When comparing 3DR Solo vs DJI Mavic Pro, the Slant community recommends DJI Mavic Pro for most people. In the question“What are the best follow drones?” DJI Mavic Pro is ranked 1st while 3DR Solo is ranked 12th. The most important reason people chose DJI Mavic Pro is:
Despite its small size, the Mavic Pro’s camera has practically the same specifications as more expensive and larger drone cameras. With it, you can take breathtaking shots without being worried about quality. It even has a 3-axis gimbal to keep the camera stable while the drone is flying, a feature not usually found on compact drones.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Portable
Portable, weighting 3.3 lbs. (1.5 kg) as a standalone or 3.9 lbs. (1.8 kg) with a GoPro and Solo Gimbal.
Pro Really fast
It is really fast, the maximum that the Solo can do is 55 mph (89 km/h). Made possible by its design and four 880 kV motors.
Pro Good range
It covers a good range, 6 miles (9.5km). Makes it suitable for almost anything you might want to do with it.
Pro Good flight time
The 3DR Solo can fly up to 20 minutes or 15 minutes with payload (camera).
Pro High quality shots
Despite its small size, the Mavic Pro’s camera has practically the same specifications as more expensive and larger drone cameras. With it, you can take breathtaking shots without being worried about quality. It even has a 3-axis gimbal to keep the camera stable while the drone is flying, a feature not usually found on compact drones.
Pro Fast
The drone can reach speeds up to 65 km/h and it can also change altitude rather quickly.
Pro Easy to carry around
Travelers will be especially happy about the drone’s slim body and easily foldable arms. When folded, the drone is about the size of a brick and can be transported with ease, making it an extremely compact 4K-capable drone. Unlike some other larger drones, the Mavic Pro’s camera is situated up the front of the drone, further reducing its size. Its remote is also travel-friendly, given that it’s also very compact.
Pro Easily adjustable focus
You can adjust the focus of the camera by tapping on the object on the live view screen.
Pro Frequent software updates
DJI constantly updates its drone's firmware and companion apps, adding new functionalities and improving existing ones.
Pro Stays stable even under strong winds
Thanks to all its sensors, design and powerful motors, this is one of the most stable small drones in the market. It stays almost perfectly still even under strong breezes.
Pro Has advanced algorithms for autonomous flying
This drone’s software includes some clever autonomous flying algorithms that can be easily configured and activated via the smartphone companion app. You can predefine flying paths, set the drone to follow an object, or fly at a certain constant distance from the ground, following topographic changes. This means that you don’t have to worry about controlling the drone while you’re hands are occupied on something else, such as climbing a hill.
Pro Flying consumes less battery than hovering
The Mavic Pro drone has been designed in a way that it will operate longer when it is moving around and not hovering in the same place. The difference is small, though: a full battery should last for around 24 minutes on hovering and for around 27 minutes on flying. These times are excellent for a small drone.
Pro Gestures can be used to take shots
This drone's camera can be activated via physical gestures, which can be especially useful for taking selfies: this way, you don't have to use the remote and worry about it showing up on the shots.
Pro Can be used indoors and in tight spaces
The Mavic Pro can be set to tripod mode and used to film indoors or in other tight settings, where precision is needed.
Once the drone is set to tripod mode, its speed is limited to approximately 2 mph and control input sensitivity is reduced, increasing the accuracy of commands sent to the drone.
Pro Wide range of accessories of DJI accessories available
You can buy external batteries, bags, propeller guards, filters, even a battery-to-power-bank adapter. Many of its accessories are much cheaper than other drone's accessories.
Pro Convenient special bundle for travelers
You can buy this drone as a “Fly More Combo” that includes additional batteries, extra props, a backpack and other accessories that make traveling with the drone easier. This is much more economical than buying the items separately.
Pro Easy to fly
Just unfold the drone, set its mode (“fly only” or “camera”), and use the remote to operate it. No need to set up the drone blades, as they reposition themselves once the motors are activated and takeoff can be done automatically. It even senses objects that are close, in order to crashing into them. If its battery level gets critically low or its loses signal to the remote, it automatically sets course back to where it took off and land there.
Pro No need to remove parts
You don’t need to assemble or dissemble parts each time you are setting the drone up or have finished flying. Everything folds and unfolds neatly.
Pro Control drones from long distances
This drone has an impressive maximum range of 7 km, which is very impressive. This drops significantly in urban areas, where interferences are higher, but even in these conditions it still reaches a 1 km range. However, users should be aware that some countries may have laws prohibiting people from operating the drone at such distances.
Pro Responds to remote's commands quickly
The control’s input lag is almost non-existent and offers very precise control with no random movements.
Pro Beginner mode available, for easy learning
If you are new to drones, the Mavic Pro’s beginner mode will help you learn how to fly it, while minimizing risks. It limits the distance and speed the drone can fly, and also reduces the sensitivity of the controller.
Cons
Con Doesn't come with a gimbal or camera
The basic pack of the drone doesn't come with a camera or gimbal.
Con Stability problems
Other users have reported that the drone may drift away even if you hit the stop button. This appears to be linked with the GPS problem.
Con GPS problems
Users have reported having GPS problems. This issue is likely due to the positioning of the module. Instead of having a small mast on top of the drone for GPS and dual GPS modules (one for US satellites and the other for Russian satellites), the single GPS is located under the battery, blocking signals from some angles.
Con Vulnerable to interference
Operates on 2.4GHz frequency, which is not ideal for drones if you fly it in a city where there is a lot of interference. Normal wifi networks use the 2.4GHz so interference occurs where there are many wifi networks.
Con Video may be jerky due to fragile gimbal assembly
The gimbal is held together with three rubber bands that tend to snap, making the video jerky.
Con Performs poorly in low light scenarios
Because of the small sensor size and the relatively limited ISO range, this drone's camera struggles heavily in low light conditions.
Con Tends to lose tracked objects in certain circumstances
While in most circumstances the drone can track and follow objects quite well, it does struggle if the target's color blends with the background or if it makes sudden turns.
Con Signal may be lost in areas with many Wi-Fi devices
This drone may lose the remote's signal if flying over a dense neighborhood with lots of Wi-Fi devices.