LaCie DJI Copilot: Portable and fully self-contained external storage.

About the company

LaCie is an American company founded in 1987 in Oregon. The main direction is the development with the subsequent implementation of data storage systems. In 1995, it was completely bought out by the parent company Electronique d2, which after three years, as a result of rebranding, officially appeared on the international market under the LaCie brand. Despite all the difficulties that had to be faced from the moment of foundation, the manufacturer has invariably followed the initially set goals and objectives in the field of activity. From 2014 to the present, LaCie is wholly owned by Seagate Technology, a world renowned developer of hard drives and storage solutions.

About the product

This is the second joint creation of two giants Seagate and DJI Innovations

LaCie DJI Copilot is a portable and fully autonomous external storage with a capacity of 2TB, which allows you to quickly copy data from various devices, including UAVs, without using a laptop / PC. a mobile application that does not require an Internet connection to view photos and videos in original quality, share, edit using other applications, move to other devices connected to the drive, copy, rename and delete files. These are not all the advantages of the device, therefore, by tradition, let's start with the features.

• Famous Scottish designer Neil Poulton contributed to the development of the LaCie DJI Copilot.
• The device received the Product of the Year award in the Video Accessories category at Photoforum-2018.

Features

• Compact size
• Does not require PC / Notebook connection
• Shockproof housing
• Shock and vibration resistant system
• Splash and dust resistant
• 2TB capacity (over 60 hours of 4K video or over 20K shots in RAW format)
• Integrated status display
• Equipped with ports: USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A (ex. USB3.0*);USB-C
• Equipped with an SD card reader that supports reading UHS-I and UHS-II SD cards (with the ability to read microSD cards using the included adapter)
• One-button easy copy control Storage
• Works with Copilot BOSS mobile app (Back-up On Set Solution)
• Compatible with a wide range of devices
• Has a built-in power supply
• Provides charging connected USB devices
• Access to 3-year data recovery service plan
• Monthly access to the Adobe® Creative Cloud application suite

*Recall that after the release of the USB 3.1 standard, the organization promoting and supporting USB - USB-IF (USB Implementers Forum) announced that USB 3.0 connectors with speeds up to 5 Gb / s (SuperSpeed) will now be classified as USB 3.1 Gen 1, and the new USB 3.1 ports up to 10Gbps (SuperSpeed ​​USB 10Gbps) are like USB 3.1 Gen 2.

Options

The drive reaches the consumer in premium packaging

1. LaCie DJI Copilot Drive
2. Charger (with four interchangeable adapters for common types of power outlets)
3. 2 × cables for connecting the drive to the PC / Laptop: USB Type-C - USB Type-C (USB 3.1 Gen 2); USB Type-C to USB Type-A (USB3.1 Gen 1)
4. 3 × user (connection) cables for smartphone / tablet operation with Copilot BOSS application: Lightning (IOS) / Micro USB (Android) / USB-C (Android)
5. MicroSD adapter
6. Monthly Adobe® Creative Cloud App Package and Activation Inlay
7. Three Years Data Recovery Service Instruction Sheet
8. Quick Start Guide (Russian and other languages)

The DJI Copilot's built-in battery was 38% charged when unpacked.

On the disk, the user will find full instructions uploaded by the manufacturer in various languages ​​( including Russian

Appearance

Specification

Enclosure

Designing the most portable enclosure available today the hard drive was worked by the permanent designer of Scottish origin - Neil Poulton - for LaCie. According to Neil, the Copilot drive, unlike other models of this brand developed by him, received not only a shock-resistant silicone bumper, but also a whole internal system, thanks to which the disk is able to withstand shocks and vibrations without compromising its integrity and performance.

The DJI Copilot has successfully passed the multiple drop test on a concrete surface from a height of 2 meters. In addition, the disc has received splash and dust protection.

LCD status display

If you pick up Copilot, you will not notice the presence of a screen, and so it will be exactly until the moment until the drive the device from which the data transfer is later planned will not be connected, after which the status screen will immediately indicate its presence (you can also activate the display by pressing the action button).

The main purpose of the display is to display current information and requests for further user actions. The LCD is non-touchscreen and cannot be used to initiate action or respond to queries. To confirm or cancel actions, there is only one button located on the disk case: "Action button".

It is known that in the early stages of development it was planned to implement a full-size color screen in the hard disk case, but none of the existing displays did not meet the requirements for durability. Ultimately, this idea had to be abandoned.

A durable display was realized through a special film developed in cooperation with 3M. A lot of research was carried out before it was possible to obtain a shock-resistant display that meets all the requirements, which, among other things, according to the developers' intention, when turned off, should not be visible to the naked eye.

Action Button

The only button on the drive that controls the drive when using a mobile device and the Copilot BOSS application is not relevant for the user. The algorithm of work is simpler than ever, a short press (within 1 second) confirms the action / request proposed on the status screen, a long press (3 seconds) cancels.

Application

Copilot BOSS is a free mobile application that allows the user to fully manage files both on the LaCie DJI Copilot drive itself and on devices connected to it. Compatible OS: Android 4.4 and above / iOS 10.3 and above.

What Copilot BOSS does

• View files on the DJI Copilot, as well as on connected SD cards and USB devices in original quality;
• Copy files from devices connected to DJI Copilot;
• File management (sharing, editing with other applications, moving to other devices connected to the disk, renaming and deleting);
• Confirming / canceling simple copy using mobile device instead of LCD status display and action button;
• Port queuing for easy copying via mobile device.

Application Menu

Ports

In the arsenal of the drive there are 5 ports of various purposes, which are located under the protective silicone cover:

1. Port for charging the built-in battery of the DJI Copilot drive. The charger included in the kit is used for charging.
2. USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A (formerly USB 3.0) port for connecting a wide variety of devices to your DJI Copilot.
3. The USB-C port is exclusively for connecting the DJI Copilot to a PC / Laptop with Windows (Windows 10 or higher) and macOS (macOS 10.12 (Sierra) or higher). Interfacing cables: USB Type-C - USB Type-CUSB Type-C to USB Type-A
4. Slot for Secure Digital (SD) memory cards (or microSD using the included adapter).
5. Port of the mobile device. Serves exclusively for pairing DJI Copilot with a smartphone / tablet for the subsequent management of files via the Copilot BOSS mobile app without the status screen. Pairing is carried out using the supplied special user (connecting) cable ( one of three for IOS / Android micro-USB / Android USB-C

Supported devices

The drive supports a wide range of devices, including UAVs, photo and video cameras (from hobbyist to professional), mobile devices, PC (Mac / Win), card readers, external HDD and SSD drives (including DJI CINESSD via DJI reader) and others.

Copy

The copying process can be performed both without the participation of a mobile device using just one action button on the DJI Copilot drive, or with its participation through the Copilot BOSS mobile app...

Copy options

1. Simple copy (full) - implemented with just one action button located on the DJI Copilot drive without the participation of a mobile device and applications. With a simple copy, all files are copied to DJI Copilot without exception. For example, when copying from a mobile device, in addition to photo and video files, all system files of this device will also be copied. This copying option does not allow a step-by-step data backup.
2. Step Copy - performed when pairing DJI Copilot with a mobile device via the Copilot BOSS app using a special user (connecting)

Copy speed

In practice, the speed of copying is as follows:

1. From DJI Copilot to PC via USB Type- C - USB Type-C data transfer rate was - 128 Mb / s
2. From PC to DJI Copilot via USB Type-C - USB Type-C wire data transfer rate was - 128 Mb / s
3. From DJI Copilot to PC via USB Type-C - USB Type-A, data transfer speed was 127 Mb / s
4. From PC to DJI Copilot via USB Type-C - USB Type-A speed data transfer rate was - 127 Mb / s

Note that to copy files from a memory card installed in a DJI UAV, it is not necessary to remove it from the drone. It will be enough to connect the drive directly to the drone using the USB cable supplied with the drone and perform a full or step-by-step copying.

Charging devices

ensure the autonomous operation of the drive itself, but also charge the USB devices connected to it.

Charging ports

1. USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A port - when connecting devices with its own power supply supporting USB charging provides a charge with amperage up to 1.5A, devices with micro USB up to 900mA.
2. Mobile device port - in addition to pairing the drive with a mobile device, it also provides charging.

Built-in battery

At the current time, there is no information about the built-in power supply of the drive in the device specification. Nevertheless, over the seven days of the test period, we found that the average continuous operation time of the DJI Copilot on a single charge (from 100% -4%*) was 1 hour 30 minutes. With the simultaneous charging of the smartphone (Meizu PRO 6), the operating time was no more than 1 hour.

*Note that when the critical 3% charge is reached, the DJI Copilot stops working with all connected devices, including the Copilot BOSS app, but at the same time continues to charge the smartphone connected via the custom connector cable. Then the drive turns off completely.

Charge DJI Copilot

The drive supports charging the built-in battery in two ways:

1. Classically using the included charger. The charging time from 0-100% in practice averages about 2 hours.
2. When the drive is connected to a laptop / PC via a USB-C connection. The charging time depends on the energy potential of the laptop / PC to which it is connected. This is described in the instructions.

In practice, with such a connection, the drive displayed the following indication on the status screen: “Connected to PC”. Battery charge indication was not displayed. The Copilot's charge level remained unchanged over the entire run. At the same time, it was noticed that if the cable was disconnected from the disk and connected again, the indication appeared: "No PC connect", then "Only charge" (an indicator in the form of a lightning bolt was displayed on the status display). Then the drive went back to PC mode, and the charging indication disappeared. Based on this, we can conclude that this method of connection only provides power to the drive, and not charging it.

When the drive is not used, its processor goes into power saving mode, completely eliminating the discharge of the built-in battery. To maximize the operating time on a single charge, the developer has set a priority for this mode. As a result, the disk goes into it with any inactivity. Therefore, before using the drive, it is necessary to "wake up" it with the action button and then carry out the work.

Restarting DJI Copilot

rebooted. The restart button is normally hidden behind a small hole that is located between the two USB Type-A and USB Type-C ports. Restarting is realized by short pressing of the button through the hole (for example with a paper clip).

Price

An authorized LaCie dealer sells the drive at a price of 28 854 rubles.

Pros

• Premium performance
• Compact
• Standalone
• Shockproof housing
• Shock and vibration resistant
• Dust and splash resistant
• High capacity (2TB)
• Built-in LCD status display
• Easy to use (one-button operation)
• No need to connect to laptop / PC for full file management
• Advanced control via Copilot BOSS application that does not require an Internet connection, and so the same quality of work of the application itself
• For pairing it is equipped with high-speed USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A ports (ex. USB 3.0); USB-C
• Includes high-speed USB Type-C to USB Type-C (USB 3.1 Gen 2) cables; USB Type-C to USB Type-A (USB3.1 Gen 1)
• Equipped with an SD card reader that supports UHS-I and UHS-II SD cards (with the ability to read MicroSD cards using the included adapter)
• The complete set allows you to start working immediately without additional retrofitting
• Supports pairing with most of the existing devices today, including drones
• Battery life on one charge
• Can charge pluggable USB devices

Cons

• There was a lack of function when working with a drive without a mobile application fast formatting of SD / microSD cards. Of course, this procedure can be carried out through the software of drones or cameras, but it would still be more convenient and faster if the drive itself had such a function.
• Disconnecting the user (interconnect) cable from the drive takes care and dexterity. The lack of free space around the square part of the connected plug, excludes the possibility of normal removal. In our opinion, over time, such an inconvenience can cause destruction, or even the separation of the port from the main board of the drive, which will ultimately lead to the impossibility of full use of the product.
• When a drive is connected to a PC via the USB-C port, it is powered only without charging.
• The protective bumper of the drive is easily soiled and requires maintenance.

Conclusion

No doubt a revolutionary device. LaCie DJI Copilot will be appreciated by professionals of the photo and video industry for whom "Time" is of paramount importance. During the period of operation, the drive has proven itself exclusively from the best side, the very case when the expected coincided with reality. It is extremely simple to operate, such qualities as portability, autonomy, resistance to shock and vibration, as well as protection from dust and splashes, in practice, significantly simplify the operation of the disc. The only thing that DJI Copilot especially grabbed is the function of quickly formatting memory cards with an action button, we hope the developers will listen and add this feature with the next update, since everything is solved programmatically. Despite the simplicity of the product, before using it, we still recommend that you read the detailed instructions that are filled in by the manufacturer on the carrier itself. This will save you from many secondary questions that 100% will arise in the process of getting to know the device. We hope our experience was useful, thank you for your attention.