Autel Evo Nano Plus - Search & Recovery (SAR)

A near perfect flight for once and then it wasn't!
I had perfect weather conditions for the Autel Evo Nano Plus and went for one more range test that took a turn when battery failure caused me to find a spot for a forced landing followed by a search and recovery 1.5 miles out.
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[@Egge33]

I flu the Nano+ in windy conditions and I must say I had no worries. For me now the Nano is almost same as my Mini2 (sold already) Also the speed droping is not so bad.

[@QCGUY]

Do you have content showing your one in a dozen doing the opposite and don’t compare to a mini 2 in wind? Sorry I have enough proof to disagree on that one but I’ll agree if you are s park and garden flyer because it’s not much better outside that.

[@jinsvi]

I flew mine a mile and a half away in 20mph winds. Worked perfectly

[@QCGUY]

It didn’t work perfectly against that 20mph wind. I hope that’s not what your selling me. lol Away/with the wind sure 👌

[@jinsvi]

@@QCGUY yes. It did. Flew at 9.7 miles ber hour out to 1.5 miles. Was slow but very stable and perfect video. Hit the 25% battery mark then flew back at 30mph across the ground. Did the first leg into the wind so i could fly back with a tailwind

[@QCGUY]

@@jinsvi I don’t buy 9.7 mph going into the wind. Been there done that too many times with this quad along with others that have it too.

[@jinsvi]

@@QCGUY have it recorded and witnessed so sorry you don't buy it. Benn flying drones for a long tume myself fro. Before the phantom and almost everything major since.

[@QCGUY]

@@jinsvi 😂 okay 👌

[@ChadB]

Wow...your luck doesn't run out at all. Yeah...there's something fishy about that battery. I'm glad you stayed calm and was able to find a spot to land. Nice job.

[@QCGUY]

Luck??? Dude you just watched an amazingly talented professional pilot!!! 😝

[@MattysRCWorld]

Haha, the man that will push the limits, because we won't hahaha! Good call landing it cause you knew you wouldn't get back! Gotta love the flyers that say, "ah I got this, it'll come home"....and then they crying cause it's in a lake lol! Good stuff buddy! (NICE SHIRT) hahaha

[@QCGUY]

Thanks matty…you would if you lived in a more remote area. Most do and just say they don’t. 😂

[@JustFavorites123321]

I always wondered about that little park you often fly over at the lake. Glad things ended well and it wasn't camp Crystal Lake.

[@QCGUY]

Yeah turns out it’s a Christian camp. Very nice place…

[@MrRaymond1021]

WOW, definitely a long way from home? I don't expect you to do that again no time soon? I'll admit, that's not on my bucket list to do. Thanks for sharing. 👍👍👍

[@LittleMountainLife]

Dang that’s a nice park… haha Limit pusher!

[@QCGUY]

I kept saying park but it’s a christian camp. It’s really nice and a very nice understanding person met us before leaving the gate.

[@Oklawolf]

I've done two flights with mine for my own channel, and have to agree with you on the wind resistance. Mine definitely has a bit of a hard time with wind levels the Mini 2 handles easily. I'll keep an eye on my own batteries after this video.

[@bownsaway]

Well done fella

[@QCGUY]

Thanks

[@ryanjewell9832]

That was a bit of a nail biter, I'm so glad your reviews kept me from shelling out money on this little guy.

[@QCGUY]

It’s gotten better but it’s still worth taking a pass unless you’re a park and garden flyer. You were smart 👍🏻

[@ryanjewell9832]

@@QCGUY definitely not a park flyer, more of mountains and rivers type areas

[@QCGUY]

@@ryanjewell9832 Then you will be happy to not own it. 👍🏻

[@albertlim8079]

Good morning Chris, I just got myself a mini 2 FMC (used) at USD 453

[@QCGUY]

Enjoy 😉

[@albertlim8079]

I become a happy Man hahaha,

[@MrEddieNunez]

Wow that was intense

[@QCGUY]

A little drama added 🤣 Thanks Eddie ✌️

[@wghayek]

Hi Chris, I had a similar battery loss unfortunately I never made it to land and crashed 3 feet from lane and took a dive into the Susquehanna river! $399 Autel Care had it replaced. I blame myself does to flying in very cold temps. Glad you recovered yours!

[@QCGUY]

The price of yours certainly just went up pretty high for a already expensive drone. Glad you got a replacement 👍🏻

[@AryehBeitz]

Glad you got it back and had such a perfect landing spot

[@QCGUY]

Thanks 😊

[@gasquetmike8320]

Cool! I've been waiting, hoping you had some footage of this! Fun to watch!

[@gasquetmike8320]

P.s. the bad thing is when you have a battery go instantly bad. I was flying my evo 1 up the oregon coast last year about 3/4 of a mile away when the battery failed. I was about 100 feet out over the ocean. Had to fight it to get it over sand and out of the surf line but made it. And i got to walk on the beach too! But walking 3/4 of a mile with your butt puckered isnt that enjoyable....

[@QCGUY]

Yeah it doesn’t matter who makes the drones or how much you spend lipo’s just fail new or old. Make them as smart as you want and it’s still the same chemistry. 👍🏻 I love these kind of situations though…lol

[@dronemaster3081]

Hello Chris great video. You keep getting better all the time

[@QCGUY]

Thanks buddy 👍🏻

[@kylecarter7928]

Yep! Let me just wait for the Mini 3!!!

[@MYJ61]

My humble opinion as a Nano Plus owner, is that the battery charging “Rail” is not a good of a design as the DJI charger where the batteries lock into a pocket holding it securely against the charging pins. It’s always nice when the land owner can commiserate with your drone mishap.

[@iinventedinternet2591]

I’m on edge watching this.😅 But seriously thanks to your reviews I saved some money. haha! Not going to get this drone. Mini 2 is staying!

[@kenkeng5824]

Nerves of Steel

[@QCGUY]

Nah it’s just a moment of what good does it do to panic. It’s either going to be all good or all bad in the end. Thanks

[@fj1100mark]

Don’t you just love that emergency landing warning

[@jasmijnariel]

Autel drama😂

[@QCGUY]

Pretty intense 😆

[@thomaskurek3524]

It’s best when you go so far to go back when battery is 60% you never know you might go against the wind(but you know that already don’t you ) A few days ago I almost lost mine . I thought my batteries were 100% charged but if you wait over three days after you charge them they will discharge them selves and I didn’t pay attention so after eight minute flight it was 25% and wants to return home, and for some reason the drone start to rising up to almost 500 feet it was set to 98 so I cancel and try to fly towards me, but the battery went low and forced me to land in the swamps in Florida. He was going down to the grass I can see the grass blades with a 4% battery and I know I lost the drone but it did not land the warning come out unsafe landing. I was able to raise him up and fly towards the road with practically 0% battery, and then land between the water and asphalt. Perfectly safe. It was a miracle.

[@QCGUY]

Things don’t always go as planned but in the end it sure adds some excitement to the flight. Glad you made it to a safe spot in the end 👍🏻

[@jasmijnariel]

A good thing on this drone compared to the mini2 is that on ANY altitude above water, the drone keeps it height! Even at 50cm above the water it stays on the same altitude! 👍👍👌

[@Matanumi]

Mini 2 can do the same....just gotta turn off vps with litchi.... Really though just pay attention

[@jasmijnariel]

@@Matanumi the mini2 i flew with couldnt stay up at all... it lost around 10cm per second , so that was a big problem

[@QCGUY]

Sorry Jasmijn he’s bored and hitting everyone in comments thinking he knows all but has been wasting his time because most are deleted and he’s getting blocked.

[@QCGUY]

@Matanui It holds its altitude well over water and honestly I haven’t had much issue doing this with the mini 2 either. All I fly is water and close low creek/river flights.

[@joepowers3731]

That battery dropped way to fast. Thank god you where able to land in a cool place and get it back. Can't believe how calm you were.

[@Matanumi]

Pushing it to 5500m was asking for trouble

[@QCGUY]

Matanui, get a life and stop commenting on everyone else’s comments. I’m just deleting most of the comments you leave because your repeating the same wrong comment and annoying my subs. NO IT WOULD NOT HAVE MADE IT BACK UPON WARNING!

[@QCGUY]

No need in getting excited right? Just do what ya gotta do and see how it turns out in the end buddy. Thanks Joe

[@GHEC3]

I loved the May Day alarm seat belts pull up etc

[@QCGUY]

Had to make it cinematic. 😂

[@MadMax-vy9hk]

Wow. I’m surprised you got down to 7% because when I had mine for the two days I had it before sending it back, one of the flights just flying around my backyard soon as it hit 15 % it took control and landed it self. Quite heavily I might add. It’s a dam shame man I want to do a quad to work as advertised so much.

[@QCGUY]

You probably had your battery management set too high.

[@genefoxgreenmountaindroning]

Lol great job landing Chirs. And flying nice range test

[@QCGUY]

Thanks

[@mmbodnar]

I guess one way to test is to find another nano owner and try again with a safer flight path. This is why I like to see voltages and even discrete cell voltages to recognize imbalance.

[@QCGUY]

I have two but I know enough others and will learn in the comments here eventually that there’s more. That’s part of why I share these things.

[@DroneStories]

1st warning at 4945m, with 51%battery. You hit the return button on 5300m with 40% battery. Landed in 2500m with 10% battery.. I think you won't make it even if you turn around immediately when you received the 1st warning. Is there something wrong in the battery software ???🤔🤔

[@QCGUY]

Definitely wouldn’t have and I would have been past the landing are I chose so it would have been a tree or water. It all worked out in the best possible way for the situation. Thanks 😊

[@jefefpv1695]

I love my mini2. I decided to hold off on Autel and check out the Mini3 when it comes out.

[@QCGUY]

Good decision 👍🏻

[@dennydog]

great informative video, Ive had the same issues with charging the three batteries. Thinking all were charged when done, I have found the hard way one of them never charged. Plugged in again the middle battery showed 20%..sucks. And with all these and other issues, Autel thinks its OK to increase the price. dont figure. Good camera, but so is my Fuji, I need a drone I can count on, Nano+ was an expensive experiment, and although I think DJI as a company sucks after releasing the SDK showing us all the things they could have enabled on the min 2, gave me a bad sinking feeling they have been less than honest with us. Thanks

[@QCGUY]

Yeah it’s a pretty normal issues with the charger but hey everyone says this is normal and be patient. 😂 Yes drop a grand and practice what you preach people. 🙄 Thanks for confirming yours has the same behaviors as well 👍🏻

[@carlosvieira7620]

Hey chris,great video like always, anyway, I was wondering if you would do a review on the new walkera t210 mini? I would love to see you do a video on that drone? Either way, I would appreciate if you would just look into it.,thanks!

[@Greg_Pittman]

Nicely done.

[@QCGUY]

Thanks Greg

[@akirasho719]

Wow, those audible prompts from Autel's app are intense.🤔😉😂

[@QCGUY]

😂 crazy right!? 😝

[@MikeKinney8675]

Nano + never a dull moment. What was it saying on the forced landing.

[@QCGUY]

Pull up! Pull up! 😂

[@marktrotter1329]

Definitely an advantage to knowing the area you fly in..

[@QCGUY]

Absolutely

[@moemaster1966]

Both my Fimi’s and mini 2 use 1% battery every 20 to 23 seconds on normal mode forward flight..so I take that as average normal usage of battery during normal straight flight if it using battery faster then that it’s either really windy at the altitude it’s at or the battery is going bad …just my observation..great video

[@QCGUY]

This is the fastest depleting battery in my fleet and it creates its own loss by fighting to keep that governed speed with wind pushing it. Bottom line fact here is my other batteries didn’t drain nearly like that on that day. The mini 2 felt like a lifetime flight in comparison.

[@RoyHarperLighthouseGuy]

It seems to me you lost 20+% battery in a little over 2000 meters, which seems a bit much battery loss based on the flight out. You did a great job locating a spot to put the drone down. So going forward it won’t be Sir Chris, but rather SAR Chris. Good job Chris.

[@Matanumi]

Yeah....you should've came back when the warning told. Would've been much better

[@QCGUY]

😂 yeah no matter if I returned just before warning or at warning it was going to fall short so my waiting longer paid off because I may have just passed that patch of land had I return a little sooner and it could have been bad. SAR Chris 😂 I gotta educate others now that think it would have made it home had I returned at the 51% warning. 😝

[@QCGUY]

@Matanui I’m just going to keep it simple and say one word….WRONG! 🙄

[@RoyHarperLighthouseGuy]

You do know that persnickety comment telling you what you should have done wasn’t from your buddy Roy I hope. I thought you did a great job using it as a teaching moment so I shared it to a couple groups on Facebook.

[@QCGUY]

@@RoyHarperLighthouseGuy yeah it was directed @Matanui who has so many facts but zero sense. He’s worked my nerves commenting on everyone else’s comments but doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Thanks as always Roy ✌️🧡

[@dale7431]

Anyway to see the gps coordinates when flying? I'd like to get coordinates of where I am, then mark them on a map so I know exactly where I was. Maybe that's already available but if it is, I haven't found it yet.

[@QCGUY]

I think you can turn them on and off in the app. Not sure because I like them not displaying when flying around my moonshine location. 😂

[@edycafe]

Hello Chris ! Thanks for sharing your review, as always are the best honestly review, I love it ! It was crazy how the battery dropped.. so we can’t trust the % rates, and it wasn’t wind a as t all. Have a great day bro ! BTW nice shirt!! I need to get one ☝️!! Aloha 🤙

[@QCGUY]

Thanks Reminds me of the Evo 2 when it first came out with battery issues. Funny how these companies never take notes or figure these things out in some cases.

[@DroneMTL]

Did you notice the spelling on the screen: "The aircraft battery is low, please *ruturn* to home." Whatever "ruturn" means do it quick!

[@QCGUY]

Yeah it’s been that way but still returning on misspelled returns wouldn’t have made it. I went further today and proved that point. Thanks

[@jasmijnariel]

13:45 oh the drama🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@QCGUY]

Like that? 😝

[@jasmijnariel]

@@QCGUY nope🤣 thats why i mute my app😏🤣

[@QCGUY]

@@jasmijnariel you do know that was all sound effects I added right? lol

[@jasmijnariel]

@@QCGUY no i didnt😅 i am one of those people that dont push their drones to the limits🤣🤣 and i mute it for the obstacle avoidance sounds... i see it on the screen too🤷‍♀️

[@mikehrenak1390]

Nice job

[@QCGUY]

Thanks

[@walker-snow]

It said "please ruturn to home" 😀 you would have a better chance with returning at home on time when you consider warnings.

[@QCGUY]

Really??? Wow I didn’t know that! 😂 Going for range I may have pushed it purposely. Just maybe but what do I know? I’m just the one flying it! 🙄

[@walker-snow]

@@QCGUY I have Mini 2 SE and Autel Evo Nano+ is on the way. I'll receive it in 1-2 days. I never sent the Mini 2 SE to more than 3 km away and I don't think I will send the Nano+ to more than 3 km either. You have 100% chance for return with 3km, 80% chance with 4km and 50% for anything over 4.5 kilometers. More you go further there is more possibility for encountering a strong head wind.

[@QCGUY]

@@walker-snow Brilliant!

[@thomastobin9602]

As usual nail biter Great video Chris any chance Chris doing one on mini2 with new firmware 1.5.10

[@QCGUY]

I have zero need or desire for DJI’s new update. It works and I’m leaving things that way 👍🏻

[@mikelambert6245]

Have you noticed similar problems with the Lite+? Just got one and scared to open it haha. Not a perfect drone but seems to have at least less issues than the Nanos..

[@QCGUY]

Not yet buddy but Autel isn’t known for ling life battery science or consistency there. After about 40 cycles is when I’ll look to be more cautious.

[@Matanumi]

Should've came back when the warning told you.. Doesn't look like it has reserve power like the mini 2s battery does

[@QCGUY]

Still wouldn’t have made it…

[@Matanumi]

@@QCGUY really? At 51% at 5100m? Were you against the wind and could feel it was too slow?

[@QCGUY]

@@Matanumi The battery was failing!!! Those extra 3,4 or 5 seconds every percent that I get in wind would have made a huge difference. Did you not see the wind forecast posted? Barely nothing there! I’m sorry your on my last nerve today. Come fly with me and let me teach you a few things. I took it 5700 meters since and on a different battery so guess what??? I know what I’m doing! Stop commenting as a fact guy when you’re wrong on everyone’s comments in my thread because it’s getting real old and I don’t like my subscribers being bugged that way.

[@Matanumi]

@@QCGUY hey man.... I'm just as disappointed in autels flight characteristics QC as you are. Perhaps flying and using mini 2s we've all become quite spoiled of what expensive top quality micro drones can do

[@michaelripple8371]

I was wondering if I was the only one having battery charging issues, now I gotta figure out whether it's the charger or a battery ?

[@QCGUY]

I think the chargers time out but it could be a little battery firmware as well.

[@forrestneighbors2722]

Maybe install a tripod socket on the bottom.

[@QCGUY]

Good action cam maybe? lol

[@forrestneighbors2722]

Baby monitor.

[@DroneGraphy]

Oh Chris, you just had to give me the nail biter didn't you. You had me off my feet with my hands over my head. At 18% I saw you were dead above water and I was swallowing alot of saliva at this point. I am telling you if not for part of the title of your video that said "forced landing", I am pretty sure I would sh** myself. Chris, why does your Autel drones have to give you this headache especially with battery? I mean I remember the big Autel Evo that somehow the battery sort of ejected itself and we had to do an SAR with that one too. Great video Chris, you made me a promise to give me a nail biter, you sure delivered. Thanks for the education on the battery charging section too, that is some good information

[@QCGUY]

It’s quite simple… Autel has a reputation for battery issues in their history but nobody wants to document and show these things. I can tell you several KZbinrs you know that won’t post anything negative or something like this that could be taken as the fault of a drone company. I show my faults and the fault of the drones I’m reviewing no matter what. This was pretty simple with a the luck of timing as I approached s good spot to land. Not as dramatic as it could be in the wrong place. Could have ended up in the water 👍🏻

[@DroneGraphy]

@@QCGUY @QC GUY Thank Goodness for you Chris to keep pushing these drone companies to give us what they advertise and sell to us. Your community has your back. I'd say experience played a key role in how you handled the situation. Good job!

[@QCGUY]

@@DroneGraphy Thank you 😊 Doesn’t make a difference but it brings awareness anyhow 👍🏻

[@DroneGraphy]

@@QCGUY it sure does bring awareness

[@mntdronesolutions]

Maybe a defective charger? And.... thank GOD for GPS! I had a similar situation with my E2P. The battery went from 8% to force landing within 10 seconds. The low battery warning came on and I agreed to the return to home and within 10 seconds it was forced landing. I had no control whatsoever, couldn't even raise it up to hold altitude or move side to side AT ALL! It landed out in the open desert about 500 to 600 yards away from me and I was able to find it almost immediately. Normally at 8% I have another 5 to 6 minutes, but not with this particular battery. Needless to say I will not be flying very far away with this particular battery and definitely will not be flying over water! It was one of the original batteries that came with my rugged bundle back in 2020. The other two are fine. I think it might be coming to the end of its life cycle. It has more than 30 cycles on it and 808 State did a video about the batteries not lasting more than 50 or 60 cycles. He noticed his flights went from approximately 30 minutes to just a little over 20 with that many cycles and he recommended to dispose of them at that point. Also, Ludicrous mode EATS the battery, even on the E2P.

[@QCGUY]

It’s just a power supply in the end not a smart charger. The tech is in the circuits of the batteries and too many others have the exact same issue so it’s something Autel is aware of like everything else. Just not talking about it till enough stink is made of it.

[@QCGUY]

Autel isn’t good with batteries unfortunately. 30 cycles isn’t shit but if that’s the case 3 out of my 6 are doomed!

[@mntdronesolutions]

@@QCGUY That is the only one I have had issues with. I'll check the exact number of cycles and get back to you with the number just for FYI purposes

[@mikehrenak1390]

First air 2 s army out

[@Reviews4fun1]

You have to assume a faster depletion towards the end of a battery, with high winds. With all you guys complaining, the drone is now selling for $535 on eBay. Thanks!! 😂😂😂

[@QCGUY]

That’s better than the rip of prices they started with. I still wouldn’t buy this drone.

[@louissoto1529]

I flew it today. The battery drain is terrible. Thev charge port trash.

[@QCGUY]

The more I show my experience the more I learn it’s pretty wide spread. Thanks

[@HendrixFreakazoid]

Worse than the mavic mini? I just breathe on my mavic mini and I get high wind warnings

[@QCGUY]

Original mini yes but not the mini 2 at all. It’s a fighter 👍🏻

[@RugerMini556]

Bit all but one of my nails off...

[@BurlapandLight]

This is why I hve been paying attention to videos reviews from trusted users. Hence I refuse to buy this drone. Debating on the Lite+ or just splurging for the Enterprise edition and using the E2P V1 as the back up.

[@QCGUY]

Lite plus seems to be good as long as it’s batteries don’t start going to crap after 30-40 cycles. Definitely glad you skipped this one ☝️

[@girlstreak4880]

Wow! And this is more expensive than Mini 2. Mini 2 flies better.

[@QCGUY]

Agreed

[@ChadB]

First...

[@QCGUY]

You beat him!!! 😂

[@mikehrenak1390]

Or second air2sarmy lol

[@ChadB]

Lol...come on man...you're slacking 😁

[@QCGUY]

Too funny!

[@mihaildorian]

Autel Evo Nano Plus, another crap drone, like Hubsan Zino mini pro , sell it or destroy it in front of us !!!

[@QCGUY]

I’m not Ken Heron where I destroy drones on purpose. If and when I do I’ll do it a little more manly with a shot gun and action cam attached to the barrel.

[@QCGUY]

@@retromodernart4426 the screwed up part is these companies contact us to review their products. I always decline because I know they are crap but he’s agreeing to review something from a company as a lie and then does things like that or does a giveaway knowing he’s giving a subscriber a piece of crap. He’s a performer so I guess he’s gotta do what he’s gotta do to pay the bills.

[@kk77782]

Top Landing 🫡🚀💪😎🇦🇹