details on the screen are still vivid. This adaptability is good news for photographers - you won't be disturbed by the screen being too bright, and you won't miss the key picture because it's too dark.
Operation experience: Practicality behind brightness
2000 nits is not only about vision, but also improves control efficiency. Autel Smart Controller V3 runs Android system and is pre-installed with Autel Explorer application. The interface is simple and the touch response is sensitive. In the sun, I can quickly adjust the camera parameters and composition. The 7.9-inch large screen makes these operations clear at a glance, unlike the cramped screen of a mobile phone.
SkyLink 2.0's 15-kilometer transmission distance is a perfect match with this screen. In a test of flying to a mountaintop 5 kilometers away, the 6K picture was transmitted back without any delay, and the 2000-nit brightness ensured that I could clearly see the details in the clouds and fog and accurately adjust the composition.
Outdoor durability: hard power beyond brightness
Although the screen brightness is a highlight, the overall design of Autel Smart Controller V3 also adds points for outdoor work. It has an IP43 rating, is dust and splash proof, and can operate normally in the dusty farmland. During one shoot, I accidentally dropped it into the shallow grass, and after picking it up, the screen was scratch-free and the brightness remained the same. The battery life is about 4.5 hours, and a full charge lasts longer than a drone.
Although the smart remote control makes the screen larger and brighter, it also means that it is heavier. We have equipped you with a sling so that you can hang it on your body and free your hands.
Summary
Autel EVO II Pro V3's Smart Controller V3 redefines the standard of drone remote controls with 2000 nits of brightness. It makes composing in the hot sun no longer a challenge, and low-light scenes are more relaxed. With a 6K camera and 42 minutes of battery life, it is an ideal partner for outdoor workers.
