How does the Mav do in the winter?

[Samson 811970]

Hi all, relative noob here... Had my MP for about 2 months and have about 5 hours flight time... I'm getting pretty good at it and enjoy it immensely.

Anyway, I'm in upstate New York, and before I blink an eye, it will be pretty cold outside, and eventually winter and the requisite snow will be here, and last for several months. I ask those more experienced than I what I can expect as far as flying in the colder months.

The thought of putting up my Mavic until March or April of 2018 is **** depressing!

Any thoughts about winter flying are appreciated.

 

[msinger]

The Mavic does quite well in cold weather if you keep your batteries and mobile device warm before flying. You can find some good cold weather flying tips here, here, and here.

 

[Samson 811970]

The Mavic does quite well in cold weather if you keep your batteries and mobile device warm before flying. You can find some good cold weather flying tips here, here, and here.

Appreciate that msinger! Tyvm!

 

[Lapeer20m]

I live in Michigan. I find that my fingers are the limiting factor when flying in the winter.

I need fingertips exposed as the iPad doesn't work with gloves, and 20 minutes of not wearing gloves in 20 degree temps is generally enough for me.

They make "special" gloves that work with touch screens but I've never used them myself.

 

[dirkclod]

I tried a pair of those gloves and they did not work well with me .
I have seen mitts for Phantom TX's but none for the mavic yet .

 

[msinger]

I find it's harder to maneuver the sticks while wearing gloves. I usually fly until my fingers cannot take it anymore -- and then I call it quits

 

[Former Member]

I use something like this. Works well, when I remember to bring it, hands never get cold and I fly all winter.

Turnigy Transmitter Glove (2.4Ghz/Neckstrap Ready)

 

[Samson 811970]

I find it's harder to maneuver the sticks while wearing gloves. I usually fly until my fingers cannot take it anymore -- and then I call it quits

That seems like it makes sense... I really need to feel the sticks... To lose that touch would be difficult.

So the sensors work on in the colder Temps?

Also, is battery life impacted by the cold?

 

[Rnl]

I fly from my truck, heater blowing

 

[msinger]

So the sensors work on in the colder Temps?

I've never heard of issues where cold weather negatively impacted the sensors.

is battery life impacted by the cold?

Yes, your batteries probably won't last as long.

 

[Scottso]

Hi all, relative noob here... Had my MP for about 2 months and have about 5 hours flight time... I'm getting pretty good at it and enjoy it immensely.

Anyway, I'm in upstate New York, and before I blink an eye, it will be pretty cold outside, and eventually winter and the requisite snow will be here, and last for several months. I ask those more experienced than I what I can expect as far as flying in the colder months.

The thought of putting up my Mavic until March or April of 2018 is **** depressing!

Any thoughts about winter flying are appreciated.

hey where in Upstate are you?

 

[Samson 811970]

hey where in Upstate are you?

Central NY... Utica/Rome area...

 

[Scottso]

Central NY... Utica/Rome area...

Rochester

 

[Samson 811970]

Rochester

So you know all about the snow then... Went to college in Niagara falls and even lived in Penfield for a while...

You ever fly in the winter?

 

[Scottso]

So you know all about the snow then... Went to college in Niagara falls and even lived in Penfield for a while...

You ever fly in the winter?

Haven't flown yet in winter...got the Mavic in May. It's amazing. Actually living in Webster. From what I hear, Mavic can get confused as the downward sensors can't find pattern in snow, so it might go wonkey. May wanna turn those off for bright smooth snow flying...we'll have to see...not that I want snow any time soon...Fall will be spectacular!

 

[Johnmcl7]

I received my Mavic in the winter and flew it quite a bit in the freezing temperatures without issue except for me being cold as several people have pointed out.

 

[WolfgangStiller]

I have flown down to 8 deg F at over 14,000 in the winter here in Colorado. Flight time is a bit reduced but the biggest impact was to my iPhone's battery. I have collected some tips on that here: iPhone battery cold weather tips

 

[Samson 811970]

Haven't flown yet in winter...got the Mavic in May. It's amazing. Actually living in Webster. From what I hear, Mavic can get confused as the downward sensors can't find pattern in snow, so it might go wonkey. May wanna turn those off for bright smooth snow flying...we'll have to see...not that I want snow any time soon...Fall will be spectacular!

I know Webster very well... Took bay road to work everyday...

I figured the snow might confuse it when landing...i plan to use one of those landing pads.

 

[Scottso]

I know Webster very well... Took bay road to work everyday...

I figured the snow might confuse it when landing...i plan to use one of those landing pads.

Good idea. I love off bay road! Hah! Small world!!

 

[lostmariner]

Spent the last two months using my Mavic to film mountain scapes up at 5000-7000m in the Tien Shen Mountain Range. The temps ranged from -10 to -40 degrees Celsius. The Mavic didn't appear to suffer any bad side effects apart from the occasional rotor speed warning when the wind gusted too much. The main thing was keeping my hands warm but I was using Outdoor Research ice climbing gloves and they all have touch screen compatibility. Very impressed with the Mavic for easy lightweight use at altitude and in cold conditions.

Here's a very fast edit,