Not A Pilot Yet But Hello and Advice Request

[deeve]

Hello!, I am from the Portland Oregon area and would really like to pick up a Mavic Pro. I have wanted a drone for a few years but was afraid to spend the money on something that I thought might be hard to fly or get lost. I have heard horror stories of drones disappearing into the sunset. I have flown some smaller drones and helicopters around and had a lot of fun, but those were mostly inside machines. I recently got to try my hand flying my friends Typhoon and Mavic Pro. While still challenging, I actually found it easier than the much less expensive drones I have experience with. I think the size, gps, obstacle avoidance, and other advanced electronics must help a lot.

Anyway, I was hooked! Costco has a decent deal (I think), but I understand it is not an approved dealer so no warranty from DJI? My buddy bought his Mavic on craigslist for a pretty good deal and lots of extras but buying used I think can be hit or miss. There seems to be lots and lots of different packages out there on Amazon and other sites. Being the kind of person who only likes to spend my money once and not on things I wont end using, I am curious what the ideal setup or bundle might be for a new pilot who wants to have fun learning to fly? I have been looking and reading but am starting to get overwhelmed by all the options, prices and places to buy along with a bit of "analysis paralysis".

Hello again and any help or advice would be great

DAVE

 

[LuvMyTJ]

Hello,
It is a pleasure to welcome you to the Mavic Pilots forum.
I hope that you will be able to use the forum to further your safety knowledge and for the exchange of innovative ideas and as a resource for current developments in Mavic quadcopters.

Buy extra batteries and a good case for it. Thats all you need to go start having fun. Be sure and look around here for tips, checklist and apps (Hover, AirMap, etc.), to help you become a safer pilot. Be sure and check out the FAA page and get registered - Getting Started

Enjoy!
*MAVIC MANUAL: https://dl.djicdn.com/downloads/mavic/20171012/Mavic+Pro+User+Manual_V1.8.pdf
*GO 4 APP MANUAL: DJI Go 4 Manual

 

[Bunny Too]

Hello!, I am from the Portland Oregon area and would really like to pick up a Mavic Pro. I have wanted a drone for a few years but was afraid to spend the money on something that I thought might be hard to fly or get lost. I have heard horror stories of drones disappearing into the sunset. I have flown some smaller drones and helicopters around and had a lot of fun, but those were mostly inside machines. I recently got to try my hand flying my friends Typhoon and Mavic Pro. While still challenging, I actually found it easier than the much less expensive drones I have experience with. I think the size, gps, obstacle avoidance, and other advanced electronics must help a lot.

Anyway, I was hooked! Costco has a decent deal (I think), but I understand it is not an approved dealer so no warranty from DJI? My buddy bought his Mavic on craigslist for a pretty good deal and lots of extras but buying used I think can be hit or miss. There seems to be lots and lots of different packages out there on Amazon and other sites. Being the kind of person who only likes to spend my money once and not on things I wont end using, I am curious what the ideal setup or bundle might be for a new pilot who wants to have fun learning to fly? I have been looking and reading but am starting to get overwhelmed by all the options, prices and places to buy along with a bit of "analysis paralysis".

Hello again and any help or advice would be great

DAVE

Howdy from Wyoming deeve, welcome to the community, plenty of fine folk and excellent information here.

 

[dirkclod]

Welcome to Mavic Pilots .
I hope you will find our site helpful and look forward to any input , photo's/video's you might post .
Don't be shy and ask anything if you can't find it by searching .

 

[msinger]

Welcome to Mavic Pilots!

Costco has a decent deal (I think), but I understand it is not an approved dealer so no warranty from DJI?

Costco is not listed on DJI's list of authorized dealers here.

I am curious what the ideal setup or bundle might be for a new pilot who wants to have fun learning to fly?

Here are my favorite must-have accessories for the Mavic:

• Extra Batteries (get them from DJI or Amazon)
• Battery Charging Hub (makes it easier to charge multiple batteries)
• Lens Pen (to easily clean the camera or ND filters)
• Case (check out the Go Professional hard case or others here)
• Extra Memory Card (find commonly used memory cards here)
• Memory Card Reader (to easily transfer photos/videos from memory card to a computer)
• ND Camera Filters (find a list of good brands to use here)
• Toolkit (in case you need to disassemble anything)
• Combined Gimbal Lock & Cover (the OEM cover has weak tabs that eventually break off)
• Compatible Phone/Tablet to Fly (see a list of commonly used phones/tablets here)
• Extended Landing Gear (in case you need more clearance between the camera & ground)

I've never found a package deal that contained all of my favorite must-have accessories. If you make a list of what you need and find the same, then you will likely save money by buying the Mavic (or Fly More Combo) and accessories separately.