I can't recommend this rugged power station enough to drone users — now with $340 off for Black Friday!

What is the deal?

There’s at the moment a $340 coupon on Amazon for the DJI Energy 1000 energy station.

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The DJI Energy 1000 energy station is obtainable on Amazon for $799 on Amazon. 
• It is a highly effective, premium high quality energy station that is constructed to fulfill the wants {of professional} drone pilots.
• Sadly, there isn’t any storage compartment for the SDC accent cables, neither is there a built-in 12V automotive adapter port.

I’ve examined dozens of energy stations over the previous 12 months, however there was one that actually piqued my curiosity from the second I first heard about it. DJI, a pacesetter in each drones and motion cameras, has used its experience in battery expertise to enter the aggressive world of transportable energy stations. And the corporate made a dramatic entrance into this market with its first providing — the Energy 1000.

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For the previous week, I have been testing the Energy 1000, the larger of the 2 energy stations launched by DJI earlier this month. It is one in every of — if not the primary — energy station in the marketplace that’s particularly designed to fulfill the wants {of professional} drone pilots. 

DJI Energy 1000 tech specs

• Battery Capability: 1024Wh
• Cell Chemistry: LFP (lithium ferrophosphate)
• Cycle Life: Maintains over 70% capability after 4000 cycles.
• Ports: 2x AC Output, 2x USB-C, 2x USB-A, SDC, SDC Lite, AC Enter
• AC Output: AC 100-120 V, 50/60Hz, max steady output: 2200W, AC 220-240 V, 50/60Hz, max steady output: 2200W, max output: 2400W (complete)
• AC Output (Bypass Mode): AC 100-120 V, 12 A, 1440 W, AC 220-240 V, 10 A, 2200W
• USB-A Output: 5V, 3A, 9V, 2A, 12V, 2A, Max output energy per channel: 24W
• USB–C Output: 5V, 5A, 9V, 5A, 12V, 5A, 15V, 5A, 20V, 5A, 28V, 5A (EPR), Max output energy per channel: 140W
• SDC and SDC Lite Output: SDC: 9-27 V, max present: 10A, max output energy: 240W, SDC Lite: 9-27V, max present: 10A, max output energy: 240W
• Internet Weight: Approx. 13 kg
• Dimensions: 448 × 225 × 230 mm

Be aware: The product featured on this assessment was examined with UK sockets.

I’ve examined quite a few energy stations within the 1,000Wh vary, and the dimensions and weight of the Energy 1000 align with my expectations. Nonetheless, one side that stood out instantly to me was its stable building: The outer shell is hard, successfully resisting knocks and bumps with out flexing or bowing, which is what an influence station like this – one thing that is been constructed to take out and about — actually wants.

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The “ammo crate” model handles facilitate simple motion, whether or not with one hand or two, and they’re clean and cozy to grip, which is certainly a bonus since this unit is a considerably weighty little bit of package.

The interface of the Energy 1000 is refreshingly easy, that includes just some buttons and switches together with an LCD. It avoids the confusion of tiny, difficult-to-identify “thriller meat” buttons or the necessity to depend on an app for important capabilities. 

I significantly recognize the shortage of app dependency for controlling the ability station, though connecting the unit to a pc for firmware updates will be considerably cumbersome. 

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The LED show appears to be a high quality, customized half — a welcome deviation from the lower-quality panels I’ve seen utilized by many different energy station producers. It stays clear even in vivid daylight, providing an uncluttered view that makes it simple to rapidly absorb all of the necessary info on show.

The ports are wise: you may have two AC shops, two USB-C ports supporting 24W output, and a pair of USB-C ports that may ship a full 240W.

I recognize the stable port covers on the AC inlet and the DC ports of the Energy 1000. They’re sturdy and do not appear prone to rip or fall off simply, not like some others I’ve seen. Nonetheless, it’s kind of shocking that DJI selected to cowl these ports whereas leaving the AC sockets and USB ports uncovered. Ideally, all ports would have covers to supply some degree of safety from grime and moisture, enhancing the unit’s sturdiness and performance in inclement environments.

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I carried out my standard barrage of assessments on the Energy 1000, which included verifying the unit’s battery capability and cost occasions, checking if the ports ship their rated energy, and testing how the AC shops deal with being overloaded. The Energy 1000 handed all assessments efficiently.

Cost occasions for the Energy 1000 are round 70 to 75 minutes in fast-charge mode and about 130 minutes in commonplace mode. Whereas the fast-charge choice is handy for those who’re in a rush, utilizing commonplace mode is mostly really useful. This slower charging tempo places much less stress on the batteries, doubtlessly extending their lifespan.

And below extreme overloading, the unit merely shuts off with none hostile results, which is a reassuring security characteristic.

In use, the Energy 1000 is quiet, with the cooling fan solely kicking in when wanted, and even then not being all that noticeable, which is helpful when utilizing the ability station indoors.

The unit additionally helps photo voltaic charging, however this requires a separate solar energy adapter module, and as I used to be not despatched one for testing, I am unable to touch upon this. Nonetheless, I do like this concept of not having to pay for the photo voltaic charging module for those who will not ever want photo voltaic charging, as this retains the worth down.

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The SDC ports on the Energy 1000, designed particularly for fast-charging DJI drone batteries, are certainly a considerate and helpful addition for drone pilots. Every port can be utilized to cost one battery at a time, which works effectively for those who persistently recharge your batteries instantly after use, somewhat than ready till you may have a pile of them.

Nonetheless, to cost your drone batteries you have to bespoke cables, that are bought individually, including to the associated fee. There are cables for the Air 3, Mavic 3, Matrice 30, and Encourage 3 drones. 

It is also barely inconvenient that there isn’t any cupboard space for these cables on the unit. As a workaround, I’ve taken to tying them across the handles of the Energy 1000, which, whereas efficient, is not probably the most elegant resolution. That is one side that may very well be improved for higher consumer comfort.

There are additionally cables to rework the SDC ports to a 12 V automotive adapter outlet and XT60 port. 

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

I used to be impressed with the DJI Energy 1000. It has all of the options you’d count on from a normal mid-sized unit, however with the added performance that it has been constructed with drone pilots in thoughts. 

The 1000Wh capability is in regards to the restrict of what you wish to lug about, and it has sufficient ports to distribute this energy in a smart means. I’ve seen energy stations completely festooned with ports, however two AC, USB-A, and USB-C ports, together with the SBC and SBC Lite ports, is a smart loadout. 

The Energy 1000 is priced at $959, which aligns with comparable models in the marketplace. And for now, you may get $400 on Amazon just by clicking on the coupon.