When the new DJI Mavic Mini drone ISN'T 249grams. Would you risk NOT registering? 

the drone itself weights 248 grams, its been measured on many channels already

I am going to put a "249g" sticker on my Mavic 2 Pro!

Let's be honest. Who cares?

When mine gets here I'll weigh it on the neighbour's digital scales. I don't know why he has a set, he's always too stoned to do any baking 😆

Bit of the green eyed monster methinks, dji built this to fit regs so it will be. Prop guards are really for indoor use so no registration needed. Japan limit seems to be 200g so dji make a lighter 18min battery to fit under that.

I fell into this one, got a mini, popped on a couple of accessories then HAD to take the Operator and flyer test, my mini now has its numbers on.

If memory serves, Ready Set Drone - one of those lucky enough to get a MM to test before public release - weighed it as 247g (no prop guards.) I assume non-calibrated scale, etc.

The weight reading vs actual weight is not linear throughout the weight range on these types of scales. You could buy a 20 grand analytical balance and measure them or measure them via water displacement (assuming you can measure volume accurately). I could take my mavic pro into work and measure it on a 5dp balance on monday and compare it against my cooking scales at home.

Load cells don't have a linear error. It is quite likely that it reads under at certain weights and over at others. That is why you need to calibrate as close as possible to the weight you want to measure.

For those wondering ... Dylan has been busy working on commercial stuff (indie feature film) that’s just finished filming ... My guess is he will post an update in due course. FYI feature work usually means putting in ridiculous hours - and you usually need a break for a bit of R&R thereafter.

I have noticed you forgot to take off the ND Filter with Mavic air before weighing it

I want my 7 mins back.

States on the side of the Mini that it is “249g”, I don’t think any other DJI drone has this on it. I’ve ordered one & am patiently waiting for it to arrive, this weight thing is of no concern to me as I have other drones that means I will need to be registered anyway.

Ordered mine yesterday. I was looking at CAA website today. For the sake of £9 I might register. Update. Registered today. 1g is too fine a risk for a possible £1000 fine. You could put a 100g sticker on it. If it weighs 251g then it's 251g.

You raise a very good point Dylan! I expect (as do DJI) lots of people will be rushing out to buy Christmas presents including the Mavic Mini assuming that it under the weight threshold of registration and therefore a fantastic present, for themselves or someone else. The quoted takeoff weight, by DJI, should include an SD card but for marketing purposes it obviously doesn't. I wonder if those that have purchased it in the belief it is okay will have any legal redress with DJI should they be outside of the law? It looks like a fantastic drone, but I think the way forward to be under the weight is with an FPV model. Some do have basic GPS now!!

We also have to consider those who wish to use it for cinematic video and fit an ND filter... That would also top up the weight. Also the USA version will have much longer distance possibility using just 5.8gHz, and Europe will have around half the range with 2.4 and 5.8gHz.

30th June 2020 and you'll have to register under EASA rules if you have one anyway. It's on the EASA website.

Please remember that it's the OWNER (OPERATOR) that's registered and not the individual drone, so if you own anything else OVER 250g then you're still sending your £9 to the CAA. Plus you still need to take the online test to get your Flyer ID. Sub 250 or not. Lot of people don't realise this.

Ok a random question but I hope it makes sense. During this pandemic I ideally don’t want to go out to parks etc, so would you think it would be acceptable taking off from a rear garden of a council estate and basically just going straight up to an acceptable height without overlooking into someones window to get some 360 shots of the surrounding area? Ps amazing channel and keep up the work and stay safe. Cheers, Garry Smith.

Sir hope all is well haven't seen a video lately hope your still flying new video or gripe session soon ?? Be safe and stay healthy admist all the crap happening now

Would just like to inform you that after a number of tries the new CAA drone registration site was working. Last night I took the test, after reading the pre-test background blurb. Most competent and experienced drone flyers should find the test OK. There are 20 questions with multiple answers and you have to get at least 16 of them(80%) correct. Just to keep you up to date. All best

The battery charge affects the weight too hence the few g difference.

Great video as always, now we all know why DJI didn’t send you a free Mavic Mini for review! 😂

Any new vids coming mate?? Miss your stuff.

People only going to use the guards indoors where nobody cares The really issue is that the transmission power is hardware fixed meaning eu will have a neutered version. Usa one will be popular

Hi mate i have a question for you you made a video saying when flying up mountain you have to take into account the elavation of hill ie up mountain 60 meters you can go another 60 meters making 120 or 400ft got question asking you up hill at 50 how high can you go with your video in mind i picked 70 add 50 making 120 but that is wrong answer 120 so are you wrong or am i right or is qestion misleading 19 out of 20 should have been 20 out of 20

dji are using the youtube bloggers to sell it on 249g and not registering the drone. But DJI directly are not advising customers about the registration process as they want to sell the drones

Good video as always. To the point and highlights is it really worth not registering the mini for the sake of the £9 and the really easy test. It is so close to the weight what would be the real gain to stay unregistered? Doesn't seem worth the risk. Looking forward to the next Video.

Very good point, actually.

Did the test, got the pass, registered.......any once else with me??????

Food for thought for sure. However, as I understand it it isn't the drone that you are 'registering' it's the 'operator' who is taking the online test and being issued with an 'Operator ID'. It's the ID that goes on all the drones/RC aircraft that you are responsible for. If you are registered as an Operator, then the 'punishment' for flying a 251gm drone without an ID, would presumably be something like 'Failure to display your operator ID' bearing in mind that 'display' can be somewhere inside the drone that is accessible e.g. in the battery compartment. What would be contentious would be if the drone was suspected to be over 250gms, didn't display an ID (somewhere) and was confiscated pending a prosecution. Who then precisely weighs the drone and decides if it is over the limit? That could be a long process and as the drone will have been taken as 'evidence' you lose all control over it. I wonder if there is any minute difference in weight between a fully charged battery and one that has discharged? I can see a defence lawyer having a field day with all this 😲 And then there is the 'Flyer' who only gets a Flyer ID and takes that 249gm marking on the Mavic Mini in good faith (or ignorance). Oh, this is going to get interesting. I'll probably get a Mavic Mini to join my Mavic Pro, just to have a smaller, lighter and more portable drone. I will be registered as an Operator so I will 'display' my ID somewhere so I should be OK if challenged. However, I'll take the online theory test when it's launched, but I probably won't pay and register for an ID until the New Year so I might be flying the Mavic Mini in the meantime .......

... the Mini should be seen for what it is - a pocket drone. Basically much like an action camera - good enough for those impromptu moments when an aerial view would just make that travel blog that bit more interesting. DJI also announced a mapping addition that will indicate 'best shot positions' around well known places and spaces. (Not quite sure how that would work as most public monuments are off limits for drones.)

this is a great point - thanks for pointing this out! #mail question: I was thinking about getting a Mavic Mini as a backup for Mavic 2 Pro - my workhorse for commercial/residential real estate photography and orthomosaic mapping. The images it produces seem decent enough and there are some circumstances where a Mavic 2 is a tight fit and/or too much to risk putting in a tree/bush. Would a Mavic Air or even a Mavic Platinum be a better backup? Mavic Air has great image quality and size, but a Platinum is cheap. A Mavic Mini is small with a nice cage and is cheap. Thanks for the great videos!

Great point Dylan, I was thinking of buying a DJI Mini for when I go to the UK, before this announcement of this new drone I was thinking of going to my home town in the UK with my Spark to take some B-Roll footage for the future before the new law comes in at the end of November... How would I or anybody stand in the future flying my Spark not living in the UK, yes I´m British but live in the Canaries, I don´t have an address in the UK

Hi where are you no more videos !!

If you put ND filter, prop guards, legs then you're in trouble. But wait, you can skim some plastic of the battery, remove doors, muffler, fenders, windscreen, anything not essential for flight.

Well, he is right. Its not the point that it weights more then 250 gramms with propguards but that people might get into trouble because the trust in advertising.

The sticker kit probably throws it over 250g

So if DJI claim the Mavic Mini flying weight is 249g and there is the same margin of error that you have clearly demonstrated in other DJI models than their claimed weight, then clearly we have a problem.if it comes in at an actual weight of say 251g or if people fly it with the props guards on, then it will definitely be over the 250g threshold 😯🤔😊 I'll stick to my RC Logger Eye One Xtreme come 5th November, just over 130g of frantic flying fun and no registration hassles, GET IN! 😁👍😎

Another slightly worrying thing about the Mini is that the range on the CE version is 500-600 metres. Whilst the regulations state the pilot must be able to see the drone and 500 metres is clearly further than you will be able to see it, but it means there is not much signal strength in hand to deal with interference.

I am happy that the prop guards are in the box cause my father needs them to learn on his private property so no one cares. A simliar question might occure regarding stickers and other dji accessories they offer to put on the drone. Have you seen this adapter for adding something on the top of the mini ? Adds weight ... to get over 250 gramm ... But I guess the product is good. On that day at 2 pm I purchased one. But then I saw what easy recording meant : new app So I cancelled the order and waited to see more and more reviews to get behind the weak spots. Now the dust and fog has blown away I am sure that we will buy 2 of them but not from DJI. Prices have dropped already from 499€ incl. VAT to 455€ ... in a presale with delivery mid of November and additionaly 10% rakuten points which meant 410€ final price incl. shipping. That are close to 20% in 3 days. Therefore I am happy cause I would not use it instantly and can wait weeks or months. Plastic is more flexible but also durable and lighter as a german show demonstrated by twisting a foot and leg on camera. Built quality seems to be great as in the past but a bit cheaper everywhere. Range and flight time should be better, but Goggle support is missing and yet not announced, but somehow mentioned by dji cause they wrote that Goggles Racing edition works with "all drones" i am not sure how good that new app is and how critical that interface and the change from Mavic 2 to Mini might impact security but somehow it looked fresh, promising, not so clumsy. I do not know why but close to none review is complaining a serious problem. That's what count a lot at least after the Mavic 2 roll out with all its missing pieces and features like modes or scenes of goggle support that took till march to get it all fixed on controller, drone, battery, ... and goggles. Luckily I sold my spark fly more in May for 450€ ... and had paid last year on prime sale about 400€ so it was a right decision except that I learned the hard way that my travel or spontaneous drone, the spark, was missing. So now I know that I need it ... and maybe I can get rid off my Mavic 2 cause 4K video files were far too big cause I do not edit ... But I like the strength of signal and flight time and reage a lot .... compared to Spark limits of range, battery, ....

Isn’t the prop guard weight 23.1 for 1 piece ? Total 46.2grams? So the mini weight nearly 300 grams with the propeller guard?

Where are you buddy? 2 months have went by and no videos......hope everything is ok

Where have you gone.... really miss your videos.

don't think the rozzers have evidential weighing scales. certainly not for field use anyway. they will probably try to do you for dangerous flying or similar and never mention weight.

the dji mavic mini with a properly calibrated scale is 247.2 grams without the SD card

How heavy are ND filters. We all use them. Wouldn't you think DJI would have made it 230 or at least 240 so that it would allow for other stuff and errors.

#Mail Hello Dylan My question relates to Open Access Land, do you know if their are any restrictions outside of the drone code that prevents the use of drones on Open Access Land? Many thanks JP 😎👍🏻

Use a certified weight to calibrate your scales, maybe.

Well, I had a dream of joining the League of Drone Flying Cinematic Gods, recreationally that is, with a Mavic Mini next year, but my golly, what a bloomin' headache all this registration lark is becoming! Gone are the Golden days of watching the bearded Bob Symes on a Saturday morning on the Beeb with "Model World", and watching loud, fascinating model aircraft flying on a Sunday at my school field about three miles south of LGW back in day! I go to work to get stressed, but recreational "whatever" should mean no stress!!! Oops! Sorry for ranting and taking so long about it too!🤬🇬🇧 Love ya content Dylan! (Prop) Chocks away Sir! 👍😁

Hi man!!! Where you been the last 2 months??🤔 Are you still flying?

Hi Dylan, I’ve mentioned about adding the propeller guards which would add weight and put it we over the 249grms and for shot down for it by others. There are some DJI vlogers that way you can fly it in cities and over people, which is totally wrong to say and they are having to re edit their videos. I don’t think you can keep line of sight if it 100m either. People will get caught and then the government will just say any weight or should I say UAV has to be registered. AndyD

Hi mate,why do think no one in the UK has had this drone to review and a lot of Americans have ,seems strange ??

You should never use the protections outside so the drone should be 249g. But I agree one should register.

With four Spongebob Squarepants Helium balloons attached, It comes to 211g, so you can fit other accessories. It behaves a little lary in wind though, and takes quite some time to land with the helium pulling it up somewhat. ;)

In your video at 5:34 the spec sheet says 23.1 g for 1 piece. Above that it says a set. So is that 23.1g for 1 of the prop guards or 2? In which case it would be 295.2 grams for 2. What do you think? Dave C

Don't forget besides the prop guards, when ND, Polarizing, or Polarizing ND filters become available, that will definitely push the wait over. Makes me want to print 249g on my P4p LOL

Got my Mini and loving it! For what it is and what it costs I feel it offers a lot. You're welcome to have a play if you're in the Midlands at any point.

it's 2019 who flys with prop guards?

Ahh you see the difference in the weights is your spark battery is fully charged adding the extra 4grams of weight. 😉

But u are not forced to use those. So in the UK or US dont use it. In places like Portugal put them on. In Portugal if the drone is less than 250g is considered a toy and it has annoying limitation in the law so you might want it to be more that 250g.

You are right 249g is way to close to the limit, besides it is just a matter of time for the limit to be reduced in most countries with strict regulations (such as Canada) Thanks for your videos.

Tbh, I don't think the overweight will be an issue. Since the below 250g is an important spec for the Mavic Mini, I don't think DJI will refuse returns for this issues.

nice!

Dylan ... it’s 2020. What you been up to? Are you coming back?. We need your guidance, don’t make me come to Norfolk , I’ll have to visit family whilst I’m there and I don’t want that. I don’t think Walsham could handle it.

Great and honest thoughts Dylan. I have serious reservations about it as well.

Hello sir not seeing much up you recently are you on leave or taking a big rest !!

Simple and easy: don’t put the prop guards on, think when flying and you’re under the 250g limit and the CAA can f.......... you know the rest ;)

Does this thing have return to home? Not seem anybody mention that and considering what some people do, releasing a drone like this that doesn't have geofencing or GPS is just asking for trouble.

A good point. Im sticking to my mavic 2 pro

So, what's the chance of Plod walking about with some kitchen scales in their pocket?

A very valid point...

Ready for take off weight! You’ll need the engines running, that should reduce the weight a tad??🙂

Thanks for the video`s, always to the point and interesting. I am from the UK but live here in Denmark recently registered my DJI pro drone and registration extremely straight forward and TOTALLY free. There again we do pay tax at 50%!!

It said 23.1g per piece... if u put only 1 prop guard it will weight in 272.1g including the drone but who flies mini with only 1 prop guard on?... the total weigt of the 2 prop guard is 46.2g plus the mavic mini 249g a total of 295.2g

Question. I have both a spark and platinum pro. Right now all I have to do editing is a Samsung tab a. I am thinking of getting a iPad mini 5 would that be a upgrade from what I have now. I am only a hobbyist not professional.

Assuming there will be tolerances within the manufacturing process (when you start to get to a gram level that will proportionately impact either + or -) that will be factored in at the point of the drone being approved. Also, I'm guessing you have to factor in humidity, temperature and even measurement at sea level if you get to tiny measurements. I would assume that (maybe incorrectly) there has to be for all products a proforma stated weight for any licensing (including dimensions too) that at some point the manufacturer meets and is agreed with before the product is sold, with the understanding that they will work within these tolerances, otherwise you're looking at retail manufacturing processes that have to meet production levels the like of nuclear and space which would be prohibitive in regards to cost. Saying that...they chose for it to be 1 gram under so as you say, a bit close to the bone. I'd be really interested to find out what a drone manufacturer has to go through in these regards and where the legal burden lies if your setup is as per the one that was recorded at that weight when licensed/approved for sale.

Hey Dylan, where have you gone?

I don't think it really matters tbh, people need to look at this long term,I've had it on good authority that in June 2020,it wont be about weight anymore,its about whether it has a camera onboard, but totally agree with you dylan, I think its abit naughty by dji, all about how much money they can make,not thinking how many people are gonna be stuck with a drone they need to register...

So far, I haven't found one review which weighs it without the ptop guards. Manufacturing tolerances can easily add a gramme.

When the CAP1872 came out I enquired about losing 3 grams from a Mavic Pro Zoom to reduce into Cat A. The Information I found out was you were not aloud to modify a drone. The weight at manufacturer was the weight for ops manuals and classification. Therefore the weight of 249g would be the flying weight for the Mavic Mini. In the eyes of the authorities? Question ? If you did modify a DJi Drone when would it become classified as a homemade drone? 3 propeller props increase weight but and add more redundancy if a blade were to separate.. Surely having the safety automations of the drone factory spec would be better then a first time novice home build?

How often does the issue of weight and whether or not someone has registered their drone (regardless of weight) actually come into play? Are there drone police out there? If you're flying in a safe manner and not in places that you shouldn't be, what is the concern about weight/registering? Why is weight a consideration on whether or not you need to register, is that solely for the purpose of keeping the toy drone market and professional/extreme hobbyists apart?

Second: To weigh it, first you repeat the *entire* process multiple times. Scale on, weigh, scale off. Scale on, weigh, scale off. Then you average the results.

Really worried about you, mate. Where you be?

Hi, I’m a new subscriber to your channel, having recently ordered a Mavic Mini Fly More Combo. I’ve already downloaded the app & watched all the videos there, but noticed that I couldn’t use the app away from home unless I turned on mobile data. I’m a hard-up retired gentleman looking for an excuse to get outside. I have an iPhone 6 on pay as you go. Will I have to pay for data to fly in the UK? Would I be better off paying for a monthly plan for data on my phone?

Buy the Japanese version of Mini. It weighs only 199g! You can take some payload in the air.

Good point that weight thought crossed my mind as just about every device has few grams out I have found. Do you think it possible that this can do 4k and just software preventing it? Maybe a upgrade to 4k at some point. Hum I was hoping this was going be 4k the automatic shutter speed no manual bit a let down. Shame the weight of this drone would been ideal for my needs. Thanks Richard

I was very concerned about the wait alright DJ I say it’s 250 g in the end I got fed up of looking at things and they’re saying this and that so I ended up passing the test and getting my ID I feel a lot happier now I’ve also got to all the drones do you don’t fly any more but they can’t be registered and I could go back out with them it’s peace of mind and thank you for your comments and what are yours shell is very good and I’ll subscribe to it go to this all about the UK

So, does 249g include the dodgy prop guards? or do they get away with this as all advertisers with the Mini already state they are for indoor use. A filter would put it over also, but currently can't change white balance anyway, I've ordered one due for delivery on the 12th but starting to think I should keep my spark!

Check out IPhonedo's video here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wRDI4DnU2PI.html He weighed it on a scale and it weighs 248g with battery + 1g for the microSD card, it at the 3:06 time mark for those who are interested. Propellers are really for new beginners to practice flying indoor and shallow outdoors, whoever is really serious about flying a drone most likely won't have their propeller guards on anyway. Have you seen any serious drone flyers fly a Mavic 2 pro with propeller guards on?

I'm just excited about that Glass display battery charger ............. BUT ITS NOT ON THEIR WEBSITE !!!!!!!!! lmao I'm already a registered drone owner so it makes no difference to me about weight .

Prop guards would more likely be used indoors....the drone is 248 grams and 249 with a memory card. I would have preferred losing a little flight time and getting more sensors on the aircraft.

#Mail Great videos as always Dylan, very entertaining and informative! I was PfCO registered from April last year but haven't yet done anything in terms of seeking additional work off the back of this. As a fellow PfCO pilot I'd like your thoughts on the EASA regs that come into effect from July 2020. Basically, do I spend the £190 renewing my PfCO when less than three months later it may become irrelevant anyway? What are your thoughts? What would you do in my situation?

you missed a #mail weds :( - was you to busy answering the 20 x 20sec questions when looking at the drone reg info?

Is that the end of ikopta on RU-vid then? No farewell message, just.... gone?

Hi,it appears that you have stopped making your blogs,hope all is okay.

I have watched maybe 15 reviews, 1 weighted it. It was 249g in that video without the guards. I would say, the guards are made for mostly indoor flight where the weight shouldn't matter since the base item is under the weight. Technically you would be above weight if you flew outdoors with the guards. If safety is a concern, the weight of the guards should be exempt as long as the drone itself is under weight. The force of the drone if it falls from the sky is one danger, the bigger danger for small drones is the blades spinning. Having the guards should reduce the force due to the plastic absorbing some of the energy and not allowing the blades to cut anyone. I know that is not the law but I wish it were since it is supposed to be about safety. Either way, I have one on pre-order. My Phantom 3 Standard is up for sale.

I find that DJI products being battleship grey very strange. I skinned my Mavic 2 Pro in a colour as loud as poss. Of course that adds weight...

So, out of all that, are you saying that you don’t actually have a Mavic Mini to weigh?

AHHH! The " Honesty" of good old DJI.