40 Tips and Tricks for Your New DJI Mini 2
Whether the DJI Mini 2 is your first drone or just another piece added to your powerful fleet, there are certain features that you may have overlooked.
In this article, we will show you how to tweak the DJ Fly app, advise you on what to do and what not to do when flying, list the paperwork and tools you must carry in your drone bag, and many other aids that will help you become a better pilot.
I have been flying my Mini 2 for more than a year now, and I can’t wait to share with you how powerful this small drone is. So, let us get right to the point so you can take off and put everything into practice as quickly as possible.
1. Get the Fly More Combo
Many Mini 2 users, as I understand, purchased this drone as their first. This usually means they have a limited budget, and a few bucks can make a big impact.
However, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of purchasing the Fly More Combo rather than the ordinary version. Aside from all the extras like extra propellers, screws, and a travel bag, the two spare batteries will be an important part of your training as a Mini 2 pilot. The 40 minutes of added flight time, as well as the possibilities provided by the two-way charging hub, make this bundle well worth the money.
Image credit: DJI2. Or purchase spare batteries
If you are on a limited budget and cannot afford the Fly More Combo, I strongly advise that you buy more batteries. You will not be able to achieve everything this drone has to offer if you only have one.
For example, I like taking a few panoramas of every location I shoot at – at least one wide-angle, and a 360° Sphere. I also frequently take a few AEB images and record some shots, which require the use of an entire battery.
Because DJI Mini 2 batteries cost $55, obtaining an additional one and then purchasing another one later would be a nice alternative if you don’t want to spend a lot of money all in one go.
Professionals, on the other hand, will almost certainly need to get more batteries, even if they purchased the Fly More Combo.
3. Prepare a drone logbook for maintenance
Many inexperienced drone pilots ignore the value of keeping a logbook. Without it, it is difficult to determine how many times the propellers have been used or when the drone was last thoroughly cleaned.
Having a logbook for your drone will not only assist you in maintaining it, but it also can help you avoid some incidents that could be catastrophic to the aircraft or, worse, to humans.
Applications such as Air Data UAV can make your life a lot easier in this regard. However, it is always recommended to keep track of all key data in an Excel file.
4. Update the firmware
I recommend you wait a few days before updating your firmware when new versions are released. It is critical that your aircraft, battery, and controller firmware is up-to-date. The rationale for this is that some major difficulties, such as troubling connectivity issues, can be resolved by one of these software updates.
On the other hand, several users (including myself) have reported issues with the DJI Fly app’s most recent versions, which may have been avoided if we had waited to update. Therefore, you should follow some YouTubers to stay up-to-date on this topic.
5. Check the weather
The weather is one of the most critical aspects of a drone’s operation. We’ve already discussed how it can affect your Mini 2 in this article, but we can’t emphasize enough how critical it is to keep this component under control.
Because flying your drone in the rain is illegal in some countries, it is a must that you plan ahead of time and keep an eye on the weather to avoid any unpleasant surprises (though sometimes that is impossible).
Here is a list of a few apps that you might find useful:
6. Follow the law
The most crucial piece of advice I can give you in this article is to always follow the law. There are no exceptions in this case. It is your legal responsibility to know where you are allowed to fly and where you are not.
Have you heard of the Benjamin Briere case? He was arrested and imprisoned in Iran on spying allegations after flying his drone in an area where he was not permitted to. So, whether you are flying in your nation or another, remember to fly responsibly.
Living in the USA? Check this website to know if you are clear for takeoff.
7. Always have this in your bag
When I first started flying, I wanted to do everything perfectly and be as prepared as possible for the operation. Because of this obsession, I built myself a travel backpack to carry both my DJI Mini 2 and my Parrot Anafi in the same place, something that you could do if you are on a tight budget.
I felt very happy when I tried my creation, but it also made me think about what I needed in my drone bag. It turns out that I had forgotten the most important thing, which was my pilot certification and drone insurance.
Since then, I’ve kept a digital copy of these papers on my tablet, as well as a copy online in Google Drive, just in case something happened to my device and a police officer demanded confirmation of my ability to legally fly my drones.
In addition to your qualification as a drone pilot and a copy of your drone’s insurance, it is recommended to have a screwdriver, gaffer tape, spare propellers, a pen, and any other tool or accessory you might need during the operation.
8. Choose the right video settings
Most commercial drones come preprogrammed to fly and shoot amazing footage in the most basic of ways, which means the video settings will be set to automatic by default. While shooting in auto mode might be useful in some instances, if you want to stand out among the mass of drone photographers, capturing your videos in pro mode will make a significant difference.
While in camera view, touch on the camera icon that reads “auto” in the bottom-right corner of the screen to switch to pro mode. Experiment with different settings for white balance, aperture, ISO, and shutter speed to determine what works best for you.
9. Choose the right photo settings
As we have seen above, you need to start taking your images in manual mode and select RAW as your default format. Images saved in an uncompressed format will require around 4 times more space in your microSD card, but the possibilities in postproduction will also multiply, allowing you to further edit your photos.
Additionally, consider using a 4:3 aspect ratio for your pictures. Unlike the aspect used in most televisions, which is 16:9, a 4:3 creates a frame that is 33% wider than it is tall.
Image Credit: Daniel Cepeda. 4:3 aspect ratio.
Image Credit: Daniel Cepeda. 16:9 aspect ratio.10. Have a pre-flight checklist
One of the last things you want to do with your new drone is crash it or neglect to bring a vital accessory to the location where you were filming, which may be hundreds of miles away. For these reasons, bringing a checklist with you is of utmost importance.
To help you with this matter, let me share mine with you, which is broken down into four sections: Aircraft limitations, the day before flying, preflight checklist, and take-off.
☐ UAS Operator Registration
☐ Flying above sea level at +4000m
☐ 120 m is the max. Altitude
☐ UAS Insurance Documentation
☐ Winds of up to 10 m/s (36 km/h)
☐ Avoid Manned A/C
☐ UAS pilot certificate
☐ NO Take-Off from Moving Objects
☐ Avoid crowds
☐ Operating temperature: 0 ° to 40 °
☐ Careful Taking-Off from Sand
☐ Avoid Prohibited Areas
☐ Check weather
☐ Shot list and Storyboard
☐ Controller Charged
☐ Firmware Update
☐ Obtain permissions
☐ Aircraft Batteries Charged
☐ App Updated
☐ Check NOTAMs
☐ Ground Station Charged
☐ Flight Route / Area Planned
☐ Pre-Notification Requirements
☐ SD card formatted
☐ Site Survey / Obstacle Check
☐ First Aid Kit Packed
☐ Equipment Packed
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