All things Mavic Air

jogdish · 07-08-2018 1:11pm #1

Hello,
If it's okay with the mods, I would like to start this thread to post all things related to the Mavic Air ( there are a few differences between it and the Pro, so perhaps best it have it's own thread ).

Guess I will introduce myself, first time DJI owner, got my Air and loving it, so easy to control and I have confidence in it not getting away from me. I am still getting to grips with editing movies but I don't have a very good PC. I usually take lower res small videos unedited and stills in RAW.
Personally I found the DJI manual to very lacking - I was fully set up to read a proper document with all the ins and outs, but instead it's just there to get you in the air as fast as possible, thankfully online/youtube has taught me a lot. Seagulls are a bloody curse, it's like a magnet to them.

How are other people flying? Are we all obeying the rules? Anyone paying the €1500 for the training? Range records ?

Murflad · 08-08-2018 11:45am

Getting my mavic air combo package on Friday. 1049euro in Harvey Norman. Went with the flame red.

Does it come with video editing software? if not, any recommendations?

I see that the Air uses Wifi for controls. I wonder is it limited to how high/far it can fly etc. Are the rules auto in forced when using the drone?

jogdish · 08-08-2018 12:27pm

Murflad wrote: »

Getting my mavic air combo package on Friday. 1049euro in Harvey Norman. Went with the flame red.

Does it come with video editing software? if not, any recommendations?

I see that the Air uses Wifi for controls. I wonder is it limited to how high/far it can fly etc. Are the rules auto in forced when using the drone?

Flame red here too! good choice.

Comes with no software, I have been using KDEnlive (its a linux thing), the mac movie editor ( dont think it can color grade ), tried DaVinci resolve - my poor PC gave up. Depends on the res you record in as to how much power you will need. PhotoscapeX is good for RAW stills.

The Air uses enhanced wifi - some marketing term, eh without saying something I perhaps should not

it goes plenty far for me, google FCC hack fo mavic Air and never ever try it

In saying that, I think having some fun in an open field not annoying anyone is fine, just stay away from buzzing over cities - although plenty examples on youtube of people using mavic pros over limerick/cork/dublin/galway - which I am almost certain is a no no.

ScrubsfanChris · 08-08-2018 3:26pm

Murflad wrote: »

Getting my mavic air combo package on Friday. 1049euro in Harvey Norman. Went with the flame red.

Does it come with video editing software? if not, any recommendations?

Really depends on what sort of system you have. If its slow then video editing will nothing but total frustration and waiting unfortunatly.

Try HitFilm Express, the sign up process is a bit laborious but you just have to sign up once and you're away.

It also has basic colour grading options which alot of the free editing programs do not.

If you're mister/misses money bucks then go for Premiere Pro

Murflad · 09-08-2018 12:40am

Thanks guys...HitFilm Express looks ok to use judjing by youtube. Was hoping DJI would have its own video editing software...anyways, are there regular firmware updates for the mavic air? or has it settled now that it has been released a few months.

jogdish · 09-08-2018 12:11pm

Murflad wrote: »

Thanks guys...HitFilm Express looks ok to use judjing by youtube. Was hoping DJI would have its own video editing software...anyways, are there regular firmware updates for the mavic air? or has it settled now that it has been released a few months.

Apart from the day I got it, have not had to update yet. One thing I should mention that is not made that clear, to update the mavic itself, you need the DJI program on your PC and the mavic plugged into the PC.

theothernt · 10-08-2018 5:40pm

jogdish wrote: »

Apart from the day I got it, have not had to update yet. One thing I should mention that is not made that clear, to update the mavic itself, you need the DJI program on your PC and the mavic plugged into the PC.

The Mavic can be updated using DJI Go app on your phone. A PC or Mac isn't required.

jogdish · 10-08-2018 7:07pm

theothernt wrote: »

The Mavic can be updated using DJI Go app on your phone. A PC or Mac isn't required.

oh thanks for that, did not know.

theothernt · 10-08-2018 9:15pm

jogdish wrote: »

oh thanks for that, did not know.

I was just reading your initial post - what resolution do you shoot video in, and why RAW for stills? do you use auto camera settings?

jogdish · 10-08-2018 10:01pm

theothernt wrote: »

I was just reading your initial post - what resolution do you shoot video in, and why RAW for stills? do you use auto camera settings?

Still playing around, so here is my thoughts:
4k the cleanest video - but huge and basically not possible to edit for me.
2k - clean and just about editable.
1080 60fps, tried lower fps but looks awful when moving at any speed, but 1080 is a little more grainy looking to me.

I tried the 120 fps option too, cool, but detail was not there. Basically once I seen the 1080+ res it's hard to go back.

I prefer the stills in RAW since allows me to change the white balance, exposure in post, have gotten amazing results with playing around.

tedpan · 12-08-2018 10:34pm

Found the thread, thanks Jog!

So, hadn't flown for a few days and decided to take out the new drone. This happened..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ScKBTi3kTs

It was like somebody took over and disconnected the Air. Anyone else experience something like this?

Shpud2 · 12-08-2018 10:41pm

Return to home not set up right?
Was it in GPS mode?

jogdish · 12-08-2018 10:42pm

tedpan wrote: »

Found the thread, thanks Jog!

So, hadn't flown for a few days and decided to take out the new drone. This happened..

It was like somebody took over and disconnected the Air. Anyone else experience something like this?

Okay now Im freaked out!, sorry hate to ask the usual stuff but suppose no harm.
Had you calibrated correctly, any complaints on take off? Were you flying over any possible magnetic interference areas? Did you happen to check the busyiness of the wifi channels? As poster above says, how many GPS satellites did you have at take off?
I don't think someone can hijack one well easily anyway, when it loses connection it it meant to go to the RTH altitude and just fly home.

tedpan · 12-08-2018 10:52pm

Shpud2 wrote:

Return to home not set up right? Was it in GPS mode?

Nope, ready to fly and GPS was locked on. I fly a lot, really freaked me out.

jogdish · 12-08-2018 10:58pm

tedpan wrote: »

Nope, ready to fly and GPS was locked on. I fly a lot, really freaked me out.

Losing control at 15m is very close, but has happened to me once and as far as I can remember it did wander on its own for a tiny bit, nothing like 50m.

Wish I could say why, had my mavic, 9hrs total flight time, plenty signal loses but thankfully zero issues like yours.

Is your phone officially supported for the Go 4 app?

tedpan · 12-08-2018 11:01pm

jogdish wrote:

Okay now Im freaked out!, sorry hate to ask the usual stuff but suppose no harm. Had you calibrated correctly, any complaints on take off? Were you flying over any possible magnetic interference areas? Did you happen to check the busyiness of the wifi channels? As poster above says, how many GPS satellites did you have at take off? I don't think someone can hijack one well easily anyway, when it loses connection it it meant to go to the RTH altitude and just fly home.

I know, totally freaked! I've had about 20 flights with the air and never lost connection, on the beach and in fields usually. Everything was good to go, I always make sure I'm ready before take off.

I'm thinking the nearby Garda station had something to do with it. The second I lost connection I pressed the rth and that was about 5 seconds in. When it flew off, I really thought somebody else took over. The little turns were not automated like when it RTHs normally, it was very strange.

jogdish · 12-08-2018 11:05pm

That radio mast would be something that would make sense for the mavic freaking out after losing connection - that part I 'get'.

But as it returns to home, you cancel the RTH then you mention it fighting you as you attempt to land?
Do you think the sensors were seeing the trees?

Have you looked at the flight record on the app? anything weird?

tedpan · 12-08-2018 11:06pm

jogdish wrote:

Wish I could say why, had my mavic, 9hrs total flight time, plenty signal loses but thankfully zero issues like yours.

Yeah, I'm hoping it's a one off, and won't be visiting that side of town again!

jogdish wrote:

Is your phone officially supported for the Go 4 app?

Yep LG V20, it's on DJI's list

Shpud2 · 12-08-2018 11:09pm

What was the weather like? Was there enough of a breeze to blow the Mavic towards the trees as you brought it down?

tedpan · 12-08-2018 11:15pm

jogdish wrote:

But as it returns to home, you cancel the RTH then you mention it fighting you as you attempt to land? Do you think the sensors were seeing the trees?

I don't think so, there were no warning sounds when it got into close proximity of the trees. It just wanted to fly past me I was trying to reduce altitude and battling it to stop flying away from me. Never seen anything like it.

jogdish wrote:

Have you looked at the flight record on the app? anything weird?

Haven't, will check it out tomorrow night.

Shpud2 wrote:

What was the weather like? Was there enough of a breeze to blow the Mavic towards the trees as you brought it down?

Perfect, hardly even a breeze, it was like a living nightmare battling for control. It's such a simple drone to fly too, the whole thing was surreal!

Shpud2 · 12-08-2018 11:19pm

Sounds like the log is the way to go next so. See if you had GPS coverage as it flew towards the trees.

tedpan · 12-08-2018 11:29pm

Shpud2 wrote:

Sounds like the log is the way to go next so. See if you had GPS coverage as it flew towards the trees.

Checked, I had 10 satellites taking off, GPS logo on and 16 satellites throughout the entire flight. Max distance 102m and 30m. :S

theothernt · 18-08-2018 4:01pm

tedpan wrote: »

Checked, I had 10 satellites taking off, GPS logo on and 16 satellites throughout the entire flight. Max distance 102m and 30m. :S

Any update, has the issue happened again?

tedpan · 18-08-2018 4:32pm

theothernt wrote:

Any update, has the issue happened again?

Haven't flown since, hoping to go out tomorrow

jogdish · 30-08-2018 2:53pm

Hi,
I am taking panoramic stills - but having two issues, the JPG produced by the drone does not hold up well to editing and the stitching is a bit hit or miss. So I have opted to save the unstiched raw DNG's

My issue is now is, finding a windows (hopefully free) program than can stitch them, and hopefully produce a pano in a file format that holds up better than JPG after adjusting exposure/white balance etc...

Any ideas?

ozmo · 31-08-2018 2:27pm

jogdish wrote: »

Hi,
I am taking panoramic stills - but having two issues, the JPG produced by the drone does not hold up well to editing and the stitching is a bit hit or miss. So I have opted to save the unstiched raw DNG's

My issue is now is, finding a windows (hopefully free) program than can stitch them, and hopefully produce a pano in a file format that holds up better than JPG after adjusting exposure/white balance etc...

Any ideas?

I use Microsoft ICE to produce 3D Spherical panoramas ("360degree") that are compatible with direct upload to Twitter and Facebook - and its free..

jogdish · 31-08-2018 2:54pm

ozmo wrote: »

I use Microsoft ICE to produce 3D Spherical panoramas ("360degree") that are compatible with direct upload to Twitter and Facebook - and its free..

Thanks just tried its great, do you edit the separate DNG's before ICE?

ozmo · 31-08-2018 3:48pm

jogdish wrote: »

Thanks just tried its great, do you edit the separate DNG's before ICE?

I used the JPGs - they came out fine - I did notice the Phantom 4 produced a better quality image than the Mavic's - but you could only notice this when you use the zoom in control thats available for the 360 view in the facebook - to max.

Could be wrong - but I think if you try to use the DNGs it will produce a worse output - as most software seems to just read the low resolution TIF thumbnail that's in the DNG rather than the full data - to prevent this you may need to convert them to standard TIF using lightroom or something first that will use the real DNG data - try jpg first.

You can also use Hanger 360 - its free also and is a very easy option - downside is you need to fly or switch mid-air to their app to take the photos.

Cupatae · 12-09-2018 7:11pm

thinking of buying one of these...never owned a drone before and know next to nothing about them, is it worth it?

jogdish · 12-09-2018 9:49pm

Cupatae wrote: »

thinking of buying one of these...never owned a drone before and know next to nothing about them, is it worth it?

Hi Cupatae,

I was kinda similar to you, but had owned a syma X5w, 40 euro thing, fun but impossible to fly with accuracy. I honestly have some mixed feelings about my Mavic but yet I love it.

Pros:
Small, light so easy to just pick up and go
So easy to fly, the thing is rock solid for me
Great images, just look online
It feels expensive, not cheap, I have confidence when flying it.
It's opened up new photo/video chances made me enjoy taking photos again.
Range ( after the FCC 'hack') is more than good for anything I want.
The display on my phone is great, loads of info ( samsung galaxy s8 )

Cons
It's a tad noisy - they all are but the Air's whine is annoying.
The controller holds the phone under the thumb sticks, I would prefer it above them.
The signal can be easily broken with minimal interference - depends where you are.
DJI and software updates can be annoying, recently experienced some camera gimble issues - seems to have righted itself - for now
Everything is expensive for me - then again thats true of all drones.

Okay the real reason I kinda half nearly regret it ( still don't) IF you look into the drone regulations and obey them all, you basically will hardly ever fly - although a quicksearch here/youtube and common sense shows you how to be safe and not do anything dangerous. Still not legal, but I don't know.

Point of note, youtbuber Tony&Chelse Northup, gave the parrot anafi drone a better review.

Lastly personally I did not get the fly more bundle, and happy with that choice, just bought one extra battery in argos, and bought a case on amazon for €20.

Any questions let me know, would love to help or make an 'Air' firend - god that's sad lol.

Cupatae · 13-09-2018 12:19am

jogdish wrote: »

Hi Cupatae,

I was kinda similar to you, but had owned a syma X5w, 40 euro thing, fun but impossible to fly with accuracy. I honestly have some mixed feelings about my Mavic but yet I love it.

Pros:
Small, light so easy to just pick up and go
So easy to fly, the thing is rock solid for me
Great images, just look online
It feels expensive, not cheap, I have confidence when flying it.
It's opened up new photo/video chances made me enjoy taking photos again.
Range ( after the FCC 'hack') is more than good for anything I want.
The display on my phone is great, loads of info ( samsung galaxy s8 )

Cons
It's a tad noisy - they all are but the Air's whine is annoying.
The controller holds the phone under the thumb sticks, I would prefer it above them.
The signal can be easily broken with minimal interference - depends where you are.
DJI and software updates can be annoying, recently experienced some camera gimble issues - seems to have righted itself - for now
Everything is expensive for me - then again thats true of all drones.

Okay the real reason I kinda half nearly regret it ( still don't) IF you look into the drone regulations and obey them all, you basically will hardly ever fly - although a quicksearch here/youtube and common sense shows you how to be safe and not do anything dangerous. Still not legal, but I don't know.

Point of note, youtbuber Tony&Chelse Northup, gave the parrot anafi drone a better review.

Lastly personally I did not get the fly more bundle, and happy with that choice, just bought one extra battery in argos, and bought a case on amazon for €20.

Any questions let me know, would love to help or make an 'Air' firend - god that's sad lol.

Cheers for the detailed reply! answered most my questions, i was sorta thinking it seemed abit too good to be true, i live about 15 miles away from an airport myself so it could be an issue with the fly thing if it stops the drone (i read somewhere it does gsp thing to see if its safe to fly?)

Im prob still gonna go ahead and get one and fly it just as you say use abit of common sense when doing so!

One other thing does it, work well with all android phones or would they need to be of a certain spec?

Im planning on travelling around europe in a couple of months so the portability of it was a real selling point for me!

jogdish · 13-09-2018 6:33am

Cupatae wrote: »

Cheers for the detailed reply! answered most my questions, i was sorta thinking it seemed abit too good to be true, i live about 15 miles away from an airport myself so it could be an issue with the fly thing if it stops the drone (i read somewhere it does gsp thing to see if its safe to fly?)

Im prob still gonna go ahead and get one and fly it just as you say use abit of common sense when doing so!

One other thing does it, work well with all android phones or would they need to be of a certain spec?

Im planning on travelling around europe in a couple of months so the portability of it was a real selling point for me!

The app should warn you within 5 miles of an airport I think, better Google that to confirm, but at 15 you should be safe.
Regards the phone, that's tricky, have a look http://www.phantomhelp.com/tips/best-tabletsphones-for-dji-go-updated-daily.18
That's a compatible list, once again best to Google of you don't see your phone there, a Google Nexus is cheap to pick up.
Lastly check out local laws if you travel, never traveled with it myself but I'm guessing some places could be very strict compared to here.

jogdish · 15-09-2018 8:36pm

Just got:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07BDLH3F2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

today, really nice and very easy to carry, so small too.

tedpan · 15-09-2018 8:42pm

jogdish wrote:

today, really nice and very easy to carry, so small too.

Nice, looks a similar size to the bag that comes with the fly more combo.

jogdish · 15-09-2018 8:46pm

tedpan wrote: »

Nice, looks a similar size to the bag that comes with the fly more combo.

I looked into getting the fly more bag, but some youtube video convinced me otherwise (and price), if I am right the fly more bag needs you to place things in a specific order stacked?
The one above everything has its place, apart from the three pin plug. But im sure your bag is more than lovely too

Cupatae · 16-09-2018 5:14pm

jogdish wrote: »

I looked into getting the fly more bag, but some youtube video convinced me otherwise (and price), if I am right the fly more bag needs you to place things in a specific order stacked?
The one above everything has its place, apart from the three pin plug. But im sure your bag is more than lovely too

Is avoiding the fly more bag the way to go? the batterys and charger looked good! im gonna get an air this week

tedpan · 16-09-2018 5:40pm

Cupatae wrote:

Is avoiding the fly more bag the way to go? the batterys and charger looked good! im gonna get an air this week

No, the bag is fantastic, everything fits in its own place and is well protected. The extra batteries, charging station and props are well worth the extra money.

jogdish · 16-09-2018 7:41pm

tedpan wrote: »

No, the bag is fantastic, everything fits in its own place and is well protected. The extra batteries, charging station and props are well worth the extra money.

I went normal ( not the fly more ), and honestly I think , buy one extra battery and one bag via amazon for 20, and be willing to swap the batteries on the charger by hand was worth it for saving the the 100 or so. But like Tedpan says, you might love it, and I've owned one so maybe im wrong

My bag is in attachment pic

tedpan · 16-09-2018 8:24pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qYBO2ryiG0

A quick spin around the fields. Default settings, no filters or colour edits. Only wish it flew a bit faster in default mode

jogdish · 16-09-2018 8:31pm

tedpan wrote: »

A quick spin around the fields. Default settings, no filters or colour edits. Only wish it flew a bit faster in default mode

Very nice!

Was flying mine today, noticed some yaw drifting - any ideas?

tedpan · 16-09-2018 8:42pm

jogdish wrote:

Was flying mine today, noticed some yaw drifting - any ideas?

I'm not sure, I'm getting the same. I think it's for cinematography purposes so not to cause sudden jerks when filming. Definitely wouldn't want to fly it too close to buildings until I get used to it. My mi drone definitely doesn't do this, I'm not sure if it's a pro or con at the moment..

jogdish · 16-09-2018 9:11pm

tedpan wrote: »

I'm not sure, I'm getting the same. I think it's for cinematography purposes so not to cause sudden jerks when filming. Definitely wouldn't want to fly it too close to buildings until I get used to it. My mi drone definitely doesn't do this, I'm not sure if it's a pro or con at the moment..

Afaik the cinematic mode needs to be manually enabled for any of the 'smooth' flight stuff to become active, when I got my Air originally it was rock solid - last two flights:
1) Gimble has issues keeping the horizon level
2) The Yaw drift.

Before those issues I collided with a tree, one prop took damage and I replaced that one prop - perhaps I should have replaced all four? I just mention this since it might be an issue.

ozmo · 17-09-2018 3:52am

jogdish wrote: »

Just got:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07BDLH3F2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

today, really nice and very easy to carry, so small too.

Looking for a case myself- and ... Dunno - looks kinda large at what seems twice the height of the mavic air? I like how the mavic is so portable...
I wouldn’t expect to need bring the chargers etc with me when I go out...
A bag for the mavic air, remote, Extra battery and iPad mini would be ideal.

jogdish · 17-09-2018 8:25am

ozmo wrote: »

Looking for a case myself- and ... Dunno - looks kinda large at what seems twice the height of the mavic air? I like how the mavic is so portable...
I wouldn’t expect to need bring the chargers etc with me when I go out...
A bag for the mavic air, remote, Extra battery and iPad mini would be ideal.

Perhaps the fly more combo bag, can get it in argos too ? but doubt it would take the ipad also.

tedpan · 17-09-2018 11:15am

jogdish wrote:

Perhaps the fly more combo bag, can get it in argos too ? but doubt it would take the ipad also.

Yeah, I'm guessing it will be a tight fit, you might get an iPad mini in the side

jogdish · 19-09-2018 9:07pm

@tedpan
Hey, just a follow up to my questions about my Air above (wobble, yaw drift, gimble).

I changed all the props today, and did a tiny test flight (windy!), so only a head height up and down the garden (5m up and down). Perhaps its my imagination but the new props have made it a tad less nosiy. I strafed left and right and the gimble horizon seems to hold. Was unable to test the yaw drift since it only ever happened at height.

Prior I plugged the Air into the PC and said updating the firmware, even though the app told me it was up to date(?), calibrated the gimble a level table and calibrated the RC sticks too. Hoping to give it a full test in the next day or two - but after reading the DJI forums there seems to be more than me having similar issues - so im hoping (:() its a firmware issue, which sucks given the price!

tedpan · 19-09-2018 9:45pm

jogdish wrote:

I changed all the props today, and did a tiny test flight (windy!), so only a head height up and down the garden (5m up and down). Perhaps its my imagination but the new props have made it a tad less nosiy. I strafed left and right and the gimble horizon seems to hold. Was unable to test the yaw drift since it only ever happened at height.

Hmmm, weird one. I was thinking of changing to a new set of props too, I replaced 2 after the cat chewed them on day 3

jogdish wrote:

Prior I plugged the Air into the PC and said updating the firmware, even though the app told me it was up to date(?), calibrated the gimble a level table and calibrated the RC sticks too. Hoping to give it a full test in the next day or two - but after reading the DJI forums there seems to be more than me having similar issues - so im hoping ( ) its a firmware issue, which sucks given the price!

Yeah, the latest firmware seems to be the worst released and it's not downgradable unfortunately. It's been 5 months since a firmware update and unfortunately it's the only version I've used, I do find it buggy sometimes. I hope DJI release something soon, the spark had an update last month.

jogdish · 20-09-2018 12:31pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

@tedpan

Okay, early morning test done before the wind/rain. Flying with four all new props,
1) Almost certain is a tad more quiet
2) That odd shake/wobble is almost gone - first drone rose tinted glasses, it may have always been that way.
3) Yaw drift no longer present during a flight of 8min, altitude at 2m,10m and (forgive me) 20m.
4) Gimble horizon slanted after strafing (sideways motion) - gone, well let me explain : once again rose tinted fresh out of the box me may just have never noticed this. I was holding an altitude of 10m looking towards a railway track, 90% stick to left and right sideways. During the motion the horizon (railway track) tilts about (guess) a degree or two, I stop and SLOWLY the horizon rights itself - I am almost certain this used to happen alot quicker but it goes straight at least.

I then went full left, then full right and back again, and after maybe 2 second the railway track lines up with the 3x3 grid on my phone screen. Now I will admit the railway track is not perfectly level but its all I had. see video
https://youtu.be/bPRpVjAFKc8

So cautiously optimistic my gimble calibrate, RC calibration and new props sorted my issues - touch wood fingers crossed etc etc.

jogdish · 21-09-2018 8:22pm

@tedpan
Sorry to be the guy replying to himself, but did a second test with the Air again this evening. Pretty much as my last post - fingers crossed my yaw drift and gimbal horizon issues seem to have been 'fixed' but using all four new props, not one new, three old. Didn't bother to video the test, but almost identical to the video above regarding the ongoing issues.
Any luck with yours @tedpan?

tedpan · 21-09-2018 9:26pm

jogdish wrote:

@tedpan Sorry to be the guy replying to himself, but did a second test with the Air again this evening. Pretty much as my last post - fingers crossed my yaw drift and gimbal horizon issues seem to have been 'fixed' but using all four new props, not one new, three old. Didn't bother to video the test, but almost identical to the video above regarding the ongoing issues. Any luck with yours @tedpan?

Something is definitely not right with it, have you reset the gimbal or tried calibrating the compass? Mine seemed ok on the last flight although has done jittering like yours on descent. I don't have the horizon issue like yours though.

I'll bring it out tomorrow and let you know if I have any further issues.

tedpan · 30-09-2018 2:44pm

Yessss, new firmware is out. Will try to take for a test flight this afternoon

All things Mavic Air

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