4Hawks How To: Mavic Air - Controller modification

In this 4Hawks tutorial we will show you how to modify DJI Mavic Air or Spark controller and how to attach our Raptor SR range extender antenna.
Visit product page: www.4hawks.com...
#4Hawks #Drone #MavicAir #DJI #RangeExtender #Spark #RaptorSR

[@JOEBlalock23]

I was pleased on how easy this was, DJI made it even easier with later models like mine. There are plug in cables for the sticks instead of ribbons. No more tape to mess with. The button board on top of the battery has a ribbon but I just flipped the board over and left it connected as it is a really thick ribbon now. Maybe they saw your modifications and made it easier! Highly recommended you can do it just take you time and don’t force any plastic parts.

[@derekjenkins6614]

Heads-up: I've just completed my (somewhat terrifying) Hawks Raptor SR installation. 5. I want to point out that the video here *doesn't actually show the guts inside a production S01A Mavic Air controller*. It's very close but it is NOT the same. For example, you can actually skip 3:45 to 4:10 as there is no internal antenna to remove. After unscrewing the six screws holding down the upper circuit board, you can simply flip the board out of the way while attached to the NON-TAPED ribbon cable. You then simply proceed to battery cage removal and push on. Hope you take this feedback on board @4Hawks.

[@wkbook]

it is a spark controller

[@derekjenkins6614]

Ahh! Thanks.

[@MikeSarni]

Derek Jenkins thanks getting mine in a few days so how is it with the air? I cant wait to try it on air . Also what does it do better on the air 2.4 or 5.8

[@derekjenkins6614]

Works really well. Noticeable improvement over the stock antennas, especially when you're in an area saturated with competing wifi signals. Range is improved (especially on 5.8GHz) but the biggest improvement is in video feed reliability.

[@MikeSarni]

Derek Jenkins sweet! Thats what i wanted to hear! So u just went with the smaller sr also correct ? Unboosted? And thats what i need better video feed i notice i can get out to 13,000 ft consistently but video feed kind of lagged right from the gate

[@iamsomewhere]

Wow! For that much work/risk involved, I better be able to fly to the moon and back!

[@nolo3]

Holy shit I was thinking about buying this but this installation video terrifies me. Did you do it?

[@wrhabasis5840]

I consider myself handy/careful with electronics disassembly, but no way in hell am I wrecking my controller with this process. Just too risky.

[@Guill0rtiz]

​@@wrhabasis5840 I guess you have to be willing to take the risk if you want to reap the benefits of modding

[@SDPickups]

Do you guys do installs instead of having us butcher our controllers?

[@aokusman6637]

I installed this yesterday. It’s not that hard if you are handy. For comparison if you can’t build a desktop Pc from scratch don’t attempt this. All the pieces are small and the screws are tiny. The kit comes with all you need except pliers and tweezers. Take not some of the screws are hard to turn so you may want to tighten them loosen to make it easier. Make sure you use a large white table and keep the screws to each component separate and with the removed component. All in all it’s not too hard. I used this video only to install the antennas, for separating the controller I used the video another poster linked to here. I have done one test in urban environment and my distance improved by about 40 percent but video transmission was absolutely clear.

[@Make-Asylums-Great-Again]

I absolutely cannot build a computer from scratch but I did manage this modification. I will however not do this on any of my other drones. Just not worth the risk, just my opinion.

[@aokusman6637]

Apathetic Businesses if you are a handy it’s not really a risk. Follow video instructions on KZbin. It was easier than I thought.

[@dutchgroundmedia]

Does this work on the Mini 3 Pro Smart Controller as well ?

[@the4dudleys]

Is there any way of testing the signal output? I have the SR installed, controller in FCC mode, just been to my local urban park and only got just short of 700 meters before loss of signal and video lagging and freezing. Tried it on 2.4 and 5.8. Any advice would be appreciated thanks.

[@dwayne5530]

I'd be interested in seeing a before and after range test done in more of an urban environment using it. I would be scared to install it though. At least until the warranty period was up. Looks good though

[@MikeSarni]

Dapper Ribbit go look at my youtube channel then... I have a stock video that I made about three and a half weeks ago and then one with the mod from a week ago wow is it a difference especially in the HD feed .....it's worth it

[@bearsist]

Well done job but where's the proof it really works especially in a residential area so happy I have the mavic 2 Zoom no issues ocusync is the best 6 miles in a low to medium residential area and there's a video to prove it

[@munterboy9298]

Do u think I should sell my mavic air and get a mavic pro?

[@geoffreykearney7926]

WARNING TO ANYONE THINKING OF BUYING THIS ANTENNA. This video and the one on the 4Hawks website is not for a Mavic Air installation. Nor does any other kind of instruction come in the box or on the 4Hawks website.There are fundamental differences between dis-assembling a Mavic Pro controller and one for an Air. Unless you are pretty handy with electronics, this is an accident waiting to happen..

[@DanielJohansson75]

I'm doing this for the moment with my Mavic Air controller. They definitely don't look the same, if I ever get this to work again I will be very surprised! lol

[@DEVINE.IMAGE.]

The air is alot easya

[@Del_Monico]

@@DanielJohansson75 what kind of gullible ASSHOLE would buy this thing?

[@tiredoldman5329]

Me!!!! @@Del_Monico

[@Del_Monico]

@@tiredoldman5329 hahaah poor bastard.

[@havivelbaz]

Hi. What about video for the spark ? Its different remote

[@mediaconvergent]

I bought a 5hawks XR from a friend that did not want to crack open his remote. The installation required me to use tools other than those supplied with the device. The tools supplied are simply garbage. The tork driver (only used on the 1st 2 screws) stripped and was unusable, luckily I had a set. Note that the 1st 2 screws are very difficult to turn and need a solid tool insertion into the screw. As others have said the remote shown in the video was similar but not the same. The 2 buttons on the front of the remote for taking the video and picture have 2 very small clear rubber spacers that help them make a smooth contact when used. They are not shown and they are very small, be aware and be very careful to notice them, without them the buttons don't work very well if at all. Attaching the antennae is awkward at best and the whole thing with my tablet is the size of a VW. I will fly it tomorrow to test it I wish 4Hawks designed it to be taken apart to transport. I spent an hour getting it installed, I hope it's worth it

[@facundovila5484]

Do all the tools and things needed included in the antenna I buy from your website?

[@userbosco]

Dumb question, does this effect battery life? If so, how much?

[@xmalcom650]

How can i get this cable. Mine got twisted? 2x Dedicated for Mavic U.FL pigtails

[@milleringram2675]

Im losing signal signal at 114ft. When connecting the antenna pins to the board, does it matter which terminal post on the board to connect?

[@kevin42]

Miller Ingram wondering the exact same thing. Gono test around

[@andytucker2323]

M Ingram

[@andytucker2323]

I am wondering the same thing

[@derekjenkins6614]

Hi there. Is your higher-power DJI product, the Raptor XR, compatible with the Mavic Air?

[@4hawksrangeextenders687]

Yes, Raptor XR designed for Mavic Pro is fully compatible

[@derekjenkins6614]

Thanks for the quick reply. I placed an order for an SR with you and will see how it performs before I decide if I need an XR.

[@comthre3]

Can you please report back on the results? I've installed my SR without much improvments over the stock configuration to be honest

[@Make-Asylums-Great-Again]

comthre3 I also got results that were not drastically increased. I think my expectations were too high.

[@TomWill2]

Good job explaining all that. I found it hard to read the orange words on gray background. The white is better.

[@DEVINE.IMAGE.]

Alot of digging with screwdrivers blind with so much to damage

[@the4dudleys]

Hello there at 4Hawks, Is the 4Hawks raptor SR upgrade kit the same kit for the Mavic Air and Spark please?

[@4hawksrangeextenders687]

Yes, it is the same.

[@jctalk18]

I noticed that it's not a mavic air controller.

[@70a55]

James Tai huh thats spark!

[@kennethkarso]

Why he disassemble with joysticks on i didnt get it!

[@ericbotelho9802]

have not used yet with mavic air because post never delivered on the correct date,but I did disassemble remote to prepare,and it is not very hard to be honest. just don't go inside,and start prying and ripping this apart and anyone should be fine doing this.

[@FranciscoShibata]

Spark Controller not Air

[@principe1216]

Hello good day, from Colombia, I am interested in buying this item, for my Mavic Air Dji drone, how do I do it where I get it, or in what store they sell it, whether it is in dollars or in euros. Thank you

[@Yggdrasil434]

Video is poorly made. I used the guide as a reference for my Mavic Air as it's mostly the same. I had trouble removing the clips holding in the antennas and ended up damaging the cables from the stock antennas. Before you attempt to pop out the antennas, view this video first: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6GZnXyNn9B_ipY

[@DEVINE.IMAGE.]

To get better range just change to fcc mode as 90% of you are in ce mode

[@Minipic]

Great so now its harder to store.

[@MikeSarni]

Minipic dont buy it then simple as that. .. you know it breaks down in one minute right

[@pnkru_9909]

Coffee, not Coffe

[@comthre3]

Installed the SR on my Mavic Air controller. To tell you the truth I haven’t noticed any difference in performance :( In fact I’m not able to fly my air as far as I used to before. The farthest I’ve been with the stock antenna was 3308 meters. With the 4hawks I’m not able to go father than 2447 meters away. Same place similar weather conditions. :(. Very disappointed

[@4hawksrangeextenders687]

We are sorry to hear that, we have tested our Raptor Range extender with Mavic Air and we got 4500 m, but our clients had even 5100m (17000ft.) check this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4CcqGx-l7V6gNU . It means that you must have some problems with your cable connection, please contact with our support team on [e-mail] for more information.

[@comthre3]

I've opened up the remote again, the wires seem to be fine. :( I got 3600 meters yesterday, but with no image. it disconnected at around 3609 meters and returned home. I've reached 3700 with my normal antenna. I've contacted support and they told me the same thing. I dont see how it could be a wire issue if the drone can fly up to 3600 meters? image quality was good until 2900, then it went black.

[@4hawksrangeextenders687]

We are sorry to hear that, what about attitude? have you been flying on the same attitide? also if the signal meets obsticles the connection will be cut off (note that the antenna and the drone has to have visual contact also Raptor SR is panel antenna so it need to be point at drone. On what frequency have you been flying?

[@comthre3]

I know I've been flying drones for a while, I am always pointing at the drone, flying at different altitudes and attitude. I've reopened my remote controller once more, just to make sure that everyrthing is done right. and it was. I have however tightened the connections from the drone to the antenna. that has increased the range a little. but im not quite sure yet. since it's windy these day. Ill check again soon and let you know. I'm afraid that the unit i recieved was faulty :/

[@kevin42]

4Hawks Range Extenders hey im wondering if there is any difference were you connect Pin1 and Pin2 into the antenna?

[@georgesands722]

JUST SO EVERYONE KNOWS THIS ISNT A MAVIC AIR CONTROLLER LIKE HE SAID ITS A SPARK CONTROLLER AND IF YOU FOLLOW THIS TUTORIAIL YOU ARE VERY LIKELY TO FUCK UP YOUR CONTROLLER LUCKILY I DIDNT BUT THOUGHT I WOULD LET OTHER PEOPLE KNOW

[@Johns-qr7ek]

There's no proof these things even work

[@tiredoldman5329]

Really???

[@Johns-qr7ek]

@@tiredoldman5329 Really!!!!!

[@SDPickups]

Go watch the videos guys are doing with this. BIG difference. I just wonder if it sucks battery power?

[@kevins441]

Way to much work

[@Del_Monico]

Um. No. Nah, I won't be fucking doing that. I don't care if it was free.

[@SaltCreep45]

Fuk No

[@principe1216]

what need do you have to accelerate the video in certain parts, because this does not appreciate the video, loses the quality of the work you do ... badly!