Battery Plus in Strong Wind: Is the DJI Mini 3 Pro Faster & More Stable?

[@Totustuus2022]

Is weird I have never received that “Battery overcurrent” message! Great video as usual Ian!

[@mjklein]

Ian, thanks for the test. It would have been useful to have the "radar" view so we could see the drone attitude too. I use that display to see what's going on, especially in high winds.

[@IaninLondon]

Yes; I'll remember for next time.

[@mjklein]

@@IaninLondon in all fairness, this was quite some time ago and subsequent videos show the radar view. Your videos keep getting better all the time.

[@grumpyclark]

Thanks Ian - your videos and the DJI technology make me a little more confident in flying in strong wind :)

[@kamikazekaos]

Knew the plus batteries give you more... Oorphh , a must have for all mini3pros and given more flight times of around 32-35 on average

[@georgekelly1948]

Thanks for this additional wind test, Ian. I bought the fly more kit with two +batteries for the M3P. I appreciate you showing how flight with the +battery is stronger. And I really like the additional flight time-seems like I can fly “forever.” Cheers from Wisconsin, USA.

[@IaninLondon]

Yep; it really feels that way doesn't it :) Love it

[@mjklein]

When I'm on a photo mission and I'm concentrating on shooting, after 30 minutes or so, I actually forget that I have a drone in the air. I'm always surprised by the RTH alert after 40 minutes. The flight time is stunning.

[@waddac2]

Nice test again Ian mate. 👌👌

[@shsechas]

Thanks Ian. Since I'm already registered with the FAA. I think I'm gonna invest in the plus battery. Just a little more insurance on a windy day. If I think I will even get a "high wind warning" I fly another day.

[@smbishop63]

Excellent presentation as usual! Thank you! I might have some Mini 3 Pro envy, but my two Mini 2's meet my needs for now.

[@TonesDroneVisuals]

Great test Ian. I have both batteries for my Mini 3 Pro and always wondered. Thanks for the comparison 👍

[@dogzillamonster]

Thanks. Have been curious about possible flight characteristic differences. I fly only with the Plus batteries nowadays.

[@GeorgeFoxCinematography]

Great test thanks!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@dougcooper4917]

Excellent Test Comparison Video. Thank You Ian.

[@IaninLondon]

Thanks Doug! :)

[@Matt-uq3in]

dji plus battery unbelievable bought mine off ali 🔥

[@reptar1098]

Dji should implement a flight calculator that estimates the the wind speed as youre flying

[@SW-Video]

The fix for the Battery Overcurrent warning is simply to do a firmware update. Each new battery has to be updated. I had the same issue on a new Mini 3 using the plus battery. Did an update and no more warning.

[@IaninLondon]

I have around 8 batteries; thought they were all updated! Cheers

[@SW-Video]

@@IaninLondon Oh, I hear ya, and it's an easy thing to forget. I was blown away at just how long it took to charge these Mini 3 batteries, especially the Plus type. Then I found out it needs at least a 30 amp charger so now I'm waiting on a 65 amp charger to come in that can charge everything at one time.

[@TomUlcak]

Thanks Ian! Brilliant.

[@dennisbrooks240]

An increase in weight gives the drone more inertia, meaning a higher wind is required to displace, so more stable. Increased available amps keeps the power available further into the flight so a higher average speed would be expected. With more inertia, once it gets going the drone tends to maintain speed with side winds having less effect. Add strobes/coins to bring MINI 3 with a standard battery to equal the larger battery weight. Though the voltage and available amps will drop faster, similar performance and wind resistance/penetration should be seen at the beginning of the flight. The heavier battery does stress the drone. The super light Japanese restricted weight battery will result in higher no wind speeds, but unstable an will not sustain penetration of high winds.

[@IaninLondon]

Half agree; having slightly more weight and inertia would have very little effect on withstanding wind displacement; that's almost totally down to the power of the props and motors (and the shape / silhouette of the drone itself acting as a sail). as you say, once it gets going though, side winds may have slightly less effect.

[@01bigtrev]

I’m happy you are trying this as I received my battery plus from Ali express a few days ago and was going to test it in the wind yesterday but late back from work 👍 Edit: battery is legit and proper box and does firmware update once you charge it first. Took about 3 weeks to arrive and £92

[@IaninLondon]

The extended flight time is far and away the biggest improvement :)

[@quantumcalamari]

@@IaninLondon Could you and @01bigtrev share where you bought your batteries from on Ali Express?

[@karenmouselady]

Another good test Ian I always keep my plus battery to hand but will use it on windy days though the warning you got is a bit of a worry to me. Keep up the good work .👍👍

[@IaninLondon]

The warning is fine; it's just telling you to slow down a bit ;)

[@lynsmith1096]

Good test and video Ian.

[@IaninLondon]

Thanks Lyn Cheers.

[@UKDroneClub]

Another great video, Ian 😀

[@IaninLondon]

Thank you! And as usual, there's a link to your great club in the video notes :)

[@riverbankfisher]

This is a great comparative test. I'm keenly interested in the Mini 3's ability to make it back home if the wind picks up while it is out on a waypoint mission. I just ordered a Mini 3 with the Plus batteries, but I've also seen the odd youtube video in which dissatisfaction was expressed about the windy day performance. It looks like I'll need to be more careful to avoid flying the Mini 3 on windy days than I have been flying my larger Mavic Pro 2. I wonder if No Limit Drones will offer a hack to increase the drone's downward nose attitude to avoid stopping completely when flying against the wind.

[@IaninLondon]

I've never had an issue; if it's struggling, you can also descend as you try and fly back; not only will that massively help the attitude and speed whilst it's descending, it will get you out of the strongest winds too.

[@thriftysurvivor6117]

Good information to have. Thanks for sharing.

[@itsmyireland]

Thanks for that test. To be honest it leves me very unsure, don't like the way the battery actually maxed out. Looking forward to more tests if you dovany

[@stevec.5638]

Tested mounting a GoPro 11 Mini on my DJI Mini 3 Pro today, the standard battery just drain 20-30% faster!! That must be due to the added weight, anyone facing the same issue? Probably need the Battery Plus?

[@sim2g]

I wish I bought GoPro mini instead of my regular Hero 11.

[@IaninLondon]

That's a lot of extra weight for it to be carrying; you will defo lose battery fast that way.

[@sim2g]

After this video I'm your new subscriber. Very good, practical test. Did you by any chance hear about the new P.O.I. exploit? Liking the video and looking forward to the next one. 🌟

[@IaninLondon]

Welcome aboard! What POI exploit are you referring to? Cheers, Ian

[@sim2g]

@@IaninLondon Thnx bro. Check my last upload, I'm explaining it there.

[@stanvisualseychelles932]

Nice video Ian 👌

[@El_Smeghead]

If I may make a correction (it's more of an addition really) to one thing you said which may offer some clarification to your viewers, Ian. If you have gained the A2CofC qualification, you can fly anything up to 500g with no intentional overflight of uninvolved people, and not as you stated, "far away from uninvolved people", Hope that helps people considering wishing to use the Plus battery 👍

[@IaninLondon]

Very true words of course 👍🏻. Cheers!

[@cookwithafrozvlog1297]

Excellent

[@MBauer-op6vx]

You reference “strong wind” but, how strong was it? Like in miles per hour? Just curious! Great video. Thank you!

[@IaninLondon]

Storm Otto was 35-40 mph steady winds with gusts up to 50 that day according to local data on the day 👍🏻👍🏻

[@user-mt2yh7zz6r]

Wont this high current warnings affect battery life in the long run? I was looking into buying once of these for jet ski trips in the ocean. But i am not so confident on this drone been able to handle ocean winds. What do you guys think?

[@EastAngliaUK]

I will order a plus battery next week on ebay is £65 to £70 good? I only fly at the beach so not worried

[@DavidinEssexUK]

Love my plus battery its just a shame theres no warranty in them as these mini3 batteries have a tendency for the clips to break.

[@IaninLondon]

I haven't had a clip break yet..... but at £100 a pop, you don't want it breaking

[@DavidinEssexUK]

@@IaninLondon ive had several. Dji replaced all except the plus battery. It was quite good as the standard battery’s were over 170 charges. i see plenty of issues with the tabs on the forum’s

[@ZdendaBouda]

Thank you for this test. I see devil's number of your followers 66.6 thousand, great 🙂

[@IaninLondon]

I must be doomed or amazing then..... ;)

[@ZdendaBouda]

@@IaninLondon exactly opposite 👍😀

[@J.R.AirPiX]

my mini 3 hit 36mph in sport with stock battery , how u only getting 16mph?

[@MountainHutFilms]

Hi Ian, the DJI Mini 3 Pro has an emergency stop with two settings. I’m not sure what the difference is or how easy it might be to activate either of these by accident. Not a good idea !! Good idea for a video maybe ?

[@2Old4Toys]

Say a mini 3 pro had damaged front legs, is it worth trying a replacement using the mini 3 non-pro legs in the hope of improved range?

[@ApertureViews]

Is the drone louder with the plus batteries? The size and noise level that the mini 3 pro produces is a main selling feature for me if the plus batteries make it louder, I might need to skip them

[@IaninLondon]

No; no noticeable difference at all.

[@joyindeeamornchai754]

Does battery over current only happen on the plus batt?

[@IaninLondon]

That's the only time I've seen that message 👍🏻

[@gcuberos]

It'd be nice to understand what the battery overcurrent means. Otherwise the plus battery is not better, seems worse.

[@jesusgjchuza6491]

🤝🤝

[@nuhbiwan]

How do you make sure you have the same wind speed each time? This test might not be as useful as intended, no matter how many repetitions. Same goes for the previous wind test video. You should use more drones simultaneously to be able to compare correctly in my opinion

[@IaninLondon]

Yes, I tried that once and the CAA told me off..... And as I don't have any friends, I just have to make the best of it by doing multiple tests :)

[@nuhbiwan]

@@IaninLondon somehow I cannot believe you have no friends😂

[@junction10]

Do you know what the actual wind speed/gust speed was at 50m for these tests? As the Mini 3 Pro is rated for 10m/s wind, just wondering how far you could push it?

[@rsmickeymooproductions4877]

Overcurrent warning is quite worrying? Could it be defective? Might be worth contacting DJI if this is normal as the standard batteries you do get this.

[@IaninLondon]

No, I only get that when flying very fast in strong winds, which I seem to do too often..... :)

[@alanr1476]

Great video as always. Where did you buy the plus battery?

[@IaninLondon]

B&H Photo in NY

[@alanr1476]

@@IaninLondon thanks. Not so easy for drop by 😂😂

[@dennisbrooks240]

You seem to have orthographic turbulence, increase of wind at mid flight? Each time the speed dropped in half toward the mid point of the flights, then increased again at the far windrow, just before you turned around. Was the larger battery in an over-charged state? That would explain the increase in noise and speed. It could also be the increase in weight making the motor speed compensate, just like carrying a load on the standard battery. Load weight with the standard battery to match the heavy battery weight and see if the motor pitch increase sounds the same?

[@IaninLondon]

I wondered on the drops in speed; I am wondering whether the continuous high load and drain on batteries hits the power around the same time....Plus battery was charged to around 90% and drops to just below 70% during third test

[@dennisbrooks240]

@@IaninLondonOn all flights, speed came back up just before you turned around?

[@IaninLondon]

Yes; maybe a slight shelter from the approaching tree line; would have thought 50 m was high enough to avoid ground feature turbulence or effects though.

[@dennisbrooks240]

@@IaninLondon Flying over farming in rolling terrain can produce turbulence at a couple thousand feet. Over a plowed field, then grass/crops, rock outcrops and trees all accept sunlight and produce/absorb heat at different rates. The wind changes over terrain and the drone diverts power to stay level in up and down drafts. Speed varies. Check your logs for power fluctuations.

[@adragon3210]

What's the overcurrent warning mean? Not seen that before.

[@SW-Video]

Needs a battery firmware update.

[@ptaylor5014]

Hm i might stick a brick onto my Mini 2 so that it handles strong wind better 🤔🤔😁😁

[@Jakeydroney]

Hi iam trying to get the pro plus battery here in England. Where would you suggest! Iam not to sure and worried about counterfeits

[@IaninLondon]

It's hard; you can look on eBay but you should message the seller and specifically ask if this is the Plus battery with extended flight time; then if it's not, you can initiate a return and go via eBay resolutions

[@Jakeydroney]

@Ian in London Thanks for your suggestion. You are right it is hard to find them. I'm looking into a couple of ebay sellers from here in the UK! Rather than the ones comming from China. And I shall take your Advice and message the seller first. I Appreciate your reply and also not forgetting your very helpful videos👍

[@IaninLondon]

Defo buy from a UK seller. Cheers.

[@Jakeydroney]

@Ian in London Yep got one delivered with in 48 hours from up London and all is good with it when flying the drone earlier over the sea with a 24 mph-ish gust on the Sw coastal path stanbury mouth I also did the flyer ID while waiting for the delivery.

[@gunnsteinnjonsson9166]

Overcurrent warning, what is that all about?

[@SW-Video]

Needs a battery firmware update.

[@gunnsteinnjonsson9166]

@@SW-Video OK that's good. I just got the Plus batteries so you got me a little bit worried 😯

[@flashy696969]

That was a waste of time really Ian, this test didn't prove anything, I personally have found the plus battery is super for longer flights and puts a tad more weight to the aircraft which obviously assists with stability in strong winds, a great battery to use if doing a lot of cruising about ! If you flew in normal mode the speed would have stayed constant and not overloaded the battery as it did in your Sports mode tests ? Also that plus battery may not be good ? If you purchased it from the states it is possibly faulty :) cheers

[@IaninLondon]

Well, you're welcome to your opinion, but for me, the performance was better at first. I have had the overcurrent warning happen a few times, but I've also been advised it's simply needing a firmware update now. Either way, the extended flight time is clearly 90% of the benefit of the Plus battery

[@liamprincetech]

So in conclusion: + battery is intermittently stronger...when the drone allows it.... and a semi-pointless video if you happen to live in the UK/EU. Wind stability? Marginally better if you average the experience out.