Two new safety features in Mini's new firmware
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KlooGee
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Hey Guys,

I know everybody was super excited to finally get the new Mavic Mini firmware update to be able to unlock blue authorization zones.

However, what I've not seen much talk about is the two new features that also came with this update that I think is going to help save a lot of new drone owners from getting themselves into tricky spots.  

  • Added feature that disables takeoff when the GPS signal is weak (GPS <8) and the environment light is not sufficient. This feature can be disabled manually (requires DJI Fly v1.0.4 or later).
  • Added requirement for compass calibration before takeoff when the environment light is not sufficient and the compass experiences interference.


I discuss these new features as well as demonstrate the new unlock feature in the video below.

Do you think DJI will migrate these 2 new safety features to DJI Go 4 and their other drones in the future?


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DowntownRDB
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Great video KlooGee.  All of the upgrade items helped somebody.  The 1st two items you mentioned are great safety features. It makes you aware of the issue and you have to make a conscious decision to override the issue. These 2 items basically relieves DJI of liability if you override and then crash or have a fly away.

Hoping next update includes some new features that lots of people are looking for.  

Thanks for making this informative video.
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KlooGee
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DowntownRDB Posted at 1-2 08:42
Great video KlooGee.  All of the upgrade items helped somebody.  The 1st two items you mentioned are great safety features. It makes you aware of the issue and you have to make a conscious decision to override the issue. These 2 items basically relieves DJI of liability if you override and then crash or have a fly away.

Hoping next update includes some new features that lots of people are looking for.  

Thanks for the kind words.  I agree that these new safety features are good, especially for newer users who may not be aware.

My wish list for the Mini is:
- RAW pics
- Manual video control
- Ability to control rates for yaw, pitch, roll separately- Panoramas

If they added those 4 things, the Mini would be absolutely amazing!
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JodyB
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KlooGee Posted at 1-2 08:56
Thanks for the kind words.  I agree that these new safety features are good, especially for newer users who may not be aware.

My wish list for the Mini is:

All those points are on my list as well Kloogee. I would like to see some form of AT as well though.

Very nice video. Helps tremendously.
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KlooGee
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JodyB Posted at 1-2 08:59
All those points are on my list as well Kloogee. I would like to see some form of AT as well though.

Very nice video. Helps tremendously.

Thanks for the kind words JodyB.  I'm curious to see if DJI ends up adding active track due to not having any obstacle avoidance at all.  In my mind, AT without any sensors is a scary thing!
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JodyB
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KlooGee Posted at 1-2 09:08
Thanks for the kind words JodyB.  I'm curious to see if DJI ends up adding active track due to not having any obstacle avoidance at all.  In my mind, AT without any sensors is a scary thing!

I feel kind of the same way with AT. I'm not opposed to some limited form of AT. It sort of does that with the quick shots and I found out that they can be pretty scary as well. I tried using the helix quick shot on a baseball field for the first time. I mis-calculated the distance out and almost ran it into the fence going into home base!!! But once I got my head wrapped around, I was all good. I don't think that a limited form at AT would be all that bad if a pilot plans out his shot prior and is a good responsible pilot. But you are right, it will be intersting to see what DJI comes up with in the future for the wonderful little mini!!
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Bright Spark
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JodyB Posted at 1-2 09:20
I feel kind of the same way with AT. I'm not opposed to some limited form of AT. It sort of does that with the quick shots and I found out that they can be pretty scary as well. I tried using the helix quick shot on a baseball field for the first time. I mis-calculated the distance out and almost ran it into the fence going into home base!!! But once I got my head wrapped around, I was all good. I don't think that a limited form at AT would be all that bad if a pilot plans out his shot prior and is a good responsible pilot. But you are right, it will be intersting to see what DJI comes up with in the future for the wonderful little mini!!

Strange notion to advise compass calibration only  in low light when interference detected?
Are they suggesting that wonky compass is ok at other times?A compass warning is surely absolutely essential at all times. In which case it's nothing new.

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KlooGee Posted at 1-2 08:56
Thanks for the kind words.  I agree that these new safety features are good, especially for newer users who may not be aware.

My wish list for the Mini is:

Absolutely agree with you Klogee, those add-ons sound like perfect for my needs too.
I would only add some sort of "flat video profile".

I love the new features, it will stop many "fly aways", seems DJI was listening around, I even suggested that exact same option somewhere in the forum, at least if you override the alert, you are making a conscious decision of taking off without GPS.
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JodyB
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Bright Spark Posted at 1-2 09:39
Strange notion to advise compass calibration only  in low light when interference detected?
Are they suggesting that wonky compass is ok at other times?A compass warning is surely absolutely essential at all times. In which case it's nothing new.

I have received compass calibration messages at other times myself. I'm not sure what the other triggers for that is though.
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KlooGee Posted at 1-2 08:56
Thanks for the kind words.  I agree that these new safety features are good, especially for newer users who may not be aware.

My wish list for the Mini is:

Excellent video, KlooGee.  I appreciate the safety/operational type updates and am trying to be patient and hopeful on camera tweaks and such.  There are a few work arounds for the video but for the price point this device has a lot going for it.  ATB, Bill
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JodyB
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KlooGee Posted at 1-2 09:08
Thanks for the kind words JodyB.  I'm curious to see if DJI ends up adding active track due to not having any obstacle avoidance at all.  In my mind, AT without any sensors is a scary thing!

Also, I just saw your skydio 2 video, that made me wince just watching what happened!!! I'm sorry for such an unfortunate incident. I've heard mostly good things about the skydio 2.
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KlooGee
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Bright Spark Posted at 1-2 09:39
Strange notion to advise compass calibration only  in low light when interference detected?
Are they suggesting that wonky compass is ok at other times?A compass warning is surely absolutely essential at all times. In which case it's nothing new.

I’m not 100% certain, but I think there is a chance the Mini has a so-called “visual compass”  (like the Mavic Air and Mavic 2) it uses as a backup to the compass when it is low enough to the ground. In a low light situation, the “visual compass” wouldn’t be able to see to be able to help out in the case the magnetic compass is having problems.

So the new system is checking for problems with 2 or more systems to try to mitigate potential problems.
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KlooGee
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JodyB Posted at 1-2 10:53
Also, I just saw your skydio 2 video, that made me wince just watching what happened!!! I'm sorry for such an unfortunate incident. I've heard mostly good things about the skydio 2.

It’s a great drone, but it’s not perfect, nor am I!  Someone still needs to pilot it and put it into positions it can be successful in.
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KlooGee Posted at 1-2 11:34
It’s a great drone, but it’s not perfect, nor am I!  Someone still needs to pilot it and put it into positions it can be successful in.

I've watched several videos about it. I have given it some serious thought for some of the things I'd like to do, some where down the road though. Right now, the mini is doing me well, but I know I will want to grow in my capabilities in the future!!
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Most MM users are people who have contact with drones for the first time. Its me also. So for me, not every single thing was easy to find and learn. Just like this feature that disables takeoff. I was furious! I bought a drone, cant fly it over a month and then after update try to test it in doors suddenly drone stops finding GPS signal, where with flight attempts in December every single attempt was not possible cause drone find a signal and GEO ZONES was activated. Fortunately, I am a patient person so i checked setup and all fault codes and then find the option to launch without GPS. Its a safety feature, its good no doubt about it. Why ? Because most users have no experience! Im talking about my self here too. Everybody can buy that drone, and lately there have been a lot of dangerous situations caused by drones,and because of that every drone owner becomes a potential threat. It was worth waiting, MM is great for someone who starts with that type of gadget, for professionals its just a toy, and if you looking for a professional drone you will not buy MM but  some Mavic 2 or something else.  But DJI company makes a mockery of itself. I mean, I try to update DJI Fly app by Play Store.  But cant, cause there was still 1.0.3 version there ( i download 0.4 app from DJI site ).  They let me update firmware of drone but dont make an update of app first (or 2nd). Its a bit, embarrassing? Whole "late december update"  for me was obvious that we gonna wait at least till 30 dec. They  had 0.4 version ready to put online probably on 15 dec but they was not ready for launch this update at all.  Not professional at all.
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Bright Spark
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KlooGee Posted at 1-2 10:55
I’m not 100% certain, but I think there is a chance the Mini has a so-called “visual compass”  (like the Mavic Air and Mavic 2) it uses as a backup to the compass when it is low enough to the ground. In a low light situation, the “visual compass” wouldn’t be able to see to be able to help out in the case the magnetic compass is having problems.

So the new system is checking for problems with 2 or more systems to try to mitigate potential problems.

Just saying you need a reliable compass regardless of any light conditions.
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Geebax
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"Added requirement for compass calibration before takeoff when the environment light is not sufficient and the compass experiences interference."

This has me puzzled, as ambient light has no bearing at all on the operation of the compass. And I certainly would not calibrate the compass if instructed to under these circumstances. In fact I am firmly of the belief that you should not calibrate the compass at all, because the calibration process has nothing to do with normal operations, it is done to help the IMU work out what parts of the magnetic field surrounding the aircraft are due to the aircraft and not the environment.

Do you happen to have a screen shot of the message you are given in this circumstance? DJI are known for having misleading error messages.

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KlooGee
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Geebax Posted at 1-2 13:20
"Added requirement for compass calibration before takeoff when the environment light is not sufficient and the compass experiences interference."

This has me puzzled, as ambient light has no bearing at all on the operation of the compass. And I certainly would not calibrate the compass if instructed to under these circumstances. In fact I am firmly of the belief that you should not calibrate the compass at all, because the calibration process has nothing to do with normal operations, it is done to help the IMU work out what parts of the magnetic field surrounding the aircraft are due to the aircraft and not the environment.

Read post #13 for my response to that.  There are screenshots of the messages in the video I posted.  
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KlooGee Posted at 1-2 14:36
Read post #13 for my response to that.  There are screenshots of the messages in the video I posted.

Ah, OK, thank you. Well, I am flabbergasted, that message in the software is one of the silliest things I have ever seen DJI do. Compass problems have absolutely nothing to do with low light conditions, and the correct action is to switch off the aircraft and move it away from the source of interference NOT calibrate the compass.
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I’m not to sure that they will introduce this into other dji drones, I think the reason they have added this to MM is most likely that the GPS receiver is smaller less powerful than say something like M2, so taking to long to pick up satellites, , try it with both , M2 picks up sats much quicker and I haven’t seen many problems like this with M2 or P4P, yes maybe drones like spark or future mini drones with small receivers.

Not to sure either with compass almost no problems with M2 or MA yes spark but that’s an older drone so not so sure .
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HedgeTrimmer
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DJI did right by adding both those Safety features.  Given market MM was made for, I was wondering why MM would takeoff without sufficient number of GPS satellites (lock & fix).
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Excellent video! Thanks for bringing attention to those safety features.
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Mudassar
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i think dji go 4 will be dead in near future ... from now on DJI will focus on DJI fly app and new drones will use DJI fly app ...
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KlooGee Posted at 1-2 09:08
Thanks for the kind words JodyB.  I'm curious to see if DJI ends up adding active track due to not having any obstacle avoidance at all.  In my mind, AT without any sensors is a scary thing!

I don't agree. Really no difference between AT and orbit or any other modes it already has. You have to have situational awareness.  Anafi and other drones without sensors have tracking.  If I use fast track on the M2P sensors don't work anyway.

Even with return to home it can crash. Already a few videos on Youtube where lack of situational awareness the Mini was set at an altitude far below the surrounding terrain.  In the end it lets them sell us on the care plan or a replacement unit.
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Mudassar Posted at 1-2 19:23
i think dji go 4 will be dead in near future ... from now on DJI will focus on DJI fly app and new drones will use DJI fly app ...

This may be the case of go4 being at end of life but I don't see Fly replacing it. Its too basic its for beginners.  I can see them introducing Go5, FlyPro or something else when the release the M3P in January. DJI has no issue having tons of apps. I would love to see them all merged including Mimo but can't see how.
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KlooGee Posted at 1-2 08:56
Thanks for the kind words.  I agree that these new safety features are good, especially for newer users who may not be aware.

My wish list for the Mini is:

You have an M2P.  Why even bother w/ the Mini???
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KlooGee
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AntDX316 Posted at 1-2 20:21
You have an M2P.  Why even bother w/ the Mini???

Lol!  Do you only have 1 knife in your kitchen?  Do you only have 1 hammer in your toolbox?

Different tools for different tasks.  

I would never do this flight through the artwork with my M2P in the same way.  I'm not a good enough pilot to risk that much $$$ on this and other similar sorts of flights.  

Also, the Mini is fantastic for just leaving in my car at all times for use in an unplanned situation.  I wouldn't want to leave my far more expensive M2P or its very costly batteries in the car pretty much all of the time in the same way.  There are other reasons, but those are probably the 2 highest.

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Shantok Posted at 1-2 19:40
I don't agree. Really no difference between AT and orbit or any other modes it already has. You have to have situational awareness.  Anafi and other drones without sensors have tracking.  If I use fast track on the M2P sensors don't work anyway.

Even with return to home it can crash. Already a few videos on Youtube where lack of situational awareness the Mini was set at an altitude far below the surrounding terrain.  In the end it lets them sell us on the care plan or a replacement unit.

I hope you are correct!  It is a feature a lot of people want.
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KlooGee Posted at 1-2 21:03
Lol!  Do you only have 1 knife in your kitchen?  Do you only have 1 hammer in your toolbox?

Different tools for different tasks.  

I saw your Skydio 2 bridge crash video.  Should've flown slower but it's too late.  I don't like flying anything else than the M2P or M2Z.  The feed quality of that is so immaculate.  The Spark latency is less than the Mini.. w/ the Spark I have trouble at times w/ it but I make it happen.

If you are quitting out of the Skydio 2 scene, can you sell me the parts that work for cheap like the controller?

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AntDX316 Posted at 1-2 23:51
I saw your Skydio 2 bridge crash video.  Should've flown slower but it's too late.  I don't like flying anything else than the M2P or M2Z.  The feed quality of that is so immaculate.  The Spark latency is less than the Mini.. w/ the Spark I have trouble at times w/ it but I make it happen.

If you are quitting out of the Skydio 2 scene, can you sell me the parts that work for cheap like the controller?

Grave robbers wouldn’t be in it with you
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hallmark007 Posted at 1-3 00:02
Grave robbers wouldn’t be in it with you

In the motorcycle area, people call it a part out.
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Nice video. Thanks. Subscribed :-)
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KlooGee Posted at 1-2 21:04
I hope you are correct!  It is a feature a lot of people want.

I'd just be happy for now to get the list you posted. Especially the manual video control with dlog. So it will match the Osmo Pocket videos better.
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fansbd71c3f8 Posted at 1-3 03:51
Nice video. Thanks. Subscribed :-)

Thanks, I hope to see you in the comments on future videos!
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KlooGee
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Shantok Posted at 1-3 04:33
I'd just be happy for now to get the list you posted. Especially the manual video control with dlog. So it will match the Osmo Pocket videos better.

Yes, D-Cinelike on top of the list I already added would be a completely awesome drone.  I completely believe if they did that, they seriously wouldn't be able to make enough of them fast enough.

And the crazy thing is that all of those items are just software.  They are completely doable if DJI had the will to do so.  I'm just not sure they are willing to do it for the current price point.
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KlooGee Posted at 1-3 06:39
Yes, D-Cinelike on top of the list I already added would be a completely awesome drone.  I completely believe if they did that, they seriously wouldn't be able to make enough of them fast enough.

And the crazy thing is that all of those items are just software.  They are completely doable if DJI had the will to do so.  I'm just not sure they are willing to do it for the current price point.

I think supply/demand is already somewhat of an issue for them KlooGee, but that's fine by me if they added in the few things that we would like for photo/video controls, that would knock it out of the park!!
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Nice Video Thanks for sharing KlooGee
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KlooGee
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JodyB Posted at 1-3 06:44
I think supply/demand is already somewhat of an issue for them KlooGee, but that's fine by me if they added in the few things that we would like for photo/video controls, that would knock it out of the park!!

I'm sure they are selling like hotcakes!  I'm just not sure supply is currently a big issue for the drone itself.  The first 5 online spots I just checked (B&H/Adorama/DJI/Amazon/Best Buy) all appear to have them in stock.  

I'm just greedy, I want want it all in such an awesome tiny little package!  
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KlooGee Posted at 1-3 10:12
I'm sure they are selling like hotcakes!  I'm just not sure supply is currently a big issue for the drone itself.  The first 5 online spots I just checked (B&H/Adorama/DJI/Amazon/Best Buy) all appear to have them in stock.  

I'm just greedy, I want want it all in such an awesome tiny little package!

HAHA!! I know what you're saying there! We all want what we can get ;)
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KlooGee Posted at 1-3 10:12
I'm sure they are selling like hotcakes!  I'm just not sure supply is currently a big issue for the drone itself.  The first 5 online spots I just checked (B&H/Adorama/DJI/Amazon/Best Buy) all appear to have them in stock.  

I'm just greedy, I want want it all in such an awesome tiny little package!

Me too, I think being only SW, it would just become a very serious semi pro tool.
Not sure is greed... the mini is so awesome is normal we want more from it!
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