DJI Mini 2: Everything You Need to Know.

Introduction

The revised Mavic Mini is presented. And, as we already know, compared to its predecessor, Mini 2 received an unexpectedly powerful package of improvements, affecting both the hardware and software of the drone. So to significant upgrades of the novelty can be attributed: the time-tested digital video transmission system of the second generation OcuSync, which is already equipped with such bright models as Air 2 and Mavic 2 Pro / Zoom / EnterpriseUAVs, which makes the Mini 2 the best GPS drone for today in the category up to 250 grams. In this review, we have collected all the key information concerning the Mini 2 drone, which will be interesting and useful for both the owners of the new product and potential buyers. So, let's fly!

Weight

With all the announced improvements, the developer left this parameter of the novelty unchanged - less than 250 grams. To be precise, the weight Mini 2 in flight condition (with MicroSD on board) was - 237.4 gramshere ). Always check local laws and regulations before starting. Use propeller guards

Package contents

Traditionally, the developer offers the drone in two possible configurations, this is the standard " DJI Mini 2" and extended "DJI Mini 2 Fly More Combo":

1. DJI Mini 2
2. DJI Mini 2 Fly More Combo 3 × batteries/6 × propellers/ Charging cable / 3 × RC-cables /18W charger/charger for simultaneous charging three batteries in succession/Propeller Retainer/ Spare Propeller Mount / Screwdriver / User Manual /Carrying Case)

As you may have noticed, both sets have everything to realize your first flight almost immediately after purchase. However, it will be better if, when choosing, you give your preference to the extended kit, since it includes all the necessary components for the full and comfortable operation of the drone, which you will sooner or later come to during the operation of the standard kit, since all these components are available as additional... accessories.

Components Fly More Combo

What are these components and why are they so relevant?

3 × battery

The extended set includes three drone batteries at once, each of which provides 25-27 minutes of real flight time.

6 × zap. propellers

With drones from DJIFly More Combo

Battery charging

The standard kit does not have a charger at all. This is due to the fact that the developer has worked on the ability to charge the remote control and drone from almost any USB charger, including in QuickCharge mode ( DJI Mini 2 supports QC and USB PD fast charging protocols, and also supports input power up to 29 W).

The Fly More Combo kit includes two chargers at once:

1. Charging hub / Two-Way Charging Hub
2. 18-watt USB charger / DJI 18W USB Charger

Propeller Holder

An equally important and necessary component that comes exclusively in the extended kit is the Propeller Holder. Its task is to securely and, which is important, aesthetically pleasing to fix the propellers during the transportation of the drone. Without a retainer, the props are in a free state, as a result of which there is a high probability of deforming / damaging them. And any violation of the geometry of the blades can lead to unnecessary vibrations, an increase in noise, or even to the exclusion of further operation of the copter. The Propeller Holder is priced at $ 13.

Shipping Bag

The Shipping Bag is a key accessory in the Expansion Kit. The bag allows you to fit all the components Fly More Combo

As you can see, the extended kit does not contain superfluous, all the components and their number are optimal for the implementation of a full-fledged and comfortable operation of the drone. The price difference between the kits is only $ 150.

OcuSync 2.0

The first upgrade in terms of importance and importance, which came to the modified Mavic mini. Compared to the enhanced Wi-Fi through which video streaming was implemented for its predecessor ( FPV flight ), OcuSync 2.0 technology provides the user with even more freedom and confidence in a reliable FPV connection when flying over the limits of visual contact with the drone. Prior to the Mini 2, the OcuSync (2.0) was the hallmark of the extremely expensive DJI modelsPhantom 4 Pro V2.0, Mavic Air 2 and Mavic 2 Pro / Zoom / EnterpriseMavic Mini with an impressive range of up to 4 km, and with the arrival of the top-end second generation OcuSync, the range expanded to an impressive 10 km. And that's incredibly cool for a consumer GPS drone

4K video

This is the next most important upgrade after OcuSync, due to which, according to insiders, the refinement of the Mavic Mini began... Now Mini 2 can shoot in 4K mode at 24/25/30 fps (Max.predecessor video mode: 2.7K: 2720 × 1530 @ 25/30 fps).

Most likely, the revision was implemented in software, since the camera itself remained unchanged and, as before, is built on a 12MP 1 / 2.3-inch CMOS matrix, but about the chipset involved, the developer does not specify yet. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the quality of the second Mini's shooting definitely deserves respect and can easily compete with a number of top-end full-size GPS-dronesMavic Pro, Parrot Anafi, FIMI X8 SE 2020 or Hubsan 2.

Zoom

4x digital zoom is a nice bonus of software revision of the drone's filming part. It is worth noting that this option, prior to the appearance of the Mini 2, as well as the OcuSync technology, was the hallmark of exclusively premium DJI drones

• for 4K mode: 2x zoom
• for 2.7K mode: 3x zoom
• For FHD mode: 4x zoom

Power supply

Compared to Mini 1 batteryMini 2 battery threw it off in capacity (Battery capacity Mini 1 / Mini 2: 2400 / 2250mAh), significantly gaining weight (Weight of Mini 1 / Mini 2 battery: 100 / 86.2 g) and at the same time added in power. This approach allowed the developer to keep the weight category "up to 250 grams", as well as to obtain the maximum stated in the specification. flight time - 31 minutes (predecessor time: 30 minutes), which DJI notes was achieved at a constant level flight speed of 16.92 km / h. In practice, with a mixed piloting mode (i.e. normal user mode), the maximum flight duration of both versions has not changed and will average 25-27 minutes.

Battery interchangeability

Battery interchangeability Mini 1 / Mini 2 allowed, but unilaterally. This means that due to the design features of the batteries of both drones, the Mini 1 battery works without problems with the Mini 2, but the battery from the Mini 2 cannot even be installed in the battery compartment of its predecessor.

As for the installation in Mini 2, batteries from Mini 1, then such an upgrade will not be relevant for two reasons:

1. Max. the flight time in practice will remain unchanged (25-27 minutes).
2. The flight weight of the drone will change, which with the battery of its predecessor will exceed 250 grams, which in some countries (including the Russian Federation) obliges the user by the procedure registration / UAV registration.

USB-C port

Not less important, but expected by many users update for the second version of Mini. Now we have at our disposal not a Micro USB port, but a more productive and convenient from the point of view of operation USB-C port, which predetermines, among other things, the possibility of fast charging ( Mini 2 supports the QC and USB PD fast charging protocols, with an input charger power up to 29 W). Through this port, the user can both charge the drone's battery and connect the drone to a computer for subsequent interaction (updating firmware via DJI Assistant 2 software; extracting footage from an installed MicroSD card).

Control and Compatibility

The Control Panel is another innovation for the second generation Mini, which was predetermined by OcuSync 2.0 technology. Now the kit with the drone comes by default with the RC231 equipment, which, as we all already know, is equipped with the incomparable Mavic Air 2. And this is undoubtedly cool, because the new remote control has already managed to prove itself from the extremely best side.

Also with the advent of OcuSync, we get support for pairing the drone with the top control equipment DJI Smart ControllerDJI drones

Interchangeability of standard consoles

The developer specifies that due to the use of completely different technologies for video streaming, interchangeability of consoles is excluded. In turn, the equipment Mavic Air 2Mini 2 are completely interchangeable.

* Remotes from left to right: DJI Mavic Mini / DJI Mini 2.

Motors

Compared to its predecessor, Mini 2 received a more efficient power plant, thanks to which it was possible to significantly improve flight characteristics and increase the wind resistance of the drone. For example, the horizontal flight speed was increased from 46.8 km / h to 57.6 km / h, which is not even a bad thing. For comparison, we present the maximum horizontal flight speed of the full-size Mavic Air 2 - 68.4 km / h.

5 level of wind resistance

Thanks to a more powerful power plant, the developer was able to raise wind resistance from the fourth to the fifth level. In practice, the second version confidently copes with winds up to 12 m / s, with gusts up to 19 m / s, and this is not a joke. Check out this demonstrative wind test Mini 2.

Propellers

As you can see in the image below, the developer has improved the design of attaching the blades to the motor, and also worked on the geometry of the blades themselves, thereby significantly reducing the overall noise of the power plant drone and partly the total weight of the drone.

Noise

Maybe for some this factor is not so significant compared to the permissible flight range, but as practice shows, the power plant modified Mini 2 received a noticeable difference in noise. The drone has become an order of magnitude quieter than its predecessor. Here is a test video for noise Mini 1 vs Mini 2.

Obstacle Avoidance and Avoidance

For Mini Series »This option is not available, since they are not initially equipped with a sensor system for detecting and flying around obstacles. The only sensor tandem, consisting of three sensors, is located in the bottom of the droneMini 2, it has received an end-to-end format.

ActiveTrack

The lack of a sensor system for determining and flying around obstacles in general predetermined the absence of an automatic mode of following the object "ActiveTrack", so as for the full-fledged operation of the latter, the aforementioned system is required so that in the process of tracking the drone can avoid collisions with obstacles, and this, as you understand, is the lot of the more expensive DJI models

Quickshot

The calling card of all foldable DJI dronesHelix / Rocket / Circle / Boomerang ), allowing an ordinary user in just a few taps to create short cinematic masterpieces in order to subsequently maximize the atmosphere around you, thereby preserving for many years the best moments of life, captured from the best angle.

JPG / RAW and AEB photos

Another significant bonus from the developer, which will be most appreciated by advanced users. Now in the photo arsenal of the second version of Mini, in addition to the standard JPG format, RAW format and AEB shooting mode have been added, which together provide maximum freedom in post-processing of footage using tools such as Lightroom and Photoshop.

Manual override for stills and movies

Full manual controls have been added to the above formats and shooting modes for stills and movies... Now you can manually set the exposure, shutter speed and ISO.

Panorama shooting

Another new photo mode, following the AEB mode, which will undoubtedly be appreciated by everyone without exception. There are three panoramic shooting options available to the user:

1. Sphere
2. 180 ° (180-degree)
3. Wide-angle

Direct download and instant editing

Three completely new features that only the Mini 2 can boast of today, implemented for the fastest possible interaction with the footage:

• QuickTransfer - allows you to quickly and wirelessly transfer footage from drone to smartphone with max. speed 20MB / s. Moreover, to implement the transfer, only these two devices are enough (more about the new function in the drone review and the FAQ section). However, there is one caveat. The developer specifies that the stated max. download speed - 20 MB / s, provided when the drone is operating exclusively in the 5.8 GHz frequency band. When using the QuickTransfer function in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, the max. download speed will be 6 MB / s.
• Trimmed Download - the function allows you to quickly cut the desired fragment for later editing and download to a smartphone.
• Imaginative Templates is an intuitive editor built into the DJI Fly app. Through a diverse set of creative templates, it allows you to make your footage unique in a few taps and share it with the whole world.

Front LED status indicator

This is one of the few external features of the second Mini version. Provides frontal information to the user about the current state of the drone. For example, when it is used in selfie mode, in which the aircraft is always facing towards the user with the front end, thereby excluding the possibility of seeing the second status indicator located on the back of the aircraft. By the way, if you wish, you can change the color of the indicator based on your preferences by going to the drone settings menu in the DJI Fly app.

To summarize

In this review, we told you about all the new drone features Mini 2 that will help you will fully get acquainted with the new lightweight version in order to make your right choice later. We also recommend for your reference our separate review, where we have collected the key characteristics of all Mavic series drones in one table