DJI mavic mini 2
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DJI mavic mini 2
Hi everyone, I'm interested in buying the mavic mini 2 drone since its relatively cheap and really light. Only problem is that it has a maximum takeoff altitude of 4000m, around 13.1k feet. Does anyone have experience with these up on 14ers if they actually work temporarily? Are there additional propellers with a higher pitch that could make it fly that high? Hiking wouldn't be my exclusive use of it, but I doubt I'd buy it if I cant take it to summits with me
- climbingcue
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Re: DJI mavic mini 2
You are going to open up a can of worms with this topic. Just so you know they are against the law on all the wilderness areas, that includes many 14ers.
Consecutive months with at least one 13er or 14er, 73 months
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Re: DJI mavic mini 2
Setting the etiquette issues aside, here are practical reasons why I wouldn’t fly a drone on most peaks in CO:
- More often than not, it will be illegal to fly. Many trails and summits are in wilderness or national/state parks that have laws against drone flying.
- Most of the time it will be too windy. Sure you will get a few days a year where you will have low or no winds at the summit. But usually you will have at least 20mph gusts accompanied by down and updrafts. Combine that with reduced performance at altitude, and all it takes is one good gust to end the drone.
- Liability from wrecks or mishaps. It would suck to injure someone on the summit, or worse have the drone fall, damage its battery, and start a fire. I’d expect little sympathy from the justice system in those scenarios.
As a Mavic owner myself, I totally get the desire to capture these shots. But for the reasons above, combined with the etiquette issues and LNT principles, my drone stays home. Would advise the same for anyone else.
- More often than not, it will be illegal to fly. Many trails and summits are in wilderness or national/state parks that have laws against drone flying.
- Most of the time it will be too windy. Sure you will get a few days a year where you will have low or no winds at the summit. But usually you will have at least 20mph gusts accompanied by down and updrafts. Combine that with reduced performance at altitude, and all it takes is one good gust to end the drone.
- Liability from wrecks or mishaps. It would suck to injure someone on the summit, or worse have the drone fall, damage its battery, and start a fire. I’d expect little sympathy from the justice system in those scenarios.
As a Mavic owner myself, I totally get the desire to capture these shots. But for the reasons above, combined with the etiquette issues and LNT principles, my drone stays home. Would advise the same for anyone else.
Last edited by bluegrassclimber on Mon Mar 15, 2021 8:02 am, edited 1 time in total.
- 9patrickmurphy
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Re: DJI mavic mini 2
Can of worms indeed. Nobody (nobody) wants to hear the whine of a drone when they're outside just trying to enjoy the serenity of nature. Would not advise. Would beg you not to. If you're completely alone, go for it if it's legal I guess but this is as bad as hiking with a boombox in my opinion. Please don't be that guy.
- cottonmountaineering
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Re: DJI mavic mini 2
only thing to add, they arent legal to use in wilderness areas and national parks, OK in national forest
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Re: DJI mavic mini 2
If you do, be sure to write your insta handle with sharpie on a rock at the summit so we can all enjoy the sick footie of Bross and Bierstadt.
- Eli Boardman
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Re: DJI mavic mini 2
Lots of opinion and not much facts.
Yeah, it's illegal in Wilderness, don't do that. BUT it's perfectly legal on plenty of non-Wilderness peaks, and I know from personal experience that the Mavic Pro works fine above 14k, so I imagine the Mini would too. You might just have a bit shorter flight time from having to hover at higher rpms. I flew around quite a bit on Elbert, including above the summit.
Be courteous, but don't let others unnecessarily talk you out of this, because as long as you obey the rules and don't buzz any hikers, it can be a lot of fun. Watch out for the wind, too...
Yeah, it's illegal in Wilderness, don't do that. BUT it's perfectly legal on plenty of non-Wilderness peaks, and I know from personal experience that the Mavic Pro works fine above 14k, so I imagine the Mini would too. You might just have a bit shorter flight time from having to hover at higher rpms. I flew around quite a bit on Elbert, including above the summit.
Be courteous, but don't let others unnecessarily talk you out of this, because as long as you obey the rules and don't buzz any hikers, it can be a lot of fun. Watch out for the wind, too...
- Oman
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Re: DJI mavic mini 2
The only thing that might match a drone on a summit would be a bluetooth speaker with Kid Rock or Nickleback cranked to 11.
Re: DJI mavic mini 2
Legalities aside, this is an excellent way to really annoy folks on the summit. It's also a great way to support drone use being further restricted as more and more people complain to authorities about drone use.
Best to leave it at home and enjoy the summit without it.
Best to leave it at home and enjoy the summit without it.
"Climbing mountains is the only thing I know that combines the best of the physical, spiritual, and emotional world all rolled into one." -Steve Gladbach
- andrew85
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Re: DJI mavic mini 2
I flew a Mavic Pro on the summit of Little Bear with no issues so a Mavic Mini 2 should do just fine. As others have said, there are many 14ers in wilderness areas that you can't fly in so be aware of that and courteous to those around in areas where you can fly as even the quietest drones are still extremely loud. Mind you there are people that are just going to hate on drones regardless, like on LIttle Bear I did it in the middle of the week when I'd seen five people all day (only one who was even within 2000ft) on a non-wilderness area summit and I was somehow still catching heat from people who simply didn't like the idea. As long as they're legal summits I'd say go for it, just try to stay out of people's way and worst case if someone approaches the vicinity just ask them if they mind you flying and pause if they do.
Re: DJI mavic mini 2
andrew85 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 15, 2021 2:41 pm I flew a Mavic Pro on the summit of Little Bear with no issues so a Mavic Mini 2 should do just fine. As others have said, there are many 14ers in wilderness areas that you can't fly in so be aware of that and courteous to those around in areas where you can fly as even the quietest drones are still extremely loud. Mind you there are people that are just going to hate on drones regardless, like on LIttle Bear I did it in the middle of the week when I'd seen five people all day (only one who was even within 2000ft) on a non-wilderness area summit and I was somehow still catching heat from people who simply didn't like the idea.
Not surprising you took some heat since Little Bear and Blanca are half in the Sangre De Cristo Wilderness, and half private property. The boundary is right down the middle of both summits. So either you took off and flew above private land, or wilderness. Or some combination of the two.
"Climbing mountains is the only thing I know that combines the best of the physical, spiritual, and emotional world all rolled into one." -Steve Gladbach