May 14, 2020

About the controller of the DJI Mavic 2


This text is for everyone who has a Mavic 2. Or wants to buy one. Or knows someone who has one. Or knows someone who knows someone who has one. And maybe also for those who have a different (DJI) drone. So it's actually for almost everyone...

As far as I know, the weak point of the controller described below is not mentioned anywhere in the instructions for the drone, but it obviously very, very often causes problems! (This text is about the supplied controller, which is connected to a smartphone or tablet.)

What is the problem with the controller?

This controller has a socket on the left-hand side, via which the controller can be charged on the one hand, and on the other hand, it can also be connected to the smartphone, which means that many drone control functions are possible at all.

The problem is that this socket is a micro USB port. With a micro USB connection, the socket has a small tongue in addition to various contacts, which is not attached in the middle and of course, also is very filigree. Theoretically, the plug fits into this socket only in a certain direction. Concerning data connection, this is not a problem, because the direction to the smartphone is clearly specified and therefore you can hardly make any mistakes. The situation, however, is different for the charging cable. At first glance, it is not clear how this should be plugged in. If you then simply try, it can obviously happen after some time that this tongue breaks off due to material fatigue and the connection is broken.


    20200515_DJIController_MWalther-18

    It is very obvious that this port is broken. Yes, normal micro USB sockets are trapezoidal and thus prevent incorrect insertion, but not this one... (All images can be clicked at the end of this article and enlarged.)

    20200515_DJIController_MWalther-17

    From the beginning, I also found it very confusing that these two plugs (smartphone connection in the front, charging cable in the back) belong in the same connector...

    Possible solutions

    Unfortunately, it just happened to me that this tongue broke off and the socket is no longer functional. (Since I bought my drone used, I can not determine whether I caused the problem or whether the socket was already damaged.) Of course, I googled the problem and possible solutions immediately:

    • In my case, there is no way around replacing the socket or the entire controller, since there is no other way to charge the controller.
    • To avoid the problem in the future, many recommend marking the charging cable very clearly (e.g. with coloured nail polish) so that you always know how to plug it in.
    • Likewise, some also recommend in order to protect this socket, to use it exclusively for charging the device and to always connect to the smartphone via the normal USB port on the front side of the device. (This is very easy with the normal charging cable that you use for your smartphone.)
    • I still haven't been able to find out if this repair is covered under warranty. (I hope so...!)
    • Alternatively, you could buy the DJI Smart Controller, which again costs CHF / € / $ 600.-.


      20200515_DJIController_MWalther-22

      The alternative USB port at the bottom front side of the controller.

      20190516_Eisschmelze_MWalther-246
      20190516_Eisschmelze_MWalther-254
      20190516_Eisschmelze_MWalther-263
      20190516_Eisschmelze_MWalther-292

      Some abstract pictures of the melting ice that I made in spring 2019 with a DJI Mavic Pro Platinum. I had wanted to take aerial photos of it since I first saw the ice melt many years ago, but at that time I could not have imagined that it would ever be so easy (and cheap) thanks to drones.

      20190516_Eisschmelze_MWalther-248

      Here is the overview picture for the pictures above. The cross-country ski track is still clearly visible here, and due to the strong compression of the ice it only melts relatively late. (Lake Sils, Engadine, Switzerland.)

      Thoughts about drones

      While I'm writing about drones, here are some general thoughts on the subject.

      I have always been very taken with aerial photographs (formerly from helicopters or aeroplanes) because of course, they open up unusual and exciting perspectives. Still, I didn't want to have much to do with drones for a long time. In addition to the terrible noise, events from the early days of RC-copters certainly contributed to this (self-made drones that almost killed ski racers, etc.). A few years later, I was convinced that the topic was a bit through and a little later I realized that a drone is just one of many tools that you don't necessarily have to own, but you definitely should know how to use. So that was the moment I bought my drone. It still makes the annoying noise, but learning to fly and flying is also great fun. It is quite clear that a picture is not automatically good because it is an aerial picture, because you also have to build up the experience necessary to recognize in which motives or situations are suitable for a drone picture.

      Hopefully, everyone knows that you have to be well informed about the laws and regulations at the respective place you want to fly. It is also particularly important to me to disturb as few people as possible and under no circumstances animals. If there is a danger I could stress animals I rather prefer to fly less...

      At the moment I have not used my drone very often and I am excited to see what new creative opportunities it will bring!


      20200406_Silsersee_MWalther-30-Bearbeitet

      What I particularly like about my new drone (DJI Mavic 2 Pro) is the adjustable aperture and of course the somewhat better image quality. (Lake Sils, Engadine, Switzerland.)

      20200418_Silsersee_MWalther-198

      The ice melt this spring was unusually early due to the high temperatures and went very quickly. (Lake Sils, Engadine, Switzerland.)


      20200515_DJIController_MWalther-18
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      20200515_DJIController_MWalther-22
      20190516_Eisschmelze_MWalther-246
      20190516_Eisschmelze_MWalther-254
      20190516_Eisschmelze_MWalther-263
      20190516_Eisschmelze_MWalther-292
      20190516_Eisschmelze_MWalther-248
      20200406_Silsersee_MWalther-30-Bearbeitet
      20200418_Silsersee_MWalther-198


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