Should I buy mini 4 pro or 5 pro?

[razor488]

Im upgrading from the Phatom 3 pro. I’m reading some things about the mini 5 pro being over 250g but how critical is this in the US? Should I just order the mini 4 pro to be safe? I’d like the newest technology but I want to be legal too.

Thanks

 

[Cafguy]

DJI designed the mini 5 to weigh 249 grams. How DJI thought they could keep such a tight tolerance at the factory puzzles me BUT YES the Mini 5 can weigh 249-252 grams. Drones over the 250 limit will be subject to even more future regulation, and tho it hasnt happened yet, Drones that are heavier than 250 grams will in the future require you to have a 107 certificate, or fly only at the FRIA. As the sky's fill with Drones from everyone from Target to the local Government, Your free airspace will be shrinking dramatically. If you want a Mini 5 , GET IT. but be aware that you could face future rule changes.
Honestly Buying DJI in the U.S. Now is going to be a gamble. DJI makes a great Drone but if you live in the U.S. My advice is..Don't crash it unless you know how to fix it!

 

[razor488]

From a practical standpoint, are law enforcement really detaining people and weighing their drones? I find that situation likely extraordinary rare.

 

[Cafguy]

From a practical standpoint, are law enforcement really detaining people and weighing their drones? I find that situation likely extraordinary rare.

NO and thats never going to happen LOL. Your local law enforcement doesnt have the authority or jurisdiction and the FAA cant afford a police force.

 

[msinger]

I’m reading some things about the mini 5 pro being over 250g but how critical is this in the US?

It's only critical if you don't want to register your drones with the FAA.

 

[razor488]

It's only critical if you don't want to register your drones with the FAA.

I guess that is my question. Do you really need to register if you buy the Mini 5 pro?

 

[msinger]

Do you really need to register if you buy the Mini 5 pro?

You'll need to register it if it weighs 250 grams or more. There is no special exemption for the Mini 5 Pro in the US like in the EU.

 

[moldorf]

Drones that are heavier than 250 grams will in the future require you to have a 107 certificate, or fly only at the FRIA.

I haven't seen this before....do you have a link for that?

 

[mavic3usa]

From a practical standpoint, are law enforcement really detaining people and weighing their drones? I find that situation likely extraordinary rare.

They are not. Who has said they are doing this? In my state, law enforcement can't yet legally detain you to check the weigh your drone or check anything else about your drone.

 

[GeorgiaPI]

For me the Mini 5 and if it has a 0 sticker let her fly. If I need to register I'll register.

 

[Cafguy]

I haven't seen this before....do you have a link for that?

No link. It just seems where we're headed.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Im upgrading from the Phatom 3 pro. I’m reading some things about the mini 5 pro being over 250g but how critical is this in the US? Should I just order the mini 4 pro to be safe? I’d like the newest technology but I want to be legal too.

Thanks

It is critical, especially if safety is your priority.

The Mini 4 Pro with the standard Mini 4 Pro battery will not broadcast RID and will not require pilot registration, and it is clearly labeled on the battery that the takeoff weight is 249g. You cannot be located by anyone remotely unless they actually see you flying, or hear the drone flying and physically follow the drone back to you.

The Mini 5 Pro will broadcast RID with every battery, and is also over 250g, no matter which battery is used, so it requires pilot registration, and will always be broadcasting your exact location throughout the flight.

RID broadcasting transmits your exact location throughout the flight to anyone with the appropriate RID detection app on any Android device, and to anyone with a Dronetag RIDER. The RIDER can detect RID broadcast from your drone up to 3 miles away, and can either be used as a "friend finder" or to track down drone flyers for confrontations or worse.

Most comparisons between the Mini 4 Pro and the Mini 5 Pro video and stills show only a marginal improvement with the Mini 5 Pro.

In any event, if you decide for the Mini 5 Pro, don't waste your money on the standard battery version, designed for the EU with a C0 classification. It offers no benefits over the Plus battery version in the U.S., other than less flight time per battery. Get the Plus version which has 50% more flight time per battery, and comes with the far better RC 2 screen controller.

You decide.

 

[Cafguy]

Doesnt The FAA require ACCURATE W&B (weight and Balance) placards on all aircraft?
So how is DJI legally able to label a drone that actually weighs 152 grams as 249 grams?

 

[msinger]

So how is DJI legally able to label a drone that actually weighs 152 grams as 249 grams?

Which label are you referring to?

The Mini 5 Pro specs show the takeoff weight is 249.9 g, along with this explanation:

"Product weight may vary due to differences in batch materials and other factors. The actual weight is approximately 249.9 g ± 4 g and is subject to the actual product."

So claims that all Mini 5 Pros are over 249.9 grams is probably not accurate.

 

[HoozierDroneDaddy]

There have been other articles about the weight of the Mini 5 Pro. Although advertised at sub 249g, some owners have shown a weight of 249g and others a slight variance being higher. So although it is advertise as 249g, the truth will be when you receive it and the weight when you put it on a scale.

 

[GadgetGuy]

So claims that all Mini 5 Pros are over 249.9 grams is probably not accurate.

None have been found in the wild.
Regardless, since DJI decided to broadcast RID on all Mini 5 Pro units in the U.S., no matter which battery is used, regardless of weight, it's a moot point.

Hypothetically, even if one could find one under 250g, it will still broadcast RID, so the actual weight no longer matters.

To avoid pilot registration, you now have the burden to prove yours weighs less than 250g, because you can no longer rely upon the manufacturer’s claim that it does, because they have officially disclaimed a verified weight of under 250g.

 

[GadgetGuy]

There have been other articles about the weight of the Mini 5 Pro. Although advertised at sub 249g, some owners have shown a weight of 249g and others a slight variance being higher. So although it is advertise as 249g, the truth will be when you receive it and the weight when you put it on a scale.

There are three variables.
1. The drone bodies vary in weight.
2. The standard batteries vary in weight.
3. The accuracy and correct calibration of the scale used by the tester to weigh 1. and 2. together varies.

DJI has managed to successfully control the takeoff weight of every other previous Mini model sold to under 250g, which is where the Mini models get their Mini namesake from. DJI's scales must be accurate and must properly calibrated. Those of the general public, not so much!

Did DJI suddenly lose the ability to control the weight of the drone and battery, or do they know it nows weighs over 250g on an accurate, calibrated scale?

The only way the Mini 5 Pro can now "weigh" under 250g is if you use an inaccurate or improperly calibrated scale, like a digital kitchen scale that most consumers will use to weigh their drones on at home!

It's a marketing gimmick to encourage users to convince themselves they might have a sub 250g Mini 5 Pro, so they can theoretically avoid pilot registration, but they still can't stop the RID broadcasting! LOL!

 

[Aaron Steele]

5 is better overall. But do keep it in your mind that if you decide to go with extended battery, it will weight over the requirement to register with FAA. If you are photographer or videographer and want best camera, the 5 pro. For budget, 4.

 

[GadgetGuy]

5 is better overall. But do keep it in your mind that if you decide to go with extended battery, it will weight over the requirement to register with FAA. If you are photographer or videographer and want best camera, the 5 pro. For budget, 4.

Not if preventing RID broadcasting is important.
Regular M5P battery in drone is also over 250g, so registration is also required, unlike the Mini 4 Pro with the standard battery which is under 250g and will not broadcast RID, and does not require pilot registration.