Tracking & Obstacle Avoidance - DJI Mini 4 PRO vs DJI Mini 3 PRO

[@MK-Creator]

Thanks for watching! ☕ If you feel that this was a video worth a cup of coffee ☕, here is the link: geni.us/buymeacoffe Thank you so much! ☕😃 💌Get MORE, directly to your INBOX! - Signup to my newsletter: geni.us/join-creator-now 💌 ⭐ ⬇⬇ HIGHLIGHTED IN THIS VIDEO ⬇⬇ ⭐ 🚁 DJI Mini 4 Pro: geni.us/dji-mini4pro 🚁 DJI Mini 3 Pro: geni.us/DJI-Mini-3-pro-RC 🥾 ICE Bug Shoes: geni.us/ice-bug-arcus-gt ⬇⬇OTHER GEAR USED IN THIS VIDEO⬇⬇ 📸 iPhone 15 Pro Max: geni.us/iphone15-pro-max 🎤 Rode Wireless PRO: geni.us/rode-wireless-pro 👜 PolarPro Slate II - SD Card Case: geni.us/PolarPro-Slate2-SD-Mo ⬇⬇ VIDEOS YOU SHOULD PROBABLY WATCH ⬇⬇ DJI Mini 4 Pro PLAYLIST: kzbin.info/aero/PLmClYffJ0rLR5VGn_TYksyj0ry6CiKokZ DJI Mini 4 Pro Beginners Guide: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJLJhJ2fnqudfdk DJI Mini 4 Pro DJI MAP Explained: kzbin.info/www/bejne/povcppaIZqiieLM DJI Mini 4 Pro All Tracking Modes: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXLdq3qMiZqejqc DJI Mini 4 Pro Vision Assist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJ-bZqx7oNdlebs DJI Mini 4 Pro Waypoints: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpe5i5eXi6xgn8k DJI Mini 4 Pro Cruise Control: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWjVhaaZm7p_j7c DJI Mini 3 Pro BEGINNERS GUIDE: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmi4np-XbdeabNU

[@CheckGoCheck]

hope to see this comparison after 3 months and new release update firmware from DJI, is there any better sir :) by the way, thank for this and I just subs to your channel :)

[@fuxart1224]

Grazie.

[@MK-Creator]

Thank you so so much!! I can’t enough express my appreciation! 🤩🙏

[@fuxart1224]

@@MK-Creator well deserved I'd say

[@sweaver4803]

In my opinion you were mostly running (trotting?) when testing the mini 4. However when you were testing the mini 3 you were (slowly even) walking. Then as soon as you finally sped up even a little it crashed.

[@MK-Creator]

Thanks for sharing your thought.

[@ДинозаврДинозаврович-щ1н]

Он упал по той же причине что и MINI 4 , не увидел тонкие ветки.

[@marekjedrusik8954]

Exactly. That is a BIG difference for dron.

[@MariooDisco]

It's amazing and scary at the same time. It will be a piece of cake to shot my videos with mini 4 pro I am planning to buy in the place of my good old Phantom 4 (full of scratches but still fully capable after several ground hits). From the other side, I can only imagine how much more advanced this technology is in the military field . In a very near dystopian future no one will be able to escape an armed police drone (to be prosecuted for owning things and being happy ;-) anymore, even in a dense forest area

[@andrewwright168]

It seems that you slowed down with each area the mini 4 pro had issues when you flew the mini 3. This changed the variables and makes any conclusions speculative. Thanks for video…very interesting.

[@sweaver4803]

I agree wholeheartedly!

[@Roboticdoughbull3k]

He agrees wholetardedly.

[@jessemoulds9051]

Robotic and I have both come to the conclusion that Sweaver wholeheartedly agrees

[@Fishandchips9028]

When i got my mini 4 pro on release the tracking and obstacle avoidance was great, however since the last few updates its got worse and worse, doing crazy aggressive manovers that it didnt do before and yesterday it climbed wildly as it swung right and ended up in a tall tree when it should have been tracking from the front.... Im adamant DJI have done something to the firmware.. in fact its since they added support so you can see what the sensors are showing on that firmware update

[@phfen]

Thanks for the harsh test ! You've been running for us ! It is known that the Mini 4 pro can performs badly with small branches because it may not see them and therefore not avoid them. What annoys me is that in a number of occurrences, the Obstacles avoidance system does detect the leaves or small branches (as can be seen on the screen), but the drone ignores it, continues on its course and then crashes. I have experimented the same myself a few time with a clear detection of obstacles apparently ignored by the drone. It is particularly true when the drones flies backwards.

[@gregparadi]

Hi, do you have any more experience since then ? I have a mini 3 Pro and want to upgrade for the mini 4 mainly because of the 360o sensors, but if it doesn't work properly, I am hesitating. I don't want to use the active track, only for normal flying , but I really need the side sensors ( which the mini 3 lacks ) . Thanks

[@polepole9066]

Great video. Definitely pushed the limits! Kudos for doing what I and many others wouldn’t dare. I wonder if DJI should program the drone to keep track of where you (the subject) passes to have the drone take the same path instead of the « shortest path » thru trees when you take a sharp turn. Should be easy for the processor to remember the last 30 seconds positions of the subject it is tracking, and go thru the same way.

[@Raatatosk]

I don't think it's that easy to do that, GPS is not accurate enough. Depending on location the GPS position can jump 10 meters or even hundreds of meters for short periods of time.

[@MK-Creator]

GPS would probably not do the trick. But vision route mapping would perhaps be possible.

[@Piratepoilet]

In tight spots like that try turning off the downward sensor it might get you through the tight spots help just be very careful and remember to turn them back on 🏴‍☠️🚁

[@MK-Creator]

Thanks for sharing your ideas

[@dragonseggs]

Okay just watched a second video and now subscribed. Awesome content showing obstacle avoidance. I was laughing and out of breath myself, watching you run on that trail!

[@MK-Creator]

Thank you 🙏 I’m happy you found your way here 😃👍

[@paulthomas3302]

The Mini 3Pro is a Fantastic flyer. 💯% Thanks, Mats. Happy Flying!

[@paimun67]

Thanx für your excellent video. Sigo en español, mi inglés no es bueno. Para el M4P las ramas sin hojas ( asi como también cables) son un verdadero desafio, a pesar de los dos pequeños incidentes creo que el drone hizo un gran trabajo volando a traves de un bosque en invierno. Gracias nuevamente!😃👍

[@herbmayer4319]

Wow! Excellent video and I am exhausted just watching you run!!!!!!

[@MK-Creator]

Thanks! I’m happy you appreciated this video. 😊🙏

[@Mountaintoptractor]

Im seeking a drone to follow me filming youtube videos riding on a tractor in the forrest, doing work firewood, traveling back and forth, etc . Which would you reccomend?

[@rishidesai2006]

so is saving 100-200 $ and going for mini 3 pro worth it as me being an absolute novice drone pilot cuz crashes slaps my wallet and heart hard so what do u think buying 4 or 3 ?? pls reply asap wanna buy in 2-3 days :)

[@onmyway111]

Thanks for sharing!

[@MK-Creator]

👍😃

[@Mountaintoptractor]

Hi DC I do forrestry work on my property, felling and thinning trees to promote growth for the larger trees (extremely overgrown) I have zero drone experience and want something to follow me with obstacle avoidance. Say $1,200 budget+/- most important is obstacle avoidance, as it is possible trees might be falling toward the drone. As strange as it might sound the camera on any drone is good enough, im more concerned about obstacle avoidance.

[@leviconnelly79]

Awesome video!!! Thank you for creating and sharing!

[@MK-Creator]

Thank you too. I hope it gave insights in the possibilities and limitations. 😊👍

[@leviconnelly79]

@@MK-Creator Extremely helpful!! I love my mini 3 Pro 🙌🏼 active track is almost flawless 😉

[@Stefan_Boerjesson]

Have Yoy checked the night mode camera option.... ? I used that option not long ago....

[@alinpop5953]

hello, can you do more tests between 3 and 4? low light, normal light

[@MK-Creator]

I will definitely consider it.

[@ceejaysatoshi2919]

thank u for posting this

[@MaximoJoshua]

I have 3 thoughts, Maybe the mini 3 pro having more of the sensor area pointing forward and backward make it better at tracking people from behind. Obviously tracking in parallel mode would have ended really quickly for the mini 3 pro. Second, I don't really think that it is necessarily possible to read too much into results, since I think its some sort of AI Machine Vision algorithm. As you mentioned, it could get lucky or unlucky. Third, which drone could still fly at the end of the tests? I might be tempted to call that one the winner. All of these tests were doing something the manufacturer specifically says its not supposed to do, so in general, any performance is pretty good IMO. There is something to be said for a false sense of security, as well. I never rely 100% on those sensors, as you also recommend. However, maybe I will hang on to my mini 3 pro for a little while longer. I am curious how the Air 3 would do in the same test though.

[@MK-Creator]

Thanks for sharing 😁👍

[@Pizzafromthepresident]

I mean, how many cups of coffee does one need to buy parts for repairs? lol. thats a good one. NIce video. Ive had my mini3 pro for just a few months now and im really getting alot of useful info from your channel. cheers.

[@troymoney31tm]

Great job the mini 3 pro did a great job 👍🏿

[@MK-Creator]

For some reason, my heart is closer to the 3 than the 4 😂

[@MaceraMuhendisi]

Thanks for video. I Bought mini 4 pro fly more combo and couldnt decide if change it to the fly more combo plus. Which one do you recommend?

[@MK-Creator]

I would go for the non plus variant. For me I have enough juice in the batteries with the non plus variant, and I benefit from the sub 250 g regulations at home, but more important, also when I travel!

[@MaceraMuhendisi]

Thanks for answer and light on my way. I thought the same. I will go with non plus version. @@MK-Creator

[@steve0mania284]

I would love to see you try this again, but sent the drone to nifty then see the results! 💯💪🏾

[@MK-Creator]

Omg that would be even scarier. Nifty reduces the margins….

[@Sha-gb5ou]

Hey man! I’m thinking of getting this for snowboarding/cliff jumping. I know it’s very much possible to use it for these activities with the evolved tracking but I’m curious what you think? Thanks!! Love your explanations by the way, better than other channels by far man.

[@roninr8199]

Saw another video. You can't go more than 20 km speed. It would loose tracking

[@Keen_Collector]

It’s partially because you keep turning around. I understand you want to keep checking in on the drone to keep it from crashing, however, when you do so, you make it have to keep trying to find YOUR BACK all the while trying to avoid obstacles while moving. You see, now? But regardless, great video and content. I love it.

[@MK-Creator]

Thanks for sharing your thought. I’ve been flying this drones so so much so I know where the limits are, and trust me when I’m saying that the mini 4 pro would have crashed super early in this video if I did not stop… When they are about 5 cm / 1,5 inch form an obstacle that means it’s not detected. Thanks again.

[@Keen_Collector]

@@MK-Creator I'll take your experience for it.

[@scottrock7407]

From what I can tell! They added wide angle lens on the sensors. So now more coverage, but less accurate.!!! Yes, I bought one 2 month ago. I don't do much tracking. But I still love it.!!! It does seem to drift a little bit compared to my old mini one?? I saw other complaints about this issue.???

[@MK-Creator]

Exactly. And on the mini 3 pro, the two front facing and back facing sensors were overlapping each other, a lot, which made them a lot more accurate.

[@CheckGoCheck]

At first I thought of buying mini 4 pro, but after this test, it's kinda make me just go for mini 3 pro :') becasue the obstrucle avoidance seems not as good as I expected :'( any update so far after 3 months since you posted this video, would love to hear your thought and appreciate very much for taking this test for beginner like us

[@INFChiquito]

I will be waiting for the update!

[@J_River]

I only get mini 4 pro because of better video graphic and some new features but I still love my mini 3 pro, we had been to many places together.

[@MK-Creator]

Thank you so so much for sharing your experience and thoughts.

[@waltervandeneynde5947]

Hello Mats. I don't find your conclusion that the OA of the mini 4 performs OA worse than the mini 3 very fair. OA is a fantastic feature and you're pushing it to the limit. You have to take in consideration that the 4 has the 360° OA which means his cpu has a lot more data to calculate. I guess that the detection depends on the contrast in the picture. When there are a lot of obstacles (with good contrast) and the branch with pine needles gives a rather dim impression, mistakes can happen. I took a screenshot of the 'incident' to prove my point but I can't upload that here 😕 One thing is for sure: avoid these small branches 🙂 Keep up the good work !

[@MK-Creator]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!!💭 😁👍

[@canyonblue737-8]

other testers have found the same thing, that the Mini 3 Pro OA outperforms the Mini 4 Pro... but I think its mainly due to the forward and rearward sensors now covering a larger area in the Mini 4 Pro... it makes some ability to notice small wires and branches worse BUT the upside is it covers areas to the side and above that are uncovered on the Mini 3 Pro... its pros and cons... for me I am very cautious with my drone and actually never really get it close to objects moving forward because *I* see an avoid them by a large margin but the one time I can is when I am moving sideways and I'm really pleased that now my Mini 4 Pro gives me some level of protection in that scenario so I'm willing to trade some forward/back accuracy for that.

[@gregparadi]

@@canyonblue737-8 Hi, do you have any more experience since then ? I have a mini 3 Pro and want to upgrade for the mini 4 mainly because of the 360o sensors, but if it doesn't work properly, I am hesitating. I don't want to use the active track, only for normal flying , but I really need the side sensors ( which the mini 3 lacks ) . Thanks

[@troymoney31tm]

I was thinking about trading my three in for the 4 but I changed my mind and also I got the hover air 1x look at that You probably heard of it. It's a selfie drone.

[@luisjulianmartinelli5369]

Thanks for the test. Nothing like Skydio 2+ for obstacule avoidance and tracking. I love mi Mini 4 Pro. It is a little beast for cinematic footage but not for tracking. I follow you from Mendoza Argentina 🇦🇷

[@silviamora6043]

Skydio brand can't even compare to DJI. DJI can always make changes in firmware and skydio, the firmware releases are sketchy at best. But I'm not trying to say skydio sucks, different brand with different customer base.

[@sdbmk07]

thanks for the video... 1 thumps up ... love the content.

[@brianalston4280]

I don’t plan on tracking myself in wooded area. Not practical for me.

[@Domainelebostonnais]

hello I'm switching from mini2 to mini4 pro, which I find excellent. With the mini2 I could directly download onto my iPad pro (via a hub) in the Photo App the photos and videos that I captured on the mini2's SD card. Now with the mini 4 pro only photos appear in the Photo app, videos are invisible!!! I tried in h264 and h265 same thing. (knowing that I am able to read files via the iPad File app!) An idea? THANKS.

[@gainzechris]

could it be your SD card needs to be upgraded? just troubleshooting

[@Domainelebostonnais]

@@gainzechris unfortunately it does the same thing with another formatted card also on the mini 4 :(

[@caesar5555]

HUGE difference between them. 3 pro always broadcasts the remote ID while 4 pro doesnt when its under 250gr

[@Raatatosk]

Maybe this has already been mentioned, I don't read all the comments. I am not convinced that either one is better than the other. In this test it might seem so though. I have some reservations to the two tests not being equal. The two drones did not get equal possibilities for detection and reaction. Both drones have a reaction time for correction of path when following you. In your test with the Mini 3 Pro you did not run away as much from the drone as with the Mini 4 Pro, you stopped more at the places where you had problems with the M4P, therefore giving the M3P more time to stop and correct it's path to follow you. When you run with the M4P you take curves where the M4P tries to follow you and then needs to cross through the forest, so to say, instead of being on the running track path. With the M3P you stop at these curves and let the M3P follow more on the running track path. This could be one major difference in why the M4P had more run ins with branches and stuff, it had to cross through the forest more to keep on being right behind you. Another issue could be that since the M3P only has forward sensors it doesn't need to calculate as many parameters as the M4P and therefore has a cleaner mathematical process for avoidance. Ultimately, it could also be a combination of both my theories giving the M3P better results.

[@MK-Creator]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@marekjedrusik8954]

Sensors looks like very similar. The only reason why mini 4 had problems is you walk too fast. When you walked with mini 3 you stopped every few meter and checked out how is going, but you didn't do it with mini 4 Plus mini 3 have front sensors, but mini 4 more side-front sensors. then in front mini 3 is better, but on side mini 4

[@RoyD2]

Interesting !

[@roelderupe9335]

like it bro thanks

[@silviamora6043]

Thanks for nice video, I wouldn't run lol but maybe next time get some off road e-scooter ? The video is amazing but when I see how badly the drone is performing, I wonder how badly it would perform at 50-80 meters height, my mini 3 pro always got stock at trees that are 100+ years old but mini 4 pro was able to get out of there. I was also surprised that I didn't bother eagle at 200m height, he knew and was watching me but didn't see concerned. But of course I got close to 3 metres and then left. The massive bird didn't mind me but I didn't want to disturb it, I wanted to leave it at peace. I also known, once he would decide to attack me I would be done that's why I approached him with respect. Your videos are awesome, maybe try something different compared to other reviewers. It's always same coin with 2 different sides. Once again thank you for the video, word of advice, try to do videos from high altitudes and going down exploring wild life/nature without disturbing it. PS: mini series are more for heights and photography, if you want to fly in Forrest you should try DJI FPV drone because it's made for such situations (but the noise is quite disturbing). Happy new year 2024 !

[@fuxart1224]

Imagine if you were running into a tree or stumbling while looking at the drone 😬 Hope they'll improve the tech performance via firmware upgrade. I love it, even with its "limitations" (still learning though)

[@MK-Creator]

lol. You didn’t see the part where I almost completely fell??? 😂

[@useryggfdcc]

Now for the ULTIMATE test! Let both drones fly together through the woods.

[@MK-Creator]

Believe me, I was considering this, but the reason I didn’t do that is because they cannot, avoid things that are moving so they could easily fly into each other🫤

[@useryggfdcc]

@@MK-Creator I don't think it can be any worse then flying alone through the forest. My mini3 Pro have done similar test, flew into small branches BUT going really slow it do see those tiny branches.

[@TheKayakCrew]

I usually am flying my drone over water and while the obstacle avoidance on my Mini Pro 3 saved me on a number of occasions previously, I would not rely on obstacle avoidance alone due to the risk of it not avoiding small obstacles like thin branches. I unfortunately recently lost my Mini 3 Pro over in a river by stupidly flying it sideways into some trees causing it to fall into the river. My DJI Care policy had just expired and I'd forgot to renew it, doh! I was going to upgrade to the Mini Pro 4 for the sideways obstacle avoidance and the360 tracking but I'm now inclined to instead buy another Mini 3 Pro which I can get for less than half the price of buying a Mini 4 Pro if I just buy the drone (I already have the RC controller, ND filters and 4 remaining batteries for the Mini 3 pro).

[@MeltWithU]

As others have said, this wasn’t really a one-to-one test of each drones ability because you didn’t match your movements through the forest. In order to do so, you would have to keep the pacing the same and just let the drones do what they do. I know you’re terrified to have them crash, but I think in order to get an accurate assessment of each drones ability, you would have to just let them do what they do. map out the same path and move at the same speed. Doing nothing different between tests. Because only then are you going to get a truly accurate assessment of the abilities of both. Obviously, the 4 pro is missing a sensor on the front that the 3 is not. But it’s making up for that with a larger field of vision on the sensor it has. Though the 4 has door sensors on the sides, which would make it more accurate than the 3. So I think each have their pluses and minuses. It just depends on what you want to do with them. Obviously, I think people are going to be more cautious and make sure that the path they are following isn’t so narrow, so that they don’t have to worry about so many smaller branches getting in the way. The fact that these drones, either, can do this at all is amazing. It’s only going to get better. With better processors, better sensors, and more tuning of the software. But again, I was impressed with both. The better camera and range on the 4 is what sells me on it. I don’t either right now and maybe by the time I decide to buy there will be a 5 on the market. We will see. Regardless, great tests showing some amazing autonomous flying by these drones. They’ve come a long way in a very short period of time.

[@MK-Creator]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts… but unfortunately I’m not flying in a lab… I can just share my experience 🤪

[@dgibbsfl]

I lost count of how many mini series tracking videos tracking a subject through the woods I have seen. DJI says beware of small branches (with no leaves) and you run through a forest of naked small branches with no leaves. Manual tracking was a good move. Auto 360 has a software glitch and obstacle avoidance is involved. You are doing a lot of drone videos and I enjoy them. It is easier for me when you turn ON subtitles.

[@MK-Creator]

Thanks 😊 The subtitles are generated after a while by KZbin.

[@timothystravels8492]

Great vid, the mini 3 definitely had the edge, which surprised me.

[@MK-Creator]

@timothystravels8492 me too. That’s why I made the video to try… there are so many of this tracking videos out there but I just wanted to try for myself and I ended up filming it. What shocked was the crash I did some days before in that fairly big tree!

[@knowthyself1981]

@MK-Creator so your saying mini 3 pro is better overall?

[@MK-Creator]

@knowthyself1981 no. I would say over all the mini 4 pro is definitely better, but when it comes to obstacle avoidance I would probably vote for the mini 3 pro.

[@2373411]

I think the Mini 4 is better at flying on the side of the object and from the front and filming with less risk of crash. The Mini 3 does not have that option.

[@MK-Creator]

Thanks for sharing!

[@azan4928]

I have to say mini 3 wins on OA, because I have them both and i have crashed the mini 4 more than the mini 3, although the mini 3 I had it for 2 years now and the mini 4 only 2 months 😂

[@NildoScoop]

Now i am certainly not trading my Mini 3 pro in for the Mini 4 pro.

[@MK-Creator]

I’m happy I could spare you some bucks…

[@NildoScoop]

Thnx. 😜

[@anonymousxyzym6181]

Challenging

[@driewiel]

If you can't trust it 100%, you can't trust it at all. I certainly wouldn't risk a €700 drone.

[@MK-Creator]

Exactly. That’s why I do the test for you. 🥳👍

[@driewiel]

@@MK-Creator On a bike nobody uses active-track. Simple follow-me is way more practical.

[@randomes919]

dji mini 3 pros foword is better because it can dedect better and 23 m but mini 4 pro foward has 15 m dedect radius but the plus side is each one sensor of mini 4 can dedect 180 degrees and front sensors of mini 4 can dedect front and even the sides also back sensors can dedect the sides,back and upwards and back sensors can see the front props,bottom sensors can see the botom little bit of front and also back because bottom sensors are the same as mini 3 pro front sensors also m 4 has 3d lidar too looking at the bak and by that mini 4 pro has the best visual hover positioning

[@RayWrathe_Enlightened_Insanity]

He look a little too scared to let that thing really go after it. Put the tracking on nifty and just let it roll if you're going to see what it can do let's see what it can really do

[@MK-Creator]

Well, that guy managed to crash the drone even without nifty so I don’t think there will be a better success in that setting rather the opposite..

[@RayWrathe_Enlightened_Insanity]

@@MK-Creator I'm going to see today lol I appreciate you and great work here

[@RayWrathe_Enlightened_Insanity]

I'm going to do it with my mini pro 4 and air 3 I'm not going to upload a video or nothing though so don't think it's that

[@dongfumingde]

very very very good drone (online sell used dji drone in china)

[@brokensword2621]

dude you must not stop when drone figure out the way for itself. you interfere the drone.

[@MK-Creator]

I can see your point and I know what you mean but the reality is that it was just centimetres or an inch or so away from the obstacles. I had no option to stop. If not, it would’ve been a very quick crash.

[@Stefan_Boerjesson]

Does DJI provide any specification for what obstacles are detected and which ones are not? This way of flying looks like stupid. Why take the risk of crashing just to make those rather silly selfies? OA also cuts out when the light goes low, or the camera is set to night mode. That tracking, especially in 360, causes lots of mishaps like props cracked or even the drone wrecked. Why this madness?

[@MK-Creator]

So you and other drone pilots know where the limit goes without risking their own drones.

[@Stefan_Boerjesson]

@@MK-Creator Yes, and no. There is an endless amount of videos like this and they keep on being produced. When would somebody take it down into a scientific level, making a more kind of laboratory controlled tests? So far it looks like an unpredictable lottery whether the drone will "survive" or not. Using tracking, moving too quickly in a turn, the lack of OA quality is shown repeatedly. Personally, once flying side ways, off corse, in sports mode, hitting the top, soft branches of a tree, the drone was found at a 20 meter lower altitude. One arm was moved out of position, one prop pair showed damages. Did it try to fly down or did it tumble down and "land" really unharmed? In other words, what to expect after a prop contact with a light obstacle?

[@ernieschatz3783]

Dumb. A software update could solve all of the tracking issues. "Really disappointing, whine, whine, whine"