Pucker Pass Moab Video via DJI Mini 4 Pro

Sunnysideup · May 5, 2025

After my first mavic mini died... I fixed it and it died... and it wrecked and I fixed it. Then last summer it gave up- it was dead. I didn't want to get away from the small set-up, I don't make any money with a drone, its a hobby and it is fun to capture video with one. But, I enjoy the content and views! So I went with a mini- pro 4 (with tracking now) to see if I could add to my videos with it. I'm an older guy, so I don't like learning tech stuff... but I try to keep up. Here is one of my first attempts of using a significant amount of drone footage in a video, before I might have 30 seconds or a min of drone stuff... I'm trying to balance some more drone shots into the mix. It didn't go perfect, but I did get some footage!

RickD · May 6, 2025

Sunnysideup said:
After my first mavic mini died... I fixed it and it died... and it wrecked and I fixed it. Then last summer it gave up- it was dead. I didn't want to get away from the small set-up, I don't make any money with a drone, its a hobby and it is fun to capture video with one. But, I enjoy the content and views! So I went with a mini- pro 4 (with tracking now) to see if I could add to my videos with it. I'm an older guy, so I don't like learning tech stuff... but I try to keep up. Here is one of my first attempts of using a significant amount of drone footage in a video, before I might have 30 seconds or a min of drone stuff... I'm trying to balance some more drone shots into the mix. It didn't go perfect, but I did get some footage!

Great video. Like you, I am an "old guy (80) and like you I am in Montana. I purchased a DJI Air 3S and found that the learning curve is somewhat of a challange for me. Flying it is the easy part. Learning the photo and video capabilities and the follow me and waypoint features is where i am challanged. Still practicing.

DiehardTory · May 6, 2025

Outstanding work. The trail reminded me of 2024 and Shafer trail out of Canyonland National Park (Have heard Drones are not allowed in National Parks) and Dead Horse State Park. Son has to get more practice with our DJI Mini ..

HorsesRear · May 6, 2025

I was told it was not legal to fly my drone there. Regardless you did get some nice footage.

Janster · May 6, 2025

Beautiful work!! And breathtaking scenery!! Thanks for sharing! Loved it!

Hubby has an Air2S that he’s had for 7-8 years. Hadn’t flown it in years. He’s had a renewed interest lately into whoops (FPV’s) and helis. He got the DJI out again (Fixed the broken upward sensors) and is teaching me how to fly it.
Passed my Recreational UAS Safety test this past weekend.

I will say… the DJI is perfect to learn from…. I can let go of the sticks and it’ll hoover on its own.

My hand-eye coordination & brain reaction time sucks-ass. I drive the DJI like grandma driving down a country road.

JTPatriot · May 6, 2025

Good job on the video. I did Long Canyon this year during EJS, one of my solo runs, after visiting Dead Horse Point State Park. It is a beautiful drive for sure.

RenegadeBI · May 6, 2025

Beautiful footage, well done!

Sunnysideup · May 6, 2025

HorsesRear said:
I was told it was not legal to fly my drone there. Regardless you did get some nice footage.

Looking at the map- Long canyon is outside Dead horse state park lands. It is just BLM for the entire trail. Not a part of any of the wilderness study areas or anything... the roads in the national parks and state parks don't allow drones.

Stuntman Mike · May 7, 2025

Great video!

My first attempt to use the follow me function was not so successful ...

Sunnysideup · May 7, 2025

Stuntman Mike said:
Great video!

My first attempt to use the follow me function was not so successful ...

Yes.... I spent a couple hours at camp working with my daughter who has a similar drone to figure out how to get it to track people. At first we tried to get it to track a dog and it would not do that.... It did people ok! Then we played with the truck a bit and got it to do what we wanted. There was a learning curve before we recorded things.

We also had an issue part way down the pass... we went below what it had set as the "ground" and the drone stopped. We landed, reset, and were good to go again. It's certainly not "simple" to get it to do what you want. But from what I hear- it is about as simple as you can hope for, with older systems being a lot more complicated.

I have about 4 or 5 videos to make from this trip- including one where I didn't fly the drone at all- the wind was so wild, I was pretty sure it might not make it back ...and my wife was stressed out that it would be quite the waste of money to loose the drone on the first trip out! She had a point... the other drone was so old and randomly fell out of the sky- I kind of got an "oh well" attitude about the thing. Now we are invested again. New money. LOL... so we hope to get a few years use out of it at the very least.

Tgil · May 7, 2025

Gotta have the crash avoidance setting on, and be above the trees maybe? I'm still in the learning phase as well.

YGBSM · May 7, 2025

I hit a drone once. Negligible damage but missed the engines and leading edges. Had two near mid airs also. The drone had it coming.

It's really nice to see this group being safe with drone use. I love them and think the follow functions are so cool. I have a friend (no, really I do. She lives in Canada) who has this really small drone that can follow her. She uses it for home inspections.

Mojave24 · May 7, 2025

Wow, your video made me miss my time out in Arizona. I recently bought a Mavic drone and am learning how to fly it. I love the tracking feature and obstacle avoidance. Thanks for showing us the beautiful scenery.

JCappy · May 7, 2025

Sunnysideup said:
After my first mavic mini died... I fixed it and it died... and it wrecked and I fixed it. Then last summer it gave up- it was dead. I didn't want to get away from the small set-up, I don't make any money with a drone, its a hobby and it is fun to capture video with one. But, I enjoy the content and views! So I went with a mini- pro 4 (with tracking now) to see if I could add to my videos with it. I'm an older guy, so I don't like learning tech stuff... but I try to keep up. Here is one of my first attempts of using a significant amount of drone footage in a video, before I might have 30 seconds or a min of drone stuff... I'm trying to balance some more drone shots into the mix. It didn't go perfect, but I did get some footage!

Very nice footage all around. Also nice upgrade on the drone. I currently have an Air 2S and love flying when I get the chance. The key to getting good footage is using minimal input on the sticks. It's easy to get carried away with sudden movements. I have to make a conscious effort to remember that when flying. It's funny how when flying you don't really notice it but when you watch back videos you realize how quick your movements were. DJI makes great drones with lots of good features. Just remember that your sensors DONT work in sport mode. Also as others have mentioned, make sure you are not in State or National Parks unless you have permission prior to flying. Glad the apps I use are good at knowing the boundaries. I did get my first LAANC a couple of months ago when visiting my Daughter in Panama City. Got approval from the FAA in writing and then had to actually speak with the tower at Tyndall AFB prior to flying since it was in their restricted air space. Had to give them some info and was limited to 100' AGL but was able to fly from her house just to get a few pics and video of the area. That was a cool experience. Anyway, keep up the good work, have fun with it and safe flying.

Silverator · May 7, 2025

Nice!! Was just there this morning. Ran it the opposite direction though. Breathtaking. We'll put up a video after we get a chance to sift thru a week of Moab video. LOL Great job!!

Pucker Pass Moab Video via DJI Mini 4 Pro

Sunnysideup

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RickD

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DiehardTory

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HorsesRear

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Janster

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JTPatriot

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RenegadeBI

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Sunnysideup

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Stuntman Mike

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Sunnysideup

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Tgil

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YGBSM

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Mojave24

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JCappy

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Silverator

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