Picked Up a Mini Over the weekend. My Thoughts.. Ugh ..

[harleymhs]

Hey Guys. This is just my opinion not knocking anyone who is loving their Mavic Mini : With that said ....
I currently own : DJI SPARK , DJI Mavic Pro 2 , Autel Evo ... I wanted to pick up a small capable drone to travel with ... I go to France a lot. The Spark takes great pics and the build quality is on point with DJI. BUT the connection issues are a pain and I don't trust it for a far away photo. That said I watched lots of you tube videos on the Mini and I was hoping DJI put the Spark Camera on the mini. Once I unboxed the Mini right away I felt it was Toyish. Charged it up and took it out Sunday morning.. Nice breeze and clear skies. The Mini handled the wind and the range was on point unlike the spark ... I was impressed... Once I started taking photos that's where this went south! 99% of the photos had lens flare! Now I see why everyone is selling lens hoods for the Mini! Went home and some you tubers said if you update the firmware the photos are better... Did that took it out again to the same parks and they got a bit better but they are horrific compared to the Spark Photos.
On to my other issues... Pain in the butt to put the gimbal cover on, Can't charge the batteries in the 3 battery hub and the remote at the same time, Damm little props are all over the place when putting the Mini back into the case.. All these I would of overlooked if the photos were the same quality as the Spark. Seem to me the Spark is the Winner for now..
Just my thoughts... The Mini is being returned today.. Hoping for a Mini with the Spark Camera and some forward avoidance sensor like the Spark..

 

[RogerDH]

It looks to me like your lens is smudged, or maybe still has the protective plastic film on it. I haven't seen any other Mini pics that look like that.

 

[Ranger]

Have you been able to look into the camera to check for condensation? It looks to me that there is haze over most of the lens (or sensor?). If there was a temperature change when you flew, it could be condensation or a dirty lens. The lower corners look sharp and clearer than the rest of the frame.

 

[Ben B]

Yes, that's not right. Check the camera. Compare it with my pic, quality seems fine to me.

 

[sbonev]

something is wrong with your camera, you sure you didn't fly with the protector. i never had such issues...here is sample photo from yesterday no editing



also you can charge the batteries in the hub and the remote at the same time, though not sure it is simultaneously. you plug in the charger in the power and connect the remote with usb from the hub, then you need to press the power button on the hub to activate it, once you see the lights on the RC flashing it started charging.

 

[Lastrexking]

Hoping for a Mini with the Spark Camera and some forward avoidance sensor like the Spark..

I don't own a Mini, so can't comment on the photos - but, it sounds to me like you want a........Spark?

 

[harleymhs]

It looks to me like your lens is smudged, or maybe still has the protective plastic film on it. I haven't seen any other Mini pics that look like that.

That was the 1st thing I checked when I got back home.. I also made sure there was no protective film on it . Lens was clean and no smudge or film.

 

[harleymhs]

I don't own a Mini, so can't comment on the photos - but, it sounds to me like you want a........Spark?

I own the spark and the photos are damm good from that little drone!

 

[harleymhs]

something is wrong with your camera, you sure you didn't fly with the protector. i never had such issues...here is sample photo from yesterday no editing
View attachment 95594


also you can charge the batteries in the hub and the remote at the same time, though not sure it is simultaneously. you plug in the charger in the power and connect the remote with usb from the hub, then you need to press the power button on the hub to activate it, once you see the lights on the RC flashing it started charging.

If mine looked like this I would of been very very happy! Was this shot on AUTO or Man mode ?

 

[harleymhs]

Have you been able to look into the camera to check for condensation? It looks to me that there is haze over most of the lens (or sensor?). If there was a temperature change when you flew, it could be condensation or a dirty lens. The lower corners look sharp and clearer than the rest of the frame.

LEns is clean from Smudges and condensation as well ...

 

[harleymhs]

Did anyone have a protective film on the lens when NEW ? I didnt see any ... I think the spark may of had one when new..

 

[pelagic_one]

...also you can charge the batteries in the hub and the remote at the same time, though not sure it is simultaneously...

I‘d agree with you that the OP’s pics are not a good representation of the pics I’ve taken on my Mini, nor others I’ve seen online. Further investigation on his Mini was needed, but it’s being returned today.

And no, the Mini’s charging hub does not charge the batteries simultaneously. The battery with the most charge is charged up first, presumably so you can get flying again sooner.

 

[harleymhs]

I‘d agree with you that the OP’s pics are not a good representation of the pics I’ve taken on my Mini, nor others I’ve seen online. Further investigation on his Mini is needed.

And no, the Mini’s charging hub does not charge the batteries simultaneously. The battery with the most charge is charged up first, presumably so you can get flying again sooner.

I know what the hub does, I was saying you cant charge the controller at the same time from the HUB when charging the 3 batteries.

 

[sbonev]

If mine looked like this I would of been very very happy! Was this shot on AUTO or Man mode ?

tbh not sure, i am switching between them, from the details i see it was on 1/800 shutter 100 iso, so definitely manual. But i have a lot of good shots in auto mode also, it doesn't matter actually, when i am lazy to play, with enough light, auto is perfect, sometimes better. due to quality of video feed sometimes i don't adjust well the settings in manual i think. but with low light always better manual and several exposure shots work charm for post production

 

[sbonev]

I know what the hub does, I was saying you cant charge the controller at the same time from the HUB when charging the 3 batteries.

you can, that is how i charge it...though it actually charges it first then it continues to charge batteries

 

[pelagic_one]

I was saying you cant charge the controller at the same time from the HUB when charging the 3 batteries.

I stand corrected in that I misread @sbonev ‘s post. And yes, I concur on the non simultaneous charging of the RC. I just charge the RC on its own.

 

[brettbrandon]

Did anyone have a protective film on the lens when NEW ? I didnt see any ... I think the spark may of had one when new..

There definately looks to be something wrong with the camera. I got a replacement Mavic 2 Pro that had a bad camera and thus another replacement. DJI's QC is not always the best. You said you were returning it. I would do that and try another one. Chances are the new one will be ok...

 

[RogerDH]

I‘d agree with you that the OP’s pics are not a good representation of the pics I’ve taken on my Mini, nor others I’ve seen online. Further investigation on his Mini was needed, but it’s being returned today.

And no, the Mini’s charging hub does not charge the batteries simultaneously. The battery with the most charge is charged up first, presumably so you can get flying again sooner.

If you're sure the outside of the lens is clean, then the problem is on the inside. I might try one more test before returning it, to make sure it wasn't condensation, but if it wasn't, then yes, I'd return it. However, since I haven't seen any other Mini pics that look like that, you might consider exchanging rather than getting a refund.

 

[harleymhs]

you can, that is how i charge it...though it actually charges it first then it continues to charge batteries

The HUB only charges the batteries.. And u can use the HUB as a battery bank when the batteries are fully charged. and use it to charge the remote from the batteries.

 

[harleymhs]

There definately looks to be something wrong with the camera. I got a replacement Mavic 2 Pro that had a bad camera and thus another replacement. DJI's QC is not always the best. You said you were returning it. I would do that and try another one. Chances are the new one will be ok...

I thought the same thing, to exchange it today. Im seeing a lot of nice photos from the Mini On line... And here on this thread. I decided to try another one today! Ill report back here once I try the NEW ONE. It was odd the photos on the ground and in my home look fine! Once in the air they were CLOUDY! Thats why I figured it was the nature of the beast . Are you guys shooing in AUTO or Manual ??? Thanks for ALL your replies!!!!!