Firmware and a DJI USA Ban

[rmb]

Looking for advice here.
I’m a professional drone operator and need to keep buying to stay current. I’m looking at a Mavic 4 Pro and plan to have it shipped to a buddy in Toronto. The advice I’ve been given is to activate it there so it gets a Canadian region code, making it immune to any future U.S.-specific firmware restrictions. If you were me, would you go that route or just bring it home and activate in the U.S.?

 

[Cafguy]

Just bring it home there would be NO firmware Ban because even if that where to happen the internet would be filled with downloads from people and you only need to download Dronehacks and install any future updates.
WHAT DO YOU DO WITH YOUR DRONES!

 

[rmb]

Just bring it home there would be NO firmware Ban because even if that where to happen the internet would be filled with downloads from people and you only need to download Dronehacks and install any future updates.
WHAT DO YOU DO WITH YOUR DRONES!

I'm a professional videographer so I use it for cinematic meet reasons mostly. Low end jobs like the role for corporate videos high-end jobs for HBO. That said I'm semi retired these days and just looking to keep my inventory as high-end as possible. Regarding the firmware updates, I appreciate your input, but a lot of people believe that if the US wanted to get serious one mistaken, click on a firm way where update could technically brick my unit. Certainly if I'm careful that wouldn't happen, but it would be a lot of money to lose by accident. Also, I'm not sure what the downside of a Canadian region code would be as they share FCC rules and regs.

 

[Cafguy]

I'm a professional videographer so I use it for cinematic meet reasons mostly. Low end jobs like the role for corporate videos high-end jobs for HBO.

I have many friends that do this. A few work for the studios in L.A. they own DJI Drones but they RARELY use them for a shoot.
DJI Drones are VERY nice and convenient UNTIL you need to get a broken one into the air fast.

 

[Dave Pitman]

DJI drones don't work the way you are suggesting. The drone doesn't care where it was activated, it cares where it is located at power up and sees where it is based upon gps. Then it applies any restrictions based upon that location. If you are happy with the current Flysafe database, you never have to update it if you don't want to.

Purchasing in Canada if fine. Create a new DJI account with your friend's address in Canada. You will get to purchase Care Refresh and if you need service, DJI can ship back to your friend's address.

 

[Vic Moss]

Worse case scenario, and Congress doesn't come to their senses and cooler heads don't prevail, there won't be any firmware issues.

The only real issue with what you're wanting to do (I know many who have brought their drones in from other countries) is that you won't have any U.S. based warranty or Refresh options available yourself. If something happens, you'll need to send your drone back to your buddy in the Canada and have him take care of the warranty or Refresh shipping.

If you want to do something about this yourself, go to the Drone Advocacy Alliance website and go to the Take Action page. We have a number of current campaigns there. One of them is to ask Congress to complete the security audit required in the FY2025 NDAA, and another important one is to demand that congress look into the the issue with Customs and Border Protection's illegal use of the Uyghur Forced Labor Act to stop all shipments of DJI drones.

Take Action – Drone Advocacy Alliance

droneadvocacyalliance.com

 

[JTorsrud]

I was concerned about the same thing when I ordered the New RC 2 Pro controller.
Ordered on EBAY and shipped directly to my US Address!
NO Problems. Went to setup and turn it on, all went well and all updates were provided by DJI online via the Transmitter update!