Alright everyone, I need some help here. I just bought the DJI Air 3 with the Fly More package, and I’m excited—but also feeling like I might have messed up.
Here’s the situation: I was stuck between the Air 3 and the Mini 4 Pro. I spent forever researching, walked into the store still unsure, asked the “experts,” paced around like a lunatic, and finally went with the Air 3. For $100 more, it seemed like the better option: better camera, better stability, longer range, and just more features overall.
But now that it’s home, the box is sitting there unopened because I’m second-guessing everything. I live in Northern Virginia (NoVA), and the airspace here is a nightmare—tons of restricted areas with the airports, Pentagon, and D.C. close by.
My plan was to use the drone on weekend adventures, at the beach, or during vacations. I’m a total hobbyist—no pro-level skills here—but I want to take great photos, build some flight hours, and maybe help a cinematographer friend shoot videos.
Then I found out recreational drones aren’t allowed in Virginia state parks. Buzzkill. But I do love nature and could see myself using it in mountains, forests, or open spaces. I’ve even thought about trying real estate videography, but that’s still just an idea.
The Mini 4 Pro’s ActiveTrack 360 was super tempting, especially for filming my dogs running around. But the Air 3’s wind resistance and battery life were big factors for me. And now I’m wondering if I overbought or overcomplicated things.
Also, international travel has me worried—drones over 250g can run into issues with regulations in some countries. Was that something I should’ve factored in more?
So… what do you think?
- Did I pick the wrong drone for my needs?
- Should I exchange the Air 3 for the Mini 4 Pro while I still can?
- Or do I just stop overthinking, open the box, and send it flying?
I know this might sound like a common question, but if you’ve got advice, I’d love to hear it!