Air 3S Delivered. A Few Big (& Unadvertised) Things I Noticed.

[Droning on and on...]

That's interesting! If memory serves, Lipo battery deliver more power delivery per second, but Lion batteries have more energy density? But the Air3's already climbed like a rocket. Is there a difference in weight between the batteries?

Charge/discharge characteristics of lithium-ion chemistry batteries are flexible, and can be engineered. There are 18650 cells available with discharge specs that would make the lipoly cells in our drones look like old carbon Ever-ready cells.

The main difference between li-ion and li-poly cells is physical. Li-poly can be shaped in much more convenient ways.

 

[Rchawks]

I like the new carry case.

 

[Mrktn]

I like the new carry case.

You mean the stock bag that came with the fly more combo?

 

[Rchawks]

Yes, I keep calling it a case, sorry. It took some getting used to, but I like using it now.

 

[Mrktn]

I’ll let you off

Yep agree it’s a good quality storage solution, tricot lining etc.

 

[DarR-T]

Just like a good number of you, my Air 3S was just delivered!!
View attachment 178615

Right away, I noticed a few things that I have not seen DJI or anyone else talk about as of yet.
These are not listed by importance; they are random.

First, the bag isn’t exactly the same. The internal separators are thinner and harder in the 3S bag. And the 3S bag appears to have a slightly thicker outer casing. The foam underneath the drone in the 3S bag is also cheaper than the foam in the 3 bag.
View attachment 178620
Air 3 bag above
View attachment 178621
Air 3S bag above

Second, I have not heard anyone talk about the fact that the 3S batteries are now Lithium Ion, whereas the Air 3 batteries were Lithium Ion Polymer (top right corner of battery label):
View attachment 178618
Air 3 Battery above
View attachment 178617
Air 3S Battery above

Also, the Battery charging hub is exactly the same as the Air 3. It even says “Air 3 Charging Hub” underneath. Same model and everything.

The 3S batteries are very slightly smaller than the 3 batteries, since they move around when inserted into the charging hub (there is a click-clack sound when you shake the hub with the batteries inserted), whereas the Air 3 batteries are very snug and do not move at all when inserted into the hub.

Also, and this one is big. I purchased the Freewell Split ND for my Air 3 because I wanted to have a more even exposure between the f1.7 and f2.8 since I shoot manual and since the Freewell NDs are one stop darker for the wide angle lens (hence the ‘split’ designation).
To my huge surprise, looking at the accessory booklet that came with the Air 3S, I came upon this illustration showing how to install and remove the ND filters:
View attachment 178619

It appears the DJI ND filters for the Air 3S are also split ND filters!!!

Did anyone know this about the ND filters???


These are the things I have noticed so far, that I did not yet know, despite doing tons of Air 3S research.

Yes the OEM's are split. You can actually see the differences when looking through them. Freewell reps are unaware of this. Here's a reply I received from a Freewell rep just a few days ago:
"What comes with your Air 3s is half baked filters our filters are SPLIT ND what comes in the kit is non split you need a split ND to use on your dual camera system or essentially you are using it incorrectly."
Rep name omitted
Let's just say that I was not impressed with his lack of knowledge, punctuation and choice of words.

 

[Eugenious99]

Good to know , thank you .

 

[MoToad]

I'm new to the Air Series having just sold my Mav 3 Classic and just today received my new Air3S. The two glaring things for me out of the box are no extra set of controller sticks and, more importantly, no charger. This was a bit annoying and unexpected and now even more so as I have plugged the batteries into a Samsung 'fast' charger and after three hours the flashing bar one the first battery has failed to move past the second bar. I have already ordered up a 100w charger from Amazon but it will be a few days. Not happy about this.

 

[Rchawks]

I'm new to the Air Series having just sold my Mav 3 Classic and just today received my new Air3S. The two glaring things for me out of the box are no extra set of controller sticks and, more importantly, no charger. This was a bit annoying and unexpected and now even more so as I have plugged the batteries into a Samsung 'fast' charger and after three hours the flashing bar one the first battery has failed to move past the second bar. I have already ordered up a 100w charger from Amazon but it will be a few days. Not happy about this.

It seems everyone is doing that now with no charger. I was miffed a few years ago when I bought the m3p and there was no charger included and had to buy a 100 w charger as well. Bean counters. Industry saving money.

 

[MoToad]

It seems everyone is doing that now with no charger. I was miffed a few years ago when I bought the m3p and there was no charger included and had to buy a 100 w charger as well. Bean counters. Industry saving money.

Just got up 7 hrs later. One fully charged, second at 3/4, third untouched. DOH!

 

[Rchawks]

I didn't have this problem with mine. Back in the day with the MA2 if I remember right we would charge 1 battery at a time without the hub for the first go around, than after that using the hub was no problem. What charging base are you using?

 

[Occams Razor]

I'm new to the Air Series having just sold my Mav 3 Classic and just today received my new Air3S. The two glaring things for me out of the box are no extra set of controller sticks and, more importantly, no charger. This was a bit annoying and unexpected and now even more so as I have plugged the batteries into a Samsung 'fast' charger and after three hours the flashing bar one the first battery has failed to move past the second bar. I have already ordered up a 100w charger from Amazon but it will be a few days. Not happy about this.

You should ensure that the charger you ordered supports the PD 3.0 (or greater) standard and that a single port will deliver a minimum of 65W. Otherwise you may not see a great increase in charging speeds.

 

[MoToad]

I didn't have this problem with mine. Back in the day with the MA2 if I remember right we would charge 1 battery at a time without the hub for the first go around, than after that using the hub was no problem. What charging base are you using?

The base tha5t came with the Air3S flymore kit. Makes no difference without the charger. Tried single battery charge in the drone. Same result.

 

[MoToad]

You should ensure that the charger you ordered supports the PD 3.0 (or greater) standard and that a single port will deliver a minimum of 65W. Otherwise you may not see a great increase in charging speeds.

Amazon.ca

This on the way. Should work.

 

[Mrktn]

You should ensure that the charger you ordered supports the PD 3.0 (or greater) standard and that a single port will deliver a minimum of 65W. Otherwise you may not see a great increase in charging speeds.

And for that reason I have ordered and received the official DJI 65W portable charger. Next day delivery from the DJI Store.

I’m a bit dubious about getting the 100W in case it causes premature wear to the DJI hub and its batteries.

 

[Droning on and on...]

It seems everyone is doing that now with no charger. I was miffed a few years ago when I bought the m3p and there was no charger included and had to buy a 100 w charger as well. Bean counters. Industry saving money.

I'm of the opposite mind as many, and was thrilled when DJI standardized on Power Delivery and phased out included chargers. In my subjective opinion it should have happened sooner.

I don't like having to pay extra for a custom charger that only works for that one product. While there are always some that will cynically accuse DJI of greed, not reflecting the lack of a charger with a lower price, that argument disappears over time and product releases.

I have many PD charging devices. It's wonderful, convenient, and cheaper to be able to use the same charger for all of them. The best thing is it never gets lost or misplaced because of non-use.

This is right next to the couch, charges everything, gets used several times a day for drones, phones, kindle, and so many other things. 200W total with max 100W per port. U$80 from Amazon.

 

[Rchawks]

Here’s mine.

 

[Starz]

That looks expensive!

 

[Rchawks]

If we lose power I want to be able to brew my coffee and make myself a piece of toast.

 

[Droning on and on...]

If we lose power I want to be able to brew my coffee and make myself a piece of toast.

I can do that too and mine will run forever as long as I have gasoline, but it's no longer culturally favorable here in California. I don't give a crap