Can You Fly DJI Mini 2 SE within the Rain? (Answered) – Droneblog

October 10, 2023

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Your hatred of the rain as a drone pilot reminds you of being a petulant youngster desirous to exit and play, however stormy days hindered your enjoyable.

Each time you see a misty day within the forecast, you forego flying, however is it at all times needed?

Can you’re taking the DJI Mini 2 SE for a flight within the rain? You possibly can fly the DJI Mini 2 SE within the rain with no ensures it’ll come out scot-free. DJI states that the Mini 2 SE isn’t waterproof and shouldn’t be flown even in a light-weight drizzle.

Be sure to try the knowledge on this put up earlier than you propose your subsequent drone flight. It simply might protect your pricy DJI drone!

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Is the DJI Mini 2 SE waterproof?

DJI states upfront on its FAQ web page that the Mini 2 SE isn’t waterproof.

Right here is the complete FAQ reply: “No. Keep away from contact with water throughout use because it could result in harm of the gadget.

If it rains throughout flight, please return and land as quickly as potential, and wait till the plane is totally dry inside earlier than utilizing it once more.”

» MORE: Can I Fly My DJI Drone within the Rain?

Are you able to fly the DJI Mini 2 SE in gentle rain?

Regardless of DJI’s warnings, not all pilots hear. Generally, it’s a state of affairs of getting caught within the rain unawares and questioning how one can deal with this predicament.

Different pilots can’t assist however marvel what sort of footage high quality they’d get by flying a drone just like the Mini 2 SE within the rain.

Bearing that in thoughts, will a light-weight drizzle harm this drone?

Probably! The Mini 2 SE isn’t any totally different than another drone in that regard.

There are too many hazards when utilizing a drone in gentle rain. For one, the misty, foggy climate will cut back your visibility, making drone piloting tougher.

Is the Mini 2 SE the most costly drone within the DJI household? Not even shut! It’s not even the costliest drone within the Mini household, however that’s additionally as a result of it’s removed from the most recent. It prices about $400.

That may not be a lot cash to spend on a drone, but it surely’s all relative.

I don’t learn about you, however I don’t need to throw away $400 by crashing my drone in an avoidable state of affairs like flying in a drizzle.

» MORE: Can You Fly a Drone in Gentle Rain?

Okay, let’s say you get a spotter to take care of drone visibility. There are nonetheless extra points afoot when working the Mini 2 SE within the rain.

For example, these high-quality pictures or movies you anticipated capturing? They doubtless gained’t occur.

The lenses and sensors of the Mini 2 SE aren’t waterproof, in order that they’ll get water droplets on them, decreasing your navigability and picture and video high quality.

The largest bummer of all is the harm that rain may cause to a drone. The venting holes all through enable water proper into the Mini 2 SE.

When moisture reaches {the electrical} elements, they will short-circuit and fail.

Your drone can crash by way of the sky into the rain-soaked floor (or a physique of water; it relies on the place you’re flying).

It will virtually actually be a goner in that state of affairs.

Even in the event you handle to deliver your drone to a comparatively secure touchdown, rainwater within the electrical elements can result in everlasting breakage.

You’d must pay for substitute components or probably purchase a brand new drone.

At that time, you would possibly as effectively take into account an improve to the Mini 3 or Mini 3 Professional.

» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Professional vs. Holy Stone HS720E (Right here’s My Alternative)

Can the DJI Mini 2 SE fly in heavy rain?

As I’m certain you can guess, in the event you shouldn’t fly the Mini 2 SE in gentle rain (like a drizzle), it’s not a a lot smarter concept in heavy rain.

After all, pilots have performed it, generally by chance and different instances deliberately. Right here’s a video exhibiting the latter.

This pilot appeared curious whether or not flying the Mini 2 SE in heavy climate may very well be performed. The drone survived, a minimum of in that it didn’t short-circuit, fall, or fail throughout the flight.

Nevertheless, who is aware of how effectively the drone fared afterward? There’s no video exhibiting that.

So let’s discuss additional concerning the dangers of flying your Mini 2 SE in heavy rain so higher than to try it.

» MORE: Can DJI Avata Fly within the Rain? (Defined)

Worse visibility than ordinary

Should you’ve taken your Mini 2 SE out for just a few spins on a drizzly day and had a tough time seeing, think about how a lot worse it is going to be with pelting rain.

You’ll battle to see a number of ft in entrance of you, which isn’t conducive to flying a drone.

You’re placing the Mini 2 SE at risk and risking the well being of anybody else round you. You additionally improve your possibilities of inflicting property harm.

» MORE: How Does Climate Have an effect on Drones? (Defined for Rookies)

Greater winds

A drizzle doesn’t at all times include blustery winds, however a storm usually does. The Mini 2 SE is a light-weight, like the remainder of the drones within the Mini household.

Should you want the refresher, it weighs underneath 249 grams with none extra payload.

Its wind resistance of 10.7 m/s is respectable, however even Stage 5 wind resistance gained’t assist this drone a lot in severe climate.

» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE and Climate (Defined for Rookies)

Larger danger of water harm

Heavier, quicker rainfall presents extra alternatives for moisture to enter the inner elements of the Mini 2 SE, damaging or completely breaking it.

Even when your drone survives one rainstorm, tempting destiny and doing it once more isn’t sensible. The harm will meet up with your Mini 2 SE in the end!

» MORE: Can You Fly a Drone within the Rain? (Defined for Rookies)

Precautions to take when flying a drone in moist climate

Nevertheless, generally you need to fly in moist climate, particularly commercially.

You should be ready for the precipitation. Listed below are some precautions so as to add to your pre-flight guidelines.

Hold it brief: You might short-circuit your drone inside the first 30 seconds of flying it within the rain. It’s unlikely, however it may occur. Preserving the drone from harm normally means shielding it from dangerous climate, so spend as little time on this operation as you may. Get the footage you want, or do the job required and get out.
Think about using auxiliary lights: Wet days are normally darkish, so it’s best to take into consideration including lights to your Mini 2 SE to make sure safer flights. Understand that equipment can drive the payload over the 249-gram threshold. You’d must register your drone with the FAA earlier than flying it.
Fly short-range: At the moment isn’t the day to push the Mini 2 SE to its limits. Hold it near you so you may monitor it in flight.
Don’t go quick: On that very same be aware, keep a constant velocity, however don’t zip round, reaching near the Mini 2 SE’s velocity limits. That mentioned, don’t fly as gradual as a turtle, as that permits extra rainwater to enter the drone.
Skip flights over the water: A flight over a placid lake or rolling stream is nice on a transparent day, however within the rain? I wouldn’t advocate it. In case your drone short-circuits and falls, you don’t need it touchdown in a physique of water. It is going to be toast.
Take out the battery: When you’ve landed, you need to proceed your precautionary measures to make sure your Mini 2 SE lives to fly one other day. Take away its batteries from the compartment, drying them on a towel and permitting them to take a seat and dry out the remainder of the best way. Please flip your drone off earlier than you’re taking out the batteries to reduce the danger {of electrical} shock.
Let the drone dry: Use a towel to sop up extra water on the drone’s physique, however don’t attempt to attain inside the inner elements. You might trigger harm the place there was none earlier than or worsen what was solely a minor concern. Give the drone a minimum of a day to take a seat out in a room-temperature setting and dry out.
By no means use heating strategies like a hair dryer/blow dryer or radiator to hurry up the method. You need to use your drone once more once you’re assured it’s fully dry.

» MORE: Flying a Drone in Scorching Climate (Issues You Ought to Know)

Are you able to waterproof the DJI Mini 2 SE?

You need to use conventional waterproofing strategies, comparable to a water-proof pores and skin or conformal coating on the Mini 2 SE, however do I essentially advocate it? No.

These strategies might void your DJI guarantee, leaving you by yourself in case your drone breaks from future flights within the rain.

Moreover, you need to waterproof a drone fastidiously, as in the event you block any vents or openings, it may overheat the following time you fly.

You’re higher off utilizing your drone in clear climate. Solely take into account waterproofing if you need to fly your Mini 2 SE within the rain typically.

» MORE: How Does Climate Have an effect on the DJI Mini 2? (With 30 Ideas)