Hey! Id just like to see what kind of real world results people are getting out of the MA. I still have mine on preorder and thinking of cancelling it because of the wifi. I absolutely couldnt stand the wifi on my P3S and i'd really like to avoid those headaches again. Realistally, what I'd like to see is 2-2.5km with 0 transmission issues. Anyway.. maybe we can post results as people start to get them.

Good poll - this will be interesting!

THIS i really want to know as well. Had a spark omg it was horrible. If air is just as bad I will cancel. I live in Europe and I want atleast 1500m or I'll just go mavic pro

Good Idea, I would also be curious as to how it will handle the wind.

I don’t think this is very promising. These look like perfect conditions

https://youtu.be/8ucWx7eqnfU

fans034eaa57 Posted at 2018-1-29 04:26
I don’t think this is very promising. These look like perfect conditions

https://youtu.be/8ucWx7eqnfU

Position of antennas not exactly in the corrrect position when flying in 5.8ghz he may have got better signal from samples below.

https://forum.dji.com/forum.php? ... 5947&pid=611465

fans034eaa57 Posted at 2018-1-29 04:33
https://youtu.be/8ucWx7eqnfU

Maybe this is just me being a noob, but it went almost 2 KM away.  I can't really think of any instance in which I need to do this.  Not like I can see the drone anymore really at that distance anyway with it being as small as it is.  All this video proves to me is that it's going to be just fine for my needs.  Just my 2 cents though.

Would like to see this test in Europe as it is supposed to be twice as far in the US...

In case anyone posts results please also mention:
- Wifi band: 2.4 or 5.8GHz
- Mode: CE or FCC (or al least country if not sure)
- Environment: city, outdoors etc.

djiuser_QU6bVt5SVIJD Posted at 2018-1-29 05:09
Maybe this is just me being a noob, but it went almost 2 KM away.  I can't really think of any instance in which I need to do this.  Not like I can see the drone anymore really at that distance anyway with it being as small as it is.  All this video proves to me is that it's going to be just fine for my needs.  Just my 2 cents though.

I fully agree. It is a legal requirement to always fly in VLOS.

djiuser_QU6bVt5SVIJD Posted at 2018-1-29 05:09
Maybe this is just me being a noob, but it went almost 2 KM away.  I can't really think of any instance in which I need to do this.  Not like I can see the drone anymore really at that distance anyway with it being as small as it is.  All this video proves to me is that it's going to be just fine for my needs.  Just my 2 cents though.

I think 2k was a good result for this craft , I have a Mavic Pro it struggles to get 2.5 km.

djiuser_QU6bVt5SVIJD Posted at 2018-1-29 05:09
Maybe this is just me being a noob, but it went almost 2 KM away.  I can't really think of any instance in which I need to do this.  Not like I can see the drone anymore really at that distance anyway with it being as small as it is.  All this video proves to me is that it's going to be just fine for my needs.  Just my 2 cents though.

Same here. I'm perfectly fine with the results.

fansd8cc4f88 Posted at 2018-1-29 05:13
Would like to see this test in Europe as it is supposed to be twice as far in the US...

With CE rules we only get the half of what you would get in USA

djiuser_QU6bVt5SVIJD Posted at 2018-1-29 05:09
Maybe this is just me being a noob, but it went almost 2 KM away.  I can't really think of any instance in which I need to do this.  Not like I can see the drone anymore really at that distance anyway with it being as small as it is.  All this video proves to me is that it's going to be just fine for my needs.  Just my 2 cents though.

Not a noob statement at all. You’re exactly right. It’s a super rare instance that anyone will ever need to fly that far out. If so, this is the wrong craft anyway.

Mavic Pro kills the Mavic Air.

Mavic Pro Kills the Mavic Air.

Not even close. I don't even understand the Air coming out. Seems silly.

To the person who thinks 1 mile is far enough.............. I say no. I like to fly 2 miles out on most flights, if I feel like chancing a flight because my app drops every single flight.

Dont know why people keep saying "thats more than enough." Im paying a lot of money for the Air, and I expect it to reach 4km advertised in ideal conditions which is what this guy was flying in. Barely reaching 2km is horrible. Why advertise 4km and lie to customers when it can only do half that range?

And I do a lot of traveling, and range is a must...maybe I want to go 3km up near a mountain range to get that awesome shot (and you can still do that legally before all the lawyers on here pounce one me with a spotter and a pair of nice binoculars while flying). Just because your flying yours in the back yard does not mean thats what everyone uses these for.

As I suspected, real world battery life is about 16 minutes.

djiuser_QU6bVt5SVIJD Posted at 2018-1-29 05:09
Maybe this is just me being a noob, but it went almost 2 KM away.  I can't really think of any instance in which I need to do this.  Not like I can see the drone anymore really at that distance anyway with it being as small as it is.  All this video proves to me is that it's going to be just fine for my needs.  Just my 2 cents though.

Yes 2KM, I suspect it will go 500/600M in EU
Some people just like to "push the envelope"

Apart from S&R, Safety Inspection, Emergency Support I do not see a need for anything greater.
For the above I'm not sure a Mavic would be my 1st choice of Drone

fansc5ce4b29 Posted at 2018-1-29 10:35
Dont know why people keep saying "thats more than enough." Im paying a lot of money for the Air, and I expect it to reach 4km advertised in ideal conditions which is what this guy was flying in. Barely reaching 2km is horrible. Why advertise 4km and lie to customers when it can only do half that range?

And I do a lot of traveling, and range is a must...maybe I want to go 3km up near a mountain range to get that awesome shot (and you can still do that legally before all the lawyers on here pounce one me with a spotter and a pair of nice binoculars while flying). Just because your flying yours in the back yard does not mean thats what everyone uses these for.

"Why advertise 4km and lie to customers"

It did fly 4Km, 2Km out 2Km back..!!

fansd8cc4f88 Posted at 2018-1-29 05:13
Would like to see this test in Europe as it is supposed to be twice as far in the US...

I will give it a go on Wednesday, weather willing :-)

2km seems to be the average in optimal conditions.

fans034eaa57 Posted at 2018-1-29 13:02
2km seems to be the average in optimal conditions.
https://youtu.be/2eF5TlwDc6o

So CE you went almost 2.5k is this correct.

These are videos from YouTube. Not my own

fans034eaa57 Posted at 2018-1-29 13:02
2km seems to be the average in optimal conditions.
https://youtu.be/2eF5TlwDc6o

Maybe it was possible to go little more away if I gained some height, but there was strong wind so I decided to return back.

sorry, I agree the mavic pro gets more distance, but what I want is a easy to travel drone that is better than the spark.  The spark has major issues, I honestly never trusted mine all that much as soo many people had fly aways.  The air is just way superior to the spark, and when it is collapsed it is soo small, way easier to travel with than the mavic pro.  I understand why others still want the pro, but for me the Air fits the bill

How exactly is the Mavic Air way easier to travel with than the pro?? They both fit into backpacks no problem.

fans034eaa57 Posted at 2018-1-29 14:19
How exactly is the Mavic Air way easier to travel with than the pro?? They both fit into backpacks no problem.

half size od Pro + half weight of Pro

With batteries, controller etc I assure you there’s not a big difference in “size”

If the weight between the air and pro for carrying is even remotely  a factory I’d suggest investing in a gym membership lol

fans034eaa57 Posted at 2018-1-29 14:48
With batteries, controller etc I assure you there’s not a big difference in “size”

If the weight between the air and pro for carrying is even remotely  a factory I’d suggest investing in a gym membership lol

Finally a girl who says that size doesn’t matter;)

my backpack is already 40+lbs without camera equipment or drone.  every pound matters not to mention space.  maybe a cow wouldn't notice an extra pound but I sure do.

I agree. Every gram counts
As per my calculations:
Mavic air 430 g + 2 extra batteries 280 g = 710 g
Mavic pro 734 g + 2 extra batteries 480 g = 1214 g

Assuming weight of both remotes is about the same, but the charger, charging hub and bag for Air look to be smaller and I guess lighter too. (can't find any information about the wight of these)
So we are talking about 700-1000 g weight difference between the two Mavic sets.
If you consider that the max carry on weight for many airlines is only 7 kg, it is a no brainer for me, I can have another camera or some additional clothes in my bag.

Or the other way around, as much I calculated I saw no way to take Mavic pro with me in my carry on setup, but I can squeeze in the Air :-)

AIister Posted at 2018-1-30 01:12
my backpack is already 40+lbs without camera equipment or drone.  every pound matters not to mention space.  maybe a cow wouldn't notice an extra pound but I sure do.

Totally agree!

Just done a VERY quick test during lunch: CE 2.8Ghz Flat open farmland (neighbouring a housing estate) barely 450m before losing connection. Only had time for one run. Will try again tomorrow. It's far enough to lost sight (especially as it was into the sun) but still a little underwhelming.

Quick flight this morning... went up to 392 ft and out to 7300'.  Returned back with 47%  battery after 11:02 of flight -- sticks to the max for the ascent and flight, but straight path.  Looped closer to home for a total of 21537' travelled.  RTH triggered at 27% battery and 3:43 flight time left.  Landed at 17:09 min total flight and 18% battery left.      Pretty much the 21 min of flight time if you were actually brave enough - or maybe have money to crash - to push it all the way to the limit.

The really good news is I never got below 3 bars of Wifi connection for the entire flight.  (2.4ghz - auto channel)  80% of the flight was at a full 4 bars.  I know that I could have pushed it further -- obviously with that strong of a signal - but will save that until after I have had some more time with the Air.  (This is only day 3 of flying this). No glitches in the video transmission at all.   This is my home base and I have been flying my MP and then my MPP over this same route for about a year now.  On both of those, I have had instances of video jitter, lag, etc. in the same areas I flew over today.

Winds were very calm this morning on the ground, but hard to say what 400' was like.  I did notice that the battery consumption really increases with any banking -- even a really gradual turn while flying will make the remaining battery levels go down pretty quick.  Straight flying is as expected.  

QuadKid Posted at 2018-1-28 17:14
Good Idea, I would also be curious as to how it will handle the wind.

I flew in 15knots, gusting to 18, yesterday.  Was not testing range -- just playing with camera settings, the new quiick shots and slo-mo.  Handled it all very well.

fans034eaa57 Posted at 2018-1-29 14:19
How exactly is the Mavic Air way easier to travel with than the pro?? They both fit into backpacks no problem.

I intend in packing the Air inside a very shallow swing-arm bag attached to my HD.  I currently shove the Spark in there, but I'm not enthused with the Spark's performance.

Flying around my neighborhood for the first time on Saturday I went as far as 3937 ft ( 1200 meters )  before RTH was initiated automatically, I lost video feed and a couple seconds later RTH. The Air was on the 2.4Ghz band all the time, so far it does not switch automatically like the Spark does but I found how to switch it manually to 5.8. I'm planning on flying in an open area today in the middle of nowhere and will push it's limits using 2.4 and 5.8 to see the differences.

Video feed was decent until the end with an occasional stutter  that started at about 1968 ft ( 600 meters ) this was in a very congested urban area and of course under FCC ( USA )