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

[Unklelol]

DJI drones made after Sept 2022 have RID ability

 

[BossBob]

DJI drones made after Sept 2022 have RID ability

But it wasn’t supposed to broadcast unless the overweight ‘plus’ battery was being used, unless they’ve another way of deriving take off weight which is picking up anything over 250.00g.

 

[MS Coast]

But it wasn’t supposed to broadcast unless the overweight ‘plus’ battery was being used, unless they’ve another way of deriving take off weight which is picking up anything over 250.00g.

The drone determines the battery type electronically by reading information from the battery, not by weight.

 

[Bad Santa]

The drone determines the battery type electronically by reading information from the battery, not by weight.

I don't understand how some people don't seem to understand this.

 

[mavic3usa]

The drone determines the battery type electronically by reading information from the battery, not by weight.

I don't understand how some people don't seem to understand this.

Probably because the Mini drones have something called Payload mode where the drone is supposed to detect if it is "overweight" even if the standard battery is used and this mode is switched on. Perhaps they are thinking it is possible to also switch on RID when payload mode comes on. Obviously it doesn't work that way because Payload mode can be manually switched off (although I can see using it as a trigger that keeps RID transmitting for the duration of the flight).

You cannot question the drone will read the battery type electronically and then act accordingly because that is what happens but that doesn't necessarily rule out other means for detecting a condition which could be used for RID. Part 107 would love for this to happen where they could use the regular battery, trigger Payload mode, and still get standard RID and not have to rely on an external module. I don't know how Payload mode operates exactly or how it determines when to trigger (maybe it's in flight and there is additional drag or the tilt angle.....I don't know) but it doesn't matter because DJI is not using Payload mode to trigger RID. Maybe the newer Mini drones don't even have Payload mode.....

 

[BossBob]

I understand all of this, especially reading data from electronic components. I also know that it is possible to calculate or relate a number to another reading. Manufacturers do it all the time. Grams of diesel particulate in a dpf calculated from pressure is a common one for me. I know there isn’t a scale in the exhaust of the car. It’s just looked up from a table comparing known dpf content weight to differential pressure across the dpf.
The reality is that until someone reverse engineers the mini 5 pro the only people who know what goes on inside it are DJI.

 

[anotherlab]

Probably because the Mini drones have something called Payload mode where the drone is supposed to detect if it is "overweight" even if the standard battery is used and this mode is switched on. Perhaps they are thinking it is possible to also switch on RID when payload mode comes on. Obviously it doesn't work that way because Payload mode can be manually switched off (although I can see using it as a trigger that keeps RID transmitting for the duration of the flight).

I don't think Payload mode is triggered by a sensor or by flight performance. When you enable Payload mode, the behavior of the drone is recalibrated to accommodate the extra weight attached to the drone.

 

[mavic3usa]

I don't think Payload mode is triggered by a sensor or by flight performance. When you enable Payload mode, the behavior of the drone is recalibrated to accommodate the extra weight attached to the drone.

I haven't seen it lately but I seem to recall Payload mode being activated automatically when I attached stuff to the drone and I definitely didn't turn it on manually; how did that happen?

 

[davedrone 178]

Regardless, my 5 Pro triggers the drone scanner APP every time I fly it. (standard battery).
What is DJI's official position? I've called them and they seem to be confused also. If RID
is triggered by weight, makes sense since almost all of the drones are around 252 gram like mine is.

 

[MS Coast]

This drones does emit RID regardless of the battery you use. And since it does emit all the time, do we now have to register it? I'm on the FAA's radar so I will probably have to return the drone. What a shame. And DJI must know this

I found that my Mini 5 Pro broadcasts RID when used with a Mini 4 Pro standard battery, (with the 249 gram marking).

Details in post #27 here:

Mini5 plus battery in Mini4???

 

[davedrone 178]

I found that my Mini 5 Pro broadcasts RID when used with a Mini 4 Pro standard battery, (with the 249 gram marking).

Details in post #27 here:

Mini5 plus battery in Mini4???

The Mini 4 standard battery is a few grams heavier than the standard Mini 5 Pro battery.

 

[Unklelol]

But it wasn’t supposed to broadcast unless the overweight ‘plus’ battery was being used, unless they’ve another way of deriving take off weight which is picking up anything over 250.00g.

The plus battery automatically actives it, but it can also be activated by software update

 

[BossBob]

The plus battery automatically actives it, but it can also be activated by software update

But the problem is that users with RID scanners find that the drone transmits RID even when using the standard battery. It isn’t supposed to transmit as this isn’t required. Not even DJI rep’s realised this.

 

[mavic3usa]

Not sure if official Singapore but I found this posted elsewhere which is the first time I have heard any reference to an actual scale by a government:

 

[davedrone 178]

I called DJI and they told me that RID is ALWAYS broadcast regardless of the weight of the drone or the battery you use. I'm considering this as case closed and I'm shipping her back

 

[MS Coast]

I called DJI and they told me that RID is ALWAYS broadcast regardless of the weight of the drone or the battery you use. I'm considering this as case closed and I'm shipping her back

I'd take the DJI rep's statement with a grain of salt. It directly contradicts the manual.

Those folks are typical call center workers who have little or no experience with the product and have received minimal training. There have been many cases reported here where the information they provided was absolutely wrong, and others where the answer to a question about a minor issue was "Send it in for evaluation." A second call might yield an entirely different answer.

 

[davedrone 178]

I'd take the DJI rep's statement with a grain of salt. It directly contradicts the manual.

Those folks are typical call center workers who have little or no experience with the product and have received minimal training. There have been many cases reported here where the information they provided was absolutely wrong, and others where the answer to a question about a minor issue was "Send it in for evaluation." A second call might yield an entirely different answer.

As I stated before, the "drone scanner" APP picks it up right away, every time.

 

[MS Coast]

As I stated before, the "drone scanner" APP picks it up right away, every time.

Yes, I understand. And if RID is a problem for you, I understand you returning the drone.

But, the fact that the manual states that RID is not broadcast with the standard battery suggests to me that it's a problem with the drone's programmed control logic rather than an intentional part of the design. If that's the case, a firmware update may resolve it.

 

[davedrone 178]

Yes, I understand. And if RID is a problem for you, I understand you returning the drone.

But, the fact that the manual states that RID is not broadcast with the standard battery suggests to me that it's a problem with the drone's programmed control logic rather than an intentional part of the design. If that's the case, a firmware update may resolve it.

If I thought DJI would address it with a FW update, that would be good but they can't answer that question when I asked them. Another disappointment is the battery life. I'm not getting anywhere near what I get with my M4 Pro, same standard battery.

 

[Bad Santa]

If you're that paranoid, just return it and quit flying drones.