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Key Features
- 249 Grams, No Need to Register (See Below)
- Range Approximately 2.5 Miles
- Max Altitude 9,842 Feet (3,000 Meters) MSL
- Flight Time: Up to 30 minutes using the 2600 mAh Battery
- GPS + GLONASS
- 3-Axis Mechanical Gimbal
- 1/2.3″ CMOS
- 12 MP Camera
- 2.7KVideo @30 FPS
- Format: JPEG Photos /MP4 Videos
Included in the Box
- DJI Mavic Mini Quadcopter with Remote Controller
- Gimbal Protector
- Intelligent Flight Battery (1)
- Set of Spare Propellers with Screws (x1)
- Micro USB Cable
- RC cables (USB-C, micro USB, and Lightning connectors)
- Pair of Spare Control Sticks
- Philips Style Screwdriver
DJI Mavic Mini
Weighing in at about the same are your smartphone, the DJI Mavic Mini is ultra-portable and crazy small. This package comes ready to fly out of the box at 249 grams. Remember, anything over 250 grams must be registered. Registration is cheap, and as a Modeler (Click For More Info), you register once and receive a unique number that you can stick onto all of your drones. This can also help with the return of lost or flyaway drones also. For $5 you can register all of your recreational drones.
Exercise extreme caution with this statement. The 250-gram limit is based on your take-off weight. Your weight can change based on which accessories you may or may not have attached. Also, remember to follow all local and federal laws while flying.
Find Out More Information About Registering.
Rumor has it that registration will soon become mandatory. If you wait too long, you might be required to pass an online test before you can obtain one. Smart money says register now before they change it!
Dedicated Remote Controller
Compared to other Mavic Controllers, the Mavic Mini is a much simpler controller. When compared to my Mavic 2 Zoom controller, the Mavic Mini controller is a more simplified version using the familiar form factor. Minus a few buttons and digital screen, the size, feel, and build all feel about the same. Supports MicroUSB, USB-C, and Lightning connectors that are all conveniently included. Very much like the other Mavic Series controllers, there are foldable phone holders and removable thumbsticks for storage. A nice upgrade is the thumbsticks ‘click’ into its storage location. A bottom USB plug can be found for larger tablets but would require a longer USB OTG cable.
Unfortunately, the controller that comes with the Mavic Mini must be used. Much like the DJI Spark, this controller uses Enhanced WiFi frequencies to communicate. This allows for more reliable video feeds and further distances to be flown compared to the Spark. So as much of the same as it looks on the outside, the inside is definitely much different.
Intelligent Flight Battery
The Mavic Mini remote controller has a battery capacity of 2600 mAh. It takes about 120 minutes to fully charge with the DJI 18W USB charger or a little longer if you are using a power block.
Camera with Gimbal
Mavic Mini commands a powerful sensor, offering stunning 12.0MP aerial photos with extreme detail and 2.7K Quad HD videos. A three-axis motorized gimbal provides high camera stability and ensures the best footage possible. The new gimbal is a huge improvement over the Spark, which was only a 2-axis.
DJI Fly App
The DJI Fly app offers a simple and intuitive user experience, enabling you to create cinematic shots with just a few taps. It even has Flight Tutorial, a feature to help you get started with Mavic Mini quickly and safely. This is a simplified version of the DJI Go 4 that most of us have used in the past. Unfortunately, DJI has not added LAANC permissions into the Fly App so you cannot fly in any controlled airspace.
FPV Flights
Unfortunately, the Mavic Mini does not support Ocusync 2.0. This sadly means you cannot use the DJI FPV Goggles or the DJI Advanced RC. Once your phone is connected to the controller, you can beam exactly what the drone is seeing in real-time using the DJI Fly App for both Android and iOS.
Flight Modes
Flight Modes on any DJI model changes the way a drone can react to controlled inputs. These modes not only help keep their aircraft safe, but also help enhance the pilot’s ability to control their aircraft, capture video, and still images. These are important features all pilots should know and understand thoroughly.
Position Hold on the Mavic Mini does just as it sounds. Under normal circumstances, this is where most pilots prefer to fly. This will hold the Mini’s position using GPS and all its available sensors. The nicest part about this flight mode is if you were to lose your orientation, you would simply let go of the thumbsticks to instantly hover within a matter of seconds. You can then use the Return to Home (RTH) button to return to your departure location if necessary.
Sport Mode adds some excitement over your everyday flying. By increasing the available power and flight angles, you can have a more aggressive experience. Be warned and start slow, this will disable some of the safety functions.
Cinematic Mode allows the smoothest and most stable flights. Based on P-Mode with a few major differences. The first major difference you will notice is the slowing down of the braking speed of the aircraft. The yawing, or turning, speed is also decreased. By decreasing available inputs, any footage taken during this mode will be dramatically softer.
QuickShot
QuickShots are able to quickly capture video clips while flying preprogrammed flight patterns. By simply taping or drawing a box around your subject and select the predetermined flight path for your aircraft. Now all you need to do is monitor your flight path.
The following sub-modes are available:
Dronie: Your aircraft will fly up and back, much like a fadeaway while remaining fixed on your subject.
Rocket: While flying directly up, your aircraft camera will be looking straight down on the subject.
Helix: Your aircraft will circle your subject while flying upwards while circling with the camera facing it.
Circle: While circling your subject, your aircraft will keep the camera focused on your target.
Once your chosen QuickShot has been completed, your aircraft will return to the starting point unless it has been programmed differently by you.
Sensors
The DJI Mavic Mini does not have any of the obstacle avoidance sensors it’s larger counterparts do. Although, it does have a downward-vision-sensing system and GPS + GLONASS Sensors that can hold its current location both indoors and outdoors.
Pros
- Uses the DJI Fly App
- Camera Sensor Size Same as Mavic 2
- One Button Return to Home (RTH)
- Multiple Flight Modes
- HD First Person View Up To 4km Away
- GPS and Vision-Sensing Position Hold
- DIY Creative Kit (See Here on DJI.com)
Cons
- Must Use Included DJI Controller
- No Controller Display
- Single MicroUSB Cable to Charge Everything
- Geofencing without LAANC
- No Internal Memory
Is the Mavic Mini Meant For Me?
The DJI Mavic Mini has a great price point, many features of its larger brothers, along with the easy to pick up and go size. Somehow I doubt that you will win many photography awards with this model, but it will get you learning and be a great introduction without breaking the bank. The only feature that keeps the Mavic Mini being fully commercial grade is the camera itself. Most jobs and projects would probably require a higher quality result in the end.
I would have to classify the Mavic Mini as a recreation and YouTube/social media only drone. You might be able to have some commercial operations that require lower resolutions, but not what DJI was aiming for. This can be a learning device for any beginner drone pilot and aspiring photographer. Consider the DJI Mavic Mini a stepping stone into larger drones later down the road.
See More of the Mavic Mini on DJI.com
Mavic Mini: Fly More Combo
Unlike other Fly More Combos that DJI has offered in the past, the Mavic Mini is not an addon. The DJI Mavic Mini Fly More Combo is its own package that includes everything in the standard edition and more in one box.
If you were to price these out individually, these items would cost a significant amount more when buying them separately. I purchased the Mavic Mini Fly More Combo just for the batteries and charger alone, everything else was a bonus for me.
In Addition to the Mavic Mini Standard Kit
- Carrying bag
- Intelligent Flight Batteries (2)
- Set of Spare Propellers with Screws (x2)
- 18W USB Charging Hub with AC Adapter
- 360° Propeller Guard
Read About Other Past and Present DJI Models!!
