I tried to run the app into a tree for the first time ever, because the new system is so impressive. I could have hit the tree, but the number of warnings I received would have stopped any normal person before the collision occurred. Caution when flying around obstacles is a must. Sport mode has no avoidance protection at all and can reach speeds of 42 miles per hour.
The ActiveTrack 5 will be better at tracking subjects in automated flight modes, according to the company. This feature allows the drone to move with the subject instead of just following it. You would be able to automatically follow the car's movement with ActiveTrack 5. Think of the car on the road that is lost in the trees, but should be found when it comes back, because the vision sensors will help track movement and even be able to locate it.
DJI has followed the lead of many tech companies in announcing features before shipping them. We used to call it vaporware, but it's become par for the course with camera and device makers. It's a trend we'd like to see end, but for now, it's best not to buy the Mavic 3 just yet, because of the features that are potential selling points. The new features will be available in early 2022.
There is app trouble.
The Mavic 3 uses the Fly app. The company's Go 4 app has a lot of settings that aren't in the Fly app, like white balance controls and Aperture Priority mode, which aren't in the Fly app. The Fly app is not bad, but it feels more like a casual user than the Mavic 3 is likely to attract. You can change the settings to suit your work, and the variable controls are easy to use. Maybe advanced features are on the way.
The Mavic 3 is an impressive drone. The Cine model will be great news for professionals who need high-quality imagery. The Cine starts at $5,000 and is well beyond what casual users will spend.
The base model is not cheap at $2,200, but it still produces the best quality video footage I've seen from a consumer drone. The long flight time, impressive obstacle avoidance features, and ActiveTrack 5 make the Mavic 3 stand out.
