Controller Overview – DJI Mavic Pro

The Mavic Pro controller is a marvelous piece of tech from DJI. Watch the 7 minute video below to lean about what all the control sticks, buttons, and dials do on the controller, and see examples of the controls being used.

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Looking for the new Mavic 2 Pro controller? Check out our full tutorial and overview of the Mavic 2 Pro controller.

If you don’t have time to watch the video, here’s some quick facts about the controller, and a full rundown of all the controls and their functions:

Quick Facts

  • Range: 4.3 miles
  • Charge Time: 1h 30m
  • Included Cables
    • Micro USB for charging
    • Lightning (for iPhones)
    • USB-C (for newer Android phones)
    • Micro USB (for older Android phones)

Controls Overview

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(1) Antennas – connect with the drone with a range of up to 4.3 miles

(2) Return to Home Button – press once, then press and hold to have the Mavic Pro automatically return home. Press again to cancel.

(3) Power – press once, then press and hold to turn the controller on

(4) Left Control Stick – controls altitude and rotation of the drone

Up – increases altitude

Down – decreases altitude

Right – rotates drone to the right

Left – rotates drone to the left

(5) Display Screen – displays information while flying

(6) Emergency Stop Button – press at any time to immediately bring the aircraft to a stop and have it hover in place

(7) D-Pad/Button – Multifunctional D-pad and button

Up – toggle camera between horizon view and vertical view

Down – toggle camera between vertical and horizontal orientation

Right – digitally zoom out of the image

Left – digitally zoom in to the image (not recommended)

(8) Mobile device clamp – used to hold mobile device running DJI Go App

(9) USB Port – used to connect mobile device running DJI Go App (if needed – using side micro USB port with included cables is preferable)

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(10) C1 Button – custom button 1, can be customized in DJI Go App, default is to focus camera or add a waypoint

(11) C2 Button – custom button 2, can be customized in DJI Go App, default is to playback or delete a waypoint

(12) Gimbal Dial – change tilt of the gimbal

(13) Exposure Dial – change exposure compensation

(14) Record Button – start/stop video recording

(15) Shutter Button – take a photo

(16) Power Port – used to power controller and connect mobile device running DJI Go App

(17) Flight Switch Mode – toggle between Positioning Mode and Sport Mode

 



Display Screen Overview

The DJI Mavic Pro controller display screen contains valuable information which updates in real-time as you’re flying. Check out the 4 minute video below to learn what all of the different icons and numbers mean, and how they can help you while flying.

 

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Display Overview

What each of the display items mean in order from left to right, top to bottom.

  • Flight speed – current speed of the drone regardless of direction
  • Flight Mode
    • GPS: Global Positioning System, super accurate location
    • ATTI: No GPS connection, Mavic relying on internal instruments and sensors to keep itself level
    • OPTI: Active if close enough to ground, Mavic uses downward facing visual sensors to hold its position and prevent itself from drifting (opti is short for optical)
  • GPS Signal Strength – connectivity strength between drone and orbiting satellites
  • Aircraft Battery Level – battery percentage of the drone
  • Remote Controller Signal strength – connection strength between controller and drone
  • RPM – rotations per minute of the propellers
  • System Status – messages displayed in middle of screen
    • Powering on
    • Powering off
    • Ready to fly
    • Returning Home
    • Other warnings
  • Remote Controller Battery Level – battery percentage of remote
  • Vision System Status – indicates wether or not vision system for forward obstacle avoidance is active
  • Camera Status – indicates wether or not the camera is recording
    • Helpful if you are flying with just the controller and not your phone
  • EV – Exposure Value, indicates if the image is properly exposed or not
  • Micro SD Card Indicator – displays whether or not there is a Micro SD card in the drone
    • If no Micro SD card this icon will blink
  • Sport Mode Indicator – indicates when in sport mode
  • Clearance – distance from the drone to the ground
  • Flight altitude – vertical distance from the point the Mavic took off
    • When flying up a hill, flight altitude will increase while clearance will remain more or less the same 
  • Ascent/Descent Indicator – indicates if drone is currently climbing or falling in elevation
    • More arrows means a faster ascent or descent speed
  • Flight Distance – distance from drone to Return to Home Point

 




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