I can’t recommend this powerful power station enough for drone users and it’s currently $400 off

What is the deal?

The DJI Power 1000 Power Station now $400 off this one Amazon Prime Day still going, down to $599 (trade required) Amazon Prime Membership).

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ZDNET Key Points

• The DJI Power 1000 Power Station Available on Amazon for $999.
• This is a powerful, high quality power station built to meet the needs of professional drone pilots.
• Unfortunately, the product does not have a compartment for the SDC accessory cable, nor does it have a built-in 12V car power adapter port.

I’ve tested dozens of power plants over the past year, but there was one that really caught my attention the first time I heard about it. DJIa leader in both Unmanned aircraft And action camerahas used its expertise in battery technology to enter the competitive world of portable power stations. And the company has made a foray into this market with its first product — Capacity 1000.

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Over the past week, I’ve been testing the Power 1000, the larger of the two power stations DJI released earlier this month. It’s one of the first power stations on the market specifically designed to meet the needs of professional drone pilots.

See on Amazon

DJI Power 1000 Specifications

• Battery capacity: 1024Wh
• Cell chemistry: LFP (lithium ferrophosphate)
• Life cycle: Maintains capacity above 70% after 4000 cycles.
• Gate: 2x AC Output, 2x USB-C, 2x USB-A, SDC, SDC Lite, AC Input
• AC output: AC 100-120 V, 50/60Hz, maximum continuous power: 2200W, AC 220-240 V, 50/60Hz, maximum continuous power: 2200W, maximum power: 2400W (total)
• AC Output (Bypass Mode): AC voltage 100-120 V, 12 A, 1440 W, AC voltage 220-240 V, 10 A, 2200 W
• USB-A output: 5V, 3A, 9V, 2A, 12V, 2A, Maximum output power per channel: 24W
• USB–C Output: 5V, 5A, 9V, 5A, 12V, 5A, 15V, 5A, 20V, 5A, 28V, 5A (EPR), Maximum output power per channel: 140W
• SDC and SDC Lite output: SDC: 9-27V, max current: 10A, max output power: 240W, SDC Lite: 9-27V, max current: 10A, max output power: 240W
• Net weight: Approx 13 kg
• Size: 448 × 225 × 230 mm

Note:The product featured in this review has been tested with a UK socket.

I’ve tested many power stations in the 1000Wh range, and the Power 1000’s size and weight fit my expectations. One aspect that stood out to me immediately, however, was its solid build: The outer shell is sturdy, effectively resisting knocks and knocks without flexing or buckling, which is exactly what a power station like this—one that’s built to be taken everywhere—really needs.

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The “ammo barrel” style handles make it easy to move around, whether with one or two hands, and they are smooth and comfortable to hold, which is definitely a plus since the device is quite heavy.

The Power 1000’s interface is surprisingly simple, with just a few buttons and switches and an LCD display. It avoids the confusion of small, hard-to-identify “mystery” buttons or the need to rely on an app for necessary functions.

I especially appreciate not relying on an app to control the power plant, although connecting the device to a computer to update the firmware can be a bit cumbersome.

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The LED display appears to be a quality custom part — a welcome change from the lower-quality panels I’ve seen used by many other power plant manufacturers. It’s still legible even in bright sunlight, providing a clean viewing angle that makes it easy to quickly grasp all the important information on the display.

Ports are decent: you get two AC outlets, two USB-C ports that support 24W of power output, and a pair of USB-C ports that can deliver up to 240W of power.

I appreciate the sturdy port covers on the Power 1000’s AC inlet and DC ports. They’re sturdy and don’t seem to be prone to tearing or falling off, unlike some others I’ve seen. However, it’s a bit surprising that DJI chose to cover these ports while leaving the AC outlet and USB ports exposed. Ideally, all ports would have covers to protect them from dust and moisture, increasing the durability and functionality of the device in harsh environments.

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I ran my usual battery tests on the Power 1000, including verifying the battery capacity and charge time of the device, checking that the ports deliver their rated power, and testing how the AC outlets handle overload. The Power 1000 passed all of these tests with flying colors.

Charging time for the Power 1000 is around 70–75 minutes on fast charge and around 130 minutes on standard charge. While the fast charge option is convenient if you’re in a hurry, it’s generally better to stick with standard charge. This slower charging speed puts less stress on the battery, potentially extending its lifespan.

In case of serious overload, the device will automatically shut down without causing any adverse effects, which is a reliable safety feature.

In use, the Power 1000 operates very quietly, the cooling fan only operates when needed and even then it is not very noticeable, very convenient when using a power station in the home.

The device also supports solar charging, but this requires a separate charger. solar inverter moduleand since I wasn’t sent one to test, I can’t comment on this. However, I like the idea of ​​not paying for a solar charging module if you never need solar charging, as this keeps the cost down.

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The SDC ports on the Power 1000, designed specifically for fast-charging DJI drone batteries, are a really thoughtful and useful addition for drone pilots. Each port can be used to charge one battery at a time, which works well if you keep charging batteries immediately after use, rather than waiting until you have a bunch of batteries.

However, to charge your drone’s battery, you will need a separate cable, sold separately, which adds to the cost. There are cables for Air 3, Mavic 3, Matrix 30And Inspiration 3 Unmanned aircraft.

It’s also a bit inconvenient that there’s no storage space for these cables on the device. To work around this, I’ve been tying them around the Power 1000’s handle, which, while effective, isn’t the most elegant solution. This is an area that could be improved for more user convenience.

There is also a cable for conversion. SDC port into 12V car adapter socket And XT60 Port.

ZDNET Buying Advice

I was very impressed with DJI Power 1000 Drone. It has all the features you’d expect from a typical mid-range device, but with added functionality designed specifically for drone pilots.

The 1000Wh capacity is pretty much the limit of what you’ll want to carry, and it has enough ports to distribute that power in a reasonable way. I’ve seen power stations decked out with a ton of ports, but two AC ports, USB-A and USB-C, plus SBC and SBC Lite ports, are a reasonable load.

The Power 1000 normally costs $999, which is comparable to similar products on the market. However, there is currently a promotion that takes $300 off both products. Amazon and at Official DJI Store.