When I was a child, I dreamed of becoming a pilot. The dream was long forgotten when fortune smiled on me. 13 years ago, drones have become commercially available and they are getting better and more affordable ever since. So, I can call myself a quadcopter pilot. Maybe I’m not a real pilot but flying a drone is close enough for me. Drones have become affordable and you can fly them right out of the box. However, you will need some accessories to keep your drone safe. Furthermore, a couple of cool gadgets and extras can immensely enhance and widen your experience. So, today I am going to talk about Mavic 2 Pro accessories.
Before I start I have to say that drones aren’t just fun. Drones brought a sea of change in photography.
The last revolution in photography happened with the invention of digital cameras. DSLRs allowed a wide population to take decent, high-quality photos. Suddenly, everyone with a little bit of skill could capture some breathtaking images.
Eventually, we ended up with myriads of decent photos, but the predominance of digital cameras didn’t increase the percentage of great photographers. It still takes exceptional skill to tell an exceptional story.
And just when we thought we’ve seen it all, commercial drones took the scene by storm. It’s not like we didn’t have aerial photography before, but drones make it possible to raise it to a whole new level.
Drones have allowed us to capture some mesmerizing landscapes, from colorful rice fields to amazing waterfalls or steep and inaccessible mountain faces and gorges.
“I’m terrified of heights, but I think there’s something really beautiful about birds and soaring, having a bird’s-eye view of the world.” – Lindy Booth
How to Choose Extra Gear
Buying an abundance of equipment and accessories is easy.
But, it’s not smart. Before splashing money, you should carefully consider what you want and what you need. Some people have drones just for fun. You may focus on filming or you prefer taking photos.
It is also your personal decision how much you want to invest in safety.
Anyhow, you will have a lot of fun. And here comes the list of the most useful accessories that cover most of your possible needs.
Extra Memory Cards
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I’ll start with the obvious – memory cards. It is the same as with cameras. For long trips and photoshoots, you’ll need a lot of space. Especially if filming in 4K or shooting in RAW format.
Besides storage space, your memory card should be fast. Actually, the speed is even more important than the storage space. Some photographers like to have a couple of fast 16GB or 32GB memory cards instead of 64GB or 128GB. Then, they keep each photo session on a separate memory card.
Anyway, you need extra storage space and fast reading and writing speeds.
ND Filters
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Whether you’re filming and taking photos, you will find yourself in the need of an ND filter. Sometimes you can’t avoid shooting in broad daylight. If you need a wide aperture or slow shutter speeds, you’ll end up with overexposed images.
A Neutral Density filter works like sunglasses: it reduces the amount of light that reaches your sensor while it doesn’t change the color. With ND filters you can achieve shallow depth of field and motion blur, easier.
Battery Charging Hub
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Drones can only fly as long as the battery allows. Usually, it is up to 30 minutes. In cold and windy weather batteries discharge much faster. So, having a couple of extra batteries is useful. Mavic Pro battery charger can accommodate four batteries at once.
It is also “smart” – it will recharge them in sequence starting with the one with the highest power level. For a traveling photographer or cinematographer, it can make a world of difference. Not to mention how convenient it is not to worry about switching batteries in the middle of the night.
Car Charger
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One thing leads to another: a battery charging hub is great, but you need access to a power outlet. That can be bothersome and time-consuming especially when traveling. A car charger can save you a lot of trouble. Just plug it in your car’s outlet and by the time you arrive, you’ll have your batteries full.
Power Bank
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I am probably boring you to death with the power and battery accessories.
But, believe me, there’s nothing worse than the battery running out of power in the middle of your session. Even if you have a couple of drone batteries, your phone or remote control batteries may die and need a recharge. A power bank is useful, particularly if you need to hike to reach the desired location.
“The sky is the daily bread of the eyes.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Mavic Pro Battery Safe Bag
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Flying a drone is fun, but it comes with a full package of regulations and precautions. If you travel by plane a lot some airlines have very strict rules concerning lithium battery storage. Without fireproof storage of batteries, you might get in trouble. Anyway, these safety bags will minimize the risk of fire on all of your journeys.
Hard Case
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Safety and protection should never be underestimated. To keep your drone safe, a hard case is the best option. It is designed to fit a drone and its accessories perfectly. Some people prefer a shoulder bag because it is smaller, while others opt for a backpack to add more staff besides drone and its gear.
All these products are designed to keep you comfortable and your drone safe. The hard case is the safest, while a shoulder bag or backpack provides more comfort for you.
Landing Pad
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Finally, it’s time to fly! It’s not like you have to have a landing pad, but it’s very useful for outdoor taking off and landing. Grass and rocks can block the gimbal and impede landing. Not to mention that it looks more professional. While your drone has no passengers, a safe landing is still required. Especially if you are an inexperienced pilot.
Tablet Holder
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Your phone screen is too small to have a good view of what your drone’s camera captures. A tablet is the easiest solution to get a better, larger and clearer image. But, where to put it? A tablet holder will make your life easier and your shooting better.
There’s an even better solution for this – a Smart Controller. The Smart Controller comes with a high-quality 5.5-inch display that looks great even in the bright sunshine. It is pretty expensive though.
360° Camera
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Do you like panoramic images? If you do, you can add a 360° camera to your drone gear. Having another perspective gives you more options and panoramic views can be pretty breathtaking. However, you will need a camera adapter to be able to mount the camera onto the drone.
Drone LensPen
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You can be the best drone pilot and gifted photographer, but if you don’t keep drone lenses clean it’s all in vain. You already know that proper care is essential for optical instruments. Your regular lens kit can do a decent job. But, drones have very small optics and sensors, so it’s a better idea to buy a specialized tool for drones.
Propeller Guards
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If you are an experienced drone operator you probably don’t need this extra protection. Mavic 2 Pro has several sensors to avoid obstacles and collisions. Still, there are many ways to crash a drone (God forbid). So, if you’re a beginner, it’s not a huge investment to buy Propeller Guards for safer landings or flying in tight spaces.
Extra Propellers
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You must be wondering why would you buy both propeller guards and extra propellers. Well, you don’t need extra propellers immediately, but it is a general recommendation to replace propellers after around 200 flights. And if you damage or scratch your blades, it’s good to have a backup.
Landing Extension with LED
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Dirt, dust, and grass can harm your drone. With landing leg extensions you can keep your fuselage away from dirt. It is also helpful when landing on uneven surfaces. But the lights are the highlights here. You can have a whole new experience with night flights.
