DJI Mavic Air

Johnny Dogs wrote: »

At over a grand that's approaching mavic pro budget wise, and from what I've seen so far (in terms of distancfe etc) I'd spend my money on a mavic pro.

Indeed, but the air has a better camera bit rate, smaller lighter, better sensors and top speed. Also I would rarely want it out of visual range too much - so hence my interest over the mavic pro. And that price was for the fly more bundle too.

Rew wrote: »

The pro is 150 more and the pro paltinum is 450 more. Pro is going to be replaced with a pro 2 any day so not a great buy ATM unless rock bottom price.

It’s down to €999 in a few places from €1199 and a little more off that with a bit of negotiating

I bought the Mavic Air recently, so far delighted with it.

I'm blown away by the image and video quality, the 100mbps 4K is crisp!

I've only flown it ~200m so far because I'm terrified to fly it any further

jogdish wrote: »

Think I am going to purchase in a month or two? Did you get the fly more? How does it handle an average Irish day wind wise? And signal issues? Are you flying in a residential/build up area or open parks? Is it worth the price tag for a non prof. photo person - i.e I enjoy the pretty pictures/and the feel of flying thats about all

Didn’t go with the fly more package, I couldn’t justify the extra €200 for it, I’ll probably buy an extra battery and a car charger but aside from that I’ve not needed the extra batteries yet!

Handles very well in Irish weather, surprised by how sturdy it is!

I’ve only flown it to 250m so far at an altitude of 100m (IAA regulations I think) no issues with signal for that, the odd dropped frame in the video feed. You definitely need to face the drone with the controller for a smoother stream.

I tried to do my first flight in Dublin 6 which was a bad idea, didn’t let it pick up GPS signal fully and had the antenna not folded out fully, definitely not recommended and scared me when it was showing a lot of warnings.

I think I’d be much better now!

Since then I’ve flown in parks/country side. Today I flew on the edge of a town and had no problems!

Personally, I think it’s worth it, the pictures and video I’ve got already are class, I’m a bit photography fan and this makes me want to get out and use it all the time because it’s a totally new perspective on stuff.

I think the novelty will wear off but I have a trip planned in the summer that I’ll definitely use this for a lot. Just wish the weather was better!

Rew wrote: »

Have the fly more and have to say it was well worth it. Iv'e used everything but the extra props and id be lost without the extra 2 batteries (thinking ill get a 4th at some point).

Ive clocked up 75 flights, 32,000m total distance and 7 hours of fight time in 3 countries so far. The portability means you can have it with you almost constantly. Things I've leaned:

• Get a big, fast SD card
• Never take off without decent GPS signal no matter what
• Range goes from terrible to fantastic without any obvious reason
• 4k 100mbit is a nightmare to edit even with top of the range laptop, learn how to use low res proxies
• It requires a **** tonne of practice to be able to fly well and get nice smooth video
• Battery life in practice is about 18mins
• Handles wind well but if your getting constant yellow bar at the top consider calling it a day
• You have to practice with all the modes to make the most of it
• don't do anything with a low battery you haven't already done (ie gain a lot altitude where there might be more wind) so you have battery left to help bring back
• Don't get tunnel visioned looking at the screen make sure you know whats/whos around the drone esp if low flying
• Get very familiar with all setting (there are a lot) and make sure the RTH is properly set
• Know when to disable RTH as signal can be lost very easily even at close range
• Make sure the RTH altitude is appropriate

Did you try the FCC hack to improve the range and stability of signal?

jogdish wrote: »

Explain...

If you're in the States (or it thinks you are ), it'll transmit at full power which is roughly double what the EU allows - so your range can nearly be doubled in some cases.

Chavways wrote: »

Hi guys, what is the best price available on this these days?

900€ Fly more combo on e infinity.

Geartech wrote: »

I just got my Mavic Air fly more from Harvey normans for €1049 flys great in the wind but not gone to far with it yet as I'm still learning the ins and outs

I plan on getting mine soon,

I keep flip flopping between mavic basic and air fly more. How do you find the range, are you in a built up area? are you using the EU radio hack? Any feedback is welcome.

jogdish wrote: »

I plan on getting mine soon,

I keep flip flopping between mavic basic and air fly more. How do you find the range, are you in a built up area? are you using the EU radio hack? Any feedback is welcome.

Do not buy the basic pack....you will be kicking yourself as the battery life isn't great and you will want to fly for more than 15 mins. I hacked mine for longer range and I haven't experienced problems in built up areas.

jogdish wrote: »

What does "refresh" get you? I just assumed it was faster turn around under the same warranty?

Yeah faster turn round a friend of mine had it in the uk he crashed it and got water damage they sent him a new unit 2 days after getting his

Just another follow up question about the Air and Range.

I would like to use my Air ( if I buy ) to 'explore' around the back garden and the surroundings, say 50-100m out at most. At ground level there are head height hedges, one concrete wall more than head height. Would the signal on the Air be able to coop with these obstructions? I know its WiFi based signal, but Im ( hoping ) its much more reliable than my Internet routers signal ?

Or am I best off getting the Mavic Pro, basic over the Air fly more?

Rew wrote: »

TBH exploring 100m of garden is over kill for a Air let alone a Pro so you will be fine.

Of course, but the garden exploring was more, me learning to control it too. My only concern was does the wifi signal handle brick walls,hedges trees etc?