Morning all (from the UK, which is kind of relevant given our flying restrictions),
I’m thinking about adding a second drone to go alongside my Mini 4 Pro. This would be my first ‘bigger’ model, mainly for better image quality—mostly photos, but I’m doing more video lately too. I’m not a pro, but I’d like to improve my content and maybe turn it into more of a side hustle.
Budget-wise, I’m keeping it under £1,000, so the Mavic 3 Pro is out. I’m also fine with buying refurbished or second-hand. Here are my options:
Air 3s (refurbished from DJI, with RC-N3 so I can use my existing RC2) - £769
Mavic 3 Classic (refurbished from DJI, with DJI RC) - £975
Mavic 3 (Not Pro, second-hand from MPB with DJI RC) - £979
I like the Air 3s because it’s cheaper, has newer tech, and I wouldn’t need an extra controller. The Mavic 3 Classic is tempting because of the M4/3 sensor, and I’d be buying directly from DJI (so I could get Care Refresh). Then there’s the Mavic 3, which adds the 70mm camera, which could be fun to play around with.
Would love to hear your thoughts—do any of these options stand out, or should I just stick with the Mini 4 Pro since it’s already solid for social media?
The Mini 4 Pro is solid, but I upgraded to a Mavic because of the UK weather. It handles wind like a tank, and that alone means I can fly about 50% more through the year instead of waiting for calmer days.
@Eliot
Yeah, wind is probably my biggest concern. I’m in Milton Keynes, and it feels like it’s constantly around 15-20mph here. I do worry about the Mini in gusts.
Mackenzie said: @Eliot
Yeah, wind is probably my biggest concern. I’m in Milton Keynes, and it feels like it’s constantly around 15-20mph here. I do worry about the Mini in gusts.
If you’re happy with the quality of your photos but just want better wind resistance, go for the Air 3. That said, the Mavic 3 Pro is still a step up, and with a new Mavic likely coming in April, prices might drop—could be worth waiting a bit.
Depends on what kind of side hustle you’re aiming for. The Mini should be plenty for social media, but if you’re looking to step up quality and future-proof a bit, the Air 3 is a great choice. The 3x telephoto lens is seriously underrated for composition if you know how to use it.
I got the Air 3 specifically for that lens, and I use it all the time.
@Andi
That’s really helpful—just to clarify, are you talking about the Air 3 or the Air 3S? I found a second-hand Air 3 Fly More Combo for around £650, which seems like a great deal. Unless the Air 3S is a huge improvement, I’m wondering if that’s the better choice.
Andi said: @Mackenzie
I have the Air 3, not the 3S. I’m sure the 3S is a little better, but probably not enough to pass up a deal like that.
That makes sense—most people seem to say the Air 3S is just ‘a bit better’ than the Air 3, not a game-changer. Getting the Air 3 FMC second-hand seems like a solid middle ground, and if I change my mind in six months, I won’t lose much reselling it.
