Multirotor, multicopter and quadcopter discussion - The Drone thread

Dano · 13 Nov 2022 at 17:15

Typically about a minute before take off and the same after landing the entire Radio tower cleared for a few moments, I moved closer but by the time I got there (was on foot) the coverage was a fair bit thicker.

Klunt Bumskrint · 9 Dec 2022 at 19:40

So for years I thought about flying drones and didn't buy one as I assumed I'd use it for a week and get bored.

I bought a Mavic Mini from the MM a few months ago, love it and use it all the time. I can't stop thinking about getting a Mavic Mini 3 Pro but is there something else I should consider?

I like the mini as it's just less hassle flying where I want as it's sub 250, it's in my basket ready to go.

Bradmax57 · 9 Dec 2022 at 19:56

I’ve just gone from a mini 2 that I barely used to a mini 3 that I’ve used for 5 mins haha it’s great and I went for the rc version just seen there’s a pretty decent update which allows to download offline maps etc which will be good just been so busy recently I’ve not had the time and when I do it’s dark

Klunt Bumskrint · 9 Dec 2022 at 20:33

Found one site selling new for £900 with the fly more kit, RC controller and a bag. Just wondering if I should wait until after christmas to see if I can get a better deal, It's not like I'll use it a lot in December anyway, I did squeeze in a hour this morning though

Klunt Bumskrint · 9 Dec 2022 at 20:41

I think my main point about the mini 3 would be is there anything else that should be considered for that kind of money?

...and can anyone vouch for the extra money for the RC remote just so I don't have to mess about with my phone

Bradmax57 · 9 Dec 2022 at 21:39

Klunt Bumskrint said:
Found one site selling new for £900 with the fly more kit, RC controller and a bag. Just wondering if I should wait until after christmas to see if I can get a better deal, It's not like I'll use it a lot in December anyway, I did squeeze in a hour this morning though

I paid £680 for the drone with RC, from a well establised seller of refurbs on ebay, it was like new, even gave me the option for care refresh when I switched it on but I declined, battery had had 0 cycles aswell. I then bought a fly more kit for £110 from amazon warehouse "as new" which it was again both batteries 0 cycles so £790 all in for as good as new in my opinion, i'd definately say the RC controller is worth the money

EsaT · 10 Dec 2022 at 09:52

Klunt Bumskrint said:
Found one site selling new for £900 with the fly more kit, RC controller and a bag. Just wondering if I should wait until after christmas to see if I can get a better deal, It's not like I'll use it a lot in December anyway, I did squeeze in a hour this morning though

Mini 3 isn't old, so it isn't likely to get at least big discounts especially considering likely good sales.
(and no issue of stock piling up)
So any good current offer likely stays that for some time.

Klunt Bumskrint said:
I think my main point about the mini 3 would be is there anything else that should be considered for that kind of money?

...and can anyone vouch for the extra money for the RC remote just so I don't have to mess about with my phone

Especially in cold weather not having to do extra fiddling with phone is very good for convenience.
And for its serious lack of features RC-N1 dumbmote isn't even small...
Original Mavic serie remote is far more featured for less carrying/storage bulk.
And its telemetry display is nice back up in case of issues with phone/app/cable between phone and remote.

Haven't followed prices lately, but Air 2s might be around similar price level.
Being beefier drone, it should handle wind better.
But weight can be issue for flying.

Brexit really messed it for you, because in EASA countries up to 900 gram C1 drones can be flown under same A1 rules as Minis:

DJI begins issuing C1 labels to Mavic 3 drone pilots in Europe

Here's how Mavic 3 drone users can obtain a C1 class identification label from DJI under the new European drone regulations...

dronedj.com

(expect Air 2s to be next drone for C1 certificate)

Dano · 10 Dec 2022 at 09:59

It's worse now too, CAA released their AMC (acceptable means of compliance) document this week which now states that VLOS means you should be able to see (excluding the use of bino's etc) the orientation of the drone at all times without relying solely on telemetry, so mini drones that's well under the previous guidance of around 500m, likely to be under 100m unless you have better than 20/20 vision I suspect, though the AMC isn't legislation as such it is what will be used to consider if you were compliant. Geeksvana did highlight yesterday during a show that there were more than a few contradictions in the document though and has called for the CAA to fix it asap, he even went as far to suggest they withdraw it until it makes sense with itself at the very least.

Klunt Bumskrint · 10 Dec 2022 at 22:40

100m Sucks. Stupid rules always out to ruin the fun

aVdub · 11 Dec 2022 at 05:00

Klunt Bumskrint said:
100m Sucks. Stupid rules always out to ruin the fun

I'd rather blame it on the few stupid people that spoil it for those that are sensible, although the post above suggests, rather than states 100m

Columbo · 11 Dec 2022 at 10:21

Thinking of investing a drone and a used Mavic Mini 2 seems to be a reasonable entry point. I'm a old hobbyist photographer with some light video editing as well.
Having never even flown a drone before would a Mavic 2 mini be wise?

Klunt Bumskrint · 12 Dec 2022 at 13:19

Dano said:
It's worse now too, CAA released their AMC (acceptable means of compliance) document this week which now states that VLOS means you should be able to see (excluding the use of bino's etc) the orientation of the drone at all times without relying solely on telemetry, so mini drones that's well under the previous guidance of around 500m, likely to be under 100m unless you have better than 20/20 vision I suspect, though the AMC isn't legislation as such it is what will be used to consider if you were compliant. Geeksvana did highlight yesterday during a show that there were more than a few contradictions in the document though and has called for the CAA to fix it asap, he even went as far to suggest they withdraw it until it makes sense with itself at the very least.

I want to know if that's going to apply to sub 250 drones. If it does its going to make them a lot less attractive if you want to fly totally legally

Dano · 12 Dec 2022 at 21:17

Columbo said:
Thinking of investing a drone and a used Mavic Mini 2 seems to be a reasonable entry point. I'm a old hobbyist photographer with some light video editing as well.
Having never even flown a drone before would a Mavic 2 mini be wise?

Mini 2 would be perfect, should be cheap and has a great feature set though do check there is nothing missing that you really want.

Klunt Bumskrint said:
I want to know if that's going to apply to sub 250 drones. If it does its going to make them a lot less attractive if you want to fly totally legally

It applies to all drones, it's just another advisory that will get ignored as it's pretty unreasonable and has absolutely no justification for being so extreme.

shaank · 13 Dec 2022 at 01:32

Captured on a DJI Air 2S

Klunt Bumskrint · 13 Dec 2022 at 07:33

I like how at the start you don't know what you're looking at

Mavic Mini

Klunt Bumskrint · 15 Dec 2022 at 20:31

Delete

TheOtherOption · 5 Jan 2023 at 14:07

Wanting to clarify something in my mind - if I have a full qualification for my work drone use (got to do my PfCO to GVC conversion this year) can I rely on that to then fly my personal drone in the EU (Cyprus in this case) as long as I register in the UK and put the operator ID on the drone?

I have a Mavic pro platinum currently but am thinking about getting the Mavic 3 classic to replace it so would be in the <900g A1 category iirc.

Allicie · 20 Jan 2023 at 03:27

Klunt Bumskrint said:
So for years I thought about flying drones and didn't buy one as I assumed I'd use it for a week and get bored.

I bought a Mavic Mini from the MM a few months ago, love it and use it all the time. I can't stop thinking about getting a Mavic Mini 3 Pro but is there something else I should consider?

I like the mini as it's just less hassle flying where I want as it's sub 250, it's in my basket ready to go.

I also had this fear. Somehow I started taking photographs, and I lost the inspiration to shoot anything quickly enough. But I had the opportunity to try shooting a landscape with a drone, and it was cool. Then we modeled the map from drone footage, and this helped in our research. I was afraid that it might fly away, but this did not happen. Now sometimes I choose the time to shoot with a drone.
Have you bought Mavic Mini 3 Pro? How is it to you?

Klunt Bumskrint · 22 Jan 2023 at 10:24

Allicie said:
I also had this fear. Somehow I started taking photographs, and I lost the inspiration to shoot anything quickly enough. But I had the opportunity to try shooting a landscape with a drone, and it was cool. Then we modeled the map from drone footage, and this helped in our research. I was afraid that the drone might fly away, but this did not happen. Now sometimes I choose the time to shoot with a drone.
Have you bought Mavic Mini 3 Pro? How is it to you?

I did get the Mini 3 pro in the end and it's awesome. It's just a shame since I bought maybe a couple weeks before xmas, any free time I've had the weather has been raining or too cold for me! Been out a few times and just love it.

nicRob · 25 Feb 2023 at 14:27

Bought a Mini 3 today (Flymore kit), unexpected but deal was too good to miss (pricing mistake)! Now to sell the Mini 2....