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DJI’s all-new Mavic drone packs big features into a small package

For this price, it better be good.

 

Mike Wehner

Tech

Posted on Sep 27, 2016   Updated on May 25, 2021, 10:12 pm CDT

Drones are getting smaller, more high-tech, and less expensive as time marches on, and DJI’s newest quadcopter is here to prove that point. It’s called the Mavic, and you’re probably going to really, really want one. 

DJI

Unlike DJI’s previous drones, which were rigid and tall, the Mavic is extremely compact. Its four arms fold inward for storage and transport, greatly decreasing its size. When it’s fully collapsed, the Mavic is easily stored in a backpack or bag, which is something a drone of this caliber simply hasn’t been able to do before. 

DJI

DJI’s reputation in consumer drones is about as great as you can hope for. The company’s Phantom drones are generally considered to be some of the best of the best when it comes to build quality, features, and overall power. The Mavic is much smaller than the Phantom, but somehow manages to pack in just as many top-of-the-line features, including 4K video recording, an impressive 27-minute flight time per charge, and a blazing 40mph top speed. 

The drone also has advanced usability features that help it avoid obstacles and hover at an exact height, and DJI’s “Return to Home” feature can send the drone back to the exact spot where it took off from with just a single button press. 

All in all, it seems like an extremely impressive tech toy, but it’s also a bit of an investment at $999 for the drone itself and the smartphone-connected controller. However, you can also opt to purchase just the drone for a cheaper $749, relying solely on your phone and the DJI app for less comprehensive, but still adequate, control. 

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*First Published: Sep 27, 2016, 3:59 pm CDT