DJI Mavic Mini- good first drone?

[rob-nikon]

I’m contemplating getting my first drone. I’ve had a love hate relationship with them as I’ve always thought it could be an interesting view point for landscape photography but it’s the buzzing around noise that gets a bit annoying if you are another photographer doing landscapes and one comes buzzing into view. I also love the short videos that can be produced from them.

Whilst the larger drones are probably too large for me to carry along with some landscaping kit I’ve interested in the new DJI Maxic Mini as it looks like it’s quite small.

My question is does anyone have one and would be able to say if it’s a good drone for a beginner? Could you also point be in the right direction of some good beginner drone info?

 

[rob-nikon]

I‘ve done a bit of reading this morning on several websites and on the CAA website. I read through the Drone and Model Aircraft Code this morning. I’ve taken the flyer online test and passed first time which surprised me! As far as I can see I probably wouldn't need to have either the flyer ID or Operator ID for the Mavic Mini as it’s under 250g but there seems to be a grey area where the propeller guards would take the weight over 250g so it sounds like it’s best to do both to make sure your legal.

I’m going to go through ‘The Drone and Model Aircraft Code‘ several times to make sure I understand all the points and limitations it imposes.

 

[4wd]

There's not a great difference in size between the mini and Mavic air 2 when they are folded.
Mini is obviously lighter.
It isn't especially learner friendly as it's lacking obstacle avoidance and is far too easy to get blown away if you underestimate wind a few feet above buildings and trees.
But it's cheaper if you did lose it - but not by much compared to Air 2 which is good value as well as capable IMO.
The active tracking features on the Air 2 are DJI's best ever and outperforms even Mavic 2 Pro.
Just be aware you will likely want some extras after drone headline price, at least one additional battery and probably a bag, then ND filters are desirable.

 

[rob-nikon]

There's not a great difference in size between the mini and Mavic air 2 when they are folded.
Mini is obviously lighter.
It isn't especially learner friendly as it's lacking obstacle avoidance and is far too easy to get blown away if you underestimate wind a few feet above buildings and trees.
But it's cheaper if you did lose it - but not by much compared to Air 2 which is good value as well as capable IMO.
The active tracking features on the Air 2 are DJI's best ever and outperforms even Mavic 2 Pro.
Just be aware you will likely want some extras after drone headline price, at least one additional battery and probably a bag, then ND filters are desirable.

Thanks for the reply. The Air 2 does look like a better option regarding obstacle avoidance, higher wind speed operation (I gather it’s something like 28km/hr on the mini compared to 38km/hr on the air) and further automated flying modes/tracking. Then there is the additional benefits like 4K video and RAW file formats. The point about wind is something I’m concerned about. My intended use will be for landscapes so I’m hoping to be in open space and not be near too many obstacles, but I will be in potentially windy places.

With most photography equipment I’d be looking at buying used but I’m not sure if it’s worth buying used when thinking about drones. Looking the the fly more bundles at WEX the difference in price at £459 and £949 is pretty big especially as I’m not sure whether drone flying/photography will be for me.

Mavic Mini fly more bundle - £459

https://www.wexphotovideo.com/dji-m...h0XEAaVEAUYBSABEgJdpfD_BwE#prodthumb-carousel

Mavic Air 2 fly more bundle- £949
https://www.wexphotovideo.com/dji-mavic-air-2-fly-more-combo-drone-1739919/

 

[cambsno]

I bought a Mini last week - will post some shots later of todays morning out with it on the drone thread. Its brilliant for a beginner, and quite affordable, although i can see myself wanting bigger/better in the future!! Get the bundle, batteries last 30 mins max and sport mode can drain it. Photos seem decent, and I flew a far bit this morning, had a near miss with a fence while concentrating on filming so you do need to be careful. Great fun though and i don't see that you can go wrong with a mini, and then upgrade if needed.

 

[Deleted sulking member 63079]

Also worth keeping in mind that if you want to make money from the images at all, you'll currently need your pfco regardless of the weight of the drone.

That should change at the end of the year though

 

[rob-nikon]

Also worth keeping in mind that if you want to make money from the images at all, you'll currently need your pfco regardless of the weight of the drone.

That should change at the end of the year though

Photography is just a hobby for me and I don’t sell images so I shouldn’t need it for commercial use. I’ve been reading about the changes at the end of the year. They seem to make quite a difference and will mean the A2 C if C will be needed to keep the current 50m limitations for people and buildings otherwise it’s extended to a minimum of 150m. I’m still trying to get my head around what the changes will mean.

 

[rob-nikon]

I bought a Mini last week - will post some shots later of todays morning out with it on the drone thread. Its brilliant for a beginner, and quite affordable, although i can see myself wanting bigger/better in the future!! Get the bundle, batteries last 30 mins max and sport mode can drain it. Photos seem decent, and I flew a far bit this morning, had a near miss with a fence while concentrating on filming so you do need to be careful. Great fun though and i don't see that you can go wrong with a mini, and then upgrade if needed.

I saw your post on the drone thread. The images looked good.

I was watching a video review of the Mavic Air 2. Whilst trying one of the Quickshots modes (circling if I remember correctly) he hit a tree as the drone has obstacle avoidance sensors but not on the sides!

 

[Deleted sulking member 63079]

Photography is just a hobby for me and I don’t sell images so I shouldn’t need it for commercial use. I’ve been reading about the changes at the end of the year. They seem to make quite a difference and will mean the A2 C if C will be needed to keep the current 50m limitations for people and buildings otherwise it’s extended to a minimum of 150m. I’m still trying to get my head around what the changes will mean.

Wasn't sure if you did sell landscapes so just thought I'd point it out just in case

You pretty much have the gist of it there.

As you say, for your use no more than the A2 cofc will be needed. 150m is a lot more restrictive, hard to tell if there's people about at that distance unless you're somewhere pretty open

 

[rob-nikon]

Wasn't sure if you did sell landscapes so just thought I'd point it out just in case

You pretty much have the gist of it there.

As you say, for your use no more than the A2 cofc will be needed. 150m is a lot more restrictive, hard to tell if there's people about at that distance unless you're somewhere pretty open

I'm starting to have second thoughts as it seems its a little up in the air (pardon the pun) what effect the news regs will have on the Mavic Mini. I gather there is a smaller capacity battery in Japan that decreases the weight to 200g but reduces flight time to 18 mins (but then there is the issue of the camera so its still A1). I'd like to see some definitive information released by DJI as the new regs could be limiting for most locations. There is then trying to find places where its possible to fly as like you say it will need open spaces away from residential or leisure facilities.

 

[TVRTim]

I'm starting to have second thoughts as it seems its a little up in the air (pardon the pun) what effect the news regs will have on the Mavic Mini. I gather there is a smaller capacity battery in Japan that decreases the weight to 200g but reduces flight time to 18 mins (but then there is the issue of the camera so its still A1). I'd like to see some definitive information released by DJI as the new regs could be limiting for most locations. There is then trying to find places where its possible to fly as like you say it will need open spaces away from residential or leisure facilities.

The information below is taken from the "Heliguy" website and should be of interest to you.

Changes to the new rules mean that operators of the DJI Mavic Mini will have a choice.
The standard weight of this drone is 249g, and as long as its flying weight is under 250g, pilots will be able to fly it in the A1 subcategory, meaning it can be flown over uninvolved people, but not over crowds. This will open up great freedoms for Mavic Mini pilots, and an A2 CofC is not needed for this.
However, if the Mavic Mini’s flying weight exceeds 250g – ie if prop guards or accessories are attached – then the drone will have to be flown in the A1 Transitional subcategory (no intentional flight over uninvolved people), and an A2 CofC is needed.
If the pilot has a Mavic Mini with a flying weight greater than 250g, and does not have an A2 CofC, then the drone will need to be flown in accordance with the A3 subcategory (fly far from people – no uninvolved people present within the area of flight; no flight within 150m horizontally of residential, commercial, industrial, or residential areas).

So a mavic mini in it's natural state is 249g no stickers or filters, if you are into landscape photography you should be absolutely fine.

 

[Tobers]

I was looking at the same options, and went with the Air 2 because of the better features, robustness, camera etc. I got the Fly More and am pleased I did as it's such fun to fly. I use it primarily for landscape photography.

Here's a "tool or toy" article for you: http://tobinators.com/blog/2020/06/landscape-2/tool-or-toy-a-drone-for-landscape-photography/

And I shot this video with accompanying stills on it yesterday morning (with a Gopro8 as well). I'm decently impressed with the stills, especially at 48mp, but the 12mp ones are rather decent too.

 

[rob-nikon]

I was looking at the same options, and went with the Air 2 because of the better features, robustness, camera etc. I got the Fly More and am pleased I did as it's such fun to fly. I use it primarily for landscape photography.

Here's a "tool or toy" article for you: http://tobinators.com/blog/2020/06/landscape-2/tool-or-toy-a-drone-for-landscape-photography/

And I shot this video with accompanying stills on it yesterday morning (with a Gopro8 as well). I'm decently impressed with the stills, especially at 48mp, but the 12mp ones are rather decent too.

With the new rules coming into force at the end of the year and current drones being labelled ‘legacy’ drones I’m concerned I’m a little late to the party. I’m wondering if I’d be better waiting for the categorised drones to be released rather than buy one now. It’s hard to understand how different drones will be affected by the new rules as everything I’ve read seems to contradict each other.

 

[Deleted sulking member 63079]

With the new rules coming into force at the end of the year and current drones being labelled ‘legacy’ drones I’m concerned I’m a little late to the party. I’m wondering if I’d be better waiting for the categorised drones to be released rather than buy one now. It’s hard to understand how different drones will be affected by the new rules as everything I’ve read seems to contradict each other.

Every current drone will fall into the "legacy" class, so then you just have to go off the class.

Sadly, looking at the EASA definition, the mavic mini isn't sub-250g as it;s based on the maximum take-off weight, and not the weight at the point of launch.

 

[rob-nikon]

Every current drone will fall into the "legacy" class, so then you just have to go off the class.

Sadly, looking at the EASA definition, the mavic mini isn't sub-250g as it;s based on the maximum take-off weight, and not the weight at the point of launch.

Thats partly why I'm thinking of waiting until there are some drones that do meet the sub 250g. Like you say the mini is advertised on its 249g but doesn't actually meet that value under the new rules. Im not 100% sure if its worth waiting to see what comes out as the manufacturers are going to adapt their new models to suit the new rules. I'd say DJI will probably be looking at adapting the mini to meet the new rules. I gather by reducing the capacity of the battery and therefore the weight it may be possible by it would affect performance. I gather thats what they have done to the Japanese model. The other reason is that I can't see me going far this summer especially after todays news that B&B's and hotels probably won't be opening on 4th July. I could potentially fly in the countryside locally but I'd like to get further afield which I can't see me doing much of this year.

 

[cambsno]

Thats partly why I'm thinking of waiting until there are some drones that do meet the sub 250g. Like you say the mini is advertised on its 249g but doesn't actually meet that value under the new rules. Im not 100% sure if its worth waiting to see what comes out as the manufacturers are going to adapt their new models to suit the new rules. I'd say DJI will probably be looking at adapting the mini to meet the new rules. I gather by reducing the capacity of the battery and therefore the weight it may be possible by it would affect performance. I gather thats what they have done to the Japanese model. The other reason is that I can't see me going far this summer especially after todays news that B&B's and hotels probably won't be opening on 4th July. I could potentially fly in the countryside locally but I'd like to get further afield which I can't see me doing much of this year.

Trouble is even if they could magic a 199g drone which had good battery life, would it be able to cope with high (or even medium) winds?

 

[wilt]

I purchased a mavic mini recently and have loved using it, so much so I'm thinking of getting a mavic air 2 to possibly replace the mini as lack of raw files is it's only down side for me.