The (unofficial) Official "Drone.Horse Lives On" thread
9Drone.Horse (Mediocre’s drone forum) sort of ran it’s course, and the good folks at Mediocre pulled the plug on the forum to ring in the new year.
I had a lot of fun over there, made some great friends, learned a bunch and just created some general mayhem. Now I’m trying to drag just a sliver of that information back over here.
I’d like to kick off by reaching out to @fultonmartin to ask about his DJI Mavic Pro experience. Last I read, you had received it, but I didn’t see any reviews/flight reports before Drone.Horse shut down. Can you give me your initial impressions?
I ask because my brother (very generously) gave me a Phantom 4 for Christmas, but I was considering exchanging it for either a Mavic or a P4 Pro. The P4 standard edition just seems to be in the meh area between the three. P4 Pro brings some great new features and an amazing camera with blazing fast 4K video, but the Mavic seems to do NEARLY everything the P4 Standard does, with the added advantage of it’s adorable little folding package and standalone transmitter (I’m under the impression you don’t need a mobile device to fly the Mavic, yes?).
Anyhoo… if you would be kind enough, @fultonmartin, to provide your impressions of Mavic and maybe weigh in on my dilemma, I would be grateful!
BTW, @garyhgaryh, I got a big boy toy now! 
@sportykev, bring a drone with you next time you take out the AR and post some video!
@DJSlack, you’ve been in the new house long enough that you should have unpacked the drones by now. Bust 'em out, buddy!
@DJMajickman, I don’t recall reading about the completion of your last drone build? Did you wrap it up? Flying ok?
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Hello @ruouttaurmind!
Just last week I met up with my coworker who bought a mavic. It’s so cute!
There was a 4k comparison between the mavic and P3 Pro. The P3 Pro look slightly better to me, but I would rather have the Mavic because of the compactness.
I bought a P3 aluminum case from buydig for $44. It’s sitting in front of me right now and I’m not sure what to do with it right now since the P3 is in the P3 backpack I bought a few months back.
I assume when you mentioned big boy toy you’re talking about the P4, right? Or did you pick up another car project!
Ok, I’m headed out to take out off my xmas lights.
Gary
@garyhgaryh I was referring to the P4. No more car projects until my hot rod is on the road!
I’ve seen conflicting comparisons between Mavic 4K and other DJI products. I read that the focus on Mavic works a bit differently, so most of the derogatory reports have been attributed to cockpit error; failure to properly set up the camera. Most recent reports indicate it’s 4K imaging compares favorably to the P4 standard edition. It should be very similar since they share the same cmos sensor.
At CES. I wanted to take it for a test flight.
@Ignorant Want!
@ruouttaurmind Without a doubt, its great attraction for me was its compactness. I did buy a hard case for it, which holds (up to) 4 extra batteries (I got 2 extra), the remote, charger, battery hub, and has room for some extras: cables, phone, etc, and that’s where I store it. But I was gratified to find I could get it, the remote and phone into a tiny waist pack, which I can throw into my (recumbent) bicycle tail trunk, or wherever. It takes fine video, although I don’t have it as dialed in as I might–but it’s rock solid.
You don’t need a phone to fly it, but that’s your FPV screen, and allows you to do all the zoomie stuff. I used the DJI Go app initially, then the Go 4, but both of them crashed regularly and constantly on both my Nexus 6 and Pixel XL. So I finally sucked it up and bought the $24 Litchi app, which has been much more stable, and allows you to set up waypoint missions without flying them first.
And that was my downfall–I set up a mission over the canyon behind my house, flew it a couple of times, and all was well. Wednesday, I tweaked it some–I wanted to take video of some plantings volunteers were doing back there. https://flylitchi.com/hub?m=ygnPvDsZpu# I started the mission and was horrified to see my tweaked mission take the Mavic right into a tree, 40 feet up. I’m not sure why the collision avoidance didn’t–flying sideways? Because it was on a mission? Whatever, there it sat, tangled in the branches. The tree was unclimbable, no ladder (or anything else I had) would reach it.
So I charged up the battery on my Phantom 2 and went out to try and knock it down. I eventually managed to hit it, and the P2 came crashing down—but not the Mavic. Now I’ve got a wrecked P2 and the Mavic’s still up in the tree.
So I charged up a battery for the original Phantom, and sent it up—this time I managed to knock it down, and the P1 survived with just a bent prop. Not so the Mavic—broke the left front arm and knocked the gimbal out of its shock mount.
There’s a repair center up in LA; I sent them an email asking about spare parts, but haven’t heard back.
So I guess the verdict is—Mavic, yes; Fulton, no.
@fultonmartin sucks to hear that! Although I must say, as I was reading your post, I wondered “why would they require you to fly a waypoint mission to set one up?” Little did I know I’d learn a very valid reason so quickly. Hope the fix is relatively easy and not too pricy.
@ruottaurmind, my only answer to your challenge is that so far I suck. They are, in fact, still packed up in the garage along with most of my fun stuff
@fultonmartin Oh damn.
Sorry to hear about that.
Are you aware of DJI Care Refresh? DJI’s description: DJI Care Refresh is a service plan that provides you with peace of mind, covering damage to your DJI product. DJI Care Refresh is valid for 12 months and offers up to two full replacements at additional charge if accidental damage occurs to your product during normal use. Each time you request a replacement, you’ll receive a replacement unit that is new or equivalent to new in performance and reliability.
Whichever model I decide to go with, I’m seriously considering adding this coverage. I’ve crashed enough high dollar drones to recognize the very real risk, no matter how careful you are. I’ve had 2 inexplicably drop from the sky resulting in catastrophic (read expensive) failure.
At any point (before the incident) did you second guess your choice in going with Mavic? I’m terribly conflicted between P4 Pro and Mavic. Did you get enough flight time in to develop a sense of stability and performance? How did it handle in the wind?
Again, sorry for your loss. Hopefully DJI will come through with some parts for you!
@ruouttaurmind No, I first encountered “Refresh” when I was looking for repair options; doubt I would have bought it even if I’d known—I generally decline insurance, extended warranties, etc. But given my history with flying things, perhaps I should.
As for second guessing, no. The size is a huge factor for me—I could (and did) carry the P2 in one of the saddlebags on my motorcycle, but I had to be careful to restrain the camera gimbal, and it pretty much took up the whole saddlebag.
It’s rock-solid in the air. I didn’t fly in high winds, but I’d park it while I was poking around the app, and when I’d look back up, it was exactly where I’d left it.
I can see why you’d want the P4 Pro—that’s an impressive piece of kit for $1500—and it probably would have avoided the tree…
@fultonmartin Like you, I always decline extended warranties on TVs, computers, phone insurance, etc, but DJI Refresh is $99 for Mavic. I guess it’s like paying an extra 10% for some modest amount of peace of mind while I fly. If I’d never experienced in-flight glitches and failures (or crashes due to pilot stupidity! ☺️) I would continue to dismiss the value of this option.
The P4 was delivered on Tuesday and it’s been sitting over there in it’s shipping box mocking me for four days now. Guess I really should make a decision soon.
Thanks for your reply!
@djslack They are, in fact, still packed up in the garage along with most of my fun stuff
All work and no play makes @djslack a dull boy!
@fultonmartin #bossmode this instance reminds me of a YouTube clip that my son constantly watches. Thomas the Engine “Never Give Up” song. Mission still accomplished, now where is that GdubBush banner meme…
@fultonmartin @ruouttaurmind @djslack
I know a guy who’s using a 3D printer to build replacement & customized parts for his drone. There’s a Monoprice device for < $200 that might be worth it to repair the higher $ birds
@compunaut I’ve looked at this one before. Jet has it for $200, but if it’s your first order with them, they take 15% off. Use eBates to save another 3% (eBates rebate).
Typically the plastics are relatively inexpensive to purchase replacements. A new fuselage for my Walkera Tali H500 was about $35 delivered. It’s the cast, milled, forged, complex aluminum/steel/carbon fiber bits that start to add up. Unfortunately, those are the parts you can’t 3D print from plastic!
@compunaut @ruouttaurmind I’ve printed a couple of full drones, and they fly ok, but I wouldn’t trust anything as complex / stressed as one of the folding arms of the Mavic…
@ruouttaurmind I thought about taking a drone with me on AR training but I don’t think a lot of people like to be on camera…
@sportykev That’s probably true enough.
Where did you take your training?
@ruouttaurmind A local group runs their courses upstate NY at a police range. Next thing is getting my RPR set up with my Vortex scope
too many hobbies. I did pre-order a Mavic though…
@sportykev MAVIC! I’m still twisting on my choice between Mavic and P4P.
There’s a somewhat renowned training center about an hour north of here that does lots and lots of AR oriented classes. I’ve never taken one there, but my roommate has been to several. He works for a holster manufacturer, and they have a great relationship with Gunsite Academy, so he gets lots of free classes. I’d guess he’s been to over a dozen, ranging from 1911 tac training to a few levels of tactical carbine training.
I have an RPR with a Vortex Viper. But it’s not what you’re thinking… I have a 10/22 with a 24" Hogue bbl and overmould stock outfitted with a Viper 6.5-20x44. Technically it IS a Ruger, and it IS precise, so… it’s an RPR!
@ruouttaurmind HA! I guess so, the Mini-22. I have a Mini-14 as well.
I’m actually waiting on a good deal on a 10/22, then I can make it tacticool with the Archangel Marauder stock (hehe).
I purchased the RPR months ago (and haven’t shot it yet), and just mounted a Viper PST 6-24x50ffp, so stoked!
I think I want the Mavic because it’s so unobtainable now. Makes me want it even more. I’m tired of the hackjob p1.1.1, the 6m flight time is so old.
@sportykev I can’t even remember 6 minute flight times! LOL!
I picked up a 10/22 Takedown a few months ago. Love, love love it!
@ruouttaurmind I’m being generous with 6 minutes…
@ruouttaurmind BH said my Mavic just shipped
@sportykev
What no icon for this thread??? @shawn!!!
@Kidsandliz I know, right? I didn’t notice until the post was closed for editing and it was too late to specify my own.
Drone swarm defense weapon? That’s just awesome right there…
(TL;DW? FF to 02:15)
Reminds me of that Audi commercial…
@ruouttaurmind but cats!!
meow!
@sportykev Ya, ok, so that one was better! LMAO!
Ok who lives in Seattle?
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/01/drone-crashed-into-seattles-space-needle-on-new-years-eve/
@Ignorant Interesting. Not so much the video, but the incident. I’ll be very curious to see how this plays out. The craft was a DJI Inspire, and DJI requires registration and activation before the drone will fly, so if it’s not registered in the FAA database, authorities can contact DJI for owner deets. I wonder if DJI will release the info if requested.
Unfortunate demise for a $2,000+ drone. I’m sure the owner is beside themselves after all this.
@ruouttaurmind yes and unfortunately one more incident that is getting media coverage and another black eye for the hobby.
@Ignorant will DJI clam up like Apple? #privacy
@ruouttaurmind @sportykev @djslack Mavic update
I haven’t flown it yet…
So I sent my Mavic up to Compton for repair—remember, it had a broken left front arm and a detached gimbal. I got back a $500 quote replacing all four arms, the camera, gimbal, top plate, middle frame, the battery (which I hadn’t sent) and one prop (which I also hadn’t sent) and two hours labor. They didn’t respond to my email asking for re-evaluation, so I called and talked to a toady who’d “see what he could do” but didn’t manage anything, beyond taking the battery off the quote. I called again and waited for a supervisor, who explained only that they “replace the battery because if the original was damaged you would have a working one with your repaired drone.” I asked again for a re-evaluation, and to at least have my “damaged” parts returned to me with the repaired drone. He said he’d make a note. The next quote differed only in having the prop removed. I figured I’d done all I could, so PayPal-ed the money—$396.
Two (working) days later I got an email saying it was repaired and would be shipped within two days. Got it yesterday—10 days after sending the money (+1). They sent it back in the box I’d sent it in, wrapped in bubble wrap and surrounded by plastic peanuts (I’d created a custom foam nest when I sent it, so -1). None of my “damaged” parts (-10), but they included a (discharged way under ½) battery (+2). It was a different serial #, so I guess that explains something, if only the quick turn-around. I doubt it’s new, although it still had some of the stickers on the arms and gimbal, and the serial number is longer than the one I’d written down from the original. Plugged in one of my batteries, bound it to my transmitter, and let it update the firmware. It had to ‘phone home’ to register, and after completing that successfully, it seems I have two days to buy “DJI Care Refresh.” Think I should?
@ruouttaurmind, what did you decide re: P-IV Pro?
@fultonmartin If I followed correctly, you received a battery with the repair, plus you already had the original because you didn’t send it to them?
So all in, you’re at about $400 for the repair which included a spare battery, yes? Not terrible, I suppose. The parts alone might have set you back for $200ish, and at least this way the repair was completed by a “certified” repair center. I’m sure it’s money you would rather not have spent, but it’s not too horrible, and we all recognize this is part of the hobby. So… I’m happy for you!
Now… let’s see some pics and vid!
RE: My P4… I basically dawdled around in limbo until it was too late to do anything about it. My bro purchased it at Best Buy, and I had a gift receipt, but BB’s return policy is a (very, very swift) 14 days. I guess I’m spoiled by Amazon, Walmart, even Target with very liberal return windows.
I had decided to pay for the upgrade to P4P, but now that’s not an option. So I either sell this off on eBay and use the proceeds, or just be happy and move forward (most likely). As it is, it’s still in the original sealed box sitting in my office, patiently waiting for me to bust it out.
EDIT: There is a community event in the small town where my office is located… a community festival… with a parade, outdoor music, beauty contest… stuff like you see in silly little town festivals. All culminating into a rodeo at the end. I’m thinking this is the motivator I need to get that thing out of the box. We have a really good relationship with the town, and I can almost certainly request, and be granted “official” status, and access to the events to do pics and vid. Maybe that’ll be the ice breaker for me and the P4.
@ruouttaurmind Yeah, the battery is a plus, but considering the only thing broken on the original was the one arm ($22, according to the quote), I’m disappointed—I would have been much happier if they’d returned all the ‘broken’ pieces.
I’m not doing nearly as much flying, although I haven’t got rid of any of my toys; indeed, I’m still building them.
@fultonmartin Dang. That does add up to a bunch of unnecessary expense, innit. Looks like the only thing they didn’t replace was the FC.
@ruouttaurmind Two days to add Refresh… after seeing that repair bill… maybe not such a bad investment for you? I’m pretty sure I’m going to do it on mine when I register it.
I wonder, if they were covering the repair under the Refresh policy… would they have been so liberal with their replacement of parts?
@ruouttaurmind I wasn’t sure I’d qualify, but they let me buy it (with the new serial number). So I’m (semi-) covered for a year. If I never crash again, it’s worth it…(?) From the forum reading I’ve done, my ‘repair’ is what typically happens—they send you a new (refurbished/repaired) one rather quickly, and fix yours to put back into the queue.
@fultonmartin Refresh is… like $100 for Mavic, yes?
I think it was $150 for P4. I’ll have to double check that, but I’m sure it’s a reasonable investment considering the potential repair costs or loss.
@fultonmartin Holy crap! Refresh is $150 for P4Pro, but $219 for P4! THAT is going to give me cause for pause.
@ruouttaurmind Tied to likelihood of crashing? Does the Pro have more/better sensors? Yeah, the Mavic was $99.
@fultonmartin Pro has front and rear collision avoidance. P4 has… front only.
But… a DJI refurbished P4 is $799. The insurance is 25% of that cost… and the price of refurbs is only going to come down. Third party on eBay for refurbs is already dipping down under $700. I’m doing a risk assessment and coming up without a definitive advantage for either case.