DJI 4G Cellular Dongle 2 Review - Everything You NEED to Know
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- čas přidán 29. 08. 2024
- In this video, we put the Enhanced Transmission DJI Cellular Dongle 2 to the ultimate test by flying the DJI Air 3 to explore its performance and see if it can maintain a strong, reliable connection even in challenging environments. Join us for an in-depth review and real-world flight test to find out if this combination lives up to the hype!
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This is incredible. Now I can take a shit in my basement while flying my drone on the other side of the globe.
No, you cannot take off using 4K only.
Link to extended battery plz 😅
@@jakobergson My drone can =)
That is the most visceral, yet concise insight into the potential of this technology!
@@jakobergsoncan I take off with 1080P?
Lets be realistic, Absolutely no one and I mean no one uses a Spotter. The mini 4 pro is so small you can't even see it at 400 feet unless its night time and you are using strobes.
To say no one is bold. A spotter with a good pair of binoculars will easily debunk you. I have used one and still do especially if I am flying in the city or populated area and I need eyes where mine can't be. Its just that extra layer of security as reaponsible pilot will take.
That’s up to them if they don’t but plenty of people do :)
Speak for yourself, sounds like you’re not a very well trained and qualified drone pilot. Having gone through my GVC and flying drones as part of my job I’m very used to using spotters..
@@floatingrabbit3556 In EASA world binoculars are not allowed. Direct eye sight is required.
Speak for your self lol most non DJI pilots over here use spotters even the fpv DJI guys use spotters
Great, concise video. First I’ve seen on the tech piece so far.
Thanks again!
Well informed video Gavin - Fantastic piece of kit - no more panicking anymore when starting to loose signal
Yep, 4G takes over, Ocusync is amazing but this is incredible
I installed the dongle today and it works great! I’m from The Netherlands and I’m using the sim card from my phone (Vodafone) and use my WiFi at home as a hotspot just to test it out. 3 km away and still a full 4G connection! 😁
Fantastic stuff! It’s certainly impressive kit - i appreciate you taking the time to feedback positive results
@@GAVINHRyou’re welcome!
Let's be honest: you're gonna use the extended battery on the mini4 pro with this device anyways, so the weight limit is already out the window.
the irony is even sticking the operator ID on a drone can put it to 250g and thats a legal requirement
@GAVINHR Yeah, that's funny how that works. Gov is gonna force DJI to sell smaller batteries, too, just to have a compliance option.
And not allowed in Europe, it has to be under 250gram.
@ReadeRomke drones can be over 249g it only affects where you can fly it? This is a popular mistake I see being made, the drone isn’t suddenly grounded if you go over 249g you just you it further away from people like you do a bigger drone
of all the auditor videos I've seen the police never weigh the drones - so if you say its a mini 3 or 4 pro then doesnt matter if youre using the extended battery lol
Yea I always utilize spotters too 😉
Got to be responsible eh! 😀
Doesn't everybody 😂
great video gavin i was wondering about real world testing of this dongle and youve just answered all my questions top man and of course top channel
Thank you very kindly! I tried to cover everything I could think of
the dongle sold widely in china for about 75 pounds several months ago, now it is all about out of stock, including the official site. i used in UK, it can reach 8km range with my air3, full signal! with me sitting in door, the battery being the only limiter. now, we are virtually “stretching it” in every sense of the word, but it is a game changer.
Yep! Incredible range!
@@GAVINHRit makes FCC hack obsolete, and the much more expensive alien tech antenna so as well.
Wooooow! Incredible!👌👌👌👌
@@swcblad Have you used the alientech antenna? I was flying with it yesterday and got no additional range in Urban area compared to using the DJI antenna. Curious if someone else achieved much better performance with the Alientech antenna
@@user-mj8yv1ii5e nope, because the price is too much for me, plus the size is also off putting...
Brilliant bit of kit nice review mate looking forward to seeing the mini 4 with it on
Thanks mate hopefully soon!
Imagine you build a network of docking towers like cell phone towers through out the country and automatically dock it when ever battery is low. The practical use cases are endless for large scale delivery drones.
Geez finally. This existed in China for awhile
Now we just need solar panels on our drones
Oh?
It's gross how far ahead Asia is from. Western tech
@@Matanumi your propaganda commentary makes no sense. Dji is a Chinese brand. The drones that they sell in the west are not "western tech" just like 4G isn't anything revolutionary or advanced. It's just a service that Dji has not offered in other countries for a while, just like Apple for example does that for offering certain services or products or features outside of America sometimes.
@@Matanumicheap labor and immorally stealing every original design and doing a poor job of copying it and producing knock off products. Not miles ahead of anyone 😂🤣
@@Matanumi jikes you're dumb
@@ryngrd1 are you a time traveler from the 90's recently arrived in 2024?
First video of yours I've watched. Well done subscribed, keep them coming.
@@BDrechsel thank you kindly 👍
Thank you for the review, it was very very useful. I wonder why only now they did it. The idea was in the air since the the first Phantoms back in 2015. This is perfect for city environment.
Thanks for the great video. It arrived in my feed shortly after you published it so the CZcams algorithm worked well.
I’ll take that! Thanks for watching
Great review buddy. It's amazing the difference the 4g connection made 😮👍
Thanks matey!
Every time I watch your video I end up needing to spend money on new tech 😂
Yeeeeaaaahhhhh Sorry about that! use my link though yeah? :P
Sitting in my living room with the drone's video output on my TV would be incredible.
I have also been using the enhanced transmission mode with my Mavic 3 and the Dongle 1, works very nicely
yeah same here dongle 1 works fine on my mavic 3 as well i got one inside my RC Pro and the other sits on the mavic 3 in its mounting cradle,also works with my mini 3 pro
Fantastic video, I've been waiting for someone to cover this 👍👍👍
Thank you !
Nice one gavin been checking my phone since you last posted lol great review and literally just ordered, so hopefully, it will be here before i go away. I must say ive been looking, and i think you're the only one in the uk. As far as i can see, that's reviewed this most if what I've seen is from China. Well, as soon as it comes, I'll let you know and better make sure i got my spotters on the way to the moon 😂😂😂.
Well it’s important tech and really is a game changer so I wanted to get it out there as I really see the value in it - please do let me know how you get on !
Definitely. Thanks for the video
incredible technology, holy shit
It's just a 4g/lte dongle lol
It's cool for Mini 4 and Air 3, sure. But when this tech is available for FPV, together with O4 air unit, that's when actual fun will begin.
Indeed !
No, 4k have lag and you don't want it with FPV...
Why not @@jakobergson
Excellent work Gavinhr! You are the first to post a clear video about this device. Here in Australia, the official DJI store shows this device as unavailable. Now I`m wondering if I try import and test it here would work. Do you have any extra information about dongle service availability in Australia? Cheers, take care!
I would love to be able to say yes but sadly I do not have that info, Maybe check with DJI support and see what they can advise ? thanks for watching
We need that kid from the a/c commercial , you know ? The one who made this a/c that made the air in his class drop too 65* in 15 minutes that led to his mates being able to concentrate and him being the hero. Now we need him to be ours and engineer a mini nuclear power cell that can be retrofitted onto a DJI.
Vert useful video. It would be good if DJI inbuilt the 4G module in future drones
I think that will come in due course, or the drone will have a direct sim slot or ESIM capabilities
This will only add another 20min to my pre flight set up - yay!
Superb info - I agree, a game changer - no doubt! Thanks mate
You’re welcome thanks for watching!
I got my dongle last week and have had one flight so far. I flew from my garden but was unable to lose the O4 connection so didn't get the dangle to kick in. I will try again in a couple of days from my local flying site. Good video by the way.
O4 is about as good as they come, I was surprised it lost connection so soon on this flight but hey at least its a solid back up!
Yes, once you use o4, very hard to go back to say, o2
Awesome! i need to save up for a mini 4 pro or the air 3 with this dongle attached.
Argos do 0% finance over 12 months
Yep! Or the best thing is open a very credit account and get 20% off!
@@GAVINHR at 44.9% APR I think I'll pass on that discount. 😅
@@CaledonianCoins you pay it off before the interest starts :)
@GAVINHR might do the paying 3 option then. I have a mini 3 pro at the mo and bought the dongle thinking it might be a chance of it running on the m3p. As the original dongle one from china could work on it. Albeit sone folk were locked out of it outside the Chinese mainland.
My guess is it's only a software lockout if it doesn't work. So my options are upgrade to m4p or wait it out for air3 s.
Chances are the dongle will be air 3 s compatible too.
Or take my chances and get a dongle one from China.
Would value your opinion on this thanks Gavin.
All the best.
Darren.
I hope DJI brings the dongle to America soon!
With all of the current legal handwringing on DJI and worries of China capturing video without the user's consent I unfortunately doubt this will ever make it to the US. As shown in this video the feed is sent through a DJI proxy service to mirror back to the controller via the Internet. The paranoid will guess that they are capturing and spying on all of the footage.
for drones it seems less useful, but for Fixed-wing Drone it seems very useful especially with wings integrated with solar panels, Unlimited power, Unlimited distance and Unlimited range
So an excellent video. A recommendation as well, if going to the EU, Lebara is a good sim and allow 30GB at no extra charge.. enough for hotspots and drone flying especially in those built up areas. I live in an area full of old buildings that block the signal so tgis is perfect. Nothing more irritating than signal loss for a quickshot. Great video Gav.
@@donology funnily enough I just got one. MSE doing £1 a month for 7 months, 15 gig. Monthly rolling contract.
Thanks for that feedback my friend! hope yours arrives soon!
9:35 I like that bit about the spotters 😉
A sneaky shot of Helsinki 😊 Nice one Gavin
BVLOS drone to shop biscuit collection is closer to reality 😅
Carrier pigeons are out of a job it seems… 😂
@@GAVINHR 😂 They might protest heavily at first complaining that drones took their jobs, but then get too out of shape and lazy to bother. Meanwhile, drones are making their way around supermarkets, with shopping bags hanging from them, getting pissed off in each other’s way.
Key limit : if you're out of "direct" range (on 3/4g), and you land, you have 3 minutes to take off again, or it will prohibit takeoff.
The mobile dongle is more for back / noisy environments, rather than a occusync replacement.
IIRC, you need 4mbit/s from the drone all the way to the controller for it to work properly.
Yes all correct, 3 minutes is enough though but I think DJI could extend that in an update
This item requires an OFCOM license & a special sim card such as BT EE uas sim.
Aways wise to get advice from more than one source...
Well, I just found out that the 4g Dongle isn’t available in the US. I had to change the country in the DJI store and use a VPN before I found the UK dongle. Crazy. Thanks for the video nonetheless.
Need this, and waiting for ur next video for dji mini pro 4
Very good and informative Video and the first Video CZcams shows me about it. Good work 💪🏽
Thank you very kindly !
It's out of stock since today because of you!
Oops! I am sure DJI won't mind though!
Love that you did this review, however please don't educate the public that it would be ok to fly BVLOS with a "spotter" strategically placed somewhere.
A VO can't be away from the PIC. Surely you know better.
Other than that, great vid ❤
For the purposes of point (2)(b), remote pilots may be assisted by an unmanned
aircraft observer. In such case, clear and effective communication shall be
established between the remote pilot and the unmanned aircraft observer.
Difference between guidelines and regulations my friend :)
@@GAVINHR Well, the CAA says this:
The UA observer must be situated alongside the remote pilot and observers must not use aided vision (e.g. binoculars).
Maybe I'm interpreting it incorrectly
You're right, that is what they advise, but its guidance, you know fine well as one of my longest supporters I don't do anything to cause negative comments regarding flying far which is why I don't show it however the fact is the passage above is the actual regulation, Yes I hear you, I know the rules of course but people often misinterpret guidance with rules. You would be shocked - very shocked at how vague the actual regulation is. it may be pushing the limits of public perceptions of what is allowed but in law - completely within limits. Hope this clarifies my friend.
@@GAVINHR It's true, and speaks to your second comment - law vs. regulations. I wasn't suggesting you're breaking any law. Because we're in the same situation here in Sweden. All the EASA regulations, none of that is actual law here, and so not enforceable in any way.
This is set to change however, with a proposed update to current legislation, from July 1st, 2025.
None of that has anything to do with the UK of course.
Fly free, happy, and safe my friend 🌷
Oh, my main question. For those of us still rocking an iPhone with unlimited data and with a physical SIM card, assuming the sizes are the same, can you use the SIM card from an already active iPhone or any other phone?
And nearly a gig of data…? You should do a video on that and see how much data it takes to pilot the quad normally then get into the Dongleified setup.
Thanks for the video!!
Yep you sure can 👌
DJI needs to release a Wing now.
That would be so cool like the parrot one
I can only imagine the next generation of DJI drone will carry this feature on board without any dongle needed, and expect for a new series of remote too
Yeah well hopefully they don’t cokkkblock certain countries like they’re doing now
Great video, of course! 😊
Thank you very much
I’ve been searching CZcams for a proper British review on this for the past couple of weeks as I know these are now out. I’m about to buy this for my mini 4 pro. I see the mounting kit is about a weeks wait. Please get the mini 4 pro review up when you get the mounting kit
Of course! Apparently it’s coming Thursday, I ordered it on the 30th June so already been quite a while 🕣
@@GAVINHR interesting, on the dji store it’s saying estimated delivery is 23rd. Where have you got yours from?
Got it from the DJI store it’s the only place you can get it at the moment I believe
@@GAVINHR hello mate! Did the mounting kit turn up?
@paulhiggins5266 yes finally! Puts the mini 4 pro to 292g and works as expected !
This is an excellent video. Thank you so much👏👏👏👏
Thank you for watching!
I can see that being good for those black spots did you happen to notice much extra battery draw obviously the dongle is drawing power if I had the air 3 would have considered this but not on the mini 4 pro hanging under like that with a cable great information as always Gavin cheers Buddy 👏👍
Hi Jim, always tough to judge as wind / temperature / speed / altitude will be different on every single flight so impossible to say yes or no but certainly didn’t notice any particular drop, I covered over 11km worth of flight and landed on 30%
Great little piece of technology.
i like you also to inform subscribers of your channel and fans , Dji has lunched firmware update for Dji mini 3 pro on 15th of July .
Hi there, yes, it was a weird one as there were no new release notes, there were also updates for other models
This very interesting technology, and I'm glad DJI is rolling it out to more countries. Great video, and thanks for sharing.
Going to purchase one (when back in stock) for my Air 3, I sometimes lose signal briefly when filming big ships out in the Sea, It's most likely due to the ships own radar systems(sometimes the radar is off when they are waiting to dock)
Yep, I film vessels also and have the same problem although often I’m on board taking off from them :)
Mini 3 pro new firmware out. Can you do the test and see if anything has changed ?
Interesting video about the 4g. I think in uk this will be a limited use. (My opinion ) if DJI launch a cloud elimination service I will be the first to sub .
I’ve bought one to try test it on mini 3 pro too. Let’s hope it’s not locked out by the software.
I do know there is the Chinese dongle 1 that works on the m3p but wanted to test this out first.
@@CaledonianCoins I don’t think it works with mini 3 or mini 3 pro .
@@haroonvlogs5437I know I’m hoping for a lot. It could be the excuse needed to upgrade as from what I’ve read on forums. Buying the Chinese dongle 1 has its risks of being barred for used outside the Chinese mainland. I know some users have got theirs working but it would be my luck to have a bricked dongle a few days after buying it. 😂
Doesn't work with the mini 3 😊
Now we just need this in the drones by default for the next generation, im curious what the latency will be if it were to be implemented in the next gen Avata.
That would be nice, latency seemed fine for this, would it be enough for a fast FPV? would love to try it!
This is what I've waited for so long.. can you make a range test where you're inside the house eating popcorn???
What popcorn? Salted, sweet or toffee?
“Chicago Style” popcorn. Sounds gross, is delicious.
Very neat technology!
Impressive, this is the video I needed to see 👍
Glad I could help
great review 😎👍
I'm guessing when starlink brings out the 4G to standard phones soon, that this will be an even bigger game changer. 🤔
I see the the main benefit as being able to descend to a very low altitude at a long distance without losing the control signal. I doubt it's available in Japan, which is a shame.
Yes indeed, Not sure about JPN maybe check with DJI support they may be able to advise :)
Brilliant video. Looking forward to mine on Wednesday.
Does it definitely only use data? Doesn't ever send a text?
Nope just data !
My question is, could the air 3 use a rtk module using the same slot if a third party make it and custom firmware?
Amazing video - I have not had a chance to test it my self yet
Thank you Henrik you need to !
Great video young man 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😎
Thanks very much! hope it was informative
@@GAVINHR it was perfect straight to the point 👍🏻
I had to make an emergency landing once when it started raining hard on ME, without warning, while the drone was in sunshine. I landed in a friend's driveway. Of course I lost transmission for the last 10 meters or so of the landing. With this accessory, I would have landed on his front porch under cover.
Yep that would have been the case providing 4g coverage. I’ve tried it and it works exactly like that
Given the data and connection between drone and controller is being routed through servers based in China, what's the lag like Gavin?
I was expecting lag, the literature from DJI even says there could be lag, my HONEST feedback is there was none, the transition from ocusync to 4G was seamless and had full control with immediate response times at all distances, you know by now I’d tell it like it is and if there was issues I’d say, it was flawless.
@@GAVINHR Fantastic news! We were concerned that there might be a second or two delay, this is great. And it'll save people having to apply FCC mods all the time, just to get a decent signal 😁
I think it is connecting through China DJI servers but transmision is directly p2p between drone and cellural phone.
Well this is legal so nobody can complain I guess !
I wonder if the servers are actually in the UK or Europe.
That’s one of the best reviews I’ve seen in awhile you’ve done a great job thank you
I really appreciate that thank you
Must watch game changer. Thanks mate!
Great video mate!
It would have been a better example had you reduced the height behind the trees or landed in the open grassed area
Excellent, just the video I needed to see Gavin. I had a lot of questions about this dongle up to this point, now I have fewer. Thanks.
Very welcome
Can you go into the transmission tab and turn auto off and lock it to the 4g network only? To avoid any kind of wifi interference in the area if that's the case? Can it be locked to the 4g network?
Super video upload --- Thanks for information 😃👍😉
You are very welcome!
I have yet to purchase a DJI quad or even see one in person. That being said, if I was handed one, I could probably figure it out without much difficulty as thery are designed to be intuitive. That being said, that port where the dongle is installed looks like it’s not just an afterthought for nickel and dime add-ons, there’s purpose that compartment.
Are there other “Dongles” ( gotta love that word) in the same form factor as the 4g bit of kit or is this it? And if this is it, these drones have been just cruising around waiting for someone to fill that void. All kinds of cool, weird, etc…
Thanks for the video.
thanks for this....didnt realize the dongle was an option.
It is newly launched so its understandable you may not have seen it :)
it's must have in Europe... regulations here crippled signal strength... even the eye sight distance is hardly achievable
Your spotter has good eyesight if he can see your drone that far away. As per CAA rules spotter has to be stood next to you.
wrong... read the law rather than guidance.
www.caa.co.uk/publication/download/17981?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR25XLd44Uc9k3g8Kux45zBcSkhpiSL12jSDbl4d6hj8h3y3RceRU8cQDxw_aem_5afdDigrRadUolkT5akHaQ
GAV , in theory could you be sat in the house with your RC 2 with screen connected to you home Wi-Fi and still have this work without leaving your chair (apart the obvious legalities) 😋
Could do ;) saying no more than that…
I dont get it? If i fly as far as my battery allows before it complains about returning wont that just deem this useless?
useless to you but not to some others .
I remember when this was also a thing that was done with the Parrot Disco FPV wing , not by Parrot but mods by users . it did not go through Parrots servers but it did work , I wonder how DJI needs the servers ? unless it is to collect extra money .
If I understand this correctly you don’t have to put a SIM card in the 4G dongle in your drone but I use the SIM card from your phone by means of a hotspot. But how can your drone use the SIM card in your phone when it’s let say 500 meters away from you and it looses the RC connection?
DJI made this so that the drone and RC needs to see each first before the 4G cellular kicks in. But can you imagine flying over the internet, you being in a different country and the drone in another.
Hi Gavin , great video as always , just a quick question on the battery side of things , does the dongle connector run off the battery usb connector , does the 4g signal decrease the battery useage compared with the ocusync set up. Cheers buddy all the best.
Hi John, yes runs off the drones battery, I saw no noticeable dip in battery life using it mate so certainly not a deciding factor
Wow, excellent video! Didn't know I wanted this, haha. Once you said RTH kicks in if signal is lost sold me 🤑 I'll be waiting for the DJI Mini 4 follow up. Also, is it possible to toggle the 4G on and off mid-flight if there is a strong RC connection?
Yes, unless its running on the 4G and you have O4 you can turn it off
Brilliant info, thanks.
Great review!
Thank you !
4G as a means communication with the drone is a good solution in city environments but it'll not kill the OccuSync protocol. Cellphone coverage is not everywhere.
I was looking for this for some time, but there were no reviews and the Chinese said I have to buy 2 dongles one for the controller and another one for drone. But I see it is working with jist one. Thanks.
Hi mate great content. I have just bought this hope it's not a waste of money lol. How much of a date plan do you think would be needed?
It’s around 850 mb per battery based on pretty much the full flight using 4g
@@GAVINHR so close to 3gig a flight if ur using it all the time with 3 batteries 🔋
@slhk5848 potentially yes 👍
Great video 💯
This is marvelous! I have the Air 2S currently. I'm guessing this is not an option for that drone? I am however getting the Air 3S when it comes out
If there is a drone that really needs this and it is the mavic mini
Great review Gavin! So does this mean I can fly farther away to a greater distance bec of its 4G connectivity?
Yes essentially that’s the case !
At 5:01 u can see a prop and the arm from a drone but the dongle is yet only compatible with mini 4 pro and the air 3 so that means that he has leaked a picture of the mini 5 pro
he used it with his Air 3 as he does not have the mini 4 holder for the Dongle 2 yet .
Excellent review which is equalled by your excellent tutorial about how to fit the dongle to the aircraft. Very much worth the wait for your viewers who are prepared to do so 😊. You have in fact covered every single aspect that anybody might need covering.........whoops sorry to be a bloody nuisance but do you have a rough idea about battery consumption for the dongle and the difference in available flight time with and without it? My other question is if I ordered mine last week, when will it turn up?
PS love your video. Actually I love all of your videos 😊😊😊
Thank you very much I really appreciate that - as for battery life I don’t think it had any real impact at all to be honest, I completed 11km+ and still ended on 30% battery I wouldn’t worry about it.
I got so excited when I saw this. Its not available in the US.
Genius idea🎉
I need that!
Neat. Battery limitations hold back the possibilities. Perhaps an FPV fixed wing glider with some onboard power generation? Like, it’s big, long, glider wings are solar panels? Would using the wind generated during gliding to generate power violate the laws of thermodynamics or something? Kinda like blowing on your own sail? Anyway… to get real usage out of this tech, I’d want to be able to fly for hundreds of miles. I suppose that would be illegal as heck.
There is exactly that a parrot wing that exists that uses this 4G tech it’s cool as hell!
@@GAVINHRThe one where the guy takes off from Maui and ends up at another island? I remember desperately wanting a Parrot Disco, up until I got a Bebop 2 that had the same remote and found out that its range wasn’t the 2km they claimed. I was picturing flying freely, like the 4G connection enables. The stock setup means that you’ll be disconnecting in seconds every time you fly in a straight line. Range was the main reason I kept returning “first drones” and upgrading until I finally landed on the Mavic Pro.
Ooo Ta! I was wondering how it worked! Thank you
Happy to help!