I am about to be a first time drone pilot. I am about to purchase the DJI Mini 3 Pro. Question. Is it worth the extra money to purchase the remote controller OR, should I save some money and use my iPhone 11 instead?
Hello from Georgia!
- Thread starter Brewer
- Start date
Welcome to the forum! I am in Western NC about 2 hours north of Atlanta.
As to your question about the RC - in my opinion, it is worth the extra money, especially if you have an iPhone. My iPhone 14 Pro screen is no where as bright as the DJI RC and in the hot summer months, that makes the likelihood of the dreaded "screen dimming" due to overheating an even bigger problem. If you can afford it, my suggestion is to do it.
Thanks for your feedback. As info, I'm 70+ miles north of Atlanta in Cleveland, GA.
One of the guys at my church that does all the drone footage said that he would forego the RC in lieu of a phone in case the RC goes bad. Then you have nothing, according to him.
I was leaning towards the RC but, wanted to hear opinions, one way or another.
Hello from the Crossroads of America Brewer.
Congratulations on your first purchase when you decide on the controller.
I've used Android phones, an Apple mini4, and now using a Tripltek 7"PRO tablet that works well due to the screen size and the brightness it provides on sunny days.
The FLY app is power hungry and from what I've read in the past, the Apples will dim the screen when they get too hot to help stay cool.
If I had to do it all again, I'd probably go for the remote with the screen.
No set up of wires or assembly of device envolved and it's compatible with some of the other aircraft in DJI's fleet.
Good luck and welcome to the Forum.
.
Congratulations on your first purchase when you decide on the controller.
I've used Android phones, an Apple mini4, and now using a Tripltek 7"PRO tablet that works well due to the screen size and the brightness it provides on sunny days.
The FLY app is power hungry and from what I've read in the past, the Apples will dim the screen when they get too hot to help stay cool.
If I had to do it all again, I'd probably go for the remote with the screen.
No set up of wires or assembly of device envolved and it's compatible with some of the other aircraft in DJI's fleet.
Good luck and welcome to the Forum.
.
I understand that line of thinking - I've never had an issue personally, like I said, just my opinion. I use an RC-N1 with my Mini 3 Pro in cooler weather, but last week I was out midday in the sun and my iPhone screen was bad, so I swapped over to the DJI RC. A thought would be get the Fly More with the RC-N1 and hopefully you don't have the issues, but if you do, you can always get the DJI RC later as an upgrade.
Greetings from Birmingham Alabama USA, welcome to the forum! We look forward to hearing from you!
Welcome to our forum, Brewer, from Hauptmann, in Hurst, Texas!
You'll love the flexibility of vantage points an aerial camera platform affords--you'll get shots and videos you could only dream of before! I fly a Mavic 2 Pro now, but will soon add a Mini 3 Pro to my “fleet”.
The Mini 3 Pro is an excellent choice. It has a great camera, and with its sub 250 gram weight, it is not subject to many regulations aimed at larger, heavier drones.
We have over 150,000 members—many from your part of the South--who enjoy helping each other get the most out of our hobby. Most of the questions you'll have will’ve already been addressed, and are easy to search. If you have NEW questions, just ask!
I've attached a couple of links below, which will make learning piloting and photo/video skills easy. The author specifically refers to the Mini 3 Pro, but his “moves” apply to any drone (DJI, anyway).
Glad to have you with us!
Rich R (aka Hauptmann)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1j9VqmDYEI&t=497s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK6s2hJLRRE
Thank you, sir! I appreciate the feedback and the links.
Welcome to the forum from another Georgia flyer. We look forward to your participation and your view of the world.
LoudThunder
Part 107 Licensed
Welcome from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, USA. We have a Member's Map in the Upper Right of the Title Bar. Click on "Members" and then Click on "Member's Map…" Check it out and you might find some new flying friends.
Member Map
mavicpilots.com
As a New Drone Pilot, there are a couple of Legal Things you may need to do…
If you have not already done so, you will need to get your TRUST Certificate. You can get that at the Pilot Institute Web Site (FREE…) . While your Drone weighs less than 250-grams (0.55 pounds) with the light battery and you are while flying under The Exception for Recreational Flyers, you are not required to register your Drone.
When I first started flying I registered my Mini 2 because the TRUST Certificate and FAA Registration established me as a "certified" Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Pilot.
Link to the TRUST Certificate at the Pilot Institute Web Site (FREE…)
FAA TRUST Online Portal for Recreational Drone Operators - Pilot Institute
Get your FAA TRUST Certificate of Completion to legally fly drones for recreational reasons in the United States.
trust.pilotinstitute.com
Link to the FAADroneZone (Optional Registration for Drones under 250-Grams…)
FAADroneZone
If you are considering acquiring your Part 107 License, here is a link to get you going…
Online Ground School: Aviation Classes - Pilot Institute
Pilot Institute offers courses on drones and airplanes from world-class experts. Pass the Part 107 or Private Pilot exam and take to the skies.
pilotinstitute.com
Since you live Georgia, there are specific laws and rules for you to follow, please check the link below for all the Rules and Laws that are in effect in your neck of the woods and it also links you to some of the Best Places to Fly in your area… Also, if you travel on vacation, visit friends, and relatives in other parts of the country, check back here so you do not run afoul of the law.
Drone Laws and Best Places to Fly in Every US State - Pilot Institute
pilotinstitute.com
Even if you have flown Drones before, here is some Good Old Fashion Advice…
You paid a lot of money for that Drone, put your phone number on it. If your drone gets lost or stuck in a tree and it finally comes down when you are not around, give the finders an opportunity to contact you so it can be returned.
Now, for the Fun Part, But do not let the excitement of the moment get the best of you. When you are going out to fly, do it slowly and deliberately. Get used to a set procedure and even practice it.
There are so many things I could write but these are the highlights that I feel need mentioning.
Plug in your phone/tablet into your controller; turn on the Controller and DJI Fly App (if it does not start on its own…). On the Drone, open the front legs, then open the back legs, then remove the Gimbal Cover.
The Gimbal is the most delicate item on the Drone and banging or bumping can damage it. I also fastened a short "Remove Before Flight" ribbon to the cover so it's more noticeable and I do not forget to remove it…
Turn on the drone and watch it come to "life." Watching the Gimbal go through its self-check is almost like watching a puppy or kitten opening its eyes for the first time…
Place the drone down (preferably on a Landing Pad) while it finishes its self-test (collecting satellites, etc…).
Check your battery status (Phone, Drone, and Controller), check the Signal Strength, by now the Controller should have reported it updated the Home Point.
Lift off, 6- feet (2-meters) or so, hover a bit, check the controls (move the drone a bit forward, back, left, right, yaw left and right). By now, your Controller will probably report again, Home point Updated.
If you go out in a rush and race thru your start up and take off before the drone has finished it prep, it may update its Home Point over that pond or that old tree you are flying over and in your excitement, you'll fly the drone long past it Low Battery point and when it engages Return to Home and lands in the pond or in a tree; it will be all on you…
Now go have fun, learn to fly the drone by sight before you try to fly it out a distance depending on the video feed, FPV.
I would also advise you to use YouTube and watch a lot of the Videos on flying and setting up the Drone. When it is too dark, too cold, or too wet, you can "fly it vicariously" through YouTube. Also watch some of the Blooper Drone Videos and learn how not to fly your "New Baby."
Below is the link to all of the downloads offered by DJI for the Mini 3 Pro, including the User Manual.
After you read the Manual, read it again, you will be surprised what you missed the first time and you will be better prepared for that first "scary moment…"
DJI Mini 3 Pro - Download Center - DJI
Learn and download DJI Mini 3 Pro related apps, software, and manuals at the DJI Download Center
Fly On and Fly Safe…
Welcome from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, USA. We have a Member's Map in the Upper Right of the Title Bar. Click on "Members" and then Click on "Member's Map…" Check it out and you might find some new flying friends.
Member Map
As a New Drone Pilot, there are a couple of Legal Things you may need to do…
If you have not already done so, you will need to get your TRUST Certificate. You can get that at the Pilot Institute Web Site (FREE…) . While your Drone weighs less than 250-grams (0.55 pounds) with the light battery and you are while flying under The Exception for Recreational Flyers, you are not required to register your Drone.
When I first started flying I registered my Mini 2 because the TRUST Certificate and FAA Registration established me as a "certified" Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Pilot.
Link to the TRUST Certificate at the Pilot Institute Web Site (FREE…)
FAA TRUST Online Portal for Recreational Drone Operators - Pilot Institute
Get your FAA TRUST Certificate of Completion to legally fly drones for recreational reasons in the United States.
Link to the FAADroneZone (Optional Registration for Drones under 250-Grams…)
FAADroneZone
faadronezone.faa.gov
If you are considering acquiring your Part 107 License, here is a link to get you going…
Online Ground School: Aviation Classes - Pilot Institute
Pilot Institute offers courses on drones and airplanes from world-class experts. Pass the Part 107 or Private Pilot exam and take to the skies.
Since you live Georgia, there are specific laws and rules for you to follow, please check the link below for all the Rules and Laws that are in effect in your neck of the woods and it also links you to some of the Best Places to Fly in your area… Also, if you travel on vacation, visit friends, and relatives in other parts of the country, check back here so you do not run afoul of the law.
Drone Laws and Best Places to Fly in Every US State - Pilot Institute
Even if you have flown Drones before, here is some Good Old Fashion Advice…
You paid a lot of money for that Drone, put your phone number on it. If your drone gets lost or stuck in a tree and it finally comes down when you are not around, give the finders an opportunity to contact you so it can be returned.
Now, for the Fun Part, But do not let the excitement of the moment get the best of you. When you are going out to fly, do it slowly and deliberately. Get used to a set procedure and even practice it.
There are so many things I could write but these are the highlights that I feel need mentioning.
Plug in your phone/tablet into your controller; turn on the Controller and DJI Fly App (if it does not start on its own…). On the Drone, open the front legs, then open the back legs, then remove the Gimbal Cover.
The Gimbal is the most delicate item on the Drone and banging or bumping can damage it. I also fastened a short "Remove Before Flight" ribbon to the cover so it's more noticeable and I do not forget to remove it…
Turn on the drone and watch it come to "life." Watching the Gimbal go through its self-check is almost like watching a puppy or kitten opening its eyes for the first time…
Place the drone down (preferably on a Landing Pad) while it finishes its self-test (collecting satellites, etc…).
Check your battery status (Phone, Drone, and Controller), check the Signal Strength, by now the Controller should have reported it updated the Home Point.
Lift off, 6- feet (2-meters) or so, hover a bit, check the controls (move the drone a bit forward, back, left, right, yaw left and right). By now, your Controller will probably report again, Home point Updated.
If you go out in a rush and race thru your start up and take off before the drone has finished it prep, it may update its Home Point over that pond or that old tree you are flying over and in your excitement, you'll fly the drone long past it Low Battery point and when it engages Return to Home and lands in the pond or in a tree; it will be all on you…
Now go have fun, learn to fly the drone by sight before you try to fly it out a distance depending on the video feed, FPV.
I would also advise you to use YouTube and watch a lot of the Videos on flying and setting up the Drone. When it is too dark, too cold, or too wet, you can "fly it vicariously" through YouTube. Also watch some of the Blooper Drone Videos and learn how not to fly your "New Baby."
Below is the link to all of the downloads offered by DJI for the Mini 3 Pro, including the User Manual.
After you read the Manual, read it again, you will be surprised what you missed the first time and you will be better prepared for that first "scary moment…"
DJI Mini 3 Pro - Download Center - DJI
Learn and download DJI Mini 3 Pro related apps, software, and manuals at the DJI Download Centerwww.dji.com
Fly On and Fly Safe…
Thank you for all of that information. Much appreciated.
Welcome to Mavic Pilots! 
Enjoy the forum!
Enjoy the forum!
Welcome back to the forum from the beautiful woods of Maine!
Chetk7677
Well-Known Member
kalimah
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Welcome to the forum fro Chicago the Windy City.
FLY SAFE & FLY SMART ALSO FLY LEGALLY
FLY SAFE & FLY SMART ALSO FLY LEGALLY
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Welcome to the forum!
You'll need to buy one of the two available remote controllers in order to fly a Mini 3 Pro. It cannot be flown with just an iPhone. DJI only offers the option to buy a Mini 3 Pro without a remote control since some people already own a remote controller that's compatible with the Mini 3 Pro.
Welcome to the forum from the outback of Australia.
Regards
Regards
