Review of the Autel Evo Lite+

10 Feb

Autel has created a true DJI competitor.

DJI's Air 2S and Mavic 2 Pro face stiff competition from the Evo Lite+. With a substantially longer flying duration than DJI's competitors and an adjustable aperture camera, this is an attractive choice for individuals who find the Mavic 3 too pricey to contemplate. We would have wanted to see lateral avoidance sensors and a 'C' label, but the Lite+ is a very adaptable piece of flying camera equipment in every other way.

Autel surprised DJI in August 2021 when it introduced four new drones in two new series: the Evo Nano Series, which includes the Nano and Nano+, and the Evo Lite Series, which includes the Lite and Lite+ models.

What was not evident at the time was that DJI was about to launch the DJI Mavic 3, a drone with which none of these designs directly competes. However, these new drones were designed to compete with three of DJI's most popular products: the DJI Mini 2, the DJI Air 2S, and the DJI Mavic 2 Pro.

The Evo Lite+ is the flagship model of this latest Autel generation, a drone that is strikingly identical in specification to the Air 2S. Its 1-inch sensor is capable of capturing 5.4K footage at 30 frames per second and 4K video at up to 60 frames per second. With a variable aperture camera and a flight length of 40 minutes, the new Autel Evo Lite+ outperforms both the DJI Air 2S and Mavic Pro 2 in terms of capability.

For current Autel fans, it provides nearly all of the benefits of the Evo II series in a more portable design with much improved flying times. The one clear disadvantage is that the Evo Lite+ is more expensive than the DJI Air 2S, while the normal version is comparable to the DJI Air 2S Fly More Combo. DJI no longer sells the Mavic 2 Pro officially in favour of the Mavic 3, although the Evo Lite+ is less expensive than the Mavic 2 Pro was when it was available.

The Evo Lite is available in two varieties, both of which have the same flight dynamics but differ in terms of camera choices. The less expensive Lite variant features the same 1/1.28-inch sensor and autofocus f/1.9 lenses as the Evo Nano+. These cameras are capable of producing 4K HDR video at 30 frames per second and the equivalent of 50MP still images. Additionally, it features a four-axis gimbal that enables portrait mode video and still picture capture for individuals wishing to broadcast on social media.

In comparison, the Evo Lite+ reviewed here features a 1-inch sensor and a variable aperture of f/2.8 to f/11, as well as the ability to record in 5.4K at 30 frames per second, 4K at 60 frames per second, and 1080p at 120 frames per second. While it lacks the Evo Lite's fourth-axis stability, the bigger pixels in the sensor let it to capture more light in low-light circumstances. Both Lite series designs are available in the Autel Orange, Arctic White, and Deep Space Gray trademark colours.

Price and release date for the Autel Evo Lite+

Dated August 28, 2021

£1,129 / $1,349 / AU $2,499 for the standard kit

The Fly More Bundle is available for £1,399 / $1,649 / AU $2,999.

After causing concern among some customers who pre-ordered these drones, the Evo Lite+ began shipping from its production facility in China, with availability expected to increase in the first quarter of 2022.

As is the case with the majority of drones, the Evo Lite+ is available as a regular kit or as part of a premium package that contains several extras, including additional batteries. The basic package costs $1,349 / £1,129 / AU $2,499 and includes the drone, controller, one battery, propellers, and a charger with all cords.

Two additional batteries, a soft carry pouch, three prop replacements, a multi-battery charger, and four ND filters are included in the premium set. Even with a reported flight duration of 40 minutes or more, a single battery is insufficient for the majority of customers, therefore upgrading to the premium pack provides up to two hours of operative flight time.

Conception and control

Installs a one-inch camera sensor

Another folding, compact design

Additional battery capacity results in increased flying duration.

Since the first DJI Mavic was such a success, many (but not all) drone manufacturers have modelled their designs after it.

The Lite+ follows the same pattern as the majority of tiny foldable drones. Four rotating arms provide quick deployment by keeping the blades linked.

The Lite+ is physically comparable to the competing drone, but at 820g, it is over 20% heavier than the 595g DJI Air 2S. The majority of the added bulk comes from the battery, which accounts for a sizable amount of the rear drone superstructure. Rather of being integrated into the drone, the battery slides from the back to engage the body and incorporates the power-on button.

This battery has a capacity of 6,174mAh (68.7 Wh), which is significantly more than the DJI Air 2S's 3,500mAh (40.42 Wh), and this capacity is reflected in a maximum flying duration of 40 minutes, compared to the DJI drone's 30 minutes.

While the 30 minutes indicated by DJI for the Air 2S is deemed excessive by most owners, the Lite+ can hover for much longer if the battery levels are allowed to deplete.

While we do not suggest this, our experience indicates that Lite+ may fly for at least 30 minutes or longer before reaching 20% capacity. A period of time that offers for excellent possibilities to obtain the photos required without feeling rushed.

The Lite+'s nose is dominated by the huge gimbal required to handle the 1-inch sensor and its accompanying optics, which we'll discuss in further detail later.

Anyone who operates a drone is painfully aware that any misstep may be expensive when flying near structures and trees. Autel equipped the vehicle with a set of optical collision detection sensors on the front, back, and underbelly to help lessen the likelihood of accidents.

There are none on the side, which makes orbital manoeuvres just as dangerous as they are on a drone lacking avoidance measures. These sensors require light to operate and are deactivated if the drone travels faster than the drone's usual speed.

Additionally, this drone's design features a microSD card slot on the left side concealed by a little cover and a USB-C connector in the mirror position to the right. The drone includes 6GB of internal memory to rescue anyone who forget their SD card from embarrassment, and it can accept up to a 256GB card for those looking to capture a lot of 5.4K footage.

The drone is lifted off the ground by short pegs formed beneath each motor location. We would, however, exercise caution when using this design from grass, as the camera gimbal is unusually close to the surface of even the flattest ground.

The drone is equipped with bright LED lights below the fuselage and at the ends of each arm, making it relatively visible in low-light or nighttime settings. The props are dual bladed and are oriented by centrifugal (or centripetal) forces while spinning. They are easily removed without the use of a tool.

We were delighted by the build quality and apparent robustness of the components. The Lite+ is a well-built device with tight tolerances on the connecting components. We're confident that substantial damage to the Lite+ would be conceivable, particularly while flying in sport mode. However, the body and limbs appear to be robust enough to withstand small collisions without surprising disintegration.

Equally well-made is the gamepad, which initially resembled an Xbox controller too closely for our liking. Having said that, it is of great quality, has a battery life of at least three or four flights, and the sticks are precise enough to allow for nuanced control without resorting to'smooth' mode, Autel's equivalent of DJI's 'tripod' or 'cine' flying modes.

A minor letdown with the controller is the lack of storage for the thumbsticks. Autel does not supply spares in any of its packages, which means that losing them might be quite difficult. While the DJI controller used on the Mini 2, Air 2S, and Mavic 3 is not as ergonomic to handle as the Autel design, it does accommodate both thumbsticks and a phone cord.

A spring-loaded arm extends to firmly hold a phone above the controller, while tablet mounting will require some additional hardware. A power adapter is included to charge both the batteries and the remote. In a pinch, the remote may also be charged using a USB-C cord.

A three-battery charging station is included in the premium pack. While this does not expedite the 90-minute charging process, the option to connect all of them and walk away is a convenience.

Additionally, premium pack clients receive two additional batteries in addition to the one included with the drone, an additional set of replacement blades in addition to the one included, and a sleek soft carry bag for the drone, charger, wires, and all other spares and accessories.

A set of four ND filters was also included in the case, although we were lacking any strap to secure the blades in place while folded.

Characteristics and flight

Live 2.7K footage within a kilometre with the new Fly application

Flight times of more than 30 minutes in the real world

The flight experience is excellent, and even beginner pilots should have no difficulty transferring from a DJI or other brand drone.

What became clear as we flew the Evo Lite+ more is that the Lite+'s large amount of power enables both delicate control and spectacular performance when necessary.

For instance, the Lite+ climbs at a rate of 29 kilometres per hour, allowing it to reach its normal permitted operating height of 120 metres in just 15 seconds. Technically, a flying ceiling of 5 km (16,404 feet) is achievable without limitations, however it is not recommended. In sport mode, the drone can attain a high speed of 67.6 km/h, which is nearly the same as the DJI Air 2S.

The Lite+, on the other hand, outperforms the Air 2S in terms of highest wind resistance, with a rating of 61.2 km/h (38 mph) breeze, approximately double that of the Air 2S.

While we feel that the Air 2S's wind resistance is likely underestimated, the Lite+'s added heft may offer it a substantial edge on windy days.

The transmission method transmits 2.7K video to the phone or tablet up to a kilometre distant, providing a good picture of what the drone is watching. Beyond that range, the resolution is reduced to 720p. Additionally, for those flying in areas where flying beyond visual range is permissible, the Lite+ transmission may work out to a range of 7 kilometres.

At closer ranges, being concealed behind buildings or other impediments had a negligible effect on the video quality or control responses.

Autel has released a new software package for the Evo Lite and Nano drone series that replaces the Autel Explorer with the Autel Sky programme. It is comparable to the DJI Fly application in terms of functionality and should be familiar to anybody who has flown the DJI Mini 2 or Air 2S.

It offers a selection of four 'fast shots,' each with a unique name, but all of which automate a variety of standard drone manoeuvres without requiring operator interaction. Autel has promised a firmware upgrade in the near future that will provide dynamic tracking and a few other enhancements not included in the Lite+ we tested.

We'll discuss video and still capture in greater detail later, but there are several alternatives for a variety of photography tasks. The options include the standard suspects for managing what happens when the drone disconnects, its return-to-home altitude, and the controller's various flying modes.

By default, when the drone is triggered for the first time, it enters Novice mode, which restricts the drone's height and range from the controller. After deactivating Novice mode, you can adjust these to the legal limitations in your location, but this flying envelope is not enforced, and the drone is not geofenced.

The collision detection system is active in smooth and normal flying modes and gives visual and audible feedback whenever you approach an impediment. If you disregard the warnings and continue, the drone will finally refuse to go in the direction it deems dangerous.

Depending on the task at hand, this can be an annoyance or a useful feature that might save you thousands of dollars in maintenance costs. While it is easy to disable it, and it will automatically switch off when the drone is flying rapidly in Sport mode, it does have its purposes. Additionally, the system may miss fine wires and twigs, and it cannot see around corners, so never expect that it will always keep you safe.

Excellent video and picture quality

1-inch, 20-megapixel sensor

Shoots video at a resolution of up to 5.4K

Even with high ISO settings, the photographs are clear.

The camera, which bears the '6K' branding, is capable of capturing video at a maximum resolution of 5472 x 3076 at 30 frames per second and still photos at 5472 x 3648. That is nearly comparable to what the DJI Air 2S delivers, however the Air 2S's lens is set at f/2.8, but the Lite+'s aperture may be adjusted from f/2.8 to f/11.

This enables the drone to maintain a constant frame rate while adjusting the quantity of light in the exposure, obviating the need for ND filters. Additionally, if ND filters are used in conjunction with it, there is a considerably greater range of adjustment and greater control over depth of field.

The advantage of a 5.4K resolution sensor is that it provides a healthy margin for post-production cropping to 4K or lossless zooming in 4K, 2.7K, and 1080p capture. Obviously, 4K provides just a 1.3x lossless zoom, while higher resolutions provide more.

While zooming above four times is mostly worthless, the Fly app allows for up to sixteen times magnification for individuals who enjoy pixelation.

Autel EVO Lite+ automatic settings shot