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In both cases, DJI offer the drone and a single controller or a Fly More bundle with extra spare propellors, a total of three batteries, a charging hub, and a bag. The Mini 2 SE also throws in a handy rubber propellor protector which adds an extra layer of safety, while it switches from zipped hard case to a more traditional camera bag with strap format. What isn’t needless is the near-one-pedal ability of the Mini Electric’s regen. It defaults to the most aggressive setting barely requiring a touch of the brake pedal most of the time, but you can alter the aggressiveness. There’s a switch by the starter button that alters the amount of regen on the go. Rewarding when you get it right and, unlike the Leaf’s e-Pedal, you feel comfortable leaving this setting on at higher speeds as the brake pedal doesn’t turn to mush if you do have to resort to pressing it. Let’s talk range and charging… Maximum flight range specification is a proxy for radio link strength and resilience, not aircraft battery capability. It only refers to the maximum, one-way flight distance. Data was measured in an open environment without interference. Please pay attention to the return prompt on the DJI Fly app during actual flight. Refer to the following applicable standard in different countries and regions:
Overall, driving was an enjoyable experience, although the driver assistance tech is essentially just adaptive cruise control. The front seats are comfortable and even those six-foot and taller will find no issue with head or leg room while driving or in the passenger seat. The rear seats though are a tough sell to passengers unless they are yoga practitioners. Capture on the Go - The lightweight and powerful DJI Mini SE camera drone is the ideal for creators on the move. The ultra-portable design allows you to effortlessly capture moments in unforgettable ways. All finance and hiring facilities are subject to status and available to over 18s in the UK only (excluding the Channel Islands). Guarantees and indemnities may be required. Finance provided by MINI Financial Services, Summit ONE, Summit Avenue, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 0FB. Registered Company Number 01288537. Strangely, it's too small for most modern handsets. Perhaps Mini just expects you to buy an iPhone 13 mini? At least there's a pair of USB ports (one Type-A and one Type-C) in front of the center console for charging and connectivity. While it's nimble and tossable, it's still compliant enough to keep its composure on bumpy roads. The ride is pleasantly stiff, but not as punishing as some earlier Minis.
Fewer Miles Than the Competition
The various Walmart leaks had suggested that the DJI Mini SE would be much closer to the 2019 DJI Mavic Mini in terms of specs and ability, and almost identical bar a few exterior design tweaks. The punchier i3 S donates its power electronics and 135kW/181bhp electric motor, produced by BMW at its Landshut plant. These components are normally located at the rear of the i3 S, but they’re slotted under the Mini’s bonnet, cradled in a frame that even uses the existing three engine-mounting points.
That said, we think the Mini SE is the most fun-to-drive EV in its price range, and its zippy performance makes it stand out—although not always in the best way. While the car is great for carving canyons and country roads, its tight suspension can feel jarring, and eventually fatiguing, on long highways. Whether you're threading through city traffic, pulling a sharp U-turn, or fitting into a tight parking space, its small size and short wheelbase make the Mini SE ideal for urban settings. We also found that performance driving, while pleasurable, severely drained the battery and made us feel like we constantly had to plug the car in for an electric top-up. All versions support 50KW DC fast charging (80% in 36min) and 7.4KW AC (level 2) charging. The Mini Cooper SE also includes basic driver assistance and safety features plus wireless Apple CarPlay (but not Android Auto). Some trims even offer a (small) Qi wireless phone charger and a heads-up display. What's strangely missing are power seats, although the manual controls include adjustable lumbar and thigh support. That means you’ll be up in the air and testing the drone’s limits very soon. There are three different flight modes, easily switched by an on-screen button: Cine, P (Normal) and Sport. Save for the deliberately slow Cine mode, both Normal and Sport feel a bit slower than pricier drones and that isn’t surprising. Nonetheless we still enjoyed switching the gimbal to FPV mode. (This means the camera doesn’t try to stay horizontal so flying feels fast and fun.) Whether you're commuting, getting groceries, or taking your granny to bingo, the Mini Cooper SE will put a smile on everyone's face. It’s also comfortable enough for two adults, plus maybe two kids. We thought the flying experience was solid and dependable, and appreciated that the bottom sensors both prevented violent crashing into the ground, and made drift-free indoor use possible (outdoors the GPS helps with this).Optional high-speed 5G data connectivity and MINI's MyMINI app means the new Cooper is the brand's most connected car ever – and this extends to MINI's new “Hey MINI!” personal assistant, with owners also able to choose Spike, a digital depiction of a dog, as their avatar of choice. There are three flying modes: Normal, Sport and Cine. You'll need to set the drone in Sport mode to reach maximum ascend, descend and flight speeds, whereas, in Cine mode, flight speed is limited for more stable video capturing. I'd recommend using Cine mode for absolute beginners, at least until you get used to controlling the DJI Mini 2 SE. The oblong instrument panel is attached to the steering column and moves up and down with the steering wheel. It looks fully digital at first glance, but actually combines a rectangular display with a semi-circular analog power gauge on the left and a semi-circular LED battery meter on the right.
Overall, we really like the Mini Cooper SE. It delivers incredible value, looks fantastic, and is an absolute blast to drive. Yes, the tech isn't very fresh, and space is at a premium, but build quality and materials are best in class. We do love the Panorama feature, especially when the results are dropped into a viewer app which allows you to scroll and drag around the inverse sphere. But the primary advantage is the improved controller. The Mini 2 SE makes tangible gains in signal robustness and you can see the benefit the extra bandwidth has in the live feed. The Mini SE is definitely happier in clearer skies or further from urban interference, while its successor has no such vulnerabilities. The Mini SE comes up way short on driver assist features. It includes adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, front-collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a rearview camera. Its competitors have these and much more. In addition, the Mini Cooper SE handles AC (level 2) charging at up to 7.4KW (11KW in the UK and Australia), which boosts the charge level by up to 20% per hour. Here in the US, the Mini Cooper SE comes with a 120V 16A level 1 charging adapter. Mini Cooper SE specs and tech Price is a non-binding recommendation of the manufacturer (including VAT, excluding transportation costs). Prices shown may differ. Your MINI retailer will gladly give you more information on models available, options and binding price information.
It also has the ability to top up your phone charge from its much bigger battery; no bad thing given flying keeps the phone screen on so draws power. With a good, modern phone you also get a good, bright screen. I’m a total novice, and I heard good things about the DJI brand, and this was available at a good price. You also don’t need a license to fly it either. It was very easy to set up, the app was simple to use and everything is obvious. I was off and flying in no time. And while adaptive cruise control is optional, there's no level 2 ADAS (advanced driver assistance system), 360 degree view, Wi-Fi hotspot, or support for OTA updates. Once again, there is essentially nothing to separate the drones here; they feature the same sized CMOS image sensors and the same features – well, except Panorama.
Limited Range and WiFi Connectivity: The DJI Mini SE utilizes a WiFi connection for communication between the drone and the remote controller, which can result in a more limited range compared to other DJI drones that use more advanced radio frequency technologies. The WiFi connection is susceptible to interference, especially in urban areas or areas with a high density of wireless signals, which may lead to potential signal drops or video transmission issues.
Unmistakably Mini
Camera Quality: Equipped with a 12-megapixel camera capable of recording 2.7K video at 30fps, the Mini SE delivers respectable image and video quality. While it may not match the capabilities of higher-end DJI models, the results are more than sufficient for casual aerial photography and videography. I would recommend this as a starter/recreational drone. I am sitting video in 2.7K as YouTube will convert down anything larger. The 2.7K video and freeze-frames are very high quality. If you need to make prints, then take the digital snapshot so you get the large digital photo file. The experience of getting started and into the air with the Mini SE is very similar to other DJI aircraft (like the Mavic 3 or Mini 3 Pro) because they all use the app DJI Fly. The app is equipped with a useful tutorial – made of clear animated graphics and on-screen instructions. It’s not over-the-top or boring, and leaves you far equipped to fly further than a simple video would. While both drones use the same battery –listed on DJI’s accessory shop as the DJI Mini 2 battery – it seems that the Mini 2 SE can squeeze an extra minute of flight time out of it. A minute isn’t a lot, but that is useful time, at least if you’re looking to get to a certain position and start capturing. If you’re just in the air for fun – and who can blame you – then take-off and landing are likely less of a chore Underwhelming camera performance aside, the Potensic Atom SE is a very decent beginner drone. It's not massively more affordable than the DJI Mini 2 SE but offers more flying modes and some extra features, potentially making it more appealing to those who prioritise the flying experience over camera footage. Read my full Potensic Atom SE review.
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