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DJI Mini 4 Pro

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Re: DJI Mini 4 Pro

#321

Post by prmoustache »

brentm wrote: post #74

I always look at these and think I want one but also can't think of what i'd actually use it for. I just picture it sitting in a closet next to my GoPro and Oculus after about 3 days of messing around. Anyone own one? What do you use it for?

Most owners buy one then realize: - they can't legally use them wherever they want them and there are finally very little areas you can really use them - they can't use them in FPV mode or without seeing the drone.

Then decide if they want to break or follow the law. Most people not wanting to break the law will let the drone collect dust after a handful of use, those that break the law will eventually lost it at some point or get bored.

I think the only people who really keep using them are travel vloggers and they have sometimes issues at border control and usually need to ask permissions and pay taxes to be able to fly and record stuff near a particular place. Usually they only get permission because they are well known and would boost tourism.

Re: DJI Mini 4 Pro

#322

Post by prmoustache »

GenerocUsername wrote: post #83
brentm wrote: post #74

I always look at these and think I want one but also can't think of what i'd actually use it for. I just picture it sitting in a closet next to my GoPro and Oculus after about 3 days of messing around. Anyone own one? What do you use it for?

I've had a Mini V1 since 2020 and here are my uses: * Fun Flights * Aerial photography of yard projects * Towing fishing lures way beyond furthest castable distance * Fireworks videos * Hiking Scouting * Surveillance drone ( Caught some motorbikers trespassing on property and tracked them back to house ) * Firewatch * Pester folks safely from patio

I am pretty sure you broke some laws in the process.

Re: DJI Mini 4 Pro

#324

Post by yakshaving_jgt »

miguelxt wrote: post #315
yakshaving_jgt wrote: post #310

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a Mini 3 Pro, and I’m quite happy with some of the videos I’ve made with it. Here’s my latest video: https://vimeo.com/860800214 And a couple more that I’m happy with: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CsMqtYXICju/?igshid=MWZjMTM2O... https://www.instagram.com/reel/Crss_afoG0a/?igshid=MWZjMTM2O...

Those are very nice shots, but... did you considered the local laws before flying them in city centers? From where I am (Spain) it's a big no no to fly one over any even sparsely populated area. It's forbidden (AKA requiring lots of permits) even if you are not flying over people (like in the Thames) or the drone is less than 250g.

Yes, I think it's important to consider and understand the laws wherever you happen to be flying. More importantly, one should fly responsibly regardless of the details of the law. Which is a bit like driving a car, or doing anything really.

In London, you need to have a drone license and be registered as a drone operator. I have both of those. You're meant to ask permission from the port authority to fly over the Thames, but I think more importantly, you're not allowed to fly drones west of Tower Bridge, which is why that video is shot from the east.

I don't think the rules of sensible drone operation are yet (if they ever can be) neatly codified as law, and I have also observed a significant mismatch between what's written and how those rules are enforced. Fortunately, laws written by governments aren't quite as black and white as laws in programming.

Re: DJI Mini 4 Pro

#325

Post by severus_snape »

palata wrote: post #257
GraceCat123 wrote: post #228

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are there any good US competitors recommend?

As a consumer, honestly, go for DJI. A few years ago, assuming you had been willing to pay more for something worse but for ideological reasons (like you would buy a Fairphone, I totally get that), I would have adviced for an Anafi. But now the Anafi AI and Anafi USA are a lot more expensive, that's not for consumers anymore IMHO. As a company, if you cannot go for DJI, then the alternatives to Mavic are Parrot Anafi…

Parrot (Anafi) is French

Re: DJI Mini 4 Pro

#327

Post by RhodesianHunter »

MichaelApproved wrote: post #165
noknownsender wrote: post #163

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I assume he means at the device level.

I did. Thanks!

I don't know how DJI works, but presumably it ships the video out to a service that you then log in to to view?

If so, it's on their servers and there's no "networking" you can do to know whether they forwarded it on from there.

Re: DJI Mini 4 Pro

#328

Post by eps »

ethbr1 wrote: post #268
hackernewds wrote: post #249

Earlier quoted context omitted.

what a strange argument to make

It's fair, but they've been working on improving the quality of their officers since 1904.

Don't know if you were attempting to make a joke, but Stalin purged the army of older, most qualified officers in the late 1930s, because they came from the pre-revolution times and were viewed as a loyalty risk. One of his biggest blunders that severely disadvantaged the country when the WW2 started.

Re: DJI Mini 4 Pro

#330

Post by serf »

palata wrote: post #259
ChrisMarshallNY wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It isn’t useful at all. Quite boring, frankly. I just realized the DJI that my friend has, is a mini. It’s small, but some of his hand-built ones are smaller.

> It’s small, but some of his hand-built ones are smaller. Aside from the size, how do his hand-built ones compare in terms of camera, gimbal, remote controller, radio, battery life, and potentially SDK?

from experience I know that the SDK and battery life are better on the mid-range DIY options/

Aftermarket remotes/radios are arguably better; just not as compact and conveniently set-up.

I can't comment on camera/gimbal.

There are DIY-ish units out there that are entirely controllable via your choice of language; i'm not sure if there is any SDK that rivals that flexibility.

all that said : I understand the DJI value proposition, but the company has practices that I try to avoid entirely in my life, regardless of how nice their drones are.

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