I actually did a range test with the reflectors and got to 20,200ft distance using sport mode. I ignored the RTH when the battery hit 70% at 20,000ft. Once I got to 200ft further I realized I may run out of power so I did return to home manually using sport mode, but had to land about 1/4 mile short of my launch location and then go get it. I did another flight to 3 miles distance without the reflectors and safely returned. So I found that using the reflectors with the mavic pro for further distance rather than with just the bare antennas is pointless if you don’t have enough battery power to make it back anyway. However, I think for shorter range flights through physical obstructions like trees, the reflectors give a slight advantage for better transmission. This is based on a few tests I have done, but still inconclusive. One thing that’s important to note, using sport mode does use more power. I tested this too. I flew the same path twice with and without sport mode. The test with sport mode used 7% more power and that was at 10,000ft distance. This is because wind resistance isn’t double at 40mph vs 20mph. It’s 4x. hypothetically if it could fly in a vacuum, sport mode speed should use the same battery power vs non-sport mode because you cover 2 times the distance in the same time period. But the only way to utilize battery power for max distance flight is using non-sport mode to fly into the headwind and return using sport mode with a tailwind.
Yeah, the faster you go the more air you have to push with exponentially more power. I also kinda wondered about the wisdom of being able to fly farther than the point of safe return. I agree with your point about using the reflectors for a stronger signal when obstructions are an issue.
However, every second you're flying you're burning juice so by flying faster you spend less time and therefore use less juice. So...it's a trade off between less time and more drag. What we need is a polar chart showing speed / range as we have for flying gliders. I don't have one though ☹️
Yup, I see roughly 7-10% more battery usage by using sport mode versus P mode (those sensors make no difference). Also, going full-tilt forward versus not pushing the sticks fully forward also changes the amount of power you use. Finally, RTH seems to choose the flight velocity of lowest battery draw.
The hood made a buffer for the wind preventing it from going faster both ways like a parachute effect , only good for taking pic in the sun not for distance or speed.
Great video bud. I just got the mavic pro recently, While it's cool and all guess I'm a little late to the party. Do you still have yours? Or what would be the next upgrade in your opinion?
Mavic 2 series or wait for the Mavic 3 to be announced soon would be a good upgrade path. If you'd like to stray from DJI.. Autel Evo 1 or 2 and the SKYDIO 2 may be good options as well.
I just love these videos where you fly and comment in real time. That action cam on the chest is also great. Much better than those videos with lots of b-roll and loud crappy music. Continue making these awesome videos!! I only watch your videos with joy.
The Mavic Pro costs 1400 USD here in Sweden. Do you think it's worth the price? I would buy it in a heartbeat if we Swedes had American prices, but we don't. :( 1400 USD (and this is the sale price) seems to be a little much for such an old product, or is it?
+Adriansnetwork Yikes! That's like 40% more. If your going to buy it, you may want to spend a bit more and get the Platinum which has some upgrades for longer quieter flight 👍
Wow what an amazing video! You have an incredible flying spot. There was a minute there I was certain you weren’t gonna make it back. Nerve wracking! Looks like you still had pretty decent signal strength even at that range. I guess at this point battery life is the limit instead. Pretty cool. Can’t wait to pick one of these up on eBay for a good deal.
Dustin, another great video. I'm very interested in the quality and reliability of the "on screen, real time picture". So my question - Using the same tablet / smart phone on a Mavic Pro and a Phantom 4 Pro, which drone will give the best quality and reliable "on screen, real time picture". Thanks and keep making great videos!
I might add that there's a location near me that similar to yours up on the side of a mountain with no interference and I took my phantom 4 pro stock out pretty much like you did and got 3.6 miles out but the battery was my limitation and I still had good strong signal strength on both the bird and the video. I ended up having 19% battery when I got back so I probably could've hit 4 miles but again battery seems to be the limitation on these. It sure gets the adrenaline flowing!
Great video. This drone is incredible for those that can competently use it. If you lose the drone in the bush over a mile from launch point, and the app crashes, can you still track the drone by booting up again and using the gps map?
Good job+Great video:) Which smartphone you use in this video? And this often happens#DJI MAVIC PRO ( because I only use Android + iPhone is better optimized or .... )?
Great Video and thanks for taking a risk and educating us on this drone & range ! I would never do something so risky and unnecessary BUT a HUGE THANK YOU !!
This is where I think DJI did very well in engineering their drones, cause the range limit seems to be battery limited and not controller range, assuming people don't fly it down to 10%. I have done the sport mode vs regular and battery life is worse in sport mode. Another test I did was to fly out in regular mode with headwind and back in sport mode with tailwind, and range is excellent. You can look at power consumption to see if your drone is speed or tilt limited to get an idea of how much range you will have. For example, in sport mode with just a few MPH headwind the power will be at 100%, whereas with a light tailwind, maybe only a MPH or so, you can fly 40mph at 75% power or so, which means the drone is speed limiting, not tilt limiting. Either way, these things are amazing with their ability to transmit 4k video over miles of distance instantly.
Great video! What's amazing is the detail of the WiFi FPF. I've tried WiFi FPV and got no range on it . Within a few feet I was having video cutouts. My new drone has 5.8G FPV and 720p camera. Your image quality is superb! Keep up the great vids and I'll keep coming back
Cole Williams DJI refers to it as “WiFi” in several places though. On the Spark they refer to it almost exclusively as “Wifi” even though it’s clearly MUCH more powerful than any household WiFi, even on the Spark. It is interesting that it uses the same 2.4 and 5 GHz bands though...
Dustin, being new in the drone world, my understanding is that with FFA rules the craft can't fly above 400'. That said, when you were over the area where the landscape sloped downward, does the craft know your still within those limits? The video was stunning... Just bought my Mavic, and now were into a major winter storm. Just figures.. lol
Good job on commentary and keeping it interesting. I just got some of those and I fly from my house and always lose signal due to interference. But with them on, 2 miles no problem!
Great, My heart was pounding. I thought in an environment like this the unit should go 3 miles with nothing. In your experience do the boosters truly help. I can't seem to get a mile with out the screen loosing the picture and often the connection Lots of trees around and I'm low and flying over mts. but still. . Great video either way.
If you want it to come home on the least battery, engage RTH first and let the craft pick the most optimal angle and once it starts moving, kick it out of RTH with sports mode toggle and full stick forward in sports mode for a speedy return. Should be useful even if the app crashes. I found it even flies diagonally to counter the crosswind if there is any.
+Bob Brown Great idea. I just wanted to try it manually here but have used that same technique while range testing other GPS drones in the past like the XK X380 👍
To give you the gain the dishes create a more directive signal, so you need to make sure your antennas are pointed in the direction of the drone at all times, more so than the stock setup
Goose bumbs on the return to home. Bravo pour ce test de distance. Thanks for sharing the beautiful scene. Gimbal cover should be remove and keep only Lens 8 or 16 you hade ?
Hello from South Florida! I have enjoyed all of your reviews and soon will have one of these drones but in the meantime, checking out all of the laws and regulations here. in my area. Just thinking if you would of gone the full 20,000 feet and how much more worried you would have been!
Yup battery is a limitation on this drone as far as distance. It's not starving from signal really even without the add on booster. Love your videos man keep it up!
I always use the performance meter, that way I can see the attitude. Letting me know which way the wind is pushing. Also course lock so I’m only pushing the throttle.
What do you use to record you voice while in flight. I"m a drone newbie and just wanting to find out. Fun video btw. I am still nervous about doing those kinds of tests. LOL
Think I'm gonna have to get a Mavic too! Since the flight path is erased when the app crashed on you, did the flight log get erased as well, or at least the part of the log before the app crash? I plan on using my iPhone with this quad, I believe you said Apple products crash less with the DJI Go 4 app?
Hi Dustin, I'm enjoying your videos. Thanks for all the information. One question, does the app crash on both android and iOS? Thanks and keep up the good work.
Was surprised you were moving the camera with so little power left. Every little counts 👍 Good job! Question: If you had lost it at that distance, would it have come home on it's own?
Excellent flight and video. Picture quality was very good with the ND16 filter. I am amazed at the precision landing feature and with my P3A had it for sure. Thanks again for sharing.
Mahalo DD for that one....crowded up there, eh?...lol...well just confirmed my thoughts...the Spark is very good but the Mavic...better ..gotta order one soon...well done my friend!
Nice video, little concerned as to why your altimeter wasn't working, it should have adjusted you altitude using the barometer as you flew, where you able to correct that?
Need to compare range with and without reflectors, to see if they actually make a difference. I Enjoy all of your range tests. I look forward to the next one.
Some users have issues with them if the drone is directly above, the extenders focus the signal towards the drone area. So its like having a pencil beam vs wide angle flashlight. You will get more range but less width spread should you want to fly say from the left to the right over a greater range. The product is simple in principle so it works quite well on all DJI products. I used it a more on my phantom 4 pro. No issues on the mavic yet since I have not even passed the 1.5 mile mark. Thanks again for another cool video. Subbed.
I would never take the risk you did, but glad you made it back. You lucked out because it appears you had a tail wind, lucky you. If you went 3mi without the windsurfer, there doesn't seem to be much use for one since the battery is the limitation, am I wrong? IMO, you should always return no lower than 60% battery on distance runs, unless you know you will have a tailwind. Unfortunately with Mavic you have no ATTI mode to measure the speed or direction of winds at altitude. Also, given you were below 20% on your return, why go into RTH when this takes more battery to climb and descend? Lastly, when you have a dog nearby, especially an Akita or pit bull, dogs are known to attack drones out of the blue. You may want to consider a hand catch in that scenario to minimize risk. You were lucky that dog was docile.
Interesting video but not sure what the topic was. - Drone case ? - Precision landing ? - Antenna extender ? Also, I would not worry about RTH and Precision Landing when my battery is at 20% --- these consumed more time/electricity and jeopadised further drone safety.
+Stephen J When they pulled up I was doing the Spark range test, facing that same direction speaking and pointing with the cam on my head but apparently they thought I was just a weirdo or honesty didn't give a rip that I was trying to film...lol. Oh well 🤔
great flight! is this the bird that went in the drink a few months ago or is this another one? id imagine after a short period of time under water the motors/fc board would be no good but you never know sometimes... great job brother... o if this is a different bird...dont drop this one in the drink lol!
Dustin, Where is the location that you are flying in Maui? It looks beautiful. I will be traveling to Maui this year and also would like to fly there.
Normally from what I understand the optimal position for the antennas is a 45 degree angle. With the parabolic enhancement it would probably be a 90 degree angle for the position of the antennas. Is that correct? It appears that's how you are rocking in this video.
Excellent video, I personally don't think the parabolics are required on a mavic, unless of course you can in future get some form of extended battery, regarding the app crashing, I had it all the time using my shield tablet, switched to a ipad mini and no crashes (and no I'm no fan boy, I use android for my phone ;) )
Good vid. I agree that we need tech to display height over ground not over launch point. I've spent a lot of time flying gliders and unless the mavic camera screwed up my depth perception I'd be amazed if you were below 400ft once you were away from the hill - worth checking on an aviation chart to be on the safe side 😊👍🏻
+Missouri Drone Guy Yep, the parabolic antenna is more useful in less open/ higher interference areas I believe. I could have probably made the distance without it but perhaps the video link would have been more glitchy/laggy. I'm wondering if the sun hood is creating more or less air drag as well 😀👍
I have flown mine 17,000 ft without the reflectors ,Also mine flies around 48-50mph at full forward stick (with no wind) but I do find if I limit it to 30-35 it will fly further because it's drawing less current.
Very interesting. I doubt I'd ever need that range but good to know it has it. Just one small question. Does the inbuilt rth use more or less power than the manual sports mode? I'm just wondering how the speed/time/voltages compare. I haven't seen that tested anywhere.
+didactylos4 diddy4 Good question. I've heard "talks" of GPS mode getting it further as the lower speed is more efficient. RTH should be using a bit more power possibly since it kicks in more autonomous processing. Sport mode seems like it would be the most inefficient but the amount of distance you can cover faster in some wind seems better for a max range test. I'll have to try the same test in standard GPS mode and see the difference 🤔
That would be interesting but I would suggest you'd be able to tell just as easily over a shorter distance (say a mile) I don't want you to risk the quad. :) Fly out a mile, note the battery status and then rth back and see what is left. Then do the same using sports mode to return. A fresh battery might be advisable. As I say I have never seen it properly tested or a definitive answer
Nice video. Talked me into a mavic. All I've flown is 200/300 cheaper drones in the yard line of sight. I'm looking forward to getting out there an exploring. Fpv
great video...but remember he gets that range THERE....i would guess it is a very low interference area ( less power lines, wifi signals, cell towers etc) i wonder how far it would go in an area with "norma"l urban or suburburb interference....still a great video.
Beautifully done. Thinking about purchasing... if you press RTH does it return slower than if you manually Sport Mode it. Trying to understand limitations. TY
Cool video. It's good to know that the range extenders work, not that I'm going to send my Mavic too far away, I'm more interested in improved signal for control. I do have a question from what I've seen. You started off at high level and held 34ft, the ground dropped away and the Mavic was at a higher level when compared to the ground. What happens if you fly below the start point level, say you flew down the mountain. Is it an issue for the drone? Cheers
Yes, I found out today while filming at a waterfall here in Queensland Australia. I took a leap of faith and tried it out. End result, I still have my Mavic......happy days! Cheers
For clarification if you fly vertically below your takeoff point the app will show negative height so you will still know how high it is relative to your starting point.
I bought my mavic pro yesterday man and you scare me when you ignore the return home your drone and I was nervous and finally you got your drone back 🤪
+Larry Ahee check out my Mavic Pro Hawaii 4k video. I go a few miles down the cliffy coast with ocean waterfalls and caves. At the ridge of the furthest waterfall the wind must have been gusting strong, maybe 20+ mph and you can see the Mavic try to fight it in the on-board video.
Dustin appreciate your speaking voice. Mavic Pro isn't available new from DJI anymore but is on EBay. How does it compare with Mavic 2? ( assumed that's what replaced it )
Totally agree with ya on the backpack and the Boosters they rock...- it's by far the best one on the market. I mean it even carries my OSMO 2 mobile stabilizer and everything else. If you do any pano shots, that Hood gets in the way thats the only thing about the hood.. I tell you to have some BRASS mate flying your drone that far not to mentioned with only 9 minutes left to RTH! Anyways, how do you like the Parabolic Boosters? I am getting ready to add a pair of these Cube lights that are for the Mavic Pro WHAT ARE YOUR Thought about them? Do you have to be Airmen certified to fly your drone out of line of sight?
The boosters aren't really necessary if there is no interference in a setting like this. If there are obstructions and other interference they will help 👍
i believe the 400ft applies to the top of the mountain.. its about aircraft and if its sloping down well the aircraft would collide if it flew 400 ft from a sloping mountain
I must be missing something here. The 6.4 miles mentioned in the title of this video is the total distance your drone travelled out and back. Your drone only travelled 3.2 miles away from your home point which is less than the 4.3 miles advertised by DJI without using range boosters. So how is this a test of the Parabolic Range Boosters?
You my friend... have balls of steel! I would have s hit myself when the app crashed! Good job sir... one question: when the 2 lines come together on top from left to right and intersect.... is that... the time to turn around? And RTH? tks. In advance... Joey.
+gemster18 lol 😂 yes That's when it think it has just enough battery to get home. The auto RTH is a tad conservative so you can push it a bit further but it's a definite risk 👍
Can you do a distance test in an area that has buildings or other interference like one would flying over houses in the suburbs. - I’d love to see the comparison between the two.
Dustin, quick question-- In the little box on the bottom left, you have the compass arrow, line -- AND the land pictured. I do not have that. How doI get all three together??
I just bought the Spark and Mavic Pro both about 1 month ago. Like the video states in the beginning, I was also disappointed that my Spark seemed to lack the super impressive Precision Landing feature, despite the Spark User Manual PDF stating that it does! However, I have achieved at least one Spark Precision Landing! So it is possible despite no checkbox, setting, or mention anywhere in the app. I think the video author is correct, YOU need to manually ascend at least 25 feet directly at takeoff, in order for the bottom camera to snap the internal image data of the landing area.
Hi there good afternoon. I noticed there are several companies that make the same similar style range extenders just like the ones you put in the description. I’m assuming they’re all the same with just different company names attached to them. What are your thoughts.?
This planet just is not big enough any more to offer us some privacy when we could use it most. Hopefully your “neighbors” will be more considerate next time. Awesome video as usual, Dustin.
I have a p3s p4p and mavic ans none can go more than 1300 feet from my house (in town) however in the open 5000 feet is reasonable and the range boosters add up to 1000 feet to the distance on average. Not sure why the low distances but that is what I get.
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