Convince me NOT to buy Mavic Air 2

FlyingFilmmaker · Dec 10, 2020

I'm seriously looking at upgrading from my original Mavic Pro to the Mavic Air 2. I like some of the features and the HDR 4K seems pretty good. BUT...

I want to know all the things that AREN'T good about the MA2 (especially compared to the M1P). Missing features, bugs, things that just don't work well. Convince me NOT to buy it. ?

DanMan32 · Dec 10, 2020

MA2 and M1P, not M2A or MP1.

M2A would suggest a submodel of the Mavic 2 series.

vindibona1 · Dec 10, 2020

There really isn't anything "not good" about the MA2. There seem to be minor differences in camera technology between these two systems, and largely revolves around features. .

Physically the MA2 drone weighs significantly less than the Mavic Pro, but the controller is larger and weighs significantly more. The MA2 uses Ocusync rather than Wifi. A MA2 uses the Go Fly app while the Mavic Pro uses the Go4 app. You'll have to do a side by side comparison in regard to the features.

I think you need to do a side by side spec comparison to see if it's worth it to you to "upgrade" or if the move is an upgrade at all based on your needs.

Howard70 · Dec 10, 2020

Hello Drone filmmaker:

I’m not sure what the size of your camera sensor was on the Mavic Pro, but MA2 has a smaller sensor than the Mavic Pro 2 (Mavic 2 Pro?). I have a MA2 and love it, but the camera does best in perfect light conditions. When the scene is well lit the still images are astounding. However, when the lighting is challenging the images are nice, but not stellar.

If landscape photography is something you pursue and you like subtly lit scenes I’d go for the drone with the largest camera sensor I could afford.

I’d also like additional obstacle avoidance (side and top). I find myself trying to wiggle my MA2 into tight conditions to compose shots and additional sensors would make that less stressful.

To be clear - I’m really, really happy with my MA2 and the above comments aren’t complaints. When a New DJI product (Mavic 3?) that addresses them becomes available I’ll add it to my hanger. Until then I’m flying the MA2 as much as I can.

Howard

FlyingFilmmaker · Dec 10, 2020

DanMan32 said:
MA2 and M1P, not M2A or MP1.

M2A would suggest a submodel of the Mavic 2 series.

Thanks. I know the correct abbreviations, but I just get a little sloppy I guess. Fixed.

Actually I happen to have inside info that DJI is releasing a M2A... ?

FlyingFilmmaker · Dec 10, 2020

vindibona1 said:
There really isn't anything "not good" about the MA2. There seem to be minor differences in camera technology between these two systems, and largely revolves around features. .

Physically the MA2 drone weighs significantly less than the Mavic Pro, but the controller is larger and weighs significantly more. The MA2 uses Ocusync rather than Wifi. A MA2 uses the Go Fly app while the Mavic Pro uses the Go4 app. You'll have to do a side by side comparison in regard to the features.

I think you need to do a side by side spec comparison to see if it's worth it to you to "upgrade" or if the move is an upgrade at all based on your needs.

The MP actually does use Occusync but it's version 1 instead of II. One of the things I'm a bit worried about is the DJI fly app. Not sure if it has the features of GO4.

Any ideas where I could find a side by side comparison of those two? I find a lot of M2P vs MA2 but not many with MP.

FlyingFilmmaker · Dec 10, 2020

Howard70 said:
Hello Drone filmmaker:

I’m not sure what the size of your camera sensor was on the Mavic Pro, but MA2 has a smaller sensor than the Mavic Pro 2 (Mavic 2 Pro?). I have a MA2 and love it, but the camera does best in perfect light conditions. When the scene is well lit the still images are astounding. However, when the lighting is challenging the images are nice, but not stellar.

If landscape photography is something you pursue and you like subtly lit scenes I’d go for the drone with the largest camera sensor I could afford.

I’d also like additional obstacle avoidance (side and top). I find myself trying to wiggle my MA2 into tight conditions to compose shots and additional sensors would make that less stressful.

To be clear - I’m really, really happy with my MA2 and the above comments aren’t complaints. When a New DJI product (Mavic 3?) that addresses them becomes available I’ll add it to my hanger. Until then I’m flying the MA2 as much as I can.

Howard

The Mavic Pro sensor is a 1/2.3 (slightly smaller than MA2). I've flown the M2P several times and it's great, but it's a bit out of price range right now. I actually do quite a bit more filming than photography, and I'm pretty used to the small sensor size so I'm not too worried about it. My personal opinion on obstacle avoidance is that it tends to make people overconfident, but it is a great safety net!

How do you like the Fly app as compared to GO 4 (if you've used that)?

Platinum 4 ever · Dec 10, 2020

DroneFilmmaker said:
I'm seriously looking at upgrading from my original Mavic Pro to the Mavic Air 2. I like some of the features and the HDR 4K seems pretty good. BUT...

I want to know all the things that AREN'T good about the MA2 (especially compared to the M1P). Missing features, bugs, things that just don't work well. Convince me NOT to buy it. [emoji6]

What do you need us for...... just ask your wife.... [emoji41] they are pretty good at convincing us NOT to buy anymore drones

Howard70 · Dec 10, 2020

DroneFilmmaker said:
How do you like the Fly app as compared to GO 4 (if you've used that)?

I’ve only used the Fly app, so I can’t compare. It seems fine to me but I would like it better if it was possible to have gimbal indicator overlays (vertical and horizontal) selectable to remain “on” or turn off. When I fly straight with the gimbal to the side for a different pan effect it’s hard to remember how sideways it is without the indicator visible.

Howard

vindibona1 · Dec 10, 2020

DroneFilmmaker said:
The Mavic Pro sensor is a 1/2.3 (slightly smaller than MA2). I've flown the M2P several times and it's great, but it's a bit out of price range right now. I actually do quite a bit more filming than photography, and I'm pretty used to the small sensor size so I'm not too worried about it. My personal opinion on obstacle avoidance is that it tends to make people overconfident, but it is a great safety net!

How do you like the Fly app as compared to GO 4 (if you've used that)?

If the M2P fills your need I would I might suggest a refurbished unit. You'll save a few hundred $$ and would not be able to distinguish the difference between "new" and refurb. I went that route and couldn't be happier.

krodgerson · Dec 11, 2020

The camera is all-important to me so the M2P was the only choice. I'd never have been satisfied with poorer quality photos.

hiflyer201 · Dec 11, 2020

DroneFilmmaker said:
How do you like the Fly app as compared to GO 4 (if you've used that)?

I like the controller and the Fly app much more than the Go4. I don't have a Mavic pro but I do have a Mavic Air which I love but the 2 is a huge improvement over that one in the flying department. Digital zoom is what it is but I've come to the conclusion that I would miss it if it wasn't there. I have a book case full of lenses to prove that, I like most people, am never going to be satisfied with photo quality.

DanMan32 · Dec 11, 2020

Coming from P3A and M2Z for Go3/4 and Fly for MM1, I much prefer Go. Fly is too entry level look and feel to me. In particular, I like the battery life timeline that Go has where Fly has a barely readable % indicator. With all the advanced features of MA2, it might have been served better with Go. But it's in the mid-priced consumer market so Fly fits that department.

Go doesn't show horizontal position of gimbal. That's actually not a bad idea if not centered horizontally. It does have a vertical indicator.
Attitude indicator has more useful info than Fly position/orientation indicator. Attitude indicator not only shows full circle position of AC, with a North indicator in case your device compass is screwy, but shows AC tilt angles.

sacongta · Dec 11, 2020

DroneFilmmaker said:
I'm seriously looking at upgrading from my original Mavic Pro to the Mavic Air 2. I like some of the features and the HDR 4K seems pretty good. BUT...

I want to know all the things that AREN'T good about the MA2 (especially compared to the M1P). Missing features, bugs, things that just don't work well. Convince me NOT to buy it. ?

The NOISE. I do not know if Mair2 is noisier m1pro. But my clients (Funeral Services) can’t stand the noise of MAir2.

VenomXts · Dec 11, 2020

buy it

Wild Drone Pilot · Dec 11, 2020

DroneFilmmaker said:
I'm seriously looking at upgrading from my original Mavic Pro to the Mavic Air 2. I like some of the features and the HDR 4K seems pretty good. BUT...

I want to know all the things that AREN'T good about the MA2 (especially compared to the M1P). Missing features, bugs, things that just don't work well. Convince me NOT to buy it. ?

How is that possible? It is the best thing ever

DavidT_ NZ · Dec 11, 2020

Howard70 said:
Hello Drone filmmaker:

I’m not sure what the size of your camera sensor was on the Mavic Pro, but MA2 has a smaller sensor than the Mavic Pro 2 (Mavic 2 Pro?). I have a MA2 and love it, but the camera does best in perfect light conditions. When the scene is well lit the still images are astounding. However, when the lighting is challenging the images are nice, but not stellar.

If landscape photography is something you pursue and you like subtly lit scenes I’d go for the drone with the largest camera sensor I could afford.

I’d also like additional obstacle avoidance (side and top). I find myself trying to wiggle my MA2 into tight conditions to compose shots and additional sensors would make that less stressful.

To be clear - I’m really, really happy with my MA2 and the above comments aren’t complaints. When a New DJI product (Mavic 3?) that addresses them becomes available I’ll add it to my hanger. Until then I’m flying the MA2 as much as I can.

Howard

I fly an Air 2 and find it to be excellent. Very stable and responsive and stills and video are great in good light. I also bought some DJI rotor guards for use in proximity to obstacles (about $NZ30); just as a precaution.

Crashdummytest · Dec 11, 2020

DroneFilmmaker said:
I'm seriously looking at upgrading from my original Mavic Pro to the Mavic Air 2. I like some of the features and the HDR 4K seems pretty good. BUT...

I want to know all the things that AREN'T good about the MA2 (especially compared to the M1P). Missing features, bugs, things that just don't work well. Convince me NOT to buy it. ?

Hmm.. let me think... Sorry, can't help you.
But wait! There is one (1) thing I can think of:
no wireless FPV with the Goggles so far (but works fine via SC and hdmi-cable). Why not?

Ol' Sparky · Dec 11, 2020

Crashdummytest said:
Hmm.. let me think... Sorry, can't help you.
But wait! There is one (1) thing I can think of:
no wireless FPV with the Goggles so far (but works fine via SC and hdmi-cable). Why not?

Well, for me, it uses the Fly app instead of the Go app, and I don't need another app. That, and maybe it's just me, but looks like they are still having too many "issues"
Mavic Air 2 dropped out of sky
Mavic air 2 falls to the Ocean!
Mavic Air 2 Appears to Have Crashed Itself
Replacing Lost Drone?
Mavic Air2 Crash
Magic air 2
Crashed my new Mavic Air 2 on small island in lake in Montreal
Mavic Air 2 crash and lost. Error: "Motor is Blocked. Not Enough Force/ESC Error"

eaglesurfing · Dec 11, 2020

No issue with mine and I made sure before flying over water to protect my loss.
I also pay attention to make sure I keep my GPS signals strong and watch where I am flying above and below.

Convince me NOT to buy Mavic Air 2

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