The Mavic revolution: Why DJI's drones are reshaping the industry

I am writing this note to express my support for bringing back the Mavic. The Mavic was a popular line of drones produced by DJI, known for its compact size and high-quality camera capabilities. However, DJI has recently discontinued the Mavic series, which has left many users disappointed and searching for alternatives. One of the biggest reasons why the Mavic should be brought back is its portability. Unlike other drones on the market, the Mavic was easily foldable, making it convenient for travel and transportation. Whether you are a professional videographer or an amateur enthusiast, having a portable drone is essential, as it allows you to capture breathtaking aerial shots anywhere you go.

The C1 classification was important to me but again lack of research on my part. Didn't realise CAA were not recognising it. Maybe they will change their minds in the future.

Not only that, many drones are built with safety features that will force your drone to fly back to you when in a situation that puts your drone in potential danger. Both to avoid having Return To Home automatically kick in and also to ensure your drone comes correctly to it s home point, ensure you have solid GPS before you fly your drone.

Whether you are a professional videographer or an amateur enthusiast, having a portable drone is essential, as it allows you to capture breathtaking aerial shots anywhere you go. Furthermore, the Mavic was praised for its camera capabilities. With its advanced stabilization technology and high-resolution camera, it was able to capture stunning, cinematic footage.

Keep or return Air 3.

Hi. First ever post. So I just bought an Air 3. Got it yesterday. So far I've just updated the firmware. The last drone I had was a Mavic 2 zoom. Sold that nearly 2 years ago. Logged a lot of hours on it so have some experience with that size of drone. Anyway I've been wanting to get back into it again and with the release of the air 3 I thought now would be a good time to jump in.

Rather than doing research I just bought it. Anyway I've now been doing some research and it just seems recreational flying of a drone in the UK is a massive ball ache. Looked into doing the A2 c of c qualification to help derestrict where I can fly and even that seems to be pretty useless. I actually never got hassle from anyone when I had the Mavic but my understanding is loads more folk complain now. In fact I rarely hear drones round my way anymore.

The air 3 is currently packed up ready to return. I had made my mind up earlier but as the day has worn on I'm now having doubts. Am I being defeatist? Is it so difficult flying a drone now? I'm a pilot by trade so love aviation obviously and always loved the perspective a drone gave me. Yes I know I could buy a mini 3 Pro but tbh I like the bigger drones and certain features they offer as well as the 3x zoom on the air 3.

Flipping eck what do I do lol. Cheers

Yorkshire_Pud

Well-Known Member

What sort of areas do you want to fly in? Town, suburbs, the back of beyond etc.?
If you have not yet opened the Air 3's packing don't until you decide what you are going to do.
Where did you buy it?

If you have opened the packaging, booted and perhaps bound the drone to care refresh etc. and if you return it, REMEMBER that you need to undo the binding otherwise some poor soul may end up with an expensive brick.

FLDave

Well-Known Member

So, it seems your main concern is the UK regulations regarding flying drones. If so, you either do what is necessary to comply or you don't,

old man mavic

Well-Known Member

@bmad786 firstly welcome to the forum
unfortunately since your last foray into the wonderful world of drones ,things have indeed moved on ,and to fly the Air 3 with less restrictive distances from all manner of things, now requires you to have the A2 C of C ,as someone who has flown the Mini 3 pro since its release ,it is actually a much more capable drone than many give it credit for, and as you have found out right now for UK flyers ,has very few restrictions on where it can be flown
personally my advice would be to return the Air3 and go for the Mini 3 pro ,and wait and see what the CAA come up with before the end of 2025 ,when its all going to change with regards to the open category if you believe what they say
go with what you heart feels its your decision good luck

bmad786

New Member

I fly mainly in the suburbs/ countryside. I have unbound the drone so it's ready to go back.

Regards the A2 qualification, I think I understand what it enables but is very confusing. If it allows me to fly within 50m of uninvolved persons and buildings, which I think it does, then tbh that's good enough for me. However watching a video about it today the host was basically saying the qualification isn't worth it now until the CAA give more clarity. Which might be years!!

Annoyingly I bought a mini 3 Pro a few months ago but the firmware just wouldn't update so I sent it back. Took it as a sign from the drone gods that maybe I shouldn't be buying one!

Must say I'm on the edge of opening it up again.

DARKSeifer

Well-Known Member

The Air 3 is certified as a C1 (just like th Mavic 3) so basically it can fly the same way as the

But idk how much the UK rules have drifted away from the core European drone rules.

old man mavic

Well-Known Member

bmad786

New Member

The C1 classification was important to me but again lack of research on my part. Didn't realise CAA were not recognising it. Maybe they will change their minds in the future.

PepperBird

Well-Known Member

So it doesn't matter which drone you get about the MIni 3 Pro. The RULES will be the same. If you want to fly drones your option is to get the certificate

It's not how fast or how far you fly; it's what you capture while you fly.
Air 3,
Mini 4 Pro,
Air 2S,
Mini 3 Pro

CJG

Well-Known Member

I mainly take landscape images, well away from anyone.

I try and fly early morning/late at night. Golden hour images and less likely to meet other people.

If I feel I might get too close to anything whilst flying, I use the Mini 3 Pro. I also use the Mini when hiking as much lighter than the Mavic 2

Richard R

Well-Known Member

I'm currently in the UK and have the luxury of owning both the Mavic 3 and Mini 3 Pro. I diligently stick to the rules so mostly fly the Mavic out and about away from everything and frankly that's where most of the beauty is anyway. I must tell you that Mini 3 pro is very capable and the images and video are excellent. The only issue I find is that it is rather sensitive to the wind but having said that the gimble does an outstanding job.

Part 107 sUAS
Mavic 3, Mini 3 Pro, RC PRO, Sony A7r3, Sony A72, Sony RX100 VI, GoPro 8, GoPro 11, Insta360 ONE RS 1-Inch 360

BigRed12

Member

Droning on and on.

Well-Known Member

I predict a Mini 3 Pro S (or some other designator) that mainly has the new Omnivision sensor that's in the A3, with a few other fluff changes (enable Precision Landing, higher framerates, other camera features on the A3) well before a Mini 4.

solidhouse

Well-Known Member

That is one of the few things I do not like about the Air 3. It is rather large for the Air series and not much smaller compared to the Mavic 3. It would have been nice if this were about 600 grams.

CJG

Well-Known Member

Do you know @BigRed12 what the Mini 4P is likely to have over and above the 3P? I’m certainly very happy with the 3P

tlyons

Well-Known Member

Hi. First ever post. So I just bought an Air 3. Got it yesterday. So far I've just updated the firmware. The last drone I had was a Mavic 2 zoom. Sold that nearly 2 years ago. Logged a lot of hours on it so have some experience with that size of drone. Anyway I've been wanting to get back into it again and with the release of the air 3 I thought now would be a good time to jump in.

Rather than doing research I just bought it. Anyway I've now been doing some research and it just seems recreational flying of a drone in the UK is a massive ball ache. Looked into doing the A2 c of c qualification to help derestrict where I can fly and even that seems to be pretty useless. I actually never got hassle from anyone when I had the Mavic but my understanding is loads more folk complain now. In fact I rarely hear drones round my way anymore.

The air 3 is currently packed up ready to return. I had made my mind up earlier but as the day has worn on I'm now having doubts. Am I being defeatist? Is it so difficult flying a drone now? I'm a pilot by trade so love aviation obviously and always loved the perspective a drone gave me. Yes I know I could buy a mini 3 Pro but tbh I like the bigger drones and certain features they offer as well as the 3x zoom on the air 3.

Flipping eck what do I do lol. Cheers

I am in the US but a few thoughts:
1. Only get your info from primary sources i.e. the UK government sites ending in co.uk not "somebody on the internet said." There's a wealth of inaccuracy here and other places. Here's one that says 250g or under means no flyer ID required but with a cam means you need an operator ID: https://register-drones.caa.co.uk/drone-code/getting-what-you-need-to-fly
Another that mentions fewer rules for Another that shows restricted areas: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1BktWMPYNuh6N5_IPngyq8jW80nAWXI8d&ll=51.800227372697336,-1.390067555299428&z=8

2. In the USA, which I think is similar, I have found the restrictions to be workable even in urban areas. There are a few exceptions (Washington DC, the coast near Los Angeles) Look at the maps and make a fact based decision.

3. The Mini 3 Pro has the same main sensor as the Air 3 and is a very decent craft. Since it is under 250g and less money, I would strongly consider it as an alternative. In practical use, it seems less steady in heavy winds but although it wobbles more the video is often times still quite good.

Good luck and don't let the nay sayers make you miss out on the fun.

solidhouse

Well-Known Member

I’m also in the US and they do not have the same restrictions.

I’m thinking why not just fly the Air 3 in the UK despite the regulations? Do the police there have remote ID scanners and do the police ever walk up to you while flying and ask to see the C1 certificate? What are the odds of getting caught?

Droning on and on.

Well-Known Member

The A3 has a much more advanced technology sensor that is the same size. Made by the same company.

The majority opinion is the newer Omnivision 1/1.3" sensor produces better results than to 1" 20MP sensor in the A2S. It's all over the reviews, and stunning examples posted here.

I would love to have this sensor in my Mini3P.

GadgetGuy

Well-Known Member

Hi. First ever post. So I just bought an Air 3. Got it yesterday. So far I've just updated the firmware. The last drone I had was a Mavic 2 zoom. Sold that nearly 2 years ago. Logged a lot of hours on it so have some experience with that size of drone. Anyway I've been wanting to get back into it again and with the release of the air 3 I thought now would be a good time to jump in.

Rather than doing research I just bought it. Anyway I've now been doing some research and it just seems recreational flying of a drone in the UK is a massive ball ache. Looked into doing the A2 c of c qualification to help derestrict where I can fly and even that seems to be pretty useless. I actually never got hassle from anyone when I had the Mavic but my understanding is loads more folk complain now. In fact I rarely hear drones round my way anymore.

The air 3 is currently packed up ready to return. I had made my mind up earlier but as the day has worn on I'm now having doubts. Am I being defeatist? Is it so difficult flying a drone now? I'm a pilot by trade so love aviation obviously and always loved the perspective a drone gave me. Yes I know I could buy a mini 3 Pro but tbh I like the bigger drones and certain features they offer as well as the 3x zoom on the air 3.

Flipping eck what do I do lol. Cheers

To your point, the Wild West of drone flying is over, and more and more regulations and restrictions are being imposed daily. With the loss of 10,000 Mavic 3's every month in Ukraine, it's clear that these drones can and are being actively weaponized for war and terrorism, and also indispensable for battlefield reconnaissance.

Many seasoned flyers have recently sold off all their drones. If I had to guess, I'd say the posting traffic on our forum is down to 10% of what it used to be! When I flew my first DJI drone in 2015, I figured we had maybe a year before the hobby would be regulated out of existence. It has taken 8 years, but the handwriting is on all the walls. Congress in the U.S. has banned all Chinese drones from any government use, and wants to prohibit all DJI drones from using any FCC bands for transmission and control! As they used to say, "Smoke 'em if you got 'em!" but don't plan on smoking any more after the pack is empty! Karens abound! Congress and DHS are determined to regulate all consumer drones out of the sky and out of existence. The UK and the EU are doing the same!

The only drone I would consider buying at this time is a Mini 3 Pro, which is temporarily registration free in the U.S., and also legally exempt from RID for recreational use. It is small enough that it poses no real threat, and is perceived as a toy rather than a weapon. It is also among the cheapest, so your financial investment and risk are minimized.

If you haven't already, take up golf! It's been around for over a hundred years, and will around for another hundred years. It is just as addictive, and will also drain your pocketbook annually, buying the latest and greatest driver every year for those extra 5-10 yards! Fore!

The air 3 is currently packed up ready to return. I had made my mind up earlier but as the day has worn on I'm now having doubts. Am I being defeatist? Is it so difficult flying a drone now? I'm a pilot by trade so love aviation obviously and always loved the perspective a drone gave me. Yes I know I could buy a mini 3 Pro but tbh I like the bigger drones and certain features they offer as well as the 3x zoom on the air 3.

This was particularly appealing to filmmakers and content creators who wanted to take their videos to the next level. Moreover, the Mavic had an excellent flight performance. It was equipped with obstacle avoidance sensors and intelligent flight modes, ensuring a safe and smooth flying experience. Whether you were a beginner or an experienced pilot, the Mavic offered a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls, making it accessible to all skill levels. The Mavic also had a competitive price point compared to other drones with similar specifications. This made it a popular choice for those who wanted a high-quality drone without breaking the bank. In conclusion, bringing back the Mavic would be a wise decision by DJI. Its portability, camera capabilities, flight performance, and affordability made it a favorite among drone enthusiasts. By reintroducing the Mavic, DJI would not only satisfy its existing customer base but also attract new users who have been left searching for a worthy alternative. The Mavic's unique features and capabilities are something that the drone market cannot afford to lose..

Reviews for "The return of the king: DJI's Mavic regains its throne in the drone world"

- Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Bring back the mavic". The storyline was weak and the characters were underdeveloped. I was expecting so much more from this film, especially considering all the hype surrounding it. Overall, it just fell flat for me and I wouldn't recommend it to others.

- John - 1 star - "Bring back the mavic" was a complete waste of time. The plot was nonsensical and the acting was subpar. It felt like the filmmakers were trying too hard to be edgy and ended up with a convoluted mess. I couldn't wait for it to be over and I would advise others to skip this one.

- Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Bring back the mavic" but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The pacing was off, the dialogue was cringe-worthy, and the ending was unsatisfying. The concept had potential, but it was poorly executed. I was left feeling disappointed and let down by this film.

- Mark - 2 stars - "Bring back the mavic" had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver. The acting was mediocre at best, and the plot lacked depth and originality. It felt like a cheap imitation of other, better films in the same genre. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this one.

Back by popular demand: DJI's Mavic drones make a comeback