Been running an Inspire 2 with the X7 for about four years now and honestly im starting to feel the pressure from clients who keep asking if i have "the latest" whatever that means. The footage is still incredible, like genuinely i put X7 ProRes against stuff shot on newer platforms and it holds up, but the whole ecosystem feels like its kind of been left to die slowly by DJI.

The Zenmuse X9 situation on the Inspire 3 is obviously a massive upgrade and the omnidirectional obstacle avoidance is nice for certain shots but the price jump is brutal. Anyone actually made the transition from I2 to I3 for professional work and felt like it was justified by actual bookings or client feedback rather than just gear lust? Cause i can't tell if i actually need it or if i just want it.

Honestly I went through this exact thing last year. Kept the I2 for almost a year longer than i probably should have just because the running costs on the I3 are so different, you're talking way higher insurance premiums, the batteries alone, and then if you want the full dual operator setup with a proper second pilot on gimbal it adds up fast. What actually pushed me was a commercial job where the client specifically asked about RAW internal recording and low light capability for a dusk shoot, and the X9-8K just genuinely does things the X7 can't. Once i had a job that required it the math worked out. But if you're mostly doing real estate, corporate b-roll, that kind of thing the I2 X7 combo is still a completely legitimate professional tool, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

the I3 landing gear situation alone would drive me crazy ngl. you basically need a proper pad or a crew member watching the legs every single time. i demoed one for a weekend shoot and kept having little heart attacks on uneven ground. the I2 isn't perfect but at least i know its quirks after all this time