Category Archives: Drones

Drones, Gadgets, Photography, Reviews

DJI Mini 4K Fly More Combo Review: Proper 4K Drone Flying on a Sensible Budget

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I have been flying drones for quite a few years. I previously held a Permission for Commercial Operations, better known as a PfCO, and have owned or flown aircraft including the DJI Phantom 3, Inspire 1 and Mavic Pro Platinum.

Those were all impressive machines, but they were also relatively large, expensive and accompanied by a fair amount of equipment. Taking the Inspire 1 out for a flight, in particular, felt more like organising a small expedition than grabbing a camera for an afternoon walk.

The DJI Mini 4K Fly More Combo represents a very different kind of drone ownership. It is compact, remarkably light, capable of recording genuine 4K video and, most importantly, affordable enough to open aerial photography to a much wider audience.

Small Drone, Serious Camera

The DJI Mini 4K weighs approximately 246g, including its battery, propellers and a microSD card. Folded, it is small enough to fit comfortably into the supplied shoulder bag without dominating everything else you are carrying.

Despite its size, this is not a toy drone.

It uses a 12-megapixel, 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor and can record video at up to 4K resolution at 30 frames per second. It also supports 2.7K and Full HD recording at up to 60 frames per second, along with JPEG and DNG RAW photography.

The camera is mounted on a proper three-axis mechanical gimbal, which makes an enormous difference. Rather than the shaky, electronically stabilised footage associated with cheaper drones, the Mini 4K can produce smooth, cinematic-looking movement when flown carefully.

The footage is crisp, colourful and more than good enough for holidays, social media, YouTube videos, property footage and general content creation. It does not offer the larger sensor, HDR modes or advanced colour profiles found on DJI’s more expensive models, but that is missing the point. For the size and price, the results are extremely impressive.

Familiar DJI Flying Experience

Having previously flown the Phantom 3, Inspire 1 and Mavic Pro Platinum, the Mini 4K immediately feels familiar.

The DJI Fly app provides a clear live view, camera controls, flight information and access to the drone’s automated functions. Take-off and landing can be performed with a tap, while GPS positioning and downward vision sensors help the aircraft hover steadily.

DJI’s Return to Home feature is also present. This can automatically bring the aircraft back towards its recorded home point if the battery becomes low, the connection is lost or the pilot activates the function manually.

The Mini 4K uses DJI’s O2 transmission system. Although DJI advertises a maximum transmission distance of 10km under FCC conditions, the official maximum under the CE standard used in the UK is 6km in an unobstructed, interference-free environment. In practice, pilots must always maintain direct visual contact with the aircraft, so this specification is primarily an indication of connection strength rather than a suggested flying distance.

What matters is that the video connection feels reassuringly solid for a drone at this price.

DJI Mini 4K Fly More Combo Review: Proper 4K Drone Flying on a Sensible Budget
DJI Mini 4K Fly More Combo Review: Proper 4K Drone Flying on a Sensible Budget

More Capable Than Its Size Suggests

DJI quotes a maximum flight time of 31 minutes per battery under controlled conditions. Real-world flight time will naturally be lower once wind, manoeuvring, recording and a sensible landing reserve are taken into account, but it still provides enough time to plan and capture a useful selection of shots.

The drone is also rated for Level 5 wind resistance, equivalent to approximately 38kph or 10.7 metres per second. That does not mean I would recommend sending such a light aircraft into difficult weather, but it is reassuring to know that the Mini 4K has enough power to remain stable when conditions are less than perfect.

Several automated QuickShots are available, including Dronie, Helix, Rocket, Circle and Boomerang. These allow beginners to create impressive reveal shots and sweeping camera movements without having to master every control input immediately.

Panorama modes, automatic exposure bracketing and RAW photography provide additional creative flexibility for stills photographers.

Why the Fly More Combo Makes Sense

The basic Mini 4K package will get you flying, but the Fly More Combo is the version I would recommend.

It includes three Intelligent Flight Batteries in total, a two-way charging hub, a shoulder bag, additional propellers and other useful accessories.

Having several batteries changes the experience completely. Instead of travelling somewhere, flying for a short period and packing everything away, you can swap batteries and continue shooting.

The charging hub also keeps the batteries organised and charges them sequentially. The supplied bag is compact but large enough to carry the aircraft, controller, charging hub, batteries, cables and spares as a single kit.

For anyone planning to use the Mini 4K regularly, the Fly More Combo offers considerably better practicality than buying the drone alone.

DJI Mini 4K Fly More Combo Review: Proper 4K Drone Flying on a Sensible Budget
DJI Mini 4K Fly More Combo Review: Proper 4K Drone Flying on a Sensible Budget

The Importance of Being Under 250g in the UK

The Mini 4K’s sub-250g weight is one of its biggest attractions, particularly for UK pilots.

A drone below 250g can be flown in the A1 Open subcategory, allowing it to be operated closer to uninvolved people than heavier legacy drones. It can also be flown over individual uninvolved people, although pilots should minimise this wherever possible and must never fly over crowds.

That flexibility opens many more possibilities for recreational flying, travel photography and lower-risk commercial work. It makes spontaneous flying far more practical than it was with aircraft such as the Phantom, Inspire or original Mavic.

However, sub-250g does not mean rule-free.

Under the current UK rules, anyone flying a drone weighing 100g or more must hold a Flyer ID. Because the Mini 4K has a camera, its operator must also have an Operator ID and display that ID correctly on the aircraft. Pilots must remain below 120 metres, keep the drone in direct visual sight, avoid restricted airspace and respect other people’s privacy.

Anyone buying a Mini 4K should read the latest CAA Drone and Model Aircraft Code before flying.

What Is Missing?

The most obvious omission is obstacle avoidance.

The Mini 4K has downward sensing to help with positioning and landing, but it does not have forward, backward or omnidirectional obstacle detection. The pilot is responsible for watching for trees, cables, buildings and other hazards.

It also lacks advanced subject tracking and some of the intelligent camera features found on DJI’s more expensive Mini models.

Those limitations are entirely understandable at this price, but beginners should not mistake its stable hovering and automated modes for complete autonomy. It still needs to be flown carefully and responsibly.

Gadget Man Verdict

The DJI Mini 4K Fly More Combo is one of the easiest ways to begin taking aerial photography seriously without committing to an expensive professional drone system.

It combines a proper three-axis gimbal, sharp 4K video, RAW photography, reliable DJI flight controls and useful automated shooting modes in an aircraft weighing less than 250g.

Coming from the Phantom 3, Inspire 1 and Mavic Pro Platinum, I am genuinely impressed by how much capability DJI has compressed into such a small package. Those larger drones still have their strengths, but the Mini 4K is far easier to carry, quicker to deploy and much less intimidating to use.

Most importantly, it opens up the possibilities of drone flying on a sensible budget. You can put the entire Fly More kit into one small bag, take it on a walk or holiday and capture viewpoints that would once have required a far larger and more expensive aircraft.

For newcomers, it is a superb introduction to proper camera drones. For experienced pilots, it is an affordable and highly portable aircraft that can be kept ready for occasions when carrying a full-size drone simply is not practical.

The lack of obstacle avoidance means you need to fly with care, but viewed as an entry-level 4K camera drone rather than a stripped-down professional model, the DJI Mini 4K Fly More Combo is extremely easy to recommend.

Gadget Man Rating: 9/10

Positives

  • Genuine 4K video recording
  • Smooth three-axis mechanical gimbal
  • Less than 250g
  • Compact and easy to carry
  • Three batteries in the Fly More Combo
  • RAW photography and panorama modes
  • Familiar and reliable DJI flight experience
  • Excellent value for new and returning pilots

Considerations

  • No forward or omnidirectional obstacle avoidance
  • No advanced subject tracking
  • Smaller camera sensor than premium DJI Mini models
  • Flyer ID and Operator ID are still required in the UK

The DJI Mini 4k was available from Amazon at time of review

2025, Drones, Electric Vehicles, EV, Flying Vehicles, Gadget Man, Star Wars Day, Technology, The Gadget Man

UPDATED – Volonaut’s Real-Life Speeder Bike Set To Take Flight on Star Wars Day! Video attached!!!

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If you ever dreamed of flying through the trees of Endor like an Imperial Scout Trooper, that dream just took a huge leap toward reality.

On May 1st, 2025, Volonaut officially unveiled their jaw-dropping personal flight machine: the Airbike. Described as a cross between a superbike and a starfighter, the Airbike is a jet-propelled, single-seat hoverbike that looks like it’s been ripped straight out of a sci-fi film—specifically, Star Wars.

Here’s the video below!!

This groundbreaking vehicle is the brainchild of Tomasz Patan, the visionary engineer behind the Jetson ONE. The Airbike, however, ditches propellers in favour of compact jet engines, creating a safer, sleeker, and incredibly futuristic flying experience. It’s built using carbon fibre and 3D-printed parts, making it exceptionally light—seven times lighter than a conventional motorcycle. With speeds topping 200 km/h, it’s no surprise the internet has lit up with excitement.

But Volonaut didn’t stop at just launching a revolutionary vehicle. They’ve timed their big reveal to coincide with the biggest unofficial sci-fi holiday of them all: Star Wars Day.

Over the past few days, Volonaut has been teasing a special video drop scheduled for Sunday, May 4th—Star Wars Day—with a tantalising image of a rider dressed in full Imperial Scout Trooper gear standing next to the Airbike. The promise? A recreation of the unforgettable speeder bike chase from Return of the Jedi, shot through dense woodland, but this time with a real flying machine.

It’s not every day that technology catches up with our childhood imagination, but this might just be one of those times. As a long-time lover of gadgets, sci-fi, and anything that pushes boundaries, I’ll be watching this premiere with popcorn in hand and a big grin on my face.

Video Credit: YouTube / Volonaut

Star Wars Scout Trooper crounching next to the Volonaut Airbike ready for Star Wars Day on May the Forth
Star Wars Scout Trooper crounching next to the Volonaut Airbike ready for Star Wars Day on May the Forth – Image Credit: LinkedIn / Volonaut

May the 4th be with us!

Drones, Helpful Articles, Helpful Guides

What Not To Do When You’re Flying Your Drone

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Drones have been around for some time now so chances are you may have one already. But if not and you’re considering buying a drone for yourself in the near future, it is worth knowing what you shouldn’t do when taking your drone out for a spin. We will list some of these ‘don’ts’ here, although it’s worth noting that they still apply to you if you already have a drone in your possession.

Here’s what not to do when flying your drone!

#1: Don’t spy on your neighbours

Drones have many practical applications, especially when they have a camera affixed to them. However, this doesn’t give you a license to spy on your neighbours. Whether you have reason to or not, you will be impinging on their privacy and if spotted, you could face legal ramifications if the police get involved. There are also safety risks to consider, as you may inadvertently hit your neighbour with your drone if you pilot it incorrectly. Again, there may be legal consequences, so it’s better to fly your drone in private areas. 

#2: Don’t fly your drone near airspace

Your drone is unlikely to bring down an aircraft but it’s still illegal to fly it near airspace. As you have probably seen on the news, it can also be an inconvenience, as some flights have been grounded while drone sightings have been investigated. Would you want to be the next news item to be discussed on television? We are guessing not as you would have a lot of people to answer to! As with the previous point, it is important to be responsible. Take note of the legal advice here and stay out of any potential trouble. 

#3: Don’t lose sight of your drone

It’s important to keep a close eye on your drone, even if it does have a camera attached, as you need to keep both the drone and nearby people and buildings safe from harm. While it’s possible to get your drone repaired if an accident occurs, perhaps via these DJI drone repair services, life becomes more complicated if you cause damage to property or another person.

#4: Don’t fly your drone in crowded areas

The primary reason for this is as we have discussed already. You could cause injury to another, especially if there is a sudden gust of wind that sends your drone off course. It might also plummet to the ground if the batteries fail. In both circumstances, you could hurt a member of the public. However, there is another reason not to fly your drone in crowded areas, and that is theft. This is is less of an issue if your drone is well above head height but if it does fly down at a lower level, for whatever reason, somebody could get their hands on the drone and take it. 

Drones are a lot of fun and there are practical advantages too. However, as we have discussed here, care does need to be taken. So, take heed of our advice and protect your drone, yourself, and the well-being of others.

DJI, Drones, Technology, The Gadget Man

A Beginner’s Guide To Getting Into Drones

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They are fascinating, impressive, and downright cool, which is enough for some gadget fanatics to want to devote plenty of manhours to getting to grips with them. However, given their expense and the fact that a novice handling could quite easily end up in disaster, it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that some beginners are a little apprehensive about diving headfirst into the world of drones.

Here, we’re going to look at what you, as a beginner, need to know about drones, how to choose the best one for your needs, and how to make sure that you can actually fly the thing without a catastrophe following in your wake.

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Know what you want to use it for

Before you dedicate your life over the next few months to knowing anything and everything drone-related, it’s a good idea to get to know why you want to buy and fly one in the first place. There are plenty of people who want one just for the experience of flying a drone, which is perfectly fine in and of itself, but those who might want a drone for the sake of photography might have different needs (such as good camera stabilization features.) There are more practical uses for drones as well to consider, some of which might even have commercial benefits.

Choose the drone that best suits your needs

Now that you hopefully have a better idea of what, precisely, you are going to be using your drone for, it’s now time to choose the drone that suits those needs. Websites like DrDrone.ca offer thorough guides on which drones are best suited for different kinds of usage. Some are better suited to beginners who are just learning to fly, while others have specific applications. Even for those specific applications, such as buying a drone that is focused on photography, there is a wide variety so take your time in perusing the market.

Know whether you’re going to have to assemble your drone

This is a big stumbling block for a lot of people who buy a drone and expect that they are going to be able to fly it as soon as they take it out of the box. This type of drone does exist, they are called RTF drones (or Ready to Fly drones). The other type is called “DIY” typically, which means that you’re going to have to assemble it when you open it. If you feel confident you can put it together just fine, that’s a-okay, just make sure you know which you are getting.

Do you need a license?

The answer to this question will depend largely on where you live. In some countries, the recreational use of drones might not require any kind of license or ID. However, in the vast majority of English speaking countries, if you have any intentions to use your drones for commercial purposes, you’re going to need some form of license  However, it is crucial to do your research and learn your local drone license needs and laws, rather than relying on this tip for a definitive answer. Drone-traveller.com offers an in-depth look at national drone laws in a variety of countries.

Get some training

Rather than trying to master the art of flying a drone all by yourself, it might be worth taking the time to look into those that can show the ropes. When it comes to earning a license in the countries and states that require it, it may be essential that you have some formal training, and there are plenty of teams like Uavcoach.com that can help give you all kinds of drone flying courses, for more general use as well as specific practical applications, depending on your needs.

Know what accessories you might need

Plenty of drones come out of the box with a range of helpful accessories, but you will often find that you need a little extra just to make sure that you’re covered in any eventuality. Some spare drone parts such as additional rotors or props are always a good idea to have on hand. Keeping a backup flight battery is usually a good idea as well, as well as having a portable charger so you can stay flying for longer.

With the tips above, hopefully, you should feel confident that getting into drone flying need not be all that much of a fuss. With the right choice of machine, a little practice, and a few solid tips in mind, you should be flying with the best of them.

Drones, Gadget Man, Technology, The Gadget Man

What Practical Applications Does a Drone Have?

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Drones are becoming increasingly popular for their ability to capture footage with spectacular views. However, most people don’t really have a practical use for a drone outside of just being a hobby that allows them to take cool footage and potentially spy on their neighbours. So to help you understand drones a bit better, we’ve put together a list of practical uses for drones in the modern-day.

Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/H5IXIH254AU (CC0)
Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/H5IXIH254AU (CC0)

Drones can be used to monitor large plots of land

Drones are starting to be used for surveillance purposes. For instance, farmers can use a drone with a camera attachment to inspect livestock that is spread over many acres of land instead of driving around to check on them. Similarly, private companies can use drones to monitor large and complex buildings, especially if they have connections such as pipelines that need to be monitored. Lastly, firefighters can also use drones to track wildfires so they know where to position themselves to help cull the flames.

Drones can be used to survey sites

If you’ve ever been involved in a building project then you’ll understand the important role that drone services can play. Professional services can help you survey buildings, structures and roofs for a variety of different purposes. In most situations, the drone footage can be used to perform inspections, but it can also be used to plan out a building or the placement of structures. Since drones can go fairly high and capture a wide-angle view of a specific area, it gives construction specialists an amazing view of the area that they can work with.

Drones are often used to record footage for different industries

High-quality cameras can easily be attached to drones these days, making them very capable machines that can capture footage from many different heights. This can be used for film purposes, such as capturing overhead footage of a filming location. It can also be used to showcase the area around a property that is being sold on the real estate market. This type of stock footage can also be sold and bought depending on the purpose it’s intended for. Some imagery from drones is highly sought after, such as sweeping overheard recordings of specific cities and night footage of iconic skylines. Drones can help us capture some amazing footage and it’s changed the video service industry in many positive ways.

Drones can just be used for fun

Like many new technologies, you don’t have to just focus on practical or professional uses. You could just own a drone and use it for fun! This can include racing drones with your friends, building an obstacle course or even just flying them around because you like the views that it can capture. There’s nothing wrong with using a drone for recreational purposes and there’s no limit to the things you can do with it–the limit is your imagination! Check out this article for cool things you can do with a drone to get some inspiration.

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Recent Drone Footage – featuring Copdock Interchange Timelapse

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Drones

3 Uses Of Drones We Can Expect To See Soon

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Drones are a technology which have been gaining a lot of traction in the media over the past few years, for good and bad reasons. There is a lot of controversy around drone use, and as they become cheaper and cheaper and more commercially available, so too do they become more of an intrigue from people around the globe. As well as personal uses, there are many infrastructure and business uses for drones, and it looks as if there are going to be many more in the future too. In this article, we are going to discuss some of the uses of drones which we can expect to see some time soon, which might well change many aspects about our world overnight.

Delivery

In some places, companies like Amazon have already started using drone to deliver goods to people’s’ homes and places of work. The main benefit of this is, of course, the incredible speed of delivery, and what they are hoping for is that one day soon they will be able to have one day delivery on almost all items, or at least smaller items which you might have delivered. This is certainly exciting, although many people are worried about the prospect of Amazon drones flying around everywhere. In order to get to grips with some of the concerns, take a look at this article on what you need to know about flying drones: you will see that there are many considerations that need to be considered.

Defense

In many respects, the army is already using drones, and has been for longer than we have known about them commercially. But increasingly, they are using smaller lightweight drones to enforce our home security, and that is a relatively recent trend which is nonetheless going to continue in an upward trajectory for sure. Defending airports is a good example, and these days one of the main things that they are defending against is other drones. This kind of usage of drones is clearly very important, and it’s already the case that when you catch a plane you are being defended by drones without knowing it.

Photography

While some events are already being photographed with the use of drones, again this is something that we can hope to develop more in the future, and it is likely that such technology will get better. Part of this will mean that the drones can get further away without breaking out, and that will encourage us to be able to find footage of far out places which would otherwise have been unreachable. This is not just exciting from a photography viewpoint, but also from a scientific discovery one. Who knows what kinds of things we might uncover just by making use of some great drone technology.

However we use them, one thing is for certain: drones are going to continue to be an important part of our lives, probably increasingly so.

DJI, Drones, Gadget Man, Live Stream, Matt Porter, Mobile, Technology, The Gadget Man, Video Review, YouTube

DJI Osmo Mobile 2 – Affordable High End Image Stabilisation on your Smartphone

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The Steadicam was launched more than 40 years ago and since then we have become accustomed to seeing smooth video at sporting events and in movies, most famously in the classic horror ‘The Shining’ with Jack Nicholson. This high-end equipment costs many thousands of pounds and thus keeps it well out the reach of hobbyists or home users.

Orwell Bridge Motion Timelapse

[videopress DDgL49av]

Over the past few years, the technology associated with expensive motion picture equipment has found its way into the consumer market, once heavy and cumbersome, the large motors needed to stabilise heavy camera equipment has now been replaced by tiny brushless motors powerful enough to steady our mobile phones.

DJI Osmo Mobile 2
DJI Osmo Mobile 2

As a commercial drone pilot, I have experienced DJI’s camera stabilising technology first hand using their drones which employ identical techniques to keep footage smooth in windy conditions, so I was excited to experience the DJI Osmo Mobile 2 Smartphone Stabiliser.

The Osmo Mobile 2 allows for the capture of extremely smooth footage using an Android or iPhone to capture the video itself. The mobile device is slotted into a rubber padded clamp, balanced manually using the adjuster on the Osmo. This initial adjustment means that the device doesn’t have to work as hard to stabilise the device and thus extends the life of the battery and motors when in use.

Orwell Bridge Motion Timelapse

[videopress ydNzMlH0]

DJI provides an app for both Android and iPhone to directly control the device via Bluetooth LE 4.0 and also includes a USB socket to allow you to charge your phone. DJI state up to a 15 battery life, so you should be able to comfortably use the device and maintain your phone battery life with plenty to spare.

After installing the device, you switch on the Osmo by long-pressing the button on the handle, the Gimbal springs into life, balances your mobile device and suddenly it appears to float in mid-air, silently holding your phone completely steady!

You can use the DJI GO app to take movies, photographs, panoramas and even Live Stream to Facebook, YouTube an more. The Osmo can be set to smoothly following your hand motion, removing judder whilst filming or can be set to maintain the position of the phone.

DJI Osmo Mobile Stabilised Video

[videopress xoVYLUjZ]

For more advanced uses, there is Timelapse, Hyperlapse and Motion Timelapse. All of these modes produce really impressive results, my favourite was Motion Timelapse which allowed me to take speeded up sunsets and even panoramic shots of large structures, by setting the start, middle and end points of the movie, choosing a lapse time and the number of frames, when you click Go, the camera very slowly pans and produces a smooth and stable sweeping timelapse video, it was very impressive. The standard tripod screw mount at the base of the Osmo allows you to attach it to a tripod, so no tired arms when producing your masterpiece.

At 485g, the Osmo Mobile 2 is very light but feels high quality in the hand, you do also have to take into account the weight of the device you are going to use. The Osmo is comfortable stabilising anything from the size of an iPhone SE to an iPhone 7s, but check your phone is compatible before purchasing, especially with an Android device.

DJI Osmo Mobile 2
DJI Osmo Mobile 2

This is the second iteration of the Osmo Mobile and DJI have successfully brought down the cost of the original model without forsaking built quality and features. If you are a budding ‘vlogger’ or like taking footage of family and friends, this may be the gadget for you. There is even a ‘Selfie Mode’ with and object tracking to keep you all in the picture wherever you might be!

At £129, the DJI Osmo Mobile 2 is good value for money, has great battery life and the features are great too. I loved it!

The Gadget Man

www.thegadgetman.org.uk

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