Dilemma- I'm 86 and my M3 is out of Care Fresh today

[Dale D]

Three years ago I was the very proud owner of the flagship Mavic 3. I dutifully purchased my 2 year Care Refresh coverage, and my 3rd renewal was a year ago. I put that date on my calendar and yesterday it came due. I wrote to DJI to see if I could extend the Care Refresh for another (4th) year and was told I could not. I have used the M3 infrequently (about a dozen flights a year).

Many of you younger forum members may not relate, but I am a sort of healthy 86 year old (no life threatening illnesses). I have an active travel schedule planned for this year (Poland, Utah Parks, Zimbabwe safari), but two of those trips are international and I will not be taking the M3 due to weight and government restrictions. ( I will be taking the Mavic Mini 4 Pro).
With no insurance available, I am thinking about selling my "in perfect condition", M3 and three still good batteries. I doubt I will buy the new M4. I do not need the money.

So my question is , what should I do? Keep flying the M3 until it crashes or is lost, or sell the M3.
I look forward to your thoughts and recommendations .

Dale
Miami

 

[GadgetGuy]

Since you don't need the money, why is the lack of Care Refresh an issue? Just keep using it as you had intended to, if you had been able to get Care Refresh on it, and self-insure instead. Apply the saved Care Refresh cost to any needed repairs, or a replacement, which also costs significant additional money under Care Refresh. Sell only when you have no further use for it. The fact that you haven’t needed the Care Refresh during the first two years makes it even less likely you'll need it during year three. You are now an experienced flyer and no longer need insurance.

 

[Cafguy]

I have a hard time parting with any of my toys. Thats me tho Maybe donating to a worthy charity?
I myself would fly it till it died and then put it on the display shelf lol.

 

[Dale D]

Since you don't need the money, why is the lack of Care Refresh an issue? Just keep using it as you had intended to, if you had been able to get Care Refresh on it, and self-insure instead. Apply the saved Care Refresh cost to any needed repairs, or a replacement, which also costs significant additional money under Care Refresh. Sell only when you have no further use for it. The fact that you haven’t needed he Care Refresh during the first two years makes it even less likely you'll need it during year three. You are now an experienced flyer and no longer need insurance.

That actually makes sense. The Care Refresh is a comfort to have for what cost me over 3,000 USD. I know that now, it is probably worth a 1/3rd of that amount. I might just resign myself to know I can send it for self pay repair (I hope) unless it is lost.

 

[Felix le Chat]

Three years ago I was the very proud owner of the flagship Mavic 3. I dutifully purchased my 2 year Care Refresh coverage, and my 3rd renewal was a year ago. I put that date on my calendar and yesterday it came due. I wrote to DJI to see if I could extend the Care Refresh for another (4th) year and was told I could not. I have used the M3 infrequently (about a dozen flights a year).

Many of you younger forum members may not relate, but I am a sort of healthy 86 year old (no life threatening illnesses). I have an active travel schedule planned for this year (Poland, Utah Parks, Zimbabwe safari), but two of those trips are international and I will not be taking the M3 due to weight and government restrictions. ( I will be taking the Mavic Mini 4 Pro).
With no insurance available, I am thinking about selling my "in perfect condition", M3 and three still good batteries. I doubt I will buy the new M4. I do not need the money.

So my question is , what should I do? Keep flying the M3 until it crashes or is lost, or sell the M3.
I look forward to your thoughts and recommendations .

Dale
Miami

Question: regardless of which drone, how many times have you made a claim through Care Refresh? If the answer is "none" because you're a careful user who respects a substantial dollar investment, then common sense says you're highly unlikely to ever need it.

I've never had care refresh with any of my (3) DJI drones and so far throughout the last 6 years (touch wood) I've been careful enough not to need the unnecessary extra expense.

Keep your mavic 3 and carry on enjoying it until the batteries go kaput.... then buy some more and carry on enjoying it 'til the arms fall off.

 

[BossBob]

Save the money and put it towards a new drone if you lose one or repair if you break one. I’ve 4 drones (from 2017 onwards) and never bought refresh and not needed it.

 

[Dale D]

Question: regardless of which drone, how many times have you made a claim through Care Refresh? If the answer is "none" because you're a careful user who respects a substantial dollar investment, then common sense says you're highly unlikely to ever need it.

I've never had care refresh with any of my (3) DJI drones and so far throughout the last 6 years (touch wood) I've been careful enough not to need the unnecessary extra expense.

Keep your mavic 3 and carry on enjoying it until the batteries go kaput.... then buy some more and carry on enjoying it 'til the arms fall off.

Thanks for those thoughts. I will probably follow that course.
Dale

 

[Chrislaf]

Although, you might be able to fly your Mini 4 Pro in more places and countries than you Mavic 3, the M3 is still a way better drone when you are in a location that it CAN be used. The Mini 4 Pro just cannot compete with the dynamic range and adjustable aperture of the M3. If money is not an issue as you have indicated why not keep the M3 even if you only fly it occasionally. At least you will have it when you need it (dynamic range, low light, variable aperture, wind, etc) and it is not costing you any money to keep it.

Chris

 

[Dale D]

Although, you might be able to fly your Mini 4 Pro in more places and countries than you Mavic 3, the M3 is still a way better drone when you are in a location that it CAN be used. The Mini 4 Pro just cannot compete with the dynamic range and adjustable aperture of the M3. If money is not an issue as you have indicated why not keep the M3 even if you only fly it occasionally. At least you will have it when you need it (dynamic range, low light, variable aperture, wind, etc) and it is not costing you any money to keep it.

Chris

You are right Chris. I will be keeping it. I sort of feel that once my three batteries start to swell, I will be out of business with the M3, or hunting down batteries. It is a very heavy drone to pack for my Poland trip, and I cannot get permission to fly it for my Zimbabwe safari. I have already exhausted my flying sites here in the South Fla. area. I am planning on taking it on my astrophotographic workshop in Utah this May. (though it is not allowed in the beautiful national parks, there are many places to fly on the outskirts of the parks), and many places to fly that are not parks at all, such as the amazing scenery of Hanksville, Utah (check that place out on You Tube).

 

[KAOS Imagery]

Hi Dale. The Mavic 3 is my main drone but I still use my Mavic 2 Pro and Phantom 4 Pro, which both have cameras that are still quite good. Since the older drones have depreciated in value, I use them for riskier missions like flying in stronger winds, close to an approaching storm, or quite low over water. If I lose one, I lose one. But even if you don't do something like that, it's always nice to have a backup aircraft.

Regarding locations in south Florida, there is a guy named Ray Kelly on YouTube that hosts drone meetups in south Florida. He's a senior, I'd guess maybe about 70 ish. I think he's somewhere around Ft Lauderdale. You could look him up if you have any interest in attending a meetup, I'm sure they might be able to share new to you locations that you had not yet considered.

Cheers and Happy Travels!

 

[Dale D]

Hey KAOS Imagery! Thanks for the information. I just went to You Tube to look up Ray Kelly Drone Meet Up South Florida at Jensen Beach. Looks like a fun week end. I am not much for flying in groups. I like to be alone, sorta stealth. But the You Tube video sure looks like fun. The Drone meet up is actually 117 miles from my house.


Dale

 

[KAOS Imagery]

Hey KAOS Imagery! Thanks for the information. I just went to You Tube to look up Ray Kelly Drone Meet Up South Florida at Jensen Beach. Looks like a fun week end. I am not much for flying in groups. I like to be alone, sorta stealth. But the You Tube video sure looks like fun. The Drone meet up is actually 117 miles from my house.


Dale

117 miles is a hike for sure! I think they have done ones further south as well. If nothing else, maybe you can get a few new ideas of places to go.

 

[twickers14]

Great thread Dale. Very interesting and informed views expressed above. If I were you (and I’m 81 next month) I’d fly the M3 “into the ground” so to speak! You are clearly an experienced and sensible flyer with great photographic skills so just continue to experience the “old flying pensioner” until, like all of us, it gives up the will to live! PS should be in Naples from mid-May. Can’t wait, awful weather here this winter-dull, wet and also a tad chilly.

 

[KB9Radio]

Three years ago I was the very proud owner of the flagship Mavic 3. I dutifully purchased my 2 year Care Refresh coverage, and my 3rd renewal was a year ago. I put that date on my calendar and yesterday it came due. I wrote to DJI to see if I could extend the Care Refresh for another (4th) year and was told I could not. I have used the M3 infrequently (about a dozen flights a year).

Many of you younger forum members may not relate, but I am a sort of healthy 86 year old (no life threatening illnesses). I have an active travel schedule planned for this year (Poland, Utah Parks, Zimbabwe safari), but two of those trips are international and I will not be taking the M3 due to weight and government restrictions. ( I will be taking the Mavic Mini 4 Pro).
With no insurance available, I am thinking about selling my "in perfect condition", M3 and three still good batteries. I doubt I will buy the new M4. I do not need the money.

So my question is , what should I do? Keep flying the M3 until it crashes or is lost, or sell the M3.
I look forward to your thoughts and recommendations .

Dale
Miami

Care/refresh to me is for new folks to droning who don't fully know what they're doing. After three years I would think you'd pretty much know what you're doing and know how to keep yourself out of trouble. Things like where to fly, setup procedures, wait for GPS confirmation, RTH set properly, and pay attention to battery life, would all be second nature by now. I guess you can always have something totally unexpected happen, but what the odds.
I think I got my first GPS drone about 7 or 8 years ago and several more dji since. I've never gotten the care/refresh and have never had any problems whatsoever. Just my opinion of course.

 

[IronSky1]

I have had many drones that fall out of DJI Care. I just send in to DJI repair. When I totalled my Inspire 2
a few years ago it had come off of care. I sent to DJI and the bill was 700 not bad when you consider I had to put in in a bag to ship. Enjoy the flying as you have been . Accidents happen. even at 79

 

[Dale D]

Great thread Dale. Very interesting and informed views expressed above. If I were you (and I’m 81 next month) I’d fly the M3 “into the ground” so to speak! You are clearly an experienced and sensible flyer with great photographic skills so just continue to experience the “old flying pensioner” until, like all of us, it gives up the will to live! PS should be in Naples from mid-May. Can’t wait, awful weather here this winter-dull, wet and also a tad chilly.

Hi Twickers
Naples Florida is having spectacular weather right now but I think it will be turning hot and muggy (humid) by April .
Dale

 

[Dale D]

Care/refresh to me is for new folks to droning who don't fully know what they're doing. After three years I would think you'd pretty much know what you're doing and know how to keep yourself out of trouble. Things like where to fly, setup procedures, wait for GPS confirmation, RTH set properly, and pay attention to battery life, would all be second nature by now. I guess you can always have something totally unexpected happen, but what the odds.
I think I got my first GPS drone about 7 or 8 years ago and several more dji since. I've never gotten the care/refresh and have never had any problems whatsoever. Just my opinion of course.

I fly all my drones like a frightened newb each and every time. When I lose sight of it, my heart rate increases, and I hit the RTH button.

 

[Capt KO]

I fly all my drones like a frightened newb each and every time. When I lose sight of it, my heart rate increases, and I hit the RTH button.

I've enjoyed your posts and videos over the years and glad you've decided to keep your M3, also glad your health and finances are in good order. Sadly at 73 I can't say the same but happy nonetheless. Anyways I've had many drones (fixed and flipped Phantoms yrs back) and had Refresh on newer Mavics. Never needed it. You may never need repair but surprisingly, dji will still repair/replace yours at a very fair price, incl frt. So save your insurance $ and buy a used mini 3or4pro to carry on your trips abroad, and back home. Enjoy..and carry on old friend

 

[Dale D]

I've enjoyed your posts and videos over the years and glad you've decided to keep your M3, also glad your health and finances are in good order. Sadly at 73 I can't say the same but happy nonetheless. Anyways I've had many drones (fixed and flipped Phantoms yrs back) and had Refresh on newer Mavics. Never needed it. You may never need repair but surprisingly, dji will still repair/replace yours at a very fair price, incl frt. So save your insurance $ and buy a used mini 3or4pro to carry on your trips abroad, and back home. Enjoy..and carry on old friend

Hi Capt. KO:

Thanks so much for that really nice post. If you read my original posting, I did mention that I also have a new Mavic Mini 4 Pro which I will be taking to Poland in April (Krakow, Warsaw, Gdansk), and Zimbabwe (September).
I've been on this forum since 2015 when the Drone Nerds store opened in my local strip mall and I purchased the little Mavic Air RED. What a great hobby and so much fun. It forced me to learn video editing and has broadly expanded my travels and photography.
Dale
Miami

 

[moldorf]

I simply went to State Farm and took out a loss/damage policy. It was $60 for a full year and, that 60 dollars was in effect up to a maximum of $3000. If I wanted coverage above $3000 it was pretty cheap incrementally. IIRC $5000 coverage would have been around 85 dollars for the year

I insured both my Mavic 3 and my Mini 3 Pro. For the Mavic 3, I listed replacement as the Mavic 3 Pro because of the Mavic 3 being discontinued by DJI. I figure that if I lost the drone, it would be the drone plus a battery. That's $2360.

I also figured that if I lost both the Mavic 3 and Mini 3 Pro in a single year I should stop flying

now, I have been a State Farm customer for 40 years. Auto and home. So it's remotely possible I goy a 'loyalty' price