Mavic 3 WILL NOT support Waypoint or Mapping missions

[RocketBrew]

The Air2S and other Fly App drones still do not support Waypoints, in the way we are accustomed to with the P4P or M2P.

The apps have to fly in a "joystick" mode to each location. The biggest change this makes is if you lose RC connection, the mission stops because the aircraft is getting its directions "live" and cannot continue on to a preprogrammed next waypoint.

From what I have read, it also makes for some clumsy moves for video.

You can do mapping missions with the Air 2 with Drone Deploy and Drone Link. They are both iOS apps and my understanding is the Air2s still doesn’t have an iOS SDk so once that gets sorted there’s no reason you wouldn’t be able to use the Air 2s as well.

 

[brett8883]

The Air2S and other Fly App drones still do not support Waypoints, in the way we are accustomed to with the P4P or M2P.

The apps have to fly in a "joystick" mode to each location. The biggest change this makes is if you lose RC connection, the mission stops because the aircraft is getting its directions "live" and cannot continue on to a preprogrammed next waypoint.

From what I have read, it also makes for some clumsy moves for video.

True but for mapping you still have to be continuously connected to the control app anyway because the app is what controls taking photos and the gimbal movements.

 

[ZoneAerial]

The Air2S and other Fly App drones still do not support Waypoints, in the way we are accustomed to with the P4P or M2P.

The apps have to fly in a "joystick" mode to each location. The biggest change this makes is if you lose RC connection, the mission stops because the aircraft is getting its directions "live" and cannot continue on to a preprogrammed next waypoint.

From what I have read, it also makes for some clumsy moves for video.

Really? You can't send the Air2S off on a long mission and it won't complete the mission if it disconnects? Wow. That's crap.

 

[canadian drone videos]

I get that but I think it’s poorly executed. When a new upgraded model comes out it should be at least as good as and have at least all the features of the previous model. DJI doesn’t do that. To get the upgraded product you have to be willing to give up features and functionality and this is nothing new for DJI. I’d gladly give up the $5,000 for the Mavic 3 Cine if I didn’t have to give anything up anything by “up”grading.

DJI should look to Apple on this thing. Every Apple device basically runs the same software so the only real differences between a $1000 computer and a $15000 is the hardware and you never give up features by upgrading to the latest model. As far as I know Apple doesn’t have any problem making money with that formula.

Can’t upgrade a MacBook Pro, make sure you get the one you want.

DJI wants you buying 5 different drones to have all the flexibility you want… which is hilarious when you consider their flagship drone is a compact foldable grass burner.

Here guys, here is a dandy compact foldable drone you can take anywhere, we made it so small because you need to have the MP2 and Air2s with you as well lol.

 

[brett8883]

Can’t upgrade a MacBook Pro, make sure you get the one you want.

Yea but I can just get the newest most expensive one with all the features and never have worry about these kinds of issues. That’s not the case with DJI. Often the older less expensive models have better features.

 

[canadian drone videos]

Yea but I can just get the newest most expensive one with all the features and never have worry about these kinds of issues. That’s not the case with DJI. Often the older less expensive models have better features.

Yep, well that’s DJI for ya, no surprise. This M3 will likely be the last DJI product I buy. By the time their next drone comes out there will be better alternatives on the marketplace.

 

[brett8883]

Yep, well that’s DJI for ya, no surprise. This M3 will likely be the last DJI product I buy. By the time their next drone comes out there will be better alternatives on the marketplace.

You were so high on it till recently, what changed your mind?

 

[Crouching Leopard]

All,

I am a ASPRS Cert Photogrammetrist and Mapping Scientist and also Remote Sensing Manager for a survey firm that uses a fleet of Phantom 4 Pros as our tools. Had high hopes the Mavic 3 Pro would be the golden ticket to replace the P4Pros for aerial mapping and was deeply disappointed to get confirmation directly from a DJI rep who is on the M3Pro team that, in his words "The GSPro would not be supporting the M3, the M3 is not Mobile SDK compatible and it does not support waypoint mission". I immediately panicked, and asked for confirmation again that the drone will not support mission planning and aerial mapping and got this 2nd reply "Yeah… Since the M3 is a consumer product, our new consumer would very unlikely to be supported with SDK." to which I told them they are making a HUGE MISTAKE and got this 3rd reply "Yes, our team had discussion internally and the M3 is confirmed would not support waypoint mission."

So despite hearing rumblings from DroneU and others that this may support mission planning and mapping I got 3 hard "no" responses from a rep who says he's on the team of developers there for it.... I'm currently in the painful process of trying to return our unit past it's 15 day return window because it currently is only useful as a paperweight for our survey company.

If anyone has heard a conflicting story I'd love to hear it.

When the Inspire 2 came out, I believe it also did not support mapping or waypoints. It seems DJI want to put in place product differentiators between their prosumer drones and their multi rotors. An SDK will be produced when the competition starts getting close and sales start dropping.

Go 2 pro Go! Waypoints, mapping, Litchi, Dronelink, Maven

 

[LA 2020]

All,

I am a ASPRS Cert Photogrammetrist and Mapping Scientist and also Remote Sensing Manager for a survey firm that uses a fleet of Phantom 4 Pros as our tools. Had high hopes the Mavic 3 Pro would be the golden ticket to replace the P4Pros for aerial mapping and was deeply disappointed to get confirmation directly from a DJI rep who is on the M3Pro team that, in his words "The GSPro would not be supporting the M3, the M3 is not Mobile SDK compatible and it does not support waypoint mission". I immediately panicked, and asked for confirmation again that the drone will not support mission planning and aerial mapping and got this 2nd reply "Yeah… Since the M3 is a consumer product, our new consumer would very unlikely to be supported with SDK." to which I told them they are making a HUGE MISTAKE and got this 3rd reply "Yes, our team had discussion internally and the M3 is confirmed would not support waypoint mission."

So despite hearing rumblings from DroneU and others that this may support mission planning and mapping I got 3 hard "no" responses from a rep who says he's on the team of developers there for it.... I'm currently in the painful process of trying to return our unit past it's 15 day return window because it currently is only useful as a paperweight for our survey company.

If anyone has heard a conflicting story I'd love to hear it.

I would not buy a drone that didn't support waypoints since I use them constantly. I can't understand why DJI would put out a high end drone without it

 

[Dougcjohn]

Particularly since I read this morning that the Inspire 2 will be discontinued soon. The M3 needs to be able to pick up mapping and litchi.

Looking forward to the Inspire 2 replacement... maybe, if it adds to the I2, X4S, X5S, X7 & GO4 functionality. Still little frustrated the I2 couldn't support the XT 640 from I1.

M3 SDK is a certainty... other things may be questionable or added surprises, but the SDK is a sure bet!

 

[canadian drone videos]

You were so high on it till recently, what changed your mind?

I don’t like DJI, well, maybe I wouldn’t put it that way. DJI makes fantastic drones, but I disagree with their business model. They designed the drone I want 4 years ago, they completed it, then chose not to mass produce it. And they like to weasel out of doing warranty work. This M3, with all due respect, shouldn’t even exist. This M3 should be the M2P. But at the end of the day had they mass produced the P5 instead of shelve it... this M3 is full of tech they’ve had for years, that 4/3rds sensor is 5 years old, and it’s the main reason why we bought the M3.

 

[brett8883]

I don’t like DJI, well, maybe I wouldn’t put it that way. DJI makes fantastic drones, but I disagree with their business model. They designed the drone I want 4 years ago, they completed it, then chose not to mass produce it. And they like to weasel out of doing warranty work. This M3, with all due respect, shouldn’t even exist. This M3 should be the M2P. But at the end of the day had they mass produced the P5 instead of shelve it... this M3 is full of tech they’ve had for years, that 4/3rds sensor is 5 years old, and it’s the main reason why we bought the M3.

Yea I hear you. Goes back to my original statement about them being the most frustrating company ever. If they didn’t make good products we wouldn’t even care about them.

They make excellent hardware, no question about it. Fitting that MFT sensor on that tiny drone while also extending battery life is nothing short of incredible. I know you say it’s the same MFT sensor as the x5s but it’s probably not. That sensor can’t do 4k/120. My problem with DJI is on the software side.

I remember that P5, it was still a 1” sensor though right? Would you really prefer interchangeable lenses on a 1” sensor over a MFT with a fixed lens?

 

[canadian drone videos]

Yea I hear you. Goes back to my original statement about them being the most frustrating company ever. If they didn’t make good products we wouldn’t even care about them.

They make excellent hardware, no question about it. Fitting that MFT sensor on that tiny drone while also extending battery life is nothing short of incredible. I know you say it’s the same MFT sensor as the x5s but it’s probably not. That sensor can’t do 4k/120. My problem with DJI is on the software side.

I remember that P5, it was still a 1” sensor though right? Would you really prefer interchangeable lenses on a 1” sensor over a MFT with a fixed lens?

The x5s sensor is capable of 5.2K but you had to buy the DNG or Apple pro res license to use it, otherwise all you had was 4K. As far as frame rate that’s all to do with processing power and possible speeds of the codec being used. It’s the exact same sensor in a smaller compact camera.

No reason why that P5 couldn’t have used the 4/3rd sensor with interchangeable lenses, but who would buy the I2 had they built it? Ya id still rather have interchangeable lenses with a 1” instead of the M3 4/3rd camera system. When I had my I2 before I sold it I didn’t need 5.2k, if I wanted tighter video without the cropping I just took the 15mm lens off and put the 25mm on.

The only drone above the ones I already own I will buy now is one that has interchangeable lenses with the 4/3rd sensor, in the size range of a Phantom. DJI could easily build the P5 with a 4/3 sensor and interchangeable lenses, and if they refuse then I just bought the last DJI product I will ever own. I just wait till their competition builds it. They have zero chance of selling me an M4 that does not come with interchangeable lenses, and I don’t think the Mavic could support such a thing.

 

[brett8883]

The x5s sensor is capable of 5.2K but you had to buy the DNG or Apple pro res license to use it, otherwise all you had was 4K. As far as frame rate that’s all to do with processing power and possible speeds of the codec being used. It’s the exact same sensor in a smaller compact camera.

No reason why that P5 couldn’t have used the 4/3rd sensor with interchangeable lenses, but who would buy the I2 had they built it? Ya id still rather have interchangeable lenses with a 1” instead of the M3 4/3rd camera system. When I had my I2 before I sold it I didn’t need 5.2k, if I wanted tighter video without the cropping I just took the 15mm lens off and put the 25mm on.

The only drone above the ones I already own I will buy now is one that has interchangeable lenses with the 4/3rd sensor, in the size range of a Phantom. DJI could easily build the P5 with a 4/3 sensor and interchangeable lenses, and if they refuse then I just bought the last DJI product I will ever own. I just wait till their competition builds it. They have zero chance of selling me an M4 that does not come with interchangeable lenses, and I don’t think the Mavic could support such a thing.

The sensor is responsible for the read out speed of the sensor so if the sensor can’t read out fast enough it will limit the frame rate. In all likelihood the X5s sensor is the Sony IMX269 which is not capable of anything close to 120 fps in 4k.

https://www.sony-semicon.co.jp/products/common/pdf/IMX269AQR_Flyer.pdf

The M3 on the other hand in all likelihood uses the Sony IMX272 which can read out 120 fps in 4k

https://www.sony-semicon.co.jp/products/common/pdf/IMX272AQK_Flyer.pdf

I have no idea about the rest. I know they made that one “P5” with the 1 inch interchangeable lenses but it’s not clear what the flight time on something like that would be and if they custom made 1” interchangeable lenses or if that used MFT lenses.

 

[canadian drone videos]

DJI bought

The sensor is responsible for the read out speed of the sensor so if the sensor can’t read out fast enough it will limit the frame rate. In all likelihood the X5s sensor is the Sony IMX269 which is not capable of anything close to 120 fps in 4k.

https://www.sony-semicon.co.jp/products/common/pdf/IMX269AQR_Flyer.pdf

The M3 on the other hand in all likelihood uses the Sony IMX272 which can read out 120 fps in 4k

https://www.sony-semicon.co.jp/products/common/pdf/IMX272AQK_Flyer.pdf

I have no idea about the rest. I know they made that one “P5” with the 1 inch interchangeable lenses but it’s not clear what the flight time on something like that would be and if they custom made 1” interchangeable lenses or if that used MFT lenses.

DJI bought Hasselblad not long after using 4/3rd sensors in the Inspire series, so they might be Hasselblad? DJI won’t say who made that sensor, but since Sony is a direct drone competitor it’s possible it’s not a Sony sensor. It’s unlikely a Chinese camera maker is going to use Japanese sensors. I have heard that the x5s and M3 sensors are the exact same sensor. DJI now has the ability to mass produce this, and any other sensor it wants on their own. So what ever the case may be, the sensor in the M3 was made by DJI. The acquired this ability to make and mass produce them when they bought Hasselblad.

To me it’s irrelevant, I don’t care what sensor they make, they could make an 8k 4/3 sensor I could care less, I will never buy another drone that has no interchangeable lenses and I will never buy another drone as big as the I2. There is no comparing a sunset x5s 25mm and M3 sunset picture. If the camera has no interchangeable lenses then it’s not a pro camera, it’s a point and shoot camera attached to toy drone. The M3 is a toy, that performs very well under certain conditions. If it was meant for pros it would have a removable SSD, at the very least.

DJI needs to make a smaller professional drone, they could if they wanted to.

 

[brett8883]

DJI bought

DJI bought Hasselblad not long after using 4/3rd sensors in the Inspire series, so they might be Hasselblad? DJI won’t say who made that sensor, but since Sony is a direct drone competitor it’s possible it’s not a Sony sensor. It’s unlikely a Chinese camera maker is going to use Japanese sensors. I have heard that the x5s and M3 sensors are the exact same sensor. DJI now has the ability to mass produce this, and any other sensor it wants on their own. So what ever the case may be, the sensor in the M3 was made by DJI. The acquired this ability to make and mass produce them when they bought Hasselblad.

To me it’s irrelevant, I don’t care what sensor they make, they could make an 8k 4/3 sensor I could care less, I will never buy another drone that has no interchangeable lenses and I will never buy another drone as big as the I2. There is no comparing a sunset x5s 25mm and M3 sunset picture. If the camera has no interchangeable lenses then it’s not a pro camera, it’s a point and shoot camera attached to toy drone. The M3 is a toy, that performs very well under certain conditions. If it was meant for pros it would have a removable SSD, at the very least.

DJI needs to make a smaller professional drone, they could if they wanted to.

Hasselblad uses image sensors made by Sony too and is very open about that. Hasselblad would help DJI with color science and lens design. Hasselblad is a small company that assembles their cameras by hand. They don’t mass produce anything.

Sony makes almost all image sensors in purpose built cameras. Canon is the only major camera manufacturer that doesn’t use Sony sensors. Even the iPhone uses a Sony sensor. DJI is too small to make image sensors. It costs hundreds of billions of dollars to do silicon design and manufacturing. These are off the self parts.

I would like an interchangeable lens drone in a smaller package too but I think we are more likely to see a full frame camera in an I2 sized package.

 

[Johnmcl7]

DJI bought

DJI bought Hasselblad not long after using 4/3rd sensors in the Inspire series, so they might be Hasselblad? DJI won’t say who made that sensor, but since Sony is a direct drone competitor it’s possible it’s not a Sony sensor. It’s unlikely a Chinese camera maker is going to use Japanese sensors. I have heard that the x5s and M3 sensors are the exact same sensor. DJI now has the ability to mass produce this, and any other sensor it wants on their own. So what ever the case may be, the sensor in the M3 was made by DJI. The acquired this ability to make and mass produce them when they bought Hasselblad.

None of this is even close to true, manufacturing cameras sensors is highly specialised and there's few doing it leaving Sony to be utterly dominant with a large variety of devices and companies using their sensors. Hasselblad do not manufacture their own sensors so DJI certainly did not inherit that capability, unsurprisingly Hasselblad currently use Sony sensors with the medium format cameras the Hasselblad X1D-50c, Fuji GFX 50S and Pentax 645Z all sharing the same Sony sensor.

Your assertion that it's unlikely a Chinese company would use a Japanese sensor isn't true either as DJI currently make extensive use of Sony sensors in their drones. There's few sensor manufacturers in general and very few making 4/3 sensors, while Panasonic were originally one of the main companies making 4/3 sensors even they've been using the Sony 4/3 sensors so it's almost a dead certainty the Mavic 3 is using a Sony 4/3 sensor.

I had to laugh at your assertion that my £5,000 camera is a 'point and shoot' because it has a fixed lens but given your complete lack of understanding of the sensor market, I guess such nonsense shouldn't be a surprise.

 

[baddog]

I get that but I think it’s poorly executed. When a new upgraded model comes out it should be at least as good as and have at least all the features of the previous model. DJI doesn’t do that. To get the upgraded product you have to be willing to give up features and functionality and this is nothing new for DJI. I’d gladly give up the $5,000 for the Mavic 3 Cine if I didn’t have to give anything up anything by “up”grading.

DJI should look to Apple on this thing. Every Apple device basically runs the same software so the only real differences between a $1000 computer and a $15000 is the hardware and you never give up features by upgrading to the latest model. As far as I know Apple doesn’t have any problem making money with that formula.

Ever try and use your original chargers and charging cords with upgraded apple devices?

 

[brett8883]

Ever try and use your original chargers and charging cords with upgraded apple devices?

My last several MacBook Pros all use USB-C charging. Even now with the latest M1 Max that has mag safe I still use my old usb c chargers and it works just fine

 

[canadian drone videos]

Hasselblad uses image sensors made by Sony too and is very open about that. Hasselblad would help DJI with color science and lens design. Hasselblad is a small company that assembles their cameras by hand. They don’t mass produce anything.

Sony makes almost all image sensors in purpose built cameras. Canon is the only major camera manufacturer that doesn’t use Sony sensors. Even the iPhone uses a Sony sensor. DJI is too small to make image sensors. It costs hundreds of billions of dollars to do silicon design and manufacturing. These are off the self parts.

I would like an interchangeable lens drone in a smaller package too but I think we are more likely to see a full frame camera in an I2 sized package.

The M3 is a toy drone with a point and shoot camera. It’s no different then any other point and shoot toy camera. The M3 is made for consumers not professional photographers. The M3 has the same remote as a MM, which is also a toy drone. These are simply cool toys to own, and occasionally make money with, but don’t quit your day job.

And can you show me verified DJI material that shows us who makes their camera sensors? And even if you did don’t expect a hero biscuit, enjoy your toy fly it safely.