newbie question about mavic 2 pro controllers

[buckeye6]

so i'm brand-new here. i do drone photography/videos for real estate agents. i've been using a P3S for the past 2 years. now i'm seriously considering a mavic 2 pro, primarily for the camera. i'm also seriously considering the epson bt-300 but as far as i can tell they don't work with the B controller which i think is the smart controller. is it possible to order a new mavic 2 pro and specifiy that i don't want the smart controller? i find the bt-300 interesting since where i fly (north carolina) there are tall pine trees everywhere. keeping an eye on the drone and the camera is tricky even with a dedicated spotter so i want to make sure what i get is going to work.

thanks in advance!

brian

 

[Not A Speck Of Cereal]

is it possible to order a new mavic 2 pro and specifiy that i don't want the smart controller?

Yes.

Those are your two options (aside from accessories / add-ons), an M2P, or an M2P w/SC.

Chris

 

[bumper]

If you haven't seen or used the Smart Controller, you are missing out, IMO. It's more than just very good . . . really. Quick from the box to get flying, excellent screen resolution and brightness, and very well thought out overall.

 

[Thomas B]

@buckeye6 ... Welcome to the forum from the deserts of Arizona!
Type A and Type B controllers are references to the two generations of the small controller (the small non video thing with gold out arms and control sticks) There are still type A controllers for sale, like in the classifieds on this site. I keep an extra one always.

 

[new2mavic]

If you want the best resolution for video, I would suggest you to consider the P4P. M2P's 4K video is just inflated 2.7k

 

[pelagic_one]

Searching the forum for Moverio BT-300 and Mavic 2 gave me an understanding that there are the older radio controllers (RC1A, as labeled on the back) and the newer models (RC1B). I happen to have one of each, so I was researching why I should keep the RC1A.

It’s a consensus that only the RC1A works with the BT-300 glasses. There are quite a few available online. If I don’t decide on a set of Moverio glasses myself someday, you may see mine selling online, too.

Welcome to the forum @buckeye6! Read the M2P manual obsessively, even before it arrives, and even more so afterwards. And if you find a RC1A RC and purchase the BT-300 glasses, please share your experience.

 

[Not A Speck Of Cereal]

If you want the best resolution for video, I would suggest you to consider the P4P. M2P's 4K video is just inflated 2.7k

Can you expound on that "just inflated 2.7k" part?

That the P4P is somewhat better I have accepted, but the 2.7k part is news to me.

Chris

 

[buckeye6]

Searching the forum for Moverio BT-300 and Mavic 2 gave me an understanding that there are the older radio controllers (RC1A, as labeled on the back) and the newer models (RC1B). I happen to have one of each, so I was researching why I should keep the RC1A.

It’s a consensus that only the RC1A works with the BT-300 glasses. There are quite a few available online. If I don’t decide on a set of Moverio glasses myself someday, you may see mine selling online, too.

Welcome to the forum @buckeye6! Read the M2P manual obsessively, even before it arrives, and even more so afterwards. And if you find a RC1A RC and purchase the BT-300 glasses, please share your experience.

so, in my research i actually posed the question to epson. their answer was kinda convoluted but states that the BT-300 are not compatable with the B controller, which i believe is the 'smart' controller, so that would mean keeping the A controller would be good if you wish to use the BT-300. here's the actual exchange:

my question to epson:

Customer By Web Form

02/18/2020 03:51 AM​

I do drone photography for real estate.I am considering a DJI Mavic 2 Pro and I'm very interested in your BT-300 smart glasses. I see from your website that the BT-300 is compatible with the Mavic Pro but there's no mention of the Mavic 2 Pro. My research finds varying opinions as to whether the Mavic 2 Pro is compatible or not.

So, to be specific, is the BT-300 compatible with the Mavic 2 Pro drone?

Thanks!

and their response:

Thank you for contacting Epson.

Yes, is is compatible. Note: does not work with "B" version of drone remote.
If you require further assistance with this particular issue, please ensure all of our previous correspondence is contained in your reply, so we can better track the history of this issue.

If you have a different issue, please submit another E-form via our website (Epson – Exceed Your Vision), and we will respond in a timely manner. Thank you again for contacting Epson.

Curtis G.

Advanced Customer Support Specialist

Epson America, Inc.

and there you have it!

 

[buckeye6]

If you want the best resolution for video, I would suggest you to consider the P4P. M2P's 4K video is just inflated 2.7k

thanks for your response. i'm more interested in the camera for still shots. most of the properties we shoot are cloaked in tall pine trees so video just doesn't make sense. aerial still photos are quite popular and with a little skill and luck we can get some attractive photos. our still camera is very high quality and when we mix those photos with the P3S photos the difference is quite noticible thus the interest in the MP2 and its hasselblad 20MP camera.

 

[pelagic_one]

... the BT-300 are not compatable with the B controller, which i believe is the 'smart' controller...

‘Wanted to clarify that the Mavic 2 series shipped with the RC1A remote control (which works with the Moverio BT-300), then replaced it with the RC1B (which does not work with the BT-300). RC1B looks exactly like the RC1A remote control, except for the model number on the back. (RC1A on top)




The DJI Smart Controller (a whole ‘nother beast) is a more advanced remote control for the Mavic 2 series, including its own bright 5.5 inch (13.97cm) screen:

 

[buckeye6]

ahhh... that's good to know. i'm glad i joined this forum! thanks for the information!

 

[new2mavic]

Can you expound on that "just inflated 2.7k" part?

 

[Flycaster]

I have the bt300 with a Mav Gen I and love them.
The processor on the Moverios is limited, as is the RAM, so don't look to this as a speed demon.
Functionality wise, works fine, but some folks have experienced shutdowns due to heat, but I have not. The 2 that I know off, happen to be in Arizona.
I wiped my Moverio Controller, and sideloaded my Go4 app (4.0.4, one of earliest non hobbling versions) and less resource hungry. The flight modes that were tossed out as update bait, I never took.
The big thing about these is the situational awareness is kept, and Vlos is kept also.

 

[buckeye6]

thanks for the update. as i said earlier i fly around a lot of tall trees. i have a dedicated spotter but there's just no substitute for having your own eyes on the drone. that's the attraction of the BT-300. getting in under the trees can cause an unwanted switch to ATTI mode and no amount of training can make that a non-scary event especially with a nice breeze blowing off the lake...

 

[buckeye6]

an update... i'm just amazed at how difficult this task has become and how un-helpful the vendors can be. i asked both DJI and EPSON the same question about the BT-300, RC1A and RC1B controllers and got vague answers that only left me with more questions. i also asked DJI if i could order a M2P new and specify that i wanted the RC1A controller. the DJI pre-sales rep said "there's no difference between the two controllers; only the model number is different". inconceivable!



i'm guessing that by default a new M2P will come with the RC1B controller. i can find RC1A controllers on ebay and such but they're going for $300-500. the BT-300's go for $600-700 so that's close to $1000-1200 additional and i still don't have any reasonable level of assurance it will work.

so now i'm considering a P4 and there's three models with different controllers so it looks like i'm back to the beginning. my primary requirement is the 20MP camera but the M2P offers some 'sure nice to have' features like the smaller size and more obstacle sensors, which make sense given the environment in which i fly.

to be fair, i spoke with a rep from vancityuav and he told me they'd open the box to ensure i got an RC1A. that's impressive, but i'd be surprised if they find one. won't know until they look, i guess...



i'm committed to see this through to the end but if i had any more hair i'd be pulling it out.

stay tuned for breaking news as it occurs...

 

[paulatkin73]

I do not know what you are trying to accomplish. bt-300 are semi-transparent goggles. first of all, you can go to the smart controller forum to see how it can be done - there are some people in there that did it.

second - it all you want is to fly in goggles - not sure why - there are also ways to use DJI own goggles, you can use HDMI output from smart controller into fat sharks or any other device you want.

before making commitment to br-300 try to wear them and look at the bright sky on a sunny day. i am not sure if it will work very well.

the practical reality of working outside is - you need anything with a decent bright screen. a smart controller or a dji crystalsky. stock dji controller does not have hdmi outputs to connect an external monitor.


ask there:

Mavic2 / Epson BT300 glasses & after market app

Does anyone have any info regarding flying a Mavic2 & Epson BT300 glasses with an after market app? My controller will not support the glasses and the dji go4 app.

mavicpilots.com

 

[Flycaster]

I do not know what you are trying to accomplish. bt-300 are semi-transparent goggles. first of all, you can go to the smart controller forum to see how it can be done - there are some people in there that did it.

second - it all you want is to fly in goggles - not sure why - there are also ways to use DJI own goggles, you can use HDMI output from smart controller into fat sharks or any other device you want.

before making commitment to br-300 try to wear them and look at the bright sky on a sunny day. i am not sure if it will work very well.

the practical reality of working outside is - you need anything with a decent bright screen. a smart controller or a dji crystalsky. stock dji controller does not have hdmi outputs to connect an external monitor.


ask there:

Mavic2 / Epson BT300 glasses & after market app

Does anyone have any info regarding flying a Mavic2 & Epson BT300 glasses with an after market app? My controller will not support the glasses and the dji go4 app.

mavicpilots.com

The Moverios are fine on sunny/bright days, you just clip on one of the included
sun shades to darken the view. easy peasy....
And you keep your situational awareness to boot!

 

[Mavic Pro Platinum]

so i'm brand-new here. i do drone photography/videos for real estate agents. i've been using a P3S for the past 2 years. now i'm seriously considering a mavic 2 pro, primarily for the camera. i'm also seriously considering the epson bt-300 but as far as i can tell they don't work with the B controller which i think is the smart controller. is it possible to order a new mavic 2 pro and specifiy that i don't want the smart controller? i find the bt-300 interesting since where i fly (north carolina) there are tall pine trees everywhere. keeping an eye on the drone and the camera is tricky even with a dedicated spotter so i want to make sure what i get is going to work.

thanks in advance!

brian

Welcome to the forum! [emoji106][emoji16]

 

[buckeye6]

I do not know what you are trying to accomplish. bt-300 are semi-transparent goggles. first of all, you can go to the smart controller forum to see how it can be done - there are some people in there that did it.

second - it all you want is to fly in goggles - not sure why - there are also ways to use DJI own goggles, you can use HDMI output from smart controller into fat sharks or any other device you want.

before making commitment to br-300 try to wear them and look at the bright sky on a sunny day. i am not sure if it will work very well.

the practical reality of working outside is - you need anything with a decent bright screen. a smart controller or a dji crystalsky. stock dji controller does not have hdmi outputs to connect an external monitor.


ask there:

Mavic2 / Epson BT300 glasses & after market app

Does anyone have any info regarding flying a Mavic2 & Epson BT300 glasses with an after market app? My controller will not support the glasses and the dji go4 app.

mavicpilots.com

my goal is to be able to keep my eyes on the drone AND keep my eyes on the controller- this is why i'm so interested in the BT-300. i received a marketing brochure for the BT-300 in the mail, most likley sent to everyone with a UAS license. it seems like just what i need. the nature of our business causes me to have to fly quite close to tall pine trees and even though i have a dedicated spotter there's just no substitute for seeing the bird yourself.

in addition, the camera on our trusty P3S just doesn't compare to the ground-based shots we take using a high-quality DSLR so we were already in the market for a replacement and the M2P seems the best choice for us. the trick seems to be to get the two to work together.

thanks for the referral to the Mavic2 / Epson BT300 glasses & after market app thread; i'll be sure to check that out.

 

[paulatkin73]

thanks for the referral to the Mavic2 / Epson BT300 glasses & after market app thread; i'll be sure to check that out.

sure, np.
review this

Home

We help companies evaluate, select and source the right AM systems from trusted suppliers worldwide.

www.aniwaa.com

and try to actually find and examine those goggles before buying. most of them are still, well, quite less than perfect. i personally cannot deal with 23deg FOV.
it really needs to be 40+ to be able to see well.

also, this:

10 Best FPV Drone Goggles For A Terrific Flying Experience - DroneZon

Best FPV drone goggles reviewed of DJI, Moverio, Oculus, Fat Shark and more. Top FPV glasses have quality FOV, adjustable IPD, optics, resolution and head tracking

www.dronezon.com

it has comparisons. most of goggles there do accept hdmi output a smart controller can produce