Chris Johnson 
Mavic Pro
Pros
- Brilliantly Portable Design and Size
- Nice 4K Footage and 12MP Photos
- Good Flight Time
- Numerous Intelligent Flight Features
Cons
- Fragile Gimbal Assembly
- Affected by Winds
- Software is Updated Constantly
Today on the market there are a lot of drone manufacturers, but there is few of them which are great, and one that is absolutely dominating the market, DJI. In terms of last technology as high-end cameras, obstacle avoidance, they have the best drones we’ve yet seen. One of their more advanced offerings in the consumer class for a long time was the DJI Mavic Pro.
The mavic pro weight 1.62 lbs (734 g), it it’s a small yet powerful drone that you can buy. It turns the sky into your creative canvas easily and without worry, helping you make every moment an aerial moment. Its flight performance is top-greatest, with 4K camera stabilized by a 3-axis mechanical gimbal, and built-in safety features automated return-to-home and forward obstacle avoidance, an all-new transmission system with a 4.3mi (7km) range, 5 vision sensors. It’s a fantastic choice for most aerial videographers.
But Mavic Pro is not perfect; DJI has some options to cater to the higher end, including the Phantom 4 Pro and Inspire 2.
If you are looking for all the juicy tech specs on the Mavic Pro, you are already reading the article you want.
Let’s explore more in this DJI Mavic Pro review.
DJI Mavic Pro Design |
For a long time, I thought that drones from the Phantom range were incredibly compact and lightweight for their capabilities, but the Mavic Pro is in a whole new world when it comes to portability.
Portability is at the forefront of the Mavic Pro’s design.
When I received the Mavic Pro, i thought there’d been a mistake, this package smaller than a shoebox, couldn’t contain quadcopter, plus a controller and a battery charger. Unlike most high-end quadcopters on the market today, the Mavic Pro is very small compared to its Phantom cousins.
While the DJI Mavic might not fit into your pocket or purse, it will slot perfectly at your backpack. When folded the drone measures 3.3 by 3.3 by 7.8 inches; it weighs about 1.6 pounds. It fits into the same pocket of my camera bag. That’s a big difference from the Phantom 4 Pro, which really requires its own backpack to transport.
Where the small size may invite the expectation of low image quality and air stability, but even with that groan in the back of mind I think you’ll be agreeably surprised; how neatly the drone and its controller folded down. It is also a very thoughtfully engineered unit with quick release propellers, no tools required, and a slender controller with options beyond what you might expect.
They designed it with sharp and angular edges, more contours similar to that of a stealth bomber. Moreover, it weighs merely around a half nearly as DJI’s earlier quad, the Phantom 4.
Available in just grey color, it’s easier to set up, arrives folded and requires just a few quick maneuvers to prepare for first flight. Fold out the front arms from the sides, and then fold the rear arms from underneath.
The front of the drone houses the 3-axis gimbal with 12MP, 4K camera mounted. DJI supplies a clear plastic cage that protects it from harm while you’re carrying it around. Just above the camera is a pair of sensors, these help prevent damage to your drone, providing obstacle identification and avoidance.
The battery is easily removed, simply pinch together the buttons on either side of the battery itself and pull up.
The drone gathers information data from both GPS and GLONASS satellites for redundancy and absolute location precision and more. It picks up the location very quickly, and can hover in place.
The Mavic pro can also fly indoors, without the aid of satellites. It has downward-facing sensors that read the patterns of the ground below to keep it steady during indoor flight. Itcruised along at a steady 20mph in test flights with obstacle avoidance enabled. It has a Sport mode available that disables the obstacle sensors but pushes the top speed to 40 mph.
DJI Mavic Pro Camera |
The Mavic Pro’s camera uses the 1/2.3 inch CMOS sensor to capture video up to 4K at 30fps and 12 Megapixel stills, offering you the system to blaze through the skies and take the perfect aerial photography from flying.
This camera commonly found in professional sports cameras, and an aerial imaging optimized integrated lens with an equivalent focal length of 28mm.
The Mavic Pro camera supports focus adjustment, which isn’t the case with every drone camera, many are fixed focus. If your footage isn’t looking clear, on DJI GO 4 app tap on a distant subject on the screen to reacquire focus.
It is equipped with the smallest high-precision 3-axis gimbal that DJI has ever made. The 3-axis gimbal provides a steady platform for the attached camera, it maintains the camera stable for crystal-clear photos and smooth videos, and it can tilt the camera within a 120° range. The controllable range of the gimbal roll axis is 0° to 90°, enable you to shoot in Landscape Mode and Portrait Mode. The roll axis will rotate 90° when Portrait Mode is enabled, and this is more useful for stills than for video.
To store your videos and photos, The Mavic Pro comes with a 16GB Micro SD card and support Micro SD card up to 64GB. The Video options of Mavic Pro camera include UHD 4K at 24 or 30fps, DCI (the wider cinema 4K format) at 24fps, 1080p at standard frame rates up to 60fps and at 96fps for slow-motion playback, and 720p at up to 180fps. If you like experimenting with the tone and quality of your videos and photos, then the DJI Mavic pro is undoubtedly the better choice. It’s very good, and quite printable, in bright light. But if you’re concerned about shooting at a high ISO, the 1-inch sensor used by the Phantom 4 Pro and Advanced will do a better job, and give you more resolution at 20MP.
Here a video on Gimbal Setting:
DJI Mavic Pro Intelligent Flight Modes |
The following flight modes are available for Mavic Pro:
Positioning mode (P-mode) – the drone utilizes the GPS and Forward Downward vision systems to locate itself, automatically stabilize, and navigate between obstacles. The easiest mode and the one all the intelligent flight modes are enabled.
Sports mode (S-mode) – the drone is using GPS for positioning and Forward Downward vision systems are disabled. The obstacle avoidance system is turned off and all intelligent flight modes are not available in this mode. Only fly in this mode if you are experienced and confident, the drone also reaches its top speed in this mode. When there is no GPS signal and no vision positioning system the drone cannot position or auto-brake, and will hover at an altitude.
The Mavic pro includes lot of intelligent flight modes:
Mavic Pro Cinematic Mode:
In Cinematic Mode, the braking distance for the aircraft is extended. The drone will slow down gently until it stops, keeping footage smooth and stable even if control inputs are choppy.
Mavic Pro Fixed-Wing Mode:
The drone will fly forward automatically at a certain speed after entering Fixed-Wing mode.
For the other intelligent flight modes you can see videos samples.
Mavic Pro Gestion mode:
Mavic Pro Terrain Follow :
Mavic Pro TapFly Mode:
Mavic Pro ActiveTrack Mode:
DJI Mavic Pro Forward Downward Vision Systems |
The Mavic Pro is equipped with a forward and downward vision system that constantly scans for obstacles in front of it, allowing it to avoid collisions by going around, over or hovering.
The downward vision system uses ultrasound and image data to help the drone maintain its current position. With the help of the downward vision system, your Mavic Pro can hover in place more precisely and or fly indoors or other environments where a GPS signal is not available.
The main components of the Forward and Downward Vision System are located on the nose and the bottom of the drone; they include four monocular sensors and two ultrasonic sensors.
To avoid the vision system error on your Mavic Pro when you are flying, it’s necessary to calibrate it, and it is very important to know how to calibrate the Mavic Pro vision system sensor.
Here a video on how to calibrate your Mavic Pro Vision System:
DJI Mavic Pro Battery Performance |
Under ideal conditions and when fully charged, DJI says the Mavic Pro can remain airborne for up to 27 minutes.
This intelligent battery is now smaller, more powerful and easier to swap out, it comes inclusive of in-built sensors and bright LED’s that prompt a user of their charge status and remaining power of battery in real time.
The DJI intelligent flight battery uses LiPo 3S battery type that has a capacity of 3830 mAh, a voltage of 11.4 V, and it should only be charged using an appropriate DJI approved charger.
DJI Mavic Pro Remote Controller & DJI GO App |
The Mavic Pro remote controller is a compact remote control operates at 2.4GHz; it is a multi-function wireless communication device that features a number of camera control functions, such as taking and previewing photos and videos, as well as controlling gimbal motion. It has a monochrome LCD display (which shows connection status, battery level, flight telemetry, and the like), and two analog sticks for flight control. Buttons include Power, Return-to-Home, and Pause. Control wheels adjust camera exposure and gimbal tilt, and there’s a small joypad on the face with custom functions. The remote also has video record and still photo buttons, located on the top left and right, respectively.
The Mavic Pro remote controller has a small LCD screen to take flight your quad without needing to use your smartphone, but you won’t get a first person view from the camera and you won’t have access to adjust a lot of its video and photo features. It makes controlling and flying the DJI drone as simple as some quick taps on your smartphone display. Also, you can decide to hover the drone just using your smartphone together with the digital joystick and carry out all your directions from your phone.
Overall, the remote controller is able of as many as 1080p full HD short-range footage streaming to YouTube and Facebook, long-range HD 720p, and 4.3-mile transmission control distance as well.
I recommend you to use your phone with the remote; the safety benefits of seeing through the drone’s camera are reason enough. You’ll need in this phone to run the DJI Go 4 app.
The DJI Go 4 app is a mobile application designed specifically for DJI Equipements. Use this to control the gimbal, camera and other drone functions. The app features Equipements, Editor, SkyPixel and Me Sections, which are used for configuring your drone, editing and sharing your photos and videos with others.
Here a quick video on calibrating the controller:
Video on Controller setting:
Conclusion
Since its first launch, the DJI Mavic pro has gained a good reputation in the drone user community. It is an excellent little drone on the market, and a truly professional portable drone,
Its folding design makes it a go-anywhere option, easily when stowed into a gear bag, and has the right technology, power and affordable price to make it anyone’s first choice if you intend to buy one.
Video and image quality are excellent, as good as other DJI models with similar image sensor designs like the Phantom 3 line and the first version of the Phantom 4.
Hopefully you have found this DJI Mavic Pro review helpful.
In case, you are on the lookout for a travel drone that shoots incredible videos, snaps incredible photos and vlogging; it is the go-to choice, and you will not be disappointed with this drone.
Video on How to fly Mavic Pro:
DJI Mavic Pro FAQs
There are three main differences. The Mavic Pro Platinum has an extended flight time of 30 minutes and an increased hover time of 27 minutes. It also has 4dB (60% noise power) aircraft noise reduction. Finally, the aircraft comes in a sleek platinum finish. Yes, you can. Yes, it will. The Mavic is smaller, lighter, and easier to carry with you thanks to its foldable design. Its new OcuSync transmission system has a longer transmission range and 1080p resolution. Due to its larger size, the Phantom 4 has a higher maximum speed and can withstand stronger winds. The two cameras have the same features, but the Mavic’s camera has a smaller FOV, is able to focus as closely as 0.5m and can be rotated 90° for portrait shots and selfies. The Phantom 4’s larger FOV makes it better suited for landscape imaging. No. As the Mavic chassis is low to the ground, only take off and land in suitable areas that are flat and free of puddles. The Mavic Pro supports a 2x digital zoom, but does not support optical zoom. You can zoom in or out by dragging on the screen or by pressing the customizable buttons. The Mavic remote controller uses DJI’s OcuSync transmission technology, giving it an increased range of up to 4.3mi (7km) in open areas without interference, FCC compliant. When using a smartphone connected via Wi-Fi, the controllable range is 80m, and maximum altitude is 50m, making it suitable for short-range shots like selfies and for setting up ActiveTrack. You can also download photos and videos directly from the Mavic to your mobile device via Wi-Fi. The Mavic remote controller can fit smartphones between 6.5-8.5mm thick and up to 160mm long, without a phone case. Phones and tablets larger than this do not fit the remote controller’s device holder. Turn on the Mavic in Wi-Fi mode, press the linking button and hold for 5s. It tells the Mavic Pro to hover, pausing the flight. The Mavic can withstand a level 5 wind, also called a fresh breeze. This is defined as wind speeds of 19–24mph (29–38kph). In calm weather and under ideal conditions, the Mavic can fly up to 8 miles (13km) at 31 mph (50 kph). Real-world performance will vary though, so we urge you to monitor your battery level at all times. OcuSync has a range of up to 4.3 miles (7 km) with improved resistance to interference and a higher transmission throughput. At shorter ranges it can stream footage to you at 1080p resolution and also allows photo and video downloads at 40Mb/s. The users can switch between 1080P and 720P manually. However we don’t suggest the users use the 1080P when there is strong electromagnetic interference or for far-field transmission. When the Vision System fails to function normally, you can do a quick calibration in the DJI GO app, or connect the aircraft to a computer to perform advanced calibration for higher precision. The Mavic will automatically avoid obstacles 50ft (15m) in front of it. The maximum speed at which the Mavic is able to avoid obstacles is 22mph (30kph). Here are a few reasons why calibration may fail: Yes, it can charge a battery and two other devices simultaneously via USB. However, it will take longer to fully charge the devices. Yes. The Mavic’s Intelligent Flight Battery supports quick charging at nearly 2C, with a maximum charging power of 100W. The rated power of Mavic Battery Charger is 50W, and the rated power of the Mavic Car Charger is 78W. When using the Mavic Advanced Charging Hub with a 100W adapter, the battery can be charged at 100W. This adapter can be connected to the Mavic’s Intelligent Flight Battery, turning it into a power bank. Thanks to its high capacity, an Intelligent Flight Battery at 25% charge can fully charge the Mavic’s controller, or an iPhone 6. Four. One mounted on the Mavic, one at the bottom of the bag, and one in each of the two side pockets. No. DJI GO 4 will state an update error. You will have to reconnect to the internet to update again. The update will not start if the battery levels are lower than 50%. After downloading the firmware, please ensure the aircraft and controller have sufficient power to continue the update. However, the update will continue to run normally if battery levels fall below 50% during an update. Both devices have different update speeds. It will take approximately five minutes for the remote controller, ten minutes for the aircraft, and 15 minutes to update both simultaneously. If the update takes longer, check your network connection and USB cable or power off, restart and try again. If the update still fails, try the following steps: 1. Check that the battery level is at least 50% or higher before updating.Mavic Pro vs. Mavic Pro Platinum – What’s the difference?
Can I use a Mavic Pro battery in my Mavic Pro Platinum?
Will the Mavic Pro Platinum maintain its noise reduction in all flight modes?
What’s the main difference between Mavic and Phantom 4?
What’s difference of camera between Mavic and Phantom 4?
Is the Mavic Pro waterproof?
Can I zoom during shooting?
What is the difference between using the remote controller to control the Mavic, and using your smartphone to control it via Wi-Fi?
What sizes of smartphone can fit inside the Mavic remote controller?
How do I reset the Wi-Fi password back to default?
What does the Pause button on the remote controller do?
What’s the highest level of wind the Mavic can resist?
How far can the Mavic fly on a single charge?
What is the main benefit of the OcuSync video transmission system?
What is the resolution of the live view transmitted via OcuSync?
What is the difference between quick calibration and advanced calibration?
What is the maximum distance and maximum flight speed at which the Mavic can fly while avoiding obstacles?
Why can’t I calibrate my Mavic’s vision sensors with DJI Assistant 2 on my computer?
1. Every sensor leaves the factory with a protective cover. Check if the protective covers have been removed.
2. Check if the sensors are clean and if the preview image is clear.
3. Some computer screens may be unable to calibrate. Try using a different screen.Can the Mavic’s charger charge both its Intelligent Flight Battery and its remote controller?
Does the Mavic’s battery support quick charging?
What is the Mavic’s Battery to Power Bank Adapter?
How many batteries can I carry in the Mavic’s Shoulder Bag?
When using DJI GO 4 to update firmware, can I let the update run in the background while I use other apps?
Will the update fail if the battery level of the aircraft or controller is lower than 50%?
What does it mean when the progress bar gets stuck during an update?
2. Check that you haven’t powered off the device during the update. If so, switch the power on again to continue.
3. Disconnecting from the internet during a firmware download will lead to update failure. However, you can disconnect the aircraft from the computer after downloading the firmware to start an update. When the update is finished, reconnect the aircraft to the computer via USB. DJI GO will show the update is 100% complete.
4. If update failure persists, or the remote controller does not link with the aircraft, there may be firmware inconsistencies between devices. In this instance, use DJI Assistant 2 on your computer to update to the latest versions separately. It is normal for the remote controller to restart a few times when updating. When linked to the aircraft, it will disconnect and relink twice.
Specifications & Package Contents
Specifications:
- Model: Mavic Pro
- Manufacturer: DJI
- Product type: RTF
- Weight: 1.62 lbs (734 g)
- Size folded: 2″ height x 3.2″ width x 7.8″ length
- Diagonal size: 335 mm
- Camera: 12MP / 4K
- Gimbal: 3-axis gimbal
- Range: 7 km
- Controller: smartphone compatible or DJI transmitter
- Top speed: 40 mph (65 kph) (in Sport mode)
- Flight time: 27 minutes
- Operating temperature distance: 32° to 104° F (0° to 40° C)
- Charging time: about 60 minutes
- Foldable: yes
- FPV: yes
- Indoor or outdoor: both
Package Contents:
- The Mavic pro drone
- Gimbal clamp
- Car charger
- Micro SD card
- Main charger
- Micro USB cable
- Battery charging hub
- Power cable
- Battery to power bank adapter
- Standard micro USB connector, RC cable
- Two intelligent batteries
- RC cable, lightning connector
- Two 8330 prop sets
- Two RC cable sliders
- Three propeller pairs
- Three instructions manuals
- Remote controller
- Two tutorial booklets
- Shoulder bag
