How far can DJI mini 2 fly? The DJI Mini 2 can fly for up to 10 kilometers. Consequently, the drone can send HD live video to your phone up to a distance of 10 kilometers.
When it comes to pocket-sized, simple-to-use drones, the DJI Mini 2 is a game-changer. Your range will be affected by other factors including your location and which radio certification your drone falls under, whether that is SRRC, MIC, FCC, or CE.
But first, let’s examine the DJI Mini 2’s specifications and the signal transmission system it employs, which directly relates to the range.
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What’s the Range of the DJI Mini 2?
Let’s start by discussing the standard mini 2 range that can be found in every spec sheet and online spec review.
Maximum range for the DJI Mini 2 is 10 kilometers. This means that up to a distance of 10 kilometers, the drone can send HD live video to your phone.
It’s extremely unlikely that you will be able to use your DJI mini 2 at that distance, though. There are numerous factors that affect your drone’s flight range, not to mention the fact that it is entirely prohibited.
Factors such as the environment, weather conditions, electromagnetic interference, battery life (and health), etc…
Any drone’s transmission system is the main factor that affects how far it can fly. Consider the Mini 2’s specifications.
The DJI Mini 2 in Detail
With a take-off weight of approximately 249 grams, the DJI mini 2 can generally be flown without registering, which is just one of its many appeals.
It can capture 12-megapixel images and 4K video at 30 frames per second. which is truly amazing for a drone of its size.
A crucial element that determines its range, as we’ve discussed, is its battery life, which is 31 minutes.
But as I said, the transmission system is the most crucial element. The OcuSynC 2.0 transmission system, used by the Mavic 2 and 3 as well as essentially all of the newer DJI drones, is what the DJI mini 2 is powered by.
If you didn’t know, a transmission system is how your drone receives a signal from your remote controller and how it processes that signal (and how well it does it). The DJI Mini 2 uses DJI’s OcuSync 2.0 transmission technology.
The ability to automatically switch between 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz transmission frequencies makes the OcuSync 2.0 more sophisticated than its forerunners. Not to worry, though; you can read an article about it here if you’re interested in the technical details.
Read More: How To Turn Off DJI Mini 2?
Regulatory Limits Based on Location
If after reading the introduction you were scratching your head and wondering what the FCC, CE, SRRC, and MIC were, then stop. These are acronyms for the radio transmitter regulatory organizations in various regions.
Even though OcuSync 2.0 is extremely powerful and could theoretically transmit data over a range of 10 km, some nations have laws that restrict this power. Depending on your location as determined by GPS, the DJI Mini 2 can automatically change transmission states.
Four primary certification standards are used by DJI.
So let’s go over which transmission certifications apply to which regions and what the DJI Mini 2’s maximum range is in each of them.
FCC
American standards follow FCC. It stands for Federal Communications Commission. If you’re planning to fly in the United States or in a country with laws similar to those in Canada, this will be the certification mode. The DJI Mini 2 can fly up to 10 kilometers with FCC transmission.
CE
Mostly European nations are eligible for this certification. The French term for European Conformity is Conformité Européenne, or CE. Therefore, if you are flying in France, Italy, Spain, etc., CE transmission will apply to you. The DJI Mini 2’s maximum range in CE is 6 km.
MIC
Only Japan utilizes this certification. The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) holds this title. Under MIC, the DJI Mini 2 can fly up to 6 kilometers.
SRRC
China’s mainland has received SRRC certification. State Radio Regulatory Commission is what it stands for. Again, the DJI Mini 2’s maximum range in this area is 6 km.
Your drone will use GPS to determine the legal certification it is flying under and will automatically switch transmission for you if necessary.
How the Environment Affects Your Drone’s Range?
The environment your drone is flying in is, in my opinion, the most important deciding factor after the transmission system. Your drone’s signal will probably be affected when flying in an area with lots of trees or in a mountainous area because of all the objects that could interfere with it.
Flying is also prohibited in areas with lots of skyscrapers or tall buildings. It explains why large open spaces typically have a stronger signal than urban areas.
The signal of your drone can be significantly impacted if it is close to a cell tower. In a setting where there are many metal objects, the same is true.
Finally, although indirectly, the temperature has an impact on the operating range of your drone. You should always remember to have enough battery power for your drones to make a round trip because the temperature typically affects battery life.
The good news is that you don’t have to carry out all the laborious testing and do all the hard work by yourself. DJI already did that for us, according to them here is how transmission is affected by different environments (under FCC regulations):
- Strong Interference: Maximum flight range of around 3km (urban landscape, limited line of sight, many competing signals like cell towers and such)
- Medium Interference: Maximum flight range around 6km (suburban landscape, open line of sight, a few competing signals)
- Low Interference: Maximum flight range of around 10km, though I wouldn’t count on reaching that range (open landscape, abundant line of sight, few to no competing signals)
Other Factors That Limit Flight Range
Visual Line of Sight
With its 31 minutes battery life, its OcuSync 2.0 transmission and the FCC regulations that basically allows up to 10km of flight range, you’d think that testing the limits of your DJI mini 2 is the next step…
That is regrettably not the case. There is currently no country that permits flying a drone outside of visual line of sight unless certain special conditions apply, which typically call for a multitude of written permissions and certifications.
And spotting a drone as small as the mini 2 with your unaided eye from 10 kilometers away is simply not possible unless you have eagle-like eyes.
Despite being complicated, there is a way. Another participant in the operation may keep the visual line of sight. Therefore, you can operate your drone while a large number of people you know can watch over it for you. However, that is also essentially impractical.
Battery Life
Your battery life is another element that will severely restrict your range before you even reach OccuSync 2.0’s maximum permitted ranges. Before informing you that you only have enough battery power to return home, your app will only let you go so far.
Of course, you can continue on and reach that 10 km, but be ready to go on a recovery mission to find your drone if it eventually makes an auto-landing due to low battery long before you can get back.
The DJI Mini 2’s battery technology has not yet advanced to the point where it can transmit data at maximum speed.
Remember, the battery life of the DJI Mini 2 batteries is 31 minutes, and this includes the time it takes to make it back, so the battery will probably be the most range-limiting factor you encounter.
Related Reading:
Why My DJI Mini 2 is Giving Poor Range?
You should now have a good idea of the Mavic Mini 2’s maximum range and the DJI Mini 2’s maximum range after reading the entire discussion.
There could be a few causes for the low range if your drone is not flying as far as it should.
- You are flying the CE version, and the firmware lock limits the range. If your drone enters CE mode even though you are not in an area where CE is applicable, you can try using a moded fly app or use GPS spoofing (these are gray areas, so I won’t link to the resources here). Try at your own risk)
- You are flying in a heavily populated area where other wireless sources interfere with your remote controller. The most frequent reason for lower than advertised range is this.
- You are flying from behind an obstacle, and there is no clear line of sight. Your remote will attempt to switch to 5.8Ghz, especially in urban areas where the more popular bandwidth, 2.4Ghz, is congested. Higher frequencies are even more susceptible to physical obstructions, which results in a lower range.
- Your antenna is not correctly positioned. Never point the antenna tip at a drone, as a general rule of thumb states. For optimal performance, keep them parallel at all times.
Can You Increase My DJI Mini 2’s Range?
This question has probably crossed your mind if you’ve read this far and seen the various range restrictions that drones face. Be aware that what I mean is to make sure to go past environmental restrictions rather than exceeding a distance of 10 kilometers.
It is definitely possible to extend a drone’s range. For this exact purpose, a variety of extra equipment is available on the market, such as signal boosters. However, not all of them provide the outcomes you might be looking for.
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FAQs
How High Can Dji Mini 2 Fly?
The maximum flight height for the DJI Mini 2 is 500m.
How Far Can the DJI Mini SE Fly?
The DJI Mini SE has a maximum transmissions distance of 40km in FCC mode (USA) and 2km in CE mode (UK & EU).
What Happens When DJI Mini 2 Goes Out of Range?
If the DJI Mini 2 loses its signal, it will raise itself to a preset altitude and automatically return to the home point it initially launched from.
Can the DJI Mini 2 Fly Anywhere?
You can’t fly the DJI Mini 2 anywhere. But unlike other drones, it can be flown in a lot of places thanks to its lightweight construction. Only 249g make up the Mini 2. This drone is not subject to the same operational and flying restrictions as larger UAVs.
