Santa baby, you're too good to me!

Photo Booth · Dec 17, 2023

I just learned that Mrs. Photo Booth has ordered a new drone for Christmas, for me! I currently own a Mavic Pro Platinum. I haven't flown it for 3 months, despite the delay of RID enforcement until March 16, 2024. She knows that I wasn't too keen on the whole RID module idea in the first place. Plus, she's repeatedly heard me commenting about the Mavic 3 Pro, what with its three cameras and all. Bless her heart for actually listening!

Interestingly, I came *very* close to buying a Mavic 3 back in January or February. But my "gut" told me to wait until RID was fully enforced. Which, technically, means I should wait until at least March. However, I seriously doubt there will be a Mavic 4 announced in the next 3 months.

Much to my delight, Mrs. PB ordered not only a Mavic 3 Pro Fly More Combo, but she ordered the bundle with RC Pro too! SWEET!

After learning the exciting news, I explained that I'd need two more things to complete my drone package. So, I ordered one of these:

Amazon.com

And one of these:

Amazon.com

I considered the rapid charger with an LCD display but the single report on Amazon of overheating and photos of a warped (due to heat) plastic case gave me pause. For 5 years I've been using the Powerextra rapid charger that is nearly identical to the Airoka one linked above without issue. I also don't see the point of a discharge option in the charger when the batteries self-discharge to 60-65% on their own. And the drone firmware keeps track of the number of recharge cycles.

Now I need to find a home for my Mavic Pro Platinum and all of its accessories and extra batteries. I guess eBay is the way to go.

Anyway, I'm pretty darn excited about upgrading to the latest & greatest Mavic. Thank you, Mrs. PB!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year, everyone!

Mark

mswlogo · Dec 17, 2023

Photo Booth said:
I just learned that Mrs. Photo Booth has ordered a new drone for Christmas, for me! I currently own a Mavic Pro Platinum. I haven't flown it for 3 months, despite the delay of RID enforcement until March 16, 2024. She knows that I wasn't too keen on the whole RID module idea in the first place. Plus, she's repeatedly heard me commenting about the Mavic 3 Pro, what with its three cameras and all. Bless her heart for actually listening!

Interestingly, I came *very* close to buying a Mavic 3 back in January or February. But my "gut" told me to wait until RID was fully enforced. Which, technically, means I should wait until at least March. However, I seriously doubt there will be a Mavic 4 announced in the next 3 months.

Much to my delight, Mrs. PB ordered not only a Mavic 3 Pro Fly More Combo, but she ordered the bundle with RC Pro too! SWEET!

After learning the exciting news, I explained that I'd need two more things to complete my drone package. So, I ordered one of these:

Amazon.com

And one of these:

Amazon.com

I considered the rapid charger with an LCD display but the single report on Amazon of overheating and photos of a warped (due to heat) plastic case gave me pause. For 5 years I've been using the Powerextra rapid charger that is nearly identical to the Airoka one linked above without issue. I also don't see the point of a discharge option in the charger when the batteries self-discharge to 60-65% on their own. And the drone firmware keeps track of the number of recharge cycles.

Now I need to find a home for my Mavic Pro Platinum and all of its accessories and extra batteries. I guess eBay is the way to go.

Anyway, I'm pretty darn excited about upgrading to the latest & greatest Mavic. Thank you, Mrs. PB!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year, everyone!

Mark

Congrats

My #1 accessory is a lanyard for that RC Pro

Amazon.com

And a case that fits a Lanyard (has cut outs)

Amazon.com

Also ordered a screen protector.

Amazon.com

Photo Booth · Dec 17, 2023

Thanks! Is the screen of the RC Pro glass or plastic? I thought it was glass?

Mark

mswlogo · Dec 17, 2023

Photo Booth said:
Thanks! Is the screen of the RC Pro glass or plastic? I thought it was glass?

Mark

No idea, either way I still put one on my toys. Occasionally they can save a glass screen too.

Cafguy · Dec 17, 2023

Congrats! That's a very cool Gift!

Photo Booth said:
I also don't see the point of a discharge option in the charger when the batteries self-discharge to 60-65% on their own.

BUT not really fast enough to keep you from losing a few cycles in the long run.
One of the biggest killers of these Batteries is charging them to 100% and then leaving them alone for months, relying on the battery to discharge itself. If I had your Drone I would buy a charger with a storage option no question about it.
ALSO I wouldn't sell the Platinum they are just to good of a drone I would pass it down or fly it around as a backup.

GFields · Dec 17, 2023

Congratulations!

old man mavic · Dec 17, 2023

@Photo Booth ,your a lucky man ,i hope Mrs Photo Booth is getting an equally wonderful present as well

Suren · Dec 17, 2023

Well you are lucky, Christmas came early. Congrats man

Photo Booth · Dec 17, 2023

old man mavic said:
@Photo Booth ,your a lucky man ,i hope Mrs Photo Booth is getting an equally wonderful present as well

Mrs. Photo Booth gets whatever she wants whenever she wants it. Happy wife = happy life!

Mark

Photo Booth · Dec 17, 2023

Suren said:
Well you are lucky, Christmas came early. Congrats man

It has not arrived yet and, when it does, I've already been told it must remain under the tree until Christmas morning. I'll be the proverbial kid on Christmas morning!

Mark

Photo Booth · Dec 18, 2023

mswlogo said:
Congrats

My #1 accessory is a lanyard for that RC Pro

Amazon.com

And a case that fits a Lanyard (has cut outs)

Amazon.com

Also ordered a screen protector.

Amazon.com

The case I ordered has cutouts to clear the lanyard loop attachment points for the RC Pro. The case I have for my Mavic Pro Platinum is made by RLSOCO. It's sort of a soft/hard type of case. Which works better for me because I frequently carry the drone in the trunk of our Miata on long trips. I baby that car and would be a little concerned about a hard Pelican type case causing some damage to the paint to the underside of the trunk lid.

Mark

mswlogo · Dec 18, 2023

Photo Booth said:
The case I ordered has cutouts to clear the lanyard loop attachment points for the RC Pro. The case I have for my Mavic Pro Platinum is made by RLSOCO. It's sort of a soft/hard type of case. Which works better for me because I frequently carry the drone in the trunk of our Miata on long trips. I baby that car and would be a little concerned about a hard Pelican type case causing some damage to the paint to the underside of the trunk lid.

Mark

Oh, didn’t realize that wasn’t a “pelican” type case. Interesting choice. I had a GPC case that came with my Skydio that I absolutely love. I would have got another GPC but I like the remote laying flat. Especially if I want to leave lanyard on. Hope the one I ordered doesn’t feel to cheap compared to the GPC one.

Starz · Dec 18, 2023

Photo Booth said:
Thanks! Is the screen of the RC Pro glass or plastic? I thought it was glass?

Mark

Glass.
And this might be a consideration.

https://www.amazon.com/Gimbal-Vision-System-Protector-Accessories/dp/B0C9DTNSPC/ref=asc_df_B0C9DTNSPC/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=673717065085&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4917354650071132261&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030242&hvtargid=pla-2204904724783&psc=1&mcid=e018f92bafa03de0b5121ceaf95108fd

360 Guy · Dec 18, 2023

Some people (PB) have all the luck. LOL
Good luck with the new bird Photo Booth.
Merry Christmas and a safe New Year all.

mswlogo · Dec 18, 2023

Starz said:
Glass.
And this might be a consideration.

https://www.amazon.com/Gimbal-Vision-System-Protector-Accessories/dp/B0C9DTNSPC/ref=asc_df_B0C9DTNSPC/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=673717065085&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4917354650071132261&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030242&hvtargid=pla-2204904724783&psc=1&mcid=e018f92bafa03de0b5121ceaf95108fd

Temping. I hate the girdle that comes with it.

Photo Booth · Dec 18, 2023

That camera protector definitely looks tempting! Maybe a good stocking stuffer?

The Airoka battery charger was delivered by Amazon today, at 6:30am!

I'm pleased that it has a power switch. My previous Powerextra charger for my Mavic Pro didn't have a power switch, I had to add an in-line switch.

So, stocking stuffer list for my wife:

Gimbal Guard Protector
Lanyard
256GB San Disk High Endurance microSDXC card (or two)

I've been using 64GB San Disk Ultra Plus cards with my Mavic Pro Platinum. No issues whatsoever. Not sure if they are fast enough for the Mavic 3 Pro?

Mark

Photo Booth · Dec 18, 2023

Starz said:
Glass.
And this might be a consideration.

https://www.amazon.com/Gimbal-Vision-System-Protector-Accessories/dp/B0C9DTNSPC

Regarding that Sunnylife Gimbal Guard...

It is available for $3 less via this Amazon seller:

https://www.amazon.com/Integrated-Accessories-Transparent-Plastic-Protector/dp/B0CBX5P4PX

It is available directly from Sunnylife for $6.19. However, I have no idea how much the shipping might be:

Sunnylife G583 Integrated Gimbal Cover Transparent Lens Cap Vision System Protector Accessories for Mavic 3 Pro

sunnylife.net

I prefer to wait and see how much room is available in the fitted case I have ordered. The case is designed to fit the Mavic 3 Pro with the DJI harness attached, so the Gimbal Guard *should* fit in place of the harness. But I'll wait a bit and see just how tight the fit might be. I'll have to wait until next Monday if Mrs. PB doesn't change her mind about keeping it under the tree.

Not a biggie really, we have rain predicted starting tomorrow and lasting until Saturday.

Mark

Desert Drone Works · Dec 18, 2023

That gimbal guard @Starz suggested is what I use. It's quite a large improvement over the "bane girdle" thing provided. I find that the props are pretty stout so haven't elected to use a prop holder, but suppose you could employ one of those as well and still probably save time over standard. Re: microsds, I prefer the Samsung Pro Ultimate in 128gb variety, but it's pretty hard to go wrong if U3/V30/A2+.

Starz · Dec 18, 2023

Photo Booth said:
It is available for $3 less via this Amazon seller:

Not surprising, I didn’t hunt for cost, just product. They are well worth the $$$

Photo Booth · Dec 18, 2023

Gave a stocking stuffer list to Mrs. PB, she told me to just order it myself.

I ended up ordering three Lexar Pro 1066x cards, 128GB each. That capacity will hold over 80 minutes of video (two batteries worth), far more than I'd normally shoot in one outing. A second card, just in case. The third one will go into the RC-Pro, which is probably overkill, but the card was only $14.49 (a 64GB card was $9.99).

I've had very good luck (no issues) with Lexar cards in my DSLR.

This is the lanyard I ordered:

Amazon.com

I like the V shape of the fixing screws on that model of lanyard. I also like that the ends of the strap attach to the fixing screws via nylon cord. Some of the lanyards I looked at had metal or plastic clips that attach to the fixing screws. That just adds additional metal or plastic that would get in the way when storing the RC-Pro in the carrying case. The short lengths of nylon cord should allow me to fold up the lanyard and place it UNDER the RC-Pro in the carrying case I ordered. Easy peasy and the lanyard will be out of the way.

I have experience with exactly this type of arrangement on my digital SLR. Loops of nylon cord to loop through the D rings on the SLR. Quick disconnects between the nylon cord and the strap in case I want to remove the strap temporarily. It has worked out very well.

Mark