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Newbie in all things drone - New Zealand

From California, US - @Manicmedic - Thanks for joining us @ MP!
You'll need to to check with your country's Aviation Authority to see what the rules are for flying drones there. I'm sure they have flight rules, requirements for registration of the drone, etc. Enjoy flying - it is rewarding to see what your drone sees. Also, you can find video editors so you can edit and share the places you've flown.
 
Welcome.
First thing, downlaod the control app Go4 from either
DJI GO 4 - Download Center - DJI
or if you have an android phone
DO NOT download it from anywhere else.

Play with it on a phone even if you are getting a drone with a smart controller

Download and read, MANY TIMES, the drone's manual
There is A LOT in there and I would bet you will miss stuff, or miss the significance of stuff, on the first few read through.

When you get the drone DO NOT rush out and try to fly it.

I suggest you compare the manual with the working Go4 app when connected to a live drone.
Direct the output of a fan over the drone to help keep it cool.
DO NOT bother about updates at the moment and decline any that are offered.

Check that the following options are set
Beginner mode ---------- is set to off
"RTH at Current Altitude" is set to off that's a debateable one
In "Adavanced Settings"
"Emergency motor stop" is set to "Breakdown" AND NOT "Always"
"RC Signal Lost " ---------- is set to "Return to Home" = RTH

Personally I would switch OA, obstacle avoidance, OFF.
It nearly cost me my m2p on its first flight, or rather, my not knowing it was on and what it would do, nearly cost me the drone.
 
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Hi,

I'll be collecting my 'new to me' Mavic 2 Pro in a few weeks. A good deal. It's worth the older drone, and if I enjoy it, then maybe when the Mavic 4 arrives, I'll swap once I have some basic skills.

Lovely but very wet at the moment Whangarei, New Zealand.
Good choice for a first drone. Proper workhorse with more features than you can shake a stick at. Welcome from the UK Midlands.
 
M Pro 2 caution:
Never use a battery that has the slightest hint of swelling. The M2’s early batteries were notorious for swelling and popping out of the drone while flying. Even with good batteries (replaced all mine at least twice), I use a velcro strap around the battery, in case it swells, it won’t eject from the drone.
All (?), newer DJI products enclose the battery within the drone. 😊
 
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Greetings from Birmingham Alabama USA, welcome to the forum! We look forward to hearing from you!
 
I'll be collecting my 'new to me' Mavic 2 Pro in a few weeks.

Welcome from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, USA. We have a Member's Map in the Upper Right of the Title Bar. Click on "Members" and then Click on "Member's Map…" Check it out and you might find some new flying friends.


Since you live in New Zealand, there are specific laws and rules for you to follow, please check to ensure these are current.


Even if you have flown Drones before, here is some Good Old Fashion Advice…

You paid a lot of money for that Drone, put your phone number on it. If your drone gets lost or stuck in a tree and it finally comes down when you are not around, give the finders an opportunity to contact you so it can be returned.

Now, for the Fun Part, But do not let the excitement of the moment get the best of you. When you are going out to fly, do it slowly and deliberately. Get used to a set procedure and even practice it.

There are so many things I could write but these are the highlights that I feel need mentioning.

Plug in your phone/tablet into your controller; turn on the Controller and DJI Fly App (if it does not start on its own…). On the Drone, open the front legs, then open the back legs, and then remove the Gimbal Cover.

The Gimbal is the most delicate item on the Drone and banging or bumping can damage it. I also fastened a short "Remove Before Flight" ribbon to the cover so it's more noticeable and I do not forget to remove it…

Turn on the drone and watch it come to "life." Watching the Gimbal go through its self-check is almost like watching a puppy or kitten opening its eyes for the first time…

Place the drone down (preferably on a Landing Pad) while it finishes its self-test (collecting satellites, etc…).

Check your battery status (Phone, Drone, and Controller), check the Signal Strength, by now the Controller should have reported it updated the Home Point.

Lift off, 6 feet (2-meters) or so, hover a bit, check the controls (move the drone a bit forward, back, left, right, yaw left and right). By now, your Controller will probably report again, "Home point Updated."

If you go out in a rush and race thru your start up and take off before the drone has finished it prep, it may update its Home Point over that pond or that old tree you are flying over and in your excitement, you'll fly the drone long past it Low Battery point and when it engages Return to Home and lands in the pond or in a tree; it will be all on you…

Now go have fun, learn to fly the drone by sight before you try to fly it out a distance depending on the video feed, FPV.

I would also advise you to use YouTube and watch a lot of the Videos on flying and setting up the Drone. When it is too dark, too cold, or too wet, you can "fly it vicariously" through YouTube. Also watch some of the Blooper Drone Videos and learn how not to fly your "New Baby."

Below is the link to all of the downloads offered by DJI for the Mavic 2, including the User Manual.

After you read the Manual, read it again, you will be surprised what you missed the first time and you will be better prepared for that first "scary moment…"


Fly On and Fly Safe…
 
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