The Mavic Air 1 goes for $500 refurbished. Is this still worth it in 2020?

depends who refurbs and to what extent of refurb is done. it is hard to gauge the wearing of parts

there are outlets worldwide who stocked up air1 and now challenged by air2 and mini

ChrisLoon Posted at 5-27 13:53
there are outlets worldwide who stocked up air1 and now challenged by air2 and mini

So they can go low ball over dji's price. Consider moth balled aircraft though, parts new will age and oxidize. If you've ever opened an air1 you'd see the internals. They are not surgically clean at factory mass production lines contracted, includes parts. Main boards may be missing conformal coating thus exposing the atmospheric elements. Makes you wonder about longevity. But yet there are discrete ways of enhancing beyond what mere factory QC produces. This is called perfecting & fine tuning by careful selection of matched parts and aligning. And lowering total mass is yet even greater improve. Certain parts are dense, heavy, like machined metal. The original framework of air1 was touted as alloy magnesium wasn't it? Better is composite flyweight equivalent. If not mistaken the replacement exoskeleton framework pieces are composite plastic.

ChrisLoon Posted at 5-27 13:50
depends who refurbs and to what extent of refurb is done. it is hard to gauge the wearing of parts

It is refurbished by DJI

ChrisLoon Posted at 5-27 13:53
there are outlets worldwide who stocked up air1 and now challenged by air2 and mini

Yes, they may offer discounts

ChrisLoon Posted at 5-27 14:05
So they can go low ball over dji's price. Consider moth balled aircraft though, parts new will age and oxidize. If you've ever opened an air1 you'd see the internals. They are not surgically clean at factory mass production lines contracted, includes parts. Main boards may be missing conformal coating thus exposing the atmospheric elements. Makes you wonder about longevity. But yet there are discrete ways of enhancing beyond what mere factory QC produces. This is called perfecting & fine tuning by careful selection of matched parts and aligning. And lowering total mass is yet even greater improve. Certain parts are dense, heavy, like machined metal. The original framework of air1 was touted as alloy magnesium wasn't it? Better is composite flyweight equivalent. If not mistaken the replacement exoskeleton framework pieces are composite plastic.

I see, thanks!

Refurbs don't appear under your avatar on the forum.

DAFlys Posted at 5-28 01:12
Refurbs don't appear under your avatar on the forum.

Yes, I do not have any

NatureDigital Posted at 5-27 15:01
It is refurbished by DJI

refurbishment dji product must pass qa & qc.

i do not know if that quality screening check is the same trustworthiness as brand new quality parts changed out by non dji repairists who actually know what they are doing on their labor cost.

i was informed drone serial gives away if it is refurbished. it has something to do with an "R" in the serial.

at 500 cost though it is too expensive. i stumbled recently on arctic white mavic air aircraft alone sale at seventy dollars, never activated, so i bought one and like a moron i did not buy any extra before sell out.

the rc will never fly away but the drone might. so spare aircraft is prudent.

i am wishing ma is not abandoned like how microsoft abandons their version expiring sales.