Just got my first Drone

[run2jeepn]

I was big into RC's from 2000-2010 or so. Even owned a Shop online that built custom parts to RTR rigs. Never touched anything that flew thou. My Father n law bought a Phantom 3 from a buddy of his and I updated it for him. After seeing it I knew I had to get one. I travel a lot and so I ended up wanting the Mavic Air. I just won one on E-Bay yesterday. It's used but was promised everything works like it should.

What should I be looking for and testing when I get it to make sure it's 100% safe to fly?

 

[Wille]

Good on you
If you were into R/C (ground especially, It is Flipping awesome.

Id say, after motorbikes, It's the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

Especially if your married, have hit the 10 year mark, and relations have become a chore

 

[Starz]

Go through every settings in the go4 app when you power it up.
Remove the props as a safety precaution until you are ready to fly
IN A BIG OPEN SPACE WITH NOTHING TO BUMP INTO.
Do some research on when to do calibrations.
Some seem to think compass calibration is a cure all, which is not quite correct. If you’re unsure of something, ask first. Lots of people around that can help!

 

[Starz]

Based on the picture, if you plug into the bottom port on the controller, remember to remove the one on the side.

 

[Grumpy D]

If you haven’t downloaded the MANUAL please do it now, read it from cover to cover a couple of times. Print it and keep a copy in your flight bag. You will find your Mavic much more enjoyable as a result.
I recommend not doing any updates prior to a couple of test flights, that will make sorting anomalies much easier.
Keep it in beginner mode and don’t think about the camera until your comfortable with your flying abilities.
Don’t get near water until you are able to call your self an experienced pilot.

Enjoy your new money pit.

 

[run2jeepn]

Better Pic's... this is what was posted on EBay. Anything standout I might have night seen?

 

[Grumpy D]

I’m assuming it’s got a charger coming with it?
If only one battery ya might start shopping for a couple of batteries and a charging hub. Being restricted to 16 minutes of flight time is not very satisfying.
Being used, I’d also suggest you do a rest to default. Don’t forget the manual, you don’t want to be one of those that post, “WHY did my Mavic fly away”.

 

[run2jeepn]

I’m assuming it’s got a charger coming with it?
If only one battery ya might start shopping for a couple of batteries and a charging hub. Being restricted to 16 minutes of flight time is not very satisfying.
Being used, I’d also suggest you do a rest to default. Don’t forget the manual, you don’t want to be one of those that post, “WHY did my Mavic fly away”.

Ya it comes with a Charger, not sure on the Manual. I can download it. Ya I'm saving up for 2 more if not 3 new batteries.

 

[Grumpy D]

Download is the only way you can get the manual. DJI products do not ship with the manual, only a quick start guide. You need to read the complete manual, the quick start guide only gives you enough to get you in trouble. Trust me on this

 

[arcticfrost]

When I got mine, the person I bought it from showed me how to set it up, connect the controller and fly it. If I ever had an issue I was able to google it to solve it. There are some how to videos on YouTube. They’re pretty simple and fun to fly.

 

[naiku]

I just went through this the other day, first, hope that the person you buy it from knows how to pack things. The seller of mine did not, cue much worrying from me (even though I know PayPal would have covered me) when a crushed box arrived on my doorstep.

Take pictures as you remove it all from the packaging, that way you cover yourself in case anything arrives damaged. Remove and inspect the props, remove the gimbal cover and power everything on. Calibrate the controller, compass, IMU etc and go through all the settings with the props removed. I had some issues updating firmware and calibrating the sensors, but was able to perform those tasks using the desktop program.

Once you are happy everything looks good. Put the props back on, give them a wiggle to make sure they are attached. Set it to beginner mode and go fly.

My first flight I kept it fairly low and close to me, just getting a feel for the controls. Not looking at my tablet screen, but watching the drone. That was yesterday afternoon, drained 2 batteries and called it a day. I had also watched a handful of videos on beginner settings, what to expect with the drone, definitely worth spending the time doing that, I found them very useful.

Went back out today, switched off beginner mode. Again, spent some time just flying around watching the drone itself. Took it up to 200' and took some pictures, flew all around the yard, drained batteries again then the wind picked up. I cannot wait to get back out with it, it's really an impressive little thing. If you have Android, I've found an app called UAV forecast handy, I set the wind speed to 15mph and it's been nice to use to get an idea of winds.

Be safe and have fun with it. Sorry for the long post, but as I wrote above, I just went through all of this.

 

[Wille]

Ya it comes with a Charger, not sure on the Manual. I can download it. Ya I'm saving up for 2 more if not 3 new batteries.

Ultimately it's a toy, but if it's a toy you would be sad to lose, cant afford to lose
just fly it like you CANT Lost it. Pretend it's an Air Force asset, or Air Force one, or you get the idea.

This sounds corny in respect to a drone, but my Flight Instructor (Real planes) always said:
"You have to fill your bucket of experience, before your Bucket of Luck drys up"

 

[Starz]

There is a feature built in to the system that will tell you if you need to do any calibration. Just because someone tells you to do that, DOESN’T mean you should do it. I’ll say it AGAIN, calibrating is NOT a cure all.
And you may want to do a little research on “updates”. Same thing on this one. Just because s o m e o n e says to do it doesn’t mean you need to. There are times when you should avoid updates until they have been tested by someone other than you and your hard earned new aircraft.

 

[Jackcutrone]

You may want to do your few first flights in Beginner Mode so it keeps close to you and not to high.

 

[MKurr]

You may want to do your few first flights in Beginner Mode so it keeps close to you and not to high.

Or fly it in sorts mode and crash it!

 

[run2jeepn]

Is there anyway to buy the DJI Care Refresh for this drone? Seller told me it was registered.

 

[naiku]

Trying to figure out either DJI case refresh or State farm myself. I thought I had read you can get DJI care on a used drone, but there are criteria that have to be met.

State farm, I'm not sure if the drone has to have been purchased brand new.

 

[Starz]

St farm is half the cost and a phone call away if there becomes a problem.
I have neither. I pay attention to what I’m doing.

 

[run2jeepn]

St farm is half the cost and a phone call away if there becomes a problem.
I have neither. I pay attention to what I’m doing.

I'm new it flying RC's and would like a little insurance starting off. Would hate to crash it, or lose it right off that bat and be out all that money.

 

[Grumpy D]

State Farm, .17 cents per day, pays full replacement cost no matter what happens, no deductible and you don’t have to produce a corpse. I’ve never filled a claim but it’s widely reported that check is in your hand in 2-3 days.