Is a strobe light all I need?

I keep hearing about new FAA rules, but I don't know how to find them.

as a recreational pilot in uncontrolled airspace, please feel free to attach a strobe light to your drone and fly it safely and according to faa rules and regulations any time of the day or night.

Make sure you fly in a familiar airspace or open space.  Remember the MM2 does not have any sensors.  Always fly at your own risk.

Hello there buehlerbg. Thanks for the inquiry. I hope you'll get the best recommendation from our fellow DJI co pilots with regards to flying at night. Just a reminder that the sensors of the said DJI drone may not work properly if there would be not enough light while flying. Thank you and fly safe always.

If you attach a strobe you'll need to register the mini with the FAA as you'll be over the 250g limit.

Just follow this link to rules for recreational flyers in the US.  Quick answer to your question is below.

6. Do not fly at night unless your drone has lighting that allows you to know its location and orientation at all times.

DAFlys Posted at 12-8 02:25
If you attach a strobe you'll need to register the mini with the FAA as you'll be over the 250g limit.

With the Mini 2, it is possible to fit a strobe and remain under the 250g limit.

yogi053 Posted at 12-8 07:10
With the Mini 2, it is possible to fit a strobe and remain under the 250g limit.

Really?  Are you sure?

DAFlys Posted at 12-8 10:50
Really?  Are you sure?

The mini 2 only weighs 242 grams

Is there a Strobe 8 grams or less available, who sells these? Thank you!

Firehouse makes on that will fill your needs

videoeditman Posted at 12-8 12:04
Is there a Strobe 8 grams or less available, who sells these? Thank you!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIREH ... OT-RC-/303310780699

videoeditman Posted at 12-8 12:04
Is there a Strobe 8 grams or less available, who sells these? Thank you!

I have one on order from Flytron.com which will still keep my drone under 250g when fitted.

Most my flights are at night. You wont lose it if you just simply stay confident in your ability. litterally all my flights are at night due to work. You will be fine. Good luck!!!

I fly my Mini 2 at night with a simple $13 strobe that I can see from 1/2 mile away. I tried it with the strobe a couple of nights ago. My Mini 2 weighs just 237 grams plus 3 grams for the strobe = 240 grams total. The 242 grams that people are saying includes the camera guard.

recreational drone pilots are our own worse enemy.

Google search is your friend. Give it a try, it is real simple.

Google search is your friend re: FAA rules. Give it a try, its not difficult.

VIFLY Strobe, very bright light, only 6g, it is available on Amazon.

yogi053 Posted at 2020-12-9 03:53
I have one on order from Flytron.com which will still keep my drone under 250g when fitted.

How do you power the strobe light?

GaryDoug Posted at 2020-12-10 18:55
I fly my Mini 2 at night with a simple $13 strobe that I can see from 1/2 mile away. I tried it with the strobe a couple of nights ago. My Mini 2 weighs just 237 grams plus 3 grams for the strobe = 240 grams total. The 242 grams that people are saying includes the camera guard.

How do you power it?

There are many strobes on the market that are very bright that keep the Mini 2 under 250g you only need to check Amazon or eBay

Johnny_J Posted at 8-19 01:26
How do you power the strobe light?

It has a battery which is charged through micro usb. Should be good for about 2 hours.

Johnny_J Posted at 8-19 01:27
How do you power it?

It has it's own battery. And this particular one is relatively low brightness (1/2 mile) and lasts for over 70 hours. I use it all the time, day or night, just in case the drone is lost. I might find it easier that night because of the flashing light. I add a regular high brightness (3hr, 3mile) one at night.

I just got my mini 2 and I’ve done a few daylight flights but I now want todo a night time one. When I go to take off(with plenty of gps connections) it says I am in a low light setting to take off. Does anyone know what I can do? Thank you

DowntownRDB, nice of you to put that link up, makes for better information dissemination.  There is a test for recreational flyers, check with the FAA at
https://www.faadronezone.faa.gov and the name of the test is TRUST given by Academy of Model Aeronautics online.

djiuser_z9yWozE8kYj2 Posted at 9-13 21:53
I just got my mini 2 and I’ve done a few daylight flights but I now want todo a night time one. When I go to take off(with plenty of gps connections) it says I am in a low light setting to take off. Does anyone know what I can do? Thank you

Also have this issue. Would love some advice

videoeditman Posted at 2020-12-8 12:04
Is there a Strobe 8 grams or less available, who sells these? Thank you!

https://www.amazon.com/VIFLY-Str ... spire/dp/B096VCKR97

5.9 grams, extremely bright, you'll get blinded if looking straight at it.
Strobes for 4 hours with the help of the LIPO battery underneath.

djiuser_z9yWozE8kYj2 Posted at 9-13 21:53
I just got my mini 2 and I’ve done a few daylight flights but I now want todo a night time one. When I go to take off(with plenty of gps connections) it says I am in a low light setting to take off. Does anyone know what I can do? Thank you

I have this issue as well with low light when trying to take off

Here in Brazil I really like to shoot at night: there are no birds in the sky and people close by taking my attention... My experience is to use only one battery, do a mental planning on land to define the best angle, and be aware that I can't go up too much because there is the wind, and it hinders the focus in the night shot, because the exposure and sensitivity, for example, are greater. In order not to lose sight of the drone, I avoid long distances and change direction, always flying in a straight line to the objective: the rule is "up-straight line - shoot - return - straight line - descend". The attitude indicator ball helps a lot in this regard, as it shows the position of the home point in relation to the drone, it's almost an instrument flight. .
And most importantly: follow the regulations on the use of airspace and flight safety.
I wish you all excellent flights

Junior - Brazil Posted at 10-15 21:16
Here in Brazil I really like to shoot at night: there are no birds in the sky and people close by taking my attention... My experience is to use only one battery, do a mental planning on land to define the best angle, and be aware that I can't go up too much because there is the wind, and it hinders the focus in the night shot, because the exposure and sensitivity, for example, are greater. In order not to lose sight of the drone, I avoid long distances and change direction, always flying in a straight line to the objective: the rule is "up-straight line - shoot - return - straight line - descend". The attitude indicator ball helps a lot in this regard, as it shows the position of the home point in relation to the drone, it's almost an instrument flight. .
And most importantly: follow the regulations on the use of airspace and flight safety.
I wish you all excellent flights

The 6 gram strobe on my MA2 can be seen by me from at least 3 miles, probably better with people with better vision. Very, very few drone owners fly at night (since the camera is fairly useless) so the air is clear for you. Beware the owls ;-)

Benjamin Francis Posted at 9-27 05:07
Also have this issue. Would love some advice

Ground lighting only helps with altitude under about 30 feet. Once you get above that, it has no effect. So  I get up fast in the darkness. Left stick forward balls-to-the-wall ;-)

GaryDoug Posted at 10-15 21:31
The 6 gram strobe on my MA2 can be seen by me from at least 3 miles, probably better with people with better vision. Very, very few drone owners fly at night (since the camera is fairly useless) so the air is clear for you. Beware the owls ;-)

I particularly liked these strobes, however, the time I use is so fast that I don't even know if it pays off and honestly I don't even know if it's allowed to use them here...
Oh, thank you so much, I'll be careful with owls, they don't like drones, they prefer rats and other creeping creatures.

DAFlys Posted at 2020-12-8 02:25
If you attach a strobe you'll need to register the mini with the FAA as you'll be over the 250g limit.

You dont need to because its an attachment plus do you really think anyone cares if you fly a drone which weighs 250 or more. The only reason someone would care if they are travelling in that case they can remove the attachment and put it in a separate bag

djiuser_vmII1KcE7Q1j Posted at 11-29 21:26
You dont need to because its an attachment plus do you really think anyone cares if you fly a drone which weighs 250 or more. The only reason someone would care if they are travelling in that case they can remove the attachment and put it in a separate bag

Have they changed the rules now then?

djiuser_vmII1KcE7Q1j Posted at 11-29 21:26
You dont need to because its an attachment plus do you really think anyone cares if you fly a drone which weighs 250 or more. The only reason someone would care if they are travelling in that case they can remove the attachment and put it in a separate bag

Have they changed the rules now then?

DowntownRDB Posted at 2020-12-8 06:18
Just follow this link to rules for recreational flyers in the US.  Quick answer to your question is below.

6. Do not fly at night unless your drone has lighting that allows you to know its location and orientation at all times.

Wouldn't the lighting that's currently on the drone be sufficient for VLOS at night?

Johnny_J Posted at 9-27 05:31
https://www.amazon.com/VIFLY-Str ... spire/dp/B096VCKR97

5.9 grams, extremely bright, you'll get blinded if looking straight at it.

Thanks!  I was looking for something like this.  Have to keep "Big Brother" happy these days...

Love2BeOutdoors Posted at 12-1 08:22
Wouldn't the lighting that's currently on the drone be sufficient for VLOS at night?

we don't know for sure because the "technical specs" for the laws are vague.  imagine if it were only legal to drive a car on the road if you can see the headlights safely and know which direction the car is traveling....and that's it.  imagine the tickets.

makes me think the fall is not serious.  honestly, i think it's a secondary violation or used as a pre-text perhaps.  yeah, i know there's 3 miles but that would never hold up in court.  

Love2BeOutdoors Posted at 12-1 08:22
Wouldn't the lighting that's currently on the drone be sufficient for VLOS at night?

All a matter of interpretation.  I'd rather not take a chance so I use a strobe attached.