DJI Mini 3 – more than fun?

DJI has utilized us to the fact that it is worth waiting for further premieres. The fresh drones of the Chinese maker are eagerly awaited. Each model of the offer has different characteristics forming another part of the ecosystem of the flying machines. Before Christmas, the latest aircraft carrier boarded Geex DJI Mini 3That's why, despite the cold aura, we were eager to test.

The test equipment arrived in a suspiciously large package. As it turned out, it was wrong. After unpacking the box, it turns out we're gonna fly rich. The box features a full set of fly more combo, containing, in addition to the DJI Mini 3 drone itself, a set of 3 batteries with charger, spare propeller blades (including a screwdriver for installation), a fresh DJI RC controller (with built-in screen) and a set of essential USB cables. All packed in a classical nylon shoulder bag with compartments for all accessories. good to have a head start with Santa Claus...

Mini 3 makes a good impression at first glance. Despite filigree sizes, it is made carefully and solidly. Made of white/grey plastic, the drone, in a folded position, is placed in an open position. Hands. After being disassembled, it is based on six brackets; the 2 are an integral part of the hull, the 2 are the battery ending, and the last pair is an integral part of the front legs. This strategy ensures stableness during take-offs and landings, even in more hard terrain.

In the front there is simply a camera mounted with stabilized gimbal. The sensor has been mounted to guarantee that the image is recorded to a maximum extent. The body plan allows the camera to be directed at an angle of 90 degrees down and 60 degrees up (sic!). Especially this last 1 is not a typical solution in drones of this class. This is possible by redesigning the advanced body in Mini 3 Pro and regular Mini 3. In the first one, proximity sensors were spread to the sides, creating a natural clearance for the camera. In poorer Mini 3 in place of sensors, the maker installed cooling air intakes electronics.

Apart from the second drone itself, the controller is the key component. The test set included a DJI RC, a model with a built-in contact screen. The device makes a very good impression at first glance. It is large in hands and all manipulators are available and let for usage in gloves (except the screen, of course). DJI RC has implemented any large functionality.

Separate buttons for filming and taking photos and 2 knobs (one controls the zoom and the another allows you to conveniently control all functions even during complicated shots. In the bottom part of the controller there are depths for transporting the unscrewed bars, and 2 programmable buttons.

The sticks themselves are bolted to the controller before preparing for flight, as is the case with another DJI controllers. The advantage of the integrated controller is besides the uploaded standard software needed for flight. The only inconvenience is the request to connect the device to the WiFi network to access the Internet. This is essential to usage an interactive map during flight.

What would a drone be without decently selected batteries? In the fly more combo set we get 3 batteries with a very cool charger. The full creates a very compact box that connects to the power origin with USB C cable. This is simply a large solution for utilizing smartphone chargers or powerbank and battery charging in the field. To make it even nicer, both the charger and batteries have charge level indicators. This allows you to immediately measure how much power is left, and which link presently takes the "juice". Bravo DJI! A large plus for that solution!

At the end of the day, there's a tiny change. In the set we get the essential wiring and spare propellers. The latter, unfortunately, are bolted, alternatively than mounted on fast connectors as in more fancy models. Thus the replacement of the damaged component (with the usage of the screwdriver that is included in the set) will take a full 45 seconds longer.

The tested Mini 3 did not have easy. Despite the beautiful winter aura, he had to face very low temperatures. It can be said that the test has endured with dignity! - 11 degrees, of course, had an effect on the long-term flight. After utilizing a full battery, the application showed the suggested flight time of 27-29 minutes. By doing more dynamic maneuvers, I further shortened this time by another 2 minutes. It should besides be stressed that Mini did not gotta conflict with the wind during the flight, which additionally drains the amps.

DJI adjusts drone operators to a certain level of control culture. Comparing Mini 3 to Mavica 3 and Air 2S you can immediately see that the baby belongs to the same family. Preparation for take-off, working with the controller, or starting the drone looks virtually identical.

The flight itself is very pleasant. Mini 3 must be pulling off the ground and hanging waiting for the pilot's command. Feel his lightness and respond to the commands. In combination with a delicate controller, this gives a very cool effect. However, you gotta work with sticks. Otherwise, Mini 3 can get a small off the desired flight path. At least in the hands of a somewhat little advanced operator.

Importantly, despite the simplicity of the design, the drone was equipped with a satellite navigation receiver. The device works with GLONASS, GPS and GALILEO satellites. This allows us to know the position, velocity and altitude of the drone. In addition, erstwhile the controller is online, we can follow live data from the interactive DJI map. This allows you to check close prohibited or restricted zones.

Mini 3 will besides return to its starting point by itself with RTH mode. This will happen erstwhile the drone loses its connection to the controller (when you choice the appropriate option in the menu), or erstwhile you press the button that will run this function. It must be stressed here that Mini 3 is practically devoid of sensors detecting obstacles, so automatic return can be risky. Therefore, in the controller menu it is worth setting the flight ceiling in RTH mode over all possible obstacles.

Mini 3 unlike Mini 3 Pro, which premiered a fewer months ago, is almost completely devoid of collision informing sensors. The only exception is simply a tiny sensor in the bottom of the hull. It is utilized during landing. Additionally, it will halt the drone erstwhile it detects an obstacle under the body.

On the another hand, the lateral and advanced spheres stay unmonitored. That's why erstwhile you pilot Mini 3, you gotta do it carefully. However, this is not a large problem. With a mass of 249 g, the drone is truly agile. In addition, the wide positioning of rotors increases stableness in flight and during hang. I flew in open spaces and indoors. The quality of DJI solutions should be demonstrated that I am sending Mini 3 back intact. Despite a comparatively tiny raid, I safely conducted the drones through narrow corridors and bypassed close obstacles. Of course, it required focus, but it was not difficult.

Our small companion will do well in most recreational applications that came to mind. Thanks to the long-term flight, exceeding in good conditions of 30 minutes, you can send the small 1 rather far away. This is supported by OcuSync 2.0 radio connection, which supports 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz frequencies. This solution, known for its more advanced DJI drones, allows you to control and transmit the image in real time (in the case of Mini 3, the image is sent in 720p resolution).

The scope in the open could actually exceed 3000 m, while in the city, where there are many obstacles and sources of interference, it is actually limited to about 800 m. Of course, scope is affected by many factors: transmitter power, sources of interference, atmospheric conditions and battery capacity. It should be stressed here that in the European Union, according to the regulations, we can legally fly with a drone in sight (or with the aid of an observer).

In view of these limitations, there is inactive much to be allowed. Mini will work in virtually any environment. The small 1 endures a breeze of up to 38 km/h, allowing him to fly peacefully in the mountains and by the sea. Mini 3 is lightweight and agile, so you can safely fly close people and in restricted spaces. Lovers of wide panoramas will besides find something for themselves. The drone rises at 5 m/s and drops at 3.5 m/s. This allowed him to scope 120 m truly fast. However, we must be careful of inertia erstwhile climbing at full speed. After changing from “full power up” to “full power down”, the drone rose by a good 1.5 m.

According to the manufacturer's data, the maximum velocity is 58 km/h. Although I had no way of measuring, I can confirm that Mini 3 is moving fast. erstwhile the camera is switched to FPV mode, it can be played around an improvised obstacle track.

The main intent of Mini 3 is to evidence films and take aerial photos. And you gotta admit, the small guy's doing beautiful well. The basic version is equipped with a 12 MPix camera with a 1-1.3′′ CMOS matrix. The lens with an aperture of f/1.7 provides an angle of view of 82.1°. The sensor offers a two-level zoom that is adequate for ‘recreational’ purposes. The full was placed on a 3-axis stabilized gimbal.

The videos are recorded in 4K, 2160p, up to 30 fps, 2.7K, 1520p, up to 60 fps and FullHD, 1080p, up to 60 fps. The video is encoded in H.264 standard. Not bad for making vacation movies, though with more ambitious projects, those 30 frames per second in 4K might not be enough... Of course, it's a small worse erstwhile you fly at night. However, it is simply a drone designed to fly amateur alternatively than movie professional production.

On a bright day Mini 3 takes very cool photos with a resolution of 4000 x 3000 px. Files can be saved in JPEG, natural and DNG formats. A small more advanced Mini 3 features are missing Pro but in good conditions you can make both beautiful panoramas with a ceiling of 120 m above the ground and close-up objects. It is simply a pity that the matrix only provides 12 MP alternatively of 48 MP as is the case in Pro.

Interestingly, the software allows 2 camera settings. The first is classical horizontal filming (panoramic). You can besides turn the camera 90 degrees and movie vertically for social media. And of course, the large convenience for the creators is the ability to set the camera vertically down and at an angle of 60 degrees up!

The deficiency of sensors limits automatic functions, unlike the PRO version, the basic small 1 will unfortunately not follow the indicated object, which is simply a good feature erstwhile filming vacation materials. However, there are inactive fast shots and panorama modes available. But for something. For smaller money we get a cool sensor and the ability to compose on a microSD card with a capacity of up to 256 GB (the drone has no built-in memory).

According to European regulations, drones weighing little than 250 g do not require peculiar pilot privileges in Poland. Flight rules are governed by the civilian Aviation Authority (ULC). Lightest drones are subject to the ‘open’ category and subcategory ‘A1’. In short, they can be piloted by everyone, subject to prior registration on the ULC website. There is no request to pass any examinations, and there is no minimum pilot age (in the case of the subcategory ‘A3’ under which heavier drones are subject, you must be 16 and pass the test online).

What is crucial is compliance with respective basic rules. Fly with the drone in sight, keeping a maximum of 120 m. tiny children with a weight of little than 250 g can fly close people (excluding assemblies) so specified structures will be perfect for “amatist-vacation” use.

DJI Mini 3 is simply a plan that will be large on the journey. With 249 g, it can be utilized where heavier, professional drones are not allowed. Not only will it be allowed to fly without excessive formalities in most vacation destinations, but it will besides fit in a tiny bag or even in the pocket of trousers. In the European Union, younger pilots will besides be able to fly.

Mini 3 is simply a tiny drone to test on the journey. The Pro version is distinguished by the avoidance sensors, which are not in the basic version, and better optimization of the optical sensor. However, it has a greater appetite for electricity, making the regular Mini 3 a small longer than his fancy brother.

Looking at the DJI offer, I was wondering which Mini 3 to choose. Looking at the prices I would have a serious dilemma of what to choose Mini 3 Pro or larger Air 2S. On the another hand, the premiere Mini 3 in the basic version gave quite a few fun from flying. Light and agile drone that stabilizes the summertime and allows you to make cool amateur video materials. Plus a large controller, a battery set with a mobile charger. This all makes DJI Mini 3 an excellent companion on the journey. However, if I had to add 1 functionality to it, it would be a band that holds the full together in a folded position. Then the small guy was more useful to carry in his coat or pants pocket.

Bottom line: Mini 3 is simply a large traveling companion! If you think so, you can buy DJI Mini 3 At the x-kom store.