Can one controller (RC2) control two drones?

[Paul Harvey]

Yes. I'm flying the Mavic 3 off the smart RC that came with the Mavic mini 3 pro. When switching drones the RC makes a quick firmware switch that does not need a network connection. My RC that came with the Mavic 3 needs an iphone interface and Remote ID no longer works using the phone, even though location services are on. Never figured out the issue so switched to smart RC with built-in screen; works with both great.

Thanks!

 

[journo]

That's never happened to me on any of my DJI drones (four of 'em). What causes it?

It's a feature of the built-in screen controllers; turns off all network connections as soon as you start the props, so there is no wifi-interference. If you have a hotspot on your phone you can connect to that for a network connection in the field. For RC firmware updates though, I'd advise going of your home's wifi.

 

[mavic3usa]

I remember the days when you could use two controllers at the same time with one drones, specifically on my Mavic 2 Pro. One is the primary and the other is the secondary and two people can "fly" the drone.

 

[Chip]

I had a Mini 4 bound to its own RC 2 remote. I decided to buy a Mini 5 but thought I would save on the bundle by getting NC 3 instead of a second RC 2 and then I have a back up controller. Mini 5 bound to the RC 2 no problem. Now Mini 4 is limited to four more flights on either controller. I cannot understand the problem. Can you not use one RC 2 to fly both 4 and 5? The controller says Mini 4 is not "activated" but how can that be, I flew it all the time before getting the Mini 5.

 

[mavic3usa]

^You can use the RC 2 to fly both the 4 and the 5 at the same time but thanks to DJI professional-grade connectivity process, you have to bind and unbind the drone + RC each and every time you switch over (within the limitations). Meaning if you take both drones out for 1 or 2 flights, you'll be fine for the day.

DJI binding basically means 1 drone 1 RC in the long run, after all, you don't want someone to "steal" the "drone only" and get away with it, right?

 

[BossBob]

^You can use the RC 2 to fly both the 4 and the 5 at the same time but thanks to DJI professional-grade connectivity process, you have to bind and unbind the drone + RC each and every time you switch over (within the limitations). Meaning if you take both drones out for 1 or 2 flights, you'll be fine for the day.

DJI binding basically means 1 drone 1 RC in the long run, after all, you don't want someone to "steal" the "drone only" and get away with it, right?

I fly both 4 and 5 on the same RC2. Never any problem swapping through the Drone Management page, takes a couple of minutes as the RC2 changes its “firmware”.

 

[GadgetGuy]

I fly both 4 and 5 on the same RC2. Never any problem swapping through the Drone Management page, takes a couple of minutes as the RC2 changes its “firmware”.

More like 30 seconds, if the switching FW has already been installed previously.

 

[Rchawks]

Seems like the neo takes longer with the rc2 than it does with the A3S which makes sense.

 

[Droning on and on...]

You only need to bind the controller for flyaway protection, so no longer a feature in the US at the moment.

You can pair the RC2 with multiple drones and switch between them without restrictions for flying. I use my RC2 to fly my neo, Mini 3, Mini 4, Air 3, and now neo 2. Which drone is simply "picked" at connection time.

Might even work with the Avata 2, but I've never tried.

 

[Droning on and on...]

I had a Mini 4 bound to its own RC 2 remote. I decided to buy a Mini 5 but thought I would save on the bundle by getting NC 3 instead of a second RC 2 and then I have a back up controller. Mini 5 bound to the RC 2 no problem. Now Mini 4 is limited to four more flights on either controller. I cannot understand the problem. Can you not use one RC 2 to fly both 4 and 5? The controller says Mini 4 is not "activated" but how can that be, I flew it all the time before getting the Mini 5.

Sounds like an activation issue, but you're too experienced for that. Yet, we all have senior moments...

 

[Chip]

Yes it is an activation issue but the opposite of what I expected. I started with a Mini 4 and RC 2 which worked perfect. I then bought a Mini 5 and bound and connected it to the RC 2. I used the RC 2 to fly both drones. I could connect to both drones. I could also swap and use the NC 3 with both. But I started getting the message to activate the Mini 4 or I will only have four more flights. So what happens after 4 more flights and why would I need to re-"activate" the Mini 4 now? It was working fine for months until I connected the 5 to the RC 2. Me having a senior moment btw is certainly possible, at least we cannot discount that theory for now!

 

[mavic3usa]

It's very confusing because the process changes from drone to drone and from controller to controller and even the goggles. DJI is all over the board and they don't do a good job of explaining it. There are two types of binding and while the binding related to Care Refresh is no longer applicable in the US for new drone activations, the binding related to your DJI account and your equipment definitely IS applicable and it may have changed lately due to software updates because DJI wants to enforce this on *everyone* regardless.

Not sure of this particular situation, photos would help, but this recent article might help to explain the confusion: How to rebind a used DJI drone: Step-by-step guide

 

[moldorf]

ok....maybe I'm just confused....but....

I recently bought the Mavic 4 Pro creator combo with the RC Pro 2. I'm under the impression that if I also had another supported drone like the Mini 5 or the Air 3 S, I could bind both to the RC Pro 2 and the start up page of the Fly App would allow me to designate which drone I was using

further, I was under the impression that I could link several drones to that conroller and would not have to bind/unbind all the time. IIRC I was told if I already had the Mavic 4 or the Air 3s or the Mini 5 powered on when I booted up the RC and fly app it would simply connect to the powered on drone

was I misinformed?

 

[GadgetGuy]

ok....maybe I'm just confused....but....

I recently bought the Mavic 4 Pro creator combo with the RC Pro 2. I'm under the impression that if I also had another supported drone like the Mini 5 or the Air 3 S, I could bind both to the RC Pro 2 and the start up page of the Fly App would allow me to designate which drone I was using

further, I was under the impression that I could link several drones to that conroller and would not have to bind/unbind all the time. IIRC I was told if I already had the Mavic 4 or the Air 3s or the Mini 5 powered on when I booted up the RC and fly app it would simply connect to the powered on drone

was I misinformed?

Works with all three.
It automatically connects to the drone most recently used.
To connect to another drone it is already bound to, you must first select that other drone from the main menu, let the FW change load, and it will then connect to the new drone you selected. Rinse and repeat.

 

[BossBob]

Once you’ve done it a couple of times (with the RC2, certainly) it’s pretty close to seamless.

 

[moldorf]

Works with all three.
It automatically connects to the drone most recently used.
To connect to another drone it is already bound to, you must first select that other drone from the main menu, let the FW change load, and it will then connect to the new drone you selected. Rinse and repeat.

thanks...that's what I thought was the protocol

 

[Chip]

Let us say you have two drones and two controllers, an RC 2 and NC 3. You want to have both controllers bound to both drones so you have back up in case one fails or is lost. I am getting the impression that you cannot do that. I get a message saying you either get 4 more flights on this controller or you must unbind from the other. Do I have this right?

 

[mavic3usa]

Let us say you have two drones and two controllers, an RC 2 and NC 3. You want to have both controllers bound to both drones so you have back up in case one fails or is lost. I am getting the impression that you cannot do that. I get a message saying you either get 4 more flights on this controller or you must unbind from the other. Do I have this right?

Sarcasm follows: "This is the ultimate in professional theft detection implemented by the experts at DJI. Shocking that no one else in the electronics world has thought of this 'scheme.' This will make sure those pesky thieves leave our DJI drones alone when they see them unsecured in the back seat of a car; can't steal me cause I won't work! Never mind in the meantime, the honest flyer is confused and getting hurt by the ridiculous quagmire, but I can't stand the thought of a thief flying or selling my stolen drone even after I'm dead....brick it! I'll feel a lot better if they get 3, no 4 more flights and then they're grounded forever. And if someone is stupid enough to buy the drone without doing their research, sucks for them." Said nobody.

Hope someone can help answer your questions. Mine does the same thing.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Let us say you have two drones and two controllers, an RC 2 and NC 3. You want to have both controllers bound to both drones so you have back up in case one fails or is lost. I am getting the impression that you cannot do that. I get a message saying you either get 4 more flights on this controller or you must unbind from the other. Do I have this right?

Correct. Each drone can only be bound to one controller at a time.