DJI Mini 4 Pro Drone questions

[EddieWalker]

I've never had a drone. I've never seen a drone in person. I don't know anybody that has a drone. I think it's time that I bought a drone.

From watching YouTube, I think the DJI Mini 4 Pro is what I'm going to buy. Does anybody know anything about this drone? Or do you know of a better drone to look at?

My goal for the drone is to be able to look over my land real fast after a storm, or if we hear something that we can't identify. We seem to live in a pocket that carries sound that doesn't have any explanation, so being able to send a drone out to look around would be nice. We've also started filming stuff around the farm, and posting it on YouTube, TikTok and FB Reels. Being able to get drone footages would improve our videos.

Here is the basic package that I'm looking at for $1,169.

Amazon.com

And here is a bigger package, with more stuff for $1,269.

Amazon.com

So for $100 more, there is a lot more stuff in that package. Do I need any of that stuff? How often do you have to replace the blades? I'm guessing that I'll probably crash it a few times, so having extra blades might be a good idea.

You thoughts?

 

[grsthegreat]

Im not sure about the 4 series, i have the air2s system. First thing you need to check out is if you live in an area where drone flight is allowed. Do you live close to an airport? Military base? Things like that.

The air2s takes amazing pics. But at certain times of the year, the eagle, osprey and hawks/ravens try to take out my drone. Fir instance, last fall, While checking my gutters, i had a race on my hands as a raven was chasing the drone all over the place.

 

[B7510HSD]

Eddie I have the DJI Mini 2 Series About half the price if you can do without the 4K video still takes great videos for viewing on the Web or PC. And due to size no license required and pretty much fail safe for beginners!

 

[NorTracNY]

Just an FYI:

DJI drone sales ban just passed the US House — here’s what happens next

Some of the best drones could be pulled from sale in the US

www.tomsguide.com

 

[stumblinhorse]

I have a mini 3 pro. They are truly amazing machines. The mini 4 will be great to do everything you need. There is nothing the mini 3 doesn’t do that I need.

Be aware of all the rules and regs for your area. Be aware that legislation just passed outlawing Chinese drones for government use. As just posted there is more legislation coming.

 

[EddieWalker]

Just an FYI:

DJI drone sales ban just passed the US House — here’s what happens next

Some of the best drones could be pulled from sale in the US

www.tomsguide.com

That complicates things. If I’m going to buy it, I need to do it now. But will there be parts for it in the future? Or should I look at another brand? Is there one better the the Mini 4 that’s under 250 grams so I don’t have to have a license?

 

[ponytug]

I've never had a drone. I've never seen a drone in person. I don't know anybody that has a drone. I think it's time that I bought a drone.

From watching YouTube, I think the DJI Mini 4 Pro is what I'm going to buy. Does anybody know anything about this drone? Or do you know of a better drone to look at?

My goal for the drone is to be able to look over my land real fast after a storm, or if we hear something that we can't identify. We seem to live in a pocket that carries sound that doesn't have any explanation, so being able to send a drone out to look around would be nice. We've also started filming stuff around the farm, and posting it on YouTube, TikTok and FB Reels. Being able to get drone footages would improve our videos.

Here is the basic package that I'm looking at for $1,169.

Amazon.com

And here is a bigger package, with more stuff for $1,269.

Amazon.com

So for $100 more, there is a lot more stuff in that package. Do I need any of that stuff? How often do you have to replace the blades? I'm guessing that I'll probably crash it a few times, so having extra blades might be a good idea.

You thoughts?

It is a good drone, by one of the better manufacturers.

However, it is Chinese, and given the Chinese webcam security failings, I wouldn't use it for anything that you don't want out on the internet. To the extent that you can use it, and it's memory cards, on computers that aren't connected to the internet or to personal or financial information would be prudent.

I would read up on the national and potentially local laws around the use of drones, and on recording other people and their property. If your drone will be audible to your neighbors, I would have a chat with them beforehand to let them know about it, and what you intend to do with it, just to reassure folks. There have been more than a few reports of malicious drone use.

I would get the larger kit.

All the best,

Peter

 

[etpm]

I find it interesting that the tacit assumption is that if there is spyware in the cameras it cannot be detected. Or defeated. I mean, if the cameras truly have software that can be used for spying, which is a bad thing and should be stopped, why cannot it not be detected? And then defeated? I don't know enough about software to have any idea if any type of spyware cannot be defeated. Hopefully someone on this site does know and can educate those of us who are ignorant about these kind of things. Like me.
Eric

 

[plowhog]

I have the DJI Mini Pro 3. After having it, I found what I really want is an autonomous drone. One that I don't have to fly-- but can instead turn it on, and it will fly a pre-programmed route I have chosen. Like to patrol the perimeter of my property.

So when I hear odd activity at the back of my property, I can flick one switch and it does the rest, at least sort of. Right now it's more of an ordeal, with manual intervention, but not difficult. But it is enough to do that I usually say "nah, don't bother" while in the middle of working on something else. I would probably launch an autonomous one quite frequently if it was literally turn it on a push a button.

But the autonomous drones are $2k or better ....

 

[plowhog]

If your drone will be audible to your neighbors, I would have a chat with them

Really good advice ...

 

[Minsid]

I find it interesting that the tacit assumption is that if there is spyware in the cameras it cannot be detected. Or defeated. I mean, if the cameras truly have software that can be used for spying, which is a bad thing and should be stopped, why cannot it not be detected? And then defeated? I don't know enough about software to have any idea if any type of spyware cannot be defeated. Hopefully someone on this site does know and can educate those of us who are ignorant about these kind of things. Like me.
Eric

Part of that is that there doesn't have to be anything nefarious in there right now but it could be added after the fact. You have it on wifi right? It updates for whatever reason, security update, whatever and now it does phone home. More an issue with telcom equipment than drones but same problem.

As for DJI getting banned, they have a US company with their tech.

DJI drones just got a new rival in the US that licenses… DJI technology

Anzu Robotics emerges as a DJI alternative in the US

www.techradar.com

 

[stumblinhorse]

That complicates things. If I’m going to buy it, I need to do it now. But will there be parts for it in the future? Or should I look at another brand? Is there one better the the Mini 4 that’s under 250 grams so I don’t have to have a license?

Hmm, I would not worry too much. There is nothing better on the market than DJI. If you read some info on all these bans, many say it is basically to allow the US to catch up. One of the people driving this is the ceo of the American competition.

It comes with a couple replacement propellers. I would get a 2nd battery and a aftermarket charger. That is all I have and it has served me well.

 

[RandyT]

Eddie also need to check into the Part 107 drone license since posting on Facebook and Youtube would be considered commercial use.

 

[stumblinhorse]

Eddie also need to check into the Part 107 drone license since posting on Facebook and Youtube would be considered commercial use.

Not sure about this… That is not my understanding of the rules.

 

[B7510HSD]

Eddie Costco flyer in today's mail they have the DJI Mini 3 Drone on sale for $100 off now $299.99

 

[Rustyiron]

I have that one Eddie, it's a lot of fun and way more capable than I am. I believe that both the 3 & 4 are capable of flying a pre determined route by adding the way points. As you've seen there's tons of people & tips, information on YT.
I bought the "fly more" kit with my order and a hard case off of Amazon.
450' is supposed to be the un licensed altitude (it's pre set but user adjustable) along with the weight and your good to go. I got the controller with the screen over a phone type

 

[plowhog]

I got the controller with the screen over a phone type

I had a prior drone that used a camera for a screen. I bought my current drone due to the integrated screen and controller. It is much, much better.

Also if you intend to fly over or past any power lines beware that can cause odd behavior and/or crashes. I had a crash when I flew next to a metal building that somehow interfered with a signal, and I know certain areas near powerlines to not go near or things get weird.

 

[newbury]

Eddie- Get the darn thing. Warning - like most other things it can be addictive.
I bought my DJI Mini about 2021, used the heck out of it surveying my roofs in Mississippi.
But have been "stuck" in DC most of the time since then and it's a NO-Fly zone.
/edit - get some extra props and an extra battery and dedicate a small suitcase or large laptop case to carry it ALL around.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I have an early DJI mini mavic. Think costco has it now in $400 price range. easy to fly. does it report home? maybe. yesterday it wouldn't go higher than 20 ft until it got GPS sync. don't recall that happening before. Here's a view of what I mowed saturday. And the turkey eggs where I hit a nest. Momma turkey was not happy. mine uses my phone for the screen, an integrated screen would be much much better.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

interesting on the proposed legislation, because even a lot of sheriff dept now have drone teams. DJI just work well. I suspect the govt will shut down drones at some time for the average citizen.....