DJI Mavic Air 2 - How to Use Active Track 3.0 & Set Up - Tutorial and Advice For Great Results - 4k

I have done a bunch of videos about the DJI Mavic Air 2. Most of my videos are about using Active Track. I use this feature a lot for hiking and mountain bike videos. As this series of videos had progressed, I have been asked a bunch of different questions about this drone.
In this video, I will try to answer some of those questions, and show you how to setup and start your very own Active Track video. I will also be testing the drone to see what happens when the drone loses connection to the remote.
This is usually a big concern for some people. Make sure you follow all of the settings I show in the video. Always check your surroundings, and be mindful of other people. Also be sure to follow your federal and local drone laws.
Check out the table of contents below, so you can fast forward to amy section you would like.
Intro
Questions Answered -
Side Sensors - 1:48
Leaving Camera Settings in Auto - 3:05
Drone and Camera Angles - 3:42
Remote Mounts and Backpack Storage - 4:33
Proximity of Drone To Lock On - 6:57
My Settings for a Safe Active Track - 7:53
Active Track Step by Step Tutorial - 11:08
Connection Loss Test (Turning Off the Remote) - 18:22
Final Thoughts and Thanks - 20:43
Thanks so much for watching. If you're looking to purchase any of the gear I use, please help me out and click on any one of the Amazon links below. Thanks
Drone gear:
DJI Mavic 2 Zoom: amzn.to/3cPNLjR
DJI Mavic Air 2: amzn.to/2WNjX1x
DJI Mavic Air 2 Fly More Kit: amzn.to/3gcG49E
Gopro gear:
GoPro Hero 8 Black: amzn.to/2zYgvIp
GoPro Dual Battery Charger + Battery for HERO8: amzn.to/2WMF1oU
Gopro Fusion Grip: amzn.to/2WA3NJs
SanDisk 64GB Extreme microSD UHS-I Card with Adapter: amzn.to/38rBwI7
Check out my Patreon account, and consider supporting UoSocal channel's growth. Much appreciated!
/ uosocal

[@lindamermaid]

I just got my first drone - the Mavic Air 2. So far, I've been thrilled with how easy it is to operate. I appreciate your walk-thru's of the menus. So many videos are long winded with vague explanations. I've sat through dozens of them without really learning anything except the maker's life story. Thanks!

[@uosocal]

Thank you very much. I felt the same way when I first started using drones. I try to not talk down to people, and make it as simple as possible.

[@ashokvada_thedrifter]

I like your narration , it's quite understandable . Thank you !

[@paulmatthaeus]

This is one of the best organized, detailed and produced videos on drone operation. Very competent. Well done.

[@uosocal]

Thanks.. I try.

[@ariel_monaco]

Awesome active track walkthrough! Thanks!

[@user-vg2lw6mv4n]

Great content. Gonna use this to track me and my sons on motocross. Thanks!

[@SgtMajor82]

Life is good... and so is this video. Thanks!

[@uosocal]

Thanks

[@jaxsons3339]

Finally a pragmatic instructor with detailed, step-by-step instructions easy to follow, direct, and to the point. Now a subscriber ! Thank you !

[@uosocal]

Thanks. I really appreciate that. Let me know if you have any questions.

[@11Forty6]

Hey, just got my DJI Mavic Air 2 and this video really helped, thank you!

[@s.p.6130]

You should be Flight Test engineer. Well done.

[@Lambobuild33]

Best video on active track🎉

[@richhadfield12]

I haven't flown my MA2 and I came here for a refresher course. Love the detail of how you explain every detail. Thanks.

[@MHSLBAKE]

Great shots !! Thank you for your time explaining

[@ronggrimard9430]

A very In Depth coverage of all of the features about Active Track Mode. It was very informative and I now have a bit more concept about how Active Track works. I have the MA2 as well, now I also will get testing this feature, thanks to you . Appreciate it and I will certainly watch your other videos on the MA2... Keep up the good work.

[@HighOnViews]

I’m so grateful for the Otter Box trick, I have that exact case so this will work for me perfectly. Thank you for sharing

[@putrantoutomo5410]

Just bought mavic air 2. Bump to your vlog. Thank you 👍🏽👍🏽

[@uosocal]

It's a lot of fun.

[@dcg929]

Great job, clear explanations and very helpful contents. Keep it up. I've subscribed to your channel.

[@janvolders]

These tutorials are great for a beginning drone-flyer. Thanks for sharing your expertise...

[@dls364]

I had no idea that if you lose power to your controller that the drone will return to home automatically - thanks!! And thank you for the very concise directions on using the active trac features.

[@gilbertopf]

Dude, thanks! The best instructional video in KZbin.

[@cherhymefest40]

Very helpful Information- Thanks

[@paulgrant9058]

Great in depth video, without annoying (bad choice of) music, without annoying fashion words (like, to be honest, literally, basically...). Well detailed, well explained, interesting and with great shots of the phone screen.

[@sst4u2]

Excellent! Thank you for sharing

[@RobCasebolt]

This is one of the best instructional videos for my new Mavic Air 2S that I've come across yet. Most of the others go so fast and leave a lot of detail out assuming we all know what they are talking about. I appreciate you going slowly when explaining things and have arrows pointing to what you are referring to. I've subscribed and liked this video and look forward to checking out your other videos.

[@uosocal]

Thank you. I really appreciate comments like this. Check out the MA2 playlist for any other questions. I'm currently making a playlist for the Mavic 3. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[@beautifulmindbeautifullife]

Super helpful video! Thank you for such a clear and easy explanation. Best one I have watched on this topic.

[@46StephC]

Thx for posting. Just bought my dji air 2s love it. And I am learning!!

[@uosocal]

No problem. Check out the rest of the playlist for any other questions. Enjoy that drone.

[@frednorman1]

Excellent video. Now I understand Spotlight better. Thanks

[@tymb278]

EXCELLENT video. Thanks much.

[@AndrewSmith-yd8vy]

Thanks for the clear and easy to follow tutorial mate, I have learnt more off this vid than any other, thanks..

[@Nismology33]

Thanks!! Awesome tutorial

[@californiacruising4190]

Great info, and very helpful..thank you!!

[@brendateall4021]

Very informative! Thank you!

[@ayileenenga9670]

this is the best detailing video on this drone. you definitely have the best video online on this product!!!

[@jaisyg]

Thank you, very useful tips.

[@DroneALRM]

Nice tips! Congratulations from Brasil 🇧🇷

[@nusretmustacevic4198]

Appreciate your input bud👍

[@lynnnorthrup8914]

That was a very helpful demonstration and with clear explanation. Thanks for doing a great job!!!!!!!😀

[@tubb1es]

Thanks! This was great and very helpful!

[@kurtmeyerrose8641]

Well done !!

[@terryketcham6199]

Great video, thanks

[@JanelNabong]

Such a great and detailed video, liked and subbed! Thanks!

[@uosocal]

Thanks

[@AdrianMateoDrones]

Hey brother great and very informative video dude. Is always a pleasure watching my drone community growing. I also have the Dji Mavic Air 2 and is an amazing Bird. Keep up the good work man. You have a Big Fan and a Big Supporter here. Just subbed. God bless and stay safe. Thanks for all you do and please keep flying.

[@BisoKuna]

Great Job

[@labradorloversdaali8320]

Hi bro am from India such a nice tutorial thank you so much i have recently buy drne djia2s thank you thank you so much

[@Davidwatkinsrealestate]

Great video !

[@markhone6449]

Great video and explanation, love it when you turned the remote off I didn’t have the guts to see what would happen

[@uosocal]

I was a little worried.

[@peteandtessTube]

Extremely well done and very professional! You explain what your doing while doing it showing the Fly app screen and the Drone live response. I just got my drone and already learned one lesson the hard way. After a couple successful quick shots my attempt Helix expanded until it hit a tree. It’s really important for a newbie to learn the capabilities and limitations of Active Track and Obstacle Avoidance. I plan to use my Mavic Air 2 to capture videos while hiking and biking to waterfalls and view points in beautiful North Carolina. Thanks again!

[@uosocal]

Thank. Hopefully your drone is ok. The drone is great for getting those epic shots while hiking.

[@pavlosspyropoulos8420]

Great video man thx for sharing

[@fredmunson8952]

Thank you for explaining this.

[@uosocal]

Your welcome. Be sure to check out the rest of the MA2 & Mavic 3 playlists.

[@jj8526]

Great concise tutorial..👏👏

[@climbnride58]

Really helpful, thanks.

[@Blucenturion344]

Way better than other vids on Active Track, thanks!

[@jesusbautista2629]

Great video and instructions. helped alot.. Thank you.

[@thebecktriplets]

Great video sir. it's probably the first video that puts it in a language I can understand. English.

[@stan5949]

Great job👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@daddiofilms1540]

Thanks for posting, this helps a lot

[@Texasbluestunes]

Damn your good. Quality video, all the info, and to the point. No fluff or chatter. Subscribed from Texas. Much obliged.

[@chrisrobertson778]

Thank you, Great info well presented, Cheers, Chris from Australia

[@METFMA680971]

Fantastic video clear with detail explanation mate thank you kindly cheers.

[@derekdelaney10]

Great video thanks

[@squantoesq]

great job, thanks a lot

[@benjaminbrucker4804]

Thanks for the tutorial! I have yet to incorporate my car with my MA2 but I want to do it really bad now!!

[@tunkufawzy]

Thanks for the tips, great stuff.From Malaysia..

[@123boat]

Well explained buddy. Top video and new subscriber 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@uosocal]

Thanks

[@mctatar]

thanks, very useful and complements the user manual info

[@rickharper2614]

G'day from Oz ( Australia ) ! ... FABULOUS clip Jeff !!! ... I've watched several DJI factory tutorials on ACTIVE TRACK - but they went too quick, didn't show the finer details or "on screen machinations" - and they left me lacking in confidence .... But - your video was EXCELLENT - Thanks ! Biggus ( Rick ) in Orrrrrstraylya ( that's how all my 'Murican buddies say "Australia :) )

[@kellyayotte3072]

Thanks for that! Now I'll much less paranoid.

[@dronentravel]

Very helpful 🤘🏼

[@georgepaez4377]

Thank you so much!

[@tourwithalimark4799]

Thanks for the video,, explained the functionality really well and at a good pace,, some of the other videos I have watched focus on the photography,, which is ok but I want to learn how to fly and get used to the menus etc…. Great job

[@ijosephng]

Thanks going to try this out

[@vickiemedrano4425]

Hey buddy, nice music intro.

[@davidbermudez5387]

Great vid my man, I just got the Mavic air 2 and I can’t wait to start using it for my mtb rides 🔝👊🏻

[@uosocal]

It's a lot of fun. You can see so much more of the trails.

[@cessna310_pilot3]

Great video! Thank you for the info and taking time to make this video. It really helped me understand more about active track with my Mavic Air 2. I'm headed to Bahamas in a few weeks and want to get some footage of my boat over there.

[@uosocal]

Make sure you can take your batteries with you. Some airlines have weird rules.

[@cessna310_pilot3]

@@uosocal I'm taking my boat from Ft Myers.

[@uosocal]

Nice.

[@arnoldst.martin1387]

Awesome video will be subscribing well explained for a beginner Like myself. to the air 2

[@marcvanbiesbroeck7276]

Congratulation. Very interesting video and really clear explanations.

[@hendynz6358]

Great tutorial. I've just bought an Air 2S and had trouble locking active track on me when trying out Quick Shots. Now I know why! I was too far away and as it was after sunset, it was too dark. So thanks for your excellent presentation. I'll try out again today.

[@uosocal]

Thanks and good luck.

[@crisantavlogs7991]

Dude ur awesome

[@filmacionesexpress]

Excellent, i was looking for a good tutorial on this topic and found it.

[@uosocal]

Thanks. I have a whole ma2 playlist.

[@tricarbproductions8463]

Excellent video... great information. I'm a new drone pilot and need this kind of information. I'm looking forward to adding drone footage to my car videos.

[@uosocal]

It will add another level to your videos. Super cool angles.

[@abizizau]

thanks for your explain, how to activate the active track fiture on dji mavic 2

[@jrmusan]

Dude, how do you take 13 minutes to get to the freaking point of the video, incredible.

[@uosocal]

There is a lot of factors that go into a successful track. Thanks for watching.

Great video! I sub you. Best regards from Germany!

[@uosocal]

Thanks

[@korimlijanice9843]

I have new one thanks for that.

[@uosocal]

Enjoy it

[@stianjarnass]

Thanks for this great explanation👏. I just got the Air 2s. The Air 1 and Parrot anafi didn't track me. I'm hoping for some great shots now. Btw nice car 🤗

[@dreamrestore213]

Bro.... Good Shit..! 👍

[@drandrewclarke]

congratulations on a great video. without side sensors is bypass a safe mode? I chose hover in case when it comes across a tree it tracks around, facing the obstacle but then hits a neighbouring tree to it's side.

[@TravelAusOffGrid]

Great video and explanation of Active Tracking. I was wondering, if you are active tracking a vehicle do you need to set maximum flight distance to avoid your drone returning to home automatically? I have just bought an Air2S

[@YourreelmemoriesAu]

Thanks for these MA2 tracking videos. The more information on how this drone tracks in different scenarios, the better, as from experience, when I’m out in the field I don’t always have time to experiment.

[@jamesfulgham1127]

I love the video. How to I find "Disable Sideways Flight" I don't see it on my remote control.

[@uosocal]

It is one of the sub menus.

[@TRexHeliPilot]

Great video. Have you looked into the Skydio 2? I have found it to be much easier to use when mountain biking. Just hand launch it. Put the beacon in my pocket and it follows me. No need to worry about a phone or anything. Only downside I've experienced is it isn't as portable (doesn't fold up) as my Mavic Air 2.

[@uosocal]

I have watched a ton of videos on it. Thought about getting one last year, then covid shut down their facility completely. Such a long wait list turned me off.

[@AdiAsaf]

Great tutorial to say the least. Just wondering, I've got the Mavic Air and could not notice the poi mode (circling around). Is this only a feature of the Mavic 2?

[@larssol1]

Hey friend. Thanks for great content and positivity. Can you advice settings and filming mode for active track or filming when it comes to kiteboarding? Thanks a lot in advance!

[@uosocal]

I think the hardest thing will be keeping the remote dry. Unless someone else is controlling the drone, you will have to keep the remote and phone dry while you record. Then it depends on how fast you will be going. In Normal mode( sensors on) under 16mph, active track Trace. Between 16-25mph parallel. Anything over that, you will have to use sport mode( no sensors). If the drone icon is a walking person after you lock on, then it may max out below 25mph.

[@larssol1]

@@uosocal Thank you for your thoughts. I imagined keeping the remote on land, ideally controlled by a person.

[@uosocal]

@@larssol1 that would probably be best. Then they could use spotlight in sport mode. They can fly the drone all around and keep you centered.

[@larssol1]

@@uosocal thank you 🙏 Much appreciated.

[@acostaml1008]

Thank you! do you have more drone-MTB tracking videos? can it really track in close proximity of the biker?

[@uosocal]

Check the Mavic Air 2 playlist. In Active Track, the faster you go, the farther away the drone will get.

[@ericmohlenhoff1431]

Thanks for the great videos! Quick question...in active track mode does the drone stay at whatever altitude you put it at when you start or does it choose it's own as you fly?

[@uosocal]

It will vary distance as you move around.

[@waynerenshaw-multi-outdoor4521]

Great vid 👌can you use ND filters when active tracking... cheers

[@uosocal]

You can, but I wouldn't recommend it. If you set the shutter speed, everytime you go through a darker area, the drone will loose you. If the lighting is constant, should work great.

[@waynerenshaw-multi-outdoor4521]

@@uosocal OK cheers, thanks for the quick reply, hoping to get out tomorrow on my local mountain bike trail ... I'll just use Auto mode or can I put the aperture in fix , so as not to get blown out with the sun catching it , like you can on a mini for the exposure.. cheers

[@uosocal]

I use auto mode for tracking.

[@davidferrell]

Thanks for the very helpful video. I'm a total newbie to this so this type of tutorial is spot on. My question about trace tracking is: If you activate it with the drone at a low altitude like 10 feet above you, will it stay at that altitude as it tracks you? I want to have it track me through a wooded disc golf course. There is room above me along the fairways but the tree canopy starts at about 25 feet. Any advice on this will be much appreciated!

[@uosocal]

It will stay at that height mostly. It will rise or lower when it senses obstacles.

[@davidferrell]

@@uosocal thanks for the quick answer!

[@marslan1]

Thank you, very well done video. What is that phone cover? Where can I buy it? Thanks again

[@uosocal]

The prism color? That was just the back of the phone

[@marslan1]

Thank you

[@roysoutdooradventures5776]

Just got into the drone world after years of flying model airplanes. Your video is absolutely the best tutorial I've seen. I'm in OC also and I practice at El Dorado. Question, when locking on in active track to a car you mentioned to be 10 to 20 feet from the subject. After locking on can I raise the drone to 50 feet and still stayed locked on and have it follow the car?

[@uosocal]

Usually you can. Once you start moving, the drone distance can change by itself.

[@CraigHawks]

Excellent video! i subbed. Ok, silly question, but…could one Active track a bird that is flying? (Of course that’s a bad idea…just asking about feasibility) or Active Track another drone?

[@5777alan]

Good explanation on the Active Track feature. When in Active Track, what height does it follow you at? Can you sent the height that it will follow you at? Thank you.

[@uosocal]

You can set the height when you first start, but it won't stay the same. The drone will back away the faster you go.