Mini 2 First Purchase

EETWiz · Feb 5, 2021

Good morning people. I've been toying around with my Tello for a bit and my biggest complaint is the inability to fly in any sort of wind.

So I'm eyeing a Mini 2 Combo kit with the following:

SanDisk Extreme 128GB
360 prop guards - still a beginner
Remote tablet holder - iPad mini is better
Care Refresh 2-year - worth my money?

Aside from these items, what other add-ons do you suggest? I've found accessories on Amazon regarding landing gear, rain gear, strobe lights (on body vs on landing posts), control sticks, headlights, camera filters, landing pads, upgraded prop blades, obstacle tracks, etc.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Hyperlinks are better.

Don't worry, I'm not lazy. I'll scrape the forum for related threads. Thanks in advance.

Phantomrain.org · Feb 5, 2021

Welcome to the DJI family.

You should eye the Air 2 as the Mini 2 will leave you a bit disappointed where as the Air 2 will always surprise you.
We nominated the Air 2 as the drone of the Decade. It worth checking out ... and you wont have to think about upgrading to the Pro level drones as you already there.

Also consider buying Two of them : Getting a perfect drone out of the box is not so easy, so increase your chances and look for who has the best Return Policy , rather than the best deal. Amazon and Best Buy are excellent.

Phantomrain.org
Gear to fly your Air 2 in the Rain / Snow

Smackowv · Feb 5, 2021

EETWiz said:
Good morning people. I've been toying around with my Tello for a bit and my biggest complaint is the inability to fly in any sort of wind.

So I'm eyeing a Mini 2 Combo kit with the following:

SanDisk Extreme 128GB

360 prop guards - still a beginner

Remote tablet holder - iPad mini is better

Care Refresh 2-year - worth my money?

Aside from these items, what other add-ons do you suggest? I've found accessories on Amazon regarding landing gear, rain gear, strobe lights (on body vs on landing posts), control sticks, headlights, camera filters, landing pads, upgraded prop blades, obstacle tracks, etc.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Hyperlinks are better.

Don't worry, I'm not lazy. I'll scrape the forum for related threads. Thanks in advance.

Another newbie here. I would get two more batteries and the three battery charger. Otherwise you nailed it from this newbie’s point of view. Mirror image of where I am at.

Thomas B · Feb 5, 2021

More batteries and add strobes.

Jay241 · Feb 5, 2021

Welcome to the forum, definitely more batteries, also you may want to check on getting "article insurance" from state farm instead of the care refresh. (Something to think about.) Enjoy!

EETWiz · Feb 6, 2021

Thanks for your input. I went with the Mini 2 as I want to take things slowly.

I’m ready to kick it up a notch.

Saladshooter · Feb 6, 2021

EETWiz said:
Thanks for your input. I went with the Mini 2 as I want to take things slowly.

I’m ready to kick it up a notch.

I have several drones as you can see in my sig. The Mini 2 is my favorite for keeping in the truck ready to go at a moment's notice. It also goes in the backpack really easy. There are a couple of features that it is lacking but the third party fly apps should fill those in the near future. Enjoy.

African wildlife · Feb 6, 2021

I wouldn't bother with the prop guards.

Nor would I but the Care Refresh (unless you're careless or sloppy, in which case a different kind of insurance might be better).

A SanDisk Extreme 64GB is easily sufficient. Download your data after every session.

For filming, you'll need a ND or ND/PL set; we use ND/PL filters. And a Moment landing pad is best as you're in the USA (see What do you use as a landing pad?).

Most important accessory of all: a good brain - not least for coming up with ideas of how to use this great little drone.

SD-Pilot · Feb 6, 2021

Congrats on your new Mini 2 purchase! I think you’ll find it’s a very capable drone for its size. I own and fly a Phantom 4 Pro, Mavic 2 Pro, Mavic Air 1 and now the Mini 2 and I’m constantly amazed what this little guy can do.

As others have said, I would get more batteries if you haven’t done so already. The portable battery/charger is awesome. I have found that using the AEB feature when taking photos is a great way of getting more dynamic range from a smaller sensor.

Have fun and fly safe!

SpitFire · Feb 8, 2021

Welcome to the forum from Chicago the Windy City.
If you have questions, just a suggestion type in your question in the search function, ( magnifying glass icon upper right hand corner). Its a great way to find answers that many Newbies have asked before you. Such as what is VLOS, or what is a preflight Check list, or how important is RTH.

hooah09 · Feb 10, 2021

I would go with a SanDisk Extreme 256GB. You can double your capacity over the 128GB and they only cost a little over $40 online. Plus, you won't need to download to your computer all the time to free up space.

EETWiz · Feb 10, 2021

Got a slew of accessories for my new mini 2 (fly more combo to be delivered tomorrow).

I'm excited to dig in and have a blast.

Have you used any of these?

Jah Tut · Feb 10, 2021

EETWiz said:
Got a slew of accessories for my new mini 2 (fly more combo to be delivered tomorrow).

I'm excited to dig in and have a blast.

Have you used any of these?

Hi.
What are those umbrella controller sticks? I’ve been looking for those (maybe).
Thanks.

EETWiz · Feb 10, 2021

Jah Tut said:
Hi.
What are those umbrella controller sticks? I’ve been looking for those (maybe).
Thanks.

I’m not quite sure what you’re asking. Please describe the item you’re looking at.

Jah Tut · Feb 10, 2021

EETWiz said:
I’m not quite sure what you’re asking. Please describe the item you’re looking at.

The two red items in a bag on the right side. The look like replacement sticks for the controller to me.

EETWiz · Feb 10, 2021

Jah Tut said:
The two red items in a bag on the right side. The look like replacement sticks for the controller to me.

Yes they are replacement joysticks. They can be extended so that they have a longer grip.

Jah Tut · Feb 10, 2021

EETWiz said:
Yes they are replacement joysticks. They can be extended so that they have a longer grip.

Would you mind telling me the brand or where you got them? I can’t zoom in enough.

Thanks.

EETWiz · Feb 10, 2021

Jah Tut said:
Would you mind telling me the brand or where you got them? I can’t zoom in enough.

Thanks.

gouduoduo2018 Mavic Air 2 / Mini 2 Thumb Rocker CNC Aluminum Alloy Joystick for DJI Mavic Air 2 / Mini 2 Remote Controller (Red). Amazon

And these aren’t the type that you can make bigger.

Check this one out. TOMAT Mavic Mini 2 Remote Control Telescopic Rocker Joystick for DJI Mini 2/Mavic Air 2 / Smart Controller Drone Accessories

Jah Tut · Feb 10, 2021

EETWiz said:
gouduoduo2018 Mavic Air 2 / Mini 2 Thumb Rocker CNC Aluminum Alloy Joystick for DJI Mavic Air 2 / Mini 2 Remote Controller (Red). Amazon

And these aren’t the type that you can make bigger.

Check this one out. TOMAT Mavic Mini 2 Remote Control Telescopic Rocker Joystick for DJI Mini 2/Mavic Air 2 / Smart Controller Drone Accessories

Thanks

Ian UK · Feb 10, 2021

Well you chose a good drone - I've had mine for nearly 2 months - Brilliant!

I bought 2x 64gig micro SD cards instead of 1 big one.
128G is huge storage, and if it goes wrong - better not to have all your eggs in 1 basket.

Spare gimbal cover is a good idea. Probably not the easiest of things to find if they get lost.
The gimbal is delicate so it needs protecting.
I am going to get a couple of spares now.