7 must-have Tesla Model 3 accessories

-

August 17, 2020

Buy the all-weather floor mats now from Tesmanian

The interiors of every Tesla is the epitome of minimalism. You’ll have to rely on accessories instead to make the most of it. These not only add a touch of style, but some are almost necessary for their usefulness. There are a handful of OEM accessories available of course, but this has given rise to a recent, but flourishing, industry of third-party Tesla accessories. One of the leading names in this space is Tesmanian, and the company has a slew of fantastic add-ons available for the entire Tesla range. From floor mats to coolers, we’ll be taking a closer look at some of the best Tesmanian accessories available for the Tesla Model Y!

Don’t forget that you can get 10% off on any order on Tesmanian with promo code: anythingtech. You’ll also find more fantastic deals and offers in our Tesla Deals hub!

Best Tesmanian Tesla Model Y accessories:

All-weather floor mats
Glass roof sunshade
Rear trunk organizer
Soft cooler
Jack pads
Dashboard cap cover
Secret armrest storage cubby box
Ultra-bright LED lights
Cup holder stabilizer
Rear trunk spoiler

1. All-weather floor mats

Tesla’s Model Y doesn’t come with floor mats, and even those available with the high-trim variant are quite basic. A fantastic alternative is available in the form of the all-weather floor mats by Tesmanian. You can cover every area of the car with these floors mats, with available options including front and second row interior liners, liners for the front and rear trunks, and also a well storage liner for the rear trunk.

The best part about Tesmanian’s floor mats is the perfect fit. Each of them fit like a glove and don’t look out of place at all in a Tesla. The large rear trunk mat can easily be folded up when needed, and is designed to allow easy access to the lower trunk. The liners also protect the car floors incredibly well and cleaning them is pretty easy too.

2. Tesla Model Y glass roof sunshade

Tesmanian Glass Roof Shade for the Model Y

The Tesla Model Y has a gorgeous glass roof that allows for panoramic views and floods the interior with natural light. However, if you live in a place with relatively high temperatures, particularly in summer, trapped heat might be a big concern. That’s where Tesmanian’s glass roof sunshade comes into play. The sunshade is made with a lightweight mesh fabric comes with a collapsible rigid frame. It’s a fantastic way to reduce heat build up in the car, especially if you’re parked in an open air parking lot.

You can keep the sunshade attached all the time, but some users have noted that the middle tends to sag just a touch. The great news is that it’s incredibly easy to install and remove. All it takes is a few minutes to make sure that the car interior stays relatively cool. The Tesmanian glass roof sunshade is one of the must-have Model Y accessories in hotter weather.

3. Rear trunk organizer

The Tesmanian rear trunk organizer is custom-made for the Tesla Model Y, and is a great way to ensure that space is well utilized. It’s made with a durable 600D polyester fabric that is also waterproof. The organizer is divided into three storage compartments and comes with a removable sub-divider for one of the spaces.

It’s designed to let you easily slide it backward and forwards, has durable handles, and also features mesh pockets on the outside. Portability isn’t a problem either. The rear trunk organizer can easily be folded into what essentially looks and feels like a laptop bag. The rear trunk organizer is priced at $69.99.

Get it now from Tesmanian

4. Soft cooler

This soft cooler is one of the first products Tesmanian released back in 2018. So it’s no surprise to see it feature for the Tesla Model Y as well. It’s a well-built cooler that combines waterproof materials and a heavy-duty nylon shell that makes it lightweight, but durable.

Three freezing packs and thick insulation means that this cooler earns its name. You can easily carry frozen items back from the grocery store without worry, or even make sure that you get a relatively cold drink to enjoy while on a long road trip. It’s compact enough to fit into the lower trunk, but you certainly won’t have any complaints about storage volume either. The soft cooler is quite expensive but is worth every penny, as multiple user reviews will attest to.

The soft cooler is a must-have camping accessory. Check out our list of even more camping accessories you can get for the Tesla Model Y!

5. Jack pads for the Tesla Model Y

Keeping the car chassis protected if you ever need to jack it up to replace a tire is always important. With a Tesla, the element of keeping the battery safe is also added to the mix. For many reasons, the Tesmanian jack pads are an accessory worth considering. Made with a heavy-duty rubber, these jack pads are custom-cut for the Model Y and will help keep the car body safe. You can pick up a set of 4 for just $39.99.

6. Dashboard cap cover

The Tesla Model Y comes with a wood dashboard panel that looks fantastic. If you’re not a fan of the look though, or simply want to change things up, there’s a fantastic option available. The Tesmanian dashboard cap cover is made with durable ABS plastic and comes with a matte finish that looks great. It’s almost as easy to install as it would be to put a protective case on a smartphone. While this is not as essential as something like the floor mats, you can quickly and easily switch up the look of the Model Y interior with the Tesmanian dashboard cap.

7. Secret armrest storage cubby box

The Tesla Model Y may lack a traditional interior, but there’s some storage available that may not obvious at first glance. One such storage space is available under the armrest. However, you can maximize the space even further with Tesmanian’s secret armrest storage cubby box. This durable plastic box tucks into the extra recess under the armrest and lets you keep things like keys, cards, vehicle registration info, and other small objects within easy reach but also hidden away. You can get the Tesmanian armrest cubby box for just $19.99.

8. Tesla Model Y ultra-bright LED lights

Model Y Ultra Bright LED Lights from Tesmanian

The LED lights that you get with the Tesla Model Y are quite dim and may not serve their purpose for a lot of users. Luckily, you can easily replace them with Tesmanian’s ultra-bright LED option instead. It’s all in the name for this one. You certainly won’t have to worry about visibility or low brightness with these LED lights. The available set of 7 will let you replace the LED lights for all four doors, the two footwell lights, as well as the LED light in the glove box.

9. Cup holder stabilizer

The open design of the Tesla Model Y cup holders isn’t great if you’re looking to securely keep your coffee cups or beverage cans. That’s where the Tesmanian cup holder stabilizer can make a world of difference. This Tesla Model Y accessory adds a divider to the cup holder section to allow for a more secure hold. Adding to that is are the built-in spring clips to help eliminate any wobbling. The glassy black finish allows for it to seamlessly merge with the interior of the car as well. The Tesmanian cup holder stabilizer can be yours for just $19.99.

Get it now from Tesmanian

10. Rear trunk spoiler

Last, but certainly not least, on this list is Tesmanian’s rear trunk spoiler. If you want to give your Model Y the look of the performance model without splurging on the more expensive variant, this is a great, albeit cosmetic, way to do so. The spoiler will be painted using the original Tesla color code, so you don’t worry about any discrepancies in the look. It’s also quite easy to install and uses a self-adhesive tape without any drilling required.

There you have it for this roundup of some of the best Tesmanian accessories you can get for the Tesla Model Y. Don’t forget that you can get 10% off on any order on Tesmanian with promo code: anythingtech

Looking for accessories for the Tesla Model 3 instead? We have a guide for that!

- Advertisement -

5 Must-Have Tesla Model Y Accessories

By

-

August 13, 2020

The Tesla Model Y is hitting its production stride, with over 30,000 units of the intriguing EV out and about in North America. I was lucky enough to trade-in my Model 3 for the Model Y, and immediately began my hunt to accessorize the car. There a slew of options to consider, but these are some that I believe are essential. Here’s a roundup of some of the best Tesla Model Y accessories you can get.

The best Tesla Model Y accessories:

Tesmanian Tesla Model Y floor mats
Elon Accessories screen protector
Abstract Ocean center console shell
Sandisk Extreme portable SSD
Jeda USB Hub

Look to accessorize your Tesla Model 3 instead? Don’t forget to check out our roundup of the best Model 3 accessories you can get. We also have a fantastic roundup of all the accessories you’ll need to go camping in Tesla Model 3 or Model Y. Finally, check out all the promo codes and offers that are currently available at our Tesla Deals hub!

1. Tesmanian Tesla Model Y floor mats

The Tesla Model Y doesn’t come with floor mats, and even those available with the high-trim variant are quite basic. If you’re hoping to keep your car clean at all, this is an absolutely essential accessory to get. And one of the best in this field is the Tesmanian all-weather floor mats for the Tesla Model Y.

The best part is how perfectly these floor mats fit. Each and every mat, which includes the driver and passenger side options, second-row covers, and mats for the frunk and trunk, fit like a well-contoured glove. The large rear trunk mat can easily be folded up when needed, and is designed to allow easy access to the lower trunk. You also get well-fitted liners for the lower trunk and frunk to keep out dust and help with any unfortunate spillage.

It’s not just about the fantastic fit of course. The liners also protect the Model Y’s floors incredibly well. Given the big sidewalls, they will likely hold a lot of liquid, dirt, and snow too. Cleaning them is pretty easy too. Just wash them down or use a power hose to get rid of any dust or salt accumulation.

Overall, the Tesmanian Model Y floor mats are arguably some of the best in the market today. If you plan to order, the wait isn’t long either. They ship most of their orders within 24 hours.

Buy Now – Get 10% off on your order on Tesmanian with promo code: anythingtech

Tesmanian has a lot of fantastic accessories available for the Tesla Model Y. Check out our roundup!

2. Elon Accessories- [Version 2] Premium quality screen protector for the Tesla Model 3/Y

With both the Model 3 and Model Y, the 15″ touchscreen is the only thing that you’ll interact with. From navigation and car settings to music and climate control, it’s all done on this one screen. So of course, it’s extremely important to keep this piece of tech in pristine condition for as long as possible. The best way to do that? With the Tesla Model 3/Y touchscreen protector from Elon Accessories.

The highly-transparent screen protector comes with a matte finish that makes it anti-glare and fingerprint-resistant. It’s obviously a perfect fit, and the pain of installing a screen protector is gone, courtesy of an incredibly helpful installation kit. Guide stickers, dust absorbers, wet and dry cleaning wipes, and a squeeze to remove air bubbles, are all available. You also get some fun cards to hand out to people who park poorly and don’t have a car that can automatically park itself.

Elon Accessories Install Kit, Installed look.

The overall quality and the package is definitely one the best I have seen for any aftermarket accessory. I would strongly recommend this screen protector for your Model Y. For a limited time only, use promo code ELECTRIC to get 10% off on any order when buying directly from Elon Accessories.

Buy Now – Elon Accessories | Amazon CA | Amazon US

3. Abstract Ocean center console shell for the Model Y

The glossy center console of the Model Y is great to look at, but is, unfortunately, a fingerprint and smudge magnet. It’s practically impossible to keep in great condition without constant cleaning. One workaround that many will adopt is a center console shell.

Our recommendation is the center console shell from Abstract Ocean. This is made with rigid plastic and comes with a satin carbon fiber finish. Keep in mind that the carbon fiber finish is just one of many options you can choose from. Noteworthy is the fact that this accessory doesn’t hinder the keycard scan functionality in any way. It’s a hard shell, so the installation is quick and easy. It takes less than 10 minutes to transform your center console, with no glare, fingerprints, or dust accumulation to worry about.

Satin Carbon Fiber Console mat from Abstract Ocean

Buy Now – Get 10% off any orders on Abstract Ocean using promo code anythingtech.

4. SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD

To make the best use of your in-built DashCam and to capture proper videos when the car is in Sentry mode, a fast-write USB drive or an SSD is ideal. The Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD is affordable, reliable, rugged, and portable, and has worked perfectly since the V10 update from Tesla. It’s fast enough to record Sentry mode videos, and has more storage space and faster performance than competing options. While higher storage options are available, going all the way up to 2TB, most can comfortably get by with the 250GB version.

Buy Now – Amazon CA | Amazon US

5. Jeda USB Hub for the Model Y

Engineered to fit your Model Y, the Tesla USB Hub is the first that’s specifically designed for your Tesla with dash-cam and sentry storage in mind. The interior of the Tesla Model Y Hub is lined with a soft silicone backing, while the exterior boasts a custom velvet-like feel.

It features six ports in total. You get four USB-A ports and two USB-C ports, with all of them supporting both data and power. It also comes with a hidden storage area to safely and securely store the sentry SSD or HD drive.

Buy Now – Get 15$ off on your order on Jeda products with promo code: jeda15 (limited time offer)

- Advertisement -

You can now share your Tesla with a click!

By

-

June 18, 2020

Sharing your Tesla with family and friends has just gotten a whole lot easier! Previously, you’d need to share your personal Tesla account credentials with another person if you wanted to let them use your car. With this new feature, all it takes is a click of a button to add household members and friends to your account and grant them access. Here’s how.

How do you add a driver?

First, option your Tesla account page by going to My account. Go to “Manage your car” and you will now see an option that says “Car Access.” Simply click or tap on “Add driver” to allow access to other users. All you need is the name and email address of the person you want to add.

Once you’re done, you and the person you added with get a notification and email confirmation. If the additional driver doesn’t have an existing Tesla account already, they will need to create one though. As the car owner, you can add up to five additional drivers. With this access, the added driver can start, lock and unlock, and locate your car through the Tesla app.

This is a very useful feature that will make sharing your car with friends and family much easier. This will also allow car-sharing apps and rental companies to manage their Tesla fleets with almost no human contact, which certainly seems appropriate and necessary when considering the current state of things across the world.

If you are planning on getting a new Tesla, use my referral code https://ts.la/jayanth89062 for free supercharger miles.

- Advertisement -

Should you buy a used electric vehicle? – The pros and cons

By

-

June 15, 2020

Quite a few people are looking to go green, and a popular first step for many is to get an electric vehicle. However, even a cursory glance at the current crop of EVs will tell you that a brand new electric car is pretty expensive. Luckily, the second-hand market has a role to play here as well. Unsurprisingly, getting a used EV has its share of advantages and disadvantages. Should you buy one? Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons of buying a used electric vehicle.

Advantages of used electric vehicles

Price

The biggest advantage of buying anything pre-owned is a cheaper price tag, and that’s true with electric cars as well. A used EV brings decent savings when compared to a new release. Prices fluctuate quite a bit depending on the make and model you’re looking for. In general, though, you can expect to pick up a 2 or 3-year old electric vehicle for around 25-30% less than a new one.

Maintenance

Electric vehicles have a big advantage over regular vehicles when it comes to maintenance – they have way less moving parts. Unsurprisingly, the usual stress and maintenance demands of a second-hand car tend to be a lot less with an EV. You certainly won’t have to worry about oil changes or filter replacements!

Nissan Leaf — Photo Source: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk

Shorter commute time

If you’re stuck in traffic and looked on in envy as others have sped past you in the carpool lane, an electric vehicle might help make things better. Certain states and provinces let you drive in the HOV lane even if it’s just you in the car, as long as it is electric. Lane access stickers, or the special green plates like we see here in Ontario, are usually transferrable to the next owner. Of course, make sure that this is an option available in your area first.

Disadvantages of used electric vehicles

Battery replacement

There’s a huge advantage with an electric vehicle in terms of general maintenance. However, there’s one major expense that every EV owner will have to contend with at some point. If you pick up the car second-hand, this cost may come up sooner than you think. We are, of course, talking about the thing that keeps everything running – the battery.

If you buy a brand new electric car, you don’t need to worry about replacing a battery for at least 8 or 10 years. With a second-hand option though, that deadline might creep up faster than you think.

This can often be quite an expensive process, and will likely set you back a few thousand dollars. For instance, a 2011-2015 Nissan Leaf battery replacement is around $5,499 with separate installation charges. According to Elon Musk, replacing the battery modules of the Tesla Model 3 will set you back anywhere between $3000 and $7000.

Tesla Model 3 Battery Level — Tesla Model 3 Battery Charge Level

Lack of tax incentives

New electric vehicles often come with excellent federal and state tax incentives. Unfortunately, a used electric vehicle will not be eligible for these benefits. For example, here in Canada, there is a federal incentive of up to $5000, depending on the base price and model of the car. My Tesla Model 3 AWD Dual Motor didn’t qualify for any incentive in Ontario though.

Outdated technology

Electric vehicles might look and sound like cars, but these are first and foremost tech products. As is the case with anything tech, from smartphones to EVs, the features and capabilities are continuously evolving. If you buy a used electric car, you’ll have to be okay with the fact that you’re already starting behind the curve, and the car’s technology will quickly become outdated.

It’s not all doom and gloom of course. In the case of an “outdated” EV, the major differences will be in terms of mileage and speed. As long as the used car you go for covers all your needs, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. Do make sure that the car is still eligible to receive software updates though, since that’ll make a difference in terms of performance as well.

Should you buy a used electric car?

As with any vehicle purchase, getting a used electric car has its share of both pros and cons. It’s always a good idea to be very thorough with your research. Make sure that you get the car checked by an electric car mechanic and get a few test drives done. As long as there are no obvious red flags, a used electric car is certainly a great way to go and will help you save a decent chunk of money as well.

If you are planning on getting a new Tesla, use my referral code https://ts.la/jayanth89062 for free supercharger miles.

- Advertisement -

DJI Mavic Air 2 vs Mavic Mini – Is there a new “affordable” king?

By

-

May 11, 2020

Flying a drone and aerial photography has become more and more accessible to the masses. You certainly don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on a new drone anymore. DJI, the company that is at the forefront of drone technology, has slowly been fleshing out its own portfolio of consumer-level drones. With the recent launch, they now have two excellent options that are relatively affordable. But how do they compare? We find out in this quick look at the DJI Mavic Air 2 vs the Mavic Mini!

Similar design, different size

The first generation of DJI’s affordable drones, including the still-popular Spark and the original Mavic Air, tried to inject some “fun” into the consumer-level drone game. Recognizable designs and different colorways, like red and yellow, made these devices stand out.

Things are a lot more refined this time around, but there’s a fine line between refined and boring. DJI’s current offerings all come with a similar design language. A sleek look with rigid lines, rotor blades that mean business, and no bright colors to be found. That’s definitely not a bad thing though. Essentially what this means is that regardless of what price you’re paying, you can expect a professional-looking drone.

Of course, DJI isn’t going to stop refining the design with every new drone it releases. This change can clearly be seen when comparing the Mavic Mini and the Mavic Air 2, and even when you pit the latter against its more expensive siblings. The Mavic Air 2 is a classy-looking drone, if a drone can be described that way, and no one should have any problems with its design.

Size is the more obvious difference when comparing the two. After all, the Mini well and truly earns its name. Not only is it more compact, but its take-off weight is about half that of the Air 2. That said, both can be folded and are quite portable, even if the Mini is obviously more so than the other.

The Mavic Air 2 has the lead in every key category

The fact that the Mavic Air 2 has the Mini beat on the specs sheet (see below) isn’t particularly surprising. These drones are playing in two completely different price categories and the more expensive option understandably has a lot more to offer. However, what makes the Air 2 stand out more than usual is when you take a closer look at how impressive it is.

Anyone interested in aerial photography will appreciate the fantastic camera setup you get with the Air 2. It’s capable taking still photos at 48MP and capturing video in 4K 60fps. A 3-axis stabilizer ensures that all recorded footage looks fantastic. Keep in mind that if you want to shoot at the highest resolution, invest in a high-capacity microSD card.

The Mavic Mini is no slouch of course. It comes with a 1/2.3-inch camera sensor and can shoot 2.7K video at 30fps and Full HD at 60fps. You can also take 12MP photos. For any enthusiast who just wants to capture some good-looking footage, the Mavic Mini is more than up for the task. However, it’s not unfair to say that the Air 2 has the Mini soundly beat in this category.

And that stays true when you look at the rest of the features as well. The Air 2 offers a maximum flight time of around 34 minutes. The difference isn’t huge here at least, with the Mavic Mini almost ground-breaking with its 30 minutes of flight time. In my experience, I can comfortably push the latter for close to 28 minutes consistently.

You can take the Air 2 out much further as well. It comes with a maximum range of 18.5km and can transmit HD video up to 10km. On the other hand, the Mini has a maximum flight range of 4km. Something to remember though is that these distances could ultimately end up being moot points. In some places, you can get into quite a legal bind if your drone isn’t always in your line of sight. It ertainly won’t be the easiest to spot if these compact drones are miles away.

Specs comparison

	DJI Mavic Air 2	DJI Mavic Mini
Dimensions	Folded: 180 x 97 x 84mm Unfolded: 183 x 253 x 77mm	Folded: 140 x 82 x 57mm Unfolded: 160 x 202 x 55mm
Take-off weight	507g	249g
Max flight time	34 minutes	30 minutes
Range	18.5km HD video transmission: 10km (FCC) 6km (CE, SRRC, MIC)	4km (FCC), 2km (CE)
Camera	1/2" CMOS Effective pixels: 12MP and 48MP Aperture: f/2.8 Max photo resolution: 48MP 8000 x 6000 Video resolution: 4K 60fps, 2.7K 60fps, Full HD 240fps HDR - 30fps (all resolutions)	1/2.3" CMOS Effective pixels: 12MP Aperture: f/2.8 Max photo resolution: 4000 x 3000 Video resolution: 2.7K 30fps, Full HD 60fps
Battery	3,500mAh	2,600mAh
Storage	8GB Expandable via microSD up to 256GB	Expandable via microSD up to 256GB
Gimbal	3-axis stabilization	3-axis stabilization
Price	$799 w/ Fly more combo - $988	$399 w/ Fly more combo - $499

The Mavic Mini is for everybody

I can see how odd that headline must be after I’ve been harping on about how much better the Mavic Air 2 is than the Mini. That doesn’t change the fact that the latter has a couple of significant advantages over the former. And of course, just because the Air 2 is great, it doesn’t mean that the Mini isn’t excellent either. At least in terms of what it brings to the table for its price.

Shot On Mavic Mini — *Image Source:* DJI Shot on Mavic Mini

Speaking of price, that is the first plus point for the Mini. At $399, the Mini is the half the price of the Air 2, but certainly not half as capable. Yes, the camera isn’t nearly as good, but not everybody needs a high-spec camera and the capability of 4K video recording. The flight time is impressive, the range is more than enough, and it is also the more portable of the two.

The second is the fact that the Mini has been quite purposefully built to circumvent regional restrictions. If you get a Mavic Air 2, you definitely won’t be able to, legally speaking, take out for a spin as soon as it’s out of the box. You will have to go through a registration process and pick up at least a basic drone pilot certification before you can be on your way.

The restriction is based around the take-off weight of the drone. In North America, the upper limit of registration-free drones is 250g. Now, the oddly-specific 249g weight of the Mavic Mini will suddenly make sense. You can fly the Mini without needing to register it first, and many might appreciate that. Especially if you are just a beginner in this world. It’s admittedly not a huge hassle to register a drone. But why go through the trouble if you absolutely don’t have to?

Final thoughts

The conclusion is obvious. When looking at the DJI Mavic Air 2 vs Mavic Mini, the Air 2 is undoubtedly the better option of the two. The Mavic Air 2 offers a more affordable alternative to DJI’s premier consumer-level drones. You certainly don’t have to drop a couple of thousand dollars anymore to get a professional-quality drone. If budget isn’t a concern, I’d recommend the Air 2.

The Mavic Mini is not without its positives though. Registration isn’t required, it’s ultra-portable, and half the price of the competition. The camera setup is very capable and more than gets the job done for most non-professional aerial photographers. Want to capture some gorgeous footage on your vacation? The Mavic Mini is a great way to go.

Order Your Mavic Air 2 on DJI Store | Amazon CA | Amazon US

Order Your Mavic Mini on DJI Store | Amazon CA | Amazon US

- Advertisement -

The DJI Mavic Air 2 is here – Everything you need to know

By

-

April 27, 2020

Order your Mavic Air 2 now on the DJI store.

The Mavic Air is an extremely popular choice for a lot of aerial photography enthusiasts and people who just love flying drones, by managing to find a great balance between price and features. Given how fast technology advances, even the 2018 Mavic Air is “old” now, and DJI was primed to release a successor. Well, today is that day! Following a steady stream of rumors and leaks, DJI officially took the wraps off of the Mavic Air 2. Here’s everything you need to know.

Video: DJI Product: DJI Mavic Air 2

A more refined design

While nothing could be confirmed until the official launch a few minutes ago, the Mavic Air 2 was definitely the worst-kept secret in the tech space. However, these leaks only served to get the hype train going even faster, and it’s great to see all the rumors everyone was really excited about end up being true.

Getting the most out of your drone begins with the design. Granted, DJI’s consumer-level drones stick to a general design language. However, things move more towards the high-end with the Mavic Air 2. Its design is far more reminiscent of the Mavic 2 Pro than the original Mavic Air. And the much sleeker design pays off in a huge way! (more on this later).

The essence stays the same though. It’s compact and can be folded, making for a very portable drone. It’s also worth mentioning that while the Mavic Air 2 looks the part, some high-end features like upward facing sensors aren’t available. Understandably, DJI wants to keep certain things for its premium offerings. That’s not to say that the Air 2 is lagging far behind though. And that starts with the camera.

The camera gets even better!

The Mavic Air 2 boasts a massive upgrade in the camera department when compared to its predecessor as well as other affordable DJI options like the Mavic Mini. It now comes with a Sony IMX586 sensor, the same one that is found with a lot of premium current-generation smartphones. It’s capable of taking 48MP photos and shooting video in 4K 60fps, with a 3-axis stabilizer ensuring that all recorded footage looks fantastic.

It’s not just the sensor that is an improvement either, and the feature pack that backs it up gets better as well. Proprietary DJI features like intelligent flight modes including Active Track 3.0, APAS 3.0 obstacle avoidance, 8K Hyper lapse, QuickShot, and advanced pilot systems, to name a few, take things to a whole new level. Taking cinematic shots with the Mavic Air 2 should be an absolute breeze.

Of course, we’ll have to do more hands-on testing before we can offer a final verdict on the camera quality. But if DJI’s penchant for amazing camera capabilities holds true, everything is going to be great. And we can’t wait to test it out!

What about speed, range, and flight time?

The DJI Mavic Air 2 has ticked all the right boxes so far. It’s an elegant and sleek design and the camera should be excellent. What makes or breaks the drone experience for any aficionado is its flying capabilities and flight time in particular. Boy, does the Mavic Air 2 deliver in this regard.

With a 3,500mAh battery helping the sleek design along, the Air 2 offers a flight time of up to 34 minutes!! Ideal conditions aside, you should comfortably be able to have this drone up in the air for around 30 to 31 minutes. It’s a huge jump from the 21 minutes you get with the original Mavic Air, and brings the mid-range series up to par with the rest of DJI’s portfolio. Despite coming with a larger battery and more weight, The Air 2 retains the maximum flight speed of 68.4kmph (42.5mph) of the previous generation drone.

The Mavic Air 2 comes with a max flight distance of 18.5km and a max HD video transmission range of 10km (FCC Model) with OcuSync 2.0. Keep in mind though that in some countries like Canada, you’ll have to keep the drone in sight at all times. So as impressive as the range is, you can’t have it fly too far away. Because of its take-off weight of 570g, you’ll also have to get at least a basic pilot certificate here.

The new controller makes so much more sense

There’s a lot that’s different about the new controller for the DJI Mavic Air 2. The biggest change though is one that makes you wonder why it wasn’t done before. The phone mount moves from the bottom to the top of the controller. There are a lot of advantages to this. You don’t have to worry about your hands covering the phone anymore. The line of sight also changes, and it’ll be easier to look from the phone to the drone up in the air if required. The mount seems strong and will firmly hold the phone in place.

The usual toggles, sticks, and buttons return, but in a better layout. The flight mode toggle adds an additional mode too and lets you switch between normal, sport, and tripod. You’ll find the stabilizer wheel and the button to shoot video or take photos at the trigger locations. It’s a big controller that’s a lot more comfortable to hold, and is a decent improvement over previous iterations.

Mavic Air 2 Controller — PHOTOGRAPH: DJI

Price and availability

We now come to one of the most important factors – price. DJI manages to impress once again, with the Mavic Air 2 starting at $799. With a mid-range price and some high-end features, the Mavic Air 2 is definitely the consumer drone to beat in 2020 and beyond!

The fly more combo comes with 3 Intelligent Flight batteries, an extra pairs of propellers, battery charging hub, ND filters, battery to power bank adaptor and a shoulder bag to keep both the drone and your accessories safe. This has everything you need to get going. One surprise addition to the fly more combo is the addition of ND Filters Set (ND16/64/256). The fly more combo is priced at $988.

DJI Mavic Air 2 Fly More Combo — PHOTOGRAPH: DJI

The DJI Mavic Air 2 is available for pre-orders on DJI.com now and shippings start mid may for the US and Canada, this is subject to change depending on your location and time of order.

Is the Air 2 still a little to expensive for your tastes? The DJI Mavic Mini is worthy, and cheaper, alternative that’s worth checking out.

- Advertisement -

Fly more with the DJI Mavic Mini

By

-

April 27, 2020

The name gives it away, but the DJI Mavic Mini is the smallest and lightest of all the drones in the Mavic series. It’s not just low on weight either, but comes with a relatively affordable price tag that makes it an enticing option for anyone. Does this drone make you want to fly more (pun intended)? Let’s find out in this quick DJI Mavic Mini review.

Introducing the Mavic Mini

Video Source: DJI, Product shown in Video: DJI Mavic Mini

The Mavic Mini weighs just 249g. If that number seems odd to you, don’t worry, you’re not the only one to have noticed. In fact, a take-off weight of 249g is a very deliberate decision on the part of DJI to get around certain requirements and restrictions.

Any drone weighing more than 250g needs to be registered with transport authorities before you can take them out for a spin. In countries like Canada, you’ll also need to get at least a basic pilot certificate as well. If you don’t want to go through the hassle, even if it is a simple enough process, the Mavic Mini is literally tailor-made for you.

It’s diminutive and light-weight nature shouldn’t fool you though. It’s packed with attractive features and is really impressive for what is an entry-level drone. Features like Quick Shots, a 3-axis gimbal, and an impressive flying range (more on this later), makes the Mavic Mini a great buy.

Buy Now – Amazon CA | Amazon US | DJI Store

Design and camera

We’ll keep mentioning that the Mavic Mini is lightweight. It’s also an ultra-portable device that you can fold and even fit in your pocket. It’s a good-looking drone too and certainly looks the part. No one is going to accuse you of playing with a “toy” when this drone is on hand. A microSD card slot is conveniently located on the back.

It comes with a 1/2.3-inch camera sensor that shoots 2.7K video at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps. You can take 12MP photos as well. Overall, those are great specs for capturing great content. Recorded footage is sharp, clear, and looks fantastic.

The 3-axis gimbal allows for cinematic footage akin to what you’d get from a more high-end and far more expensive drone. The included GPS and Vision Sensors help the Mavic Mini hover precisely both indoors and outdoors. And because of its incredibly compact size, you can fly it in smaller spaces and through tight gaps with ease.

Let’s talk numbers

The weight, camera quality, and design are of course important factors. But what can often make or break a drone’s attractiveness is the flying range and how long the battery lasts.

The transmission feeds to the controller via Wi-Fi, unlike the larger Mavics that use OcuSync 2.0 technology. The Mavic Mini offers up to 4km of HD video transmission on the FCC model that is only sold in North America. On the other hand, the CE compliant model comes with a 2km range, which isn’t bad by any means.

Battery life is an absolute game-changer though. The DJI Mavic Mini is rated to give 30 minutes of flight time, and I’ve gotten really close to that number in my experience. The first time I took the drone out, I managed to push the battery for around 28 minutes. I couldn’t really test the range though, since there’s a rule that you have to keep the drone in your line of sight at all times.

Should you get the Fly More combo ?

The fly more combo comes with 3 Intelligent Flight batteries, a 360° Propeller Guard, an extra pairs of propellers, a two-way charging hub, and a carry bag to keep both the drone and your accessories safe. This has everything you need to get going.

You can get up to 90 minutes of flight time with the extra batteries in this kit. They charge via a microUSB port on the charging hub that supports 18W fast charging. The Two-way charging hub lets you charge all three batteries in sequence to get you back in the air quickly. The hub can also act as a power bank to charge other devices like controllers or a phone.

The Fly More combo is a touch expensive and you might feel like you don’t need it right now. However, I couldn’t recommend this highly enough. If your drone enthusiasm goes even slightly beyond the beginner level, you’ll start buying extra batteries and accessories at some point down the road. The Fly more combo offers everything you’ll need in a convenient package.

If nothing else, this combo is worth it for the three extra batteries and the two-way charging hub. The latter in particular is certainly going to make your life much easier!

What’s missing

The DJI Mavic Mini is quite affordable and basically an entry-level drone, so it is missing some key features. Some I miss in particular like gesture controls and active track and collision detection sensors. It’s certainly disappointing because these are all features that are available with its predecessor, the DJI Spark.

Advanced features like OcuSync 2.0, a 4K camera, optical zoom, and the ability to shoot panoramic shots and time-lapse videos are also missing. However, that isn’t really a case of “missing” features as much as things that are reserved for DJI’s higher-end models.

Final thoughts

The DJI Mavic Mini is small, light, and relatively economical with a starting price of just $349. There are obviously some trade-offs to keep everything, from the weight to the price, at the lower end of the spectrum. A Mavic Pro this is not. The biggest drawback for professional videographers is the lack of 4K video. But again, a professional is probably not going to keep the Mavic Mini long-term.

That said, the Mavic Mini isn’t a drone just for beginners. Its ultra-portable nature means that you can carry it around with ease, quickly take some great-looking and cinematic shots, and keep flying for a long time. It is extremely efficient and balanced, and will be a great addition to any aerial photographer’s collection, be it an amateur enthusiast or a consummate professional.

If you are looking for a drone with more advanced features, and can stretch your budget a little bit, check out the all-new Mavic Air 2.

Buy Now – Amazon CA | Amazon US | DJI Store

- Advertisement -

Is the DJI Spark still worth it in 2020 ?

By

-

April 22, 2020

The DJI Spark remains an incredibly popular option for anyone looking to step into the world drone flight and photography. It unsurprisingly created waves when it first arrived on the scene three years ago. After all, affordable and user-friendly drones are few and far between even now. There are some alternatives of course, but is the DJI Spark still worth it in 2020? Let’s find out in the quick review!

See the DJI Spark in action

Video Source: DJI, Product shown in Video: DJI Spark

Gesture controls are magic

Well, not really. One of the reasons the Spark is such a good choice and a hit with young and beginner pilots is because of the gesture controls. You can set up hand gestures to control the drone and not have to reach for the controller constantly. It’s also a plus that frantically moving your hands in pre-determined gestures makes you feel like a witch or wizard.

You get more flying time and range than you’d think

Most entry-level drones offer a flying time of just around 5 minutes, if not lower, and you have to splurge on an expensive device to get that closer to 20 minutes or so. The Spark though impresses with a flying time of around 12 to 15 minutes on a single charge. That isn’t bad at all, considering it’s only a few minutes less than what you get with Mavic or Phantom series.

Flying time becomes less impressive if you can’t really take the drone out too far away from you. Once again, the Spark is up to the task with an amazing range of up to 2km. Given the fact that a lot of drones have a distance limit of around 50m from the pilot, you’re getting a lot more freedom with this mini drone.

Portability isn’t a concern

The Spark is a compact drone and much smaller than its more expensive brethren. The small size has its fair share of advantages, but none more obvious than the fact that it’s incredibly portable. It’s a great “travel drone.” You can easily pack it in your hand luggage and still have space left for other things. You shouldn’t face any problems getting it past TSA checkpoints either.

DJI Spark with Carry Case — DJI Spark with carry case

The build quality is solid

Size certainly doesn’t matter in this case! The Spark may be small, but it’s undeniably well-built and comes with a sturdy and durable body. You’ll actually be quite surprised about how heavy it actually is considering its rather diminutive stature.

It can take a beating, so you won’t have to get too worried even if a crash is particularly bad. I’ve had my fair share of mishaps with the Spark as well, and its crashed from about 10ft a few times without any damage. Don’t try it at home though!

DJI Spark with charging station — DJI Spark with Charging Station

Is the DJI Spark still worth it in 2020?

The short answer to that question is – absolutely! It’s a great drone for beginners and even intermediate pilots and videographers. If you want to take a stab at flying a drone without worrying about crashing or damaging more expensive alternatives, this is the way to go.

The more recent Mavic Mini may have essentially replaced the Spark, but the latter still offers some features that you don’t get with the former. For example, it comes with an obstacle avoidance system that isn’t available with the Mini.

Unfortunately, the Spark isn’t the easiest device to get your hands on right now. It’s been discontinued on the DJI website. Keep in mind though that refurbished units do pop up from time to time. You’re best bet, for now, is Amazon, where new and used units are both available.

Ready to take things to the next level? If you can stretch your budget and really want more advanced features, check out the all-new Mavic Air 2.

- Advertisement -

Tesla pulls the plug on free Premium Connectivity in Canada

By

-

April 20, 2020