DJI Mini 3: When you Run Out of Battery... Max Flight Time Test

00:00 Start
02:25 Flight Test
05:13 Low Battery RTH
06:27 Critical Battery
#dji #djimini3 #flighttest
I put the new DJI Mini 3 through a maximum flight time test, running it down to a 0% battery (not recommended). What happens when the battery runs out? Can you override the automatic Return To Home? What is Critical Battey? What is Forced Landing? And do you get the full specified flight time?
**
Thinking of getting a DJI Drone? Help me & my channel by clicking through to DJI or Amazon to look at their offers.
DJI Mini 3:
click.dji.com/AEwUps91GmX_fkI...
DJI Mini 3 Pro: click.dji.com/AEuZkXQPaPK75Dh...
DJI Mavic 3 Classic: click.dji.com/ALfKaszpfV6Wgd5...
DJI Avata: click.dji.com/AMZ3lRuVyaJYSKL...
DJI Mavic Air 2S: click.dji.com/AAObKNO57sqdJ47...
DJI Mini 2: UK: amzn.to/2WrneCP
USA: amzn.to/3raZW2n
Useful Stuff I use:
Anker 32W USB C Fast Charger for Mini2 & Mini 3s: amzn.to/3BqeqSJ
Sandisk Ultra high speed write: amzn.to/2QRsxdg
DJI Radio Mic: store.dji.com/uk/product/dji-mic
Ultra fast USB Flash Drive: amzn.to/2UJiSJK
Freewell ND Filters: amzn.to/3WB2DJZ
Affiliate links don't cost you any more but do give my channel a small
commission which helps me buy more stuff to test and review for you.
** I disable mid-roll adverts on my videos to make things nicer to watch! You can buy me a beer or coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/ianinlondon
or
www.paypal.me/Ianinlondon1
or better still, join my channel at kzbin.infojoin
**
Images in multiple formats with easy shipping to USA, UK & Worldwide:
fineartamerica.com/profiles/i...
** The excellent Drone Scene app: dronescene.co.uk/
This is run by the friendliest UK-based Grey Arrows Drone Club:
greyarro.ws/
12 Months 3rd party liability insurance for £19: www.fpvuk.org/membership-bene...
Music in today's video: Epidemic Sound
Use the link for a free trial: www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
Happy flying everyone.... Ian

[@IaninLondon]

What's your thoughts on the actual flight time? And remember, even tho it's Christmas, I'm not giving away prizes so do NOT reply to any comments asking you to contact me.... Cheers and Merry Crimbo everyone! Ian 🎄🎄🎄

[@waddac2]

Brilliant mate, great comment here as warned you myself of these SPAMMERS that state a Prize. Have a good one fella 🎄🎄🎄🎄

[@jacobfazbear8474]

I was just flying my DJI mini 2 se a few minutes ago and was about a mile away at 30 percent. I made it back to my house at 3 percent and was able to land safely. But it freaked me out when force landing above the woods. So glad they let you keep it up for a little bit longer cause that saved me

[@georgekelly1948]

I like tests you do like this one. I was not surprised at the result, but it was great to see the test actually performed. Keep up the good work. Cheers from Wisconsin and I look forward to all your next videos. Happy 2023.

[@IaninLondon]

Thanks George! Stay warm in your winter weather bomb and all the best 🌲👍🏻👍🏻

[@AllMy78s]

This is a great video for helping me not to panic if I ever get into a low battery situation, which I hope will not... Big thumbs up!

[@richarddepledge960]

Another interesting video. Keep them coming. All the best for Christmas and 2023.

[@vincegp]

Great to know what the ‘real’ limits are! Thanks Ian, and have a great Xmas.

[@Jaron22]

Great video! Excellent test. Thanks for sharing the process and results to clearly.

[@philcliff7346]

Very useful test and video again Ian, thank you! I didn’t know about the 3 battery status indicators as I haven’t had my mini 3 pro very long. Wish I had seen this video earlier. I lost my drone shortly after getting it, by being over confident re the battery. I got the low battery RTH warning but, because it wasn’t far from me I decided to cancel and fly it back to land manually. Big mistake! I got the aircraft orientation wrong and ended up flying it further away and lost sight of it. It force landed in a field ( I was in open fields) and it took several hours to find it! Huge lesson learned.

[@RenaXKXu]

Thank you so much from Sydney Australia! Great works!👍👍👍 I am a few months into flying drone, and nervous and over worrying about everything 😂! I have ever let my drone batteries run below 30%, your video helps me to understand how batteries works ! Thank you again! Keeping up good work! 🙏🙏🙏

[@IaninLondon]

Thanks Rena! Glad it helped :) Cheers

[@dennisbrooks240]

Hope you are enjoying a wonderful holidays and a MERRY CHRISTMAS! Interesting test!

[@andymilton6248]

Thanks for that Ian. Have a great Christmas and look forward to your next year offerings Cheers from NZ 🍻

[@IaninLondon]

Thanks Andy. You too. 👍🏻

[@jasonhall1305]

Great video Ian as always. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 😊

[@karenmouselady]

Best wishes for Christmas and thank you for the video I always come back when the return to home kick in, but it's good to know there is a bit extra if really needed. 👍👍🎄🎄

[@IaninLondon]

Thanks Karen. Yep, don't push the battery! 🌲😀

[@slimnil2124]

Happy Holidays, Ian. Thank you for all you do for the drone community. - Bill from the States.😎

[@IaninLondon]

Thanks Bill. All the best for the New Year 🌲👍🏻

[@thomaskerrigan9166]

Thanks Ian for doing these remarkable tests just show us all that will the drone be capable of, regards TJK UK, and a very merry Christmas to you and your family over this period and I look forward to seeing more in the New Year.

[@IaninLondon]

Thanks for all your input over the year Thomas. All the best 👍🏻👍🏻🌲

[@thomascrowne1458]

Thanks Ian for yet another real world test that all of us yearn to know but too squeamish to undertake. Have a great Christmas.

[@IaninLondon]

Thanks Thomas! You too 🌲👍🏻

[@AlanHunt73]

Great video Ian. The mini 3 did really well. Happy Christmas to you and your family Ted and the other dogs and all the best for the new year. 👍🍻🥂

[@IaninLondon]

Thanks for that. You too 🌲👍🏻👍🏻

[@dougcooper4917]

Excellent Test Video, and Excellent Information! Very Helpful. Merry Christmas To You and Your Family. Thank You Ian.

[@IaninLondon]

Thanks Doug and cheers for all your input over the year. 🌲👍🏻👍🏻

[@JPMIIIIIIIII]

Despite the wind, good job merry christmas

[@ferdronemedia]

Good 2 know test! Merry Christmas 🎄 Thank you

[@waddac2]

Great test Ian. I'm still looking at the Mini 3 Pro and selling my Mavic air 2 combo with loads of extras including 2 extra batteries meaning 5 in total, travel case.... Lanyard strap for controller and much more. Merry Christmas Matey and hope you have a great New Year for 2023 🎅🎅🎄🎄🎅🎅

[@IaninLondon]

Cheers Rich. Look on eBay, tick the 'completed and sold' items and see what they're going for... All the best for 2023 :)

[@pete2109]

No wonder you put that mini clip in Ian….Ted was gonna go for it!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣💪 Have a good Christmas mate 💪👍🤣

[@IaninLondon]

He's snipped but they like to try and dominate eachother when playing 🤣🤣👍🏻🐾

[@albionlondon7550]

I can survey a big roof in 32 mins so no problem for me. No doubt battery tech will improve in the future and more air time will be possible. Thanks for the video.

[@daveys]

Considering that you weren’t just in a 30min hover in a controlled environment, I thought that the battery did a pretty good job there. Glad to see that it didn’t just drop out of the sky too!

[@KTHKUHNKK]

Merry Christmas from Keith in the USA. Keep making those cool videos.

[@IaninLondon]

Thanks Keith. Stay safe this Christmas over there ❄️🌲

[@KTHKUHNKK]

@@IaninLondon Thanks buddy I sure will try. Keith Kuhn

[@timoryan4441]

A very merry Xmas to you and yours Ian. Continue the filming and tips.

[@IaninLondon]

Thanks Tim 🌲👍🏻. You too

[@meathead2676]

I noticed your home 🏡 love the top of your roof....💯👍

[@IaninLondon]

Thatch! 😀

[@jimhofoss9982]

bet the battery was a bit warm, too! merry christmas!

[@MrJackHackney]

I was able to take a Mavic Pro with stock battery 4 miles out and back once. Every other time I really could only get 3 miles. I also got it to reach 27 minutes another day on 1 charge. But only once. 24 mins was more often. DJI specs are as you say lab conditions but true.

[@AlanBathurst]

as usual an excellent video

[@lynsmith1096]

Good test Ian

[@IaninLondon]

Thanks Lyn 👍🏻🌲🌲

[@davidhunt8913]

All the best.

[@gone8640]

By the way, Ian I sold my Air 2S and purchased Mini 3 pro which I find much, much better than Air2S which drained battery so quikly, shooted not that good night videos, was too noisy and heavy and no chanace to find original batteries, and it laso had unconviniant charging process. Now I charge mini 3 pro from 20W/20000 power bank so easily withing 50 min on the run. In addition air 2s was with NC1 old RC and it sticks were not smooth when flying and shooting unlike RC that I have now. I am so happy with Mini 3 pro as camera flips to instagram and facebook format by one klick. Thanks for your videos Ian! Subscribed !!!

[@IaninLondon]

Great stuff 😀👍🏻

[@m8tty]

Good video that mate helpfull 😂 doing whot we dernt lol

[@pdtech4524]

Good info! Not that much different from the Mini 2 then in terms of flight time. Apart from wind speed, another variable that affects flight time is ambient temperature, lithium has an optimal operating temperature, both extremes of hot and cold adversely affect the flight time. The other thing to consider is how high you climb the drone, climbing to 1m and flying around will consume far less battery than climbing to 50m and doing the same test.👍

[@kamikazekaos]

No surprise there almost same as mini3pro , desperately hard to fly my pro due to the UK wet weather ATM....merry Xmas droning

[@jinxed_jinxed_3443]

The best bit of drone news I've had in the last 3 years of draconian rules and ownership, sold it at last woohoo see ya Ian :D lol 0m57s in Scottie gets his end in lmao nice in video cover-up there Ian ;)

[@IaninLondon]

😉😉

[@Davesarsenal]

Have a good Christmas 🙂

[@AdminTechnopedia]

Great review and thank you for using kilometre/h & Celcius metric number 👍. And is that a standart battery or plus one ?

[@IaninLondon]

Standard battery 👍🏻👍🏻

[@scottjackson1812]

Thanks Ian for doing these tests so that we don't have to. That is a pretty respectable flight time 28mins and then 32mins fully depleted. I have never taken any of the battery to that level but its great to know what happens.

[@Baron-Bagaten]

Merry Christmas Ian and Family, many thanks for all the information you continue to put out there.I do have a quick question, I'm fortunate to live in the countryside with no obstacles, just flat farm land....have you an idea on the DJI's Mini 3 distance range ?. I have 2 DJI Legacy Phantoms, Pro and Advanced, both of which I really enjoy but, now thinking it should be time to upgrade to the latest mode. Could I maybe get longer distance travel with the new techknowledgy, also regards the camera, would you regard the Mini 3 to have a better imagery for videos and stills that the Phantom range ?. Thank you

[@IaninLondon]

You're governed by vlos rules, but the Mini 3 Pro has a range of many miles if uninterrupted line of sight to the remote.

[@donxz2555]

Hi, Still not sold on the mini 3 or the mini 3 with lots missing - the extra range batteries were interesting however the over 250g went out of the window, so still not sold on it. Mavic 2 zoom was my number one drone for the range of shots you could take, however that was gifted to Ukraine for better use, so my Air2s became the main drone of choice and has enough shooting choices to keep me happy. The main selling point for the future will be battery capacity as with few exception (like the Mini 3 missing bits) avoidance and intelligence will be standard and better as time progresses. So no Mini 3 or Mini 3 minus bits for me. I will stick with Air2s until battery capacity improvements are not an extra but standard - so Mini 18 welcome ! Have a Happy Christmas and New Year

[@IaninLondon]

Fair points and the Air 2 S is just brilliant. Kudos on Ukraine donation 👍🏻. All the best 🌲

[@gu9838]

brave man to let it hover that high at 5 seconds left lol

[@benmackay5160]

I remember reading somewhere a few years ago that DJI's tests for flight time are usually carried out in very controlled enviornments with no wind and with the drone just hovering, no control on the sticks. I guess thats how they get the extra flight time.

[@ScarboroughTourist]

Also obstacle avoidance turned off, 'Pro' exposure, in fact 'Auto' anything turned off, no SD card ... all saving processing time and battery consumption.

[@IaninLondon]

The specs state it flies at 21.6 kph.... But yes, I never expected to recreate this time

[@gu9838]

oooh so it will force land at the end rather then fall out of the sky thats nice

[@SyedUmar-th2sr]

nice vid hi today i use my DJI air3 first time,i m totally beginner so i was forget that drone battery was very low..after 5 mins my RC2 controller gave warning beep or drone was nearly out of cintrol..thanks God they were landed at my place my question is that "HOW SET OPTION IN MY RC2 THAT MY DRONE LAND AT MY PLACE BEFORE 10 MINUTES OF BATTERY END AUTOMATICALLY" pls guide

[@rsmickeymooproductions4877]

Great video. Just a quick question, have you been getting a 'remote id error' recently? It's a pain and the drone will not take off whilst it's on.

[@IaninLondon]

No, I've not had that...... I'll ask around

[@mixerfistit5522]

Excellent video, seems 22m+ for normal usage is a good guide when factoring a bit more wind or faster flying. One thing, I wish you could've taken a voltage reading straight after flying. It wouldn't be totally accurate, as its no longer under load but would be interesting to see how far the drone is willing to deplete the battery. Eg. is the first forced landing already at a point where the drone is sacrificing its battery health to survive a landing? or is the final critical forced landing still safely above what would damage actually battery? It's true depleting the battery is not recommended but without the figures it's a guess over how damaging it could be.

[@IaninLondon]

I'll check the flight logs....

[@mixerfistit5522]

@@IaninLondon oh they can do that? That's great, I've been researching my first proper drone which is why the algorithm found you but I hadn't realised they were so good with data logging

[@LarryCarlin]

Fun video. What was the outside temp at the time? I just had a quick flight at -15.5C but battery and drone were at +19!

[@IaninLondon]

This was filmed around 10'C

[@cylek96]

Just ordered the drone but it looks like I will be needing extra batteries. 20 minutes to then have to charge it again for an hour doesnt seem enough.

[@marvinmcdonald6617]

I heard from an actual test that it can even fly more than an hour with the fly more combo..?

[@kayberry6292]

Scary stuff and great to know! I'll continue to err on the side of caution and also factor in the wind direction and other conditions. Does a drone consume less battery power when hovering? Just wondering if your 4 minute hover time would be a lot less if the drone were travelling…

[@IaninLondon]

Actually if you check the specs, you get around 1-2 Nina more max flight time when flying slowly rather than hovering....👍🏻

[@AirborneMediaScotland]

I had my mini 3 pro for a week after upgrading from mini 2 and was out on a lightly windy night taking hyperlapse and nearly lost my drone because the wind was against it on its way back and I lost sight of it because of street lights between me and the drone ,it done a forced landing luckily it missed the Loch beside me and I then spent a very heart stopping 10 mins looking for my drone using the find my drone .When I found it it had zero battery on the screen left just flashing lights

[@IaninLondon]

Remember to always fly out into the wind and fly back with the wind....👍🏻

[@garethjones1]

Merry Christmas Ian. What's your take on the Cap 722 changes/abolishment of the 500m rule? Having to have your UAS close enough to see its orientation realistically means having to keep it with in 100/200m max. Cheers.

[@IaninLondon]

I'm very disappointed by the guidance. It seems unrealistic to say you can't rely on the telemetry on the very same unit that's actually controlling the aircraft. The idea that screens go blank doesn't wash....

[@garethjones1]

@@IaninLondon I'm totally dumbstruck by it all. I dabble in fpv as well and I just can't see how the hobby will be able to survive especially if the CAA start to come down hard on people. I definitely will not be showing any incriminating telemetry on any videos going forward.

[@Michelle-ob3cn]

Hi Ian, did you ever hack the distance setting? Thanks.

[@IaninLondon]

How do you mean? FCC hack? Only on the Avata...

[@Radiusxe]

Temp and voltage?

[@SyedUmar-th2sr]

I have Air 3,i m totally beginner. yesterday i was flying in a wedding function.my home point was main door entry point then i was move with drone at main stage..suddenly drone battery reach at 20% ,i was loose my control and drone was automatically fly at home point(main door side cause i was update my home point at main door) fortunately drone were reach safely after bypass many stuffs who are in wed hall.. i was trying many time for land him and stick down but drone was not stop and contonuesly try yo reach home point pls guide whats wrong from my side CAN I USE HOVER OPTION FOR THS CASE..?

[@SyedUmar-th2sr]

waiting

[@JPMIIIIIIIII]

Hey, I found out that the "Cine mode" gives exactly 21km But have to test on a windless day or big closed shed. that's what breaks. he he

[@IaninLondon]

You know I thought of that before I did the test then forgot on the day!!! 🤠👍🏻

[@rsa008]

Main reason I bought a mini 3 instead of a mini 4 pro

[@jessetaylor4081]

hmm, other tests went beyond 40 mins..trying to see the difference in the flights

[@josefinandersson7646]

how do i change the "low battery" level? Or maybee its not possible on the mini 3? I could do it on my phantom 3 at least.

[@IaninLondon]

You can't adjust this with drones that use the Fly App....

[@Kris-jk9mq]

Drone-hacks, I've removed the 20% beep on my mini 3

[@thomashardy9994]

Have you noticed that at greater distance the low battery RTH is much more conservative? By the time the drone returns there may be 25-30% battery left, but when it’s about 1500 feet away and RTH actuates it’s close to forced landing level by the time it’s home?

[@IaninLondon]

It's overcompensating in case of wind.....👍🏻

[@glennlingard7851]

Very nice upload Ian, you are very lucky to be able to fly in open farmland, some would give their right hand to do this, one question, l believe you are still using imperial in uk, (miles per hour ect), why are you using metric? Thank you!

[@IaninLondon]

I've used both imperial and metric all my life and have got to know drone speeds in metres/second. Also it keeps things easy for most of the audience, most if whom use metric 😀👍🏻👍🏻

[@glennlingard7851]

@@IaninLondon thanks Ian l get that but wouldn’t you think that most of your audience thinks in imperial as they travel in mph in the UK, maybe would make more sense to them rather than yourself? Cheers.

[@StreakyP]

be careful with that battery pack from now on.... given it is a multi-cell battery means that some of the "best cells" may have taken one of the weaker cells towards reverse charge & that could now be permanently weakened further. If it is a new pack they may all be good and none may have been weakened, but if it was an older pack with cells that have aged differently means that it could have made it worse. As you say best not to make a habit of it.

[@IaninLondon]

I actually believe DJI ensure the battery never actually depletes..... As said, I've not had any issues on previous batteries where I've done this, but I do t make a habit of it.....

[@ScarboroughTourist]

I watched 'Geeksvana' interview with the CAA about VLOS. According to CAA you can only expect ~50-70m visual on a Mini 3 drone. So the question is, are you concerned, as an influencer, that putting up videos like this will cause issues and attract attention from the CAA ? I own a Mini 3 Pro and have put up comments on that video.

[@oryxis]

I think we all need to stick together and fight the new CAA rules. Ian is flying over an empty field - he is not going to kill anyone or bring down an air ambulance with his Mini 3. He knows where the drone is - he can see all the info on the screen. He knows there are no aircraft in the area. To be honest, I highly doubt he can visually see the mini 3 at 300m after looking away to talk to camera or look at the screen let alone visually see its orientation*. None of us are going to stick to those new VLOS rules. It should be the big one (No flying over 120m high) and then common sense. *For the sake of Ian and the CAA - he was using his dog as an observer so he's covered.

[@ScarboroughTourist]

It all seemed OK until decent cameras were put on drones. Maybe I'll put a camera on a kite and see how long it takes the CAA to have some rules about that.

[@oryxis]

@@ScarboroughTourist There is a somewhat conspiracy theory that the government are trying to push us hobbyists out of the airspace so they can lease it to Amazon (or whoever the highest bidder is) for their delivery by drone. Anyway, for now I'm sticking the rules in the FlyerID and my common sense interpretation of VLOS which to me means: "I can see with my eyes the airspace around the drone and will immediately lower the drone as close to the ground as I can if a piloted aircraft heads towards that airspace."

[@IaninLondon]

It's disappointing and frustrating. Callum freely admits in Sean's video that this new guidance may be used cases where it's felt a person was flying beyond vlos. All this guidance does is reduce people's opinions and likelihood of observing their rules....

[@ScarboroughTourist]

Personally I thought the CAA person got a little agitated when he was asked about supportive statistical positions and the need for certain rules. He said 'multiple sources' supported 'this' might happen, 'that' might happen, the 'other' might happen with no statistics. I would have pushed back and asked for at least 6 top examples and is my 250g drone in any of them. I mentioned in another post the CAA said , electronics might fail in my 250g drone. They also might fail in self-drive cars, self-drive heavy commercial trucks, pilotless commercial planes, pilotless air taxi's. All these coming into reality. My 250g drone has telemetry which is superior to my eyesight; I know if larger objects are approaching it from a reasonable distance; even if just out of VLOS. Distance testing to 6km ,and the like, is a no no to me.

[@B0M0A0K]

I was very worried throughout this video because you kept looking at the controller. Under those new pesky CAA "VLOS" rules we aren't allowed to do that. I was hoping that your dogs were acting as UAV spotters, perhaps with high viz jackets, but then right at the end I spotted your spotter in the doorway and let out a huge sigh of relief. Actually you just demonstrated nicely what we are allowed to do under these new rules. Fly in circles in the middle of the countryside. Just joking, great video.

[@IaninLondon]

I actually had a real spotter alongside which you can occasionally see near the camera. The new vlos guidance is just that. It's guidance. I'm not aware of it being law but of course it's there now to throw the book at anyone....

[@MatthewLenton]

I'm waiting until the spotter also needs a spotter

[@B0M0A0K]

@@IaninLondon I'm back to my original comment. Two can play at that game. They haven't specified that it must be a Human spotter, so go get those high viz jackets for your dogs. They pay alot of attention to your drone in any case 🙂

[@nbrettoner]

Merry Christmas Ian. Interesting to see how long it took before finally landing (after depleting to zero). All the very best for 2023 🦘🐊🦜🦆🐸🦎🐍🐠🐙🐌🦋🐜🌹🍷🫖🚙⛱✅

[@aloeisthestuff9622]

So, Depleted? What was the cell voltage at that point? You have glazed over the real info like so many others on the site.

[@IaninLondon]

Not really. I flew until forced landing that cannot be overridden..... that's all most people need to know...

[@iinventedinternet2591]

With specific settings, you can get 50mins+ flight time

[@IaninLondon]

Really? What settings? And this was with standard battery....

[@user-dz5vb2wd3r]

0.16 0.44 0.43

[@sandyofficial09]

Please start recording then we will have real battery test

[@sanojmadushanka]

How about if you gave me the mini 2 drone as a present today Christmas day 😁