Chasing Down a DJI Neo 2 for Christmas (And Why This Little Drone Matters More Than I Expected
Making memories, one easy flight at a time! The DJI Neo 2 isn't just a drone; it's an invitation to spontaneous family adventures and teaching moments. So simple, even the little ones can get in on the fun!
When the first DJI Neo came out, I didn’t rush to buy it.
The camera wasn’t great, and the footage never really compared to what I get from the Air 3S. But the Neo 1 had something that did catch my attention:
they made it effortless.
No unfolding arms.
No pairing a controller.
No waiting for satellites.
No dragging out a case full of gear.
You just pulled it out of a pocket, pressed a button, and the thing followed you.
For a family that spends a lot of time outside — parks, beaches, hikes, bike trails — that kind of instant use is actually more valuable than another high-spec camera.
And when Blake started getting interested in flying, the Neo line made even more sense. Not because it was “the best drone,” but because it was simple, durable, and designed for real-world fun, not perfect cinematics.
Then the Neo 2 was announced.
Why I waited for the Neo 2 instead of grabbing the original
Everything the Neo 1 lacked, the Neo 2 seemed to fix:
better image processing
improved stability
gesture controls
voice commands
smarter tracking
stronger durability
Basically: more brains, same simplicity.
For teaching a four-year-old to fly, that combination is gold.
And for a dad who sometimes wants a drone on hand during family adventures — without opening backpacks, cases, or unfolding anything — it’s even better.
Still, actually buying one turned out to be far more complicated than expected.
The bundle circus
Once the Neo 2 arrived in Canada, it became a bundle guessing game.
I already own the DJI RC 2, which is one of DJI’s high-end screen controllers — something I use daily with the Air 3S. I had no interest in paying for the lower-end controller included in certain Neo 2 bundles. What I wanted was simple:
the drone
the extra batteries
the little transmitter
But none of the bundles offered that combination.
There was:
the bare drone
a battery bundle without the transmitter
a transmitter bundle without the batteries
and one mysterious combo that appeared briefly and vanished
Meanwhile, Christmas was getting closer, and stock kept fluctuating. The last thing I wanted was to be sitting on December 23rd refreshing product listings, hoping something magically reappeared.
So I made the practical choice:
I bought the standalone Neo 2 and will add the accessories separately.
Not elegant, but guaranteed to arrive before Christmas.
The moment that convinced me this was the right call
A coworker sent me a video of his five-year-old flying the Neo 2 indoors using nothing but gesture controls — holding out a hand, lifting a palm, catching the drone as it landed.
That clip sold me more than any spec sheet.
It wasn’t about the camera or the tracking.
It was about seeing a kid Blake’s age genuinely controlling a drone without fear.
That’s exactly the tool I want to teach him with.
This drone isn’t just for Blake — it’s for our family adventures
Yes, the Neo 2 is technically Blake’s first drone.
But realistically, it’s also something I’m going to grab on family outings where:
we didn’t plan to fly
we didn’t bring the Air 3S
we’re just outside enjoying the day
something cool happens and we want to capture it
or Blake wants to show me something he learned
The beauty of this drone is that it doesn’t require a “drone day.”
It fits into the pocket of normal life.
It’s the opposite of the Air 3S — not in quality, but in intent.
The Air 3S is for planned flights, sunrise missions, storytelling, and real cinematic work.
The Neo 2 is for:
chasing Blake at the bike park
quick follow-me shots on a hike
catching a moment without unpacking a bag
letting him fly without stress
little spontaneous adventures
Two different tools for two different kinds of days.
Final thoughts
Buying the Neo 2 took more effort than expected, but the goal never changed:
give Blake a drone he can learn on — one that’s safe, durable, and fun, and one that makes it easy for us to fly together.
And honestly, the more I’ve thought about it, the more I’ve realized:
This little drone isn’t just for him.
It’s for us.
For the spur-of-the-moment memories.
For the unplanned flights.
For the days when the Air 3S can stay at home and we just explore, with a pocket-sized drone that can keep up.
Once the weather improves, we’ll see what it can do — and I have a feeling it’ll show up in more than a few future videos, especially once Blake starts chasing me instead of the other way around.
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