Firstly - Hi everyone! I've been lurking for a few weeks, but this is my first post.
I bought my Mavic Air a couple of weeks ago when on holiday in the US. I live in the UK.
I've previously owned a Parrot Rolling Spider, so this is my first 'real' drone.
Over the last couple of weeks I've been reading all the Mavic Air documentation, and learning to fly it. Fairly low altitude, and not exploring too far until I get the hang of it. One thing I discovered is that DJI never equipped the MA with "follow me", but only Active Track.
The main reason for me buying a drone was to take on my MTB rides with me. I often find new trails and am unsure where they go. I've been down loads that are dead ends, and I end up having to walk back to the top and find another way down. I thought being able to look scout them out first would be pretty cool. I also liked the idea of a drone following me and recording some footage.
Today I was out on my bike, but at the top of the hill must've been 50+mph winds, as I was struggling to keep my balance! I decided to keep my MA in my backpack - which was a little disappointing.
As I was getting closer to the car, it was much more sheltered, so I thought I'd test out some low altitude Active Track. The path was just a wide open dirt track... slightly downhill, with approximately 20 metres between the trees at either side.
I put the MA at 15-20ft high, and set me as the target. I did this using the remote / iPhone - but without the thumbsticks fitted. My plan was to put the remote in my backpack - and having no thumbsticks would ensure they didn't accidentally get moved. I had headphones in, so could hear all the feedback from the remote through them.
It started off fine, until I got round the first corner. I'm talking about a long sweeping 45° corner - nothing steep. I was also travelling under 10mph. The MA slightly cut the corner, and ended up hovering behind a branch... stuck! I stopped, removed the controller from my backpack - and repositioned it in the middle of the track. At this point I had to re-select myself... and off we went again. The same thing happened again on the next minor curve. I ended up cycling back to the car with the controller in my hand!
When I got home, I decided to try and do a lap of the block on my OneWheel to test it using just my iPhone.
I put the MA in the air - probably 12ft high, and selected me. I started slowly heading off, and the MA was following. My 3 year old daughter came running out shouting "wait for me"! (She loves going for rides on the OneWheel). I lifted her on with her feet between mine, and we set off. The MA followed. I then realised how awkward it was holding my daughters hands and my iPhone at the same time... so locked it and put it in my pocket. As soon as the phone was locked - the MA just stopped.
Since Active Track is following ME using the camera, and not Follow Me tracking the remote - is there any way I can do this without either having to have the remote or iPhone on? Most of the activities I want "followed" during are not very good for having to be holding a controller!
I'm starting to think I should have bought the MPP instead - but didn't want to buy one of them based on the rumours of an MP2 being round the corner! I also wanted the extra portability of the MA.
I'm lucky in that I've bought the MA in the US for significantly less money than it costs in the UK - so in theory, I should be able to sell it without losing any money if I have to.
I bought my Mavic Air a couple of weeks ago when on holiday in the US. I live in the UK.
I've previously owned a Parrot Rolling Spider, so this is my first 'real' drone.
Over the last couple of weeks I've been reading all the Mavic Air documentation, and learning to fly it. Fairly low altitude, and not exploring too far until I get the hang of it. One thing I discovered is that DJI never equipped the MA with "follow me", but only Active Track.
The main reason for me buying a drone was to take on my MTB rides with me. I often find new trails and am unsure where they go. I've been down loads that are dead ends, and I end up having to walk back to the top and find another way down. I thought being able to look scout them out first would be pretty cool. I also liked the idea of a drone following me and recording some footage.
Today I was out on my bike, but at the top of the hill must've been 50+mph winds, as I was struggling to keep my balance! I decided to keep my MA in my backpack - which was a little disappointing.
As I was getting closer to the car, it was much more sheltered, so I thought I'd test out some low altitude Active Track. The path was just a wide open dirt track... slightly downhill, with approximately 20 metres between the trees at either side.
I put the MA at 15-20ft high, and set me as the target. I did this using the remote / iPhone - but without the thumbsticks fitted. My plan was to put the remote in my backpack - and having no thumbsticks would ensure they didn't accidentally get moved. I had headphones in, so could hear all the feedback from the remote through them.
It started off fine, until I got round the first corner. I'm talking about a long sweeping 45° corner - nothing steep. I was also travelling under 10mph. The MA slightly cut the corner, and ended up hovering behind a branch... stuck! I stopped, removed the controller from my backpack - and repositioned it in the middle of the track. At this point I had to re-select myself... and off we went again. The same thing happened again on the next minor curve. I ended up cycling back to the car with the controller in my hand!
When I got home, I decided to try and do a lap of the block on my OneWheel to test it using just my iPhone.
I put the MA in the air - probably 12ft high, and selected me. I started slowly heading off, and the MA was following. My 3 year old daughter came running out shouting "wait for me"! (She loves going for rides on the OneWheel). I lifted her on with her feet between mine, and we set off. The MA followed. I then realised how awkward it was holding my daughters hands and my iPhone at the same time... so locked it and put it in my pocket. As soon as the phone was locked - the MA just stopped.
Since Active Track is following ME using the camera, and not Follow Me tracking the remote - is there any way I can do this without either having to have the remote or iPhone on? Most of the activities I want "followed" during are not very good for having to be holding a controller!
I'm starting to think I should have bought the MPP instead - but didn't want to buy one of them based on the rumours of an MP2 being round the corner! I also wanted the extra portability of the MA.
I'm lucky in that I've bought the MA in the US for significantly less money than it costs in the UK - so in theory, I should be able to sell it without losing any money if I have to.
