How to shave few grams off the Mini 5 Pro?

[BossBob]

Think your drone is under 250g? Think again.

DJI markets the Mini 5 as 249.9g ±4g — which means some units may legally exceed the 250g threshold. In Europe, that violates the C0 classification under EASA, which allows no tolerance. In the U.S., FAA rules are just as clear: once your drone crosses 250g, it must be registered.

And let’s be real — anyone adding an ND filter (which is practically essential for proper video quality) is pushing the drone well over the limit.

So no, it’s not “Mini” anymore. It’s not exempt. It’s just another drone that needs to follow the rules. If you’re flying it unregistered, you’re not just bending the law — you’re breaking it.

Not been keeping up with your reading then!

EASA Confirms DJI Mini 5 Pro Retains C0 Status Despite 252g Weight

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency officially confirmed that the DJI Mini 5 Pro maintains its C0 classification, even many units weigh 252-253 grams.

dronexl.co

There’s even enough tolerance to be able to add a DJI NDfilter!

 

[wco81]

Not been keeping up with your reading then!

EASA Confirms DJI Mini 5 Pro Retains C0 Status Despite 252g Weight

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency officially confirmed that the DJI Mini 5 Pro maintains its C0 classification, even many units weigh 252-253 grams.

dronexl.co

There’s even enough tolerance to be able to add a DJI NDfilter!

How about strobe light or landing gear?

 

[BossBob]

You would be pushing it. The DJI NDfilters only weigh ~1.2g and they are mentioned within the specifications as are propellers. Strobes and landing gear aren’t but that doesn’t stop Amazon and eBay from selling the things.

 

[EricJT]

Is there reasonable easy and safe way to get rid off a part to make the drone fit under 250g? Mine appears to be 2g overweight.

Yep, take the battery out.

 

[wco81]

You would be pushing it. The DJI NDfilters only weigh ~1.2g and they are mentioned within the specifications as are propellers. Strobes and landing gear aren’t but that doesn’t stop Amazon and eBay from selling the things.
View attachment 185512

We can only go by the packaging and the claims of the manufacturer that this product is under the weight.

Presumably the regulatory authorities certified that it complied with their most lenient regulations when they permitted DJI to etch the C0 CE Mark.

There's presumably no communications or warnings about adding accessories which may put it over the weight threshold.

Does the manual say it's right at the weight limit so you can't add any accessories?

 

[MS Coast]

Does the manual say it's right at the weight limit so you can't add any accessories?

The specifications for the Mini 5 Pro say the weight is 249.9 grams +/- 4 grams.

 

[mavic3usa]

We can only go by the packaging and the claims of the manufacturer that this product is under the weight.

Presumably the regulatory authorities certified that it complied with their most lenient regulations when they permitted DJI to etch the C0 CE Mark.

There's presumably no communications or warnings about adding accessories which may put it over the weight threshold.

Does the manual say it's right at the weight limit so you can't add any accessories?

Like most products, there is little to no government "collusion" when it comes to regulatory compliance other than the ordinary minimum stuff. There's no path for this sort of discussion but instead, DJI says this in the user guide and on the website about using accessories and about using either battery:




This basically put the consumer on the hook for making sure whatever they do, they do so within the confines of the law because DJI has done absolutely zero and take no responsibility (for the weight of the drone). DJI has provided you with the "qualified" accessories and provided you with the battery warnings so wherever you are located, you have what you need to determine your own qualification since they are not going to do it for you.

 

[wco81]

OK, if C0 and and A1 are based strictly on MTOM, that's pretty clear.

If instead C0 was based on weight out of the box and you know you can say attach water ballons to it to drop on people, that would be another thing.

Adding a strobe though is a good thing, even if it takes the drone a gram or two over the MTOM limit.

 

[mavic3usa]

OK, if C0 and and A1 are based strictly on MTOM, that's pretty clear.

If instead C0 was based on weight out of the box and you know you can say attach water ballons to it to drop on people, that would be another thing.

Adding a strobe though is a good thing, even if it takes the drone a gram or two over the MTOM limit.

Agreed.

But one could argue a strobe light is not on the DJI-approved accessory list.

 

[Cymruflyer]

I can't believe you few are really worrying about a few grams. Do you really think there are teams of FAA weight Police out there just waiting to catch someone flying and then pouncing on them and weighing their drone?

Just give us one single example of this ever happening anywhere by the FAA or the Police, ANYWHERE!!! It is laughable, all this concern about 2 grams or so. The FAA must be laughing if they happen to see some of these posts.

 

[TheWerewolf]

This entire discussion is frustrating at so many levels for sub-250g drone ops in Canada.

We get the armchair lawyers (typically licensed drone ops) reading the rules and chastising us if we don't comply 100% and citing rules for licensed A or B ops as if they apply to microdrones... then in the next breath we get "Eh, it's close enough, who's going to check."

Pick ONE please?

Most drone ops (recreational or not, sub250 or not) want to comply with the law and rules. Most of us who are likely to be posting on a site like this have at least read the TC pages related to it (and I'll be honest here, I've not only studied the laws - I've even had conversations with TC officials to confirm my understanding - so be wary of trying to pull rank here).

The short version as of today (2 Oct 25) is that TC has not officially decided whether or not a Mini 5 Pro is classified as a microdrone. One representative has said yes, but not in any official capacity. The reality is that the Mini 4 Pro could also go over 250g. Mine is exactly 249g so any variances in the drone caused by moisture or in the scales could put it over. The only reason this has become such an issue is because DJI, for the first time, stated on the box that the drone is 249.9g +/- 4g, basically underlining what we all knew: some will go over.

The general if tacit assumption we all had was that a little over the line, especially when the drone maker said "Trust us, it's under 249g", was probably nothing to worry about and in fact, it does seem like it was. It's not like we were intentionally breaking the rules. If DJI hadn't added the +/- 4g, we'd probably all be flying them blissfully unaware or not caring even though honestly, we should have checked. Being underweight is like checking the props and motors - it's part of the flight checklist.

BUT... at the moment, unless told otherwise by TC, flying a drone that you know to be overweight as a microdrone is a violation of the rules. The fact that it's almost impossible that you'll be caught or punished isn't really an ethical argument especially if you then turn around and complain about microdrones doing other relatively harmless (and in many cases allowed, contrary what some of the arm chair lawyers think) actions.

Moreso, the equivalent agency in the EU solved this simply: M5Ps are certified as C0 drone. End of discussion. TC can do the same thing. Or DJI can make a slightly lighter battery with a little less time.

Or you can fly illegally (even if it's a fairly trivial and minor illegality). It's up to you.

But please drop the attitude. We should ALL be encouraging ALL drone ops to fly in the rules.

That benefits us all.

 

[Dronecation]

This entire discussion is frustrating at so many levels for sub-250g drone ops in Canada.

We get the armchair lawyers (typically licensed drone ops) reading the rules and chastising us if we don't comply 100% and citing rules for licensed A or B ops as if they apply to microdrones... then in the next breath we get "Eh, it's close enough, who's going to check."

Pick ONE please?

Most drone ops (recreational or not, sub250 or not) want to comply with the law and rules. Most of us who are likely to be posting on a site like this have at least read the TC pages related to it (and I'll be honest here, I've not only studied the laws - I've even had conversations with TC officials to confirm my understanding - so be wary of trying to pull rank here).

The short version as of today (2 Oct 25) is that TC has not officially decided whether or not a Mini 5 Pro is classified as a microdrone. One representative has said yes, but not in any official capacity. The reality is that the Mini 4 Pro could also go over 250g. Mine is exactly 249g so any variances in the drone caused by moisture or in the scales could put it over. The only reason this has become such an issue is because DJI, for the first time, stated on the box that the drone is 249.9g +/- 4g, basically underlining what we all knew: some will go over.

The general if tacit assumption we all had was that a little over the line, especially when the drone maker said "Trust us, it's under 249g", was probably nothing to worry about and in fact, it does seem like it was. It's not like we were intentionally breaking the rules. If DJI hadn't added the +/- 4g, we'd probably all be flying them blissfully unaware or not caring even though honestly, we should have checked. Being underweight is like checking the props and motors - it's part of the flight checklist.

BUT... at the moment, unless told otherwise by TC, flying a drone that you know to be overweight as a microdrone is a violation of the rules. The fact that it's almost impossible that you'll be caught or punished isn't really an ethical argument especially if you then turn around and complain about microdrones doing other relatively harmless (and in many cases allowed, contrary what some of the arm chair lawyers think) actions.

Moreso, the equivalent agency in the EU solved this simply: M5Ps are certified as C0 drone. End of discussion. TC can do the same thing. Or DJI can make a slightly lighter battery with a little less time.

Or you can fly illegally (even if it's a fairly trivial and minor illegality). It's up to you.

But please drop the attitude. We should ALL be encouraging ALL drone ops to fly in the rules.

That benefits us all.

Wee bit pedantic here n'est-ce pas?
If you told me you haven't ever gone over the speed limit by a couple mph/kph, I'd have to believe you? I believe not...

 

[mavic3usa]

Wee bit pedantic here n'est-ce pas?
If you told me you haven't ever gone over the speed limit by a couple mph/kph, I'd have to believe you? I believe not...

Not.the.same

 

[Bad Santa]

Not.the.same

It's not the same.

Where the speed limit is about safety, the >249 number is about identification.
Flying a 249g drone or a 253g drone carry the same risk whether or not they are displaying identification.
Adding RID doesn't make a >250g safer.

 

[Dronecation]

It's not the same.

Where the speed limit is about safety, the >249 number is about identification.
Flying a 249g drone or a 253g drone carry the same risk whether or not they are displaying identification.
Adding RID doesn't make a >250g safer.

From what I have read:
"Regulators determined the 249-gram weight limit for micro drones based on safety assessments, concluding that drones under this weight are less likely to cause significant harm in accidents."

 

[Bad Santa]

From what I have read:
"Regulators determined the 249-gram weight limit for micro drones based on safety assessments, concluding that drones under this weight are less likely to cause significant harm in accidents."

All I could reply to that is "duh".
Just as it's more likely that a sub 200 gram drone would have the potential to cause less damage than a post 200 gram drone.
Neither of which would or should have a bearing on whether or not RID would be needed.

Here's something to add to your statement, though.

If there are things being done to keep a drone sub 250g, could it be that if the drone were a tad heavier(to enhance safety) it could be more reliable and less likely to cause damage in the first place?

 

[anotherlab]

...Just as it's more likely that a sub 200 gram drone would have the potential to cause less damage than a post 200 gram drone.
Neither of which would or should have a bearing on whether or not RID would be needed....

If you consider one of the reasons for RID was to identify drone operators from flying in places where they are not supposed to be, then the weight is almost irrelevant.

If first responders are prevented from landing an evacuation helicopter because a small drone was nearby, it doesn't matter if the drone weighs 249g, 250g, 252g, or even 200g.

 

[Dronecation]

All I could reply to that is "duh".

You were the one that said, to quote:
" It's not the same.
Where the speed limit is about safety, the >249 number is about identification."