You’re not supposed to use them below freezing. My fast charger also won’t charge the batteries below 7C, if I remember right.
Yes, it’s bad if the drone stays out too long in the cold. Eventually, it’ll need some warmth and a blanket or two!
There are a lot of factors here, but the two biggest are icing on the propellers and the battery life.
Avoid flying in low temperatures if there’s moisture in the air (snow or rain). It can cause the propellers to ice over and lead to motor overload or a crash.
As for the battery, as mentioned, it’ll last less in the cold. Don’t fly too far or take unnecessary risks. Let the battery warm up a bit after takeoff to get it above 20°C (check through the app). I usually let it hover for a minute before flying.
I wouldn’t say it’s terrible, but there are definitely more things to watch out for.
I guess I’ve been lucky. I flew my Mini 2 in a snowstorm without any issues.
Cold weather affects not just the battery, but electronics in general. For the battery, it should be fine because it generates heat while flying. I usually take my drone outside only for short periods, from home to car and from car to the flying spot, so it stays warm.
If you’re out for long periods in extreme cold, I recommend disconnecting the battery before heading home to avoid moisture from warm indoor air getting on cold electronics.
Here’s a video I took with my drone at -20°C: https://youtu.be/8ZHYtfnkZY0?si=zobxH34S0ZP_-tuv
The key is to fly with a warm battery. I use a heated bag for this. The drone needs to be cold before flying to avoid condensation in the lenses if everything is warm.
You won’t know until you try.
Jordan said:
You won’t know until you try.
I don’t think that’s the best advice.
I fly at 0°F and do short flights, about 10 minutes. No problems. If it’s foggy, I won’t fly far and I’ve come back with ice on the blades. These drones are pretty tough.