Scottalmas
Well-Known Member
I totally understand what you're saying. My point was that, if you're on this Forum, you are already far more committed to this than so, so many others that got their toy for Christmas or Hanukkah, naively put it up in the air, then up in the tree or down in to the ocean floor. Then goes into school or work and tells everyone what a piece of junk it is (not because it is, but because they had no clue what they were doing). This because of the way it is marketed.Not so sure about this. For me, they nailed the price/value equation. I've always been drone-curious, but not $900+ curious. I would not have pulled the trigger if it was functionally watered down to be less than the MM is today. Moderate performance, decent range/flight time, & 2K, all good for me. 249g less a concern, but I understand the motivation. This could be a gateway drone for me should this hobby click with me.
I understand and accept the limitations - no sensors, fly-away risk, etc. A $399 loss does not cross the same pain threshold as a $900 loss.
/Scott, I may have misread your intent ...
I encourage you to take a look at the DJI websites for the Air and the Mini. There is a bit more of a seriousness to the Air's site than you would see in the Mini's pages. The Mini is marketed to be the Volksdrone. Heck: the sales slogan is "Fly as you are." Exactly as you are. You, right now, can fly just as you are; knowing just what you know right now. But the flight rules and dangers are the same. I am a DJI fan, but I think it is irresponsible to so loudly promote "249g" and the idea that you don't need to register it without really explaining what that really means. I've heard the misunderstanding repeated even in this forum that there basic flight safety rules don't apply because it only weighs 249g. In the end, that is bad of the hobby which is already on its heals in the crosshairs of the FCC, uninformed local law enforcement and very suspicious and distrusting average Joes that actually believe you might be spying on them through their bedroom windows with your consumer grade drone.
For me, and let's see who out there understands this reference, DJI's marketing of the Mini is the Joe Camel of the drone world.