DJI Mavic 3 Active Track vs Skydio 2: Tested & Footage!

[@f8tlbyte]

the anxiety I felt watching the mavic 3 avoid the trees was like watching a high end action movie. Thank you for all your testing!

[@ironman98]

Cool yes, not sure that was totally a good thing tho haha.

[@CAPTAINDRONE798]

Love your tests in the tracking avoidance category. The MAVIC 3 is certainly not a sports tracker as that is where the Skydio 2 shines when beacon is used. In my tests the MAVIC 3 tracking/avoidance is about 90% accurate at low speeds but it will lose you if you make a right or left hand turn at walking speeds as the drone is wrapping around to follow you from a different angle. Certainly it is still an improvement over the Air2S and MAVIC 2.

[@flightriot3454]

Don’t forget that B and H has the Air 2S fly more combo with the RC Pro remote included for only $1,749.00. Amazing deal.

[@CAPTAINDRONE798]

@@flightriot3454 considering the price of the Air2S as well as the RC pro, that is a great deal.

[@snowpiercer4777]

@@CAPTAINDRONE798 waiting for your tests of obstacles avoidance! I know it's extremely cold where you live with only 2 fingers exposed from gloves 😂 but still nice to see your videos!

[@FlytPath]

Fantastic testing as usual Ray!!!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks Aldryn, appreciate it!!!

[@philipbloom]

What I found with my tests Ray all my issues were with active track. When I used spotlight mode it’s obstacle avoidance was great. It was smooth and more natural. With active track it constantly over reacted and would be playing catch-up which is when things went wrong. I was just walking too, not even on a bike! It was being hypersensitive and crashed at times when it really wasn’t being challenged. Even when I was stationary it was rocking backwards and forwards. By the worse was front tracing, rear tracking did pretty well. But yeah, they rushed it out. Active track cannot be a feature to release to customers as what is effectively a beta.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Good details - thanks Philip! And indeed, matches what I saw as well. Unfortunately, many things on the Mavic 3 seem a bit rushed. Hopefully it gets all sorted out...

[@philipbloom]

The really daft thing was they sent me and others with review units (if it crashes it’s their drone after all!) the new firmware “to test” and it wouldn’t be released to the public for a couple of weeks. The idea was to give them feedback on it in case there were issues. On my first flight I said it scared me, it was like a drunk driver. Two days after giving us the firmware they released it to the public. So much for the testing stage.

[@ChristiaanRoest79]

@@philipbloom Seems like DJI rushed the firmware release. Not enough testing time.

[@postandfly]

Same here, spotlight is the way to go, now active track is just not reliable. The drone is great but this has to been fix soon.

[@philipbloom]

@@Knypsterinoyes, but if you read the pinned comment on my last video or the description of part 1 you will see that I’ve been very sick with Covid-19.

[@AudioJanitor]

There are NO Dislikes on this channel because the info is so good.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Hahaha...that's the spirit!

[@jormol]

Nice to see someone actually testing the tracking capabilities of the drones. Most drone reviewers just mention it has tracking, walk around on a football field like location and then confirm tracking is working. Therefore I would be really interested in you reviewing the tracking capabilities of the Fimi X8 mini or even better, do a "tracking battle of the mini drones"! This could include the X8 mini, the Hubsan Zino mini pro, the DJI Mini 2 with litchi (and maybe even the Autel Evo Nano).

[@wilteduk007]

Every test of yours I've watched with a DJi drone vs the Skydio, the Skydio is head and shoulders above the DJI drone for obstacle avoidance and tracking.

[@cg9474]

You're right I don't even know why DJ even came out with mavic 3 knowing that skydio

[@cg9474]

You're right I don't even know why they came out with M 3 skydio was way better at active track and avoiding obstacle avoidance they should have took notes from skydio before they decided to release M3 all that money that it cost and it's a piece of shit

[@wilteduk007]

@@cg9474 well in those tests it is, but image quality and ease of use it's very good like most DJI drones. It was definitely a rush to market job on the Mavic 3. Unfortunately that's the way most tech (software/hardware) is being released, they might fix it down the road with firmware or just release the Mavic 3 S.

[@JeremyToh]

Great test! Thanks for diving into the canal to give us these results. Sending you all our warmth from Down Under. Cheers.

[@dan1one]

Best tech reviews period. Please keep up the good work. The world needs you.

[@sliggy6834]

Great job on testing its active track. Those kinds of trees really show you how good its sensors are.

[@postandfly]

Great video as always. I do some active track tests and i had two crashes (i had a video in my channel). Is as you say a problem with the algorithm, this way the drone try to find the subject going fast is very common with the mavic 3 and very dangerous. Hope this get fixe soon because now is not a drone to trust doing active track.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Good to hear I'm not the only one! Well, I mean, not good to hear...err...you know what I mean!

[@Sol3y2010]

Skydio 2 best autonomous drone ever And thanks for the great video

[@southspearmedia]

Really appreciate the efforts you went through on this for the rest of us. I have the M3 Cine and have toyed with the idea of the Skydio 2 just for tracking but I'm now hesitant in case it gets updated with a newer version soon.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yeah, I feel like all the recent sale activity combined with their tweet a mere hour ago seems to hint that something might be in the hopper.

[@southspearmedia]

@@Dcrainmaker precisely my thoughts! Love your stuff, big fan 👊

[@vishavchahal8]

3xq

[@javajack-1]

That was an excellent video. Really great comparison and now I’ve been warned about what to avoid with my Mavic 3 Cine till there’s a future update. I like that you don’t try and act or be someone you are not, you just deliver clear, concise information and all this without a sponsor, too. Cool!

[@rtervort]

I like your style. Real life honest reviews. Your commentary is great too.

[@NICKs_HIGHTECH]

That was the video I was expecting to see. Best tracking review ever. DJI said active track is not fully ready Yet. It needs work to be perfect and they said that they will fix it in the next firmware probably in January. So waiting for the next tracking between fixed Mavic 3 vs Skydio 2

[@philipbloom]

If it’s not fully ready yet they simply should not release it. If slow image isn’t fully ready yet I will try it out because it won’t send my Mavic 3 into a tree if it’s not working properly. I had three crashes in one hour!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks Nick - much appreciated! Looking forward to future updates hopefully.

[@lizatong1]

Exactly.

[@BrooklynJimmie]

The dedication for these test... Going through the mud for us!! I Salute you!

[@AJ_UK_LIVE]

Ray talking to his drones and encouraging them is very endearing haha

[@Dcrainmaker]

I try!

[@Dcrainmaker]

I try!

[@mtbromania]

Every time the best tracking tests from the internet!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks - much appreciated!

[@lizatong1]

I’m a bit worried about Dji as a company. It feels like they are starting to get greedy with all the early releases when their products are simply not ready yet. The release of the an undertested active track is irresponsible and says a lot about the company.

[@petrol_prophet]

no doubt some greed going on, but there's no better way to collect data than to let several million customers go test your product for you. If there are bugs, it may take 10,000 tests in development, but only a couple days after release for someone somewhere to find it. It could be ethical if they released it at a discounted price (beta mode discount), or offered free exchanges if it was discovered that the drone is damaged or lost due to verifiable bugs or developer error Especially with all these awesome KZbinrs who think outside the box with ways to do real world tests.

[@anthonybanaszak5759]

So just as observation the camera on the skydio is awful. The horizon is tilted all over the place and the footage is not smooth. This drone probably looses connection at 1/4 mile while the mavic will go over 8 miles. The skydio is literally a toy where the mavic is a professional tool. DJI has the drone market by the nuts. No one is even close to the level of quality.

[@anthonybanaszak5759]

@@kulaak-krii what goods the tracking when the footage is unusable. The horizon is never level, looks like an android phone from 2014. It’s absolutely hilarious making any comparison. Literally a toy vs a professional tool. Unbelievable 😂😂

[@anthonybanaszak5759]

@@kulaak-krii the skydio does 1 thing well. The mavic does 1,036 things well. Do you get it now?

[@anthonybanaszak5759]

@@kulaak-kriihahaha because DJI is unquestionably the best drone company out. DJI fan boi is the same thing as saying coherent individual with a fucking clue. Who would ever buy any other brand unless they’re clueless? That’s the point man. You jumped into some comment where I said DJI has the market by the nuts like they don’t. How many skydios we think actually sold??? Please

[@realhumannotarobot6631]

Thank you for doing the test for your viewers. Appreciate it. I love Mavic 3. I can’t wait for the ActiveTrack to improve on the next firmware update.

[@peterthibeaux007]

I missed denbosch. Played there for a season back in the day. Great people. Great video.

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Always entertaining and informational! Thank you for braving the mud and cold water!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks!

[@noel5141]

Brother glad u doing this again . I remember u did the macic pro 2 and this was a treat to know u dis the dji 3 👍

[@FangsCPO]

Wow!!! This is a real test of this feature. It really scared me at times. It felt as if if the drone was really close and about to hit the trees. Nicely done!!!

[@sylrider]

Dude, I was just searching on KZbin to know if you released a new video to compare tracking mode between skydio and Mavic 3 🙌🙏✨ Thanks SO MUCH!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Happy to help!

[@CYBERCATXO]

I always wait for your ActiveTrack reviews lol. Keep it up 👍

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks - appreciate it!

[@PaulTomblin]

Congrats in getting this out in time for Christmas.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks!

[@SloMo2723]

Thanks for the video! I will be buying my first drone and am leaning to the Skydio! Also, I love the bike lanes you find in Europe along their rivers! Lived there for 5 years and really miss it!

[@jjansendavid]

Dang bro! Thanks for stress testing the Mavic 3 while other KZbinrs are playing it safe, too afraid of losing theirs.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks!

[@secondchance6603]

Man this must be costing you a fortune, and as a M2 owner the least I can do is give you a thumbs up brother.

[@sundog1973]

Ray talks to his drones like I talk to my kids. Good job, little buddy! 😄

[@SirenEyeMedia]

Love this aspect. I talk to the Mini 2 like that often, nice to know I am not the only one!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Haha...I think having three little kids might be the cause!

[@Errr717]

Hahaha 10:02 it's a lot better than having to dive for it though. 10:20 "the gimbal is not in the optimal orientation" ... just a little understated. 😁 I would characterize it as "the gimbal is totally screwed". Good one as usual, Ray. Your tests never fail to entertain your viewers.

[@Dcrainmaker]

A small canal swim beats a big canal swim any day!

[@Glen.Danielsen]

Very nice video! Seems clear to me that Skydio 2 was flying in low light at end of day. It’s 4K sensors need daylight. 💛🙏🏼

[@Dcrainmaker]

It was a mere 15 mins later. Unfortunately, that’s the reality of the Skydio image sensor. It’s just not that great.

[@Mikebfpv]

I love your tests, finally subscribed! DJI should be sending you free drones for testing. Thanks for getting muddy to do these tests.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks - appreciate it!

[@thetropicalbard]

Great review man. Love your channel and will use it as a reference to buy. All the best from down under.

[@nelsonbustamante8756]

2 years old Skydio 2 still reigns supreme on obstacle avoidance and subject tracking!!! Now it’s time for them to give us a 1” sensor:)

[@Dcrainmaker]

Haha...indeed!

[@KevinKoperski]

Haha. "That's not where I would fly, my little friend." Laughed out loud (in agreement). Great tests.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Indeed! I always talk to my drones. Thanks for watching!

[@paata777]

Skydio 2 surprises me again. Bravo...

[@LerosOnline]

You are courageous with the DJI Support ...

[@DMProductions]

Awesome job Ray

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks - appreciate it!

[@51Drones]

Always a pleasure, Ray. You are a tremendous asset to the community and an inspiration for all creators. Have a Happy New Year!🎊

[@goodmemories9289]

You are the king of drone tracking video 👌

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks - appreciate it!

[@MyTraveLws]

Skydio 3 I will wait for the next version 👏🏻👍🏻

[@larsvaneynde4281]

After all the experience DJI has, you would expect them to do better. I mean ... not being able to set the distance in Active Track just kills the feature for me. If they can't even get it right on these expensive drones with sensors, I guess it will never ever come to the Mini series. I don't need sensors when I'm in an open field and able to set the minimum height, I just want the drone to track me. Shouldn't really be that hard. Love these videos to be honest, thank you for taking the time and extensively test this for us.

[@RonaldBrown59]

Great testing as always Ray. The Mavic 3 is an improvement over the Air 2S, but still not as capable as Skydio at tracking and avoiding. And I hope the Mavic 3 does improve with future firmware upgrades.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks Ron - appreciate it!

[@christopherbrown8642]

Have been waiting for you to create this video, thanks!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks!!

[@HowToGuyChannel]

Great Video, this is in DJI's best interest to fix, since I can imagine replacing peoples drone's and camera modules all the time is pretty bad for their bottom line

[@hqcariello]

Ray- thanks for doing this ! Hope you get your Mavic3 fixed soon. The Mavic3 doesn’t seem to like tight spots and being surrounded by too many trees. Did some tests myself I experienced this firsthand. Thankfully, for me , no crash yet .

[@vp62ift]

Awesome comparison. Definitely getting the skydio2. The Mav3 is way to expensive to take those kind of risk

[@camilo8cheryl]

This kind of test is what helps me decide on the mavic 3, ill stick with my air 2s for now as i don’t want to fly an unfinished, unpolished ridiculously expensive drone..

[@mickeymch876]

I don't use OA or active track but I enjoy your videos and appreciate the honesty. Subbed.

[@dan1one]

This goes to show how revolutionary Skydio Software was two years ago. I cant wait for the next skydio release. DJI still great for camera/cinematic driven footage but for action sports or something that requires obstacle avoidance Skydio is the way to go.

[@OmellDroner]

Great respect for you, waiting for more updates, thank you

[@DroneCrashes]

Great test you set up here .. well done mate

[@formofrocket04]

THANK YOU for these incredible reviews! I appreciate you crashing (and sometimes losing) your drones, and getting very wet feet, in the name of giving the drones a challenging and unbiased review. This undoubtedly helps a lot of people save time and money. I own an Air 2S but find the ActiveTrack completely useless for my purposes (freeride snowboarding so very fast movement and elevation loss), the drone loses sight of me and stops tracking within seconds of me dropping into the run). Based on your reviews and some demo footage of other people skiing or snowmobiling with the Skydio 2+, I may have to buy that one... Just wish it had a better camera... I don't normally subscribe to youtube channels but I hit the sub button on this video as a small token of my appreciation. Cheers!

[@ponticelli]

Boom 💥! Another one!! Thanks for your video, they became my reference for active track testing!!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks, appreciate it!

[@EricGrumling]

Just comparing the two side by side was very enlightening. Even if the daywrecker hadn't happened the Skydio was just more graceful in how it proceeded through the obstacle course. That makes a better looking video, even though it isn't ProRes. And your demeanor was much more relaxed with the Skydio too. Maybe that's just becuase you're familiar with it, but the fact that you speed up the "boring parts" speaks volumes. I personally prefer boring drone flights, especially when it means no trips into the canal!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Hahaha...yeah, I was trying to reduce the overall video length, so trimming and speeding up the 'just works' (aka boring) parts was about the only viable option. I actually cut out some commentary where I talked about the fact that the Skydio has done this test canal stretch probably a dozen+ times over the last two years, all without incident. Thus, short of a twig finally taking it down, I'm pretty confident in know what gets it into a pickle and what doesn't.

[@JimBlack89]

Very cool tests. Anxiety inducing seeing all that red.

[@WiljanWiljan]

Excellent comparison! And yes lot of small canals hier in Nederland 😀👍

[@Dcrainmaker]

Haha...thanks! And indeed, both the small ones and big ones seem to attract my drones!

[@Quadcopterguide]

Awesome test. Glad you kept in the kanal crossing 😂. Still seems DJI has a few years left to get us the active track we truly want.

[@guambra2001]

Awesome testing, but I do hear the same stuff everytime someone flies the skydio...and that is the camera is not as good as the DJI. But I make this point, it may not be as good, but it certainly is not bad at all. In fact, for most applicaiton (aside from commercial), I would say its amazing. Of course, to top it off, the features make this drone in a class of its own. The way I see it is, different tools for different things, but give credit to a good camera (not great, but still good) and let people decide.

[@asifmohamed5348]

Awesome testing Ray, I'm also a cyclist like you. We need perfect obstacle avoidance. I am currently using Air 2s. Was planning to upgrade to Mavic 3. But I don't wanna take a risk of crashing. Your testing is so perfect. I don't wanna buy skydio coz of the video quality. Guess skydio is still the king of obstacle avoidance. Will wait for an update from DJI and your test and then decide.

[@ididitfinallythankyou]

What a great test! Respect and big like here! Thank you for sharing 👍👍👍👍

[@alaskanbackyardadventures1698]

Would be curious to see the use of the Skydio Beacon as well. I think that seperates it from DJI in that regard. The combined use of the beacon and phone provide a more reliable tracking/GPS connection I think. Skydio does mention this in there media as well. I recently picked up the Skydio 2 and have been using it snow machining in Alaska, yes I am definitely using it outside its designed temperature range, but the thing still performs amazingly. Truly out of the box autonomous flight.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Indeed, the Beacon can be super powerful - especially in deeper woods - or scenarios where it was is likely to lose visual tracking. Else, if it's got visual confirmation, the beacon doesn't tend to add a ton in terms of obstacle avoidance. It just gives the drone a backup plan to find you again if it loses you.

[@bobbrown8661]

Skydio is still the gold standard in the OA + tracking department.

[@MrMaxLions]

I knew were in the Netherlands when i saw a supertanker in the countryside. Unique part of the world :)

[@wyattnoise]

This the one we been waiting for…

[@Speak_Out_and_Remove_All_Doubt]

Great video yet again, thanks. Are there any noises from Skydio that they are making a new done to replace the 2? You could really see the DJI image was brighter and cleaner on that dark winter's day.

[@Dcrainmaker]

One would argue their Twitter feed yesterday had some solid hints…

[@windsurfing_is_a_way_of_life]

Hello, if you would have to make a choice between these two drones, which one would you prefer to shoot video's from windsurfers?

[@shanejordre3789]

great video. how well do they track a single person in a group of people like a 5k race or a group run.

[@WiljanWiljan]

Can you say something about the Skydio...is it still worth buying or wait? What about a ce label for the Skydio?

[@Dcrainmaker]

That's hard. The Skydio 2 is still the best sports drone out there, but at a touch over 2 years old, it's due for a refresh, especially given their recent tweet less than an hour ago (which I read as a hint). No CE label for Skydio, but then again, the Mavic 3 actually doesn't have one either at present. Honestly I'm not super worried about that at the moment, I suspect that reg will get pushed back/delayed.

[@antonlianpascua5099]

Nothing beats the skydio!

[@DMProductions]

It did the same as my tests- too close, erratic and needs a lot of updating! We need the option to have it set further away and it stays away!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Indeed, hopefully that option arrives!

[@DMProductions]

@@Dcrainmaker I hope so, it needs to as I’m sure you’ll agree Ray, tracking wise it’s only slightly better than the 2s currently. It should and can be much better

[@rx-kingtrabasan8146]

Amazing test and very clear comparisons

[@JAY3TeeVee]

Ha ha I always enjoy your comparisons and tests. I guess it safe to say that Skydio is and has been the leader and active track technology for drones the last couple years. DJI better step it up because they’re having a very hard time it looks like.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks, and indeed - looking forward to what 2022 might bring!

[@d_weazel]

Already hit the thumbs up for the first 15 seconds of the video. Respect! :D

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks!!

[@mixersmusic]

Excellent vid. In the end it's all about the video quality and the Skydio doesn't look good.

[@Bobster986]

The Skydio is the superior Obstacle Avoidance drone, DJI still has a way to go,

[@lizatong1]

Thanks for another in depth test!

[@lifeflytours3604]

Hola que piensas que pudo fallar en el mavic 3. Faltara software o pulir los sensores?

[@kellylopez2925]

Thank you for your sacrifice. Good day

[@verticedrone]

Uma pena não ter revenda oficial da skydio aqui no Brasil, dá pra ver que é um excelente equipamento. Parabéns pelo vídeo...🇧🇷

[@aphinion]

Pretty amazing hardcore test of active track. And you are pretty hardcore as well, driving a bike after having your socks all wet and your legs cooled down to freezing temp! Respect man! I'm still absolutely mindblown how well the Skydio tracks - it's not only incredibly good at obstacle avoidance, the video result looks natural and amazing - as if a skilled pilot would have flewn that thing in this situation. Despite it's obviously lower video performance, I'm so tempted to get this little thing as a b-roll machine... Or maybe wait for a Skydio 3? And the Mavic 3 is just disappointing as usual, feeling still like a prototype running beta-firmware. And why for the love of gods can't this gymbal not handle the lightest of crashes... This thing is unusable in a professional workflow...

[@Turnschuhheizer]

Great work! Thank you. Am i wrong or is it fact that the skydio will not be shipped to the EU? (Germany)?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Correct, not by Skydio themselves. You'd have to pick it up in the US (as I've done), or, have someone/some service ship it to you.

[@chuanyong5442]

Good unbiased review friend👍

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks - appreciate it!

[@AimHigher4150]

Nice comparison. it's very informative, and as i also heard that skydio is the best ever for capability of tracking and avoidance. now i can see that through your test. and i don't understand the way of DJI's product release, Mavic 3 is not fully ready to be used in the field even though it is getting updated for functions. it's really against commercial morals. i have mavic air2 but. i wish i could have more options to buy :)

[@Musicacristianaymas02]

Gran trabajo, gran esfuerzo 💪. Bestial el skydio

[@efeoktay244]

Thanks for the fair comparison. I wanna ask something, which of the footage was more realistic about the color? because there is a huge difference on the color department.

[@Dcrainmaker]

The Mavic 3 was.

[@williamsteele760]

Nice comparison! Both drones did well at tracking! Amazing how technology are making this feature available for us and also more reliable. Specially with the Mavic 3, there's active track and other hi-tech features too!

[@JasonOFlaherty]

The Skydio sure is tempting at its current discounted price, but as you said, it's 2 years old now

[@flightriot3454]

Air 2S fly more combo with RC Pro remote included for only $1,749.00 at B and H and other places too. The king of drones with the top remote.

[@carltoncain9966]

There's the obvious difference in terms of video quality. I knew the Mavic 3 has been greatly improved but I haven't fully realized how good it became until I saw shots from Skydio 2!

[@BlairAir]

The GUANTLET of tracking! Been waiting for this one! "Maybe it will pop back in..." CLACK... PLOP (in the grass) "oaOOAO" Stole the oaOOAO right out of my mouth.

[@Dcrainmaker]

🤣🤷🏼‍♂️😂

[@macleodfoto]

great review...so good to see honest appraisal done....to me from what I see it is no wonder DJI did not release the update till now...they would have sold a lot less on launch...I will stick to my SD until I see them catch up...and to think the SD is 2 year old tech...seems they will be ahead for some time to come...

[@stephendoggett190]

Excellent test, thank you very much! Have a terrific festive season and looking forward to more drone destruction (umm...reviews) in the new year! ;-)

[@Dcrainmaker]

Haha...thanks! You too!

[@publictoilet7832]

skydio what a revolutionary tracking

[@alexxbloomwork]

The way ur talking to the drone made the video interesting

[@ParallaxEffect]

Ok so now we've concluded it can't fly itself perfectly, can we have a decent controller tuning (gain, sensitivity) so the humans can actually fly it well? Right now it still has neither :(

[@maximusmiles8435]

The first thing I thought, when you said the risk behavior is something that could be fixed in a update was. How long have we waited for DJI to have active track actually function? If the past is any indication of the future. It will be a long wait. DJI could be the complete package if they got this right.