# Your thoughts on the Mavic Mini **URL:** \ **Category:** General Drone Discussion\ **Created:** [15 November 2019 16:38 UTC](https://greyarro.ws/t/your-thoughts-on-the-mavic-mini/10913 "2019-11-15T16:38:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ianinlondon](https://greyarro.ws/user_avatar/greyarro.ws/ianinlondon/32/1240_2.png) [@ianinlondon](https://greyarro.ws/u/ianinlondon)\ **Post date:** [15 November 2019 16:38 UTC](https://greyarro.ws/t/your-thoughts-on-the-mavic-mini/10913/1 "2019-11-15T16:38:32Z")
So after 2 weeks waiting, some of us are now actually flying and trying the Mini out. Thought I’d fire up a new thread for actual opinons on it, as the ‘Waiting for it’ thread has passed 400 posts. Anyway, my thoughts? Lightweight to the point of flimsy; does the job; probably won’t handle wind very well and a barebones app with a fraction of the funcations. But good signal, flies steady and takes good photos and video. It’s half the Mavic Air, but it’s also half the price. So can’t complain too much… Ian [![](https://d1q8cepst0v8xp.cloudfront.net/original/3X/d/3/d382b91d2ecbb91a7fba8f1b8d407093b679e337.jpeg "DJI Mavic Mini: Build Quality, First Flight & Initial Thoughts - Worth the Money?") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPn9BdjusdA) ---
**Author:** ![PunchyPariah](https://greyarro.ws/user_avatar/greyarro.ws/punchypariah/32/18611_2.png) [@PunchyPariah](https://greyarro.ws/u/PunchyPariah)\ **Post date:** [15 November 2019 21:03 UTC](https://greyarro.ws/t/your-thoughts-on-the-mavic-mini/10913/2 "2019-11-15T21:03:17Z")
Great video as usual Ian. I’d watched your smooth camera settings video before my first Mavic Mini flight on Wednesday. I found some settings in DJI Fly under Control, scroll down to Gimbal and there’s a separate advanced link next to the heading on the right. I think it was in there, not sure, but there’s definitely a speed control for the gimbal as I set mine so that it slows down to a stop when rotating. ---
**Author:** ![ianinlondon](https://greyarro.ws/user_avatar/greyarro.ws/ianinlondon/32/1240_2.png) [@ianinlondon](https://greyarro.ws/u/ianinlondon)\ **Post date:** [15 November 2019 22:30 UTC](https://greyarro.ws/t/your-thoughts-on-the-mavic-mini/10913/3 "2019-11-15T22:30:49Z")
I’ll check that out. I thought it too bad to have no settings to change… Cheers again Ian. ---
**Author:** ![PingSpike](https://greyarro.ws/user_avatar/greyarro.ws/pingspike/32/7393_2.png) [@PingSpike](https://greyarro.ws/u/PingSpike)\ **Post date:** [20 November 2019 22:02 UTC](https://greyarro.ws/t/your-thoughts-on-the-mavic-mini/10913/4 "2019-11-20T22:02:39Z")
I posted some initial thoughts here: > [@DJI Mavic Mini (Fly As You Are)](https://greyarro.ws/t/dji-mavic-mini-fly-as-you-are/10387/366): > > Charging the world now confused Well, first thoughts? Fuck me it’s light… And those props feel REALLY flimsy. I tried test fitting the drone in my pocket and nearly snapped the props on the way out, definitely needs something around them in transit. I don’t appear to be able to charge the controller by passing through the charing hub, unless it charges the controller after the batteries are done - anyone confirm? Not impressed that everything fits in the supplied case except the UK charg… And now after a week or so of ownership and approx ten flights, and after having just read [the instruction manual](https://greyarro.ws/t/mavic-mini-manuals-pdf-downloads/10840), here’s some second thoughts 🙂 In no particular order… The RTH height resets to 15m on _every_ boot (PITA) yet the Max Alt and Max Distance values persist (PITA): ![21](https://d1q8cepst0v8xp.cloudfront.net/original/3X/1/2/1204366cb1d7ba42d0e7926542ee65f29a54a411.png) The [broadcasting of all your data to the world](https://greyarro.ws/t/dji-launching-an-app-to-allow-anyone-to-view-your-flight-info/10881) resets on every boot (`#FAIL`) It appears that you can cache maps. Initially I didn’t think you could, but this evening I spent some time panning and zooming all over my local area while the drone was powered up and connected. I then shut everything down and force-closed the app. Then switched to airplane mode and fired everything up again. I could still pan and zoom to my local area that I had cached. Zoomed waayyyyy out here, but it let me zoom right in no probs: ![48](https://d1q8cepst0v8xp.cloudfront.net/original/3X/8/1/81ac93e0480352a40529caaf0671ccc2554c62a1.png) The number of sats displaying in red / white is very inconsistent. Here we have 11 sats locked on, yet still showing red, with a caution: ![14](https://d1q8cepst0v8xp.cloudfront.net/original/3X/d/4/d470e54ef228a07846c83a4a01cf9522a04300ce.png) Now I have 8 sats locked on, yet good to go apparently 🤷‍♂️ ![46](https://d1q8cepst0v8xp.cloudfront.net/original/3X/6/f/6f8a96596fe77814fd67c6bb184f45899bb668b1.png) Is that important? See [this thread](https://greyarro.ws/t/the-importance-of-taking-off-with-a-decent-number-of-satellites/10994). There is NO option to unlock NFZ areas on the map. And if you go to [DJI FlySafe](https://www.dji.com/flysafe/self-unlock) you’ll see the Mini is not even listed 🤦‍♂️ It could come in the future I guess, but for now, you’re NOT taking off in those blue zones 😔 A few quickshot modes exist, sadly a 360° pano is not one of them ☹ The cable that connects the remote to the phone is _very_ thin and flimsy looking. I worry for it’s longevity. To the point where this evening I just ordered one of these as a just-in-case: [https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B071G5PGGT/](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B071G5PGGT/?tag=gadc0e-21) The batteries discharge after 10 days. There is no option to change this. Wasn’t this the case with the Mavic 2 on launch too? 🤔 Did they ever put an option in the GO4 app to change that? Having now read the manual, flying in temperatures between -5C to +5C it’s recommend to hover for a while after take off to warm the battery up a bit. The remote controller has a battery capacity of 2600 mAh and a maximum run time of 4.5 hours when using an iOS device. Android fans, cover your eyes 🙈 You guys can expect your Mavic Mini remote battery to only last 1 hour and 40 minutes 😱 I’m guessing this is due to the way Android devices handle USB charging? Either way, it’s one thing us Apple fanbois actually have over you guys, so I’m gonna milk that right here and now. > # 1hr 40mins 🤣 Moving on… As there is no physical sport mode switch on the side of the RC, you can press the RTH button once to cancel quick shots. Is this the case on the Mavic Air or Spark? I’m guessing you could also use this to exit Litchi missions in the future? Not sure if the Mini has Precision Landing? I only tried RTH once but didn’t pay much attention to where it actually landed. Has anyone tested PL properly? The manual recommends calibrating the compass if you’re more than 31 miles from your last flight, or if it’s been over 30 days since your last flight. WTF is that all about? 🤷‍♂️ I’ll try another update in a month or so after more “real world” use. At this stage, would I recommend the Mini? It’s actually pretty good, especially considering it’s size. It struggles in the wind, and it struggles with WiFi interference. If these are likely to affect you, I’d probably not recommend it. If those two factors are not an issue, then sure, why not? Especially as a first drone, it could be ideal. The major down side for me as an ‘advanced hobbyist’ is the simplicity and lack of features / control within the DJI Fly app (and a lack of RAW photos). But we knew that already, right? ---
**Author:** ![Sundowner](https://greyarro.ws/user_avatar/greyarro.ws/sundowner/32/18479_2.png) [@Sundowner](https://greyarro.ws/u/Sundowner)\ **Post date:** [20 November 2019 22:27 UTC](https://greyarro.ws/t/your-thoughts-on-the-mavic-mini/10913/5 "2019-11-20T22:27:31Z")
Overall I like the the mini. But being a total newbie to drones, I’d like to see 1) a proper manual for all the hardware stuff. Heck it’s got buttons on the antenna side but what are they for? 2) the mobile phone compatibility issue really needs addressing 3) a quick start tutorial/leaflet doesn’t quench my thirst for more in depth questions Only my 2p’s worth ---
**Author:** ![ianinlondon](https://greyarro.ws/user_avatar/greyarro.ws/ianinlondon/32/1240_2.png) [@ianinlondon](https://greyarro.ws/u/ianinlondon)\ **Post date:** [21 November 2019 15:57 UTC](https://greyarro.ws/t/your-thoughts-on-the-mavic-mini/10913/6 "2019-11-21T15:57:49Z")
@PingSpike Outstanding summary Rich. When I did the precision landed it was around 1 metre off. Off the table though… My RTH seems to be set to 30m. Will double check that this weekend. What do you mean by a boot (PITA)? What is a pita, apart from a tasty post-beer late night snack? Glad you IOS lot finally, finally, have a little bit of superior functionality to enjoy; will be especially useful if you get those 4th, 5th and 6th batteries. 🤠 ---
**Author:** ![macspite](https://greyarro.ws/user_avatar/greyarro.ws/macspite/32/15317_2.png) [@macspite](https://greyarro.ws/u/macspite)\ **Post date:** [21 November 2019 16:08 UTC](https://greyarro.ws/t/your-thoughts-on-the-mavic-mini/10913/7 "2019-11-21T16:08:06Z")
PITA is an FLA - four letter acronym - referring to, for example, the writer of the National Trust bye-laws, the bloke down the pub who insists all drones should be banned or a GADC member who writes a smart-arse answer to a simple question 🙂 A Pain In The Arse ---
**Author:** ![ianinlondon](https://greyarro.ws/user_avatar/greyarro.ws/ianinlondon/32/1240_2.png) [@ianinlondon](https://greyarro.ws/u/ianinlondon)\ **Post date:** [21 November 2019 16:09 UTC](https://greyarro.ws/t/your-thoughts-on-the-mavic-mini/10913/8 "2019-11-21T16:09:57Z")
Aha! Cheers! Especially for the very last sentence, as was still lost until that point 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![ianinlondon](https://greyarro.ws/user_avatar/greyarro.ws/ianinlondon/32/1240_2.png) [@ianinlondon](https://greyarro.ws/u/ianinlondon)\ **Post date:** [21 November 2019 16:13 UTC](https://greyarro.ws/t/your-thoughts-on-the-mavic-mini/10913/9 "2019-11-21T16:13:12Z")
And whilst we’re on it, I did a full throttle non-stop flight in P-Mode going round and round just to see how much a high speed flight eats into your battery. Quite a bit, but it’s still impressive I think… (Spoiler / click-saver: 19 mins 😀 ) [![](https://d1q8cepst0v8xp.cloudfront.net/original/3X/3/9/39d2c66190581daf104ef0c2b12e3bbb8d556d9b.jpeg "DJI Mavic Mini: Continuous Full Throttle Distance & Flight Time Test") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InTOYI2dRb0) ---
**Author:** ![Sundowner](https://greyarro.ws/user_avatar/greyarro.ws/sundowner/32/18479_2.png) [@Sundowner](https://greyarro.ws/u/Sundowner)\ **Post date:** [22 November 2019 23:26 UTC](https://greyarro.ws/t/your-thoughts-on-the-mavic-mini/10913/12 "2019-11-22T23:26:26Z")
3rd time today I had the mini out. Since I’m a total beginner in the world of drones, let me just say that, after a few hiccups (of my own making) I have now a really good drone (the only one 3ver!!). Having overcome initial probs with sd card, mobile phone issues and finally reading some of the proper manual, I went out this morning and paid 20 quid for a Sandisk Extreme card and bingo, it all went well and I’m falling for this drone thing big style!! Will put my 3rd (recorded) flight into drone video section just now. Back to the manual tomorrow morning to check out the circle and helix functions. Thanks to all of you for all the help and advice given so far!! Also have to go get 2 more batteries and this charger hub thingy. (Should have bought the combo in the first place!!) ---
**Author:** ![PunchyPariah](https://greyarro.ws/user_avatar/greyarro.ws/punchypariah/32/18611_2.png) [@PunchyPariah](https://greyarro.ws/u/PunchyPariah)\ **Post date:** [23 November 2019 08:49 UTC](https://greyarro.ws/t/your-thoughts-on-the-mavic-mini/10913/13 "2019-11-23T08:49:29Z")
The iOS version of the Fly app has had an update this morning which has addressed the 15m RTH altitude reset issue. 👍 ---
**Author:** ![PingSpike](https://greyarro.ws/user_avatar/greyarro.ws/pingspike/32/7393_2.png) [@PingSpike](https://greyarro.ws/u/PingSpike)\ **Post date:** [23 November 2019 08:51 UTC](https://greyarro.ws/t/your-thoughts-on-the-mavic-mini/10913/14 "2019-11-23T08:51:13Z")
Oh result! Thanks for the heads up 👍🏻 I wonder if it fixes the DroneID turning itself back on after each flight too? But then maybe GO4 does that? ---
**Author:** ![PingSpike](https://greyarro.ws/user_avatar/greyarro.ws/pingspike/32/7393_2.png) [@PingSpike](https://greyarro.ws/u/PingSpike)\ **Post date:** [23 November 2019 09:12 UTC](https://greyarro.ws/t/your-thoughts-on-the-mavic-mini/10913/15 "2019-11-23T09:12:22Z")
App updated to v1.0.3 will try to test today. Interesting that the Android version is still v1.0.1, wondering if this 15m RTH bug was only present in the iOS version 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![Steviegeek](https://greyarro.ws/user_avatar/greyarro.ws/steviegeek/32/18587_2.png) [@Steviegeek](https://greyarro.ws/u/Steviegeek)\ **Post date:** [29 November 2019 16:47 UTC](https://greyarro.ws/t/your-thoughts-on-the-mavic-mini/10913/17 "2019-11-29T16:47:03Z")
like your filming and the editing 👍👏👏 ---
**Author:** ![Sundowner](https://greyarro.ws/user_avatar/greyarro.ws/sundowner/32/18479_2.png) [@Sundowner](https://greyarro.ws/u/Sundowner)\ **Post date:** [29 November 2019 17:05 UTC](https://greyarro.ws/t/your-thoughts-on-the-mavic-mini/10913/19 "2019-11-29T17:05:59Z")
Love mine, totally!! Only time I’m leaving it at home is when it need charging (only 1 battery). Since I’m new to this, my videos are C-mode and deaf slow. But I’m just gonna keep practising!!! (Just put one of this morning into “videos by drone”) ---
**Author:** ![PunchyPariah](https://greyarro.ws/user_avatar/greyarro.ws/punchypariah/32/18611_2.png) [@PunchyPariah](https://greyarro.ws/u/PunchyPariah)\ **Post date:** [29 November 2019 17:14 UTC](https://greyarro.ws/t/your-thoughts-on-the-mavic-mini/10913/20 "2019-11-29T17:14:23Z")
This is great! I saw a YouTube vid a couple of days ago about the Mini manoeuvring through small spaces and I’m hoping to do some myself (once I get some flight confidence). ---
**Author:** ![Sundowner](https://greyarro.ws/user_avatar/greyarro.ws/sundowner/32/18479_2.png) [@Sundowner](https://greyarro.ws/u/Sundowner)\ **Post date:** [29 November 2019 17:23 UTC](https://greyarro.ws/t/your-thoughts-on-the-mavic-mini/10913/21 "2019-11-29T17:23:01Z")
When you have all that confidence PLEASE send me some of it? 😉😉 @PunchyPariah ---
**Author:** ![OzoneVibe](https://greyarro.ws/user_avatar/greyarro.ws/ozonevibe/32/12764_2.png) [@OzoneVibe](https://greyarro.ws/u/OzoneVibe)\ **Post date:** [29 November 2019 18:05 UTC](https://greyarro.ws/t/your-thoughts-on-the-mavic-mini/10913/22 "2019-11-29T18:05:46Z")
> [@PingSpike](#): > > App updated to v1.0.3 will try to test today. > > Interesting that the Android version is still v1.0.1 Android 1.0.3 released Nov 27. ---
**Author:** ![PingSpike](https://greyarro.ws/user_avatar/greyarro.ws/pingspike/32/7393_2.png) [@PingSpike](https://greyarro.ws/u/PingSpike)\ **Post date:** [29 November 2019 18:36 UTC](https://greyarro.ws/t/your-thoughts-on-the-mavic-mini/10913/23 "2019-11-29T18:36:11Z")
I was going to update [the Fly/GO5 thread](https://greyarro.ws/t/dji-fly-go5-app-v1-0-2-download-links/10816) yesterday, but couldn’t see that version on the Android store 🤷‍♂️ ---
**Author:** ![OzoneVibe](https://greyarro.ws/user_avatar/greyarro.ws/ozonevibe/32/12764_2.png) [@OzoneVibe](https://greyarro.ws/u/OzoneVibe)\ **Post date:** [29 November 2019 18:39 UTC](https://greyarro.ws/t/your-thoughts-on-the-mavic-mini/10913/24 "2019-11-29T18:39:33Z")
Same link … > > > DJI Fly is designed to help pilots fly drones with ease. > (DJI Fly is compatible with DJI Mini 2, Mavic Air 2, and Mavic Mini aircraft). > > What’s great about DJI Fly? > · Intuitive UI and expansive Camera View. > · Easy-to-follow Flight Tutorials to help you get started. > · New search function for discovering nearby Fly Spots and GEO zones. > · Advanced Editor platform with tools and templates for quickly editing and sharing work... [Next page](https://greyarro.ws/t/your-thoughts-on-the-mavic-mini/10913.md?page=2)