DJI Mavic Pro Review
After GoPro withdrew their Karma drone due to technical difficulties, DJI Mavic Pro moves into the market with clear path ahead, as one of the most interesting consumer solutions of this type.
Since the drones are, at least commercial ones, still a segment of the industry that needs to come to life at the fullest, there is plenty room for improvement. Every technological and technical aspect of drones have more than enough “leeway” for advancements in capabilities.
Until recently, the focus was on camera, 4K resolution quite quickly came to order. Most recently the DJI, together with GoPro, which has now withdrawn its new Karma model drone due to technical difficulties, are going toward new trend of physical altering drones as we know them, with the aim to make them as convenient and easier to use.
Never seen format
First and foremost, Mavic received the most attention because of the fact that it is extremely compact and foldable. The four blades and arms can be completely folded against the body. You don’t even need them disassembled and leveled, it is enough to power the drone and it will immediately bring themselves “in order.”
For all setup to get it up and running you need literally less than 60 seconds, in addition to the small dimensions it makes Mavic extremely convenient to use.
For all setup to get it up and running you need literally less than 60 seconds, in addition to the small dimensions it makes Mavic extremely convenient to use.
Given that it is only a little larger than any men’s shoe, it’s ideal for a scenario where let’s say you go hiking or backpacking, you can easily take the drone out at any time, if you saw that there was something cool to shoot. Perhaps the most impressive fact is that along with battery Mavic weighs only 734 grams!
In addition to the drone, the controller also went through tremendous change and has nothing to do with the controllers that we have so far the opportunity to use as part of Phantom series.
And he became very compact and practical, folded it can actually fit on palm of the hand, and some of the switches and functions are still there. The novelty of the small screen is displaying some basic information like height and drone speed, distance from you, the battery status and the like.
DJI made it easier by connecting with a short microUSB cable and lighting cable – special channel is made on the side of the device that leads to the microUSB connector on the controller. If your mobile phone doesn’t have either one of these two types of connectors, there is an additional classic USB Type-A connector for connecting actually any supported device.
SMARTPHONE CONTROL ADDITION
What’s unique with Mavic, and above all practical, is that it can be controlled without the included controller. How? Simple, direct Wi-Fi connection that is supported by the drone.
Below the small cap with the microSD card you will find the switch that stands WiFi and RC (Radio Control). By switching to WiFi, you can directly connect smartphone and control your drone.
Of course, even though this may sound practical, in reality it is not. They are limiting the maximum length (approximately 80 m distance and 50 meters high), where you can control Mavic with smartphone. In addition, the drone then operates via touchscreen, which is not the most accurate when compared to analog controls.
Not that we complain of this addition, but it’s not very useful. One of the reasons why they implemented this way is that the DJI plans to sell Mavic without controllers, as the cheapest option for 700 to 750 US dollars. Mavic Pro bundle comes with extra batteries, bag, car charger and even the occasional accessory and will be sold for around 1200-1300 dollars.
Worthy big brothers
But what about the performance of the drone when it comes to cameras, and the battery? Mavic actually uses the same sensor as the the Phantom 4.
½, 23″ CMOS sensor Effective Pixels: 12,35 MPx and F / 2.2 28mm lens (35mm equivalent), 78.8 ° angle. The width of angle is really the only difference compared to the Phantom 4 where he has 94 ° 20mm (35mm equivalent) lens, with even larger aperture of F / 2.8.
Technical characteristics of the recording are also the same, we have the ability to shoot 4K in 30p or 60p in Full HD. Maximum video bitrate of 60 Mpbs, supports MP4 and MOV formats. Image resolution is 4000 x 3000 and it is possible to take pictures in JPG and RAW (DNG) format. Differences can be seen in dynamic range and sharpness, but nothing that can’t be leveled in post-production. Camera module is indeed physically much smaller, but that did not stop DJI to incorporate a 3-axis gimbal stabilizer, which is really a must have for drones.
DJI Mavic Pro 4K Video Sample
The range is about 7 km by US FCC. However, given that the EU has different regulations/laws (CE compliant) and frequency spectrum, it’s up to 4km, which is still an alot, and in practice unnecessary.
Battery for us lasted from minimum 22min and continue recording in 4K, which is not bad considering the declared 27min.
As for the controls, it is still very easy. The controls are extremely precise, drone is obedient on each input, and also uses cameras and sonar sensors for avoiding obstacles in front of you and automatically takes off and lands.
In slow mode, he can pull up to 64 km / h. Being slightly smaller dimensions, Mavic will be disturbed by a stronger wind, which in the extreme can affect battery life.
The battery on the controller is a bit disappointing, lasts about any 4-5 drone flights, but not surprising because it is far smaller battery compared to the Phantom 4 Remote.
From software side everything remained more or less the same. DJI Go application works superbly and we have no objections to it. They thought on everything.
It is extremely detailed and extensive, yet very simple to use and well segmented regarding different functions. For example, you can make a drone follow you by marking it on the screen, and then just practically you don’t have to do anything, and he will follow you.
Another novelty is the touch to focus, which actually must always be ON when you start recording because the objects will not be in focus. This is great in the context of still photos, but not so much during the recording. But, as they say, you can not win them all.
On the side of it, it is clear that DJI Mavic is drone technological pinnacle of its segment, it is also clear that all these pleasure costs, but strangely enough, no more than Phantom 4. Mavic Pro can be yours for little more than $ 1,000. This is actually a great offer since the quality of recordings is by side to 4 Phantom, and it is far more convenient and even more technologically advanced in some aspects.
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