Guys and Gals, I am an older drone pilot and I have some decisions to make. Between the possible US drone ban and new DJI models coming out soon, I am definitely conflicted. I have a Mavic 3 pro now un opened that I just purchased and I was going to see what the Senate did in early September. I was also wondering with the new Air 3 S coming out soon, would that work for me for a lot less money. The one thing I really wanted was the powerful zoom that the Mavic 3 pro has as I live high in the N Ga mountains and when I take off for lake pictures, I am really high already so the zoom could help some with pics and I realize that the 166MM is not the best, but I could still have the 7x zoom in optical. I just fly for fun. Just any advice to wobble me or knock me off the fence . Thanks
Conflicted with drone purchase decisions
- Thread starter twilloo
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I would go ahead and use your Mavic 3 Pro and enjoy it!
I know I am going to hear that a lot but since I am a disabled vet on fixed income, the money does have some influence.
I thought I read you say that you have already purchased the Mavic 3 Pro.
If money is an issue, sounds like you want to get the best value for your money. If you have spent money on the Mavic 3 Pro and you still have time to return it and get your money back, I would wait as long as you can before you make a final decision. Don't get me wrong, if you keep the M3P and you fly it forever, you can't go wrong. However, if the Mavic 4 Pro (or something better) comes out the day after your return date expires, that would kinda suck too. The DJI ban doesn't have an impact on your either way so don't worry about that for now. The good news is we only have a month or two before the table is set for the rest of the year and I predict all kinds of news will start coming in fast and furious which is a good thing because more information is better.
I'm personally holding out for the new Air3S or Mavic 4. I really want a Pro Remote so I can use the mini HDMI out, so I'm hoping a New Mavic 4 is in the works really soon.
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I'd ignore what you think Congress might be cooking up and live your life to the fullest. Go buy whichever drone you think would work best for you and also your budget.
DJI drones are no doubt an expensive hobby. When you're deciding what'll fit into your budget, don't forget any extra accessories you might need -- like a case and extra batteries. Those costs can add up pretty quickly.
DJI drones are no doubt an expensive hobby. When you're deciding what'll fit into your budget, don't forget any extra accessories you might need -- like a case and extra batteries. Those costs can add up pretty quickly.
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When it comes to Fun, The Air 3 is where you should be , your not going to get any more Fun out of the Air 3S if they ever get there. The DJI ban is just the Hot Air that comes with Stressing over China doing what they do best.
My advice get the Air 3, get our Wet Suit so you can fly in the storms and get a Rescue Jacket so you can fly over water and see your drone 3000 ft away. That is squeezing out the most fun you can have with your Hobby.
Phantomrain.org
Gear to fly your DJI in the Rain and land on the Water.
My advice get the Air 3, get our Wet Suit so you can fly in the storms and get a Rescue Jacket so you can fly over water and see your drone 3000 ft away. That is squeezing out the most fun you can have with your Hobby.
Phantomrain.org
Gear to fly your DJI in the Rain and land on the Water.
I have but I am in my return period still and even though I have paid for my mavic 3 pro, It would be a tough pill to swallow if they did somehow ground all current drones as well.
rexster1505
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Send it back. It'll make you feel better. Don't worry about what you can't control. Get the Air 3 or even the Mini 4 Pro.
Would Never happen. No worries about that.
The worst they could do with current drones is regulate where you can fly it.
I don't think you have to worry about that. However, if the money is the main issue, return it for a refund and see what happens. As of now, there has been no release date for the Air 3s.
Felix le Chat
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If we worried about anything any government might do: we'd never get out of bed.
Every time you glance at that unopened box: you're looking at an exceptional drone. So what if there's an Air 3S in the offing? The Mavic 3 pro is now a mature drone with most of the firmware glitches ironed out... new models are inevitably a bag of bugs for the first 6 to 12 months and whatever hardware 'enhancements' an Air 3S might offer won't be paradigm shift: they'll be small tweaks with a big pricetag.
Currently, you're one-up over the Air 3... come October/November - you'll still be one-up over the 'brand new' Air 3 S. Go out and fly. FOLO is for new-tech junkies.
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cameracamel
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I have a lot of power tools for an old fart. Being on a fixed income, I use the bright yellow and gray soft case from one of my Ryobi tools as a case for my Mavic 3 Classic, controller, and charger. Fits perfectly !!
If money is tight, then no drone is going to be the right fit. They are fun but not a need to have. I sold my Mavic 3 Pro because I needed to take care of a few things. When I'm ready to buy again, I will be going back to the Air series. It's plenty for my needs.
YVRGUY
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At our age we don’t buy green bananas. You though have a very ripe banana
… go out and enjoy it! All the bugs 
have been eliminated and it seems where you live (high in the mountains)…you’d be the last person affected by any new drone rulers and regs. Get out there and enjoy.
Happy in Canada with my Air 2S & Mini 3 Pro
I disagree with your statement that drones are an expensive hobby. On of my sons recently attended a baseball game in Seattle and paid $90.00 for parking, $8.00 for a bad hot dog, and $15.00 for a beer. I don't know that the ticket cost. All this for an afternoon's entertainment. Comparatively speaking, I think DJI drones and drones in general are a very reasonable hobby.
twilloo,
Whatever you end up with, enjoy flying and ignore what our Lawmakers do, they don't represent us, they only want your Vote and The Money.
Whatever you end up with, enjoy flying and ignore what our Lawmakers do, they don't represent us, they only want your Vote and The Money.
Have you FPVed? When that Addiction hits you Say goodbye to your incoming cash and reasonable flew away with my third whoop.
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It's all relative I suppose. Where I live, sporting events don't cost anywhere near that.
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