Why you shouldn't buy a Mavic 2 or any drone that relies on your phone.

[dannybgoode]

I think we are all better off if he doesn't fly. Can you imagine the mess that would happen if he got it in the air?

*fist bump*

 

[jctarvin]

I bought one, a Mavic 2 zoom. After several days and multiple calls to support. I returned it. IT NEVER EVEN LEFT THE GROUND!. Do Mavic 2's work? Obviously, and they get great footage people use them all the time. But after my experience I will tell you why I don't think people should buy them (but of course, free country, buy what you want, but also freedom of speech so I will tell you my opinion). I am going to assume that people with apple phones/devices have better results because if they had mine, DJI would be out of business, I cannot prove this but I think it is true. I bought my M2zoom and I downloaded the app and try to sign up, error, no connected network. Didn't work, called support, they said try using the web site. I had other problems with app but eventually got to the point I could turn on the drone and controller. Connecting, error mag interf check app. Called support again. I had at that point reinstalled the app 4 times afer first suggestion from support. I searched the web DJI Mavic Pro "Mag Interference-Check App" problem still no solution. After being on the phone, the support guy says. You have to use another device. I told him. My Samsung Note 8 is supported according to your website. He said we cannot move forward without another device. My phone controls my other photographic equipment fine, some are free apps.

To preface this. I did my research. I thought I was getting a good drone. Many good comments and reviews. After I could not get the unit up and running, I started searching and I found all the problems and bad stuff. I am not an idiot. I know there are people who don't know what they are doing, and there are going to be some defective units. There will always be problems, BUT, are they reasonable and fairly infrequent? If there are too many or it is so complicated the average person cannot resolve issues, then it is not a good product.

So my problem with the Mavic 2. First it requires a phone. I thought this was good because it would lower the cost of the unit. But it is really bad. If you don't have a phone, you have a brick. DJI has to upgrade apps for both Apple and Android, I am betting Apple gets the higher priority. If the company is slow to upgrade, you have problems/brick/crashed unit. I had to take my phone out of the safety of its case possible damage to a thousand dollar phone. I had to risk damaging the usbC port every time I wanted to fly, the port connector on the side of the holder is of poor design putting undue stress on your phones port. Now back to the phone software. Android updates can break apps. If you have this drone 5 years from now will DJI still update the app? if not you have a brick. A new phone and version can come out and may be incompatible. You are adding another set of variables to an already complex set of firmware updates and app updates.

So after having problems I start looking on the web for solutions. I see tons of problems. You cannot fly your drone without firmware updates. If you go to location where there is no cell service, and you need an update you are out of luck. Basically, you own a brick, and if you have the right phone, the right phone os version, DJI has update the app like it is suppose to, you have the latest firmware for the controller, drone and battery, you are in the right location to fly, the moon is in the 7th house and Jupiter aligns with Mars, you have a working drone instead of a brick. You drop your phone trying to connect it to the controller and break it, you have a brick again, your phone gets wet, your phone battery dies, your usb port gets damaged, you get a magnetic interference check app error, the dog eats your phone. You have a brick.

DJI should have made a drone that works by itself, no phone, no bricking the unit if a new firmware update comes out. The phone should only add a nicer display, or perhaps some addition feature. But adding the phone and a host rather a huge number of other variable which are potential problems is a bad idea in my opinion. That is why I returned the unit.

Who is the audience for this unit? If it is professionals, then they might put up with all the issues and complex interdependencies. But it seems to me they are aiming this drone at the average guy, perhaps someone who has more money than they should and the extra income to buy a new toy. Well I can tell you right now, if the app is not perfect, the registration process works easily, the startup and update is process less than 15 mins DJI is going to have a lot of returns this Christmas. The drone should fly right out of the box with little fuss. If not this is not a product for the masses and DJI should include the information I posted above to discourage joe average from buying this drone or there are going to be a million factory refurbished Mavic 2's out there.. like mine. If I would have read a post like this one explaining the problems and complex interdependences and the possibilities I would have never bought one. I know this for a fact. I bought a Ford F350 diesel back in 2004. That year the messed up the firmware updates over and over again, because the firmware on the turbo, fuel injection, transmission, and monitoring systems were dependent on each other. Ford bought that truck back from me and thousand of new ford truck owner (read it on the web) and now I will never own another one again. Just like DJI.

clearly you need to embrace some other hobby

 

[MadMaqx]

Ok I'm reaching out I am in New England, if I can help pm not a genius but I would love nothing more than to see someone enjoy this hobby as I have.

 

[r1ch]

Ok I'm reaching out I am in New England, if I can help pm not a genius but I would love nothing more than to see someone enjoy this hobby as I have.

I appreciate you and other reaching out. No one has solved the problem. Support did not resolve the issue and said I needed another phone or device, which I don't have. Even the "experts" here who have written blogs or posts say, you have a magnetic problem and that either have not gone to other locations or I am stupid and find magnetic material at all the locations I have tried this at. I have taken the drone to several huge fields about 15 different locations. I still get the same "mag interfer check app" That means either I have chosen poorly 15 times, Colorado Springs is built on a huge steel or iron mine, or it has a huge gravity well in the city, Schriever AFB controlling all the satellites is causing a problems, perhaps the Stargate in Norad is causing magnetic interference all over the city, or I could have a defective drone. I have decided to return it. I have wasted too much time already time for me and everyone on this site to move on.

 

[Mr. Salty]

Or, there's a manufacturing defect that's causing the drone to think there's magnetic interference when there's not.

 

[r1ch]

Have you actually tried flying the drone with no phone?

Start the drone, then start the controller (with no phone).

Do you get the magnetic interference message on the controller LCD screen?

I get the error when the phone is not attached. Support gave me the information to try another phone or device. Thanks for your help, I am now going to return it. Time to move on.

 

[MadMaqx]

https://phantompilots.com/threads/colorado-springs

 

[Harro]

Never owned a drone till I bought my Mavic 2 Pro. Tried my 6 year old Huwei phone, worked except it had no video signal (phone does not make HD videos, so I guess that was the problem). Tried my new OPPO R15 Pro (os may be too new), that phone would not communicate (connect) with the aircraft, so tried my partners OPPO R9, that works perfectly, problem solved. As far as flying goes, I was very tentative as I had never flown anything before, but it flew and maneuvered beautifully, so no complaints. A bit of trial and error is required when you try to interface devices, that is one of the arts of engineering.

 

[ac0j]

I think the OP is wise to just cash out.
Maybe try Balsa Gliders. I have a lot of fun with those.

 

[Canuk]

The OP could just have a faulty piece of junk . It happens . Anything can happen with stuff that is mass produced .

 

[crlmjohnson]

I own several drones. i also own a mavic 2 pro. I used nothing but Android phones and tablets devices with all of my drones. I also have my Part 107 uas license. I also own a apple phone but I do not use it for any of my drones. I have never had an issues with any of my android devices connecting to any of my drones, that I could not solved on my own. I am very sorry for your experience with the mavic 2 pro. I love this drone.

 

[Rick0504N]

Your rant is not base on reason or logic, but completely on emotion. Are you a female?

Uh oh

 

[Chip]

Uh oh

https://gph.to/2BJGB0i

 

[Ray153]

I appreciate you and other reaching out. No one has solved the problem. Support did not resolve the issue and said I needed another phone or device, which I don't have.

I still get the same "mag interfer check app" That means either I have chosen poorly 15 times, Colorado Springs is built on a huge steel or iron mine, or it has a huge gravity well in

Whilst you may not have another phone yourself, not even an old one, surely even in Colorado Springs you are likely to have a friend or relative who might be interested enough to let you try with their phone?

I use an old iPhone 6 that has the DGI app, the “can I fly there” app on it and that’s it. I don’t link that phone to my real phone in case I get a call while I’m in the air.

I had to update the app and the firmware the first time but have never had any trouble.

Perhaps actually trying another phone might be worth trying before throwing all the toys out of the cot?

 

[MadMaqx]

Total simple solution you have Drone nerds around corner they are very good go see them. I wish I had that availability.

 

[EdM]

I get the error when the phone is not attached. Support gave me the information to try another phone or device. Thanks for your help, I am now going to return it. Time to move on.

The error happening when the phone is not attached should have been the first clue that the sensors in the drone are messed up. If you are getting that error under these conditions then you can try all the different phones you want, nothing will change.

 

[dirktwa]

You were way too impatient. You easily could've troubleshooted most issues, just by googling them. Contacting support was totally unnecessary, and they actually gave the wrong instructions. You are probably not made for this hobby, as patience is a requirement. Having said all this: Yes, I too wish that the controller came with a dedicated screen. I just don't like using battery power of my regular phne, I don't like having to install and plug in the device to the controller. This things is worth more than $1000. Adding a screen should add maybe only 10% to that price, nobody would care I think.

 

[Palindrone]

@r1ch If you're still reading these I'm really sorry to hear about your issues. It sounds like some level of defective unit to me. Al little late for advice, but in case anyone else reads this...
I bought my DJI product though Amazon. That way, if there's a problem I have a no-hassle return policy and I don't have to deal with DJI. Mine came out okay in the end

Unfortunately, many of the things you're unhappy with (including the use of a phone) are necessary evils for what they're doing here: making a drone that just anyone can pick up and fly. They could have made a whole standalone package, but the cost would have been prohibitive to the very type of consumer they're after, namely the weekend warriors.

I've built a half dozen drones now, from tiny indoor micros, out to full size photography platforms, and I can tell you it's not for the average consumer. It's not bad once you get the hang of it, and hopefully find an online community to help you, but the learning curve is steep. I started out with a mavic pro and found it a little constraining, now that I build my own drones I have a much better appreciation of what DJI has achieved.

Forced updates, loss of dongle connection / phone issues, no-fly-zones, these are all a pain in the *** for sure, but it's easier than climbing the mountain to make your own aircraft from scratch.

Man was not built for flight. It's a hobby of patience and perseverance. DJI has tried to make it plug and play, but there's a great deal of elements stacked on each other to make the symphony play.

If you do care to try again take it slow, and if you want to build your own drone from scratch hit me up, it's worth every penny (no phone needed)

Nicely said, RTKD

 

[mavicman3]

I am going to assume that people with apple phones/devices have better results because if they had mine.

I have only used Apple Devices and never had the kind of issues you mention. I do use a dedicated device just for flying. It means that setup is super quick no need to plug the phone in. Instead just whip out the controller with the phone already attached. Also, my day to day phone is pretty small / phone attached to the controller is a little bigger. You could always use a crystal sky monitor. Not used one yet. But they look good. As in bright light a phone will struggle and will quickly drain the batteries on the phone with the screen brightness up at 100%

 

[Flynz]

Sorry it went badly. I bought a Mavic Pro Platinum, charged batteries installed Ap and took off in my back yard. Went to a large park and soon was off learners mode. I have never had a problem with updates. Maybe an issue in other countries. Lockout seems have been turned off here. Turn it on and it flies. Never asks for an IMU or compass reset. Just flies.
You can fly a Mavic Pro with no phone. Better keep close enough to see it and good luck with photography. But hey if that’s your thing.

Oh I am using an iPhone 8.

As an aside I would always buy from a DJI specialist dealer. They will help with set up, test in the shop in a netted area. And if you ask nicely take you to a park for your first flight. They have group lesson sessions. Love My DJI Mavic Pro.