DJI Mini 4 Pro Drone questions

[EddieWalker]

At the bottom of the screen it says 4K. I touched it and it allowed me to switch to 1080. That video works a lot better on my computer. I'm hoping to post it tomorrow.

This is from my phone

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7384051049272741151

 

[LittleBill21]

most computers unless pretty modern don't handle 4k. keep it at 1080p

 

[LittleBill21]

Really good advice and this makes a *huge* difference in playback. This, on its own, might fix everything.

Also, you can easily investigate your existing computer to see if it is capable of accepting additional RAM memory modules, or if it will accept higher capacity memory modules in place of what is there now. Your computer should tell you how much memory it has. If you look up by model number you can find what the maximum memory capacity is.

A fairly inexpensive memory upgrade for your computer might be all that you need to make a bid difference. In most cases it is as simple as removing the cover from the computer and snapping in a new or additional memory module.

Beware of two simple issues if you do this upgrade-- 1) purchase the correct memory for your specific computer, and 2) be careful with static electricity. Memory "chips" and modules are static electricity sensitive. Even walking across a carpet can create static electricity harmful to memory modules. You can easily look up some simple precautions to make sure your memory upgrade is a success. A real simple thing is make sure you are well grounded when opening a computer or memory module package.

memory is generally not the issue with 4k, if he opens task manager, he will prolly see his cpu maxed out.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Controller to drone connectivity requires line of sight. So make sure not to fly where you lose line of sight.

I sure didn't know that. Farthest I've allowed mine to venture was 2 miles, according to the screen readout. I wonder what would happen if one lets the drone just keep going away? Would someone (not me!) give that a test?

 

[LittleBill21]

I sure didn't know that. Farthest I've allowed mine to venture was 2 miles, according to the screen readout. I wonder what would happen if one lets the drone just keep going away? Would someone (not me!) give that a test?

visual line of sight and rf line of sight are different things.

once the drone (dji at least) loses connection to the remote control. it initiates a "RTH" Return to home sequence and flies back to the home point. This is why its important to make sure the RTH point is locked to the correct point before venturing off and RTH altitude settings are correct.

 

[stumblinhorse]

I sure didn't know that. Farthest I've allowed mine to venture was 2 miles, according to the screen readout. I wonder what would happen if one lets the drone just keep going away? Would someone (not me!) give that a test?

Lots of YouTube videos that test this to watch. Most generally run out of battery before range. Spoiler alert, most are 4-5 miles for the max.

 

[LittleBill21]

Lots of YouTube videos that test this to watch. Most generally run out of battery before range. Spoiler alert, most are 4-5 miles for the max.

I have had my air 2s at 10.8 miles.

 

[scootr]

Drone flight requires an FAA license. It's not hard to get. Apply online and put the FAA number on your drone.

https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/register_drone

 

[bdhsfz6]

Drone flight requires an FAA license. It's not hard to get. Apply online and put the FAA number on your drone.

https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/register_drone

Only if they weigh more than 250 grams (.55#) or used for commercial purposes.

 

[scootr]

Only if they weigh more than 250 grams (.55#) and not used for commercial purposes.

right, 1/2 pound

 

[EddieWalker]

The Mini 4 weighs 249 grams. I bet they put a lot of effort to get it under 250!!!!

 

[John0829]

I sure didn't know that. Farthest I've allowed mine to venture was 2 miles, according to the screen readout. I wonder what would happen if one lets the drone just keep going away? Would someone (not me!) give that a test?

When mine gets to the point it looses connection it scratches it's watch and winds it's butt then heads for home. However in reality mine will not go any further away than it can make it back, somehow it computes battery power and distance from home to make it back. I have even had it give me high wind warnings and warn it was time to head back home.

 

[stumblinhorse]

I have had my air 2s at 10.8 miles.

And made it back? Wow. I hate to get more than 40% battery drained before I start heading it back. For me in a straight line it can go 3-4 miles away before I turn back at 40% battery. I am at 8k above sea level.

 

[Sprinkler Fitter]

When mine gets to the point it looses connection it scratches it's watch and winds it's butt then heads for home. However in reality mine will not go any further away than it can make it back, somehow it computes battery power and distance from home to make it back. I have even had it give me high wind warnings and warn it was time to head back home.

My mini will tell me if it’s too windy to return to home

 

[LittleBill21]

And made it back? Wow. I hate to get more than 40% battery drained before I start heading it back. For me in a straight line it can go 3-4 miles away before I turn back at 40% battery. I am at 8k above sea level.

Yes i could have gone farther. my drone has 3 modes tripod normal and sport, although it may seem counterintuitive the long distance runs are actually done on the slowest mode. gives the best efficiency

 

[Rock Crawler]

I think my DJI Mini-Pro 3 flies at about 35mph, 11 mile range and 400' ceiling. I'm afraid to let it go out to 11 miles though - last time I got a "Internet Connection Lost" comment on the screen. Fortunately the drone was smart enough to go into Return To Home mode, so all the fear was for naught

Longer lasting batteries would sure be a plus. Maybe litium batteries are forthcoming?

Does yours stop at 400’? My mini will go higher than 400’

I sure didn't know that. Farthest I've allowed mine to venture was 2 miles, according to the screen readout. I wonder what would happen if one lets the drone just keep going away? Would someone (not me!) give that a test?

I have had my air 2s at 10.8 miles.

And made it back? Wow. I hate to get more than 40% battery drained before I start heading it back. For me in a straight line it can go 3-4 miles away before I turn back at 40% battery. I am at 8k above sea level.

So, this is a problem with aerial camera platforms (drones) and uneducated users. And this is why the federal government will continue to apply more and more counter measures to the devices. You are not permitted above 400' above ground level, unless over a structure, then it is 400' above that structure.

You are not ever permitted outside of your view, this means you can actually see the drone. Not that you can see the horizon and know that the drone is out there somewhere, you are required by federal law to have it in sight, able to actually see the machine. And people flying a mile away, 5 miles away and more are far, far beyond visual sight. You might be able to see it at a half mile, even that is doubtful. I know, screw the man and his rules. But the rules will keep adjusting upwards and software and hardware will be forced to get more intrusive as people continue to break the laws provided.

I've been playing with these things since the introduction of the original AR Drone, before there were any federal laws and before you had these long distance machines. I have watched the progress of the federal intrusion and always tried to be a strong advocate for responsible use of these machines that would minimize the need for additional federal rules and also minimize the push for things like drone ID and geofence software. But the world of uneducated users has kept the government in a position where they are being forced to keep adding more and more controls and limitations in an attempt to get ahead of the ignorance.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Has anyone used this DJI mini4 in a geofenced area? If so, how does it react. I live within 5 miles of a small airport and my brother was not able to get his DJI drone (not a mini4) off the ground.

Others have reported they can fly to up to 400' in a geofenced area but what DJI drone are they using?

 

[bdhsfz6]

When mine gets to the point it looses connection it scratches it's watch and winds it's butt then heads for home. However in reality mine will not go any further away than it can make it back, somehow it computes battery power and distance from home to make it back. I have even had it give me high wind warnings and warn it was time to head back home.

When these drones return home, how precise is the landing spot. Can I fly one off my 14' x 20' elevated deck and have it land on the deck safely?

I've seen these drone "landing pads", do they help?:

Amazon.com

 

[EddieWalker]

I've been using the pad that came with the kit that I bought. When the drone is turned on, it figures out where it's at and you get a signal that it knows where "home" is.

In the half a dozen times that I've flown mine, it lands within a few inches of dead center, but so far, not exactly where it took off from.

Every time that I'm done flying around, I push the Return To Home button, and let it find it's way back and land.

I think the main reason to use the pad is to keep the blades from hitting the grass. If you take off from a solid surface, there isn't any need for the landing pad.

 

[LittleBill21]

When these drones return home, how precise is the landing spot. Can I fly one off my 14' x 20' elevated deck and have it land on the deck safely?

I've seen these drone "landing pads", do they help?:

View attachment 877054

Amazon.com

the pad does nothing but save the blades if there is high grass. you need to wait to make sure you have a high number of satellite locks and home set before leaving, this will insure the greatest rth accuracy.

But I have never had a reason to let it land itself. I just take over once I am ready