Very close (79c) to the lowest price ever on Amazon I believe - got a camels alert.
Cheaper by ~$5 than the most recent deal.
Might be good for some, altough I'm not sure if this is still the drone to get? Others may be more informed.
CamelCamelCamel.
Mini 3 pro, with or without the fancy controller is like $1100, this is Mini 2 plus the extra battery kit.
Still pissed I missed this for $570 out of pocket thanks to good guys.
The Mini 3 is about 50% more expensive than the Mini 2, but DJI has almost brought all the features from the Air 2S into the Mini 3 Pro.
The Mini 3 has way better collision avoidance and has most of the active tracking and master shots features from the flagship models.
You can do a comparison between various models here
It's not even a comparison between the quality between the Mini 3 pro and this. Everything from flight times, reception, flight speeds, less noise to the camera is just another level altogether. For me, the camera in itself is worth the upgrade since this one does native HDR shots and much better low-light overall meaning you don't get blacked out shots/videos when you have strong light contrasts or flying into the sun's direction.
The other thing that any experienced drone owner will tell you is: Get the controller with the screen for the extra more. Nothing is better than to just turn both the drone and controller on and will instantly be able to fly. Instead of dicking around with attaching your mobile phone to the controller, running the app and getting it all connected before you can start to fly. This is one quality of life improvement that really changes a lot of things.
The problem is the Mini 2 is pretty good and can be had around $750 with extra flight batteries, the case, the whole kit.
To get the same equiv for the Mini 3, it's literally at least $1400 (if you can even find a fly more kit for the Mini 3)
You get what you pay for though. Mini 2 is probably a good price point for entry level or inexperienced people to start out their drone journeys. But most will want to upgrade to the Mini 3 Pro afterwards (or even regret not buying it in the first place).
There is a reason the called it "Pro" now..
@bchliu: This exactly describes me, and why I bought the Mini 2 in the recent Good Guys deal. I think it is inarguable that the Mini 3 Pro is better in every way - but to go from "never had a drone and interested" to "dropped $1400 on a drone kit I may never use more than a dozen times" is a bit of a stretch, and why for a LOT of people, the Mini 2 is a better option (and could later be resold for around $400-500 to go towards a better drone if it's your flavour).
@wazman67: Yep this is why I wanted the Mini 2, when you can get super deals with enough patience and hunting, it's hundreds and hundreds of dollars cheaper.
Mini 3 sounds great but man it's so expensive.
The irony of it is that the Mini 3 is probably more suited to beginners because of the APAS4 system!
Yeah.. but most beginners don't want to spend $1400+ on a drone to begin with! lol. Mini 2 is probably the real option to start in those cases, especially at this price point.
@bchliu: This is correct. I've always had an interest in one day getting a drone as just a lover of tech, but the costs in getting something worthwhile have always put me off. I then got to watch someone use a Mini 2 and was blown away by its performance. Obviously the new model will have all sorts of new bells and whistles that make it appealing to many, but for a first timer I feel the price/performance of this model is pretty much spot on nowadays.
@Hinee: I was in the same boat until I bought the Mini 2 Fly More Combo 9 months ago. Great drone for beginners. Crashed into a tree once and broke one propeller. The Combo came with spares, so I replaced it and it's all good. I know its more expensive but buy the Fly More Combo because a single battery last less than 30mins despite DJI's claim.
quality of life
😂
What's the deal with the GPS in the new controller with screen? Do you have to insert a Sim card or something?
You don't need a SIM to get GPS. GPS is already built into pretty much all the DJI devices to begin with.
I bought mine the other week from good guys when they had the 15% cash rewards and $120 store credit if you use Paypal 4 payment split… I didn't get the $120 credit or the cash rewards. Wish I just waited for a real store to have it on sale.
I did same got about $83 CR and $150 in credit bought effective price for mini 2 down to about $370. I didn't open mine until I confirmed credit just in case and had to fight to get it.
Have you contacted both to chase up its worth it?
Because they only accept 2 gift cards in online payments (@#%@ you good guys) I missed the deal too.
I had a heap of TCN cards at 10 and 15% discount, plus the cash rewards, plus the $80 credit, would've worked out to $570 out of my pocket for Mini 2 FMC, hell of a deal.
Now I'm stuck waiting for a decent deal again (this ain't it)
I got my store credit yesterday (and they bumped it up by $20 to apologise for lateness). So my wife used $100 store credit towards a Macbook, everyone wins. Cashrewards processed just fine and has already cleared for me.
Did you have to contact them to get it or did they just send it out?
I submitted a missing purchase to cashrewards. Waiting to hear back. The click was tracked, but it didn't capture the purchase for some reason.
I also emailed good guys but haven't heard anything back yet.
Check the inbox of your email registered with PayPal account you used during the purchase. I was monitoring my main email account (not PayPal's) and almost missed the store credit.
I have the mini 2 and would recommend going in for the mini 3 (though I haven't myself) - there are quite a few additions and a much better experience for a first-time flyer. I've already crashed mine twice but the DJI care plus has saved me both times.
@ModiWar How have you crashed (genuine curiosity from a novice)? I'm terrified of not being high enough to clear trees when I lose my bearings so haven't been TOO adventurous yet…
I've crashed my mini 1 a couple of times by getting too cocky/being stupid and flying it in my tiny 2br apartment without the guards 😳…never crashed outside, but have only flown outside a handful of times since I bought it. Sits in the cupboard gathering dust most of the time.
I think I've hit my older DJI Spark maybe 2-3 times from various incidents - mainly either just wasn't good with my judgement (when I backed into a tree flying backwards) or when it was too windy and blew the drone into my car's mirror. If you give it enough space when flying, then it shouldn't really crash into anything and just have to watch out for strong crosswinds. Luckily all of these minor instances haven't really affected my Spark back then and pretty much cleaned it and took it back into the air from there.
People are afraid of flying drones - they really aren't that hard to fly as they will remain stationery whenever you don't push it in a direction. Just make sure you don't take too many silly risks and you will be fine.
Yeah so far I have found the Mini 2 delightfully simple to get started (though mastering the nuances and remembering that flying a drone has more movement axes than an RC car is ongoing), but I haven't been confident enough to get too cocky. The only other drone I had tried previously was a Propel Star Wars XWing mini drone and let me tell you sir, that thing flew like it WANTED to crash at all times.
Mine was a genuine crash. I tried one of the auto modes by looking at it for the first time. The second time, I used the same setting but for some reason, the drone choose to go and crash onto a tall tree. Though I had a tough time getting it down, I finally got it down and got it replaced.
Taking photos of the ocean for instagram etc.. would you say the mini 2 is capable enough for high rez work? TIA
For sure. Check out some clips on youtube.
I can tell you I've done some flights with the Mini 3 Pro and nobody notices it.
You get up to height even right above you and all is silent. It has bigger props than the mini 2 and so quieter.
A few years ago if a drone flew over it was so loud everyone was looking for a shotgun.
I saw a Mini 2 in person 6 months ago and about 4/5 stories up it was silent, maybe lower for Mini 3 though.
Mini 3 only came out in April or whatever so likely Mini 2 or other small drone.
No I mean it was def a Mini 2, and it was already fairly quiet.
Every drone claimed to be silent, hugely exaggerated at best. I've upgraded my drone and props several times over the years and none of them is even close to being 'silent'
All of them sound like a giant, very loud, very noticable buzzing mosquito.
It's more likely people are just used to what a drone sounds like these days and just ignore it.
Can see for yourself, at 10 metres only 52db. Like I said when you're up to height you won't hear it.
Or here https://youtu.be/kic_eO9iuOM
3:51 for comparison between the mini 2 and 3. Certainly not silent.
Anyone want to fwd this deal with Good Guys to try and match it………
If you are an absolute beginner with drones, I'd recommend starting out with a toy drone like the Syma X5C for around $50.
They are fully "manual" and you will crash them every time but being very durable, they should survive long enough. Once you have mastered the art of drone flying and can land them (without crashing) easily then you should upgrade to the "real" drones like this one.
Technology is wonderful but they can and do fail so the ability to fly manually can be invaluable.
I like what you said. The fear of crashing it into something is what is preventing me from buying a drone from a long time.
Will give it a try and see how I go.
Also, I found the drone you recommended on amazon but it is unavailable and is slightly expensive. Can you recommend me any other site with a lower price ?
TIA
I can find it on Aliexpress but it is not any cheaper:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32719332122.html
Unfortunately, the $50 price was from about 3 years ago. Supply chain issues, inflation and falling Aussie dollar meant that it is more expensive these days.
For a fun session, you'll need at least 4 batteries as one battery will only last about 5 minutes of flying. I personally have 12 batteries and a charger that can charge 6 batteries at the same time.
no worries at all. Still worth it to learn on this one before splurging on a mavic. Thanks a lot !
should i get this one or just get the SE mini?
Anyone try price match with JBhifi, the good guys or officework?
The SE Mini, I think is a Mini 1 inside a Mini 2 case or something? I would lean away from that model.
Was able to easily price match with JB via live chat
Pay the extra $60 or so for the DJI care warranty too. Cheap insurance. (These drones are really easy to write off if they hit an object and drop)
How do you buy this? The Amazon options were/are sold out.
Usually after you buy the drone and register your details to set up an account they give you the option to buy the no fault crash cover. DJI care I think it's called.
Ah okay, thanks! That’s good to know. Now to wait for another sweet deal on the fly more combo!
Showing as $868 for me
Fly more combo no longer at $759.99
Been ready to buy this at this price point, but like every other time, I was away from the computer longer than usual and missed it. Oh well, my money stays with me another day.
Lucky i asked for price match with jbhifi. The link to buy expire tonight. I will check out then 😗
Is mini 3 pro better value for extra 400 at cheapest?