The Mini 2 - the Swiss Army knife of drones.

[AVLJMA]

Like many of you, I own several drones. The Mavic Pro 2, the Air 2 and the DJI Mini 2. I like that my Air2 can detect other aircraft and is pretty fast in sport mode.
I love the Pro 2 for the additional obvious reasons. But after many hours of flying all of them, I've decided my MVP (or MVD in this case) is the Mini 2.

The Min 2 has a capable camera for capturing most of what I want. The one photo that I got the most praise for was done on the Mini 2. It travels better than any other. If I am driving from one place to another, the battery charging for the Mini 2 is so much easier and faster than the Air 2 or the Mavic Pro 2. This alone makes the Mini 2 superior. What good is a drone when the batteries are drained and it takes hours to recharge.

And of course the sub 240 gram weight prevents you from having to do registrations in each country that you want to travel. Although I usually register them anyway because I think it is cool to have permits in multiple countries. But that is just me.

If next year I am confronted with three new drone choices, the Mavic 3 Pro series, the Air 3 or the DJI Mini 3, this will be an easy choice. I have the MA2 and the Mavic Pro 2 when and if I need a bigger drone with more speed and a more capable camera. But for my personal globe trotting and documenting my travel, well, the Mini2 or 3 will take that task on in spades.

I will still pilot my other drones and really appreciate their strengths, their superior speed and superior cameras BUT the Mini 2 still wins the contest of OVERALL BEST DRONE. The Swiss Army knife of drones.
Attached is a Mini 2 photo

 

[thomasoes]

I thought the mini 2 had to be registered because of the camera

 

[Deleted member 103366]

Thomasoes does raise a point that you may need to bear in mind.
Glorious ........sunset?

 

[AVLJMA]

I thought the mini 2 had to be registered because of the camera

My Mini2 is registered in the UK because of an upcoming trip to Scotland.

 

[360 Guy]

Mr. AVLJMA,​

After reading your Mini 2 account, I had my chest out and patted myself on the back for buying the M2.
Your account on the M2 is spot on and I couldn't agree with you more.
Well written captain, well done.

 

[Deleted member 103366]

Avljma, I think you will find that you are the registered entity, not the drone.

 

[Droniac]

Like many of you, I own several drones. The Mavic Pro 2, the Air 2 and the DJI Mini 2. I like that my Air2 can detect other aircraft and is pretty fast in sport mode.
I love the Pro 2 for the additional obvious reasons. But after many hours of flying all of them, I've decided my MVP (or MVD in this case) is the Mini 2.

The Min 2 has a capable camera for capturing most of what I want. The one photo that I got the most praise for was done on the Mini 2. It travels better than any other. If I am driving from one place to another, the battery charging for the Mini 2 is so much easier and faster than the Air 2 or the Mavic Pro 2. This alone makes the Mini 2 superior. What good is a drone when the batteries are drained and it takes hours to recharge.

And of course the sub 240 gram weight prevents you from having to do registrations in each country that you want to travel. Although I usually register them anyway because I think it is cool to have permits in multiple countries. But that is just me.

If next year I am confronted with three new drone choices, the Mavic 3 Pro series, the Air 3 or the DJI Mini 3, this will be an easy choice. I have the MA2 and the Mavic Pro 2 when and if I need a bigger drone with more speed and a more capable camera. But for my personal globe trotting and documenting my travel, well, the Mini2 or 3 will take that task on in spades.

I will still pilot my other drones and really appreciate their strengths, their superior speed and superior cameras BUT the Mini 2 still wins the contest of OVERALL BEST DRONE. The Swiss Army knife of drones.
Attached is a Mini 2 photo
View attachment 136996

I love the Swiss Army knife analogy!! Very interesting take. Definitive lucid rationale on your part imo. Nice to have so much to have so much fun with. I currently have an M2P. Wish I was able to make that comparative analysis. Sounds like ALL your needs are met. Good place to be. Thanks for sharing! Flysafe & Godspeed, Droniac

 

[AVLJMA]

Avljma, I think you will find that you are the registered entity, not the drone.

Well I did two things online with the UK's CAA. I took a simple test and passed. I then registered the drone. Days later I received a number to attached to my drone that started with GBR-OP-****etc. and this expires in May of 2022. Then I got a Flyer ID that expires in 2026. I think I paid $10 or some other small fee. Does that sound correct?
I think you are right because in the first case it says "operator ID" and in the second it says "Flyer ID".

 

[tlswift58]

Like many of you, I own several drones. The Mavic Pro 2, the Air 2 and the DJI Mini 2. I like that my Air2 can detect other aircraft and is pretty fast in sport mode.
I love the Pro 2 for the additional obvious reasons. But after many hours of flying all of them, I've decided my MVP (or MVD in this case) is the Mini 2.

The Min 2 has a capable camera for capturing most of what I want. The one photo that I got the most praise for was done on the Mini 2. It travels better than any other. If I am driving from one place to another, the battery charging for the Mini 2 is so much easier and faster than the Air 2 or the Mavic Pro 2. This alone makes the Mini 2 superior. What good is a drone when the batteries are drained and it takes hours to recharge.

And of course the sub 240 gram weight prevents you from having to do registrations in each country that you want to travel. Although I usually register them anyway because I think it is cool to have permits in multiple countries. But that is just me.

If next year I am confronted with three new drone choices, the Mavic 3 Pro series, the Air 3 or the DJI Mini 3, this will be an easy choice. I have the MA2 and the Mavic Pro 2 when and if I need a bigger drone with more speed and a more capable camera. But for my personal globe trotting and documenting my travel, well, the Mini2 or 3 will take that task on in spades.

I will still pilot my other drones and really appreciate their strengths, their superior speed and superior cameras BUT the Mini 2 still wins the contest of OVERALL BEST DRONE. The Swiss Army knife of drones.
Attached is a Mini 2 photo
View attachment 136996

Live not far from you. The Mini does have a lot of great qualities, but I prefer my Air2 hands down. Never had an issues charging on the road with my batteries. I can plug my charger port into the 110 volt plug in the back of my 4Runner and they charge quite well. Not everyone has that, but there are devices that plug into USB / cigarette lighter that convert to 110. I've got 3 batteries and yes, when chasing waterfalls and other great scenery in Western NC - they go fast. Yet again, I simply plug them in when traveling between spots and have good batteries in short order. It would be nice if DJI or a 3rd party made a "fast" charger if not already for just these purposes.

If you are ever over towards Jackson / Macon County and want to do some waterfalling with drones - give me a shot. Always cool to go with other droners. Never know what you can learn!

 

[AVLJMA]

Live not far from you. The Mini does have a lot of great qualities, but I prefer my Air2 hands down. Never had an issues charging on the road with my batteries. I can plug my charger port into the 110 volt plug in the back of my 4Runner and they charge quite well. Not everyone has that, but there are devices that plug into USB / cigarette lighter that convert to 110. I've got 3 batteries and yes, when chasing waterfalls and other great scenery in Western NC - they go fast. Yet again, I simply plug them in when traveling between spots and have good batteries in short order. It would be nice if DJI or a 3rd party made a "fast" charger if not already for just these purposes.

If you are ever over towards Jackson / Macon County and want to do some waterfalling with drones - give me a shot. Always cool to go with other droners. Never know what you can learn!

I will do that. I do agree that the Air 2 moves better in our mountains when I am doing a rambling video. The morning fog with mountain tops poking through is my favorite.

 

[tlswift58]

I will do that. I do agree that the Air 2 moves better in our mountains when I am doing a rambling video. The morning fog with mountain tops poking through is my favorite.

We go to the Smokies (can't fly inside) and BRP (can fly from parallel public roads) quite a bit. Hope to hit the OBX (Hatteras) again in Nov. Out of season is nice flying and fewer people.

I've barely even started on the 600 or so waterfalls in NC and then all the ones in N GA and Upstate SC. Sadly, NC and GA do restrict flying from parks where many nice falls are, but sometimes there are workarounds.

 

[Deleted member 103366]

Does that sound correct?

Yep

 

[netfolks2000]

I use my drones in a rural area for agricultural use, occasionally in other places for a quick high perspective. I've sold my Spark & Magic Pro Platinum. The Mini 2 does everything I need it to do and so much more portable. Your analogy is clever. It's so easy to carry around and launch, and less costly as innovation continues. I don't miss obstacle avoidance at all.

 

[Wumpus_NJ]

Mini2 owner here, too.
Indeed it is very capable and holds its own for photos and video. It WAS my go-to AC before a flyaway incident last weekend.

Regarding "Swiss Army Knife"...anytime I use that analogy, I always add "but you have to be careful that you don't cut yourself with one feature while using another."

 

[blubyyou]

Like many of you, I own several drones. The Mavic Pro 2, the Air 2 and the DJI Mini 2. I like that my Air2 can detect other aircraft and is pretty fast in sport mode.
I love the Pro 2 for the additional obvious reasons. But after many hours of flying all of them, I've decided my MVP (or MVD in this case) is the Mini 2.

The Min 2 has a capable camera for capturing most of what I want. The one photo that I got the most praise for was done on the Mini 2. It travels better than any other. If I am driving from one place to another, the battery charging for the Mini 2 is so much easier and faster than the Air 2 or the Mavic Pro 2. This alone makes the Mini 2 superior. What good is a drone when the batteries are drained and it takes hours to recharge.

And of course the sub 240 gram weight prevents you from having to do registrations in each country that you want to travel. Although I usually register them anyway because I think it is cool to have permits in multiple countries. But that is just me.

If next year I am confronted with three new drone choices, the Mavic 3 Pro series, the Air 3 or the DJI Mini 3, this will be an easy choice. I have the MA2 and the Mavic Pro 2 when and if I need a bigger drone with more speed and a more capable camera. But for my personal globe trotting and documenting my travel, well, the Mini2 or 3 will take that task on in spades.

I will still pilot my other drones and really appreciate their strengths, their superior speed and superior cameras BUT the Mini 2 still wins the contest of OVERALL BEST DRONE. The Swiss Army knife of drones.
Attached is a Mini 2 photo
View attachment 136996

I feel EXACTLY the same way about my A2. LOVE IT. Period.

 

[AVLJMA]

We go to the Smokies (can't fly inside) and BRP (can fly from parallel public roads) quite a bit. Hope to hit the OBX (Hatteras) again in Nov. Out of season is nice flying and fewer people.

I've barely even started on the 600 or so waterfalls in NC and then all the ones in N GA and Upstate SC. Sadly, NC and GA do restrict flying from parks where many nice falls are, but sometimes there are workarounds.

I forgot about the waterfalls. Town Mountain Road in Asheville runs along side the BRP. I get some great autumn leaf shots. If you plan well there are generally work arounds to restricted area that are still legal and sometimes close enough.
I had to do a video for work 2 months ago and obtained permission to fly over a sections of BRP. Unfortunately it was not a very photogenic area.

 

[Mini 4 bloke]

I will second all you say about the awesome Mini 2
I just sold my Mp2 and don't miss it one bit.
The Mini 2 is all the drone I need .
Portable and capable.

 

[RogerDH]

If you use a drone for aerial photography, a GPS drone without waypoint missions is like a Swiss Army knife without a beer bottle opener.

 

[Rhody Seth]

Well I did two things online with the UK's CAA. I took a simple test and passed. I then registered the drone. Days later I received a number to attached to my drone that started with GBR-OP-****etc. and this expires in May of 2022. Then I got a Flyer ID that expires in 2026. I think I paid $10 or some other small fee. Does that sound correct?
I think you are right because in the first case it says "operator ID" and in the second it says "Flyer ID".

This is great to know as my wife and I are travelling to Scotland next year. I hadn't thought about bringing my Mini 2 but now you've got me interested!

 

[AVLJMA]

This is great to know as my wife and I are travelling to Scotland next year. I hadn't thought about bringing my Mini 2 but now you've got me interested!

There is a pilot on this forum from Scotland that has some amazing videos. I wish I recalled his name. Regardless, I think Scotland will be a fantastic place to fly and film. I am sure the Mini 2 is up to the task. I chose it because I feel the batteries are less of an issue at TSA and I can carry all 6. We will be there in April of 2022. Have a great trip. I'm sure we will have some great posts when we get back.