I’ve been really enjoying flying drones.
Mine was the dumbest — and least expensive — in the DJI line-up, the original Mini S.E.
Getting ready for hiking / cycling 2024, I bought a DJI Mini 4 Pro drone. (My old drone broke in Idaho.)
Click PLAY or watch samples on YouTube.
Now have the DJI RC-N2 controller with the built-in screen. No longer need to hook up my phone.
I got the full Fly More Kit which includes 3 batteries, charging hub, carrying case, and extras.
Not inexpensive at CAD $1500 including tax.
Of course buying a warranty is essential. I paid CAD $170 (USD $125) / 2 years. I can replace the drone carcass up to 3 times. But IF I lose the drone, no warranty coverage.
I bought some accessories, as well:
- BRDRC Mini 4 Pro ND64 Lens Filter CAD $25 (probably won’t use it)
- Lanyard Neck Strap for DJI Mini 4 Pro CAD $18
- STARTRC Propeller Holder CAD $16
I could have gone for the less expensive Mini 2, or Mini 3, but decided on the 4 for these features:
- 360 degree obstacle avoidance
- better low light video
- it has a built-in light, so I can see the drone in the sky at dusk or dawn
- vertical video in 4K
- more Quickshot options
Most importantly, super powerful Activetrack options. The drone will follow-me wherever I go, avoiding obstacles so I need not manually watch it every second.
Due to obstacle avoidance, I’ve not crashed the Mini 4 even once … aside from day 1 when I tried to catch it by hand incorrectly. Oops.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I’ll shoot video in 2024 with drone, iPhone, and Ace Pro Action Camera:
- 4K HDR / HDR, 60 or 30 fps automatic setting
Add-on
- SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO® microSD™ UHS-I Card
- replacement rubber prop holder
- controller bracket for my bike
- normally shoot in 4K 60 fps (unless only 30 fps available)
- slow motion mode is 4K 100 fps
- also possible is 1080p 200 fps
- normally shoot in HLG mode
- shoots vertical video in 4K (better than cropping)
- normally photos in JPEG and RAW both
- Quickshots are great
- Mastershots even better. About 2 minutes of different shots around a target.
- Hyperlapse is easy. Generate a few seconds of Timelapse footage.
- Activetrack will follow the target. 360 allows you to rotate around while moving.
- POI circles the target, while following
My guru is DC Rainmaker.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
NOTES:
I didn’t go for the Plus battery because the added weight takes it over the sub-250g weight
I was convinced to buy the more expensive Mini 4 by DC Rainmaker’s 2022 review.
If you are keeping track — I bought the DJI Spark at the beginning. Couldn’t get it off the ground. Traded to Kraig for a fantastic jacket.
During the pandemic, I bought 2 DJI Mini SE drones. Now discontinued. Less than CAD $1000 total for both including the Fly More kit.
Surprisingly durable. I crashed them dozens of times.
Rick McCharles 