According to the reviews, DJI Mavic Pro takes a pretty high rank. Designer and Creative Entrepreneur Roberto Blake bought one, and he’s among those who love it. But, he points out that there are still some things you need to know before making the final decision. No matter how amazing DJI Mavic Pro is, you still want to make sure that the final decision is the best one you make. So, here are five things you need to know before buying this drone.
1. You must register with the FAA and get commercial license
The first and the foremost, before your drone even takes the first flight, you need to register with the FAA. Of course, this works for any drone, not just the DJI Mavic Pro, and you need to have it in mind. It costs $6 to register, and you can do it on their website.
However, there’s one more thing to pay attention to. If you’re going to use the drone for commercial photos and video, you need to get the commercial license, too. It’s a new requirement from the government, so the place where you can get this license is still limited.
2. DJI app doesn’t allow flying in restricted areas
There are some places where it’s forbidden to fly a drone. Fortunately, the DJI’s app for the Mavic Pro shows you those places. When you reach the place where you can’t fly, the app will alert you, but not only that. If you’re in the area where flying is restricted, the app will also not let you launch the drone. Of course, no matter how frustrating this may sound, it’s actually positive. If you’re in the restricted zone, it saves you from getting into trouble.
On the other hand, if you’re using a third-party app, it’s possible that it won’t warn you when you’re in the no-flying zone. So, if you aren’t using the original app, make sure to be careful where you’re flying the drone.
3. Don’t block the drone’s vents and use right accessories
Before you start taking those stunning shots and videos, it’s important that you understand the drone’s mechanics. There are vents in the front (where the gimbal is) and on the bottom of the drone. If they’re blocked in any way, it may cause the drone to overheat.
So, if you’re using any accessories on the drone, make sure they don’t obstruct the vents. Roberto recommends this protective cover. It protects the drone’s camera and gimbal, helps with flaring, but at the same time doesn’t block the vents.
4. Find a backup tracking system
Other than the DJI app, consider finding another way of tracking your drone in case you lose it. If it crashes somewhere or goes out of reach, the app may not be of much help. So, get some RFID tags or GPS locator to make sure you’ll be able to find the drone even if the app fails you.
5. DJI Mavic Pro is very light
The final point to note is that DJI Mavic Pro is made from engineering plastic. It makes durable, but also super-light. This means that in strong wind, this drone may struggle and have difficulties. Roberto had it flying in 10 mph wind, and it was harder than usual to control it. In 15-16 mph wind, the drone could become more fragile and prone to crashes.
Last but not least, some general safety advice, for the drone, yourself and other people equally. Don’t fly in the strong wind and over crowds. If the wind is not that strong and you can still control the drone, still – try not to fly over water. Just to be on the safe side.
[5 Things You Need to Know Before Buying the DJI MAVIC PRO! | Roberto Blake]
