CE Version of Mavic Mini. Big disadvantages in UK and EU.

Chris Baish · Oct 31, 2019

What seems to be completely missing from every single review I've read or watched is that the CE version is actually a different model number, which means that for people who use the fake GPS trick that may be an issue. Also, the CE version has a max range of 2km (not 4km), achieved only in 2.4ghz mode. In 5.8ghz mode, which we all know is better for high interference areas, the range is only 500m. The FCC version achieves 4km in 5.8ghz (does not appear to have 2.4ghz), so comparing like for like you are getting 4km vs. 500m out of 5.8ghz. I wanted to flag this up as many UK retailers (even drone specialists) are falsely advertising 4km range. I'm aware that 500m is the legal limit, but a max range of 500m is likely to mean much less in reality if the drone defaults to 5.8ghz due to interference. Not sure if you can manually choose channels on this drone.

This may also present a disadvantage for people taking the CE model to FCC countries. Will it switch to the higher power mode? Possibly not if it's hardware based.

See below from the DJI website.

Deleted member 94047 · Oct 31, 2019

If the same trick that switches the MA from CE to FCC mode works on the mini, it is a non-issue. If not, a maximum range of 500m is going to suck big time.

old man mavic · Oct 31, 2019

i very much doubt that you will be able to see the Mini at 500m so dont think it will matter that much,to me this drone is more for agility and hands on flying around smaller areas than long distances

Manfred Waldmeyer · Oct 31, 2019

Compared to a mavic 2 the mini is approx. half the size.
So flying it under legal conditions (Line of sight) will bring it to the limit at approx. half the distance.
I have, as my optician test results state, a 120% visual acuity and flying my M2Z I came to a safe limit of approx. 200 m where I was still able to recognize the orientation against the blue or gray sky. Flying in front of a forest, mountain side or similar diffuse backgrounds substantially reduces the recognizably. In case you hover, look somewhere else and then try to visually "find" the stationary drone you will need a closer distance to safely fly your drone.
Flying my Tello (which has almost the Minis size) with a WLAN repeater I reached approx. 70m at an altitude of 20 m.

So what is the lament about the 500m good for?

The only reason I accept is to have a surplus of radio signal strength to have a safe bidirectional telecommunication.
Some people argue that @ 2.4 and even more @ 5.8 any object in the LOS can reduce the connections signal strength. So the higher the power the better they say. But if there's an object in between then you don't see your drone and you offend the LOS rule.

gnirtS · Oct 31, 2019

Not EU/UK. Pretty much everywhere in the world has similar ERPs for those bands *except* the FCC region.
So its not a case of UK/EU having lower range, its the FCC (US etc) having more than everyone else.

webvan · Oct 31, 2019

Good catch, it's strange that DJI would go down the route of two different models when they've had only one of all their drones so far with FCC vs RoWorld being done in software. They must be trying to get on the good side of the authorities ;-)

Chris Baish · Oct 31, 2019

webvan said:
Good catch, it's strange that DJI would go down the route of two different models when they've had only one of all their drones so far with FCC vs RoWorld being done in software. They must be trying to get on the good side of the authorities ;-)

Yes, I thought that too. Maybe they've been forced to do this due to increasing awareness of the GPS hack, and weren't granted approval until they'd closed the loophole. Maybe we'll see it on all future models?

pross · Oct 31, 2019

More likely they produce one model world-wide with CE power and another in smaller numbers to just the US.

gnirtS · Oct 31, 2019

pross said:
More likely they produce one model world-wide with CE power and another in smaller numbers to just the US.

Hardware wise and cost wise that makes no sense and i cant think of any tech company that does it.

You produce once, much much cheaper and set restrictions in firmware.

The mini is going to use their usual SDR hardware so trivial to alter. Unless possibly the unlock firmwares have caused issue getting CE certification so these models are might more locked down and unmodifiable. Hardware wise though they'd be identical because it makes no sense not to be.

It might just be the CE drone comes with a different firmware branch.

dronebandit · Nov 1, 2019

actually it is good, you can buy hardwired FCC version

gnirtS · Nov 1, 2019

dronebandit said:
actually it is good, you can buy hardwired FCC version

Doesnt mean its hardwired to always be FCC - means it can if needed do it. It'll likely still reduce to non FCC powers in a region where required otherwise it wouldnt receive certification to be imported or used there.

ryo · Nov 2, 2019

What i understood is that the CE version and the FCC have different controllers so no gps hack.
I was interested in the mini but as soon as i saw the distance limits for the CE version i abandoned the idea.

webvan · Nov 2, 2019

Understood from where ?

Dave Maine · Nov 2, 2019

The issue exists for all drones. Government regulations require certain radio frequency standards to be met. Not complying is illegal. It is not reasonable to expect manufacturers to supply illegal equipment in the country the equipment is sold in.

The root issue is the relevant standards of the region, which is a scientific political discussion.

scooot · Nov 2, 2019

ryo said:
What i understood is that the CE version and the FCC have different controllers so no gps hack.
I was interested in the mini but as soon as i saw the distance limits for the CE version i abandoned the idea.

I am in the uk and have preordered.Am I wasting my money?.what are the distance limitations (distance and video feed).Im not to concerned about distance drone can fly away from you more concerned about distance video feed will be lost.
I had a original Mavic and was very impressed with the ocusync so this all sounds a little worrying.
Thanks

old man mavic · Nov 2, 2019

when the video feed will be lost is all down to where you are flying it is no different to any other WIFI drone, the big difference is the fact that now the feed from the controller is via a cable and not a seperate WIFI signal as some other drones use, this should improve the stability of the signal to some extent, the size of the mini means it will be flown closer than the other mavics because ones ability to keep it in VLOS will be compromised as it will be harder to see at extended range it should not be compared to occusync but should perform more like the air

webvan · Nov 2, 2019

First range test is in see : Mavic Mini Range Tests - FCC : 2380 meters and FCC gets 2380 meters vs the Advertized 4000 meters. If this is confirmed this be like the Spark and not the Air.

ryo · Nov 2, 2019

webvan said:
Understood from where ?

dji specs that you should all read before jumping on the train: Mavic Mini - Specs, FAQs, Videos, Tutorials, Manuals - DJI (transmission power)

ryo · Nov 2, 2019

scooot said:
I am in the uk and have preordered.Am I wasting my money?.what are the distance limitations (distance and video feed).Im not to concerned about distance drone can fly away from you more concerned about distance video feed will be lost.
I had a original Mavic and was very impressed with the ocusync so this all sounds a little worrying.
Thanks

Mate i cannot tell you how to spend your money, BUT just today i saw a video shot in open countryside with almost no interference and full los: barely managed to get to 600mt, what i achieved with my son's spark. Without los the guy lost connection in less than 100mt.
Let's be real, this is just a toy, or if you want to call it flying camera.....ok.

You can see a honest range test here:

Chris Baish · Nov 2, 2019

scooot said:
I am in the uk and have preordered.Am I wasting my money?.what are the distance limitations (distance and video feed).Im not to concerned about distance drone can fly away from you more concerned about distance video feed will be lost.
I had a original Mavic and was very impressed with the ocusync so this all sounds a little worrying.
Thanks

I've compared the specs of the Mini with the Mavic Air and the output power is identical, as are the advertised ranges. I used to get over 1km at the coast or in the countryside without interference. You can also use a simple range extender that fits over the antenna. Costs about £6 and makes a measurable difference. The main issue will be in built up areas, but I always avoid flying over people/houses anyway. That being said, you will notice slightly more lag and occasional stuttering if you are used to Occusync.
You will find it absolutely fine in most situations. I was flagging up the difference in CE specs not because it is an issue in itself, but mainly because retailers and DJI do not make it transparent enough in their advertising.