Mavic Air vs Mavic Air 2

[mark conners]

I have compared the specs of the Mavic Air and the Mavic Air 2. But if someone who has flown both could share their comparison of the two I would greatly appreciate it. Sometimes I find verbal comparison better.

Thank You

 

[brett8883]

I have compared the specs of the Mavic Air and the Mavic Air 2. But if someone who has flown both could share their comparison of the two I would greatly appreciate it. Sometimes I find verbal comparison better.

Thank You

MA2 is better in every possible way but one subjective con of the MA2 is it’s substantially larger. The Mavic Air is tiny I think about the same size or smaller than the mavic mini actually. I see the larger size of the MA2 personally as a plus, however. The Mavic Air is incredibly loud and the high pitched squeal is particularly annoying and this is a result of the smaller props. The MA2 is better compared to the original Mavic Pro than the Mavic Air, actually. The size just puts it in a different category to the Mavic Air.

 

[dawgpilot]

MA2 is better in every possible way but one subjective con of the MA2 is it’s substantially larger. The Mavic Air is tiny I think about the same size or smaller than the mavic mini actually. I see the larger size of the MA2 personally as a plus, however. The Mavic Air is incredibly loud and the high pitched squeal is particularly annoying and this is a result of the smaller props. The MA2 is better compared to the original Mavic Pro than the Mavic Air, actually. The size just puts it in a different category to the Mavic Air.

I own both drones and I agree with Brett. The only thing he left out relates to a couple of minor features that the original Mavic Air had, which were dropped in the Mavic Air 2. For example, there is the option to fly the Mavic Air with just your phone (using a direct wifi connection) so that you didn't need the controller. Personally I never used that method because flying with a controller is much easier and provides a more reliable signal to the drone.

The other missing feature from the Mavic Air 2 is SmartCapture: this allowed you to control the drone without a phone or controller at all, simply by making gestures with your hands. It's a neat party trick, but honestly I almost never used it. (I'm generally uncomfortable with the drone flying when I'm not using the controller)

 

[Skybuyer]

I agree with all the above. For clarity, the size and weight difference is mentionable. The MA2 weighs 570 grams while the MA weighs 430... and the Mini weighs 249 grams. Just to complete the comparison, the Mavic 2 Pro weighs 907 grams [I didn't expect that much difference with the M2 over the MA2].

 

[KingRat]

What about the difference in camera resolution and flight times?

 

[Formosa Straight]

I've had both as well. If I was in the market for either of these and knowing what I now know about both of these there is no way I would buy the MA. The MA2 is simply better. With the MA2, I really like the controller and how and where it holds the phone, I really like how the cable is stored in the controller, I love the significantly longer flight times, I believe the camera is better and because of this the stills and video are better. It is a bit bigger than the original but I have never had a situation where the MA2 is too big or cumbersome because it is slightly bigger. The new zoom facility is GREAT! I would really love to get the hand gestures from the original which the MA2 doesn't have for some reason. But all in all I have not a single regret with the MA2. A significant upgrade over the original, oh and it is faster, quieter and handles windy much much much better. just buy it.

 

[Ron Caballero CAP]

I have compared the specs of the Mavic Air and the Mavic Air 2. But if someone who has flown both could share their comparison of the two I would greatly appreciate it. Sometimes I find verbal comparison better.

Thank You

I own both ad have flown both. 1) MA2 has longer flight time which I find beneficial, 2) MA2 has a plethora of better photo and video options than MA1, 3) MA1 can do mapping with DroneDeploy and Pix4D and can also fly with Litchi - MA2 cannot do that (yet), I am hoping for that in a Firmware update in September, 4) MA1 constantly required compass updates - I have not had one yet on my MA2 VERY MUCH NICER 5) Controller is much nicer to hold and handle and easier to hold the phone, although if only has one programmable function key and that one only has three options. ... All in all, I am happy that I have both ONLY because I can still do mapping with MA1, but apart from that, the Mavic Air 2 is the much preferable aircraft.

 

[hiflyer201]

I agree with all the comments but actually ...there is no comparison. I love the fact that you can merely draw a box on the screen and the Air 2 will hold that spot while Climbing, Descending, and turning. ..How good is that! That alone puts it out of the realm of the Air1, but in all other aspects the Air 2 is a better and easier to fly drone.
I like my Air 1 mainly because I like it's looks and that's about it at this point as a comparison. With the new controller the 2 is even faster to set up. With the Combo bag ( I love it..some don't) there is basically no size difference as far as transportation goes.
For KingRat... not in the same ballpark

 

[mark conners]

Thank You everyone this has been very helpful. I have a spark and when I have the $'s I'm looking to upgrade.

 

[Tentoes]

Thank You everyone this has been very helpful. I have a spark and when I have the $'s I'm looking to upgrade.

I updated from Spark to MA2. Very nice improvement. Poor Phoebe doesn't get flown very often any more. I was deciding between MA2 and M2either, and am glad I went with Air 2.

 

[Steve F]

I own both and would agree with most of the previous comments, but do believe the MA1 has a few better attributes:
1. Portability. I packs smaller and I have hauled on the back of my adventure motorcycle for a month up thru Alaska and all the way to the arctic without any issue.
2. I like the DJI Go 4 app vs. the Fly app and still find a few things more limiting. The battery life indicator isn't as clear and the map display is more clumsy. Also the DJI Go 4 app seems to less demanding on your phone and thus compatibility with older phones is probably better.

However, I don't believe either are show stoppers and have found myself flying the MA2 more often than I originally anticipated, beating my original expectations when I bought it.

 

[mark conners]

There are a lot of good deals out there for the Mavic Air so I'm trying to justify the cost difference between that and the Air 2

 

[Steve F]

Unless the size is a critical factor in your decision making, The MA2 capabilities are far superior. I would spend the extra money for that. You won't be sorry.

 

[Platinum 4 ever]

I have compared the specs of the Mavic Air and the Mavic Air 2. But if someone who has flown both could share their comparison of the two I would greatly appreciate it. Sometimes I find verbal comparison better.

Thank You

It is very difficult to try and compare a older drone to a relatively new one. Just saying.

 

[KingRat]

I agree with all the comments but actually ...there is no comparison. I love the fact that you can merely draw a box on the screen and the Air 2 will hold that spot while Climbing, Descending, and turning. ..How good is that! That alone puts it out of the realm of the Air1, but in all other aspects the Air 2 is a better and easier to fly drone.
I like my Air 1 mainly because I like it's looks and that's about it at this point as a comparison. With the new controller the 2 is even faster to set up. With the Combo bag ( I love it..some don't) there is basically no size difference as far as transportation goes.
For KingRat... not in the same ballpark

Thanks. Useful to know.

Someone mentioned there is a zoom function on the Air2, or have I misread something and they were referring to a Mavic Pro2 zoom? There are so many functions and variants trying to read the specs is just bewildering.

 

[hiflyer201]

Someone mentioned there is a zoom function on the Air2, or have I misread something and they were referring to a Mavic Pro2 zoom? There are so many functions and variants trying to read the specs is just bewildering.

The Air 2 has zoom on both 4k and 1080. two time's zoom with 4k and 4 times with 1080. The 4k at 2x zoom is surprisingly good. Not so much at 4x with 1080 but still darn good for optical zoom. I just can't say enough about the Air 2.

 

[John_Howard3105]

I've been an Air2 owner for 3 days now, it's a crazy good drone ! I just wish it would stop raining in the UK at the moment ! I had the Mavic Pro back in 2018 but not for very long as i had to sell it and i've missed flying so much, so i thought i'd get myself a MA2. In my novice opinion its ridiculously good !
Just a quick jpeg off my phone from last night.

 

[KingRat]

I've been an Air2 owner for 3 days now, it's a crazy good drone ! I just wish it would stop raining in the UK at the moment ! I had the Mavic Pro back in 2018 but not for very long as i had to sell it and i've missed flying so much, so i thought i'd get myself a MA2. In my novice opinion its ridiculously good !
Just a quick jpeg off my phone from last night.
View attachment 111793

I have been trying to work out where that is. First thought was the bottom of Crownhill, with the big concrete sides....

 

[John_Howard3105]

I have been trying to work out where that is. First thought was the bottom of Crownhill, with the big concrete sides....

It's Roborough roundabout by where Tesco is. Are you from Plymouth ?

 

[John_Howard3105]

I have been trying to work out where that is. First thought was the bottom of Crownhill, with the big concrete sides....