Mavic mini has just been announced. https://www.dji.com/au/mobile/mavic-mini
I love that it has a fantastic flight time and while not ideal to compromise on the camera as a casual user it seems like a great balance. The price point also seems pretty good (obligatory Bunnings drone reference).
I was looking the look of the fimi x8se but for a similar price I'd be happy to go with a brand like DJI
I would imagine that it wouldn't go so well in windy conditions. I suppose the benefit of having one of the bigger drones.
I own the Spark and a few Phantoms, and the Spark holds its own in the windy weather. Sure, the Phantom being bigger is more stable, but the Spark, and I'm guessing this drone, are more suited to the hobbyist/novice/learner.
Most of the people who use these smaller drones are not the types who would take it outside and fly on really windy days, but in saying that, the DJI quads give you plenty of warning if it's to windy to fly anyway.
As someone who's been considering getting their first drone I was looking at the Spark but my research indicated a new or at least refreshed version coming which I'm guessing is this so I'll most likely be picking on up so yeah, I think it'll appeal mostly to hobbyists and first timers.
@apsilon: I have a Bebop 2 which is great for a hobbyist but I feel ready to get a proper gimbal, but can't justify >1400 for a mavic of some description.
I think the mini will be a nice step up from the bebop without being ludicrously expensive.
@Waffles: Yeah I wanted something with a gimbal which is why I've ignored some other options. I have no real need of it so have been umming and ahhing for several months and considering one of the larger drones. I'm not going to rush out and buy, especially this close to Christmas unless I see a bargain, but I think this'll be the one. Good entry point of price vs features.
Kinda, but with improvements to camera and flight time. Two of the biggest issues (at least that I had) with the spark
Hardly an update, it's completely different:
3-Axis gimbal
30min flight time
Foldable arms
249g
Flymore combo $799
I bought the Spark when it came out, flymore combo, for about $1050 I think. So, ya. This is waaayyyy better
Hardly an update
It's a similar size and weight. It is aimed at the same market. It has some new features that have trickled down from their top tier models.
This is almost a textbook definition of what an update is.
3-Axis gimbal
Kinda looks identical to the old Spark camera "with an extra axis". And it goes from 1080 to 2K.
30min flight time
You forgot the covers all caveat: "up to"
Foldable arms
Nice. About time, it was only a matter of time after the Mavic Pro and Air.
249g
Did you not read my post above about the weight? Reduced a whopping "50 grams" to take it under the CASA 250 gram registration limit.
Flymore combo $799
Soooo…. about the same price as the current Spark?
The controller even looks almost the same as the Spark Controller…
Sure does look and sound like to me that the Spark has had a refresh and been "updated"
If it was an update of the spark, why the eff would they call it a Mavic Mini? That's just ridiculous.
It's a similar size and weight. It is aimed at the same market. It has some new features that have trickled down from their top tier models.
Reducing a drone's weight by 50 grams is absolutely a tremendous improvement, bruv.
Kinda looks identical to the old Spark camera "with an extra axis". And it goes from 1080 to 2K.
Sounds like it's a reduced quality version of the Mavic, hence the mini moniker. It isn't a beefed up Spark, it's a mini Mavic.
You forgot the covers all caveat: "up to"
Sure, but the Spark is 'up to 16 mins' whereas the Mavic Mini is up to 30 mins. There doesn't seem to be any argument here.
(RE foldable arms) Nice. About time, it was only a matter of time after the Mavic Pro and Air.
Still haven't made an argument here - it bears striking resemblance to a Mavic, not a Spark. This unit, like the Mavic, is way more portable with these arms.
Flymore combo $799
Soooo…. about the same price as the current Spark?
No where near the same launch price of the Spark - again, you're not making any argument at all. And the name of it is Mavic Mini!
why the eff would they call it a Mavic Mini?
Marketing?? Why did Land Rover rename the Freelander to "Discovery Sport"… Marketing
Reducing a drone's weight by 50 grams… absolutely a tremendous improvement
Of course it is if it reduces the weight to under the new CASA rules… "champ"
It isn't a beefed up Spark
Didn't say it was "beefed up", I said it was "updated".
up to
"up to"… I would hope with advancements in battery and electric motor technology that run times would increase. Probably why they were "updated".
it bears striking resemblance to a Mavic, not a Spark.
That's because it has been "updated"… cuz
launch price of the Spark
Because that price void is now filled by the Mavic Air. This is priced at just above what a new Spark costs now. They cant price the "Mini" at the same price as the Spark was on release, because it wouldn't sell next to the Air at the same price.
So, this is a quad that is in the same segment as the Spark. Similar size to the Spark. Similar weight to the Spark. Aimed at the same consumers as the Spark. Is in the same price bracket as the current Spark. Kinda just sounds like the next "update" to the Spark…
@pegaxs: You are beyond reasoning with. It has the same chassis shape as a Mavic, it has Mavic in the name, it has a 3-Axis gimbal like the Mavic, same flight time as the mavic, foldable arms like the Mavic.
It's like saying a Corolla is actually an updated Yaris cos a Corolla has wheels, a Corolla has doors as well, doesn't matter that the shape/chassis/design is completely different.
I guess we'll have to wait and see if they actually release a Spark 2 or similar!
You are beyond reasoning with.
The feeling is mutual.
*random observations of new DJI quad*
Sooo.. what you are saying is that it's the Mavic that's had some updates to make it smaller? Or the Spark that has been updated to be more like their Mavic line? From what I have read and watched, it comes with a lot less features than the Mavic range and even a few less than the Spark. So maybe it's a "downdate"?
*something irrelevant about a Corolla and a Yaris*
Making a smaller Corolla to replace the Yaris and calling it "Corolla Mini" doesn't make it a Corolla, it just makes it the new Yaris update (hint: they even updated the name).
wait and see if they actually release a Spark 2
I will bathe in your smugness when that happens. Until then…
Spark does not fold, which sometimes makes it even less portable than the bigger Mavic.
This is correct and the reason i skipped it. The Mavic Air is vastly more portable.
Yeah, I was almost going to get the Air because of it's ability to fold up, but for what I use it for, the Spark is a much more convenient size and makes less noise.
This new quad being in the same catagory/size AND it's foldable is going on the Santa shopping list…
Wait, do we have to register drones with CASA now as it is or is this a proposed thing?
At the moment, it is a “proposed” thing that will be coming into effect some time soon… any remotely piloted aircraft will be required to register for a yearly fee if it exceeds 250 grams (and a few other exclusions)
Where are we able to pre order? DJI shows out of stock.
It looks good but the only issue I have with it is not having 4K as I do mostly landscape shots. It's so portable though.
I do think it's a shame, but while I'd like the better res I'm frankly not going to have anything that'd really use it. I can see why they thought it was worth the compromise, it's clearly not trying to be a pro drone.
No obstacle avoidance, no RAW photos, no camera controls.
DJI peaked too early and now don't know what else they can do to improve on their products.
and no tracking.
But a good price
If you want an action cam drone skip the DJIs and go for Skydio 2.
It's now in stock on the DJI site. 59$ for the DJI Care Refresh
Is it worth getting the refresh?
So going to get one of these for a family trip around Oz next year - 30 mins flight time, foldable and not much weight seals the deal for me…will be my 1st drone so looks perfect!
great price, but its like buying a ferrari with manual windows, hub caps, no power steering, etc… I am just going to get the mavic air instead, This is good for kids, but I know i would get bored of this fast. The Mavic air looks like its a good in between. not as expensive as the pro, but very capable.
Fair point, maybe if it drops a bit in price it'd be ok. But the fly more kit is approaching double of the cost of a mini fly more kit and the flight time is significantly less.
Everything on the .au site is AUD and inc GST.
Soooooo, it’s an updated Spark basically.
I see they have made it “249 grams” so it comes in under the weight limit for registering with CASA.