I'm considering purchasing a tablet to fly my mavic pro with. I currently fly with my cell phone in the DJI Go 4 app (Samsung Galaxy S6) but between the 2 DJI Go apps (I have a Phantom 3 Standard as well) and my other apps, I'm running out of space on my phone.

My question is, is there a distinct advantage in flying with a tablet vs a cell phone? Is it worth having a bigger screen to fly with in a tablet? If so, which tablet would some of you recommend? I obviously would like something that can be fast enough to support video and whatnot without lag.


Thanks for your help!

I'm running a Samsung Tab S2 8in in mine. the tablet basicly is only used for the drone so everything is off the tablet minus the Go4 app. picked up a small usb cable that plugs into the usb on bottom of the remote and has the 90degree micro as you can see. myself i like the tablet over phone for the obviouly bigger screen.

by the way i tried using my Samsung Tab A 7in which was smaller and fit a tad better but unfortunatley was not powerful enough to run the Go4 and the live video feed was laggy and glitchy

TruGreen Posted at 2017-11-23 19:19
I'm running a Samsung Tab S2 8in in mine. the tablet basicly is only used for the drone so everything is off the tablet minus the Go4 app. picked up a small usb cable that plugs into the usb on bottom of the remote and has the 90degree micro as you can see. myself i like the tablet over phone for the obviouly bigger screen.[view_image]

by the way i tried using my Samsung Tab A 7in which was smaller and fit a tad better but unfortunatley was not powerful enough to run the Go4 and the live video feed was laggy and glitchy

Did you ever get it to work?

Monkey 1 Posted at 2017-11-23 20:29
Did you ever get it to work?

the tab S2 8in works perfectly.

the tab A 7in dont work

I would recommend you use the devices in the recommended list. I think both tablet and cell phone in the list can work well.

Obviously the comparison is the screen size and being able to see more of the flying area. I never use my phone to fly as find that with the app open and the on screen info, I can't see clearly enough. I have always used my iPad mini 3 and 4. In regards to power and being fast enough, some smart phones are just as powerful and in some more powerful than a tablet so it comes down to personal preference on this one. The changes and additions to the app are forever needing more power to use the functions correctly and safely though. Mavic in sport mode is way better soon a tablet screen as you need to be able to see at the speeds it flies. I just wouldn't feel safe just using a phone. For me it comes down to being able to see what I'm shooting and where I'm flying, with the ability to have a better general picture and awareness of what's in the area.

How big of a tablet can I use if I were to purchase the tablet mount for the controller? I have a friend who uses the ipad mini 4 with his inspire 2 but that's a different remote, obviously.  Approximately what processing speed should I be looking out for when looking at tablets?

Sorry for the 50 million questions!

DJI Elektra Posted at 2017-11-23 23:02
I would recommend you use the devices in the recommended list. I think both tablet and cell phone in the list can work well.

Thanks, I'll check it out

I am not sure yet. I will start with my iPhone SE and possibly upgrade as soon as needed.

The iPad Mini fits the Mavic controller perfectly. I use a dedicated Mini 2 32 WiFi only works pretty well, but there has been times i wish i had more processor. I will be getting a Mini 4 very soon. The mini is very light, gives you max screen for the controller, and still fits in the small "Combo" bag with all 3 batteries, MP and RC, which is most important...

I fly with an iPad mini 4 wifi and cellular ! Screen is perfect ! Good weight and never had any issue !

Does anyone know anything about the Crystal Sky Monitor from DJI? Does it require a data connection for gps or no?

JNevs Posted at 2017-11-25 17:24
Does anyone know anything about the Crystal Sky Monitor from DJI? Does it require a data connection for gps or no?

I don't know for sure but from what I understand, it doesn't.

JNevs Posted at 2017-11-24 18:57
How big of a tablet can I use if I were to purchase the tablet mount for the controller? I have a friend who uses the ipad mini 4 with his inspire 2 but that's a different remote, obviously.  Approximately what processing speed should I be looking out for when looking at tablets?

Sorry for the 50 million questions!

Buy the tablet addon. It is only $16 U.S. and will allow a much bigger screen. I just use my iPhone 8+ and it is great for now. At 51 I would guess that might be too small in a few years.

peorge9566 Posted at 2017-11-25 18:01
Buy the tablet addon. It is only $16 U.S. and will allow a much bigger screen. I just use my iPhone 8+ and it is great for now. At 51 I would guess that might be too small in a few years.

I just use my Galaxy S6 but the thought of a bigger and brighter screen would be nice. However, I can't justify spending $400 plus $120 a year for the tablet and data connection when I really don't have a need for the tablet outside of flying.

I bought my pro platinum used my phone for 2 days then bought a mini 4 128 gb with cell just did not activate it. The nice thing with the 128 gb stores lots of data and love the screen fits like a glove. I bought a 6" right angle lighting cable and plug into the bottom USB. I also found lots of complaints about loosing phone connection with controller due to the wimpy little cables they give you so with this setup I wont have those issues.

guess my comment #2 has been getting overlooked. you dont need a tablet mount if you have the right size tablet. also the wifi tablet works fine, and you can grab a decnt used one sometimes $150-200, i snagged my Samsung brand new on ebay for $220 which isnt on DJI list but my P3 4k, Inspire 1 Pro and Mavic all work just fine, no issues

I can't fault my iPad Mini2 (<$100), and the added visibility is great, but use my iPhone 7+ when I'm in a hurry to get airborne.  I also have the 3D printed holder for the Mavic controller and use it with the strap for so I don't have to hold the controller.

TruGreen Posted at 2017-11-25 19:01
guess my comment #2 has been getting overlooked. you dont need a tablet mount if you have the right size tablet. also the wifi tablet works fine, and you can grab a decnt used one sometimes $150-200, i snagged my Samsung brand new on ebay for $220 which isnt on DJI list but my P3 4k, Inspire 1 Pro and Mavic all work just fine, no issues

So you're saying I can fly my mavic, which does not connect to my phone or anything via wifi like others do, using the wifi version of an ipad? Wouldn't the affect the gps and maps or is that done through the controller?

you do loose the GPS and maps if using the tablet, but if your phone does mobile hotspot then you can connect the tablet to the WiFi of your phone. me though im not concerned with the GPS of the follow me and stuff. the Mavic itself has its own GPS so it uses that to RTH

Once you use a tablet you would never want to fly using your phone.  

IOS 5.5 cell screen does the job for me.

TruGreen Posted at 2017-11-25 19:01
guess my comment #2 has been getting overlooked. you dont need a tablet mount if you have the right size tablet. also the wifi tablet works fine, and you can grab a decnt used one sometimes $150-200, i snagged my Samsung brand new on ebay for $220 which isnt on DJI list but my P3 4k, Inspire 1 Pro and Mavic all work just fine, no issues

I just tried it with my Ipad mini2 and it works perfectly without the adapter. Makes it more easier to hold that with the adapter. (so I guess I got the adapter for nothing, oh well....  (grin)

iPad mini is the best tablet for Mavic.  Its fits just right, light enough, very good battery, and bright screen.  iOS is the most stable for DJI Go.

I use a iPad mini 4 and it works great. It fits into the controller arms and it is easier to see what I am filming. I started with an iPhone 6 plus but I'm glad I moved up to iPad mini 4

TruGreen Posted at 2017-11-26 10:07
you do loose the GPS and maps if using the tablet, but if your phone does mobile hotspot then you can connect the tablet to the WiFi of your phone. me though im not concerned with the GPS of the follow me and stuff. the Mavic itself has its own GPS so it uses that to RTH

Depends on the tablet, I use an iPad Mini 4 with 4G LTE built in, so I always have gps and maps.