I bought a used DJI Phantom 3 professional on the LetGo app for 500$ it came with 5 batteries, a carrying case , 3 sets of props , a 4 battery charger and a brand new controller. Absolutely nothing wrong with the drone. It still had some of the new plastic you need to take off. Great buy. Much worth it. I did test fly before I bought.
Rick, you are a sage. I found your channel about 2 weeks ago. I already highly respect your knowledge, perspective and delivery. Thank you for your videos, and as much... your encouragement. Safe flying. bg
I just bought a Mavic pro on eBay based off of description and pictures for $600 bucks I was the first and only bidder on it . and I also check sellers reviews it said it was like new or new. from just looking at the pictures I could tell it was new, it still had all the little shipping stickers on the drone even the little one's the sensors. all the packing material. was original and the seller was a jewelry store. when it arrived the battery was discharged to the point of no return... that can be expected from setting in a box for a few years. they did send a after market replacement battery with it. my hunch was right it was brand new. everything needed updated. and registered. I think I got a good deal at $600 bucks and was very pleased not to have to ask all those Questions lol...
All this makes total sense. But, in the real world, if you live in a small town, your only way to buy a used/refurbished DJI Mavic Pro is online. The last 2 wks I started out similar to what you are saying. Read seller's reviews, descriptions of the drone according to seller, then ask questions, wait for replies (if any??). Meanwhile, it seems, there are 50,000 other people wanting to buy a used/refurbished DJI Mavic Pro...YIKES. And out of this crowd, there are always the ones who could care less about all the aforementioned fact findings. They see, they click buy, and I cry...lol. So Rick if you know anyone with a good used DJI Mavic Pro, hiding out, who has not yet listed it anywhere, Please let me know. Thanks
Thanks Rick. As always, great job! Your clips are truly educational, inspirational...and professional. Two things would be helpful, I think. 1) What is the process for un-registering (them) and re-registering (me) with the FAA. 2) Also, transferring registration (or DJI Care Refresh warranties) to me, specifically with DJI. 3) Finally, and specifically for DJI, closing flight logs (and account) from previous owner. I understand DJI KEEPS (according to their EULA) OWNS the flight logs...(boo). I want to start fresh with my own account and my own flight logs. Thanks Rick for a follow-up to a great video. “Happy Flying.”
A really great lesson on buying. I'm going to look at a Mavic pro platinum, Craigslist, so my radar is fully on and I feel good before the visit. Thanks.
With Phantoms take a bright flashlight and shine the light through the bottom of each motor mount and look for cracks. Phantoms are known for dreaded stress crack issues. Nice video as per usual Rick.
Thanks for the post and the great suggestion. You're right about the stress cracks and I've never thought about using the flashlight trick to check that. Thanks for passing that along! Stay tuned for more content this week and I hope you're getting some great airtime. Rick
During a physical inspection, check the screws, the mavic pro has a few filled screws that need to be cleared to take it apart, so if it still has filled screws, you know it hasn't been dismantled. A good way to get on a sellers good side is, during a test flight - Let them use their phone/tablet, while you use one of your SD cards. That way both parties have evidence of that test flight
I’m not concerned about if a drone was taken apart or not as a buyer. I taken my mavic pro apart to clean the inside after 2 years of use it needed a cleaning before selling it. And once I opened it i was justified in doing this. Caked in a layer of grime.. the guy brought it from me noticed it was taken apart and I told him it was but only to clean it out, as been flown 1300 miles+ and 2 years didn’t want it to fail the new owner. He was okay with that.
@@Honeypot-x9s My point was more about it's something to check when buying a used drone. If you spot this and the seller still tries to sell it as perfect, then it's another talking point. My mavic pro dropped out the sky, one of its DJI batteries suddenly went from 100% to 15% Luckily I was still during my low hover, pre-flight checks, so it's nose dive was only short. This means I had to take it apart to repair the gimble. The tech geek in my enjoyed this experience, but it will be something I would let any future owner know before they part with cash!
It's amazing to see people asking almost retail price for used drones on places like eBay or even locally... And the worst it's that they get offended when you offer a different amount based on things like batteries that have been just stored on a box for 10 months without charging or maintaining, damage to the drone due crashing or missing parts, "i tested it and works without a problem" or "the battery is the original and charges" are common answers to justify the inflated price.
I've bought all my drones refurbished direct from DJI, I have sold a few drones on Facebook yard sale but I'd be leery dropping 6-700 on a used drone. I've bought several Phantom 3's standard from individual for around 2-300. I still love the Phantom 3's
Thanks for the post and the refurbished quads from DJI are a great place to pick up a drone. Since they built them, they are the perfect team to set them right for resale. I have bought a lot of quads from private buyers and you can find a great deal as long as you spend a little time asking the right questions. I agree with you, the P3A is still one of my favorite quads to fly. Stop back soon as I have a lot more content posting. Rick
Excellent video, good tips. For the seller, remember to take off your registration number. I've seen and gotten RC planes and drones with the persons Reg number on it. Being in a club, there is always someone selling something. Most clubs even have a forum or area dedicated to selling on their website. Thanks for the tips.👍👍
What is the best place to SELL your drone. I have a Mavic Pro 2 with very limited use and I want to sell. Craigslist can be frustrating with frauds, trades and overall low ball offers. Ebay has proven to be on the side of the buyer. I had someone buy mine, use for 30 days and then claim it wasn't as advertised and I had to take it back.
Nicely Done, Rick. This was one of your best how to's for purchasing or selling a used drone. You packed a lot of beneficial information into this video. Thank you, Well Done!
I've bought two refurbished drones from B&H, a P3P and P4P, and both have been excellent. They were like new and several hundred dollars cheaper than new.
My thinking recently is that a refurbished drone may be the way to go. I returned my Mavic Pro to DJI for repair and got back another drone. It has been solid. I sold my 3DR Solo and my Mavic Air on eBay. Both were in Excellent condition. Sold my Phantom 3 Advance to my brother in law. All's well. Maybe I should buy a used Drone for once and get the "Deal".
This is very helpful. However, I keep seeing reviews from people complaining about drones being advertised as new, but that actually turn out to be used or tampered with. So, are there any particular questions to ask someone who sells a new drone to get an idea if it is indeed new?
It can be tricky and you have to somewhat trust the person you're buying the drone from. The best way I've found to see if a drone has been flown a lot is to check the number of charge cycles on the batteries. If you see more than 10 or 20 cycles on the batteries, you know they might have flown it more than they are admitting. There are some good deals out there so don't worry too much, just find one you like and can afford and start flying. Rick
@@Dronevalley Wow, I can't believe you actually replied. Thank you! Well, it's a bit difficult to trust someone you can't meet. I was wondering if the When did you buy it + original purchase receipt + warranty questions also apply for a drone that is sold as brand new? They must have purchased it from somewhere, after all, maybe directly from DJI.
Quick question, to which I'm afraid I know the answer...Can an older DJI "Flamewheel" F450 quad or F550 hex be converted/upgraded to the Phantom style flight controls and camera? I have two older DJI's from 2005 and 2007 just collecting dust along with expensive Futaba radio (I do not even remember how to operate correctly) -- a LOT of $$$ back in those days, and hate to put these in the trash can. I would love to somehow convert these to the current-type flight controls and camera of my Phantoms. Thanks for your great channel - I have been a subscriber forever.
Another very good video Rick well done.... It would be nice if you would post a video every once and a while of you just flying one of your favorite drones.....
The next time you see an airplane sitting on the ramp you will notice a big piece of equipment hooked to it. It is called an (APU) auxiliary power unit. This powers the airplane while being worked on or technicians are adjusting things. Why doesn’t DJI come out with such a device. It could be an outboard power unit that would plug into the drone where the battery would fit. This would give power to the drone while you are making adjustments and your battery stays in the flight case. There have been times where this would come in handy. I could just plug it into the drone, plug the power supply into the wall and power-up the Mavic 2. You need to remove the props or make sure you don’t take off by accident.
G’day Rick Mate, I will be upgrading my MP1 to the M2P or the new DJI Mavic in the future. And trying to work out how I can get the most $ for either a trade in or private sale. Or if I can afford it then just keep it & have two Drones 👍🏻
Owen, good luck with the quad purchase and that Mavic Pro is probably the best quad to own in terms of features and price right now. I am actually working on a clip that supports that opinion and should have it posted soon. If the quad is in good shape and the batteries check out, grab it and start flying! Rick
Thanks Rick once again for a great video. Excellent sage advice if I ever come to selling or buying a used drone. Quite inspirational I think I'll head out and do some frozen finger flying! Cheers man.
Thanks for the post and spring will be here soon! I sneak out every week for a quick flight too in the cold but keep an eye on your battery levels :) Stop back soon, I'll have more content posting. Rick
I did buy a USED Drone and will never do it again... nor will I buy a Used Camera.... when you're a Pro don't buy used TOOLS. add on Parts is OK, but KNOW what you're buying and from WHO! 21:10 Buy from Friends and Fam!
George, thanks for the post but I've had good luck with used quads and like I mentioned in the clip, it's important to know who you're buying it fro and ask the right questions. If you're at all queasy about buying from someone you don't know, you can always check out the refurbished page on DJI's website to see what they offer there. Some of those come with warranties as well. Be sure to stop back soon as I have more content posting this weekend. Rick
Tim, thanks for the post and this list started out as like 40 questions and I had to pare it down to the essential 10. I agree that a flight and maintenance log is a great thing to have but I find too few pilots actually keep one anymore. I would sneak this question into a conversation when considering a drone as it gives you a ton of details about the way the drone was used. Thanks again and be sure to stop back soon. Rick
Great advice Rick...thanks for the bits of smartness😀 bunch of excellent points here....after first flight they are all used drones...lol. May God bless ya
Great video Rick. I watched this one twice. I'm on the market for a used Phantom 3 Pro and I picked up a number of tips here. Thank you for all the great ideas.
after watching your clip, i am a little concerned with drones i have been watching on Ebay. Ebay has many different drones on their site everyday. There are some good deals. I guess i can ask all these question i got from your clip. What do think about buying on Ebay?
Andrew. thanks for the post and I've stayed away from commenting on the Gatwick event on purpose until all of the details are confirmed. From the outset it looks like there may not have been any drones in the area at all despite the report. I'm frustrated that our quads are becoming the next Bigfoot, where everybody clams to have seen one but it can't be verified. To add some sanity to this discussion, DJI owns up to 90% of the market for drones that could possibly fly near an airport or high enough to impact a commercial airliner. DJI also has integrated NFZ and altitude limiting software in their drones to restrict them from flying in either of these situations. That means for a scary event like this to actually happen, it would have had to be a drone that fits in that 10% of quads that could be flown recklessly. If it turns out that it did happen, I'm a fan of finding the knucklehead who does this and prosecuting them. Stop back soon for more content, Rick
Only if you registered your drone for COMMERCIAL use you need to de-register it before you sell it. If you just complied with the FAA rule for drone operations as a hobbyist, all you need to do is simply remove your registration number from the aircraft and you'll be good to go. 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
Hello there! New to the hobby and currently have a Mavic Pro and have had it for only about a month. There is a gentlemen that is selling his DJI Spark with a bunch of accessories with it. Just curious if it is worth having both of the drones or if since I already have the Mavic, will the spark not be worth having? Thank you
Aaron, thanks for the post and adding a Spark to your fleet is a good idea if the price is right. I own both and use the Spark a lot when traveling since it's such a small quad. It won't fly as far as the Mavic Pro but the controls are the same and it's also a great quad to use indoors to keep your stick skills sharp in these cold winter months. Thanks again and be sure to sub the channel so you don;t miss anything. Rick
Been thinking about buying a MA2 on Ebay but it makes me nervous because I'm looking a a few pictures and I don't know anything about the drone. Especially how have the batteries been cared for. Even the sealed unopened boxes worry me a bit because again I don't know the history of how that box has been stored even though it's new. One option is to buy a Refurbished one from the official DJI store.
Be sure to check the batteries, they are an expensive accessory to replace. You can have the seller spin up the DJIGO 4 application for each of them and it will tell you how many times they were charged. Good Luck, it's an amazing quad.
Hi Rick, I have heard that to calibrate my P4 Battery I will need to flight my P4 until it get to 30% and after let it run without propellers until it drains and stop by itself, then wait until it cools off completely then recharge to 100%. What do you think?
This video has been really helpful. I would like to sell my Mavic Pro and get the Mavic 2 Pro and was going to go to eBay but will now try to find one locally. Thank you.
hi Rick wy not to buy from California .we have sunshine and warm weather not like so many other states .I would purchase one from California any time just like a used car . Cheers
I always recommend that folks buy whatever they can afford and a used quad is always going to be less expensive. For example, of you bought that Mavic Pro used, you could save $400 and use that to add a case or extra batteries to your kit with the money. The key is finding a good deal from a good seller and these tips will help with that. Thanks for the post and be sure to sub the channel. Rick
Bought a brand new one at Christmas time it was like a $300 one and I got it for on sale for a hundred and something and I still can't figure out how to work it. Like I took it out of the box and it doesn't work.
I have brand new in seal mavic pro with 2 extra batteries , pgytech case which is about $120 , charging hub, nd filter, sunhood, landing gear and want 800 for it yet cant sell, and some people sell used for that much loi
Case is not so important if battery has been charged just 3 times, right, if it is young like a month old. And I can tell you that I got bored from drones that I flew twice and I put on a shelf cause I bought the next one in hope to avoid limits I saw. I did it seversl times like getting from tello to spark, from spark to air and from there to Zoom in 1 or 2 years with also a aosenma and xiaomi affair for a few month. And I bought the next first and mostly months later I finally get to point to sell the shelf or "old" one. And why should flying a spark to the range limit be an indicator for what? To get a high range you're flying high, right. Obstacles are far less in higher attitudes than flying around in neighbourhood. I'd be selling all my drones after less than 30 flights cause I had not more time or weather wasn't great when I had time. Meanwhile dji had offered a new model or next version so I upgraded. Local buying is also a higher risk than buying an amazon warehouse deal especially when they have these 20% days cause if you do not like it you can return it. My last and most expensive one is a zoom warehouse with an additional 20% off - battery charged 2 times, props and device as new, all seals in box and also the belt of the case still in seals. Great value for the money. Took me 2 years to get to that point and that the amazon warehouse deals get my highest score. To make sure to be successfull at those 20% of days I recommand to buy at least 2 of them. Then you'll have the choice to pick the best one ... you have to find out by yourself by looking into battery charging history and condition at arrival. Some boxes look like brand new cause after my Zoom 20% off Warehouse deal success I purchased a Spark again as a quick flyer cause my Zoom with a google racing edition kit in the box needs more time and care to fly while the spark is an "just wanna fly" solution. Meeting, talking and negotiating with local guys can also be quite time consuming and nerve racking. I prefer to buy young used ones instead of drones that might be older and unknown state. Drones might have crashed on flight 1 as I saw in one of the warehouse boxes with minor prop damages (bend or scratched). But to be honest: first flight with my brand new expensive air ended in a light crash during precision landing cause it landed 1 m off in grass - but that had contained a tiny stick ... voila one prop got a small crack. It felt like crying ... but it was just 1 prop not a pair. So if you by a private dji drone look always for the right amount of spare props, 2 for a spark and 4 for a fly more spark. And if there are even more like 3, 5, 7 or 9 then you can be almost sure that 1 got most likely destroyed - in flight or at ground as mine.
I'm wanting to buy a used mavic mini 2, I worried about transferring over the info so I can operate it on my cell phone without a problem, I already bought a new mavic air 2 for 3 or 4 months now and have the dji fly app, account etc.
You'll be fine using it with your phone. Essentially any drone can be connected to the app. Just make sure the seller removes it from his DJI account so you can add it to yours.
Sinky, thanks for the advice but I do that to let the seller know I'm serious and am a pretty trusting guy that's bee lucky to never had had an issue since most fliers are good people. Also, I have some awesome nunchucks skills and am not afraid to use them :)
Found a Mavic pro on eBay claims it’s in great condition and used is for 500 is that a good option or to buy a Mavic mini for 400 brand new will be doing basic film and want a higher end drone
That is an excellent deal and just be sure to check how many times the cells have been charged before you hand over the cash. You can check this through the DJIGo4 application on the battery screen. If the cells have less than 25 or 30 charges on them, grab the quad, throw him the case and head home to fly. Let me know how you make out. The Mavic Pro is an incredible quad and you're going to love it!
Michael, you could try a google search for "drone clubs" in your state or check the AMA website to see if they have a field locally. If you fly with them, a lot of the pilots will know if there are other clubs in your area. I fly with a few in NJ and it's a great day to be out with other fliers and see their gear. Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check back for new content. Rick
This guy shows up to buy your good working drone. Slam the door on him. After his one-hour interview / drone inspection Hill probably lowball you anyways
Johnathon, thanks for the post but I've sold a lot of quads (more than 20) over the years and you'll find that most fliers are respectful and won't try and rip you off. My suggestion is to be as honest as possible about what you can afford and do your homework before calling anyone selling a used quad so you know what the current prices are for the same used model. It's a great hobby and there are a lot of fliers constantly upgrading so you can usually find a good deal on a used quad. Thanks, Rick
I hate videos like this..But this guy isn't boring to listen to.Thanks for the great videos!
I bought a used DJI Phantom 3 professional on the LetGo app for 500$ it came with 5 batteries, a carrying case , 3 sets of props , a 4 battery charger and a brand new controller. Absolutely nothing wrong with the drone. It still had some of the new plastic you need to take off. Great buy. Much worth it. I did test fly before I bought.
Rick, you are a sage. I found your channel about 2 weeks ago. I already highly respect your knowledge, perspective and delivery. Thank you for your videos, and as much... your encouragement. Safe flying. bg
I just bought a Mavic pro on eBay based off of description and pictures for $600 bucks I was the first and only bidder on it . and I also check sellers reviews it said it was like new or new. from just looking at the pictures I could tell it was new, it still had all the little shipping stickers on the drone even the little one's the sensors. all the packing material. was original and the seller was a jewelry store. when it arrived the battery was discharged to the point of no return... that can be expected from setting in a box for a few years. they did send a after market replacement battery with it. my hunch was right it was brand new. everything needed updated. and registered. I think I got a good deal at $600 bucks and was very pleased not to have to ask all those Questions lol...
All this makes total sense. But, in the real world, if you live in a small town, your only way to buy a used/refurbished DJI Mavic Pro is online. The last 2 wks I started out similar to what you are saying. Read seller's reviews, descriptions of the drone according to seller, then ask questions, wait for replies (if any??). Meanwhile, it seems, there are 50,000 other people wanting to buy a used/refurbished DJI Mavic Pro...YIKES. And out of this crowd, there are always the ones who could care less about all the aforementioned fact findings. They see, they click buy, and I cry...lol. So Rick if you know anyone with a good used DJI Mavic Pro, hiding out, who has not yet listed it anywhere, Please let me know. Thanks
Thanks Rick. As always, great job! Your clips are truly educational, inspirational...and professional. Two things would be helpful, I think. 1) What is the process for un-registering (them) and re-registering (me) with the FAA. 2) Also, transferring registration (or DJI Care Refresh warranties) to me, specifically with DJI. 3) Finally, and specifically for DJI, closing flight logs (and account) from previous owner. I understand DJI KEEPS (according to their EULA) OWNS the flight logs...(boo). I want to start fresh with my own account and my own flight logs. Thanks Rick for a follow-up to a great video. “Happy Flying.”
A really great lesson on buying. I'm going to look at a Mavic pro platinum, Craigslist, so my radar is fully on and I feel good before the visit. Thanks.
With Phantoms take a bright flashlight and shine the light through the bottom of each motor mount and look for cracks. Phantoms are known for dreaded stress crack issues. Nice video as per usual Rick.
Thanks for the post and the great suggestion. You're right about the stress cracks and I've never thought about using the flashlight trick to check that. Thanks for passing that along! Stay tuned for more content this week and I hope you're getting some great airtime. Rick
During a physical inspection, check the screws, the mavic pro has a few filled screws that need to be cleared to take it apart, so if it still has filled screws, you know it hasn't been dismantled.
A good way to get on a sellers good side is, during a test flight - Let them use their phone/tablet, while you use one of your SD cards. That way both parties have evidence of that test flight
I’m not concerned about if a drone was taken apart or not as a buyer. I taken my mavic pro apart to clean the inside after 2 years of use it needed a cleaning before selling it. And once I opened it i was justified in doing this. Caked in a layer of grime.. the guy brought it from me noticed it was taken apart and I told him it was but only to clean it out, as been flown 1300 miles+ and 2 years didn’t want it to fail the new owner. He was okay with that.
@@Honeypot-x9s
My point was more about it's something to check when buying a used drone. If you spot this and the seller still tries to sell it as perfect, then it's another talking point.
My mavic pro dropped out the sky, one of its DJI batteries suddenly went from 100% to 15% Luckily I was still during my low hover, pre-flight checks, so it's nose dive was only short. This means I had to take it apart to repair the gimble. The tech geek in my enjoyed this experience, but it will be something I would let any future owner know before they part with cash!
Rick is a really knowledgeable and thoughtful person, I really appreciate his video.
It's amazing to see people asking almost retail price for used drones on places like eBay or even locally... And the worst it's that they get offended when you offer a different amount based on things like batteries that have been just stored on a box for 10 months without charging or maintaining, damage to the drone due crashing or missing parts, "i tested it and works without a problem" or "the battery is the original and charges" are common answers to justify the inflated price.
Found this really well-done! Thanks for the post.
I've bought all my drones refurbished direct from DJI, I have sold a few drones on Facebook yard sale but I'd be leery dropping 6-700 on a used drone. I've bought several Phantom 3's standard from individual for around 2-300. I still love the Phantom 3's
Thanks for the post and the refurbished quads from DJI are a great place to pick up a drone. Since they built them, they are the perfect team to set them right for resale. I have bought a lot of quads from private buyers and you can find a great deal as long as you spend a little time asking the right questions. I agree with you, the P3A is still one of my favorite quads to fly. Stop back soon as I have a lot more content posting. Rick
Excellent video, good tips. For the seller, remember to take off your registration number. I've seen and gotten RC planes and drones with the persons Reg number on it. Being in a club, there is always someone selling something. Most clubs even have a forum or area dedicated to selling on their website. Thanks for the tips.👍👍
I file a 20+ page airdata report for each of my flights and that gives the answer to any question anyone could ever ask should i ever sell.
This video really eased my mind. Thank you.
Hi Rick, what is your suggestion on buying a used mavic air 1?? what is the best price??? $795 for flymore combo..
Excellent, very good questions to ask and consider in buying or selling a used drone, thank you!
What is the best place to SELL your drone. I have a Mavic Pro 2 with very limited use and I want to sell. Craigslist can be frustrating with frauds, trades and overall low ball offers. Ebay has proven to be on the side of the buyer. I had someone buy mine, use for 30 days and then claim it wasn't as advertised and I had to take it back.
Nicely Done, Rick. This was one of your best how to's for purchasing or selling a used drone. You packed a lot of beneficial information into this video. Thank you, Well Done!
I've bought two refurbished drones from B&H, a P3P and P4P, and both have been excellent. They were like new and several hundred dollars cheaper than new.
My thinking recently is that a refurbished drone may be the way to go. I returned my Mavic Pro to DJI for repair and got back another drone. It has been solid. I sold my 3DR Solo and my Mavic Air on eBay. Both were in Excellent condition. Sold my Phantom 3 Advance to my brother in law. All's well. Maybe I should buy a used Drone for once and get the "Deal".
This is very helpful. However, I keep seeing reviews from people complaining about drones being advertised as new, but that actually turn out to be used or tampered with. So, are there any particular questions to ask someone who sells a new drone to get an idea if it is indeed new?
It can be tricky and you have to somewhat trust the person you're buying the drone from. The best way I've found to see if a drone has been flown a lot is to check the number of charge cycles on the batteries. If you see more than 10 or 20 cycles on the batteries, you know they might have flown it more than they are admitting. There are some good deals out there so don't worry too much, just find one you like and can afford and start flying. Rick
@@Dronevalley Wow, I can't believe you actually replied. Thank you! Well, it's a bit difficult to trust someone you can't meet. I was wondering if the When did you buy it + original purchase receipt + warranty questions also apply for a drone that is sold as brand new? They must have purchased it from somewhere, after all, maybe directly from DJI.
Quick question, to which I'm afraid I know the answer...Can an older DJI "Flamewheel" F450 quad or F550 hex be converted/upgraded to the Phantom style flight controls and camera? I have two older DJI's from 2005 and 2007 just collecting dust along with expensive Futaba radio (I do not even remember how to operate correctly) -- a LOT of $$$ back in those days, and hate to put these in the trash can. I would love to somehow convert these to the current-type flight controls and camera of my Phantoms.
Thanks for your great channel - I have been a subscriber forever.
Sooooooooo close to 100k subs!!!
Another very good video Rick well done.... It would be nice if you would post a video every once and a while of you just flying one of your favorite drones.....
The next time you see an airplane sitting on the ramp you will notice a big piece of equipment hooked to it.
It is called an (APU) auxiliary power unit. This powers the airplane while being worked on or technicians are adjusting things.
Why doesn’t DJI come out with such a device. It could be an outboard power unit that would plug into the drone where the battery would fit.
This would give power to the drone while you are making adjustments and your battery stays in the flight case.
There have been times where this would come in handy. I could just plug it into the drone, plug the power supply into the wall and power-up the
Mavic 2. You need to remove the props or make sure you don’t take off by accident.
G’day Rick Mate, I will be upgrading my MP1 to the M2P or the new DJI Mavic in the future. And trying to work out how I can get the most $ for either a trade in or private sale. Or if I can afford it then just keep it & have two Drones 👍🏻
Thank you Rick. This really helps a lot!!! Keep up the good work.
Really enjoyed this video it gave me lots of questions to ask and things to look for thanks!
Great guide for buying a used drone! Thanks a lot!
Rick this was spot on. Not a lot of tips out there for buying a used drone - kudos for putting this together !
Going to check out a second hand Mavic 1 tomorrow, this video was massively helpful. Thank You 🙏
Owen, good luck with the quad purchase and that Mavic Pro is probably the best quad to own in terms of features and price right now. I am actually working on a clip that supports that opinion and should have it posted soon. If the quad is in good shape and the batteries check out, grab it and start flying! Rick
Thanks Rick once again for a great video. Excellent sage advice if I ever come to selling or buying a used drone. Quite inspirational I think I'll head out and do some frozen finger flying! Cheers man.
Thanks for the post and spring will be here soon! I sneak out every week for a quick flight too in the cold but keep an eye on your battery levels :) Stop back soon, I'll have more content posting. Rick
Great video. Very informative for someone buying their first drone. I would definitely tell people to check this video out.
I did buy a USED Drone and will never do it again... nor will I buy a Used Camera.... when you're a Pro don't buy used TOOLS. add on Parts is OK, but KNOW what you're buying and from WHO! 21:10 Buy from Friends and Fam!
George, thanks for the post but I've had good luck with used quads and like I mentioned in the clip, it's important to know who you're buying it fro and ask the right questions. If you're at all queasy about buying from someone you don't know, you can always check out the refurbished page on DJI's website to see what they offer there. Some of those come with warranties as well. Be sure to stop back soon as I have more content posting this weekend. Rick
Good tips ..thanks Rick
Rick. You missed an important informational question. Does the seller have flight and battery maintenance logs for the drone???
Tim, thanks for the post and this list started out as like 40 questions and I had to pare it down to the essential 10. I agree that a flight and maintenance log is a great thing to have but I find too few pilots actually keep one anymore. I would sneak this question into a conversation when considering a drone as it gives you a ton of details about the way the drone was used. Thanks again and be sure to stop back soon. Rick
Great points and great clip Rick, Well Done.
Mel, thanks for stopping by and I appreciate the kind words on the clip. I hope you're getting some airtime! Rick
thanks for the guidelines mate..excellent explanation.
What I mean. I have a log book for every time I fly. And I check off every time I recharge a battery. Nice records for current and future owners. 😁
Great advice Rick...thanks for the bits of smartness😀 bunch of excellent points here....after first flight they are all used drones...lol. May God bless ya
Very interesting video Rick. Going to sell my Phantom4, so this is helpful information. Thanks.
Great video Rick. I watched this one twice. I'm on the market for a used Phantom 3 Pro and I picked up a number of tips here. Thank you for all the great ideas.
Very good video.
Thanks Rick great tips that will always be helpful
Awesome video, thanks for the great advice!
after watching your clip, i am a little concerned with drones i have been watching on Ebay. Ebay has many different drones on their site everyday. There are some good deals. I guess i can ask all these question i got from your clip. What do think about buying on Ebay?
Great video Rick, if you are selling a DJI drone (or any other) should the flight log and your ownership details be deleted and if so how?
nice thats helpful man. i will buy a drone sometime :D drones are really amazing
Lots of good advice.
Larry, thanks a lot of the post and I'm glad you enjoyed the clip. I'll be posting a lot more content this week so be sure to stop back soon. Rick
Good question to ask;
People buying should ask seller was this used at Gatwick.... seller should also now ask are you going to fly at Gatwick:)
Andrew. thanks for the post and I've stayed away from commenting on the Gatwick event on purpose until all of the details are confirmed. From the outset it looks like there may not have been any drones in the area at all despite the report. I'm frustrated that our quads are becoming the next Bigfoot, where everybody clams to have seen one but it can't be verified. To add some sanity to this discussion, DJI owns up to 90% of the market for drones that could possibly fly near an airport or high enough to impact a commercial airliner. DJI also has integrated NFZ and altitude limiting software in their drones to restrict them from flying in either of these situations. That means for a scary event like this to actually happen, it would have had to be a drone that fits in that 10% of quads that could be flown recklessly. If it turns out that it did happen, I'm a fan of finding the knucklehead who does this and prosecuting them. Stop back soon for more content, Rick
Very helpful tips. Thanks!
Rick: I have the original Mavic. I’m bored and want to sell it.
My concern is how do I de-register it from me.
Same question. If the buyer does something stupid with my former quad, I don't want the FAA at my door. : (
Only if you registered your drone for COMMERCIAL use you need to de-register it before you sell it. If you just complied with the FAA rule for drone operations as a hobbyist, all you need to do is simply remove your registration number from the aircraft and you'll be good to go. 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
Appreciate the effort you have taken to make this video!! Thanks a lot!
Great info! Thanks Rick!
Hello there! New to the hobby and currently have a Mavic Pro and have had it for only about a month. There is a gentlemen that is selling his DJI Spark with a bunch of accessories with it. Just curious if it is worth having both of the drones or if since I already have the Mavic, will the spark not be worth having? Thank you
Aaron, thanks for the post and adding a Spark to your fleet is a good idea if the price is right. I own both and use the Spark a lot when traveling since it's such a small quad. It won't fly as far as the Mavic Pro but the controls are the same and it's also a great quad to use indoors to keep your stick skills sharp in these cold winter months. Thanks again and be sure to sub the channel so you don;t miss anything. Rick
Been thinking about buying a MA2 on Ebay but it makes me nervous because I'm looking a a few pictures and I don't know anything about the drone. Especially how have the batteries been cared for. Even the sealed unopened boxes worry me a bit because again I don't know the history of how that box has been stored even though it's new. One option is to buy a Refurbished one from the official DJI store.
Thanks for good info!
Thank you for this video. I'm going to look at an Inspire 2 today. Hopefully it's in good condition!
Be sure to check the batteries, they are an expensive accessory to replace. You can have the seller spin up the DJIGO 4 application for each of them and it will tell you how many times they were charged. Good Luck, it's an amazing quad.
Im buying a used drone like new
Total distance 40000m
Total flight 26
Battery cycles 30
Mavic pro 2 fly more combo
For 1500$
Is it a good deal?
Thanks Rick
Great recommendations Rick TKS.
do you sell used drones?
Great advice thank you
Thank you.
..."Check the papers" Lol what are the papers?
Thank you so much...sir
Nice tips to buy or sale. I may be selling my Mavic Pro to upgrade to a Mavic 2 Pro. Thanks Rick.
I could see more of these types of vids!
Hi Rick, I have heard that to calibrate my P4 Battery I will need to flight my P4 until it get to 30% and after let it run without propellers until it drains and stop by itself, then wait until it cools off completely then recharge to 100%. What do you think?
This video has been really helpful. I would like to sell my Mavic Pro and get the Mavic 2 Pro and was going to go to eBay but will now try to find one locally. Thank you.
Hugh, there are some great deals to be had on the private market so good luck. Thanks for posting and be sure to stop back soon. Rick
Does this guy work for the FAA?
Nope, just a flier that loves to pass along my experience in the hobby. Rick
nicely explained thanks
Well I hadn't considered that, I have deleted my former post, keep up the good work.
Hi Rick, You did not answer? I have a lot of deviation on my Cell 4, those that mean the Battery is Bad? Thanks
hi Rick wy not to buy from California .we have sunshine and warm weather not like so many other states .I would purchase one from California any time just like a used car . Cheers
If someone selling a used mavic for 8 or 900iwould put 400and get a new one with a warranty and if I don't like it I can return it
I always recommend that folks buy whatever they can afford and a used quad is always going to be less expensive. For example, of you bought that Mavic Pro used, you could save $400 and use that to add a case or extra batteries to your kit with the money. The key is finding a good deal from a good seller and these tips will help with that. Thanks for the post and be sure to sub the channel. Rick
Bought a brand new one at Christmas time it was like a $300 one and I got it for on sale for a hundred and something and I still can't figure out how to work it. Like I took it out of the box and it doesn't work.
I have brand new in seal mavic pro with 2 extra batteries , pgytech case which is about $120 , charging hub, nd filter, sunhood, landing gear and want 800 for it yet cant sell, and some people sell used for that much loi
Does the dji care transfer to the second ownner?
What app is it u buy drones
Case is not so important if battery has been charged just 3 times, right, if it is young like a month old. And I can tell you that I got bored from drones that I flew twice and I put on a shelf cause I bought the next one in hope to avoid limits I saw. I did it seversl times like getting from tello to spark, from spark to air and from there to Zoom in 1 or 2 years with also a aosenma and xiaomi affair for a few month. And I bought the next first and mostly months later I finally get to point to sell the shelf or "old" one. And why should flying a spark to the range limit be an indicator for what?
To get a high range you're flying high, right. Obstacles are far less in higher attitudes than flying around in neighbourhood.
I'd be selling all my drones after less than 30 flights cause I had not more time or weather wasn't great when I had time. Meanwhile dji had offered a new model or next version so I upgraded.
Local buying is also a higher risk than buying an amazon warehouse deal especially when they have these 20% days cause if you do not like it you can return it. My last and most expensive one is a zoom warehouse with an additional 20% off - battery charged 2 times, props and device as new, all seals in box and also the belt of the case still in seals.
Great value for the money. Took me 2 years to get to that point and that the amazon warehouse deals get my highest score.
To make sure to be successfull at those 20% of days I recommand to buy at least 2 of them.
Then you'll have the choice to pick the best one ... you have to find out by yourself by looking into battery charging history and condition at arrival. Some boxes look like brand new cause after my Zoom 20% off Warehouse deal success I purchased a Spark again as a quick flyer cause my Zoom with a google racing edition kit in the box needs more time and care to fly while the spark is an "just wanna fly" solution.
Meeting, talking and negotiating with local guys can also be quite time consuming and nerve racking.
I prefer to buy young used ones instead of drones that might be older and unknown state. Drones might have crashed on flight 1 as I saw in one of the warehouse boxes with minor prop damages (bend or scratched).
But to be honest: first flight with my brand new expensive air ended in a light crash during precision landing cause it landed 1 m off in grass - but that had contained a tiny stick ... voila one prop got a small crack.
It felt like crying ... but it was just 1 prop not a pair. So if you by a private dji drone look always for the right amount of spare props, 2 for a spark and 4 for a fly more spark.
And if there are even more like 3, 5, 7 or 9 then you can be almost sure that 1 got most likely destroyed - in flight or at ground as mine.
Who can sell me a p3 drone
I'm wanting to buy a used mavic mini 2, I worried about transferring over the info so I can operate it on my cell phone without a problem, I already bought a new mavic air 2 for 3 or 4 months now and have the dji fly app, account etc.
You'll be fine using it with your phone. Essentially any drone can be connected to the app. Just make sure the seller removes it from his DJI account so you can add it to yours.
What if the drone has a skin on it?
You shouldn't mention that you're bringing cash. That's how you end up getting dragged into the house and robbed.
Sinky, thanks for the advice but I do that to let the seller know I'm serious and am a pretty trusting guy that's bee lucky to never had had an issue since most fliers are good people. Also, I have some awesome nunchucks skills and am not afraid to use them :)
@@Dronevalley nunchucks to a gun fight!? No bueno. Lol
Found a Mavic pro on eBay claims it’s in great condition and used is for 500 is that a good option or to buy a Mavic mini for 400 brand new will be doing basic film and want a higher end drone
That is an excellent deal and just be sure to check how many times the cells have been charged before you hand over the cash. You can check this through the DJIGo4 application on the battery screen. If the cells have less than 25 or 30 charges on them, grab the quad, throw him the case and head home to fly. Let me know how you make out. The Mavic Pro is an incredible quad and you're going to love it!
How do I find a drone club near me? Is there a database you can search to help you find one to join?
Michael, you could try a google search for "drone clubs" in your state or check the AMA website to see if they have a field locally. If you fly with them, a lot of the pilots will know if there are other clubs in your area. I fly with a few in NJ and it's a great day to be out with other fliers and see their gear. Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check back for new content. Rick
This guy shows up to buy your good working drone. Slam the door on him. After his one-hour interview / drone inspection Hill probably lowball you anyways
Johnathon, thanks for the post but I've sold a lot of quads (more than 20) over the years and you'll find that most fliers are respectful and won't try and rip you off. My suggestion is to be as honest as possible about what you can afford and do your homework before calling anyone selling a used quad so you know what the current prices are for the same used model. It's a great hobby and there are a lot of fliers constantly upgrading so you can usually find a good deal on a used quad. Thanks, Rick
No
I'm buying it tomorrow afternoon
Good luck with the drone, the Mini 2 is amazing!
@@Dronevalley Thanks for the quick response, your info is greatly appreciated!!
@@Dronevalley I bought the mini 2, it's nice, brand new , no issue's with using it with dji fly app,thanks again for the help
👍👍✌️
Great video