What to get? Mavic 4 Pro or Mavic 3 Pro

[MikeTX]

I have a dilemma.

What do you go with, why and where did you get it from?

I can't decide on getting the Mavic 4 Pro or Mavic 3 Pro (Used of course). I currently have a Mavic 3E so I already have batteries. I'm looking to the Pro versions for capturing scenery and having the active track. Which one did you go with, why and if it was the 4 Pro where did you get it? Not sure if it's the Mavic 4 I want to spend the extra money for the creator combo.

If you recommend something other than those 2 let me know.

TIA

 

[AnzacJack]

Like always, it comes down to your budget and what you are happy to pay. The 4 pro is definitely better than the 3 pro but new 4 pro vs second hand 3pro are 3 very different price points.
If $$ was not included in the thought process, definitely go with the 4 pro, its an amazing drone and a good upgrade

 

[MikeTX]

Like always, it comes down to your budget and what you are happy to pay. The 4 pro is definitely better than the 3 pro but new 4 pro vs second hand 3pro are 3 very different price points.
If $$ was not included in the thought process, definitely go with the 4 pro, its an amazing drone and a good upgrade

See and that's the thing, money, do I want to spend it. Also my concern is the 4 Pro not being released in the US, could that at some point be forced to push an update that could cause issues flying them in the US.

I really do like the 4 Pro and want it. Just apprehensive. Also where is the best price and safest place to get it. US Drone Supply seems to be marking them way up. Ebay could be hit or miss.

 

[FLDave]

Doesn't seem like a difficult decision. My rational is to always go forward; not backward. So, go for the newer technology, and not old used technology. If another drone really is important, then find a way to pay for it, or maybe another drone really isn't important.

 

[OldGuy]

I have a dilemma.

What do you go with, why and where did you get it from?

I can't decide on getting the Mavic 4 Pro or Mavic 3 Pro (Used of course). I currently have a Mavic 3E so I already have batteries. I'm looking to the Pro versions for capturing scenery and having the active track. Which one did you go with, why and if it was the 4 Pro where did you get it? Not sure if it's the Mavic 4 I want to spend the extra money for the creator combo.

If you recommend something other than those 2 let me know.

TIA

Get the 4 Pro. I have both the 3 & the 4. The nice additions to the 4 Pro such as O4, the "H" home point indicator, cruise control and the landing "X" indicator plus the landing light are worth the extra money believe me.

 

[Cafguy]

Also my concern is the 4 Pro not being released in the US, could that at some point be forced to push an update that could cause issues flying them in the US.

This would never happen If the U.S. told you to stop flying your DJI (they wont) they couldn’t update and shut them all down.

 

[JavaJack]

I have chosen not to move to Mavic 4 from Mavic 3 and maybe this is a topic for a different discussion but worth considering. At this time I cannot find a parachute for flying over people for Mavic 4. If anyone knows of a certified unit, please let me know. I fly over people at advertised events like professional football, which requires an SFOC in Canada, issued by Transport Canada. Here is what I have heard when requiring about parachutes from the manufacturers like AVSS:

I just spoke with AVSS and here is the problem with Mavic 4: We will not have a parachute for the Mavic 4 as it doesn't not have an ASTM F3322 approved method to turn off the power of the motors (flight termination system) without exceeding the maximum take off weight. I’ve also talked with Parazero and have seen no action toward developing a parachute for Mavic 4.





We use the PSDK functionality on the Matrice 4 and Mavic 3 enteprise to turn off the motors.

 

[dmiles119]

I've been giving DJI my hard earned money since the Phantom 1 days. I've always stayed more or less a generation behind, I'll buy the previous latest and greatest used when the new latest and greatest comes out. I also went through a period of time where I bought damaged drones and repaired them, but that eats up a lot of time, and it got to the point where you could buy a working used drone for the price they were getting for some parts alone.

I say all this to give you an idea of where I'm coming from when I give you my 2 cents for free. Quite a while back I found a 3 Pro fly more for sale from a guy who had made an impulse buy, and he was in over his head on the credit card situation. So it was the first time I was actually able to get a deal on the latest and greatest. Of all the generations of drones, to me this was the biggest leap. In my opinion the 3 Pro was as close as they had come to the perfect drone, it has everything I was looking for. 2 years in I am still pleased with my 3 pro.

Would I like to have a 4 Pro in a perfect world where I could get a deal on one? Of course, who wouldn't? But for me, the "gee whiz" features of the 4 pro are nowhere near worth the difference in price. But that's just me. If that's you as well, I think you'll be very happy with a 3 Pro. Would be interested in hearing which route you eventually go, and your thoughts on how it turned out. Probably others here who would like to hear your follow up as well. Good luck to you.

 

[MikeTX]

I've been giving DJI my hard earned money since the Phantom 1 days. I've always stayed more or less a generation behind, I'll buy the previous latest and greatest used when the new latest and greatest comes out. I also went through a period of time where I bought damaged drones and repaired them, but that eats up a lot of time, and it got to the point where you could buy a working used drone for the price they were getting for some parts alone.

I say all this to give you an idea of where I'm coming from when I give you my 2 cents for free. Quite a while back I found a 3 Pro fly more for sale from a guy who had made an impulse buy, and he was in over his head on the credit card situation. So it was the first time I was actually able to get a deal on the latest and greatest. Of all the generations of drones, to me this was the biggest leap. In my opinion the 3 Pro was as close as they had come to the perfect drone, it has everything I was looking for. 2 years in I am still pleased with my 3 pro.

Would I like to have a 4 Pro in a perfect world where I could get a deal on one? Of course, who wouldn't? But for me, the "gee whiz" features of the 4 pro are nowhere near worth the difference in price. But that's just me. If that's you as well, I think you'll be very happy with a 3 Pro. Would be interested in hearing which route you eventually go, and your thoughts on how it turned out. Probably others here who would like to hear your follow up as well. Good luck to you.

Still debating. These 3 Pros are decent in price compared to the 4 Pro. If there was a decent used 4 Pro out there that isn't pretty much on par with the new price, then it may be worth it for me. Right now, I just don't know what to do. I'm torn. I'm a big tech guy and love the latest and greatest.

Plus gently used Pro 3s seem to go for pretty low right now.

 

[AnzacJack]

Then get the pro 3 for your own peace of mind.
But you will not have the ‘latest and greatest’ and a superior drone

 

[GadgetGuy]

This would never happen If the U.S. told you to stop flying your DJI (they wont) they couldn’t update and shut them all down.

Not to portend doom and gloom, but DJI could certainly potentially have built in an expiration date that required a phone home (logging into your account) to extend, such that if they weren’t around to extend it, it stays dead. Not that they ever would, but that they certainly could have, had they wanted to. No killing FW "update" necessary. Just a mandatory log-in on a future date to continue activation, where the mother ship is now gone, and no one can phone home anymore.

 

[Pacefast]

Maybe a different angle but I have lost Air3 drones, 2 my fault 2 a drone fault replaced by DJI although I always have the insurance
Taking risks to get dramatic shots is something you are or are not comfortable with although I always remember the saying which is " The only worse thing in life worse than taking a risk is taking no risk "
Going into more and more expensive drones will make you more aware of the cost of a mistake and hence might stifle your dramatic shots
On top I always hand fly and often turn off OA flying close
Often strong winds and I prefer instant response hand flying so 70% of the automatics useless for me

 

[MikeTX]

Maybe a different angle but I have lost Air3 drones, 2 my fault 2 a drone fault replaced by DJI although I always have the insurance
Taking risks to get dramatic shots is something you are or are not comfortable with although I always remember the saying which is " The only worse thing in life worse than taking a risk is taking no risk "
Going into more and more expensive drones will make you more aware of the cost of a mistake and hence might stifle your dramatic shots
On top I always hand fly and often turn off OA flying close
Often strong winds and I prefer instant response hand flying so 70% of the automatics useless for me

At work I definitely fly in tight spots. I also fly where I have to trust my sensors/optical avoidance since we also fly under a TBVLOS.

 

[MikeTX]

Well, I ended up ordering just the Mavic 4 Pro with Fly More from Japan. Let's see how this goes.

 

[MikeTX]

Current update for anyone curious. It is on its way to Houston. (which is the last major city it hits before my local)

 

[Buldre]

Can you take still photos in 4:3 format with the Mavic 4 Pro? Otherwise, the Mavic 3 Pro would still be a good choice for someone who needs images in 4:3 format.

Max Image Size
Pro 3: Hasselblad Camera: 5280 × 3956 - (4:3)
Pro 4: Hasselblad Camera: 12288 × 8192 - (3:2)



Edit: Corrected to 5280 x 3956 pixels.

 

[MikeTX]

She came in today!

 

[Filmarik]

Can you take still photos in 4:3 format with the Mavick Pro 4? Otherwise, the Mavick Pro 3 would still be a good choice for someone who needs images in 4:3 format.

Max Image Size
Pro 3: Hasselblad Camera: 5280 × 2956 - (4:3)
Pro 4: Hasselblad Camera: 12288 × 8192 - (3:2)

Not natively. The sensor in Hassy 28mm camera has physical ratio 3:2. I debated this before and pointed out that if you often fly in tight spots or need extra (almost 25% extra) vertical coverage which the 4:3 sensor behind 24mm in M3P provides then you might struggle with M4P. The other 2 tele cameras on M4P shoot natively 4:3 photos, same as M3P.

 

[The Norwegian Drone Pilot]

Get the 4 Pro. I have both the 3 & the 4. The nice additions to the 4 Pro such as O4, the "H" home point indicator, cruise control and the landing "X" indicator plus the landing light are worth the extra money believe me.

Doesn't the 'Mavic 3 Pro' already have the "H" home point indicator, cruise control and the landing "X" indicator plus the landing light?

I have used all of those things on my 'Mavic 3 Pro' when I have been flying it.

 

[Filmarik]

Doesn't the 'Mavic 3 Pro' already have the "H" home point indicator, cruise control and the landing "X" indicator plus the landing light?

I have used all of those things on my 'Mavic 3 Pro' when I have been flying it.

Yeah eaxactly ! Those are the least important things when considering upgrading to M4P from M3P since M3P has had all of those