Since its launch in September of 2024, the DJI Neo has been a drone favourite to many across the globe. A lot of this has to do with its small measurement, sub-150g weight, a number of clever flight modes, and management choices, all in inexpensive pricing choices.

Due to the various flight modes packed in such a small and light-weight bundle, together with its detachable propeller guards, the DJI Neo is ideal for these on the go whether or not outside, and even indoors.

This text will likely be a step-by-step tutorial exhibiting easy methods to take away the DJI Neo’s propeller guards and change the propellers, ought to the necessity come up. We’ll additionally study why one would possibly need to take away the propeller guards.

Advantages of the Propeller Guards

One of many nice issues in regards to the DJI Neo is that it’s a comparatively protected drone due to its minimal results (if any) on individuals or property ought to a crash happen. A lot of that is because of the weight of the Neo, weighing in at a mere 135g.

Moreover, the propeller guards on the Neo absolutely encase all the motors.

This allows the Neo to fly in tight areas, with out harming most objects, because the motors will not be uncovered. In fact, care must be taken when flying the Neo round branches and small limbs, as these may doubtlessly attain the motors.

One of many extra attention-grabbing advantages of getting propeller guards that absolutely encase the motors on the Neo is that in america, it may be used as a class 1 drone, which means that, Half-107 pilots can function the Neo over individuals when an RID module is connected.

Why take away Propeller Guards?

With the 2 talked about advantages of getting propeller guards on the Neo, why would anybody contemplate eradicating them?

Weight Financial savings

The Neo is already an especially light-weight drone. Nevertheless, eradicating each propeller guards drops the general weight a number of grams, which nets the DJI Neo extra flight time.

Precisely how a lot flight time is gained from eradicating the props?

In keeping with DJI, the Neo with propeller guards connected achieves flight instances of as much as 17 minutes and as much as 18 minutes with the guards eliminated.

Whereas this won’t appear to be a lot of a rise in flight, that further 1 minute of flight time is perhaps the distinction between the Neo pressure touchdown randomly or as a substitute in your hand. In fact, flying any drone battery down to almost 0% shouldn’t be suggested, however it would possibly occur nonetheless.

Open Entry to the Propellers

The obvious purpose to take away both propeller guard from the DJI Neo could be to have full entry to the propellers.

Though the Neo’s props are absolutely encased and guarded, there could also be instances when the propellers must be modified or changed.

With third get together firms making equipment for the Neo, there could come a time when aftermarket propellers, by the likes of firms resembling Grasp Air Screw, develop into out there. Simply accessing the present propellers will likely be useful for swapping them out.

Moreover, propellers, like every shifting half, can put on out over time. Or, they could get broken if the Neo is flown with out the propeller guards connected.

In both case, the propellers will must be modified. Eradicating the propeller guards ensures the props might be eliminated or swapped out ought to that point arrive.

Understanding Propellers

Right here at Droneblog, we like to make use of an analogy when fascinated about drone propellers.

Drone propellers are like tires on a automobile. Tires are the one factor connecting a automobile to the highway. Likewise, props join the drone with the air.

Simply as you’ll examine, rotate, or change tires on a automobile earlier than a protracted journey, you’ll need to examine or change the propellers in your Neo periodically.

Whereas drone producers don’t particularly advocate altering props after a selected variety of hours or flights, DJI help and different drone producers have been recognized to recommend altering propellers after 200-300 flights.

When to Change Propellers

There are numerous issues to search for to find out whether or not the propellers on the DJI must be modified.

Propellers must be modified if they’re:

• Warped
• Chipped, Cracked, Dinged, or Dented
• Discolored
• Making odd noises

In brief, to make sure protected flights, it’s best to change your Neo’s propellers after they have been on for too lengthy (leading to discoloration), after they seem worn and/or broken, or after they have are available in contact with an object.

How one can Take away the Propeller Guard(s)

One of many good issues in regards to the propeller guards on the Neo is that, though the Neo would possibly really feel like a toy, the prop guards are affixed snuggly.

That is nice for shielding the Neo within the case of contact with numerous stable objects.

To take away the propeller guard(s):

STEP 1: Find the primary tab on the prop guard and elevate it (with both your nail or the included screwdriver).

This may disconnect the tab from the notch on the Neo’s airframe.

STEP 2: Proceed working across the airframe, pulling the tabs. As soon as all 5 tabs have been eliminated, the propeller guard will detach from the airframe.

How one can Change Propellers

Earlier than altering the propellers it is very important use the proper propeller for its motor location. If the flawed propeller is used, the Neo will both fail to take off or fly incorrectly.

In case you take a look at the 2 propeller packages your spare Neo propellers are in, the packages are color-coded by motor location.

The entrance proper and rear left propeller packages are color-coded yellow, and the entrance left and rear proper propeller packages are color-coded blue.

When making ready to alter propellers, you’ll want the screwdriver included within the DJI Neo field and the right spare set of propellers, both yellow or blue, for the respective motor location.

To alter the propellers:

STEP 1: Take away the right propeller from its packaging, making certain it’s the appropriate propeller for the precise motor location.

You can too take away the spare screws and set them apart, saving them as future spares.

STEP 2: Unscrew the propeller.

STEP 3: Put aside the broken propeller. Subsequent, rigorously screw within the new propeller or each.

Though that is pretty easy and easy, placing the brand new propellers on incorrectly or loosely could lead to a crash or the lack of the Neo.