[sachinayak]

Folks,

Quick question - I already have a drone (Mavic Mini - Gen 1, Fly more combo). I bought this before importing drones was illegal in India. So nothing "technically incorrect" in my drone ownership. Unregistered as it is a nano drone.

I am planning a trip to Nepal next year and how do I legally carry this (to Nepal and back)?

When I fly locally, airport authorities are quite knowledged about dos and donts. I always carry the batteries and controller in my hand baggage while the drone itself is checked in. Airport security staff have pulled me up (when they detected drone batteries/controller during my hand bag scan) to confirm that the drone is packed into my check-in baggage. So all is well.

But for international travel, my brother tried to register the drone at the customs (on his way out of India) and was told this is an illegal item and you cannot carry it in or out. He was let off without any confiscation or registration on his way out, but was clearly told if you are caught on the way back, you will lose your drone.

This makes no sense. How can a rule be applicable retrospectively, and is there any way to legally carry drone out of India (and back of course).

[audioholic]

Originally Posted by sachinayak

I am planning a trip to Nepal next year and how do I legally carry this (to Nepal and back)?

Take it as usual and bring it back. Not worth trying hard to go the legal route in a country like ours with stupid rules and regulations passed without common sense. End of the day, you cant talk about rules and regulations if a customs officer is really cranky. Dont try to make it obvious to people that you have a drone on you. The Mavic mini is not something that can be detected in the X Ray also. Just pack it with the rest of the check in luggage keeping the batteries with you in the charging hub in cabin bag and it will be a breeze in customs.

[izzikio_rage]

Originally Posted by mjk24

Congrats on the purchase!
Do DJI offer after sales service/ support in India?

The facebook groups state that you can ask DJI helpdesk for service centers and they normally tell you ones near you. So it is possible to service these drones in India if needed

[Samfromindia]

DJI Mini 3 got introduced, replacing Mini 2. Costs around $100 more than Mini 2

https://youtu.be/48_kEK9iFKU

https://youtu.be/bPDxtmhQ3wY

The DJI app now supports offline maps

[arpanjha]

I was in Germany in October, and experienced the German Autobahn. Outside of Dusseldorf I filmed a short clip of the German Autobahn, hope you all like it.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=dsREohkI...SIkaIECMiOmarE

[Samfromindia]

Originally Posted by arpanjha

I was in Germany in October, and experienced the German Autobahn. Outside of Dusseldorf I filmed a short clip of the German Autobahn, hope you all like it.

https://Youtube.com/watch?v=dsREohkI...SIkaIECMiOmarE

Great video. Are you carrying drone between countries in flights ?

[arpanjha]

Originally Posted by Samfromindia

Great video. Are you carrying drone between countries in flights ?

Hi Sam, yes I carry the mini 2 from India to Eu (Germany, Italy & Netherlands). This was my 3rd trip in last 6 months, no hassle at all. But I made sure I got a valid Drone pilot license from Eu (Germany) before I flew in EU fly zones. Its easy, one needs to appear for an online examination which is pretty detailed.

[mjk24]

Originally Posted by izzikio_rage

The facebook groups state that you can ask DJI helpdesk for service centers and they normally tell you ones near you. So it is possible to service these drones in India if needed

Reached out to them via the website chat, they bluntly said since drones are banned in India they do not have any authorized service centers.
=(

[audioholic]

Originally Posted by mjk24

Reached out to them via the website chat, they bluntly said since drones are banned in India they do not have any authorized service centers.
=(

Same issue here. Had an issue with the charging hub and wanted to claim warranty but they don't offer support. Need to take it to Germany and then arrange a pickup.

[mjk24]

Originally Posted by audioholic

Same issue here. Had an issue with the charging hub and wanted to claim warranty but they don't offer support. Need to take it to Germany and then arrange a pickup.

I did find a couple of third party options in Bangalore.
But the damage in my case though repairable, doesn't seem feasible.
So might as well get a replacement Mini 2.
With the Mini 3 announced and since I don't need the remote & accessories, it should be lighter on the pocket.

[Samfromindia]

Originally Posted by mjk24

Reached out to them via the website chat, they bluntly said since drones are banned in India they do not have any authorized service centers.
=(

Originally Posted by audioholic

Same issue here. Had an issue with the charging hub and wanted to claim warranty but they don't offer support. Need to take it to Germany and then arrange a pickup.

Originally Posted by mjk24

I did find a couple of third party options in Bangalore.
But the damage in my case though repairable, doesn't seem feasible.
So might as well get a replacement Mini 2.
With the Mini 3 announced and since I don't need the remote & accessories, it should be lighter on the pocket.

Attachment 2396787

There are many aftermarket repair options in major cities who do quite a decent job. This is one in my hometown :

https://youtu.be/vD6V6Jayl6Y

[Samfromindia]

India's indigenous drone manufacturing push got featured on BBC World :

https://youtu.be/ZKPd_YyNf_0

[audioholic]

Had a blast shooting some beach side clips from my Mavic Mini. I was thoroughly impressed with how stable it was even in windy conditions with the wind warning popping up every second. Was able to fly it above 250m with confidence and on water. Glad to share a compilation of the same:

https://youtu.be/0QgbkZEFqJc

Another thing I always wanted to try was to control the drone from a moving vehicle(didn't use the tracking function) and that also went well. I had the sunroof open to ensure there is lesser interference and the controller can maintain line of sight. The control and communication was stable for a running distance of 1km and after that there was a short loss of communication. Quickly got down from the car and the link was restored so no mishaps. Since I was not the one driving it was slightly tricky to maintain the frame. But this drone has been paisa vasool for me for the new perspectives it has offered.

[Phoenix_VR]

Originally Posted by audioholic

Had a blast shooting some beach side clips from my Mavic Mini. I was thoroughly impressed with how stable it was even in windy conditions with the wind warning popping up every second. Was able to fly it above 250m with confidence and on water. Glad to share a compilation of the the same.

Nice video. Is this from the mavic mini 1 ? How were you able to get past the 15m height limit in the app ?

[audioholic]

Originally Posted by Phoenix_VR

Nice video. Is this from the mavic mini 1 ? How were you able to get past the 15m height limit in the app ?

I don't use the official DJI app but instead use Litchi in iPhone where you can set whatever max height you want.