New Pilot Questions

[fileophile]

I've spent the last couple of days reading posts here aimed at new Mavic pilots and learned a lot of great stuff. Sooner or later though I will have to go outside and try my first flight. Before I do I'd like to double check some things:

1) Should I purchase DJI Select Care (or whatever it is called) within the 48 hour new registration period? Why couldn't I purchase it after 48 hours? Do I actually NEED it ($129) or is it just a nice-to-have? I've also been looking into drone insurance but that I think is even more expensive (from any reputable company).

2) I have a Mavic Pro Platinum. I would like to change the firmware to boost radio power and frequency (I have a ham radio license also). Is the MPP firmware, which I believe is 1.4.100, stable enough to make this change without bricking the MPP? I have read conflicting threads saying you can't roll back the firmware from 1.4.100, others at you can but have to go through a process. Others say if I change the firmware then having DJI Care will be moot as they won't fix it anyway. So I'm not sure what to do.

Thanks for any guidance.

 

[Flawless]

1. Yes, you should get DJI Care Refresh. Just be aware, modifying your drone can invalidate any claims you make.

2. You'll have to find that out yourself.

 

[netfolks2000]

I'll give you a reply. I'm an amateur radio person, too. I am not sure why you would need to increase the radio range any more than is offered. It is quite good as is. Besides you are not supposed to be out of sight, so to speak. The Mavic can only go so far on a battery charge and has to turn back when half the battery energy is depleted anyway. You can increase radio range all you want but the Mavic can't go an extensive distance and come back on one charge. You also mention DJI Care which would probably be void if make the mentioned modifications. I did not get DJI Care as I fly pretty cautiously. It is only good for a year anyway. If you roll back firmware updates you will then not receive improvements in the future. For instance, we just got an update with panorama added as a nice new feature. There are security updates as well and sometimes the equipment is "fine tuned" to perform better or, as mentioned, provide more options. I hope this helps.

 

[AnchorageAk]

Insurance is not expensive. Don't know where you got that from. Mine is $30 a year on a P4P. From other post it seems to run $30-60 a year. There is a saying, "Learn to walk before you learn to run".

 

[netfolks2000]

I'll second that. My insurance carrier quoted $30 to $60 but I need to go in and see what the options are and what is covered. It also includes liability I think. And it can continue past one year, too.

 

[fileophile]

Thanks for the replies. Where is the $30 drone insurance offered from? Which company?

Also, my intent on boosting radio power is for a more robust video signal/video quality...not extra flying range. If there are trees, hills, etc. in the way I want the radio power to overcome interference. The reason to use a different transmission freq is in case there are other drone operators in the area, so we don”t conflict.

 

[vashon100]

If you search for "insurance" there are many threads about it.

 

[netfolks2000]

1. Research the probability on drones interfering with each other. They should be have sufficient protection. They are flown around others frequently at gatherings. You are assuming a problem before even flying. Check specs, history. 2. Insurance rates are determined by your carriers, providers. They differ if bundled with homeowners, auto, etc. Depends on options, too, liability, etc. As a previous poster suggests, see other threads.

 

[msinger]

Why couldn't I purchase it after 48 hours?

You can purchase it after 48 hours. The difference is that you'll need to submit a video to DJI to show your Mavic is in working order. See more details about that here.

 

[Flawless]

PhotoGuard is probably the best choice for drone insurance in the UK.

 

[rfc]

You can purchase it after 48 hours. The difference is that you'll need to submit a video to DJI to show your Mavic is in working order. See more details about that here.

Is it correct that if you bought Refresh with the bird, you don't need to submit a video?

 

[msinger]

Is it correct that if you bought Refresh with the bird, you don't need to submit a video?

Per the note here, DJI Care Refresh will be automatically activated two days after your Mavic ships. You do not need to submit a video.

 

[wytnyt]

Per the note here, DJI Care Refresh will be automatically activated two days after your Mavic ships. You do not need to submit a video.

cant the DJI Care Refresh we obtained when you log into dji for the first time even if you buy the MP and not use it for a while

 

[msinger]

cant the DJI Care Refresh we obtained when you log into dji for the first time even if you buy the MP and not use it for a while

I'm not sure what you're asking.

 

[wytnyt]

i bought the MP the other day,didnt use it but put it under the xmas tree,when i turn it on at xmas and log on to dji,can i still get the dji refresh warranty?

 

[msinger]

You can buy DJI Care Refresh for your MP here anytime (even right now).

After activating your MP in DJI GO (you'll be prompted to do this when connecting your MP to DJI GO for the first time), you'll have 48 hours to activate DJI Care Refresh online here. If you wait longer than 48 hours, you'll need to activate DJI Care Refresh like this.

 

[Brojon]

If you're a HAM then you know what you're wanting to do with power is a no-no.
You don't have your location listed - in the USA the power out is 1 watt the boost will gain little and consider the remote isn't likely designed to handle increased power for very long.

 

[nutsnbolts]

Regarding the DGI Select Care that is different from DJI refresh.

For me I bought the spark and the mavic pro Platinum the same day on Black Friday.

With a spark I bought the DJI refresh as a bundle and the mavic pro without the DJI refresh. I then signed up for DJI Select Care and once activated I got a bunch of 20% coupon and a 50% coupon for DJI refresh for any of the drones that I could apply it to.

Once I got the mavic pro Platinum I've been signed up for DJI refresh and applied the 50% coupon code.