Hands On With the DJI Mavic Pro: A Serious Drone That Fits in Your Daypack

4K Video, 12MP Raw files, all on a stabilized platform

[embed width="640" height="360"]https://youtu.be/ZOMkYlllJBg[/embed]

Between the Mavic Pro's excellent flight dynamics and an impressive built-in gimbal, its 4K (30fps) video is not only excellent quality, but also remarkably smooth. Stills can be captured at resolutions up to 12MP, in either JPEG, RAW (DNG), or both. Unfortunately, the drone won't snap a still frame while you're recording video, so you need to pause the video, shoot your still images, and then resume the video.

You have full control over camera settings, although the Auto settings are quite good as a default. However, it's no simple thing to both be controlling the drone and sorting through tiny icons and menus on your smartphone screen -- especially in the bright sun. If you are doing any complex filming, you'll want to consider getting a table holder at a minimum, and possibly a second controller so a colleague and you can split the tasks of flying and videography between you.

The Mavic Pro definitely qualifies as a serious tool

Sure, like any drone, it is fun to fly and a cool toy for those who can afford it. But the Mavic Pro is also completely competent for a wide range of serious applications. For the most part, it has all the same features and many of the same capabilities as its larger, and more expensive, sibling, the Phantom 4 Pro (although DJI is pushing the Phantom's capabilities even further with the new Advanced model). You get obstacle avoidance, over four miles of nominal control range, a variety of intelligent flying modes, and access to powerful third-party flight applications including Hangar and Litchi. For me, the ability to use a dedicated controller (bundled with the drone) was a deciding factor in going with the Mavic Pro. I have tried flying various drones using only a smartphone and have never found it satisfying.

The Mavic Pro's stability makes it suitable for a variety of video projects. In this clip, I documented the rapid growth of wind farms in South Texas by taking a 360-degree pan around one of the ranches where we do bird photography. There is even a tripod mode for ultimate stability.

Getting started with a Mavic Pro

Similar to flying an RC plane, there is a pre-flight checklist that takes a little getting used to. Of course you want to make sure the batteries in your drone, controller, and phone are all charged. Then you need to connect your phone to the controller. There is a cute little cable and some connectors that should make that really trivial, but I found it the most annoying part of the process. Then, after you've unfolded and fired up the drone, controller, phone, and DJI Go 4 app, you need to make sure they're all talking to each other. You'll probably also want to make sure your drone is getting a GPS signal, so that it can find its way home if needed (and let you know where it is). The app will tell you if the compass needs re-calibrating. If you're like me and often get set up in the back of your hatchback, note that the drone will complain about magnetic interference until you set it down outside.

Rounding out your Mavic Pro kit

If you decide to take the plunge and get a Mavic Pro for yourself, there are some useful accessories. For starters, some type of case is helpful. For around $10 you can get a simple padded case for the drone and for the remote control, or you can spend more on carefully shaped hard cases that have cut outs for all your other accessories. You'll probably also want at least one spare $90 Intelligent Flight Battery, as in practice I found the actual flight time of the drone closer to 20 minutes rather than the rated 27 (partially because you really, really don't want to run your battery to zero by accident). Spare rotor blades are also a must have, as they're breakable and fortunately inexpensive.

Depending on the smartphone you use with it, you may have trouble seeing the image and icons in bright light. DJI makes an expensive display you can purchase, or with an inexpensive adapter you can use your tablet. Sun shades for the remote are also available, but that certainly adds to the complexity of using the system. Fortunately, the drone has a huge range, so it's often possible to fly the drone from the shade of a tree on sunny days -- or even while sitting on the shaded tail end of a vehicle.

DJI Refresh lets you off the hook if something happens

It can be nerve-wracking to fly a thousand-dollar drone close to obstacles, or somewhere you can't see it very well. DJI offers the Refresh program, for $100 per year, as a form of insurance. If you purchase it, you can have a broken Mavic Pro repaired or replaced for $79 once or twice. The replacement takes a few weeks, though, so if you plan on doing critical work, you might consider getting a backup drone.

Summary: It is both a great toy and a valuable tool

If you want to get started flying a photo drone, or have a project that needs one, the Mavic Pro is a great choice. If you really don't care about portability, then the Phantom family offers more options, and higher-end versions have more features and better cameras. But the Mavic Pro packs an incredible punch for its small size, providing you can afford its $1K price tag. Before deciding, though, make sure you have access to areas where it is safe and legal to fly it. A zone of five miles around airports, National Parks, and some other parks are off limits, as are busy streets or places with crowds. Get your $5 FAA hobbyist drone pilot registration, too, and attach your number to the drone to avoid a potential fine.