If you just got a DJI drone, these 8 tips will help to make your first drone experience WAY easier.
Setting up a drone isn’t hard, but it’s not the same thing as taking a new iPhone out of the box. In other words, the drone isn’t charged up and ready to rock and roll.
I’ve setup five drones and here’s what I wish someone would have told me…
8. Charge the batteries first
I know it’s tempting to open the box and start setting EVERYTHING up, but unlike Apple products, DJI drone batteries DO not come charged. They also take 60-90 minutes PER battery to charge. So the first thing before anything else, is to start charging them.
7. Screw in the controller sticks ALL the way
When you’re setting up your drone controller, it’s easy to put the “sticks” (some people call them “joysticks”) into place and think they are all the way in.
Here’s something I see a lot: someone doesn’t screw it in all the way, it falls out, they can’t find it, and then they are struggling to fly their drone WITHOUT one of their sticks.
Save yourself a headache and simply make sure they are screwed in tight. Before each flight, I usually give them a little turn to make sure they’re in all the way.
6. Take the gimbal cover OFF
What’s a gimbal cover? It’s the plastic piece that’s protecting the camera. If you don’t remove it when you take it out to fly, it will prevent you from being able to “look around” with your camera.
It’s kind of like leaving your coffee on top of the car and driving away. Or tucking your skirt into your underwear on accident. It’s not the end of the world, but it’s kind of annoying (and also embarrassing if someone sees you do this).
Want to see the VIDEO version of this blog post? See the video below and open your drone WITH ME!
5. Download the app DJI fly or GO 4 app
Get these setup on your phone (unless you’re using the DJI RC) and then setup an account.
4. Helpful to know: turning on your drone and controller are the same
Tap once to “wake it up” and then press and hold for it to turn on. So it’s TWO presses.
3. Get all the firmware updated on your drone
Once your account is setup and your drone is connected, get the firmware updated. THIS can take awhile! So grab a snack!
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2. Put the SD card in
If you want to shoot in high quality (4K), make sure you have a PRO Micro SD card in there. Why pro? It reads and writes fast and can HANDLE 4K.
Some drones have internal storage, but some don’t.
Capturing your FIRST flights is important! So make sure you put in that micro SD card.
1. Triple check your propellors
If your propellors are on incorrectly your drone won’t take off (or fly) correctly.
Bottom line?
Get that drone setup as quickly as possible so you can get to the FUN part which is FLYING it! Some parts of my How To Fly a Drone 101 course are FREE, check it out below!