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Hello from So Cal

sdtag

Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2024
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Age
67
Location
Southern California
Hey all,

Greetings from So Cal.

I bought a DJI mini 4k for myself for Christmas.

I am coming from almost 10 years of owning a DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus. It has been a good drone. I did some mods over the years and was very careful about setting my home point before I flew. I had to replace those batteries a few years ago. $$$

Recently it stopped giving me the live video feed. It would still record video but I couldn’t see it while I was flying. I was flying blind. I think that is kind of a common problem with these drones and I think there a lots of fixes and work arounds on the internet, but I knew it was getting old and this was probably just the beginning of old age problems. So I started shopping.

Sam’s club had a DJI mini for like $280.00 but it was only 2.7k. If I was going to do this then I wanted 4k video. I found the mini 4k on Amazon for $240.00 and I jumped on it. I bought the drone, controller, and a battery in a kit. And I bought an additional battery and a case and some spare props.

To be fair I think the Sam’s Club combo was the fly more kit. I bought just the drone itself then made my own fly more kit.

It’s only Dec 2 so I don’t have it yet. It’s a Christmas present. Is there anything I need to know? Anything I am not asking? I am not sure how to charge the batteries yet, I did not buy that charging dock thing. Do I need to?

I think it is under the legal weight limit so I don’t have to register it with the fcc or anything, right? I had to register my P2V+. With the P2V+ I had apps that I could use to get permission from the fcc to fly in a specific area. I don’t think I need to do that with the 4k drone, right? If it’s not even registered.

I think I might have a problem with the DJI fly app. It’s not on Google Play so I had to download it from the DJI site. I got it installed but it won’t run on my phone. Does anybody have any experience with this? I can’t be the first one lol…

With my P2V+ I had DJI Ultimate Flight and Litchi. DJI Ultimate flight was my favorite but I don’t think it is available any more. I still have Litchi and it looks like it will work so maybe I will be ok?

Thanks in advance. I can’t wait for Christmas this year!
 
Hi, sdtag, and welcome to our forum, from Hauptmann in North Texas!

You're right. At less than 250 gm, the Mini 4 Pro does not have to be registered. For charging, I recommend getting a PARALLEL charger, which charges multiple batteries and the controller simultaneously. They're available from Amazon for a reasonable price. I've used them on my Mavic Pro, Mavic Pro 2, and my Mini 4 Pro and have never been sorry.
BTW, I'm guessing you're from San Diego. We lived in Rancho Bernardo for 25 years before moving to Texas. I still do most of my drone flying in the SF Bay Area where one of our sons lives. He's a drone freak also. As an airline retiree, I get to fly to and from for free.
 
Greetings from Birmingham Alabama USA, welcome to the forum! We look forward to hearing from you!
 
WOW!!
One of the top10 intros I have seen this year. Thumbswayup

"I can’t wait for Christmas this year!" You got some twisted humor.ThumbswayupThumbswayup

I searched your member name on PP forum.

You already know you will get good answers here.
I'm twisted humor my self. 👌

Oh, I almost forgot.
Welcome to the Mavic forum!!

Rod ..
 
I think it is under the legal weight limit so I don’t have to register it with the fcc or anything, right? I had to register my P2V+. With the P2V+ I had apps that I could use to get permission from the fcc to fly in a specific area. I don’t think I need to do that with the 4k drone, right? If it’s not even registered.
If you mean the FAA, No registration unless you go commercial with it. You will still need permission to fly in certain areas FROM THE FAA. not the FCC?
I still have Litchi and it looks like it will work so maybe I will be ok?
SORRY no Litchi will no longer work with the newer DJI Drones Besides you need the DJI app for your Drones settings anyway.
 
Welcome to the forum @sdtag! :)

I am not sure how to charge the batteries yet, I did not buy that charging dock thing. Do I need to?
You don't need to buy any accessories for charging. This video shows how to charge the batteries without any additional accessories.

However, purchasing a parallel charger (like the well-known Yx chargers) will make charging the batteries more convenient.


I think I might have a problem with the DJI fly app. It’s not on Google Play so I had to download it from the DJI site. I got it installed but it won’t run on my phone.
What kind of phone are you using? What happens when you try to run DJI Fly?


With my P2V+ I had DJI Ultimate Flight and Litchi. DJI Ultimate flight was my favorite but I don’t think it is available any more. I still have Litchi and it looks like it will work so maybe I will be ok?
Litchi keeps a list of compatible drones on their site here. The Mini 4K is not currently on that list.
 
Thanks everybody for all your answers.
I am a couple hours north of San Diego, I’m in Orange County.

Lol fcc – faa – my bad.

My phone is a Samsung Galaxy S23 – not the newest but it’s not obsolete either running Android 14. When I try to run the DJI Fly app it starts to open then it closes immediately.

If I do it again I will get a message that says

Something went wrong with DJI Fly.
DJI Fly closed because this app has a bug.
Try updating this app after it’s developer provides a fix for this error.

I tried giving it all permissions but that didn’t help.
So now what. No DJI Fly. No Litchi.
Any ideas?
TIA
 
My phone is a Samsung Galaxy S23 – not the newest but it’s not obsolete
Yes, it's fairly new and should be able to run DJI Fly.

Which version of DJI Fly did you install?
 
I bought a DJI mini 4k for myself for Christmas. I am coming from almost 10 years of owning a DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus

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.


Even though you are not 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…). Your Drone weighs less than 250-grams (0.55 pounds), and while you are flying under The Exception for Recreational Flyers, you are not required to register your Drone.

Link to the TRUST Certificate at the Pilot Institute Web Site (FREE…)


Link to the FAADroneZone (Optional Registration for Drones under 250-Grams…)


If you are considering acquiring your Part 107 License, here is a link to get you going…


Since you live in California, 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.


Below is the link to the User Manual offered by DJI for the Mini 4K

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…"


Fly Safe and Enjoy!
 

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