DJI Mavic Mini (Fly More) for Noobs: Quickstart Overview and some Safe Indoor Flying

I was able to get the new DJI Mavic Mini Drone on launch day November 11th and this video is a "quick start" overview of the drone, it's accessories, some general drone flying discussion and a few lessons learned already. I take it for a spin safely in my living room!
So you just received a Mavic Mini or you are considering buying...and maybe you aren't familiar with flying drones... so you want a somewhat quick overview; I show the drone, the key features and usage for flying, some discussion on drone regulations (US), the benefits of the Fly More Combo package... and to close it out I fly the drone safely indoors while using the protective Prop Guards (which come in the Fly More Combo). Like most owners I've only had the drone for less than 2 days and I've already asked a lot of stupid questions of the internet folks, and made a mistake or two... so I share my "learning" experiences with you.
The first 3 mins or so are my intro. The bulk of the video is a close-up look at the drone, controller and accessories, and then we move on to flying the drone with the iPhone app and Propeller Guards
I am an Amazon Associate, which means that if you purchase a product from one of my provided links... you pay the regular Amazon price, but Amazon will give me a small credit for referring people to their site. I have not been paid for this review, and in fact I purchased this drone with my own funds.... I think it's cool as heck and have legitimate uses for it beyond being fun!
Amazon Links:
DJI Mavic Mini Drone (Base): amzn.to/373yidh
DJI Mavic Mini Fly More Combo: Currently not listed on Amazon
Availability: This is a hot item and DJI is catching up to demand. Right now people are scrambling to locate them. Best Buy store locator is a good first look. In my area we have a dozen Best Buy stores within an hour of my office, and most had at least one available. Right now as I write this (Nov 13) Amazon shows 3 in stock but no Fly More Combo. This will change daily for the next few weeks.
So a couple corrections/clarifications... I did this in one long take (well second try). Still enough quality commentary that I am keeping it online
- I didnt clearly call out that the Mini does not have obstacle avoidance sensors, which is a big factor.
- At one time I say "three charge indicator lights" when it's clearly four. And later on I reference it that way
- The "Return to Home" button is dual mode. A simple press and the drone stops. Holding in the same button invokes the Return to Home feature
- The 17 min/sec reference was wrong. It's time flown, which would be the 17 seconds that i just flew in the video. I shouldve edited that out.
- Yea.. I repeat the 249 regulation commentary. It's not that long

[@MavicMini2020]

Great helpfull video 👍🏻🙂♥️love this drone ♥️ stay safe👍🏻

[@johntzanis]

Does it know to hover 3 ft up front or do you have to create the settings. What settings are required for safe indoor flight?

[@bigfoot8778]

I cant find the dji fly app om play store. Did they chang it?

[@jeeglepoozler]

Nice, Mark Matthews ... but, hey. Despite it possibly not being a big whoop, it is still quite alarming that I, for one, after watching boatloads of Mavic Mini vid.s since early December 2019, have not read in any of their comment sections subject matter involving Privacy/Surveillance Concerns. Not a one. Also, have you seen Frontline's Documentary, "In the Age of AI"? If so, any thoughts on topics therein you find relevant to the DJI Mavic, or China Manufactured Drones, in general. K, danke-danke.

[@th3n3d04]

How is the app called

[@menstoys9823]

You can not buy the fly more kit it Germany yet. It is not available before Christmas. We alwas have to wait longer then Usa or Uk and have to pay more. Kind of sucks.

[@Gibson_Angel_Rene]

MensToys I am from the Netherlands do not buy the CE version it’s bad the Europe version sucks max range 250 meter then it loses signal and returns to home eu version use 2.4ghz USA version 5.8ghz

[@robertbrander2074]

As Soon as Someone Makes the Perfect Drone .... All the Bits and Pieces reviewers and manufacturers will be out of Business ! .... I just got a DJI Mavic Mini .... Now I don't have to worry about motors , frames , ESCs , FCs , TX , RX , VTX , antennas , props , cameras , PIDs and diminishing Quids ! .... I am now Burden Free and can just worry about the Videos and Pics . ~sigh~

[@qwertyguy12345]

How do you charge the controller?

[@qwertyguy12345]

The USB connection fits

[@bootsroots1764]

How do you turn it off?

[@Gibson_Angel_Rene]

Can you fly this drone also whiteout use the phone? Just use the controller?

[@Gibson_Angel_Rene]

Mark Matthews how far can you fly whiteout use iPhone or iPad I need to know

[@franksmoutimages4715]

Hi. Nice and complete demonstration. I have a very large place to fly indoors with bad weather. So, I don’t find in the DJI FLY app. the place where I can cancel the auto FTH when the battery is weak. The minimum is 15 m. ! Frank

[@BadBuddhaPhotography]

Excellent detail wish I had seen this when I first got my mini

[@SometimesIthinktoomuch]

Thank you Douglas.. sometimes I think... I think to much and say too much!

[@robertbrander2074]

I got the Mini for $419 and the Mini Combo for $539 , a $120 difference ..... The Combo gives you : a case $20 , 2 batteries $100 , 2 Pair props $20 , Cage $40 and Charger $80 ..... So an extra $120 gets you $260 necessary extras . That makes the Combo the Better Deal !

[@yannickROXyourSOX]

there's room under the charger and remote in the case to store everything. I keep my cable and charger under the battery bank and all the extra props and tools in a small box under the remote..optimal

[@ianlindsay1454]

Morning Mark, I live in the U.K. I just watched your Mavic Mini review which I have to say is very thorough, just what I need as I haven't flown a drone yet. I think that the UK models and USA models are slightly different but a lot of the stuff will be the same. I haven't bought the drone yet but will be ordering it from Amazon UK soon. I believe that the drone won't fly in a restricted zone. Can you tell me if I will be able to fly the drone in my house as I live near an airport which I assume is a restricted zone? Thanks again for your thorough review, I found it very helpful. I have watched lots of reviews about this Mini and I have to say yours has been the most helpful. Ian.

[@megabyte112]

ian lindsay I’m most likely way too late to reply, but yes, you can fly in restricted areas using the Mavic Mini. You will have to accept the warnings in the DJI Fly app and ONLY fly indoors unless you have permission to fly outdoors within the restriction zone.

[@ianlindsay1454]

megabyte112 no you're not too late to reply. Thanks for the advice.

[@MIRZAKHUD]

amazing Thanks for the video ......

[@SometimesIthinktoomuch]

Thank you! I really love this drone. Just enough for my needs and its very powerful for little drone

[@jeyvinlima6227]

you talk to much sorry lol 41mins is to long

[@Connor_Dempsey]

Thanks. Great video.

[@Pursnikity_20022]

ridiculously loud indoors that is

[@craigwflys]

Mark nice video. I'm thinking about buying a mini and I've never owned a drone so you taking your time and giving all of the details was great...didn't bother me at all. So when flying indoors without the GPS will the "return to home" know how to take it back exactly where it took off?

[@kingisrael1532]

Now I have to balance out the time I spend with the wife and drone. I love them both. 😂

[@SometimesIthinktoomuch]

Ha! Teach your wife how to fly drones!! (I get it.. my wife wont either. ha)

[@fullmovieandclips187]

It's not for noobs

[@TonysRcTechboom]

Fantastic easy review my friend, thanks for sharing, big thumbs up and a sub to go with that ,👍😁👍

[@kingisrael1532]

Hey 23:09 be careful with the gimbal.

[@WelshLad.]

That's what I thought bit rough in handling.

[@chrisricotta7063]

Can you fly without using a phone ??

[@rogermcnorton6119]

Yes...

[@melle3040]

When i fly it in my house it keeps moving around how do i fix that?

[@rogermcnorton6119]

Remember, No GPS indoors, so be careful.

[@megabyte112]

the Vision Positioning sensors might not be functioning properly, it should be stable. Look out for any warnings in the app.

[@leemadden3able]

Re calibrate the drone

[@hovlandbound]

Thanks for the video! I just got my Mavic Mini and it's killing me that I can't go outside and fly. I have the flu! But with your video and instructions maybe I will give it a try downstairs now. Thanks again. :)

[@montanadrone1236]

Nice review 👍 I just subscribed and smashed the like button.

[@morganlou3655]

Hi, can you charge the remote and the battery hub all together at the same time using the two cords and only one wall plug ? Seems like the remote is note charging while the hub is charging

[@pixgeekphotography]

Thank you it answered a lot of my questions!!!! Love my mini

[@coryg1551]

Mission Accomplished you succeeded in getting this footage on the “KZbins” 41:22 haha cool video 👍

[@captainplanet7895]

I need to know if you can fly it with just the remote no phone connected

[@yannickROXyourSOX]

nope, you need a phone

[@OffHeading]

@@yannickROXyourSOX You can actually launch it without the phone attached, i have with mine.. but indeed you do basically need the phone to do anything lol

[@rogermcnorton6119]

Sorry guys, you can fly this drone, without a phone, check it out, there are videos showing this !

[@chagonieskulot5829]

How to set the stability even without prop guard. ? Mine is moving even without pressing the controllers

[@SometimesIthinktoomuch]

indoor flying? WIth indoor flying it probably cant connect to GPS coordinates, so then it tries to position optically. if over a carpet of some non distinct surface it probablt cant find anything to lock onto, and it just drifts Let me know if indoors or outdoors

[@יהונתןברנדס]

Thanks!

[@SometimesIthinktoomuch]

Thank you!

[@fredricka7383]

Should i turn on my phone data(intrnt) while flying?

[@OgBmE]

Great video! I really enjoyed it and I gained some more information to fly my drone!

[@lucianestridge5073]

How long did it take to be delivered once you ordered it?

[@trooper6697]

Thank you so much! Great review. I just got one too.

[@prmath]

Not quite 9 ozs........

[@romanarrigoblasberg8601]

His examples are oddly specific...

[@alialzahrani1]

Thanks mate for sharing

[@RC-590]

Which phone do you use?

[@Max.527]

Good video!

[@sinuemedina2550]

On mine when i hit the up button. Something else comes out and wont let me fly it

[@sinuemedina2550]

@@SometimesIthinktoomuch yeah im inside the Blue zone. I need to drive like 15 minutes away to be able to fly it

[@grossearwax3777]

Tell me something i don't know... No need to repeat the same information on DJI website over and over. You explained what the Fly More combo was for the 3rd time, that when i bailed

[@grossearwax3777]

@@SometimesIthinktoomuch but you don't need to mention it over and over again in the same video. Gets boring. No wonder your video is nearly an hour long, when others said more than you said in under 20mins.

[@Pindi44]

Nice walkthrough, thanks. A tip I found useful is to tie strings to the controller sticks, they are easily fumbled and dropped in grass and easy to lose. The strings are easy to spot in grass.

[@cyjonzjones2762]

By the way it’s standard time now!

[@cyjonzjones2762]

Antennas should always be at a 45