The DJI Mavic Pro is one of the best compact drones you can get right now. At IFA 2017, DJI has announced a newer version that’s called the Mavic Pro Platinum. It still has the same foldable form factor and a 4K camera connected to a 3-axis gimbal but now it flies longer in the air with less noise.
DJI Mavic Pro Platinum
Battery life is now longer thanks to a new electronic speed controller (ESC). The Mavic Pro Platinum edition now gets 30 minutes of flight time which is slightly more than the 27 minutes rated flight time on the original Mavic Pro. As a result, the max flight distance is now 15KM which is 2KM more than the existing model.
Of course, these are just numbers with ideal situations and you’ll definitely get less depending on wind conditions and how hard to you fly it. The removable battery is still the same with a 3,830mAh capacity and a voltage of 11.4V.
The Platinum edition also gets redesigned propellers which significantly cuts down noise by 60% (4dB within one metre). These quieter propellers are also compatible with existing Mavic Pro. To differentiate itself from the normal Mavic Pro, the Platinium edition gets a new platinum coloured shell and a large “Platinum” word printed on one of its arms.
The DJI Mavic Pro Platinum is already available for pre-order in selected markets and it will be on sale this month. The standard kit is listed at US$1,099 while the Fly More Combo is priced at US$1,399. The current Mavic Pro is going for US$999 and it costs US$1,299 with the Fly More Combo.
DJI Phantom 4 Pro Obsidian
For more serious flying, the Phantom 4 Pro now gets a new Obsidian edition. Instead of white, it gets a matte-grey Obsidian paint job with additional tweaks to make it look more premium. The gimbal now gets a magnesium, electroplated and anti-fingerprint coating for a more badass appearance compared to the current model.
The Obsidian edition carries the same price tag as the normal Phantom 4 Pro at US$1,499. That’s for the standard kit with remote control and it is going for US$1,799 for the option that comes with a 5.5″ Full HD screen.
Sphere Panorama Images for DJI Spark
DJI Spark owners will soon receive a new Sphere mode under its Panorama image menu. This allows you to create panoramic images with a fisheye lens effect which you can share on your social feed. The feature will be available in the next Spark firmware update and you’ll also need to update your phone’s DJI Go 4 app to the latest version. In case you missed it, DJI has recently added gesture controls to record videos without using your smartphone or remote control.
