Can someone confirm if the Mini 4 pro battery plus is the same item as the Mini 3 pro battery plus? Or is DJI screwing me somehow?

[JohnDS]

I bought my father the Mini 4 Pro. I have been waiting since December for the Mini 4 Pro "plus" batteries to arrive. After 3 attempts with supposed customs issues, the batteries arrive now, only to find out that the package says Mini "3" Pro plus batteries. I'm pissed.

Can someone confirm or not if there is in fact an actual Mini 4 Pro Plus battery that exists, or is the Mini 3 Pro Plus battery what is used for both drones? Again, I am not asking if these batteries will "work" with the Mini 4 Pro, I am asking if there is an actual Mini 4 Pro plus battery that exists?

Thanks.

 

[msinger]

There's only one plus battery model (BWX162-3850-7.38). It's compatible with the Mini 4 Pro, Mini 3 Pro, and Mini 3.

 

[JohnDS]

Oh ok. Yes, thats what the model numbers say on these. Thank you, I'm glad they sent the right ones.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Oh ok. Yes, thats what the model numbers say on these. Thank you, I'm glad they sent the right ones.

The only thing you want to avoid are the Mini 3 Pro Standard batteries. If used in the Mini 4 Pro, they will cause RID to be transmitted, and require drone pilot registration because they are 4g too heavy, bringing the Mini 4 Pro to 253g. The Mini 4 Pro regular batteries are 4g lighter and keep the drone at 249g, exempt from both pilot registration and simultaneously preventing RID being broadcast by the drone.

 

[msinger]

The only thing you want to avoid are the Mini 3 Pro Standard batteries. If used in the Mini 4 Pro, they will cause RID to be transmitted, and require drone pilot registration because they are 4g too heavy, bringing the Mini 4 Pro to 253g.

Since the OP's father will be using Plus batteries, he's going to need to register either way.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Since the OP's father will be using Plus batteries, he's going to need to register either way.

Indeed, if he decides to use the Plus batteries. However, it's his choice. He may wish at some point under certain circumstances to avoid RID, and he still legally possesses that ability by using the Mavic 4 Pro Regular batteries.

Alternatively, the OP's father may decide he wishes to avoid registration altogether while flying the Mini 4 Pro, and all RID transmission as well, and he can do so by merely selling the Plus batteries his son bought it with (or not using them), and buying Regular batteries instead. That's what I did to use it as travel drone, and for flying discreetly.

 

[msinger]

Indeed, if he decides to use the Plus batteries. However, it's his choice. He may wish at some point under certain circumstances to avoid RID, and he still legally possesses that ability by using the Mavic 4 Pro Regular batteries.

Registered drones must always transmit RID. So, if he decides to sometimes use regular batteries instead, he'll need to attach an RID module like the Holy Stone or Ruko.

That said, it probably doesn't make sense to ever mix plus and regular batteries.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Registered drones must always transmit RID. So, if he decides to sometimes use regular batteries instead, he'll need to attach an RID module like the Holy Stone or Ruko.

That said, it probably doesn't make sense to ever mix plus and regular batteries.

I never said anything about registering the drone, and there is no indication from the OP that his father intends to use the Mini 4 Pro commercially. I only referred to pilot registration, which is required when flying recreationally over 250g. His father can simply register himself as a recreational pilot, and choose whether or not to broadcast RID by selecting the appropriate battery. The Plus battery will transmit RID. The Regular Mini 4 Battery will not, and RID broadcasting is not required of recreational pilots when flying a sub 250g drone, which the Mini 4 Pro is with the stock regular battery.

 

[msinger]

I never said anything about registering the drone, and there is no indication from the OP that his father intends to use the Mini 4 Pro commercially. I only referred to pilot registration, which is required when flying recreationally over 250g. His father can simply register himself as a recreational pilot, and choose whether or not to broadcast RID by selecting the appropriate battery. The Plus battery will transmit RID. The Regular Mini 4 Battery will not, and RID broadcasting is not required of recreational pilots when flying a sub 250g drone, which the Mini 4 Pro is with the stock regular battery.

No, that's not how drone registration works today. I understand it's confusing, and I'm sure many people assume it works that way. That's why I felt it was important to mention it earlier, even though you didn't bring it up, as you noted.

From the FAA's website here:
"Drones which are required to be registered or are registered, including those flown for recreation, business, or public safety, must comply with Remote ID."

This means that if the OP's father registers his drone (or "registers himself", as you put it), the drone must always be flown with Remote ID, even if it sometimes weighs less than 250 grams at takeoff.