DJI MAVIC AIR: How Active Track Really Works!

[@hiflyer53qwc]

watched this way back when I got my Air. You did a super job but alas my memory's not so hot so I had to come back today...many thanks for a great job on your part!

[@nanakeyks]

Dude, your review is super detailed which most people are missing out on. 10/10. Still waiting for DJI to release a drone I can take skiing.

[@HardwareG33k]

Curious, what stops you from doing that with the Mavic Air? It's a use case I'm considering.

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

HardwareG33k in my experience, the drone can’t keep up with you so the active track will stop because it loses sight of you.

[@jayanator]

@@TheVirtualsherpa The mavic air also seems to not descend as you descend. So it remains at the same altitude as you descend the mountain, meaning that after about 300m of downhill skiing, the drone is that far above you, you look like an ant.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Hi All! Hope you enjoy the first video in the Mavic Air series. Note that I did about a dozen Active Track tests, so while there was some unexplainable gimbal twitch on one test run (the first long test you watch), you see the rest of the video snippets (before and after), are just fine. It's unclear why that single run had wonkiness, but it's not something I've seen on any other test runs. Like anything else I test, I show the good, the bad, and the ugly. Far too many people on KZbin try and sugarcoat things and pretend oddities don't exist. As noted, the vast majority of the time it's great, but sometimes it's just not perfect.

[@marty131]

I wonder if the drone was in "sport" mode at the time? (can it even be in sport mode and active track simultaneously?).

[@Dcrainmaker]

Nah, sport mode is auto-disabled when in Active Track.

[@sebastienjurkowski]

DC Rainmaker , have you found a way to remove those z axis rotation, looks that the gimbal doesn’t compensate for it. I would get one but I will film in windy places and don’t want to have to stabilize digitally all the footage. Thx

[@the-troublemaker]

Great Film but i have a question: why my little flying chinese toy don't fly higher than 250 meters in Shenzhen? the radio signal breaks off kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmK0Y2yanpWXnK8

[@Hackitize]

DC Rainmaker looks like FPV instead of follow mode in the gimbal setting

[@RichardSlater]

Give this person a medal. The type of reviews I like.... Honest.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks!!

[@CAPTAINDRONE798]

Thanks for the informative review. A lot of reviewers who are popular DJI fan boys tend to just say "this drone even cures glaucoma and hair loss!", so nice to see an honest, informative video. I think you also unknowingly demonstrated how fragile the gimbal is because your video was showing some serious gimbal twitch issues.

[@THATDAYNYC]

CAPTAIN DRONE hair loss and glaucoma? 😂😂😂

[@gavsmith1980]

I've seen Brock spam this elsewhere, and I can't work out why.

[@AlexManMe]

On the subject of Glaucoma, I have it which means my vision is very limited, but I can still see enough to appreciate drone footage, but not good enough to see a drone in the sky. Which drone has the best autonomy? Active track, follow mode, object avoidance, and return home.

[@kylebard]

Thanks for the detailed examples of active track. Saved me hours of painful trial and error.

[@brucecava]

That was an absolutely fantastic description of how to use active track and its limitations. You are a very good teacher.

[@tonyhetherington9395]

Fantastic video - thank you. I'm a keen cyclist, just bought a Mavic Air and was googling the best way to do such shots. Saw the title and hadn't realised it was you! (have been following your website for ages). Really detailed, really useful; thanks.

[@bikeequality8509]

Thank you for another good video.Ive had the drone for some time but never used this feature... this was very helpful!

[@VennyAlub]

Just ordered my Mavic Air. Plan to take it on my bikepacking trip across Nebraska. Thanks for the indepth review!

[@RobertStanfordCambridgeUK]

Loved the honest review, there is a lot of hype out there and its good to get a factual review.

[@thellteller4723]

it´s a painstikingly presented job, congratulations! it helped us a lot. keep smiling and be happy.

[@jotahdezproduction4724]

Hi, I have a question! Why I don’t the tracker mode or active mode in the app? I use the same drone as you

[@robertl.4675]

Very thorough presentation. Simply amazing how you can think, talk, adjust your settings and ride your bike... at the same time! Great job and thanks for the very useful information!

[@popitn2nd]

Beast mode at the end!

[@jasonschronicles]

On the home point setting screen, try hitting the button with the person as opposed to the one with the compass hour. This sets the home point to the location of the controller as opposed to the takeoff point. From DJI's instructions: Home Point Home Point setting with the arrow = this sets the current position of the drone as the home point. Home Point setting with the little guy = this sets the home point to the location of the controller. This is handy if you are controlling the drone from a moving object like a boat or car.

[@renatocorpaci]

Thank you guy, Your video is still useful. We tried all day long yesterday to use “active track” profiling and spotlight on a motorcycle, with no results. It simply did not recognize the motorcycle as a target, but we did not try drawing a box around it. Now that I have seen your highly informative video, I will try it, also wearing a reflective vest. It might work. Who knows?

[@gerritpuddig]

I am really impressed how professional and thouroughly you are goi8ng through all the important and relevant Points! Thanks for being the only one going into Detail... one may say: you are going where nobody has gone before... ;)

[@peterrod5239]

thank you usually when DJI sends a a drone for testing and reviews is sort of bias favoring the company. yours was on point.

[@raneroandres]

*I completely agree with this comment*

[@tigerace351]

Great video. Very well explained and thorough. Thanks for sharing for all of us new to DJI drones.

[@targetpace2680]

Thank you for showing that the Mavic Air is far from perfect - but still pretty darn good. Grateful to know its limitations now that i plan to get one.

[@sahazadshad]

I like your reviews. You are very honest with it. Thanks

[@ksmackvolleyball]

Great video! The best tests are done in real world conditions where the average person will be trying to use the quad to record themselves. For me personally, I do alot of running and biking so buying the Mavic Air would include the activity you did in this video. Its great to see the potential results you'll get before buying the product. Its nice to know what you CAN do, as well as what you CAN'T do with it. Good job!

[@TheDonchileno]

Thx for the honest review!

[@StusReviewsUK]

Great video! Just what I was looking for 👍

[@thescientist7753]

This looks like it would be incredible for snowboarding jumps I cant wait for the season to start

[@99v8cobra]

Thanks, helped me learn a bit about my Mavic Air

[@SriPanu888]

Excellent video. Well shot and produced and very detailed. Thank you for this.

[@jeffford1771]

Incredibly informative video. Explained everything I'd want to know about Active Track 👍

[@ganantharaja]

Very well explained, Thanks

[@JirolBikes]

Pls do active track review on Skydio 2 also.

[@SeanDIY]

Good stuff. I'd maybe go even higher on the side shot, but I think you were battling wind as well.

[@user-nu5fx6en9h]

My mavic air had no problem with the active track mode and gimbal. I used it almost every time I had my drone with me.

[@spencerbass7142]

Good video.

[@robertozapata809]

this video is awesome and very detailed. i just have a stupid question. are you getting your audio from your phone or a mic?

[@tony_vela]

excellent review, great work!

[@AdiAsaf]

Great video thanks. Do you use the standard DJI controller? Think I've noticed something else mounted on your bike

[@Andrew.Stuart]

Thanks for the video and what a lovely spot too.

[@jennifersommer65]

I just got it and I've been tinkering with the mavic air the last few days or so. This was amazing! Not only have I experienced a lot of these things already (good and bad) but it was helpful to get your insights into why everything was happening. Thank you for making this!

[@stianjarnass]

I got the air a couple of months ago it's a great beginner drone! Only wished the tracking was better and possible with the phone only and in pocket. For sports it is almost useless with the remote etc

[@mefca]

I see this video was made about four years ago. So I’m curious if you know if there has been any software upgrades for the air specifically In the past four years that makes active tracking any better

[@mantan_rtw]

The problem I have with the Mavic Air is that the batteries only last 8-10 minutes even when fully charged. This is in normal mode, no strong wind. Very disappointing.

[@ryancollins9960]

Interesting front wheel and hub you've got there. Don't remember that being an option from Canyon...

[@HiHai]

Your video is really useful.

[@4kdronefootage178]

Great tutorial

[@Gabeskiandhutch]

That gimbal shake is crazy 🤔

[@HiHai]

Absolute quality video.

[@adinwalls]

Regarding the “twitch” I find that I sometimes have to turn the Sport mode on and back off again to truly disable it, on my Spark. There is sometimes a firmware glitch.

[@bonestevemobile]

Wow! This review is a killer! Good work! One question. Where was this filmed? Beautiful spot!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks! It was filmed near Perth, Australia. Cheers!

[@lekkerdinghy]

That gimbal is going crazy....

[@markormesher4802]

Great! Stunning scenery.

[@RealtyEmpireLLC]

Awesome video. Can you please tell me which editing software you are using to label the video? At 15:13 you make notes of the warning regarding max flight. I have been trying to get this feature for real estate videos. Much thanks!

[@maxkielbasa3324]

When you launched the drone off of the seat how did it know to take off diagonally? I never saw that before.

[@xfuglen3147]

Here is at test for you to bypass the phone 100 meter limit. Take off using hand gestures only. No remote or phone. It should follow you just fine like that.

[@thevictorangel]

dude! your lavalier is sick! very clean, ¿which one is it?

[@Ismailhakansenocak]

thank you for the video, appreciate it.

[@EuropeanDiarybySiyadRawther]

Great idea bro thank you

[@Kiev-in-3-days]

It's 2018 it DJi drones still lack predictive tracking. Drone should be able to track you even when you are hidden for a few seconds. It's very easy to calculate where the tracked object is then relock when it reappears. Tracking mode should also provide an option to lock tracked object on a specific part of the screen (lines of thirds). Not in the middle of the screen only...

[@loganandrews3450]

Couldn't they fix that by rolling out another firmware update?

[@shoaibhuq8472]

Mavic pro 2.

[@woodie07]

Mavic 2 came out now and has it, you predicted the future

[@mkaa541]

Hope you test the Autel EVO too when you have the chance

[@uk-expat]

Quick question on the first profile tracking attempt - after you drew the box and got the green thingy, shouldn’t you have tapped that so that it locked onto you, just as you did when setting up rear tracking?

[@jacquesconnard]

Something for me not to waste my money on. Thanks for a real review!

[@ofidler]

Any updates now the drone has been out for 12+ months? Any firmware update that fixed any of the issues you higlight? Also wondering if you have used active track when your shot is from directly above you, aka birds eye view?

[@bikersoncall]

LOL, I never heard of back pocket jerseys, I need one. Good info also, I would need one that has the drone tracking the controller. I would prefer a unit that can follow me and not need to interface in any way with my phone.

[@digi-scope]

I was wondering, what are the benefits of using just the phone instead of using the controller all the time? Thanks for the interesting review.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Mainly portability, so it's ideal for things like cycling (seen here), where you don't want to lug the controller too. The downside though is the range is highly limited (about 100m), but for Active Track that doesn't matter much.

[@Ftblroom]

Where are u ? The place looks awesome

[@Vidyograf]

what about the automatic circling ? I couldn't find any tutorials about that. Thanks

[@Skytractormedia]

Sir, where did you get that remote holder from for your bike? I like one!

[@Pjdeximo]

Very nice video, tnx!!

[@tommydobrzanski488]

South Beach, Freo. Excellent spot for testing :D Good to see you in WA!

[@pyfooty]

Just ordered a Mavic air, but what’s with the jittery gimbal movements when it’s just hovering and when it starts to fly?

[@AmandaCardona]

my question is , which app I should down load, there's a few. and thank you for your imformative video.

[@eugeniobessone]

Hei my friend! Whic accessorie did you use for bringing the drone remote control attached on the bike ?

[@SummertimeRaw]

Really interesting overview. Thanks v much.

[@glideman]

Great review, very helpful as a potential buyer 👍

[@BrunoBostick]

pretty good video

[@XricheeX]

So I have an intake thing for a school next week to study audio/video-specialist and i need to make a video of myself and i have no one to film me lmao but i do have a mavic air so imma try this out

[@grobabs]

Hello, sorry maybe you explain that in the video but i'm not english and i'm not sure i've understand everything. I want to use active track when i'm skiing but can i lock my phone and put in my backpack when i'm using active track? Thanks!

[@Mdgaming_01-i6l]

I know it a little late for this but you dont actually need your phone for this, you can make it follow you using smart gestures so you wont have the max range problem with you phone

[@arlodowgwilliams2605]

You are right Captain. All those guys want is free stuff. They don't trash many things and I told them this before.

[@leonidas4255]

the car saw the drone at 9:00 and say hello

[@vincentwoo819]

Hahaha

[@rkram3118]

From desc on the product page shows that ActiveTrack on Air can sense up to "16" selectable objects....were you able to test it?

[@rkram3118]

Would you say the AT part is better or same on MA when compared to MP?

[@mrgucciman]

This was a great review man!

[@lylemartinjr1979]

Great video sir. I am looking into get the DJI Mavic Air for some fitness videos. Is the drone capable of getting a lot closer to the subject/object and do I have to be holding the phone/controller at all times? Thank you

[@shahsyed2210]

Hi bro how many sensor in this dron.i mean top botam back front? Please

[@montanarider3713]

Really appreciate the honest review. I really hoped the active track was better. I wouldn’t have bought this drone if I had known the tracking was so useless! How likely is it that DJI will make a wearable tracking device? Without it there is no point in attempting any real action shots.

[@chrisjokinen217]

Montana Rider I'm in the same vote, still waiting as it was delayed. Maybe should have gone the MPP

[@rapaent]

Great video!! I'm a newbie and have a couple questions; Is the 100 meter limit the same on an iPad? Also, do you need a cellular GPS connection through an iPhone, iPad, etc. with a data plan to use Active Track? Thanks again for the awesome video..... learned a lot!! 😋👍

[@vhsopdvd]

Hi good video, but: at 1:08 Follow Me mode does NOT follow the Remote controller (because it has no build in GPS-receiver), it follows the connected smart device (provided it has a build in GPS receiver).

[@joeboudreault4351]

Great video, Rainmaker. I think this stuff only should be tried after we have practiced a lot with our Air drones! I was wondering how you (and other tutors) do the voice track to this drone video here? Pinnacle Studio... Well done. Thanks!

[@bonecrushercurtis6949]

I think it will work great if you set the drone hight lower within 15’ to 20’ about eye level or more , it follows good from what I’ve seem in most videos. Also, in sun light, if you are wearing a bright color like white , it will pick you up better at long distances.

[@Dcrainmaker]

It depends. I've done a bunch at that height and it does in general do good, but only if you don't change direction or speed quickly, as it has less leverage to 'deal' with it. It is a super cool view though (and seen at the end of the video).

[@TheYrrinotherapy]

well, it's more than a year after this video - I definitely am not having majority of these issues, looks like DJI learned their lesson and fixed most of these issues.

[@bitolas69]

What are you using ? Air 2 or air?

[@dominic-james]

Great review. Thanks. How are you getting such blue skies in your video? Is it a filming profile or a lit applied in post? Thanks.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Zero correction or anything in post (I'm too lazy to do color correction), just straight out of camera as-is. It helps that the water actually looks like that...kinda stunning. Also, no filters on the camera either (I've bought some, but still sitting on my desk here to unbox).

[@joentabetha]

Great video thanks!

[@frederikvanreusel]

Can I use hand gestures while it is in normal mode?

[@nerdotv]

Love the Seat Take off!!!

[@Eduarcardoso]

I know probably you have answered to this question. But what exactly happened to your gimbal while active track? Although you were in sports mode. Those little bumps I guess they are not normal are they? Thanks.

[@jumpingsumo]

If you have a wifi drone and what more range u can use a wifi repeater

[@psyrixx]

QuadLock is life

[@rapaent]

Thanks for the awesome video tutorial!! I have a question; While in the Active Track modes will recording automatically turn on when you hit GO? Thanks again for the awesome video. Ray

[@salmanlatif3547]

Thanks for great review, today I tested my new Mavic Air on Snow Park while snowboarding. Somehow it does not follow me even on open ground away from trees and people. I think because of slopes Mavic fails to active track? Or maybe due to the white ground? What do you suggest?

[@Fufi3101]

having the same problem and would be ineterested in the answer. i think active track is pretty rubbish and disappointing.

[@JamieHines]

Hey thank you for the video very very informative and helpful. Just got my mavic air a week ago. I hope they may be released some kind of updates for this coming soon. I was really hoping this activtrak would work a lot better with just a phone only especially when I do trail running would be nice for it to follow me without holding the controller and phone. But like your advice I may just do quick beer all segments set it down run my segment go back and get it.