Should I even be flying this old Mavic Mini?

[D-Wreck BXNY]

Hi All,

I am taking a Trip to Maine soon and I haven't flown my old Mavic Mini in over a year. I have a new phone since I last flew and when I went to Download the DJI fly app it was no longer available on the Google play store.

Through DJI website I did in fact manage to download it after giving my Android loads of security permissions to run what Android OS described as "Potentially malicious App".

My Question:

Will this new DJI app still operate my old Mavic Mini? Should I fly this old girl at all? I kept the drone in great condition and the batteries have been powered down ever since I put it into storage.

I have past my TRUST test.

Appreciate some feedback / advice perhaps from anybody still flying one of these much older DJI products. Thanks

 

[Dronecation]

If you are happy with the results you get, and feel it is safe to use, then why not? Enjoy it while you can and don't hand wring over FOMO.

 

[MS Coast]

Maine is a wonderful place to be in August and September. I'm envious, sitting here alongside the Gulf on a 91F/65% afternoon while checking the National Hurricane Center forecasts.

There are many people flying DJI drones older than yours. My old Mini 2 is still going strong. The Fly app should be downloaded only from DJI, so you did the right thing there.

I'll offer a few suggestions.

• Give the drone a good visual check for any damage or problems.
• Charge the batteries and look carefully for any signs of swelling.
• Update the firmware and software for the drone and controller.
• Be sure you can log into your DJI account.
• Do several conservative flights to confirm that everything is working as it should.
• Download one of the B4YouFly apps to check your flight locations in Maine.
• Have fun and share some photos or videos from your trip.

 

[KB9Radio]

You have download all of the DJI apps from their website now, they no longer post them in playstore or Appstore. Any dji mini drone is not that old, but that's coming from someone who still flies a Mavic Pro and a Mavic 2 Zoom all the time. Still some of the best out as far as I'm concerned, especially with Litchi. Bottom line, provided your batteries are good, you're good to go. Although if doesn't have built-in RID, you will need an external RID module.

 

[Melvoid]

If you are happy with the results you get, and feel it is safe to use, then why not? Enjoy it while you can and don't hand wring over FOMO.

Now I have to ask... What is FOMO?

 

[Capt KO]

Like others here I'm jealous, last visit to Maine was pre-drone but remember the many places a drone would have shined. There's nothing wrong with your little bird except lack of use.

 

[Rchawks]

Now I have to ask... What is FOMO?

Fear Of Missing Out?

 

[AMann]

What do you mean your batteries have been powered down? Hopefully they charge up OK, so definitely test it before your trip. Have fun!

 

[Dronecation]

Now I have to ask... What is FOMO?

Fear of missing out...

 

[jencarta]

I still fly my old Mavic Mini! The DJI Fly app still supports it. I have also been lending it out to new pilots that want to learn to fly.

 

[D-Wreck BXNY]

What do you mean your batteries have been powered down? Hopefully they charge up OK, so definitely test it before your trip. Have fun!

What I meant was that I completely discharged all three batteries before I put them in long term storage.

 

[AMann]

What I meant was that I completely discharged all three batteries before I put them in long term storage.

Oh dear, they may be bricked. One should long store lithiums at 50-60%. Completely discharging DJI drone batteries can permanently kill them. I’d charge them back up to full and then use them down to 60% for storage. Hopefully they are OK, and sorry if they are non-recoverable.

 

[journo]

I flew the Mavic Mini since I became a 107 pilot in 2019 and absolutely relied on it for so many jobs until 107s had to be Remote ID compliant. It should definitely be in the DJI drone hall of fame; it really changed everything -- fast to deploy, quiet, good in wind and could land and keep in my coat pocket. The file size was good enough for publication in print or online. It set the table for the Mini 3 Pro which is now my go-to sUAS. We keep the gen1 mini for jobs in Canada where RID isn't an issue.

 

[D-Wreck BXNY]

Oh dear, they may be bricked. One should long store lithiums at 50-60%. Completely discharging DJI drone batteries can permanently kill them. I’d charge them back up to full and then use them down to 60% for storage. Hopefully they are OK, and sorry if they are non-recoverable.

I didn't but clearly SHOULD have known this. Good news is I flew quite a lot in beautiful Maine. All three batteries charged well and I did not have any issues other than having to update the firmware for the drone and I think the controller.

 

[D-Wreck BXNY]

I flew the Mavic Mini since I became a 107 pilot in 2019 and absolutely relied on it for so many jobs until 107s had to be Remote ID compliant. It should definitely be in the DJI drone hall of fame; it really changed everything -- fast to deploy, quiet, good in wind and could land and keep in my coat pocket. The file size was good enough for publication in print or online. It set the table for the Mini 3 Pro which is now my go-to sUAS. We keep the gen1 mini for jobs in Canada where RID isn't an issue.

I flew it for the first time again several times in Maine, and as you said it was just as reliable and easy to control as I remembered. It really was the original game changer drone.