I actually dont have the Mavic Air but I have the Spark and I can confim in a city when there is nothing in the way of the signal I get 1700 meters or 5577 feet before I lost total connection. But in this video, without any sort of signal blocks and interfearence, Dustin got to 7000 feet or 2133.6 meters with stock RC (no reflectors or boosers) when he lost total connection so it lived up to the claim of 2km range.


The Mavic Air however claims up to 4km or 13123 feet of range but the furthest ive seen it go on youtube is 2km or 6561 feet which is about the same as the spark! (the spark actually goes a tad bit further but its roughly the same) and here is the video

So with the new "Enhanced Wi-Fi" and the landing gear antenas why doesnt it go at least 3km or 10000 feet?
Please let me know if this is a deal breaker for you in the poll.

Dumb because we don't know the noise level of the spektrum where the Mavic Air was tested.  I would like to compare frequency spectrum analyser screen shots of those areas (Spark test and Air test).  Look up EW career fields if you want to know how to limit Phantoms and Mavics to zero feet of range.

Gunship9 Posted at 2018-1-29 16:00
Dumb because we don't know the noise level of the spektrum where the Mavic Air was tested.  I would like to compare frequency spectrum analyser screen shots of those areas (Spark test and Air test).  Look up EW career fields if you want to know how to limit Phantoms and Mavics to zero feet of range.

A tad confused, how does this relate to the range test, could you please explain ?

lannes Posted at 2018-1-29 22:14
A tad confused, how does this relate to the range test, could you please explain ?

If you want to compare the Spark's range to the Air's range you'll have to conduct multiple tests under the exact same conditions. This also means besides EW noice levels, ambient temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind direction, humidity, KP index, cloud cover and I'm sure I'm forgetting a few variables that could impact the range.

The Spark was tested over a mountainous forest.  The Air was tested over multiple homes and buildings running several routers/wireless security cameras sharing the spectrum with the Air.  Furthermore, that area is served by a internet ISP that is licensed to broadcast on 2.4 and 5.8 with a much more powerful signal so remote homes with antennas can get wideband internet.  

The testers have zero knowledge of how busy the spectrum is where they are, but how busy your channels are, has the most impact on range.  I might have missed where they checked the DJI app's channel page and they both had the same results, before seeing how far they could fly away from themselves.

Same location, same day..2.4 Ghz Here's what i got (FCC):
Spark: 954 m (3130 ft)
Mavic Air: 2183 m (7162 ft)

DJT_MVSP Posted at 2018-1-30 02:46
Same location, same day..2.4 Ghz Here's what i got (FCC):
Spark: 954 m (3130 ft)
Mavic Air: 2183 m (7162 ft)

Yes,  definitely the MA has the better range but I think the point the OP is trying to make is that the distance claims for the MA made by DJI are unrealistic.
As your results show, the MA with enhanced wi-fi made it just past 2km

I don’t care about range. Drones are cameras that can get when my DSLR can’t. I don’t need to be six miles away to get the shot.

nothing new, a lot of dji products seem to have bold statements to there capability's.

Since I always fly VLOS and my Spark has a good connection as far as I can see it the majority of the time, I'm good with the range it has. Since my MA isn't here yet, I can't comment on it's range other than what folks that already have theirs say, it will be good as well.

Raploc Posted at 2018-1-29 22:38
If you want to compare the Spark's range to the Air's range you'll have to conduct multiple tests under the exact same conditions. This also means besides EW noice levels, ambient temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind direction, humidity, KP index, cloud cover and I'm sure I'm forgetting a few variables that could impact the range.

Yes that is true but the videos gives us a rough idea and the point if this post was that mavic air's range doesnt come close to what it claims

DJT_MVSP Posted at 2018-1-30 02:46
Same location, same day..2.4 Ghz Here's what i got (FCC):
Spark: 954 m (3130 ft)
Mavic Air: 2183 m (7162 ft)

Why not 5.8 Ghz?

Rogue0ne Posted at 2018-1-30 05:45
I don’t care about range. Drones are cameras that can get when my DSLR can’t. I don’t need to be six miles away to get the shot.

Totally agree, range is the last thing I am worried about and don't understand why people are so hyped about long range.

Flying using the OTG cable w/ the iPhone in airplane mode I hit 2850m and I still hadn’t lost connection yet. I only turned around because I chickened out on the remaining battery life.

DJT_MVSP Posted at 2018-1-30 02:46
Same location, same day..2.4 Ghz Here's what i got (FCC):
Spark: 954 m (3130 ft)
Mavic Air: 2183 m (7162 ft)

Gives us what we need.  Info that the Mavic Air has a more robust link.  Twice as robust on 2.4ghz as the Spark is.  It is all relative but it is an improvement.  Since the Spark has plenty of range where I fly it, the Air sounds fine.  

fans179b5d94 Posted at 2018-1-30 16:21
Flying using the OTG cable w/ the iPhone in airplane mode I hit 2850m and I still hadn’t lost connection yet. I only turned around because I chickened out on the remaining battery life.

Wow thats amazing!

Gunship9 Posted at 2018-1-30 18:22
Gives us what we need.  Info that the Mavic Air has a more robust link.  Twice as robust on 2.4ghz as the Spark is.  It is all relative but it is an improvement.  Since the Spark has plenty of range where I fly it, the Air sounds fine.

I agree but it would have been nice to see it live up to its claim

For me range would be ok, as long as the signal remains strong and your bird does not fly away

Rogue0ne Posted at 2018-1-30 05:45
I don’t care about range. Drones are cameras that can get when my DSLR can’t. I don’t need to be six miles away to get the shot.

Agree 100%.. but i've had disconnects from the RC under 400 ft away.  I blame that on wifi and interference.  I've thought, if it can go farther, than signal might be better at close range?  Wish the Mavic Air had occusync or i'd be ditching my spark.

i'm sure the mavic air will only get 500m in my back yard , the spark stumbles below 300m.

mavic pro is the only way i will go when i lose spark no.3

Wow sorry to hear. So you've lost 2 sparks? Why is that? I can get around 600 meters when flying from right outside the door of my house. Because there is way to many trees and way too much interference from the hundreds of houses. Even if I had the Mavic Pro, I doubt it'll go passed 1.5km when Im just standing right outside my house.

Just to throw this in there this youtuber DID get the full 4km of range with the Mavic Air in this video so it is absolutely possible.

Hey guys, maybe thats a bit off topic here but I also had some range issues with my spark. And because I'm somewhat in the wifi business, I sat down and did an analysis on the Spark-to-RC/Phone connection. If anybody is interested in it: https://grumpylittleengineer.blo ... speculating-on.html

Very interesting I think. Unfortunately it is barely readable on my mac. Weird font, and some text is dark blue on black, which I can’t read at all.
It’s easier to read with lynx, but it’s a pure text browser.
Is there a more readable version somewhere?

BeastMaster_101 Posted at 2018-2-8 14:47
Wow sorry to hear. So you've lost 2 sparks? Why is that? I can get around 600 meters when flying from right outside the door of my house. Because there is way to many trees and way too much interference from the hundreds of houses. Even if I had the Mavic Pro, I doubt it'll go passed 1.5km when Im just standing right outside my house.

first one battery fell out and the spark hit the ground hard, second spark was a paid replacement from dji in shenzhen but the wifi password and frame were not the same so i couldn;t fly it , third spark was the result from the problems with no.2

Well I wouldnt be happy if those happened to me but hey if your still happy with your spark so be it.
Happy Flying!

DylanR2011 Posted at 2018-2-8 23:16
Just to throw this in there this youtuber DID get the full 4km of range with the Mavic Air in this video so it is absolutely possible. https://youtu.be/_LYFa8NzLsc

Debatable...

heliman Posted at 2018-2-9 06:04
Very interesting I think. Unfortunately it is barely readable on my mac. Weird font, and some text is dark blue on black, which I can’t read at all.
It’s easier to read with lynx, but it’s a pure text browser.
Is there a more readable version somewhere?

Ah sorry, not really pleased with the blog design myself. Maybe I should select something more readable...

achim1989 Posted at 2018-2-9 15:14
Ah sorry, not really pleased with the blog design myself. Maybe I should select something more readable...

Have updated the design. Hopefully more readable now

As far as i see it , the SPARK can get you distances upto 2Km or even slightly more. But the point is you need atleast 2 minutes to get your aerial shots before you hit the RTH button .
By then i doubt if there is enough juice left for SPARK to return home safely !!
whereas this is  where MA gets a point where battery life is around 17 to 19 minutes !!

S.J Posted at 2018-2-9 18:18
As far as i see it , the SPARK can get you distances upto 2Km or even slightly more. But the point is you need atleast 2 minutes to get your aerial shots before you hit the RTH button .
By then i doubt if there is enough juice left for SPARK to return home safely !!
whereas this is  where MA gets a point where battery life is around 17 to 19 minutes !!

I agree on the time you actually need to take your shots but the spark advertises as 16 mins and I constantly get 14-13 mins when landing with around 20% of charge. The Mavic Air Ive seen comfortably hit 17 mins with 20% left. so in the real world, 4-3 mins more. Adding to that point, as soon as the spark loses connection around 2km, the battery is usually around 55-60% so yes it can get back safely. ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY SPARK

BeastMaster_101 Posted at 2018-2-9 18:27
I agree on the time you actually need to take your shots but the spark advertises as 16 mins and I constantly get 14-13 mins when landing with around 20% of charge. The Mavic Air Ive seen comfortably hit 17 mins with 20% left. so in the real world, 4-3 mins more. Adding to that point, as soon as the spark loses connection around 2km, the battery is usually around 55-60% so yes it can get back safely. ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY SPARK

since you are a newbie it may be true..wait for 4 months and you will find my comments very useful !

the MA will drop in price. right now it's way to much money.

bobsma Posted at 2018-2-10 21:51
the MA will drop in price. right now it's way to much money.

Yes but when it does eventually drop, there is already a latest and greatest drone already made and probably will be much better than the Air altho im questioning what else they can make better

BeastMaster_101 Posted at 2018-2-12 16:15
Yes but when it does eventually drop, there is already a latest and greatest drone already made and probably will be much better than the Air altho im questioning what else they can make better

I live in the North East. I can wait.  $800 vs the Mavic Pro for the same price or less on sale.

I rest my case.

This guy compares it to a spark at CE area.
The air managed 2,5km, with video feed starting to get bad at 1km:

I wonder why he used the go app, as he is the creator of vr pro for ios that I use.

I get about 1600 feet before losing signal in a very crowded urban area.     lots of wifi routers, extenders, etc.

that's roughly 490m?     Seems like a good distance for my usage.   The spark isn't really visible at that distance.

Sid

bobsma Posted at 2018-2-15 16:03
I live in the North East. I can wait.  $800 vs the Mavic Pro for the same price or less on sale.

I rest my case.

Spark seems to be dropping in price  lately.

I paid $549 for the Fly More combo on Amazon a week ago.

Sid

sidtx Posted at 2018-2-20 09:13
I get about 1600 feet before losing signal in a very crowded urban area.     lots of wifi routers, extenders, etc.

that's roughly 490m?     Seems like a good distance for my usage.   The spark isn't really visible at that distance.

Ya I did a range test in my neighborhood (lots of interference)  without a clear signal path (trees and houses in the way) and I got exactly 803 meters or 2631 feet so ya not amazing but definitely not bad at all

I like to be able to see my drone so 2 KM is more than enough for me.