Buying a Drone: DJI Mavic Pro vs Mavic Air ???

[VladTepes]

I'm discounting the Mavic 2 on account of price,

so considering the original Mavic Pro and the Mavic Air, and wondering about the pros/cons.

@Proteous if you were to buy one or the other - which would it be?

[Proteous]

If i was buying today (Excluding the pro 2) i would still opt for the Mavic Pro over the Air. While the Air has a very slightly better camera and a couple of extra track modes, the range and overall performance of the Pro is far superior.

The flight modes are all very good but noone uses them. Your better off just flying the thing. As for the camera, the Air doesnt do anything that the Pro cant be done in post processing.

The flight time of 27 mins and range of 7.5km if far higher when compared to the Airs 21mins flight time and an advertised range of 4km (real world testing is less than half that before experiencing MANY issues)

So yeah, Pro all the way.

[VladTepes]

Thanks mate, someone on another forum said much the same thing.

Maybe you should buy a Mavic 2 and post me your mavic pro. 

[Proteous]

Well then i would have to choose between the Mavic 2 Pro and the Mavic 2 Zoom..... Now thats a had choice but i thenk the Mavic 2 Pro would win out over the Zoom.

[Cykik]

You 2 droning on again😂

[Proteous]

 

[grog]

Proteous, unreal stuff. far beyond my capabilities. doing it and then uploading, all praise to you.

[VladTepes]

You 2 droning on again😂

ditto.

[VladTepes]

So I've been researching further and as far as I can see:

Mavic Pro

Pros:
- quieter(or at least less like a swarm of bees)
- longer flight time
- ability to program waypoint flights, terrain follow, course lock, home lock.
- better controller (has telemetry screen)

Cons:
- gimbal susceptible to damage? (less protected)
- somewhat heavier / less portable
- fewer sensors for obstacle avoidance (none to the reverse)


Mavic Air

Pros:
- more sensors for obstacle avoidance (reverse as well as forward, down)
- gimbal better protected
- lighter

Cons:
- shorter flight time
- noisier
- basic flight modes only
- more basic controller

Camera

On the camera issue most comparative shots I've seen for the Air are against the Mavic 2 Pro which is hardly a fair comparison. You mention the Air has a better camera than the Mavic Pro, but on what basis?  I suppose there's also a difference between whether main desire is stills or video...

Am seriously interested in your comments on this, based on personal experience with the Pro. Any times you've felt it wanting for a feature you would have wanted?

Edit just found this interesting review from a photographers perspective.
http://www.onepointtwo.photo/blog/mavic-pro-vs-mavic-air/2018/2/6
which includes some comparative shots. He comes to the conclusion that the Pro is still better (or at least for still photography).


Other
The main other difference is price, with Pro being around $200 more expensive than the air ($300 for Pro Platinum)
However this isn't really an issue as a refurbed Pro can be had for the same price as a new Air.
Also I'd likely buy second hand if I could find a decent Pro or Pro Platinum anyway.
(Airs are too new to have hit the second hand market yet)

@Proteous (and any other DJI owners) I'm interested in your view on the above, anything I've missed, and particularly whether you've experienced any issues with those things I've listed as "cons" for the Mavic Pro.

Thanks

[VladTepes]

Still interested in comments but meanwhile a deal too good to refuse came up.

So... I'm getting a Mavic Pro Platinum Fly More combo.   

[Proteous]

Thats the right choice in my opinion.


The way i see it, the cons you have listed are niether here nor there. 1. If your carrying a drone anywhere an extra few gramms wont make ANY difference. 2. I have had no issue with gimbals as of yet. The up side is that its easier to replace on the pro. 3. I dont care about sensors... i wouldnt mind an upward sensor as i like to fly through trees however most of the time i stay well away from any obstacles anyway SPECIALY when flying OOS.

[Beaker]

Interesting stuff - a good range of accessories as well.

Just hope you're bringing your new Mavic Pro for our run down the Oxley in a couple of weeks @VladTepes . It has a "follow-me" function & should be able to keep up in most parts - just need to watch the foliage over the road 

[VladTepes]

I expect to be riding faster than 40 so... No. 😁