Tech Anyone got the DJI Mini 3 (DJI RC) ?

[CurrentlySober]

If so, what do you make of it? As simple to fly as they make it out to be, or a bit of a faff & fart about each time you use it?

I know the camera quality is excellent, and the light weight alleviates certain restrictions - But is it really as easy as they make it sound?

Just pull it out, send it up, fly about then hit 'Home' & it returns to you? Or is there a REAL learning curve?

Im mean, I wouldn't expect it to be 'self flying' & understand that some learning needs to take place... But how much?

Cheers!

[NakedWomenTime]

Don't have one but can't believe they're that difficult to fly, see:

https://youtu.be/_-7IM82kAlg

https://youtu.be/RvSjkLzcFbw

[Mr Pheer]

I have been flying RC since 1985, thousands of flights with planes and helicopters. I've built my own drones (we called them quadrotors before the media started this drone bullshit) and owned several from DJI, including the Phantom 3, Phantom 4, original Inspire, original Mavic, and now just fly a Mini 2.

Compared to plane or especially a heli, a drone takes zero experience to fly. For a pilot like me, drones are not fun and pretty boring. But if you're never flown anything before it's going to be a lot of fun and may even lead you to trying a plane later.

On the mini 3, you press a button and it takes off. You press a button and it lands. It uses GPS to hold itself in a static position. If you think it's getting out of control, let go of the sticks and it will hover in place. The wind hardly affects it (within reason, don't fly in 30mph winds obviously) and it's so easy to fly that my 8yr old grandson flies mine.

Most people with these cool mini drones just use them to take photos. You can literally fly to wherever you want, take your photos, and press return to home. The drone will fly back to you and land all by itself.

DJI has done a good job of making a complicated aircraft that is hardly controllable by itself and added GPS, motion sensors, and autopilot that is so good, they are almost idiot-proof.

[2MuchMark]

I bought the DJI Mini 1 when it came out about 3-4 years ago and love it. I fly it around here, across a river, our country place up north, etc. I get about 2km range out of it before the video cuts out.

I will probably order the DJI Mini 3 next week. A friend of mine got his about 3 weeks ago and loves it, and gets almost 8km range which is insane and really impressive.

[lezinterracial]

Mr Pheer said is all. I got a Mini 2 SE. Very easy to fly, take your hands of the sticks, and it just hovers in place. Great camera that zooms in and pans down. First flights are great, but it is boring as compared to flying FPV drones.

Check local laws and realize some people hate drones.

[CurrentlySober]

Originally Posted by Mr Pheer

I have been flying RC since 1985, thousands of flights with planes and helicopters. I've built my own drones (we called them quadrotors before the media started this drone bullshit) and owned several from DJI, including the Phantom 3, Phantom 4, original Inspire, original Mavic, and now just fly a Mini 2.

Compared to plane or especially a heli, a drone takes zero experience to fly. For a pilot like me, drones are not fun and pretty boring. But if you're never flown anything before it's going to be a lot of fun and may even lead you to trying a plane later.

On the mini 3, you press a button and it takes off. You press a button and it lands. It uses GPS to hold itself in a static position. If you think it's getting out of control, let go of the sticks and it will hover in place. The wind hardly affects it (within reason, don't fly in 30mph winds obviously) and it's so easy to fly that my 8yr old grandson flies mine.

Most people with these cool mini drones just use them to take photos. You can literally fly to wherever you want, take your photos, and press return to home. The drone will fly back to you and land all by itself.

DJI has done a good job of making a complicated aircraft that is hardly controllable by itself and added GPS, motion sensors, and autopilot that is so good, they are almost idiot-proof.

Originally Posted by 2MuchMark

I will probably order the DJI Mini 3 next week...

Originally Posted by lezinterracial

Mr Pheer said is all...

Thanks guys - I should have added that I'm really thinking of it to use as part of my youtube channel - In order to grab the occasional view from above - That's why I wanted to know how much of a learning curve there is - I'm not interested in flying it for the sake of flying it - Just to use it as a simple tool from time to time, without it being to much of a performance...


PS- Cheers for the links NakedWomenTime, but I'm always skeptical of these 'Look how good / easy it is!' videos from youtubers, when they all have an affiliate link for you to purchase the drone. I mean, they are hardly gonna say, 'Well its a bit tricky' when they wanna make a commish

[vdbucks]

Originally Posted by CurrentlySober

Thanks guys - I should have added that I'm really thinking of it to use as part of my youtube channel - In order to grab the occasional view from above - That's why I wanted to know how much of a learning curve there is - I'm not interested in flying it for the sake of flying it - Just to use it as a simple tool from time to time, without it being to much of a performance...


PS- Cheers for the links NakedWomenTime, but I'm always skeptical of these 'Look how good / easy it is!' videos from youtubers, when they all have an affiliate link for you to purchase the drone. I mean, they are hardly gonna say, 'Well its a bit tricky' when they wanna make a commish

I own both the DJI Mini 3 Pro and the Mini 4 Pro. Both are very easy to fly and very beginner friendly.

That being said, before you think about shooting drone footage for any commercial purpose (which especially includes youtube videos, monetized or not), make sure you get your part 107 certification, otherwise, the FAA will happily give you a hefty fine...

[NakedWomenTime]

Originally Posted by vdbucks

I own both the DJI Mini 3 Pro and the Mini 4 Pro. Both are very easy to fly and very beginner friendly.

That being said, before you think about shooting drone footage for any commercial purpose (which especially includes youtube videos, monetized or not), make sure you get your part 107 certification, otherwise, the FAA will happily give you a hefty fine...

He's in the UK so it's the Civil Aviation Authority and the rules are different:

https://register-drones.caa.co.uk/dr...re-you-can-fly

[NakedWomenTime]

Originally Posted by CurrentlySober

PS- Cheers for the links NakedWomenTime, but I'm always skeptical of these 'Look how good / easy it is!' videos from youtubers, when they all have an affiliate link for you to purchase the drone. I mean, they are hardly gonna say, 'Well its a bit tricky' when they wanna make a commish

I would have thought you would prefer a flying turd rather than a drone?

Anyway, I really don't think you will find it difficult, no more difficult than using a mobile phone say. Also, you will be able to fly over the local sewage works

[tfto]

Originally Posted by CurrentlySober

Thanks guys - I should have added that I'm really thinking of it to use as part of my youtube channel - In order to grab the occasional view from above - That's why I wanted to know how much of a learning curve there is - I'm not interested in flying it for the sake of flying it - Just to use it as a simple tool from time to time, without it being to much of a performance...

I have no idea what the laws are in the UK or wherever you are but, Here in the US, during COVID, the FAA was using YT to check if the videos posted on YT were from drone pilots who were FAA 107 Licensed. According to the FAA, if you make money using your drone (YT), you are a professional drone pilot. You may want to look into your laws about drones and, making money from your drone. I had to get a 107 license since I run a professional photography business as a side gig. I would say that you dont want to get in the middle of a shit storm but, look who I am talking to...lol

[CurrentlySober]

Originally Posted by tfto

I have no idea what the laws are in the UK or wherever you are but, Here in the US, during COVID, the FAA was using YT to check if the videos posted on YT were from drone pilots who were FAA 107 Licensed. According to the FAA, if you make money using your drone (YT), you are a professional drone pilot. You may want to look into your laws about drones and, making money from your drone. I had to get a 107 license since I run a professional photography business as a side gig. I would say that you dont want to get in the middle of a shit storm but, look who I am talking to...lol

Yeah, I'm all over the laws in the UK - Not gonna waste time trying to slide by...
Basically, for a 249kg drone, I need an 'Operators ID' This means I just have to register my drone and pay a fee of £10.33p per year. I then have to put my operators ID on my drone so it can be identified if found.

There is also a 'Flyers ID' which isn't mandatory for me, but just involves answering 40 random question, and getting 30 correct - This is simple & done online, and its extremely easy - I watched mock tests last night, and passed each time - Because the way its laid out, makes it hard to fail:

Example Question: Tom wants to fly his 249kg drone over a field where there are Boy Scouts camping. Should he???

A) Go over & tell the Scouts that they need to go away, & make camp elsewhere?
B) Shout Loudly at the Scouts, so the Scouts know what you are doing?
C) Fly at least 50meters away from the Scouts at all times, & do not fly directly over their camp?

Obvious stuff like that - So I'll take that test anyway - After all its free, and valid for 5 years!

Finally, insurance - Technically, I will need that, as I'm earning YouTube money from the footage, but that's something I'm happy to get anyway. Not only does it cover any compensation to others, should I have a mishap, but it also means they replace my drone f I crash it into a tree! Again, not big money at all - Ive been quoted £36.00 a year... So no issues there.

But yeah, Im taking it slowly and seriously. Perhaps I will offer my services out in the future - But for now, I'll just get used to flying it for my own videos

Also, plenty of time to sort stuff out - Not planning to purchase until after Xmas anyway, so when I get it, I'll be good to go, and fully legal.

Infact, I'll be 'over and above' legal if I take the silly multiple choice test. So all good

https://register-drones.caa.co.uk/individual

[lezinterracial]

if you are making money from youtube,
determine if you need a GVC.

Just look into the GVC
General Visual Line of Sight Certificate

Pay some refugees to go with you while you fly, put some Palestinian flags on it. Police will leave you alone.

[NakedWomenTime]

Originally Posted by CurrentlySober

Basically, for a 249kg drone

I think you mean 249g drone, I don't think you can buy 249kg drones!!

[CurrentlySober]

Originally Posted by NakedWomenTime

I think you mean 249g drone, I don't think you can buy 249kg drones!!

Quite right! Typo ! I'm 'Stones, Pounds & Ounces' - Cant get my head around the metric system!

[CurrentlySober]

Originally Posted by lezinterracial

if you are making money from youtube,
determine if you need a GVC.

Just look into the GVC
General Visual Line of Sight Certificate

Pay some refugees to go with you while you fly, put some Palestinian flags on it. Police will leave you alone.

Nope - Not for the drone I intend to fly...

& one of the questions in the test asks about what you can hang / carry beneath your drone - The answer is nothing at all - In my weight class and usage scenario that is

[shimmy2]

Sold my skydio2 now I just use hoverx1 for indoors and running walking slower closer shots less gear to carry in backpack

[CurrentlySober]

OK, so impatient fat fuck that I am, i decided i cunt waut 4 Xmas, so I've ordered one...

Got a bit trigger happy online, bought some accessories, and also ended up with the 'Pro' model instead of the basic!

Now, all I need 2 do is my 'Sorry, but it never arrived' trick, and turn on the waterworks and 'Bazinga' - Free Drone !

[CurrentlySober]

Woot Woot!

[lezinterracial]

Nice. I think you will like it.

With the gimbal on it. It is like a flying tripod.

[CurrentlySober]

Looking towards the Beach & Pier.



Looking towards the Docks & River.



Looking towards my old school.



2X Zoom from previous shooting location...

Yes, you were correct guys - Its really easy to use and simple to fly - Im already doing hand launches & landings - Cant wait for tomorrow, when there is virtually zero wind forecast!

(Yes, I know it deals extremely well with windy conditions, but where I am, right on the coast, its either fine to fly, or blowing a small gale with windspeeds that are unrealistic to fly in - Like 40mph etc)

[NakedWomenTime]

Some nice shots there. I hope you are enjoying your new hobby.

[candyflip]

No, because they're boring as fuck to fly.

I did get one of these though: