Mavic "reconditioned" batteries

[iowahill]

I bought a pair of Mavic Pro 1 batteries on eBay that were listed as "White Box" from a seller with a high, but not perfect seller rating. When they arrived in plain unmarked generic white boxes I charged them and found one almost completely dead. Not wishing to risk my MP1 to a faulty battery I chose to return both for a refund which, since I used PayPal, was eventually credited back to my account, less around $12 for return shipping which p***** me off, so I can't recommend "pixie" as a reputable DJI se;;er.

I then bought a two-pack of DGI "certified refurbished" batteries from Amazon for $99 that came in separate and very fancy sealed white boxes with a black inner box, and have the outer label listing the product with the UPC and battery serial numbers, all sealed with a clear hanging tab for retail sale. Very fancy, and offering a level of confidence that the other questionable batteries didn't.

So now the batteries are charging and I'll do a hover test tomorrow to see how long the last until my 30% low battery warning pops up.

Has anyone had anything but a good experience with these DJI certified batteries?

 

[Tesadorn]

There is no such thing as a "refurbished" battery pack... They are only used and tested.... The life will solely depend on the number of cycles they have and how they were treated...

 

[RayOZ]

I guess the saying is true, "The poor man pays twice".
Trying to save a few bucks just cost you more in the end. You need to remember the batteries is what keeps your $1000 drone in the air. I am guessing a refurbished battery means it's been used. That means the number of life cycles is less than a brand new one.

 

[iowahill]

The obviously DJI-packaged batteries have the wording "open box" and "Level-B" on the front of the box. The level-B part is curious and open to speculation about just what that means, perhaps inventory planned for orders that fell short and being sold at a lower price point. I have four batteries for my Phantom 2's that are still going strong as I store them at the recommended charge levels and keep them at room temperature when not using them.

The choice of wording in Amazon's Seller ad stating "reconditioned" did not show up with the product I received. And I sincerely doubt that DJI would put an inferior product in very professional and expensive packaging.

I'll do a hover test today against my year-old MP batteries for comparison once I've done the DJI GO4 firmware upgrade on them.But the hover test and some local flying should prove the point one way or another.

 

[iowahill]

The obviously DJI-packaged batteries have the wording "open box" and "Level-B" on the front of the box. The level-B part is curious and open to speculation about just what that means, perhaps inventory planned for orders that fell short and being sold at a lower price point. I have four batteries for my Phantom 2's that are still going strong as I store them at the recommended charge levels and keep them at room temperature when not using them.

The choice of wording in Amazon's Seller ad stating "reconditioned" did not show up with the product I received. And I sincerely doubt that DJI would put an inferior product in very professional and expensive packaging.

I'll do a hover test today against my year-old MP batteries for comparison once I've done the DJI Assistant firmware upgrade on them.But the hover test and some local flying should prove the point one way or another.

I've had about 20 flights with the "White Box" DJI batteries, some lasting at or above 20 minutes in duration with no problems or apparent loss of quality. I'd say that these are comparable to new for about half the cost. They were professionally packaged, pass the battery update software check with GO4 as well as a new one, so I have to assume that they're genuine DJI product. And if you insist on paying full boat for "new", how long have those batteries been sitting on the dealer's shelf? Ya just don't know.

The price you pay is no indicator of the quality you receive. I'll buy again.

 

[AnotherMavicPilot]

Refurbished batteries? I say no just no!


It's a bit like putting partly worn tires on your car. False economy...

 

[LetsGoDevs11]

I've had about 20 flights with the "White Box" DJI batteries, some lasting at or above 20 minutes in duration with no problems or apparent loss of quality. I'd say that these are comparable to new for about half the cost. They were professionally packaged, pass the battery update software check with GO4 as well as a new one, so I have to assume that they're genuine DJI product. And if you insist on paying full boat for "new", how long have those batteries been sitting on the dealer's shelf? Ya just don't know.

The price you pay is no indicator of the quality you receive. I'll buy again.

View attachment 59010

View attachment 59011

I literally just bought a brand new DJI Mavic Pro from B&H (certified retailer) and was given a "Factory New" battery that came DOA. Apparently mine had been sitting on a dealer shelf for some time. From what I have read online, these DJI Mavic batteries are very hit or miss in terms of reliability out of the box, even new. I just can't believe how common it seems. DJI is basically the Mercedes of drones, you would think the batteries would be a bit better in terms of reliability when brand new. I've bought dozens of 3S batteries for fpv drones over the years, many of which from China retailers, and even then I never once had a single DOA battery.

 

[Kilrah]

They are good, you just seem to have gotten a dud.

 

[AnotherMavicPilot]

I literally just bought a brand new DJI Mavic Pro from B&H (certified retailer) and was given a "Factory New" battery that came DOA. Apparently mine had been sitting on a dealer shelf for some time. From what I have read online, these DJI Mavic batteries are very hit or miss in terms of reliability out of the box, even new. I just can't believe how common it seems. DJI is basically the Mercedes of drones, you would think the batteries would be a bit better in terms of reliability when brand new. I've bought dozens of 3S batteries for fpv drones over the years, many of which from China retailers, and even then I never once had a single DOA battery.

I think all batteries have a shelf life - so if it's been sat for a considerable length of time, without any charging, this could perhaps shorten its life span. But I'm certainly no expert - so don't quote me on that!

 

[LetsGoDevs11]

I think all batteries have a shelf life - so if it's been sat for a considerable length of time, without any charging, this could perhaps shorten its life span. But I'm certainly no expert - so don't quote me on that!

That's 100% true, same thing happens to my fpv packs if you leave them charged or fully discharged for too long. So I totally agree with ya, but I feel like if you are spending $1,000 for a product they could at least test them out before shipping so you don't get a brick in the mail lol.

 

[sludge]

Refurbished is a repacked battery. References that a pot man pays twice is derogatory and unfortunate.

 

[iowahill]

That's 100% true, same thing happens to my fpv packs if you leave them charged or fully discharged for too long. So I totally agree with ya, but I feel like if you are spending $1,000 for a product they could at least test them out before shipping so you don't get a brick in the mail lol.

The GO4 ap does a pretty nice job of analyzing the battery for both authenticity and cell condition. As LiPos should be, they are balance charged to keep the cells evenly level. The automatic discharge to around 30% after around 9 or 10 days is a good and prudent feature too. But I have P2 batteries that are approaching 4 years old since purchase that also appear to still be holding up fine.

Mileage varies though. As long as you're dealing with a reputable source and using PayPal or a credit card, you should be pretty well covered.

 

[LetsGoDevs11]

The GO4 ap does a pretty nice job of analyzing the battery for both authenticity and cell condition. As LiPos should be, they are balance charged to keep the cells evenly level. The automatic discharge to around 30% after around 9 or 10 days is a good and prudent feature too. But I have P2 batteries that are approaching 4 years old since purchase that also appear to still be holding up fine.

Mileage varies though. As long as you're dealing with a reputable source and using PayPal or a credit card, you should be pretty well covered.

Yep, I should receive mine by Friday, just in time for it to rain and still can't fly lol.

 

[iowahill]

Yep, I should receive mine by Friday, just in time for it to rain and still can't fly lol.

Yeah, but look at the fun you'll have when the food weather returns!

 

[iowahill]

Refurbished is a repacked battery. References that a pot man pays twice is derogatory and unfortunate.

It's a sorry state of mind that allows people to be snarky rather than helpful. The world has no lack of 'em!

 

[LetsGoDevs11]

Yeah, but look at the fun you'll have when the food weather returns!

I'm hoping for some snow on the east coast so I can get some nice winter footage lol

 

[iowahill]

I'm hoping for some snow on the east coast so I can get some nice winter footage lol

Don't be bashful about posting a pic or three!