DJI Mini 2, the best drone for beginners | Review
How it's done
Aesthetically, the differences are in the details. Mavic Mini 2 is still a tiny drone, the size of a can of Coke (140 × 82 × 57 mm) when folded back on itself. A plastic support allows you to keep the propellers in place and protect them, avoiding damage when you carry it in a backpack.The front camera, suspended on a gimbal, is protected by a transparent plastic cover. The battery fits in the back, where there is also a USB-C port and the MicroSD reader on which the videos will be saved.
The remote control is as big as the drone itself, and is the same in supplied with Mavic Air 2. Perhaps not everyone will be happy with this choice, since the remote control included with the first Mini was smaller and more compact, an important feature for those looking for a drone to always carry with them with the smallest possible footprint. However, the new version, which allows you to connect your smartphone at the top, and not the bottom, offers better ergonomics and optimal visibility of the smartphone screen, in all conditions. In general, the total footprint of the drone and remote control is however limited.
In the package together with the drone and remote control, you will find a battery and the cables necessary for battery operation and charging. In the "combo" version, you will have a total of three batteries, spare propellers, a three-position charger and a padded carrying bag.
The weight of 249 grams allows anyone to fly this drone, without the need of the license.
First flight
We find the ease of flight that distinguishes all DJI drones, where the main actions are automated and controlled by the software. After charging the battery and downloading the DJI Fly application on your smartphone, simply follow the connection operations in the step-by-step procedure indicated in the application. Once connected, take-off takes place with a button, after which you just have to familiarize yourself with the controls.The Mini 2 is not equipped with anti-collision sensors, so you will have to be careful when you fly it.
Compared to the previous model, Mini 2 uses OcuSync 2.0 communication technology, which extends the data transmission range and brings the maximum distance to 10 Km. The flight time, in optimal conditions, therefore without wind, is 31 minutes.
The maximum ascent and descent speed is respectively 5 m / s and 3.5 m / s (in Sport mode). The lightness of the Mini has always been its Achilles heel, which can affect flight stability, especially in windy conditions. Mini 2 also improves from this point of view, and can effectively counteract gusts of wind up to the maximum speed of 10.5 m / s. Obviously if you fly in windy conditions the battery life will be negatively affected.
The presence of the GPS system allows the Mini 2 to make specific routes, and above all to return autonomously to the take-off point, they will land autonomously.
Video and photo recording
The Mini 2's camera is not radically different from that of the previous model, but it can now record at 4K resolution at 30 FPS. The higher resolution allows you to activate a zoom factor using the sensor crop, this means that if you record at Full HD resolution, you will be able to access a maximum zoom of 4X. It is not an optical zoom, but the result is not bad and it gives you a little more flexibility when shooting.We would like to show you videos made directly by us, but the medical emergency lockdown is there. prevented us from moving freely, and living in the city, we couldn't even fly the drone without violating the regulations. As you may have seen from the other photos, we carried out tests in an area that was not particularly interesting in terms of subjects to be shot, so we offer you two videos shot by sportsgaming.win Guide colleagues. We were equally able to evaluate the graphics quality with some indoor and outdoor tests.
Verdict
The Mavic Mini 2 is the perfect drone for beginners, and in reality is also ideal for all those who want a drone to always keep at hand in their backpack. Considering the characteristics, the compactness, the weight that does not require a license, the automatisms offered by the DJI software, the ease of use and the general quality of photos and videos, all compared to a price of 459 euros, we give the Mini 2 the our Award.Mini 2 has only two flaws: the inability to fly in strong wind conditions and the lack of collision sensors. However, if DJI had equipped this drone with the sensors placed on the Air, it would have limited the reasons for purchasing the latter.
