this has been bugging me for a while and i finally want to just ask people who actually use this stuff. i picked up a used Inspire 2 with two X7s and a spare set of carbon props maybe 8 months ago for a really good price. the plan was to get into higher end aerial work since i was coming off Mavics and wanted something that felt more serious.

the thing flies great, i love dual operator mode and the X7 with the DL 24mm produces genuinely beautiful stuff. but ive started losing bids to people with Inspire 3s and the clients dont really understand the difference, they just see the newer number and assume its better. which honestly maybe it is i dont know.

my question is more practical ? is the I2 still a viable production tool in or should i be thinking about upgrading already. i cant afford an I3 outright but could potentially finance one. just dont want to dump money into something that the industry is moving away from if that makes sense.

the I2 isnt going anywhere for mid tier commercial work honestly. most clients producing regional ads or corporate content genuinely cannot tell the difference in the final cut between X7 footage and X9 footage once its been graded and compressed for delivery. where the I3 really pulls ahead is the high end stuff, streaming originals, theatrical, stuff where the DIT and colorist are going to be scrutinizing every frame.

that said i get the perception problem. some clients are just buying the spec sheet and if they see a competitor with an I3 they might assume youre less serious even if your reel is better. its dumb but its real. id say maximize your I2 kit first, make sure you have the right lenses for the jobs youre pitching, and let the work speak before you take on debt for the upgrade.

i had the same dilema last year and ended up keeping my I2 for another 8 months, just got the I3 in january. honestly the I2 paid for a chunk of the I3 upgrade through jobs it kept landing so no regrets about waiting. also the used market for I2 bodies is still decent if you eventually want to sell