Dusting Off the DJI Avata 2 - A Backyard Rip and Keeping Sharp After 40

Welcome back, everyone! Here at Get Fit Over 40, we talk a lot about the gym, nutrition, and physical health, but staying fit also means keeping your mind sharp, your reflexes quick, and your stress levels down. Sometimes, the best way to do that is to just get outside and engage in a hobby that gets your heart pumping. For me, that means strapping on the goggles and taking my DJI Avata 2 out for a spin.

To be completely honest, it’s been a minute since I’ve taken the drone out. When I first powered it up and took off from the patio, I was definitely feeling a little rusty. My thumbs felt a bit shaky on the sticks, and that familiar FPV (First Person View) orientation took a second to click back into place.

But the beautiful thing about hobbies you love is how quickly the muscle memory returns.

Within a few minutes, the rust shook off, and I was right back into it. What started as a cautious hover turned into a full-on backyard rip! There’s nothing quite like the feeling of dialing in your focus and just flying. I started looking for some interesting old and new lines around the property, threading the needle and hitting a few tight gaps between the trees that I normally might have second-guessed.

Once I had my confidence back, I decided to push it just a little bit more. I punched the throttle, getting up nice and high to just take in the scenic views of the neighborhood from above. It’s always breathtaking to see your everyday surroundings from a bird's-eye perspective. Then, to get the adrenaline really flowing, I brought it back down with a couple of aggressive, sweeping dives right back into the low-to-the-ground perspective.

The best part of the day? Absolutely zero crashes. I managed to keep the props out of the branches and brought the DJI Avata 2 home safely to the landing pad at the end of the session.

It was an incredibly fun time and a great reminder of why I love this hobby. It requires focus, hand-eye coordination, and split-second decision-making, all things we want to keep sharp as we get older.

So, this is your reminder: whatever that hobby is that you haven't touched in a while, whether it's an RC car, a bicycle, a camera, or a drone—dust it off this weekend. You might be rusty for the first five minutes, but the joy of getting back into the groove is absolutely worth it.

Get out there, have fun, and keep moving! 

• Buy the DJI Avata 2 Combo

DJI Osmo 360 - Unboxing - First Impressions & Hands-On Walk Test

Get Fit Over 40 Tech & Gear Reviews

I’ve been reorganizing my mobile video recording gear lately to see where I can eliminate clutter without sacrificing quality or flexibility. Between the modular DJI Osmo Nano for ultra-compact shooting and my older Insta360 X4 for full 360-degree framing, carrying multiple dedicated cameras on every trip, trail ride, or EUC outing has started to feel redundant.

Enter the DJI Osmo 360 (Gen 1). While the updated Gen 2 has started surfacing in select overseas markets, the original Osmo 360 delivers the core imaging foundation, native 8K 360 video, large 1/1.1-inch square sensors, and tight integration with the DJI audio and mounting ecosystem, at a price point that makes a lot of sense today.

Here is a breakdown of what comes in the box, how the hardware stacks up, and my initial field testing impressions.

Hardware & Spec Comparison

Feature / Metric	DJI Osmo 360 (Gen 1)	DJI Osmo Nano	Insta360 X4
Primary Video	8K at up to 50fps (360°) / 4K Single-Lens	4K 60fps (Flat)	8K 30fps (360°)
Form Factor	Dual-lens 360 slab	Modular detachable screen + head	Dual-lens 360 slab
Mounting Compatibility	DJI Magnetic Quick-Release	DJI Magnetic Quick-Release	Standard 1/4"-20 screw
Direct Mic Pairing	DJI Mic Ecosystem (Direct RX-free)	DJI Mic Direct	Requires Mic Adapter / Bluetooth
Best Used For	Reframing, action, POV & vlogging	Ultra-light POV / hat-mounting	Standard 360 reframing

What’s in the Box?

• DJI Osmo 360 Camera Unit

• 2x Osmo Extreme Batteries

• 1.2m Invisible Selfie Stick with magnetic quick-release mounting adapter

• Protective Silicone Lens Cap (essential for bulbous dual-lenses)

• Soft Protective Storage Pouch

• Microfiber Lens Cleaning Cloth

• USB-C to USB-C Charging & Data Cable

First Impressions & Build Quality

• Shared Mounting Ecosystem: One of the best surprises right out of the box is that the Osmo 360 uses the exact same magnetic quick-release latching mechanism as the Osmo Nano and Action series. Any existing hat clips, chest mounts, or GoPro-style conversion adapters work instantly.

• Direct Audio Pairing: Because it connects natively to the DJI Mic transmitters without an external receiver hanging off the side, it keeps the physical profile completely clean on the stick.

• Screen & Handling: The display area is comparable in footprint to the Nano's module, offering clear menu navigation and live framing previews. The included silicone boot fits snugly over both convex lenses to protect them from scratches when laying the camera flat.

Field Test: Walk & Framing Breakdown

Taking the Osmo 360 out for a walking test through mixed lighting, from harsh late-afternoon sun to dense shaded woods and into the studio, revealed several practical takeaways:

• Arm & Stick Positioning: Holding the invisible selfie stick at arm's length (about 3 feet out, level with the nose or chin) delivers the most natural perspective without warping your proportions. Extending the 1.2m pole fully creates a sweeping drone-like view that is great for dynamic landscape captures, though it can feel excessive for standard walking vlogs.

• Single-Lens Action Mode: Switching from 360 to single-lens flat recording lets you use the camera exactly like a traditional action camera, eliminating post-production reframing time and saving storage space.

• Lighting Transitions: The larger square sensor design managed dynamic range well when moving between high-contrast direct sunlight and shaded trails, holding details in the shadows without severe clipping in the sky.

The Bottom Line

If you are already invested in DJI’s ecosystem (drones, DJI Mics, magnetic mounts) and want a single device that covers both wide-angle action cam duty and complete 360 reframing, the DJI Osmo 360 is a streamlined, capable all-in-one solution.

DJI Neo 2 and Looki AI Recorder OneWheel MagWheel Ride

On a recent ride with my VESC-based MagWheel (OneWheel wannabe), I captured the experience using both my DJI Neo 2 and my Looki L1 AI Video Recorder. I’ve already shared my high regard for the improved Neo 2, which I used in its autonomous follow mode to track me from dynamic angles. Alongside it, I tested the Looki L1 AI Video Recorder for some first-person shots. Even though the Looki L1 isn’t all that high resolution (1600x1200), I was impressed overall no frame skipping, good overall color balance and sharpness. I also used the audio from the Looki L1 and it handled the sound well despite the wind from the ride. The final video blended the Neo’s tracking with the Looki’s first person clipped on perspective, showing how well these tools pair for immersive content.

DJI Avata 2 Mule Deer Back Yard

Just posted an 8-minute FPV flight with the DJI Avata 2, soaring around my backyard in the beautiful weather. The highlight of the flight was definitely spotting some local mule deer wandering through the property while I was in the air!

The DJI Avata 2 is an incredibly fun and nimble drone to fly. Capturing wildlife from this unique FPV perspective really adds a whole new level of excitement to the footage. Sit back, enjoy the relaxing flight through the trees and around the yard.

DJI Neo 2 Mule Deer Encounter in Backyard

Recently, I took my DJI Neo 2 drone out for a casual flight around our acreage. With open fields and farmland surrounding us, it’s always a peaceful backdrop. While gliding over the familiar landscape, something special unfolded.

I spotted three mule deer, one mother with her two adolescent offspring. They weren’t tiny fawns but not fully grown adults, let’s call them teenagers. What struck me was their curiosity. As I maneuvered the drone slowly and calmly, they stood their ground—alert but not alarmed. They let me approach relatively closely, observing the drone with a mix of caution and wonder. It was a rare moment of harmony between technology and wildlife.

After a short while, I gave them their peace, flying the drone off and leaving them to their day. It’s always a privilege to interact with nature so closely, even with something seemingly so out of place like the DJI Neo 2.