DJI MAVIC 2: How Active Track 2.0 Really Works // Sports Review

[@jmcgovern9633]

Handling that wind pretty good

[@rabvtec999]

Thank you! As someone who enjoys the fire roads and trails through forests on my mountain bike, and open country road driving in my kit car, I found this really helpful! I hope more M2 owners post up videos like this, thanks again!

[@Puckerization]

Excellent demonstration of Active Track. Thanks for taking to time to show us.

[@JHMRT2244]

Sweet video! Thanks for sharing! Can't wait to get mine in the mail.

[@dimi3815]

Thanks for the vid, 've been waiting for this vid, not especially from you like forever (3 days)... keep up the good work

[@jackbisson9226]

This is great stuff. The Spotlight tracking an the shots you coming up with were very cinematic as if watching a sports event or sports movie. Very cool stuff and great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@GhostTheory]

Yeah we are always astonished by this machine every time we use it.

[@Iscrnd]

Absolutely wonderful video! This could possibly be the video that makes or breaks my decision on purchasing one for portable cinematic video. The active track while panning makes it a definite plus. Thanks so much for your input! :)

[@carlospadilla4239]

Wow dude. This was an incredible video. Thank you for putting this out 👍

[@fourtraxer]

The times it lost you was because you didn't have it high enough IMO. If you want to shoot that low with bushes like that, you should expect stoppages. I'd like to see the results with the drone a little higher.

[@Dcrainmaker]

It was still mixed a bit higher. Definitely in both cases it stopped here it was due to seeing the bushes. But, that's actually the exact (and only) scenario that DJI highlights in their launch video and on the main Mavic 2 page. If you scroll down on that page you see the runner in the trees with the drone low.

[@Neukids]

Agree, your comment saved me from typing a long message. 《Or did it ?)

[@lanyusea]

It seems the active track logic is quite tough in the manual: 1. It can only bypass the obstacles automatically in Trace mode with no action applied on remote controller. I just checked the scenes when it stopped (I may missed some). either in Parallel mode, or you touched the roll stick to make it circle (I guessed from the drone behavior). I saw some videos show the drone can bypass the trees in Trace mode. Hope can do better in all-direction bypassing, also considering the user's input.

[@gaborpetroci]

So it dont have, follow the vector of last known speed and direction (heading)

[@tapiva]

​@@Dcrainmaker If you use the stick control it seems to lose the autotrace function. I think you should have used the slider in order to get the tracking to work with re-positioning the drone and not with the controller knob. There also flashed Go! in front of the target, so if you would hit the "Go!" it would resume back to tracing and catch up with the target. It seems it did not lose the target but it lost the control of trace like cars lose the cruise control when driver uses brake or clutch at the last run. The first run the bushes made it to lose target.

[@friedpicklezzz]

You have a voice that sounds like Kermit the frog. Which I sincerely think is cool.

[@Socal_Geo1]

So it can’t automatically fly through quickly-moving giant piles of weeds that appear to the sensors to be jumping in front of it. Just fly a few meters higher and I think it would have worked better.

[@davidturpin9135]

But he was specifically addressing a feature that the drone claims it can do... See 2:00.

[@vlax543]

Great job. Straight to the point. Definitely worth of subscribing 😉

[@BeckersReviews]

Wow :) you flew back and already shot the video:) it was a pleasure to meet you at the event:)

[@Dcrainmaker]

Great meeting you as well! Keep up the good stuff!

[@SaveTheManuals]

This was a great video! Looks like Active Track 2.0 has matured over its 1.0 version, but still has a lot more room to improve. Many of the same issues that stop tracking in 1.0 came up here in 2.0 as well. Thanks again for this great demo!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Agree. I think the biggest takeaway from this is that it's finally viable for at least some b-roll. Definitely not yet to the point of the Airdog where you can legit go for a 15 minute (battery time in that case) ride across mountains and it'll 100% be there with you. But certainly an improvement. Plus, Airdog of course can't avoid obstacles.

[@christianlionel1988]

Great video and extensive testing. Do you know if this is the same story with the Mavic 2 Pro? Now I am be clutching at straws here but will the Mavic 2 Pro be better at active track purely based on having a better camera to track you with? Thanks

[@luckybastardshawaii2834]

I think some of the problems were flying the drone way too low. If it had been 5 feet over that grass hedge it would not have stopped.

[@SaveTheManuals]

@@luckybastardshawaii2834 Sure, but then you don't get that dramatic angle.

[@KevinBlokland]

Nice video and awesome to see some Mavic 2 footage shot in the Netherlands! :)

[@VickersDoorter]

As delivery of mine is imminent this video was very useful, as I'm planning on using my M2Pro when out cycling and rowing training. I was surprised though at it losing you relatively easily. It's shame that there is not a back-up facility to lock onto a transmitted signal from the subject. I guess that's going to be in the Mavic 3, next year...

[@RikBrown88]

Super excited for the rest of your Mavic 2 videos! Mine is sitting in customs in Alaska lol.

[@AriHD]

thanks for the in-depth review! Looks like it is working really well!

[@chillimocha]

Great introduction to Active Track 2.0. Many thanks

[@denisstepanenko3037]

Thanks for video. Could you make a video about Active track 2.0 and downhill from top of some mountain to bottom with some significant height changing. Previous version was not able to go down together with tracking target.

[@dmkinney]

Excellent, unbiased demo. Tks.

[@williamkarmy5808]

do a video with apas or active track 2.0 through the woods

[@RoyTheKing241]

Agree. Really want to see this.

[@TandemAdventurers]

Problem is, it won't work.

[@weldersandblaster]

Agree. Really want to see this as this is why I would by it so it can film me on my ATV 4 wheeler in the trails in the woods.

[@JeremiahMcintosh]

Job well done worthy of a subscriber! I like that you had it low to show the limitations and sensing capabilities dodging those bushes. It looked like it dodged a few but also got held up on some too. On the last one it stopped but never lost you I wonder if it needs a software update like another commenter said? Also what’s the max speed (mph) you can track in safe mode with the sensors on? I would like to see a focus comparison test between the pro and zoom since zoom has hybrid focus? Also I wonder if separate two tracks better with active track in low lighting conditions since it has a bigger sensor? Can’t wait to see more!

[@Dcrainmaker]

It's on the latest production software (and was when this was filmed on Saturday). It shows as fully updated in app - both then and today. Good question on tracking better in low-lighting, not sure, would be a fun one to test - especially perhaps in trees in such. Active Track 2.0 limits the 'Safe' speed checkbox at 12 meters/second, which is 26MPH. However, even that's a little unclear. As deciphering the manual on this (page 22 specifically), is that forward 'safe' obstacle avoidance speed limit is 31MPH and 27MPH backwards. Lateral is 18MPH. I suppose the differences here are minor, but, fwiw, there they are.

[@JeremiahMcintosh]

DC Rainmaker awesome thank you so much for the info ! That’s what I was looking for! I would love to see if there is a difference in the way the zoom vs the pro2 focuses since the zoom has hybrid (phase detection) focus? Not sure if the pro 2 has it? I’m still undecided between the two🤔 Keep up the great videos I can’t wait to see the next ones!

[@isaacmelendez5]

Thank you for the information. Really nice place.....

[@yellowsuzuki06]

Great active track real world tests!

[@shehrozeawan5483]

One of the best drone i see

[@dep1001]

Cool! Awesome vid, will be looking forward to the upcoming Mavic 2 vids.Btw. where is this shot? Looks like a very nice area. Thanks.

[@mrsilverstig]

Awesome video Ray! Just wanted to know where in the Netherlands was the track that you filmed the video?

[@ModernMoose1]

Great vid, thank you! I am actually curious how you recorded the audio. I want to use the active track almost like a second shooter so I can conduct an interview while I am walking. Did you just use a lav mic? sounds like it did really well with the end and everything

[@RichardGetzPhotography]

Well done and you got your workout in, kudos!

[@BardhokNdoji]

Nice video. I got nervous every time that drone was going too close to branches and grass!

[@americansoldier7776]

Great job Buddy!

[@blue280485]

This is nice review about ActiveTrack 2.0 on Mavic 2 👍 Now imagine having ActiveTrack 2.0 on Mavic 2 Enterprise and cops chasing bad guys with it 😃

[@TravelQuintessence]

Great Video 👍🏿 Loved it

[@OrestisTrips]

Spot on video. Great job. Thanks!

[@Miguel-re2hv]

Very good vid. Quite disappointed that active track hasn't been improved much more...thank you

[@abdigitaluk_photography]

all things considered and it looked windy too, the tracking is very good

[@waynerenshaw-multi-outdoor4521]

I tried my Mavic Air in just Gesture mode and followed me flawlessly with no phone or controller.. try it like that , and see if it runs better 👍😉 I'm same as you DC myself and Angie cycle .. did the ride over the Dam at Cormet de Roselend worked brilliantly, had to mess about with it as a car was coming up from behind.. but worked brilliantly...

[@Str8Up180]

Great video! I have my Mavic 2 pro coming Wednesday! My question is, do you still have to have the remote on you during AT or are you still limited to the 100m (I think that was the distance it went) without the remote? Thanks!

[@Dcrainmaker]

No limit to 100m. But with the Mavic 2 you *have* to have the remote attached. No phone-only mode anymore.

[@Dcrainmaker]

@bigtoolgarry Totally - however, if you're solo shooting, then you just have yourself. ;) Technically you could even place the controller on the ground, but from a safety/legality standpoint, that's typically not ideal.

[@victorm316]

Great video. I think if you had the drone just a little higher in elevation. It would of been fine. It seem like the bushes was interfering with it and stopping.

[@adam2084]

When doing active track for long distance, should the home point be set to the RC in case of any problems where it needs to return home? Would it work that way?

[@truenorth365]

Nice demonstration of the new Active Track 2.0! I definetely can see some improvements, 1.0 was a bit sketchy. Thanks for sharing this video!

[@inthevortexphotography5520]

Great video! Is this video recorded in The Netherlands? Landscape looks very familiar. And nice bike, I am a cyclist myself, never thought about tracking myself with the drone.

[@MichaelConferPhoto]

Thanks. Is this near Driel, Netherlands?

[@mikesurft9838]

Great Review about the active track feature! But I'm amazed that this highly developed drone is still so poor with it's auto follow functions. It still looses often connection. And why don't they make a water proof tracker (maybe as an additional accessory)??? Me as a wind and kitesurfer I use the Staaker drone. This one never looses connection, and has a small waterproof tracker which you just strap around your arm, and it's ready to go. It flies all by itself, even in strong winds. Such a pity for this great new magic drone. Dji definitely has the technology, but their just not building it in a drone...

[@urgyanlotos1333]

This is so practical! 👍💯

[@garynash4171]

Great video thanks for posting

[@DigitalicaEG]

Can you do a side by side comparison with older models (Mavic air for example) of active track 1.0 vs 2.0

[@wsy987]

I consulted with a DJI engineer who is in charge of Active track about this video. He suspected that the firmware used in this test is not V01.00.00.00 (Released with Mavic 2 announcement several days ago), which turns on the detour logic. Could you please check the version of the firmware used in this test? Thank you for your test!

[@Dcrainmaker]

It's on firmware 1.00.0000 - this was shot on Saturday afternoon, after firmware had been updated at the launch event on Thursday afternoon. As of this moment (Monday afternoon), upon checking it still shows this as the latest firmware available.

[@wsy987]

DC Rainmaker Thank you for your reply! I’ll tell him this info. And thanks again for your fantastic test!

[@Matsie1431]

nice video! Does the Mavic 2 pro also zoom digital? I am doubting between the two...

[@johnfarr5415]

Hey Ray - so in the video you were zooming in and out. Were you using the Pro or the Zoom model? I have a DJI Spark that, to my knowledge, doesn't have this zoom feature and it's something I want for sure in my next drone.

[@400AGLNET]

Great video, but I'd like to mention that I didn't recall seeing you turn on APAS, Does APAS work while in active track or other flight modes? I think DJI was bragging up the better software in the APAS setting so if APAS was not active or cannot be active while in auto flight modes I can see where that may become an issue for some. If APAS does work during auto flight modes then it's a huge win for everyone, Including DJI.

[@DiogoSisti]

Great video, mavic can film ( track ) you from close to you? Like 4m ? Or is there a security limit distance in the system?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yes, it can get within that distance. The challenge though is that the closer it gets the more like it is to fail to track due to shifts in speed or direction it can’t account for.

[@LucianoMascotti]

Hi! thanks for the review! did you try going downhill? What about skiing or going down a mountain?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Unfortunately living in Amsterdam, it's as flat as a table. :(

[@LucianoMascotti]

@@Dcrainmaker that's true! I'm sorry.. Did you try the 48MP super res feature?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yup, here's the two photos if you want to take a look. They were taken a few minutes apart, but very similiar framing. One is more than twice as big. No editing in post, straight off SD card. www.dropbox.com/sh/oj938o8taxqdqdg/AACoG3V6xnGAMJHna2QC0iB2a?dl=0

[@LucianoMascotti]

@@Dcrainmaker Wow! That's superb! Thank you so much for taking the time! I've a Mavic Pro and I don't know if I should change it for a Mavic 2 zoom or not..

[@weldersandblaster]

So the larger photo with more depth of zoom in was the photo taken in 4k? Or are you saying 1080p so you could also software zoom in also. Or 1080p gave you twice the optical zoom ability? Sorry but I'm not sure I totally get what your saying.

[@GregHilton]

Did you get the Strava KOM with that tail wind :)

[@MeeLoNengTV]

Question: When you need to land, do you land back where you started? Or do you land at the new place where you are at?

[@avesraggiana]

You can land your drone wherever you end up. Just press the LAND icon, but NOT the HOME icon.

[@c0pyimitati0n]

That seems to work MUCH better than the original Mavic Pro. I would love to see a comparison between Active Track 1 vs 2

[@BeastModeDR614]

You should make more videos like this!

[@giz54]

Thanks for the video. Would like to find out if the Pro can also zoom cause earlier i saw you zoom. Thank you

[@robdude1969]

have you done anything with descending down a hill??

[@Dcrainmaker]

Not yet. Unfortunately much of the Netherlands are super-flat (like the only hill is a highway overpass). But soon I'll be headed to the mountains and will do plenty of testing there.

[@robdude1969]

Thank you for your reply. I am waiting for delivery now... soaking up youtube reviews... I'm sure in depth how to's on specific features will be appreciated.

[@kerwinfernandes9583]

Great review... Thanks God bless! :)

[@rm1floyd]

Forgot to say SUPER VIDEO!

[@searles400]

Since you have both can you say how you feel about the image quality between the 2. Is the pro that much better than the zoom? Is the zoom version the same quality as the OG mavic/Air or inproved? Thanks

[@Dcrainmaker]

Zoom any day. Well, it's more complicated than that. Let me explain... 1) I think if you're the type of person that it's constantly applying LUT's or spending hours colors grading each video - then the Pro would appeal more to you because you've got that range of color to work with in post (10-bit). 2) However, if you don't do that - nor plant to frequently do that, then you're unlikely to use that mode and the footage in it. Even the HDR footage I shot with the Pro required some color grading in my tests, it just wasn't anywhere near the vibrance of the 'Normal' method without it. Consistently footage shot in 'Normal' looked better out of the box than footage shot in 'HDR'. But again, those modes are generally focused on people doing more work in post. 3) Zoom however lacks that depth (mostly by forced product separation of course), but it does give you the super-high resolution ~45MP photo plus of course zooming during video. In some of the coolest shots in this video it was me BOTH zooming in/out as well as moving the camera. And that's in 4K, if I was in 1080p I could have doubled my zoom range again (secondary via digital). 4) Quality-wise to the naked eye (not using tools to zoom in/etc...), it's a wash. There are some scenarios where one might look better than the other, no doubt. Even scenarios where the Zoom might look better than the Pro (for example, I was shooting last week out on the water in bright sunlight at noon and the Zoom actually handled dynamic range slightly better over the waves). Again, not saying some folks won't find the Pro better in the right hands...but, I don't think most will notice. Ultimately, if you don't know what a LUT is, and don't plan to color grade everything, then go Zoom.

[@searles400]

DC Rainmaker thank you so much. Great info!

[@chrisgarty]

DC Rainmaker you should do a video running through that opinion since that is the best comparison explanation I've seen so far! I had similar thoughts after watching 10-15 review videos, but you put it so well.

[@tonakkie635]

Great video and review👍. Would be great if you could do a simular test with the Parrot Anafi. Thnx.

[@TandemAdventurers]

Dude. First off, FANTASTIC review here!!! Well done. Your video has addressed some of my biggest concerns and questions about the new Mavic 2. As a cyclist and a creator myself, intelligent automatic flight modes are extremely important to me (for the same reasons you have noted), as well as the ability to be controlled with just a phone only, without the need, added complexity, and bulk of a controller. DJI seems to have made some minor improvements with the Active Track 2.0 but you have shown these improvements to be marginal at best over the previous version. It still doesn't appear to work well enough to be practical in real world conditions. The Parrot drones still reign king when comes to auto-tracking and for the price of one new Mavic 2 Zoom I can nearly buy 2 of the new Parrot Anafi drones (which now have equally good cameras & camera features unlike the Bebop 2 predecessor). I guess I won't be buying a new Mavic 2...

[@TandemAdventurers]

Oh and one other thing (that you didn't address): Is the new Mavic 2 able to automatically increase or decrease its altitude in relation to the subject while in Active Track mode? Like when riding/running/skiing etc. uphill or downhill?

[@luckybastardshawaii2834]

I think your relying a bit too much on a single (flawed) test from a single person.

[@hilltophigh]

LOL 3:00 “... obviously you can still do that if you have a friend... “

[@l4rs047]

Today there has been an update on the ActiveTrack 2.0 feature. I really wonder if it improved over this video.

[@rkram3118]

I was looking forward to your review on AT.....so I guess an improvement but not there yet :-) Just curious, is there any reason why you have not reviewed the same with Autel Evo?

[@jessewg1]

Nice try & superb video, thanks for sharing. So Mavic 2 can not do the "active track" just by cellphone (without connect to the controller) ?? what do you think the function of "follow me (Anafi)" compares with "active track (Mavic 2)" if without considering obstacle avoidance ?? THKS.

[@martinhub3737]

I wonder what size is your tires on your bike, 25? Good test !!

[@Dcrainmaker]

They were just standard road bike tires. So 700x25

[@martinhub3737]

DC Rainmaker looks pretty steady on that gravel. Thanks

[@Life_a_bike]

Love the "trick" with the dog ;-) Where is this? Looks like Holland.

[@Life_a_bike]

Okay, Holland it is... ;)

[@verdonrocksphotography3510]

great video, looks like you managed the drone nicely,,,,, now is time to start working on your biking skills, mount/dismount, cornering.....lol, just giving you hard time! Thank you for cool video, keep them coming!

[@tonyduran4035]

I’ve been waiting for someone to do a range test

[@maksvrscaj]

Great video, have a question about this remote controller. Do you always need controller and smartphone with you when active tracking is active(for gps purposes), or can you leave it at your starting point and just activate drone tracking ? Let's say you want to go windsurfing with drone tracking you out on a sea but you want to leave controller and smartphone on a beach, would that be a possibility ?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Setting legal issues aside a second, yes, you can. If it loses track of you, it'll stay put as long as it still has controller signal (which it undoubtedly would if the controller is in place). When it runs low on battery, it'll automatically return to home. So that part works OK too. In theory to keep it above board in most countries, you'd want to have someone (like a random friend) sitting next to the controller on the beach. That way they could take-control if required, but also warn any bystanders when the drone came back to land.

[@cusebike5391]

Thanks, Ray. It's not quite where I need it to be but DJI is heading in the right dirction. Sony has a new APSC camera coming out soon so the camera budget may be tied up this year.

[@Dcrainmaker]

I hear ya on camera budgets, so many new cameras coming out. I've got pre-orders in for two new Black Magic cameras...but man, these other options are tempting me as well!

[@alessioq8858]

What's the song called at the beginning of the video? Thanks.

[@xavier_arthur]

Still a long way to go but it's definitely a improvement.

[@leecurt4748]

What audio recorder, and how did you sync it with the drone did you use and do it.

[@RoyGregorio]

So you are able to turn on active track and then manually control the camera? Say, if I wanted to position myself 1/3 instead of directly center, I can do this manually while it active tracks?

[@ansonkiek6471]

This is so cool !

[@kleitosaliagas5668]

Was obstacle avoidance on in those the tracking shots ?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yes

[@petemartin1891]

How are you recording sound? Is it completly seperate and you have to match it via editing?

[@nicolauskaindl3399]

Hello Sir, which bike you ride in your video?

[@Rodmoly]

Great video but when I tried your improvised fix of attaching the DJI controller and iPhone to the bars of my mountain bike it wouldn't connect and the error message Magnetic Interference was shown in the controller. Did you have this problem and if so how did you work around it?

[@paulcarrizales6133]

Which microphone do you use for the speaking and how do you have it synced together with the footage.

[@Dcrainmaker]

I just use this mic (amzn.to/2T9zU24) connected to my phone, and then afterwards I sync the footage using Final Cut Pro ('Synchronize Clips' option). In general it's super quick and easy, though it gets messier when i have 3-4 cameras and such. Same concept, just more work.

[@MichaelBylehn]

I don't know if you have a terrain suitable for it, but it would be nice to test Active Track 2.0 when going downwards to see if it that works. It's essential for skiers or downhill bikers.

[@TandemAdventurers]

EXACTLY. I could be wrong here but as far as I know, the new Mavic 2 STILL cannot automatically change it's altitude while in Active Track mode.

[@griffn1]

I have not tested this yet with mine, but it was my understanding that if you touch the controls after you start any of the automated flight modes it will automatically cancel that mode and assume you want to take control. Is that not the case with the Active Trac modes? Also, When watching your video, it stops following you but it still has you tracked and has a big box flashing that says "GO". If you clicked that would it try to catch back up to you?

[@weldersandblaster]

Yes I saw that to and was wondering the same thing. Because it stopped moving but still had you in the green box as you drove away, like it was waiting for conformation from you.

[@unnamed2047]

Looking forward to MTB testing

[@Rickydbaby]

Will it descend elevation down a hill for back country skiing and boarding? The old one dji would not allow it to for some reason.

[@bbanl]

Rick DeMartile I had exactly the same question. Can’t test that in the Netherlands though...

[@sandmancz4756]

If I watch your footage, I see better picture quality from Mavic 2 Zoom, than on other reviews. Please can you tell me your camera settings? And thank you for your review;-)

[@10fantic]

That skydio r1 active track is next level ish. I wonder how long until some tech like that becomes something dji can manage.

[@hadleighmurad]

Omg it's DC Rainmaker, i've been following you since you did online tuts for Garmin. Doing any giveaways/can i work for you? xD nice video!

[@cameratool]

Will it do something besides bullseye framing? Having more space ahead of moving subject is standard practice.

[@Dcrainmaker]

No, center only...except when it gets behind.

[@AndyJohansen]

Fantastic!

[@VIDEOART2024]

Not bad!

[@danno02]

How about active track up and down steep hills?

[@reactionsok]

Did you have thoughts between the two mavic 2s?

[@The_GreenMachine]

finally someone showing how well it tracks a cyclist! cant wait to get mine and test it out following a mountain biker

[@TheValbunnys]

TheGreenMachine - hi just found your commend and would like to know if you got it and if you used for Mtb I am really interesting in getting one but looks like you will spend most of the time looking over the shoulder if is folllowing you

[@INTERGRATEDMA]

what or how are you recording your voice? you using a mic?

[@Dcrainmaker]

I use this small mic here: amzn.to/2PUM4GP - Zero issues with wind while riding. I then also enable the DJI Go app to record audio from the phone, so I can blend the two together in post-production more easily.