You simply unboxed your DJI Mini 2 SE, and also you’re excited! You’ve flown just a few toy drones in your time, however that is your first actual drone.
You may’t wait to activate it and get it into the skies. Nevertheless, when you flip the drone on, you understand you’re probably not positive what’s required to activate it.
That’s okay! You’ve come to the proper place. I’ll clarify what to do when you get your Mini 2 SE out of the field so it’s able to fly, together with learn how to register it.
I simply received my DJI Mini 2 SE: Find out how to set it up
There’s a litany of duties to finish as you carry your Mini 2 SE residence. They’ll guarantee you may safely function it, so let’s get into what you have to do.
1. Unbox it
In the event you purchase the Mini 2 SE new, it ought to embrace within the field:
- Mini 2 SE drone
- DJI RC-N1 distant controller
- Screwdriver
- Six spare screws
- USB-C information cable
- Gimbal protector
- DJI RC-N1 RC cable customary cable
- DJI RC-N1 RC cable Lightning Connector
- DJI RC-N1 RC cable USB-C connector
- DJI Mini 2 SE Clever Flight Battery
Verify that yours has all of the required elements.
» MORE: Is DJI Mini 2 SE Good for Novices? (Arms-on Evaluate)
2. Purchase equipment
DJI is notoriously stingy on its equipment. You get just a few, however basically, your buy consists of the naked fundamentals and little else.
Listed below are further equipment you must take into account buying.
Propeller guards
The DJI Mini 2 360° Propeller Guards are wonderful for brand new pilots. They match over the Mini 2 SE’s propellers, lowering your threat of damage when dealing with the drone.
The prop guards may safeguard the drone in the event you crash, mitigating harm.
» MORE: Finest Equipment for DJI Mini 2 SE
Spare batteries
The Mini 2 SE solely has a projected flight time of 31 minutes. Though in actuality, it’s by no means fairly that a lot. It’s regular for producers to overstate the battery’s longevity as a result of they take a look at it in excellent situations.
Since its cost is brief in comparison with most drones in the marketplace (together with these exterior of DJI), you may take into account choosing up at the least one different Clever Flight Battery, if not two.
» MORE: Drone Batteries (In-Depth Data)
MicroSD playing cards
This one is required, because the Mini 2 SE doesn’t have any inner space for storing. In different phrases, with out a microSD card, you may’t save the pictures and movies you are taking, which defeats the purpose.
DJI recommends the SanDisk Excessive microSD Card 128 GB version or the Kingston Canvas Go! Plus microSD Card 128 GB version.
» MORE: Finest SD Playing cards for DJI Mini 2 SE
DJI Battery Charging Hub
The DJI Battery Charging Hub is a two-way charger. You need to use it as an influence financial institution for charging your controller, for instance, or cost three Clever Flight Batteries concurrently for longer flights.
The DJI Battery Charging Hub is appropriate with the Mini 2 SE in addition to the unique Mini SE and Mini 2. In the event you personal these drones, you may get a number of use out of this good gadget!
Moveable smartphone charger
I additionally suggest having a conveyable smartphone charger on the prepared so you may hold your cellphone powered on and displaying the DJI Fly app.
You in all probability have already got considered one of these units, but when not, do your self a favor and purchase one.
A transportable cellphone charger additionally is useful for any occasion the place you’re away from residence for lengthy intervals and wish a completely (or largely) charged cellphone.
» MORE: Does DJI Mini 2 SE Include a Charger? (See Our Suggestion)
3. Cost the battery
The drone’s battery doesn’t come at one hundred pc, even when bought new. It will probably’t, as batteries discharge over time.
Additionally, the battery is more likely to be in Hibernation Mode, which occurs after it loses a number of juice. On this mode, the battery won’t present any indicators of life till you cost it.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE Battery (All You Have to Know)
How do you cost the Mini 2 SE battery? Be certain that the Clever Flight Battery is slotted into the drone, which can produce a clicking sound if you place it appropriately.
Subsequent, safe the battery port’s flap, which can click on. Then plug your Kind-C charging cable instantly into the Mini 2 SE or within the DJI Battery Charging Hub in the event you personal one.
The Clever Flight Battery ought to cost in roughly 90 minutes. At the moment, you may unplug the Kind-C charging cable and take the drone out for a spin.
The battery has 4 LED lights that may all illuminate when the battery is totally charged.
4. Cost the controller
You additionally should cost the DJI RC-N1, which you are able to do with the identical USB-C cable (so that you’ll have to attend till you cost the Mini 2 SE first).
The controller could have a slot on the backside for inserting the USB-C cable, which you’ll plug into the DJI Battery Charging Hub.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE: Find out how to Join/Pair RC (Defined)
5. Make a DJI account
As a brand new DJI pilot, you’ll want a DJI account to make use of its myriad options, together with the required app for the Mini 2 SE, DJI Fly.
Click on right here for the hyperlink to the DJI registration web page. You need to use an current Google account to log in or register by typing in your e-mail handle and a password.
You will need to kind the password twice, test that you just’re not a robotic (by way of reCAPTCHA), and comply with DJI’s phrases of service.
After clicking Submit, you’ll obtain an e-mail affirmation. You may then return to the identical hyperlink and log in.
» MORE: Do I Need to Register my DJI Mini 2 SE (Defined)
6. Obtain the DJI Fly app
You’ll want the DJI Fly app to make use of the Mini 2 SE. The RC-N1 doesn’t embrace a display screen (the Mini 2 SE is considered one of DJI’s lowest-cost Mini drones), so that you’ll use your smartphone as an alternative.
Open your smartphone and go into the app retailer. Kind in “DJI Fly,” and the primary consequence you see must be from DJI. Faucet Get, then use facial verification or double-tap to obtain the app.
As soon as the app downloads to your smartphone, open it up and log in.
» MORE: DJI Fly App (Every little thing You Have to Know)
7. Replace any firmware
Now that you just’ve gotten the Mini 2 SE and RC-N1 up and working test for firmware updates.
There might not be one out there, but when there’s, replace it earlier than you fly the drone to make sure it’s in optimum working situation.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE: Find out how to Replace Firmware (Step-by-Step Information)
Do I’ve to register my DJI Mini 2 SE with the FAA?
That depends upon how you intend to make use of it.
For instance, in the event you solely fly the Mini 2 SE recreationally (a function it’s particularly wonderful at), then no, you don’t should register it. The FAA solely requires drone registration in case your UAV exceeds 250 grams, which the Mini 2 SE doesn’t.
Nevertheless, that rule goes out the window when utilizing a drone commercially. You will need to register your drone it doesn’t matter what, so you’ll have to pay the $5 price to the FAA. When you register the Mini 2 SE, it’s good for the following three years.
Do understand that it’s essential to register each drone you fly.
Find out how to activate DJI Mini 2 SE
Now it’s time to activate the Mini 2 SE, which it’s essential to do earlier than launching it for the primary time. Right here’s how.
Step 1 – Open the DJI Fly app
You have to be logged into the DJI Fly app already as you start the registration course of.
Step 2 – Hyperlink the RC-N1 to the DJI Fly app
Activate the Mini 2 SE, then insert your smartphone into the holster of the RC-N1 controller. Open the DJI Fly app in your cellphone.
You must see an choice marked Join Plane within the app. Faucet it, then go into Settings and choose Management. Scroll down, then faucet Hook up with the Plane on the backside.
A countdown will start, and the lights below the distant controller will start flashing sequentially. The distant is prepared when it beeps and the lights proceed flashing.
Subsequent, seize the Mini 2 SE and maintain its energy button for 4 seconds. The drone’s battery indicator lights will illuminate sequentially, and you’ll hear one beep.
Now you may hyperlink the units. Each will cease beeping and displaying sequential lights, and you will note a reside digicam view on the DJI Fly app, which signifies profitable linking.
Alternatively, you should use mixture buttons to hyperlink the controller. On the RC-N1, maintain the 2 entrance higher buttons and the shutter/report button on the shoulder concurrently. After two seconds, you’ll hear beeping.
Subsequent, press the battery change button and maintain that for 4 seconds. It would start beeping, which signifies to let it go. The distant will start linking and cease beeping when it’s completed. Additionally, you will see a picture transmission display screen within the DJI Fly app.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE App (Learn This Earlier than Downloading)
Step 3 – Activate the Mini 2 SE
When you hyperlink your smartphone, RC-N1, and Mini 2 SE, test the DJI Fly app for activation directions. The directions will embrace prompts to observe. You will need to have a dependable web connection when activating.
Issues to do earlier than the primary flight
Are you able to rock? I imply, fly? Earlier than you do, be sure to observe this pre-flight protocol for having fun with time within the skies with the Mini 2 SE.
Get a drone license
It is a one-time matter in the event you’re flying recreationally, and a process so as to add to your to-do checklist each two years if utilizing your drone commercially.
I’ve written an in depth collection about learn how to acquire a industrial drone license or Distant Pilot Certificates in the USA right here on the weblog. I extremely suggest discovering your state and studying the principles!
Basically, it’s essential to make an account on the Built-in Airman Certification and Ranking Utility or IACRA to acquire an FAA Monitoring Quantity or FTN. Then, you may create an account on PSI, use your FTN to confirm your id, register for the Unmanned Plane Normal – Small (UAG) examination, and pay the price.
After you are taking the industrial examination, scoring at the least 70 %, you’ll obtain a everlasting Half 107 license within the mail from the FAA. Nevertheless, the license expires inside two years. It’s now free to resume it, as you may take an FAA renewal examination on-line from the consolation of your property.
You used to should pay $175 each two years (the price of the examination) to take the Half 107 take a look at, however not since 2021!
In the event you solely intend to make use of the Mini 2 SE recreationally, you’ll have a a lot simpler time. You’ll want to take The Leisure UAS Security Take a look at or TRUST examination. This take a look at is free and online-based (in contrast to the Unmanned Plane Normal – Small (UAG) take a look at).
Higher but, you may change your solutions to the right ones earlier than you submit your take a look at. Your completion of the TRUST examination produces a certificates you may print and carry in your particular person.
The TRUST license doesn’t expire, however you may be required to re-take the take a look at in the event you misplace your certificates.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE Unable to Take Off (Solved)
Open the drone arms
The Mini 2 SE has foldable arms, however it’s essential to unfold them throughout each flight. Use a mild however agency hand, taking care to not harm the fragile parts.
Take the gimbal protector off
The drone consists of gimbal protectors, that are useful in safeguarding the Mini 2 SE, however not so helpful if you need to fly.
You may take away the gimbal protector by urgent the decrease buckle. The protector ought to come proper off.
Once you need to put it on, place it appropriately and snap it in. It couldn’t be simpler.
Verify the battery stage (recharge if vital)
In the event you simply charged the Mini 2 SE, the drone’s battery must be totally charged or near it.
Nevertheless, if it’s been a number of days and the battery has discharged, put it on the charger for a short time to get it near one hundred pc.
Flip the distant controller on (inserting your cellphone)
Subsequent, insert your smartphone into the holsters of the RC-N1, then energy on the distant controller.
Energy on the DJI Fly app
Open the DJI Fly app in your cellphone. You must have already up to date its firmware, so you may relaxation assured you’re working probably the most present model.
Launch from stage floor
Now, it’s time to launch. The Mini 2 SE consists of single-button launches and landings, making it simpler for newcomers such as you to get the drone airborne with out incident.
Nevertheless, you must all the time launch from stage, flat floor, avoiding slopes and jagged terrain like rocks.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE vs. DJI Mini 2 (Which One is Proper for You)