How BAD is the DJI Mini 3 PRO Range? Signal Test vs Mini 2 & Mavic Mini
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- Опубліковано 23 сер 2024
- With people suggesting the range on the DJI Mini 3 PRO is falling short of expectation I decide to pit it using the new RC controller against the DJI Mini 2 and DJI Mavic Mini in a rural range test just to see which one would perform best and which has the strongest connection with less errors in a low interference area. fixing on a longer range 2.4ghz frequency should even things out but the results are far from equal! check out the video to see what happened
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To avoid confusion, After the last Mini 3 RC Firmware update the compass is not working correctly however I was of course pointing the controller to the drone at all times 👍🙂
Indeed. They always break something when the fix something 😩
Oddly someone posted on the DJI forum that pointing the controller to the sky with the back facing the drone improved signal. After trying it a few times it appears to work in rural situations and increased range of the mini3 almost 3000ft more than mini2 could manage. When changing between orientations it takes 5-10 seconds to update but seems to add one extra bar. Doesn’t make a lot of sense but I’m happy with the extra reach.
You're right there about it not making a lot of sense but I have to try that ! Should be quite fun to see what happens myself !
Bizarre isn't it
@@GAVINHR it is. I’ve tried it near housing where I would expect wifi interfence and it made no difference but rural it allowed me to go to 4 and I could have pushed on but I was concerned about having enough power. That was pre plus battery. :)
Great comparison Gavin, my FCC Mini 1 with a set of parayagi gets 5400m in a rural area, across an 8km wide valley. I took my FCC Mini 3 out yesterday in the same place and was able to get a touch over 5000m before loosing signal.
Agree I got a set of £50 ones made with copper with 5 bars on it and parabolic shields precision made and sold by a yorkshire bloke on eBay I get 1,200m (20mins walk distance) in a urban area at 90m height not 600 if lucky without them !
Hi Curtis, you know how well the Mavic mini does with a proper set of extenders but I figured it would put the cat amongst the
Pigeons so decided to leave the parayagis at home
That's a brilliant test Gavin, it shows even today the OG mini is still a great drone but you can see each generation of mini drone become stronger in all aspects, my last firmware all was good but now the compass has struggled even after the rc compass and drone compass being calibrated.. come on dji fix and leave it alone 😔 🙁.. thanks again Gavin for your time and effort you put in. 👏
Thanks Richard ! It was supposed to just be a bit of fun, truth is most of them will do perfectly fine but yes there are improvements to be seen! Especially picture quality
That was a very interesting video thank you for doing that I am new to drones and have a mini2 have learnt so much from your videos thank you for doing them
Brilliant idea. And very interesting and re assuring result. For a Mini 2 owners as myself
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great comparison 👌 good ol M2 soldiering on 👌🤣🤣👍 I’m glad I got the 2 instead of the 3, thanks Gav look forward to the next instalment mate 👍👍👏
Glad you enjoyed it ! Bit of light watching for a Sunday afternoon!
Good test gavin, thanks. The Mini 3's signal fluctuations seemed to con-incide with changes in direction? I guess the lack of legs hides the drone antennae in some situations. I'm quite happy with the results, I will stay within the 500m VLOS and all should be fine.
Love my mini 2 does everything I need and very strong signel now it has had some teething issues along the way. I did notice in that flight the mini 2 won on battery life at the beginning.
I took my mini 2 out the other day and I noticed that I was getting better range than I did before I done the updates. So much better now
Great test again. I have all 3 drones and I think I'm most happy with the 2 over all. I also use the new rc controller.
Many thanks for this I’m 100% sold on the M3 and smart controller
Thanks for the video Gavin, I live in the U.S and I fly mostly forested areas where there is no interference.
Should I use 2.4 gigahertz frequency with the mavic mini so that I can fly farther.
Thanks!
Oh wow, I did not expect the original Mavic Mini to perform so well. Great test mate.
Cheers Simon! To be honest I didn't go with the intention on making a video I was just cycling the batteries, got on site and thought... Hey this could make a good video! Hope you're well mate
@@GAVINHR Doing good thanks mate, just trying to stay alive in this heat lol. Yeah, the spontaneous videos are always fun! Hope you and yours are well too.
Great test for all three Gavin! I thought the mini 3 would walk it but the 2 looked very good! Thanks for sharing 👍
Thanks for this test! I have the mini and was upgrading to the mini 3 soon. I’m not the biggest fan of how fast the c mode is though. 😢
Have you updated this or any flight tests?
So, started controller in proximity to a large magnet. If you enter compass calibration it now correctly allows the compass dance. Not able to fly to test at moment.
Thanks for that Gavin - interesting comparison, especially looking at the different outputs from the sensors.
The things I noticed in this test were the amazing battery life of the Mini 3 and the pedestrian flying of the Mini. Signal strength was adequate for all three, IMO.
I quite like it to be fair re the speed of the mavic mini in C mode, I think the mini 2 and 3 are a bit too fast especially if you want to cry capture some slower moves etc but yes I totally agree all of them did ok enough ☺️
Just a thought, induce compass interference on Tx start up (rc Pro) then if it allows... Calibrate and see if it corrects the position error. I know mine did not calibrate after latest FW, as it did originally.
Comparisons of the best✌️😁👍
mine did well going around town last night from a high spot.
Hya Gavin,
As you may remember I live in Florida US and using the regular or the plus battery I get the same short results. I did a test after the latest updates here and it made a small difference in a longer good connection. I also did a launch, turn north on the drone but kept facing west with the Mini 3 RC and it got to about 1,000 feet and then got a 3 bar orange. I raised to 150 feet and it went back to 5 bars white. At 1,00 feet again back to 3 brs orange. I went up to 200 feet, back to white 5 bars. I went to 1,300 feet and back down to 2 bars orange, I then turned toward the drone facing north and went back to 5 bars white but the second I went further it turned back to 3 bars orange. I went to 1,600 feet then 2 bars orange. Flying up hiway 19 North the rnge over busineses and traffice lights it is not very good at all and I am on SPRING HILL, so the second I fly in any direction the land drops from here. Water runs away from my property in every compass direction. If I fly over the woods towards the Gulf of Mexico I may get to 1 miles but that is about it in a straight line at 500 feet up. I like the Mini 3 RC but it is certainly no distance flier. I really do not care as I have larger drones that do go much further but it is not necessary. I always said to friends if I have to fly very far to get to a location I might as well take the JeeP and go there first and then less wear & tear on the drone and not stand out in the heat flying there at 40 mph, when I can drive in A/C at 55 Mph. The mini 3 Pro is nice but is no long distance flier for me. Other wise it is a good drone for sure and I love it. No issues at all of any kind yet. I do loove the great 3 piece test you did and it shows the mini 2 flies as far as my Mavic pro 3 with Hasseelblad. The mini 1 I own will go as far as the Moni 3 Pro. I did make two well liked projects practicing them and here they are to see. Thank you for your work on these issues.
Ray C Florida
ua-cam.com/video/2qlW6LC8lJI/v-deo.html
Hyperlapse 1 Hernando County Hiway 19
ua-cam.com/video/uPBqiji0BEM/v-deo.html
Mastershot 1 Hernando County Hiway 19
Thanks Gavin.
Interesting to see how the drones connect to more satellites as they are newer. From M1 to M3.
They do indeed! For what good in the real world I don't know as all of them make it home safe and land about the same sort of spot but yes indeed, great observation!
Of course, The Mini 2 has the advantage of better antennas on the ends of the two forward arms. The Mini 2 controller also has external directional antennas...It's been mentioned before. Great test though mate...Why doesn't the Mini 3 Compass work properly?...BTW, the new Compass aiming option is great, just what I wanted...🤔😳😀😏😏😏😏🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Great comparison Gavin ! I haven't updated the mini 2 firmware in a while! I still have a firmware with the front LED bug but other than that no signal problem. Is the latest firmware stable on the mini 2?
In the maps area via the last big update I noticed that your indicator circle never turned green and the arrow was facing in the wrong direction. If you look at the mini 2 the circle is green. It’s working the right way
Because the mini 2 is using the RCN1 and my phone whereas the mini 3 is using the RC which DJI broke the compass after the last update
Good test, my range on the mini2 has been really good but it all depends where you're flying really.
Great signal strength on the Mini 2 and the Mini 3 Pro. Will the RC controller be also available for the Mini 2?
Impressive numbers for these 3 drones! Just looking at state of the old Mavic, I feel positive I'd be able to use the Mini 3Pro for quite a long time
Great test!! The reason why the mini 3 pro isn't as good as the mini 2 is because dji is starting to limit range in ce mode a lot now. Its really annoying and the reason that I bought the air 2s instead of the mini 3. I wish there was a way to go in fcc mode but at the end of the day we aren't allowed to fly farther than 500m according to easa rules so it doesn't really matter.
Thanks for the video 🙂Have you compared the range/signal strength of the Mini 3 when using the RC-N1 instead of the RC controller? Just wondering if one was better than the other?
Despite having the orange signal warnings, I do find that the Mini 3 has great range and will get lots of distance in the mean time. I have had up to 3km without a disconnect and that’s at only 40m above the ground.
I’m using the new RC and my compass is working perfectly. Have you reached out to DJI about your compass issue. I’m in the US but that shouldn’t make a difference, it should be working….
Hey GAVINHR what's the best extenders for the mini 1? Cheers!
Hi Gavin, excellent test! Can you do the range test in the same location using the Autel Nano+ ? I'd be really curious.
Test not even needed on that one - the autel will beat everything for connection trust me. I will one day do it as you requested but seriously the nano is brilliant
Nice safe test Gavin thank you.
I am still happy with my mavic mini i get about 2.5 kilometers in straight line 2.4 ghz channel 1 without extenders. I still think mini 3 doesnt worth the price especially for beginners on this hobby
I still really enjoy flying my Mavic mini, needed to cycle the batteries so thought I would do something productive eh! Thanks for watching
You are getting better capabilities than the Air 2 with the Mini 3. It isn't in anyway a replacement for the mini 1 or 2.
Thanks Gavin! Well done
Thank you very much!
Keith from across the pond
Are you having any compass issues with the mini3
Too many things going on there to reach any conclusion. Presumably your three are all in the CE crippled mode?
Nice👍🏻
is there a way we can increase range on our our.
HI G
I have uploaded the latest update as your video. I had no problems with this controller before, now as Nobby Green video I have compass problems.
It seems, as he said, its all over the place. if you try and calibrate the controller even before you move it as instructed, it states calibration done.
This is very dissapointing, as I wish I has not done the upgrade Also I am only now getting in Driffield about 1000ft range after this update. Do you have any comments on this, as you always are very good with your videos
Took my mini pro 3 out this morning crap signal orange at 600m
Nice informative test
On the Mini 3 Pro I'm seeing something strange on my flight data reported in AirdataUAV that fits with the experience you are sharing with us. If I look at the signal strength under sensors it remans 100% for the entire flight. But the display on the controller is often showing orange or red and this fits with many weak signal notifications on the Notifications tab. This is conflicting data but it all comes from the DJI Flight data files so what's going on? I can share the data if you like. Really value your opinion.
Hi David, I've actually seen it myself on my own flight where It shows orange / low bars but airdata reporting full signal, completely agree it's quite an odd going on isn't it!
Sure is, I look forward to your detective skills in action, haha. Love the channel Gavin, I live down south now but i'm an East Yorkshire boy from Hornsea and get up to the homeland 3 or 4 times a year. i want to get up their soon and fly Flamborough cliffs signal strength willing !
I for one have never accepted this point the controller at the drone conspiracy and believe it to be more of a grabbing at straws idea released by DJI. How many antennas out there in the real world are leaning at 30-45 degrees especially at the frequency being worked here. Output is generally concentric not directional and the controller certainly doesn’t emit a conical beam to control a missile lock.
G’day Gav,
Great review. I used to like the range I got with my mini 1 was always able to get excess of 1.5km (mind you we use FCC in Aust not CE). It’s was interesting to see that the mini 2 and mini 3 both ended at the same time, considering DJI specifications say the mini 3 should be able to get 14km. However I do believe (and I’ll stand by this), that there is a design flaw in mini 3 and until DJI change it the mini 3 will be handicapped by this. Unfortunately I can’t afford to get a mini 3 otherwise I would put my theory to the test. The design fault is in the design and placement of the antenna on the mini 3
I believe Gav stopped the two at the same time due to VLOS.
That's interesting to hear your thoughts on the Mini 3 design, are they readily available in Aus?
@@PBphotos I think it depends where you are buying it (Mini 3) from. Some places have them on back order whilst other places seem to have a supply of them. Unfortunately they range between $1200 and $1400 here in Australia and you can get the Air2S (basic model) for around $1600. So apart from the sub 250 ✅️ I don't really think they are value for $$
@@droningwesternaustralia yeah I understand that, I chose the Air 2s for its quality over the Mini 2 but haven't flown it much. The Mini 3 has been priced out of the reach of many hasn't it.
I think I'll bring the Mini 2 over to Aus when we travel in Nov.
@@PBphotos agree, the mini 3 has been outpriced for the masses. I lost my mini 1 into the water so I replaced it with the mini 2. Atleast I can still use my mini 1 extras on the mini 2
Gav the battery on the mini 3 was still showing nearly 38 at the end is that right mini 2 was under 20, What sz batt was in the mjni 3?
Hi Tony
At this stage I think it would have been the standard 249g battery but I don’t always take off with full batteries on drones if it’s only a short flight
I’ve tested my mini 3 and it becomes extremely hard to keep that green light on at that distance and it’s extremely sensitive to the slightest movement. But with out that I would lose signal with my drone a lot faster. It should be working. Do you know what’s wrong with your compass …
Is this response from you stating that I have won a prize. I’ve seen that some content creators have been having problems with people hacking their accounts.
Let me know if this message is coming from you
Great test bud ya i have both Mavic Mini and the Mini 2 both great drones i still fly them both equally and ya Mini 2 is a bit better as you may or not remember dont have the Mini 3 yet hopefully aug will be the day i buy it ,i mean darn it i got the ND filters for it so ya good vid Gavin
Hi Gavin, it is a nice test. But shouldn't it be best to test the same flights a couple of times? Comparing a single flight might be a bit unreliable since there can be different interferences each flight.
Also, is there a reason you stopped the test of the mini 2 and 3 at the same time? I was very curious which would reach the longest distance :)
Maybe such test is a bit time consuming so I do understand it's not that easy to just do. But if possible I would be very interested in such results. And I currently only have the mini 2 myself :)
50/50 on that first point,.most of my in-depth detailed tests always get repeated yes to ensure accuracy, however my feeling on this particular one is as it was more casual and just to see which one you could quickly grab out your bag and which one did best I felt it was appropriate to just give them each one shot, remember these flights are only a few minutes so no huge difference in any environmental changes enough to affect things.
Test was stopped at 1400m as basically I felt there has been enough on each flight to draw a reasonable conclusion 😊 I do lots more flights and testing that I ever show and if I really went to town with the right extender the Mavic mini would have done a much better job and performed better than the mini 3.
@@GAVINHR ok thanks for explaining, was just wondering. I'm especially interested in the difference out of the box of these things, but of course you have plenty of videos showing that.
@@habbol indeed, out of the box is pretty much what this video was about 😊
They threw too much junk into the mini 3, IMO. Mini 2 is perfect. Ive owned both, people are just trying to justify the 3 in thier heads after paying too much. Mini 2 FTW
Have to agree. Ironically all the things people was not interested in when I asked what features they wanted from the mini 3 people now suddenly think is the best ever. As you say self justification
Can't the same be said of Mini 2 owners trying to justify their "old" model still being relevant? The Mini 3 has a better camera, better controller (optional), better battery life, slightly better speed, better wind stability, obstacle avoidance (great for beginners and for active track/tracing), gimbal can move farther upwards for neat shots, better low-light video, better lens mounting system, supposedly quieter in-flight, true vertical video/photos (which I just learned is amazing for panoramas!), etc. I don't know...seems like a reasonable improvement to me. :)
Unless you live in a country where you can fly a micro drone BVLOS (like I do, lucky me hehe), this range argument seems pointless. You likely can't see the drone out past 1km anyhow.
@@Digitalfiendscom Fair enough -- Camera is better, the battery is _slighty_ better. Souposedly fimreware updates in the comming months will imporve the mini 3's range yadda- yadda
@@typ8723 Serious question (not egging you on): does the Mini 2 have 10-bit D-Cinelike shooting?
Aren’t you supposed to keep it in the green on the compass for the mini 3 ?
You are indeed but the compass is a bit broken at the moment
The 7 dislikes are from disappointed Mini 3 owners that sold their Mini 2.
Always the case ☺️
Can you really get 10KM? Fuck no that's egregious advertising....
But getting 3 or 4km on a wide open site and coming back? That's still super impressive
Yeah totally it's more then enough
Good old Mini 2...
I managed 4 km with the mini 2 until lost connection and that was over a city
Hello carful this is fake account tell you win the drone scams
Hello carful this is fake account tell you win the drone scams if you can report this fake account he copied Gavin logo
@@aam1364 gavin is going to get legal action by me in the next few days
Anyway, Mini 3 photo and video features destroy mini 2, so mini 3 still the best money/value option, you don't need to go couple of miles away that often, but you definitely need that brilliant quality which comes out of that small baby. And most likely dji will and some range via updates
Destroy is a bit harsh buddy 🤣. I wouldn't say that the fact the mini 3 costs twice as much that it offers 2 x the better quality 😉
Lets be honest mini2 still wins best bang for the buck, way cheaper then mini 3 and making amazing results.
Still a perfectly good drone the mini 2!
Go DJI Mavic Mini I, it's still a great little drone. I've had mine at 700m (without range extenders), and no problems! Cheers
Still like to use the old Mavic mini now and again!
@GAVINHR Hi Gavin, I received the following message from UA-cam, and I assume it is a scam message, although it does include your channel logo? If it's not a scam, can I have my free DJI Mavic Mini 3 Pro please? 🤣
Thanks for watching and commenting,You won 🙌 (2 DJI MINI 3 PRO )Inbox the above name to reedem your prize.
congratulations 🌟✨🎉🏆..
I received same scams 😃he ask me to pay $160 for shipping drone
Hi David this has been removed
Just get the fcc mod
Too right I did
@@djidroneadventures4059 with the rc or rcn1 ?
@@rcsbyrich3035 just the normal controller
Great tool is the FCC mode but sadly doesn't help those with the RC
@@GAVINHR I know there is a side load hack for it. People have used it. Bit have not seen it offered so maybe it's not an option yet for unofficial resale 🤣👌
I'm afraid the Mini 3 has the worst signal performance by a country mile.
Mini 2 a clear winner😉😂👍
I think mini 2 much better quality and you can put in your pocket no problem I had mine 3 didn’t like it to big and don’t think quality better than mini 2 and very ugly like 🐸 rang was very poor just camera is better nothing else if you select by pass you will crash it because no side sensor anyway bought again mini 2 with old software I fly 4 km from my house 120m up just if you buy don’t update drone software
🤟🏼🤝😎
Warning ⚠️
Gavin someone copy you logo and send message and tell you are win 2 dji mini 3 and ask send text via telegram which is your logo on it and ask to pay for postage for drone asking me to pay $160 to get your prize
Thanks for the heads up I have removed as many as I have seen