When choosing a drone for photography, videography, or recreational flying, navigation and tracking features are crucial. The Autel Evo Nano+ and Skydio 2 are two popular options, each offering distinct capabilities. This article compares their navigation and tracking technologies to help you decide which drone suits your needs best.

Navigation technology determines how well a drone can fly autonomously, avoid obstacles, and follow a predetermined path. Both the Autel Evo Nano+ and Skydio 2 incorporate advanced navigation systems, but they differ significantly in their approach and effectiveness.

Autel Evo Nano+ Navigation

The Autel Evo Nano+ uses GPS and GLONASS satellite systems for positioning, combined with obstacle avoidance sensors. It features three-way obstacle detection (forward, backward, downward) using visual sensors and ultrasonic sensors. The Nano+ performs well in open environments but can struggle in complex or cluttered spaces where GPS signals are weak or obstructed.

Skydio 2 Navigation

The Skydio 2 relies heavily on its six 4K navigation cameras, which provide 360-degree obstacle detection and avoidance. Its computer vision system creates a detailed 3D map of the environment, enabling highly autonomous flight even in complex, GPS-degraded environments. This makes Skydio 2 particularly effective indoors or in dense urban areas.

Tracking Capabilities

Tracking features allow a drone to follow a subject automatically, maintaining focus and framing. The quality of tracking technology impacts how well the drone can keep up with moving subjects and avoid obstacles while doing so.

Autel Evo Nano+ Tracking

The Nano+ offers Active Track 3.0, which uses visual recognition to follow subjects. It can lock onto people, vehicles, and animals, maintaining a stable shot. However, its tracking performance can be affected by rapid movements or complex backgrounds, and it relies on GPS and visual cues, which may limit accuracy indoors.

Skydio 2 Tracking

Skydio 2 excels in autonomous tracking thanks to its advanced computer vision system. It can lock onto subjects and follow them through complex environments, avoiding obstacles in real-time. Its tracking is highly reliable even during fast movements and in cluttered spaces, making it ideal for dynamic filming scenarios.

Summary of Key Differences

  • Navigation: Skydio 2's obstacle avoidance and environment mapping outperform the GPS-based system of the Nano+ in complex environments.
  • Tracking: Skydio 2 offers superior autonomous tracking in challenging conditions, while Nano+ provides solid but less robust tracking capabilities.
  • Environment Suitability: Nano+ is better suited for open, GPS-friendly environments, whereas Skydio 2 excels indoors and in dense urban areas.

Choosing between the Autel Evo Nano+ and Skydio 2 depends on your specific needs. For outdoor, casual flying, the Nano+ offers excellent features at a lower price point. For professional-grade autonomous tracking and obstacle avoidance in complex environments, Skydio 2 is the superior choice.