I was experimneting around with some LED stand alone (self powered) Cree leds mounted on the sides of the MA2.
I can tell you that even in broad daylight you can see imediatelly the position and orientation of the drone.

Maybe DJI will take note and they will add these type as default on the drones at least on the back legs so it will not affect any recording.
The one now mounted are barelly visible in the evening and not visible at all during the day.
I'm sure that cost wise the difference between Cree and regular leds is pennies.


Just an idea, DJI.

Thanks for sharing

That is sweet!!

Certainly a logical suggestion, but that would in theory alter their manufacturing costs, and drive the price up for us.  I have 3 FHT Arc2 strobes on my MA2... makes a huge difference.  However, it does seem like it would be a great addition if it was built in from the start.

Thanks for sharing.

I suspect the light from the LEDs will reflect off the underside of the propellers and be visible in the camera recordings at least some of the time. Having the LEDs on a post above the plane of the propellers would avoid that, though you would probably still get some reflection on the leading edge of the propellers.

I have strobe lights all over my drones so I am certainly not against the idea, just playing devils advocate here.

why on earth would dji put strobe lights on their drone?  if those lights go out, will the customer be responsible for repairing them or dji?  will dji built-in strobes work on their own batteries (separate charger) or use the drone battery?  will they have their own on/off switch or even get controlled in the sw?  if dji puts 2-led strobes on my drone, what if I want something better 4-led strobes?  do I pull off the dji stock strobes and somehow retrofit my own or double up on strobes?  what colors will dji choose for you and can I choose my own?

in your statement you said you can immediately see these in broad daylight but you go on to say "...not visible at all during the day."  which is it?  r-question since I know the answer. . still, adding strobes means they must be legal so does that mean I can legally fly at night with these strobes?  that's not a question dji should have to answer for all countries.  particularly if those strobes don't automatically come on at night.  what happens when the regulations change?

so where is your overhead strobe?  do you expect other aircraft to see the strobes the way you mounted?  I would never mount something in and around the sensors and the vents and across the battery; you better hope that band doesn't shut your battery button off in a freak in-flight accident.  you know they make simple mounts for ma2, right?

Northwood Posted at 8-14 05:01
Certainly a logical suggestion, but that would in theory alter their manufacturing costs, and drive the price up for us.  I have 3 FHT Arc2 strobes on my MA2... makes a huge difference.  However, it does seem like it would be a great addition if it was built in from the start.

Clearly, my suggestion was for the future models.

MisterFrag Posted at 8-14 08:28
I suspect the light from the LEDs will reflect off the underside of the propellers and be visible in the camera recordings at least some of the time. Having the LEDs on a post above the plane of the propellers would avoid that, though you would probably still get some reflection on the leading edge of the propellers.

I have tested today (morning), there is no light visible in the video. Probably it will be visible in some low light scenarios, that's why I suggested only for rear legs.

The Saint Posted at 8-14 09:46
I have strobe lights all over my drones so I am certainly not against the idea, just playing devils advocate here.

why on earth would dji put strobe lights on their drone?  if those lights go out, will the customer be responsible for repairing them or dji?  will dji built-in strobes work on their own batteries (separate charger) or use the drone battery?  will they have their own on/off switch or even get controlled in the sw?  if dji puts 2-led strobes on my drone, what if I want something better 4-led strobes?  do I pull off the dji stock strobes and somehow retrofit my own or double up on strobes?  what colors will dji choose for you and can I choose my own?

Oh well, Mister Devil' advocate, I appreciate your input though.

I only said that the Cree LEDs are visible during daylight while the built-in ones are not.

My leds are self-powered from their own battery (75mAh) and they can run on that for 2-3 hours. So, assuming that DJI would use 2x Cree for the rear legs only (no to affect the filming) and power them from the main battery that will probably shorten our flight time with 10 seconds? My idea was not to add extra LEDs but to replace the existing navigation ones with Cree LEDs in the future models. Also, they are quite visible from the top / bottom, certainly more visible than the current ones.

In my setup the Velcro is only covering the bottom light, no issue with that as I really don't fly at night.

As for the mounts, I know they exist, I have myself designed & 3D printed one for bait drop. However, they do add weight and shorten the flight time. I have learned long time ago when I started rc planes: If you fly light, you will fly longer ! So I prefer to keep my drone light whenever possible.

Paultbg Posted at 8-14 10:17
Clearly, my suggestion was for the future models.

Yes, it would make great sense.  Hopefully there will continue to be future models and we dont get regulated out of the sky!

I agree that if DJI added additional LED lights that it would drive up the  manufacturing cost of their drones, but I don't think it would be all that much.  I too have wished on numerous occasions they were factory installed and remotely controlled like the bottom landing light.   The rate that battery technology is improving, it very well may be feasible in the near future.  

Hello there Paultbg. Thank you for reaching out and for the information you have shared with us regarding a LED lights for the DJI Mavic Air 2. Just a reminder that DJI does not recommend for you to use 3rd party accessories on your DJI Drones or modify your DJI product. These 3rd party accessories might affect the said DJI drone when in use. Since the said accessory is not tested by DJI we cannot guaranteed the stability of the said 3rd party accessory if it will work all the time with no issues and might void the warranty of the said DJI product. Thank you and fly safe always.

DJI Stephen Posted at 8-16 19:37
Hello there Paultbg. Thank you for reaching out and for the information you have shared with us regarding a LED lights for the DJI Mavic Air 2. Just a reminder that DJI does not recommend for you to use 3rd party accessories on your DJI Drones or modify your DJI product. These 3rd party accessories might affect the said DJI drone when in use. Since the said accessory is not tested by DJI we cannot guaranteed the stability of the said 3rd party accessory if it will work all the time with no issues and might void the warranty of the said DJI product. Thank you and fly safe always.

might affect the said DJI drone when in use. Since the said accessory is not tested

Why do the said moderators here keep saying said, said, said ?
Just leave the word out as It's just weird and makes no sense.

How bright are these compared to the landing lights?

DAFlys Posted at 8-17 06:52
How bright are these compared to the landing lights?

actually, the landing or auxiliary lights are pretty bright at night.  don't know if they are rated for nighttime use and they mostly only point down so there is that.

The Saint Posted at 8-17 10:46
actually, the landing or auxiliary lights are pretty bright at night.  don't know if they are rated for nighttime use and they mostly only point down so there is that.

I was wondering if they would help illuminating a subject for night photography.

DAFlys Posted at 8-18 00:59
I was wondering if they would help illuminating a subject for night photography.

The Cree leds are a brighter than the landing light however they are strobes, they will light in a certain pattern, like a camera flash if you want. If you need continuos light you can try the Strobon V2 lights as they have 5 selectable patterns of light one being the always ON light. Cheers

Paultbg Posted at 8-18 10:44
The Cree leds are a brighter than the landing light however they are strobes, they will light in a certain pattern, like a camera flash if you want. If you need continuos light you can try the Strobon V2 lights as they have 5 selectable patterns of light one being the always ON light. Cheers

thanks I'll look into that.

Have LEDs on the drone, they can be steady or strobe, one up, one down, red-left, green-right, top and bottom are White, all set for strobe.  Work very nice, check out Firehouse Technologies.

Labroides Posted at 8-16 22:30
might affect the said DJI drone when in use. Since the said accessory is not tested

Why do the said moderators here keep saying said, said, said ?

lawyers is the answer it makes the response specific just saying DJI drone or accessory is not specific enough and could be argued in any legal proceeding, using 'said' declares the item in question as you the poster provided it not DJI .  World of claims, counterclaims and disclaimers these days

BaynhamPhoto Posted at 8-20 00:10
lawyers is the answer it makes the response specific just saying DJI drone or accessory is not specific enough and could be argued in any legal proceeding, using 'said' declares the item in question as you the poster provided it not DJI .  World of claims, counterclaims and disclaimers these days

Good attempt at an explanation, but if you leave out the said word it really makes no difference to the meaning or legal clarity.

Strobe lights are for day only, when you also see the drone...for night it will "show" you all mosquitos in front of camera...you want to record the image of city or the flies around the drone? ))))))))
And don't tell me you don't see them...I have tried them...also if the air have smoke or mist, will get an image that is horror.
Cheers.

Those are cool. I've been thinking about getting somesuch as that.

George210477 Posted at 8-23 12:37
Strobe lights are for day only, when you also see the drone...for night it will "show" you all mosquitos in front of camera...you want to record the image of city or the flies around the drone? ))))))))
And don't tell me you don't see them...I have tried them...also if the air have smoke or mist, will get an image that is horror.
Cheers.

That is very possible but I cannot comment as I don't really fly at night. Also, I suspect that during dark led's light will be way too visible on the video. :-)