Mini 2 vs MA2

Crashdummytest · Jan 20, 2021

So I was finally overcome with hyped expectations and went and got a Mini 2, even though there is no SC support for it yet.
I have a MA2 and a M2P (and a mini1), and have flown a lot with those, I know them in and out in terms of capabilities.
So, should you, as an MA2 owner, get the Mini2 drone?
The short answer is: Absolutely not, it is inferior in all the important ways compared to a MA2. The main feature of MA2, 60fps 4K video, isn't even there in the Mini 2. The Mini 2 is no replacement for the MA2, at all. Consider that, and you are good to go.

Now, compared to the Mini 1 it is a great upgrade, putting everything in place in terms of power, range, maneuverability and camera.
So if you are a fantast like myself, go get it. If you own the MA2 and have a budget, you need to think twice about it as it brings nothing new to the table. As for noise: Slightly more silent than the Mini1, but nothing to get exited about.

eaglesurfing · Jan 20, 2021

I have came close a couple times but I am glad I went with the MA2.

Crashdummytest · Jan 20, 2021

eaglesurfing said:
I have came close a couple times but I am glad I went with the MA2.

Yup, MA2 is much more pro type of equipment (in my view), so what's the point with a Mini2. You could consider getting a refurbished or used M2P cheaply instead, a much better option (bar the fact that they might not fly in a couple of years).

Saladshooter · Jan 20, 2021

I have both the MA2 and the Mini 2. The Mini 2 may be a lesser drone but it is more than capable of great photos and video, its incredibly stable in the wind and is very quiet. The Mini's two big advantages is that its a backpackers dream because of size and that the complete package with extras costs $400 less. I love them both and often enjoy flying the Mini 2 more when I'm just fooling around.

Crashdummytest · Jan 20, 2021

Saladshooter said:
I have both the MA2 and the Mini 2. The Mini 2 may be a lesser drone but it is more than capable of great photos and video, its incredibly stable in the wind and is very quiet. The Mini's two big advantages is that its a backpackers dream because of size and that the complete package with extras costs $400 less. I love them both and often enjoy flying the Mini 2 more when I'm just fooling around.

Yeah, the backpacker delight doesn't work for me, as I always carry my MA2 and M2P, in the same bag. So I need that bag anyway when out filming. And also: $400 less? Less really is more in this case, since you could skip it if you have the MA2 and get the same or even better results.. But, look who's talking. I, ahem, have bought them all

(except the M2Z which I cannot justify even if I try).

adam3112 · Jan 20, 2021

The Mini 2 is a good MA2 replacement in the UK and europe where there are now strict new regs for flying drones over 250g.

Saladshooter · Jan 20, 2021

Crashdummytest said:
Yeah, the backpacker delight doesn't work for me, as I always carry my MA2 and M2P, in the same bag. So I need that bag anyway when out filming. And also: $400 less? Less really is more in this case , since you could skip it if you have the MA2 and get the same or even better results.. But, look who's talking. I, ahem, have bought them all (except the M2Z which I cannot justify even if I try).

I hear you.... Its an obsession. I could have just the MA2 and be quite happy but instead I have the Zoom and Mini 2 as well. I would give up the the Mini 2 before the MA2 but not willingly.

tibzee · Jan 20, 2021

Mini 2 is superior to MA2 when traveling, and sometimes even locally. A lot of places require extra efforts (to get permissions), costs, etc which might be unacceptable to a holiday traveler. And at least in my country, there are places where Mini 2 can fly, but anything above 250g is forbidden or you need hard-to-reach permission.
Of course, everything depends on where you fly (USA or Canada is a different story than Europe or eg. India, with their latest ban on Minis), are you a resident of the country or not, do you have to buy a full year licence and insurance even for one single flight (eg. Austria case), do you fly commercially or not, and so on...
So MA2 has a better camera, yes of course, but there are other factors to consider ?

Crashdummytest · Jan 20, 2021

adam3112 said:
The Mini 2 is a good MA2 replacement in the UK and europe where there are now strict new regs for flying drones over 250g.

Not very strict? Take a simple and short exam and pay the small fee, and then you can fly drones up to 25 kilo during day and night..

adam3112 · Jan 20, 2021

Crashdummytest said:
Not very strict? Take a simple and short exam and pay the small fee, and then you can fly drones up to 25 kilo during day and night..

But in the UK even after taking the a2cofc, you’re still limited in where you can actually fly and how far away from people and buildings with the bigger drones. With the mini 2, we don’t have those limitations. Not sure if it’s the same in the rest of europe.

tibzee · Jan 20, 2021

adam3112 said:
But in the UK even after taking the a2cofc, you’re still limited in where you can actually fly and how far away from people and buildings with the bigger drones. With the mini 2, we don’t have those limitations. Not sure if it’s the same in the rest of europe.

There are restriction, no matter what drone you fly (eg. the problem is in a camera, because of privacy laws).

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Also, per country, one zone is ok for everything below 2kg, some only for less than 250g, some ok up to 100ft/30m. some up to 400ft/120m, etc. You need to check everything locally...

adam3112 · Jan 20, 2021

tibzee said:
There are restriction, no matter what drone you fly (eg. the problem is in a camera, because of privacy laws).

senseFly – The Professional’s Mapping Drone

Learn about senseFly and our whole range of fixed-wing mapping drones trusted worldwide for performance across all types of industries and environments.

waypoint.sensefly.com

Also, per country, one zone is ok for everything below 2kg, some only for less than 250g, some ok up to 100ft/30m. some up to 400ft/120m, etc. You need to check everything locally...

I’m talking from a UK POV, obviously the rules may vary slightly from all European countries but the point I was making was, here in the UK, owning a Mini 2 with the new rules are the difference between being able to fly in public spaces like parks, beaches etc and even our own back yards and over people to being limited to open countryside at least 150 metres away from uninvolved persons. Now living in a densely populated country like England, unless you own several acres of farmland, there’s not many places where all of those conditions apply.

tibzee · Jan 20, 2021

adam3112 said:
I’m talking from a UK POV, obviously the rules may vary slightly from all European countries but the point I was making was, here in the UK, owning a Mini 2 with the new rules are the difference between being able to fly in public spaces like parks, beaches etc and even our own back yards and over people to being limited to open countryside at least 150 metres away from uninvolved persons. Now living in a densely populated country like England, unless you own several acres of farmland, there’s not many places where all of those conditions apply.

Sure, but you mentioned rest of Europe. Well, despite some differences in regulations (eg. I can fly closer to people), believe me, I live in a country with even more squeezed free space, so I feel your pain...

Crashdummytest · Jan 20, 2021

adam3112 said:
I’m talking from a UK POV, obviously the rules may vary slightly from all European countries but the point I was making was, here in the UK, owning a Mini 2 with the new rules are the difference between being able to fly in public spaces like parks, beaches etc and even our own back yards and over people to being limited to open countryside at least 150 metres away from uninvolved persons. Now living in a densely populated country like England, unless you own several acres of farmland, there’s not many places where all of those conditions apply.

That argument is certainly the best, most valid argument for the Mini 2. The same applies all over Europe. It's a fact and a major selling point for Mini2. But guys, I would never ever replace my MA2 with a Mini2. Is anybody seriously considering that? If/when the SC support for Mini2 comes along one can maybe sort of joke about it, but it will never replace my MA2, not a chance. Just notice how the gimbal handles, just to mention one minor detail. But lots of fun anyway.

Crashdummytest · Jan 20, 2021

adam3112 said:
I’m talking from a UK POV, obviously the rules may vary slightly from all European countries but the point I was making was, here in the UK, owning a Mini 2 with the new rules are the difference between being able to fly in public spaces like parks, beaches etc and even our own back yards and over people to being limited to open countryside at least 150 metres away from uninvolved persons. Now living in a densely populated country like England, unless you own several acres of farmland, there’s not many places where all of those conditions apply.

In Norway there are a lot of areas with little or no people, but interesting scenery. So the Mini2 is perhaps a bit less useful in Norway than in the UK, depending on interests of course. It's kind of subjective reg circumstances/usage.

tibzee · Jan 20, 2021

Crashdummytest said:
That argument is certainly the best, most valid argument for the Mini 2. The same applies all over Europe. It's a fact and a major selling point for Mini2. But guys, I would never ever replace my MA2 with a Mini2. Is anybody seriously considering that? If/when the SC support for Mini2 comes along one can maybe sort of joke about it, but it will never replace my MA2, not a chance. Just notice how the gimbal handles, just to mention one minor detail. But lots of fun anyway.

It is not a replacement, but it might be a nice addition, another tool, which can be used when MA2 is a brick, because it cannot fly.

Crashdummytest · Jan 20, 2021

tibzee said:
It is not a replacement, but it might be a nice addition, another tool, which can be used when MA2 is a brick, because it cannot fly.

Yup.. I am not getting my head around that yet..

African wildlife · Jan 20, 2021

Our Mini 2 must somehow have extra magical properties. As we only fly professionally for work, using the P4P+, we've now got the Mini 2 as an additional tool. We've been doing exhaustive test flights for several weeks to see what output can be achieved. My colleagues and I are all impressed - and I can assure you that that doesn't happen easily. We're getting results that could easily pass as being obtained by the P4P+.

Crashdummytest: I hope you've seen The 12th Man. A great Norwegian movie about a true story. It's currently available on Netflix.

Crashdummytest · Jan 20, 2021

African wildlife said:
Our Mini 2 must somehow have extra magical properties. As we only fly professionally for work, using the P4P+, we've now got the Mini 2 as an additional tool. We've been doing exhaustive test flights for several weeks to see what output can be achieved. My colleagues and I are all impressed - and I can assure you that that doesn't happen easily. We're getting results that could easily pass as being obtained by the P4P+.

Crashdummytest: I hope you've seen The 12th Man. A great Norwegian movie about a true story. It's currently available on Netflix.

Oh yes, I saw that at the cinema here in Oslo when it came out. As you know, it is a close to 100% true story, painstakingly recreated, as detailed as is possible. The main character is famous, a true norwegian viking hero. The germans are also based on real characters as far as I can remember.
Good to hear you find the Mini2 usable. I got it myself, mostly for using it where/when I would not risk my MA2 or M2P, and for urban usage.

reaperman · Jan 20, 2021

Crashdummytest said:
Yup, MA2 is much more pro type of equipment (in my view), so what's the point with a Mini2. You could consider getting a refurbished or used M2P cheaply instead, a much better option (bar the fact that they might not fly in a couple of years).

Its surprising you bought a mini 2 knowing ahead of time its specs on paper aren't equal in any category other than weight, and a $400 price difference.

Mini 2 vs MA2

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