Is the Mini 5 Pro a sub-250g drone?

[GadgetGuy]

Thanks didnt see the 4 in your post.
Also I need a little help. I am packing a M5P standard that I got in error. I had ordered a plus and didn't realize it until I had it all unpacked. I am trying to pack it like I received it for the return. I can't remember if all 3 batteries were in the charger or was one in the M5P? Thanks

One is in the drone.

 

[YorksPhotos]

One is in the drone.

Thanks. All the drones I have unpacked in the last few months and couldn't remember.

 

[GadgetGuy]

There are a couple sellers of M5P Plus batteries on eBay tariff free for around $165. You could probably buy 3 and then sell the 3 standard batteries on Ebay @ $100 - $150 instead of shipping the entire drone kit back. I'm sure there are folks who bought the single battery kit who could use an extra battery.

I did something similar when I bought my Refurb Mini 4 Plus Combo directly from DJI last fall. I knew I wanted the Regular batteries, but the Regular Combo was not available at the time as a Refurb. Upon receipt, I bought 3 Regular Mini 4 Pro batteries on Amazon for $200, which is what I saved buying a Refurbished Plus Combo, and now have the 3 Mini 4 Plus batteries to sell or keep. They are still fully compatible with my Mini 3 Pro, which as never updated to broadcast RID, and the new Mini 5 Pro, which will then broadcast RID.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Thanks. All the drones I have unpacked in the last few months and couldn't remember.

On the M5P, it makes even more sense to ship it that way. It can charge 2 batteries in the hub simultaneously, while the 3rd can simultaneously be charged separately inside the drone. Ready with 3 batteries in an hour, from storage state inside the sealed box.

 

[mavic3usa]

Canada clears the way.

C'mon, US:

Transport Canada Clears DJI Mini 5 Pro Despite Weight Variance Concerns

Transport Canada has officially confirmed that the DJI Mini 5 Pro will maintain its micro drone classification despite weight variations that can push some

dronexl.co

 

[timinator]

Canada clears the way.

C'mon, US:

Transport Canada Clears DJI Mini 5 Pro Despite Weight Variance Concerns

Transport Canada has officially confirmed that the DJI Mini 5 Pro will maintain its micro drone classification despite weight variations that can push some

dronexl.co

Apparently this isn't true. Head of the rpas program at Transport Canada clarified in an email to the head of DPAC (drone pilot association canada)that if it is over 250g it is not a microdrone.

 

[mavic3usa]

Apparently this isn't true. Head of the rpas program at Transport Canada clarified in an email to the head of DPAC (drone pilot association canada)that if it is over 250g it is not a microdrone.

Ok, I must have missed that. So much information floating around from different sources and at different times, it's hard to keep it straight across countries. I'll check it out.

Would be nice if they could all get together and approve and declare a small variance and keep it simple for everyone because we are international and we travel and we co-exist. In the US, we complain when laws and regulations varies across states and local area so we value consistency. This ruling shouldn't be based on what the manufacturer markets or proclaims or what a scale weigh or what a officer determines in the field.

Ultimately I place most of the blame on DJI for they introduced this "issue" with the M5P; up until the M4P we were doing relatively fine. I get it, some people really don't care and they believe this is not a big deal, but most of us can't depend on a pass from our government, an understanding from an officer, or we don't have the privilege to settle for education as a remedy; that's not an option for everyone and it's disrespectful to the community to imply everyone is treated equally and should dismiss this issue and rely on common sense to come to the rescue as if that is a thing.

 

[Felix le Chat]

Ok, I must have missed that. So much information floating around from different sources and at different times, it's hard to keep it straight across countries. I'll check it out.

Would be nice if they could all get together and approve and declare a small variance and keep it simple for everyone because we are international and we travel and we co-exist. In the US, we complain when laws and regulations varies across states and local area so we value consistency. This ruling shouldn't be based on what the manufacturer markets or proclaims or what a scale weigh or what a officer determines in the field.

Ultimately I place most of the blame on DJI for they introduced this "issue" with the M5P; up until the M4P we were doing relatively fine. I get it, some people really don't care and they believe this is not a big deal, but most of us can't depend on a pass from our government, an understanding from an officer, or we don't have the privilege to settle for education as a remedy; that's not an option for everyone and it's disrespectful to the community to imply everyone is treated equally and should dismiss this issue and rely on common sense to come to the rescue as if that is a thing.

Europe (and the UK) have got it pretty well pegged - the mini 5 pro is or isn't a microdrone based entirely on how it is registered by the end-user: who can choose to keep the wee beastie a 'C0' by accepting operational limitations, or can free it up by re-registering it as a 'C1' class drone and accepting the fact that all the (current) benefits involved in flying a sub-250 have just gone right out of the window.

 

[mavic3usa]

Interesting article on the future of Mini drones in the UK:

UK Slashes Drone Registration Threshold To 100 Grams – DJI Mini 5 Pro Owners Must Comply By January 2026

Starting January 1, 2026, the United Kingdom will become the strictest drone regulator in the Western world by requiring registration for any drone weighing

dronexl.co

 

[YorksPhotos]

That is a lot of holes to drill.

 

[BossBob]

A Tello with prop guards weighs just on 91g.

 

[TheWerewolf]

What a blunder; this is probably going to be a disaster.

Why can't DJI have a regular successful professional launch without having to create an issue and I'm not talking about failure to launch in the US.

There are numerous reports of the drone weight coming in over 250g on the scales. This is sorta backed up by the DJI published specs. Over the years, we had been hoping the Mini drones would come *down* in weight, not go up.

Personally for me, this is not a problem. For two reasons: I register all my drones and I personally don't subscribe to the paranoia thought that a couple of g's here or there amounts to a massive violation.

However, this is going to cause some serious problems for those that are scared of their governments, those who are super picky and prefer to stick to the absolute letter of the law, those who depend on proper and accurate government labels and designations, anyone who wants to add *any* accessory to their drone like a filter, people who travel with their drone, and anyone (including the police) who has a cheap scale.

The internet is blowing up over this. At a minimum, this is a total distraction and it's self-inflicted and on day 1, sadly I am calling this a train-wreck happening in slow motion. DJI is post my opinion on this topic too early? Is this a nothing burger? I hope so.

Uggh!

As with all things legal, the answer is "It's complicated."

First, even some Mini 4 Pros went over the 249g line. The reality is that there are no TC police out there weighing each drone to ensure compliance. For one, that's actually the drone op's responsibility. So when would it ever be an issue? Most likely if you were already doing something dodgy like transiting through a class F restricted zone. It would be another thing they could nail you for.

Has it ever happened? Not that I'm aware of. TC has bigger things to worry about, but that's a little like saying always driving 10kmph over the speed limit is fine if you don't get caught and besides, the cops don't usually bother... well, until they do.

That being said, yes, unless TC comes out and officially declares the M5P a microdrone even if it's slightly over the 250 line, if your drone is over the 250 line, it's not legally a microdrone. How you want to deal with that is up to you. You have several options:

1. Shave a little plastic off (4g isn't that much and the odds are your drone won't be that much over),
2. Wait and see if anyone offers a lighter, shorter time battery,
3. Open the drone and remove a non-essential part like the internal speaker,
4. Wait until TC issues an official statement,
5. Get your full registration and license and live with the restrictions of Advanced or Basic class certification or
6. Just accept that really the M5P overweight is more or less the same as M4P overweight and not worry about it.

The reality is that none of this would have even been an issue if DJI hadn't stuck that +/- 4g note on the box when it's been true for all their previous drones and if certain "influencer" drone ops hadn't decided to make this into their big doomscroll moment - trying for clicks by scaring people.

Personally? I'm going to wait because I already have an M4P and I know for a fact it's under 250g, so I'm safe. The M5P feels like a good upgrade, but I don't need it and if this all clears up, it would make a nice Christmas present for myself.

But in the end, it's up to you. Odds are almost 98% +/- 2% that nothing will happen if you fly it. Unless TC explicitly declares the M5P as not a microdrone, of course. Then you're kind of screwed if all you wanted was a recreational drone.