Looking to Buy a Drone before The Weekend

John Kimble on 02/09/2020 - 17:35

Hi All,

Hoping for some advice…

TL;DR
Probably a long shot, but looking for some tips on how to get the best deal on a decent drone (probably Mavic Mini) before the weekend, so wanting to pick up tomorrow or Friday.

Unfortunately, the best I can think of is C&C from Bing Lee (3% Cashback)? Any other tips? e.g. I was thinking I could ask in person if a store would chuck in 1 or 2 micro SD cards maybe, or would that be unreasonable? I'm thinking 2nd hand would be too risky?

Before today I had NFI about drones, but after about a day of researching it appears there's no point getting anything except DJI (unless someone can convince me otherwise).
Looking at the DJI Mavic Mini, probably the Fly more bundle RRP $800. It appears they rarely go on sale?

TIA,
DJK

Find Me A Bargain Quadcopter

Comments

  • DiLs on 02/09/2020 - 18:01
    +1

    Walk into a JB HI FI or Harvey Norman

  • BuyoTheCat on 02/09/2020 - 18:42

    Factor in at least the cost of 1 extra battery. when the battery level gets to 30%, it is time to prepare for it to come back to you to land.

    I would get them second hand if the price is attractive enough (but most of the time people want way too much). I do now how to use these things so I know what to check for.

    If you want it in the next few days, my best suggestion is jb hifi

    • John Kimble on 02/09/2020 - 18:49

      I did go to jbhifi to suss out a deal, but they weren't interested in providing any discounts, which is why I was asking if anyone had any clever work arounds; obviously if this is not realistic, then I will probably need to bite the bullet and pay RRP (sound of my heart breaking).

      • dinglejerry on 02/09/2020 - 19:00
        +1

        I got jb hi fi to price match my Mavic 2 Pro so look for the best price you can find from an Australian based store with local stock (including any delivery fees) and then go armed with that info and try to get them to price match.

  • Melb69 on 02/09/2020 - 18:46
    +1

    We await the next post when its in the sales section as an as new Mavic. How much use do you really think you will get out of it? Are there open areas in your area where they are allowed? Did you also spend a day considering that before the research for a drone.

    • John Kimble on 02/09/2020 - 18:55
      +2

      Not much to be honest…it's not me that wants it, it's the wife. She claims she wants to get one for me for Father's Day, but I reckon it's more a Homer Simpson bowling ball present…she saw all these drone videos on Insta (in the Oberon snow) and wants to recreate those type of videos (obviously sans snow now).

      I've done my best to argue against it, saying how we very likely stop using it after the novelty factor wears out, but she countered that she will forfeit all wedding anniversary and xmas present obligations this year if we get it, so I can't really argue…although I should probably get that in writing 😂

      • Melb69 on 02/09/2020 - 19:03
        +1

        Ok. You have my blessing. Get the cheapest DJI. Basic set. Anything else would he a waste. If you later find you really like it upgrade it. ImO

      • mapax on 02/09/2020 - 19:04

        https://www.casa.gov.au/drones

        • John Kimble on 02/09/2020 - 19:08

          The Mavic Mini is 249 grams

          • mapax on 02/09/2020 - 19:53

            @John Kimble: You still need to be accredited and have the drone registered. I believe that begins this month and will be compulsory by end of Jan 2021.

            • John Kimble on 02/09/2020 - 20:00
              +1

              @mapax: Not unless I'm reading incorrectly?

              https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/rules/accreditation

              Flying for fun
              If you fly a drone that weighs more than 250 g, you'll need to get an accreditation in the future.

              You'll need to watch a short safety video and pass an online quiz. You can take the quiz as many times as you like, and will automatically receive your certificate once you pass. You can download and print the certificate through the myCASA portal.

              You do not need to do anything at this time. Accreditation for people who fly for fun will open in March 2022 and be required by 30 May 2022.

              • mapax on 02/09/2020 - 20:09
                +1

                @John Kimble: That doesn’t make sense to me. Maybe lack of comprehension due to fatigue but it seems like that page says January 2021, followed by the paragraph you quoted that says May 2022.

                Edit- reread it and what I was referring to is for excluded commercial

  • Melb69 on 02/09/2020 - 19:10
    +1

    Dgi website.$599 for mini, mav care $59. Dhl $41. Might get it by Friday.

    • John Kimble on 02/09/2020 - 19:34

      Thanks, the mav care sounds great, but probably too risky postage wise, wife wants to "capture magic memories" this weekend whilst we are out of town…leaving Friday arvo.

  • Fiximol on 02/09/2020 - 19:50
    +1

    Just make sure that where you are hoping to fly is not a no fly zone. The DJIs won't even take off if they are (unless you spoof the GPS).

    Given the timing, brick and mortar is the only way to go.

    Try your luck with officework price beat from Amazon AU (shipped from US)?

    • John Kimble on 02/09/2020 - 20:17

      Thanks, just downloaded airmap, I just check on there somehow?

    • [Deactivated] on 02/09/2020 - 21:22

      They will certainly take off if you’re in a no fly zone, my spark and Mavic mini do, although it does warn you. Plenty of third party apps to control them as well.

      Also obvious that they do considering how many muppets fly them in an area they shouldn’t.

      • Fiximol on 02/09/2020 - 21:48
        +1

        Interesting. I guess either the lighter drones have less restrictive rules or my information is outdated. Thanks for the information!

  • polarq on 02/09/2020 - 19:59
    +1

    Do you have good guys commercial account? they have the fly more combo of the mini for $681 at the moment.

    Looks like you are based in Sydney and I can see stock in the tempe good guys store. :)

    • John Kimble on 02/09/2020 - 20:00

      Unfortunately not.

      • polarq on 02/09/2020 - 20:02

        I do, I can try and help you out if you like. DM me and maybe we can work out a way?

        • John Kimble on 02/09/2020 - 20:10

          Thanks for your generous offer, but I'm too paranoid about getting ripped off (don't take it personally).

          • polarq on 02/09/2020 - 20:11
            +1

            @John Kimble: I Totally understand. I hope you find a good deal soon enough.

  • Melb69 on 03/09/2020 - 18:50

    How did you go OP?Get one and where?

    • John Kimble on 03/09/2020 - 19:09

      Just had to go to JB in the end, I forgot I had gift cards from work, so although I didn't get any discounts, it was basically $400 off. The best I could do was save $18 to price match two 64gb micro SD cards from OW. :(

      Just charging everything as we speak…now we wait.

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