So, there is something very strange happening with “DJI” currently. They seem to have been registering US-based companies to sell their drones in the US under another brand.
Recently I spotted the Specta Air drone, which looks exactly like a DJI Air 3, just with the DJI branding removed and replaced with SPECTA. The remote is the same, even runs the DJI Fly app, just with the logos replaced.
Interesting, to say the least. I’m not sure if it’s an agreement with DJI, someone cloning their product, reselling it illegally, or just DJI themselves under another name like mentioned above.
Strangely enough, SPECTA doesn’t have any official website, the drone is just spreading through Amazon, and some of the few reviews on the Amazon state that they received the product for free.
Nearly everything about the Specta Air is identical to the DJI Air 3. They have the same 46 minute flight time, 20km (12.4 mile) range, 4K camera, omnidirectional obstacle avoidance. The apps are the same and save a few newer features that the Air 3 has the flight modes and interface are also the same.
DJI Fly vs Specta Fly App
Specta Air vs DJI Air 3 | Comparing Features
Teardown of the Specta Air
Is the Specta Air Really the DJI Air 3?
Yes, and no. Hardware and software are nearly identical. They perform the same. The Specta isn’t a cheap knock off. It is the Air 3, but it is built in Malaysia and sold by Cogito. The Specta is $1199 but includes the Specta RC (DJI RC2) with the included screen. The Air 3 is $1099 but adding the DJI RC2 would add an extra $255.
Specta Air Drone (left) next to the DJI Air 3
The Specta Air arrived and to my amusement, it was in almost every way identical to my DJI Air 3. Same size, same color, same camera, same battery, same lens cover, you name it. The drones are even within 2 grams of each other.
There were not DJI logos on the Specta of course, and all of the literature was Cogito or Speca branded. Powering on the drone and the included remote had a very DJI feel to it as well. The software on the drone seems to be a forked version of the DJI software.
What is the Specta Air Drone?
So the question remains, what is this drone? Is it a copy? Is it a rebrand? Is it some DJI shell company trying to avoid some upcoming ban? The answer is I do not know. This drone isn’t compatible with my Air remote or vice versa. Cogito claims not to be affiliated with DJI.Is it a copy? Not likely. These drones are far too similar in both hardware and software for this to be the case.
Is it a rebrand? Perhaps. Rebranding drones is quite common. There are plenty of manufacturers like MJX or SJRC that make entry-level drones and rebadge and tweak them slightly. Companies then sell them as their own products on Amazon or Banggood.
I thought that was it, when this morning I spotted in the news another drone, the Anzu Robotics Raptor T, which seems to be a green version of the Mavic 3, literally, the OG Mavic 3 just with the DJI branding removed and slightly in a green color.
Sources: Half Chrome; Mavic Pilots