DJI Mini 2 or Mini 3 Pro - are these good for beginners?

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Jan 13th, 2023 4:37 pm

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Dec 12th, 2022 2:34 pm

Heartcloud [OP]: Sr. Member; Oct 30, 2010; 505 posts; 210 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 12th, 2022 2:34 pm

DJI Mini 2 or Mini 3 Pro - are these good for beginners?

I’m looking to buy my first drone. Currently the Mini 2 is on sale at Costco for $500, while the Mini 3 Pro is regular price at $1000. I know that the Mini 3 Pro has [email protected] as well as obstacle detection which the 2 completely lacks, but is that worth double the price tag, for a first drone? Do people crash their Mini 2's a lot without the obstacle detection, even without doing tight maneuvers (I will not be doing things like flying it through at high speed between trees).

21 replies

Dec 12th, 2022 4:02 pm

domlee03: Newbie; Feb 3, 2011; 65 posts; 37 upvotes

Dec 12th, 2022 4:02 pm

Heartcloud wrote: ↑ I’m looking to buy my first drone. Currently the Mini 2 is on sale at Costco for $500, while the Mini 3 Pro is regular price at $1000. I know that the Mini 3 Pro has [email protected] as well as obstacle detection which the 2 completely lacks, but is that worth double the price tag, for a first drone? Do people crash their Mini 2's a lot without the obstacle detection, even without doing tight maneuvers (I will not be doing things like flying it through at high speed between trees).

I m debating the same. To complicate the matter. The mini 3 just came out. 900 for the fly more combo instead of 650 on Amazon. All else equal, make the mini 3 (not pro) $250 more.

Longer flight time , better camera, and better auto capture …. Same no sensor…

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Dec 12th, 2022 5:16 pm

Heartcloud [OP]: Sr. Member; Oct 30, 2010; 505 posts; 210 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 12th, 2022 5:16 pm

domlee03 wrote: ↑ I m debating the same. To complicate the matter. The mini 3 just came out. 900 for the fly more combo instead of 650 on Amazon. All else equal, make the mini 3 (not pro) $250 more.

Longer flight time , better camera, and better auto capture …. Same no sensor…

I think the sensor is much more important than the camera for beginners. Crashing this drone = pretty much destroying it due to the light weight.

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Dec 12th, 2022 9:04 pm

stevo88: Sr. Member; Jun 12, 2018; 787 posts; 1161 upvotes; Ontario

Dec 12th, 2022 9:04 pm

If you fly it careful and avoid flying through trees at high speeds you should be fine without obstacle avoidance. You don't need it to fly drones safely, The mini 2 still has gps which stabilizes itself horizontally and vertically making it really easy to fly. Great first drone

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Dec 14th, 2022 2:17 pm

MrBungal: Deal Addict; Jun 15, 2021; 1227 posts; 1137 upvotes

Dec 14th, 2022 2:17 pm

Consider that Mini 3 still has no lateral sensors

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Dec 24th, 2022 2:43 pm

newbie07: Member; Feb 4, 2007; 227 posts; 141 upvotes; Ottawa

Dec 24th, 2022 2:43 pm

Heartcloud wrote: ↑ I’m looking to buy my first drone. Currently the Mini 2 is on sale at Costco for $500, while the Mini 3 Pro is regular price at $1000. I know that the Mini 3 Pro has [email protected] as well as obstacle detection which the 2 completely lacks, but is that worth double the price tag, for a first drone? Do people crash their Mini 2's a lot without the obstacle detection, even without doing tight maneuvers (I will not be doing things like flying it through at high speed between trees).

I recently bought the mini 2 on sale at Costco and love it. However I wish to have more pro features that the Mini 3 Pro offers so I'm tempted to get the Mini 3 Pro. Mini 3 Pro has Master shot that combines all the quick shots into one and it's fantastic. The feature can be used with confident with obstacle detection sensors. It's also has the quick shot asteroid which is only available on the high end model. Active Track and obstacle detection are another useful feature that I'd like to use to record me running. Better camera lens and longer battery are also bonus but I really want other pro features that are not offered on the Mini 2. I've played around with Mini 2 quick shot and love it. The master shot is another level above it that makes fantastic cinematic video shots. I haven't seen the sale on Mini Pro 3 yet.

Dec 24th, 2022 2:54 pm

newbie07: Member; Feb 4, 2007; 227 posts; 141 upvotes; Ottawa

Dec 24th, 2022 2:54 pm

domlee03 wrote: ↑ I m debating the same. To complicate the matter. The mini 3 just came out. 900 for the fly more combo instead of 650 on Amazon. All else equal, make the mini 3 (not pro) $250 more.

Longer flight time , better camera, and better auto capture …. Same no sensor…

mini 3 still doesn't have obstacle detection sensors, no active track, no quick shot asteroid, no master shot, .... I think mini 2 is pretty much similar to mini 3 and currently has a much better deal which is on sale for $500.

Dec 31st, 2022 7:37 am

effinaround: Newbie; Jul 21, 2017; 64 posts; 38 upvotes

Dec 31st, 2022 7:37 am

Get DJI refresh for peace of mind. It will allow you to replace the unit after a crash for a nominal fee. In my experience DJI has had terrible quality control of late. I had two Mini3pro units in late summer that I returned due to either image quality problems or other flight control issues. I bought a third unit this week and after a brief flight yesterday I'm hoping this unit will be ok. My mini2 has performed well over the last two years and I still plan on flying it as well.

Jan 1st, 2023 3:01 pm

newbie07: Member; Feb 4, 2007; 227 posts; 141 upvotes; Ottawa

Jan 1st, 2023 3:01 pm

effinaround wrote: ↑ Get DJI refresh for peace of mind. It will allow you to replace the unit after a crash for a nominal fee. In my experience DJI has had terrible quality control of late. I had two Mini3pro units in late summer that I returned due to either image quality problems or other flight control issues. I bought a third unit this week and after a brief flight yesterday I'm hoping this unit will be ok. My mini2 has performed well over the last two years and I still plan on flying it as well.

I saw lots of people posted selling DJI mini 3 pro that they got from London Drugs for half price. Some people claimed they got BNIB but I think the package was sealed by London Drugs so it’s not real BNIB. If London Drugs sold it for half price and the receipt is open box then I think there must be some defects on the drone and customer returned them and they repackaged it and sold it for half price. The resellers got them and sale it on market place or Kijiji for $900. I almost fell for it until I saw the receipt of open box. I think it’s better to buy from Costco and get the Costco warranty or best return policy for any defects for a peace of mind.

Jan 1st, 2023 3:21 pm

effinaround: Newbie; Jul 21, 2017; 64 posts; 38 upvotes

Jan 1st, 2023 3:21 pm

Why was London Drugs selling it for half price? DJI products are price controlled by DJI for authorized dealers. And what is BNIB? I am not familiar with that acronym.

Amazon has a great return policy and that is why I bought through them. Up until last year I think it was it made sense to buy direct from DJI in China since they never used to charge sales tax. That changed and now they are worthless to use.

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Jan 1st, 2023 5:07 pm

newbie07: Member; Feb 4, 2007; 227 posts; 141 upvotes; Ottawa

Jan 1st, 2023 5:07 pm

effinaround wrote: ↑ Why was London Drugs selling it for half price? DJI products are price controlled by DJI for authorized dealers. And what is BNIB? I am not familiar with that acronym.

Amazon has a great return policy and that is why I bought through them. Up until last year I think it was it made sense to buy direct from DJI in China since they never used to charge sales tax. That changed and now they are worthless to use.

BNIB is Brand New In Box. London Drugs dumped mini 3 pro open box on Cyber Monday for half price and some people received the package sealed so they resale it on Market Place and advertising it as BNIB for $900 although the receipt is open box. As DJI haven’t had any sale to the new release product so this $900 sounds better than full price plus tax. I doubt it as a BNIB but rather a return product and re-sealed by the store. Their receipt doesn’t lie. Only buyer fell for this to save a little bit but could end up a drone with issues due to quality control as you mentioned.

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Jan 5th, 2023 5:09 pm

dazz: Deal Fanatic; Dec 10, 2004; 7067 posts; 2688 upvotes; Canada

Jan 5th, 2023 5:09 pm

Get one of those $50 china drones to learn for a month. Practice then get an expensive one. Repairing big drones is very expensive.

I use voice typing, expect mistakes...

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Jan 6th, 2023 11:36 am

Stoneage: Newbie; Mar 11, 2013; 3 posts; 2 upvotes

Jan 6th, 2023 11:36 am

I too was on the fence and after researching all the reviews online decided to not even go with Costco as they did not have the new RC controller which IMO was worth every penny. I am a new drone pilot and ultimately went with the DJI Mini 3 Pro with DJI RC. I have learned the hard way that if you have the money get the better one or you will just end up buying twice. I can say that this combo has made my introduction to drone flying very pleasurable and it is feature packed with things that you typically get with much more expensive drones. The video and camera are exceptional and some people have even asked who I hired when I posted videos on Facebook. If you have the cash, definitely get the mini 3 pro with DJI RC. Trust me, you will not regret it. Oh, and I did get the 2 year Dji Care Refresh so I don't have to worry about crashing or losing my drone.

+1

Jan 9th, 2023 11:27 am

MrBungal: Deal Addict; Jun 15, 2021; 1227 posts; 1137 upvotes

Jan 9th, 2023 11:27 am

Stoneage wrote: ↑ I too was on the fence and after researching all the reviews online decided to not even go with Costco as they did not have the new RC controller which IMO was worth every penny. I am a new drone pilot and ultimately went with the DJI Mini 3 Pro with DJI RC. I have learned the hard way that if you have the money get the better one or you will just end up buying twice. I can say that this combo has made my introduction to drone flying very pleasurable and it is feature packed with things that you typically get with much more expensive drones. The video and camera are exceptional and some people have even asked who I hired when I posted videos on Facebook. If you have the cash, definitely get the mini 3 pro with DJI RC. Trust me, you will not regret it. Oh, and I did get the 2 year Dji Care Refresh so I don't have to worry about crashing or losing my drone.

If you lose your drone you need to pay 50% of the price on top of your 2 year DJI Care. It's only if you can retrieve your drone you will pay their small nominal fee. I didn't buy the DJI Care and I have my Mini 2 for over 2 years now. Just like insurance and protection plans BB are trying to sell you, this is the same, it's a big profit for the company as only a few who buy the protection plan will make use of it.

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Jan 9th, 2023 11:34 am

newbie07: Member; Feb 4, 2007; 227 posts; 141 upvotes; Ottawa

Jan 9th, 2023 11:34 am

Stoneage wrote: ↑ I too was on the fence and after researching all the reviews online decided to not even go with Costco as they did not have the new RC controller which IMO was worth every penny. I am a new drone pilot and ultimately went with the DJI Mini 3 Pro with DJI RC. I have learned the hard way that if you have the money get the better one or you will just end up buying twice. I can say that this combo has made my introduction to drone flying very pleasurable and it is feature packed with things that you typically get with much more expensive drones. The video and camera are exceptional and some people have even asked who I hired when I posted videos on Facebook. If you have the cash, definitely get the mini 3 pro with DJI RC. Trust me, you will not regret it. Oh, and I did get the 2 year Dji Care Refresh so I don't have to worry about crashing or losing my drone.

I bought Mini 2 from Costco and am thinking of return it and get the mini 3 pro instead. The price of mini 3 pro is double as mini 2 is on sale. I think I can live without smart RC as the price is already too much for me. As well Costco return policy and price adjustment is so good.

Jan 9th, 2023 2:14 pm

WalletNotSafe: Member; May 25, 2020; 308 posts; 535 upvotes

Jan 9th, 2023 2:14 pm

newbie07 wrote: ↑ BNIB is Brand New In Box. London Drugs dumped mini 3 pro open box on Cyber Monday for half price and some people received the package sealed so they resale it on Market Place and advertising it as BNIB for $900 although the receipt is open box. As DJI haven’t had any sale to the new release product so this $900 sounds better than full price plus tax. I doubt it as a BNIB but rather a return product and re-sealed by the store. Their receipt doesn’t lie. Only buyer fell for this to save a little bit but could end up a drone with issues due to quality control as you mentioned.

No idea what you're talking about, but I got one during the LD cyber Monday sale and it was brand new, in box, sealed with the DJI seal that I opened. I then activated it for the first time and got DJI Care and DJI confirmed to me that the serial number had never previously been activated. This was the experience of almost every one on RFD that got the drone in that sale.

Anyways, to OP's post - I don't think you can wrong with either as your first drone. They're actually fairly easy to fly and the features of Mini 2 are good enough for most people, unless you need the latest/greatest or you're doing more serious video/photo work. All DJI products hold their value well too, so you can always resell and upgrade.

+1

Jan 9th, 2023 10:19 pm

EP32k2: Deal Expert; Jan 15, 2006; 19638 posts; 20061 upvotes; Richmond Hill

Jan 9th, 2023 10:19 pm

Watch out for the battery tab on the mini 3. They are breaking!

Battery tab breaking

Jan 10th, 2023 5:05 pm

stevo88: Sr. Member; Jun 12, 2018; 787 posts; 1161 upvotes; Ontario

Jan 10th, 2023 5:05 pm

EP32k2 wrote: ↑ Watch out for the battery tab on the mini 3. They are breaking!

Battery tab breaking

I haven't seen a mini 3 in person but man those plastic cases for the batteries look cheap. Battery clips look really weak and there's no hard stop on them. Good reason right there to stick with the cheaper mini 2. Battery clip design is better

Jan 10th, 2023 6:54 pm

EP32k2: Deal Expert; Jan 15, 2006; 19638 posts; 20061 upvotes; Richmond Hill

Jan 10th, 2023 6:54 pm

stevo88 wrote: ↑ I haven't seen a mini 3 in person but man those plastic cases for the batteries look cheap. Battery clips look really weak and there's no hard stop on them. Good reason right there to stick with the cheaper mini 2. Battery clip design is better

It’s bad. Best part is, knowing DJI they will not be revising this design till the next generation comes out.

It’s a flimsy design, one can argue it’s cheap but they had to keep the weight below 249G

Jan 11th, 2023 9:02 pm

effinaround: Newbie; Jul 21, 2017; 64 posts; 38 upvotes

Jan 11th, 2023 9:02 pm

I think the problem is that people are pushing too hard on the tabs to release the battery. It will go a lot farther than it needs to and that will stress the tab. I wouldn't view that as a showstopper just like how the deformed props on the first gen Mini resulted in some aircraft losses when people weren't storing them in the fly more case properly. If DJI had put a perpendicular piece of plastic on the other side of the tab that would have acted as a hard stop and they could have avoided the issue. Batteries seem to be the Achille's heel of DJI. Does anyone remember the ejecting batteries on the Phantom 4? That always resulted in complete aircraft loss.

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