BIG ADVENTURE, SMALL DRONE
If you're considering purchasing a travel drone but need more convincing, you're in the right place. This article will give you insight into drones from our experience using them in different environments around the world. We won't bore you with the typical specs and information you can find anywhere. Instead, we hope to clarify any questions you may have and help you decide if buying this drone is the right decision.
If you have any questions we haven't answered below (or just want to say hi), feel free to DM us on Instagram or send us a note via our contact form.
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SIZE & WEIGHT
If you plan to travel with a drone (without a commercial license), you want to ensure that it fits the 249g weight limit. Not only will this give you more room in your luggage, but it will also ensure that you can fly it without any issues. Most countries allow recreational drone flying with units that are under 250g. However, it is important to note that some countries don't allow drones at all, so be sure to research the locations you're visiting and understand their local laws. Otherwise, they could confiscate your beloved eye in the sky and slap you with a massive fine.
The DJI Mini 3 or 4 Pro is an amazing drone that's super compact, lightweight and fits perfectly in a backpack. It weighs 249 grams and folds down to about the same dimensions as a standard iPhone, measuring 159mm x 203mm x 56mm when unfolded and 110mm x 68mm x 56mm when folded. It's made of high-strength composite material, making it durable and resistant to impacts, so you don't have to worry about it getting damaged on your travels.
CONTROLS & FLIGHT PERFORMANCE
If the DJI Mini 3 or 4 Pro is your first drone, it's good to know that it is incredibly user-friendly. DJI also has fantastic resources to help you start your pilot journey. It can be nerve-wracking to fly a drone for the first time, especially if you're planning to fly it over a cliff or out to sea; but that's what drones are for, right?
If you're feeling a bit anxious like we were, we recommend spending a little extra to get flyaway insurance. It is a little extra cost for a lot of peace of mind.
If you have the option, finding an open park or field away from obstacles like trees and houses and doing some safe test flights before taking your drone to more challenging environments is a good idea. This will give you a feel for how the drone responds and its speed in the three fight modes. Just like driving a car, it is important to get a feel for the drone and work on your muscle memory before trying to battle different weather conditions or work around obstacles.
One thing to learn is that the response time may be slightly slower depending on the distance from you or the transmission. It can become an issue with dodging obstacles, which is something we have personally experienced before. However, one of the great features of this drone, as opposed to some of the cheaper DJI models, is that it's equipped with several safety features, including obstacle avoidance, using sensors to detect obstacles and avoid collisions. The drone also has a return-to-home feature, which automatically returns the drone to its take-off point if it loses connections with the controller or if the battery is low. These safety features ensure that the drone is easy to operate and safe to use.
CAMERA QUALITY
Now let's talk about the camera. Does it take top-quality photos and videos? Well, the short answer is yes, it absolutely does. This drone is incredibly small and lightweight, yet it is a leader in its class in producing content for social media and YouTube. With a 4K at 60fps camera for filming and the ability to take high-quality pictures, this drone will meet all your photography and videography needs.
For video editing enthusiasts, the camera can take D-cinelike footage, which allows for a good amount of colour grading and editing control in post. It's not D-Log, but it's still amazing. We primarily use our drone footage for Instagram content, so the rotating 3-axis gimbal was a game changer. The DJI Mini 3 Pro has the ability to rotate the camera to record in portrait mode, allowing us to capture the perfect frame for social media without having to edit to fit.
If you have the budget, we recommend getting an ND kit or CPL filter for the drone. At the heights and angles you'll be shooting from, reflection (especially over water) and exposure can get tricky to manage. So, adding an extra bit of light control to your lens is incredibly helpful to ensure that you get that clean, crisp image without too much post-editing.
BATTERY LIFE
The DJI Mini 3 or 4 Pro has an impressive flight time. On average, we can fly our drone for around 25 minutes with full recording and speed. There is also an option to get a larger battery, adding the capability to fly for up to 46 minutes. However, this larger battery does put the weight of the drone over the 249g weight limit mentioned above, meaning it is no longer considered a recreational drone.
Having at least two batteries provides sufficient flight time to capture plenty of footage. The DJI batteries can be charged using a portable battery, or on a road trip, you can just plug it into the car's USB socket.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The DJI Mini 3 or 4 Pro is a pretty fantastic piece of tech. Sure, it may not give you the same quality footage as Hollywood, but let's be real, you don't need a drone with all the fancy features to showcase your amazing adventures.
We also understand that there are other DJI products on the market at a cheaper price point. However, if you're able to stretch your budget to get the Pro version, we highly recommend this as it comes with much better safety features and camera capabilities.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Be sure to research each country's flight rules before you go so you understand any restrictions that may be in place.
Do test flights before heading into the wild to get a feel for the drone and how it responds.
Get the DJI “Fly Away” Insurance. It will give you peace of mind!
Consider getting ND and or CPL Filters. It will help clean up your footage before post-production.
Invest in a second battery to ensure enough flight time to get all the great footage.
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