Is the Mini 4 Pro the drone for me?

[Z06_Pilot]

Hi folks,

Brand new to the hobby. I have my TRUST cert, and have viewed the Drone 101 video a couple of of times. have been devouring info on this forum, YouTube, and elsewhere. The consensus seems to be that overall, DJI is the brand to go with. I really think I have landed (!) on the Mini 4 Pro, but I have a few questions/concerns and hope you folks experienced with this unit (and very likely other DJI's) can help me:

*lack of optical zoom. From time to time, I will use my drone to examine the roof on our main house and a couple of other buildings on our property (we have had issues with birds pecking holes in the roof (!), as well as check out the health of large limbs higher up in our trees. We don't live in a thick wooded area so there is plenty of open space to fly. Just wondering if I can get close enough to see roof or limb issues with the standard focal range of the Mini 4 Pro. I don't consider digital zoom as a feature.....it's terrible on any device I have ever had with it-understandably. curious if any of you find this a hinderance with this drone?

*small size-lightweight and operating in the wind. Out where we are, the wind is rarely super calm. Most of the time it's blowing 5-10 mph. Every couple of months we will get 25-30 mph winds. Wondering how well the Mini 4 Pro does in windy conditions in the real world. Part of this concern is how much additional battery power is used for stable flight in windy conditions. From my reading the standard batteries realistically return about 25 minutes of flight time, and I assume that number is with mostly calm conditions.

*I like the idea of the 360 degree obstacle detection system on the 4 Pro (especially since I am a beginner). What is interesting to me is on a DJI produced video, it lists about 20 different circumstances where the detection system will operate in limited mode or not at all. How good does the system work in your experience?

I thought I wanted a sub-250 drone to avoid the 107 licensing requirements, but I am curious if larger units (with optical zoom) might be a better fit given the items I listed?

Thanks very much for your input!

 

[tstr14]

Given you can fly close to the object you wish to take pictures of, you should be fine. Plus don't discount the software zoom of the drone nor the ability to take a photo and zoom in on it with photo editing software.
Here's a picture of a barn I took with the standard setting:


And here's one zoomed in with the drone's software:



No, it won't win any contests, but it's not bad. Both photos were downsized in PS to make posting here easier.

Given the soon to be escalated price of DJI drones, you better poo or get off the pot!

 

[JAW]

From what you posted, I think the Mini 4 Pro would be perfect for you. Don't discount the software Zoom. From what you describe your need for a zoom lens I believe the software will do just as good as an optical zoom. It won't give you 4K resolution, but certainly good enough to find those pesky bird nests. I use my 4Pro to inspect the solar panels on the roof.

 

[Z06_Pilot]

Given you can fly close to the object you wish to take pictures of, you should be fine. Plus don't discount the software zoom of the drone nor the ability to take a photo and zoom in on it with photo editing software.
Here's a picture of a barn I took with the standard setting:
View attachment 182029

And here's one zoomed in with the drone's software:

View attachment 182030

No, it won't win any contests, but it's not bad. Both photos were downsized in PS to make posting here easier.

Given the soon to be escalated price of DJI drones, you better poo or get off the pot!

"Given the soon to be escalated price of DJI drones, you better poo or get off the pot! " Funny! And so true. I hope to make up my mind over the weekend and order Monday. Nice barn, BTW, and thanks for the pic.

another use for zoom for me would be not having to fly the drone in close proximity of everything I want a closer look at when just doing general flying. what you show above looks completely usable to me. I struggled to fine comparison shots like this, so thank u!

 

[Cafguy]

Wind will be a problem with the mini Fly with care in the wind. and yes you will see reduced Battery times in the wind but I don't think its a deal breaker for the mini at all it will handle some wind with ease.
You Don't need a Part 107 to fly above 250 Grams just an active RID. (YET)
obstacle avoidance is a feature and you should not rely on it.

 

[rwilliam99]

A few thoughts:

• Obstacle avoidance - while it works reasonably well, you should NEVER depend on it to keep you out of trouble. It should be considered more as a backup
• The mini series does not do terribly well in higher winds - I doubt you could fly it stably in 25-30 MPH winds. With that said, it is pretty amazing what it can do in windy conditions.
• As others have said, the software zoom is really good - the camera is pretty amazing honestly.
• Having a sub 250 gram drone for recreational use is a big advantage, IMO.

 

[Starz]

The mini series does not do terribly well in higher winds

Something that should be high on the consideration list.
The other issue that I saw was the way the mini series is built compared to the larger products. All the components are built with the elimination of weight as the goal.
They are though, very popular pieces.

 

[Phantomrain.org]

I would consider getting the Air 2S , as wind in open area is always going to be part of the Equation , but also just being able to see your drone in the sky as well as the Accessories that you can get for your drone.

We own all the drones an the Mini series can do it all but others do it so much nicer an offer more expansion for the adventure.

Gear to fly your drone in the Rain. Land on the Roof Tops
Phantomrain.org

 

[Dronecation]

Possibly wait for the rumoured Mini 5 pro in a couple months.

 

[tstr14]

Possibly wait for the rumoured Mini 5 pro in a couple months.

He lives in the US. So he will risk the possibility of paying an extra of 145% the cost (basically a $1000 drone would be almost $2500) and that's if he can get one at all.

 

[Vic Moss]

I thought I wanted a sub-250 drone to avoid the 107 licensing requirements, but I am curious if larger units (with optical zoom) might be a better fit given the items I listed?

The weight has nothing to do with getting a 107. That is determined by what you're going to do with it. But if you do get the Mini 4 Pro (I think it would do fine for what you want), the 250g weight limit (with the smaller batteries) would simply prevent you from having to register it. But even if you got a larger drone, or used the extended batteries on the Mini 4 Pro (they put it over 250g), all you have to do is register it. And that's only $5 for three years.

If you do get the Mini 4 Pro, watch Pilot Institute's free Mini 4 Pro Deep Dive. You'll learn a lot about the drone. Or watch it now and it will help you decide if it will work for you or not. If you want to investigate other drones, PI has a lot of other Deep Dives too.

DJI Mini 4 Pro Deep Dive - Pilot Institute

pilotinstitute.com

 

[DISC]

Mini 4 Pro works fine on roof inspections for me. I never use the zoom - take full res and crop during editing.
Sub 250 means much less restrictions and I haven’t been bothered by the wind yet. Battery life always exceeds my requirements AND you have the option of extended ones in the states.
Obstacle avoidance is handy but doesn’t work with fine branches when there are no leaves on the trees!
Jump in - you won’t regret it!

 

[a2tomm]

The 107 is only required if you plan to make money with your drone ,word to the wise (if you are doing this for yourself the 107 is not needed) ,All DJI drones under 5 grand use digital zoom .Optical zoom is not available .The mini 4 is great for close inspections of buildings and such .
Also if you plan to insure your drone say with State Farm the 107 can get in the way .I insure all my drones thru State farm .it's the best way to go .the DJI refresh is a great second best way to go

 

[Vic Moss]

The 107 is only required if you plan to make money with your drone

"Making money" isn't the arbiter. 107 is required for anything non-recreational.