Quadrocopter portability comes to the fore today as consumers want to have drones that they could take anywhere. Compactness, as a rule, also means less functionality. Yet DJI's new Mavic Pro refutes this. In addition to being one of the most portable models on the market, it also offers an impressive range of operating modes. But can the compactness and functionality of the DJI Mavic Pro quadcopter coexist in the real world? The discussion and reviews of the owners are intended to clarify this issue.
Main characteristics
Undoubtedly, the most outstanding feature of the DJI Mavic Pro quadrocopter is customer reviews call it mobility. Designing the drone , the manufacturer returned to the drawing board, and this paid off. Instead of taking up a lot of space, the case with fixed brackets, a set of folding levers and propellers is used, which due to their configuration allow the model to fold into a neat small structure, the dimensions of which approximately correspond to a standard brick (but not the weight of the latter). Along with an ultra-compact control panel, this makes the Mavic one of the most portable drones ever made.
At the front, the quadrocopter is equipped with a 4K camera mounted on an ultra-compact 3-axis gimbal. This allows the device to capture video without lowering the resolution required for digital stabilization. In addition, the work of the drone is provided by the ActiveTrack and Optical Flow applications, which monitor surrounding objects and detect obstacles (respectively) using image analysis algorithms.
The flight parameters and its range are impressive. The manufacturer equipped the Mavic with the latest OcuSync video transmission system, which increases the range of the model to 6.5 km, and also increases the noise immunity. At short distances, the technology even allows you to broadcast a stream in a resolution of 1080 r with a photo and video transmission speed of 40 Mbps - this is an excellent indicator.
To top it all, Mavic Pro, supporting all Phantom 4 intelligent flight modes, such as Follow Me, home point, points of interest, point-to-point flight , pre-set course, tripod, fixed wing, etc., offers new terrain following modes terrain and control using gestures . The device is simply stuffed with functionality.
Build quality
The design of the quadcopter DJI Mavic Pro is beyond praise. This is a rugged little device with one of the most sophisticated cases that unmanned aerial vehicle users have ever encountered. After many falls, the model continues to work as if nothing had happened . The quadcopter reports the accident with a series of annoying beeps, but after a quick reboot, it forgets everything that has ever happened to it, returning to flights again and again. Of course, the drone will not be able to withstand a blow to a hard surface, but falling from 10 m onto the grass does not present a problem, which is confirmed by numerous reviews.
DJI Mavic Pro Design Review
The Chinese manufacturer deserves an award for this brilliant product. Although folding drones have been produced before, this model takes them to a whole new level. Thanks to a very smart hinge system, the brackets fold into a neat compact design, the dimensions of which are smaller than the average brick, which makes it easy to place the quadrocopter in the backpack and go on an adventure. The device will fit even in a handbag.
Another design element that all owners like is the portable control panel. This is not a simple smartphone application that forces the pilot to use virtual joysticks, and not a giant ground station, occupying half of the backpack - this is a thoughtful hybrid that offers the best of both options. In the assembled state, the controller is no more than a walkie-talkie, but after extending the antennas and installing the smartphone, a full-fledged control panel suddenly appears with a lot of telemetry data, an intuitive arrangement of organs and fantastic long-range action.
The only real design flaw that users were able to find was the assembly of a 3-axis gimbal. It is impressively compact, but held together by 4 small elastic bands that seem a little fragile. If one of them breaks , the camera will have problems with stabilization, and ultimately get a shaky video. The rest, according to reviews, DJI Mavic Pro is well assembled and designed for long work.
Battery life
Despite its compact form factor, the Mavic Pro has an impressive battery life and is actually capable of one of the longest flying quadcopters ever made. A little unusual is that the rotor system is optimized for moving in a straight line, so the drone remains in the air much longer, being in motion than hovering over one point. According to the manufacturer, the model can stay in tripod mode for 24 minutes, but thanks to its aerodynamic design, it remains in the air for 27 minutes if it “flies at an optimal speed for energy consumption”.
According to reviews of users who decided to check the manufacturer’s data, the hang test lasts exactly 23 minutes 19 seconds, which is not so far from the declared values. The average duration of flights at 100% battery charge before an emergency automatic landing due to a critical decrease in the energy reserve was 25 minutes. 6 sec This does not correspond to the declared 27 minutes, but it is worth mentioning that some sessions lasted more than 26 minutes. This confirms that movement increases the duration of stay in the air.
Reload time
In most cases, it takes about an hour to charge a DJI Mavic Pro battery that is discharged to 10%. A completely depleted battery (which is not normal, because the drone automatically lands before it reaches this state) is restored to 100% in 1 h. 15 min. So the user should expect a little more than an hour for each recharge session, which is not so bad for a battery that provides 25 minutes of flight . Nevertheless, it would be wise to purchase a spare battery if you plan to fly a lot.
Flight characteristics
DJI has surpassed itself in creating the Mavic Pro. In terms of flight performance, the model is one of the best that has ever been produced. Technically, the motors are inferior in power to those installed in the Phantom 4, but still the models manage to compare and in many cases even surpass their older brother in many ways.
Not the last ones are speed and maneuverability . On paper, the drone can accelerate to 64 km / h , but users indicate that in reality, under certain conditions, the device is capable of speeds of 82 km / h . With moderate winds, the DJI Mavic Pro quadcopter , according to reviews, overcomes the 100th distance in 5.3 seconds, which corresponds to 68 km / h. Although this figure varies depending on flight conditions, the Mavic is as fast and maneuverable as the Phantom 4.
Functionality
The quadcopter supports the same flight modes as the latest DJI Phantom models. The user can make Mavic circle in one place in the point of interest mode, fly along a predetermined route using reference points, accompany the pilot in the “Follow me” mode, and also configure the way to react to joystick control using the Course Lock and Home Lock commands. These modes more or less correspond to the capabilities of Phantom 4, but Mavic also offers following the terrain and gesture control.
In the first case, the quadrocopter uses a Downward Vision system that supports a certain distance to the ground. This is great for shooting on terrain that varies in height. On the other hand, the gesture control mode allows you to configure the camera, standing in front of it and waving your hands, and then take a selfie, using your fingers to indicate the frame of the frame. In principle, this makes it possible to make aesthetic self-portraits without a control panel in the frame.
Range of flight
This is one of the distinguishing features of DJI Mavic Pro. Reviews note the use of DJI's new video transmission technology, which increases the maximum distance between the controller and the aircraft and provides direct transmission of high -definition video from a distance of up to 7 km. However, this figure does not necessarily accurately reflect the distances that can be achieved in real conditions.
According to the owners, already at a distance of 3300 m the broadcast begins to interrupt, forcing to return the quadrocopter closer to the pilot. On the other hand, there are videos taken from a distance of more than 5200 m , when the signal began to be lost, and the quadrocopter automatically headed back. In any case, the flight range of the model will satisfy even the most demanding users.
DJI Mavic Pro Camera: review and reviews
The possibilities of capturing photo and video models are called by users impressive. Although the camera is smaller than the y Phantom 4, its characteristics are exactly the same. The image sensor allows you to shoot in cinematic resolution 4K and make 12.7- megapixel frames. Functions such as batch shooting and exposure bracketing are supported. The camera is mounted on a supercompact 3-axis gimbal, which ensures its stability during flight . Other collapsible quadrocopters like the Hover Camera Passport and Yuneec Breeze often lack this feature.
The only difference between Phantom and DJI Mavic Pro lenses is the overview. Reviews note its narrower angle in the compact model, equal to 79 °, compared with 94 ° of the more expensive option.
Software also plays an important role. Like his big brother, the quadrocopter uses MIIC Sport object tracking technology (ActiveTrack), as well as the Optical Flow system, which is used to detect obstacles and track the position of the drone during flight . Indoors, the aircraft uses an image recognition system.
Additions
In terms of accessories and retrofit options, DJI currently offers little for Mavic. These include branded virtual reality glasses DJI Goggles. In addition, you can purchase spare parts, a backpack for carrying and a special hub that allows you to charge up to 4 batteries at a time.
In order not to buy accessories separately, the manufacturer offers a ready-made kit. Set DJI Mavic Pro Combo, according to owners, for 18 000 p. It offers 2 additional batteries, 2 propellers, a car charger , an adapter for Power Bank, a hub and a shoulder bag. The functionality of the latter is good, because it contains the entire set, but it does not look very attractive. Reviews and reviews of the quadcopter DJI Mavic Pro Combo suggest that the backpack will not be able to accommodate additional chargers, but the hub allows you to charge up to 4 batteries at the same time and works both from the network and car adapter. Given the time of charge and flight , 3 batteries can provide almost continuous operation of the drone .
Modification DJI Mavic Pro Platinum reviews praise for increased up to 30 minutes flight time and 60 percent reduction in noise thanks to the new aerodynamic design of the propellers. It will cost an additional 6000 p.
Are there any better options?
When it comes to portable quadrocopters , DJI Mavic Pro, according to owners, is unparalleled. The GoPro Karma drone may be its closest alternative, but it cannot compare in speed , range, compactness or a variety of modes. The difference is that the GoPro camera can be detached and used separately, and that Karma has a wider ecosystem of compatible devices.
Other portable quadrocopters , like the Hover Camera Passport and Yuneec Breeze, are also portable and much cheaper than the Mavic ($ 500 and $ 600, respectively), but in terms of functionality they are far from the DJI device.
If portability is not so important, then Typhoon H Yuneec is a worthy competitor. It boasts many similar capabilities and is equipped with a 4K camera that rotates 360 °. And the fact that the quadrocopter can be controlled by two pilots makes it the best choice for amateur filmmakers who do not mind having it in a giant box.
How long will the support last?
Probably a few years or more. The manufacturer is constantly updating its products, and there is no reason to think that the Mavic Pro is something different. Firmware updates are received on a regular basis, and the manufacturer offers accessories and upgrades. Therefore (provided that the quadrocopter is not destroyed during operation), it must last quite a while.
Conclusion
According to the owners, the DJI Mavic Pro is the best drone that can be purchased for a little more than 58,000 rubles as of the end of October this year, 2017. Compared to the Phantom 4, it is cheaper and faster, has longer range, more flight modes and a superportable design.