mavic 2 pro controller overview sm

Controller Overview – DJI Mavic 2 Pro & Zoom

While the Mavic 2 Pro controller remains similar to the original Mavic Pro controller, DJI made a few changes and adjustments to make this controller even better. Watch our 7 minute video below to lean what is new, what all the control sticks, buttons, and dials on the controller do, and see examples of the controls being used.

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If you don’t have time to watch the video, here’s some quick facts about the controller, and a full rundown of all the controls and their functions:

Quick Facts

  • Range: 4.3 miles with DJI OcuSync
  • Charge Time: 1h 30m
  • Included Cables:
    • Micro USB for charging (built-into AC power adapter)
    • Micro USB to Lightning connector for iPhones
    • Micro USB to USB-C connector for newer Android phones
    • Micro USB to Micro USB connector for older Android phones
  • Battery: 3,950 mAh

Key Differences From The Original Mavic Pro Controller

mavic pro controller comparison

The Mavic 2 Pro controller from DJI retains many of the same features and functionality as the original Mavic Pro controller. However, there are some key differences and improvements you should know about:

  1. RC Connector Cable Improvements – DJI now includes braided cables for connecting your phone to the controller. Previously these were flat cables and more susceptible to breaking or getting damages. Replacement connector cables are $10 from DJI’s website.
  2. New Flight Mode Switch – The Mavic 2 Pro controller introduces a new flight mode on the flight mode switch located on the right side of the controller. Previously, with the Mavic Pro, the only options were positioning mode (P) and sport mode (S). Now, with the Mavic 2 Pro, DJI added a dedicated option for tripod mode (T). DJI also improved the size and texture of the switch to make it easier to use.
  3. Removable Control Sticks – The control sticks on the Mavic 2 Pro controller can now be unscrewed and stored in special slots at the bottom of the controller. This gives the controller a slimmer profile and makes it easier to pack while traveling. Unfortunately, it also means the control sticks are easier to lose! We recommend leaving your control sticks in stalled so you are less likely to lose them.
  4. Improved Mobile Device Clamps – The new mobile device clamps on the Mavic 2 Pro controller include thoughtful cutouts to make accessing your home button or FaceID unlock sensors easier
  5. Longer Battery Life – The Mavic 2 Pro got upgrade to an internal 3,950 mAh battery, up from the 2,970 mAh battery found in the original Mavic Pro controller.

Controls Overview

mavic 2 pro controller 3

 

1. Antennas – Maintain signal connectivity with your drone with a range of up to 4.3 miles with DJI OcuSync technology.

2. Return to Home (RTH) Button – Press and hold to have the Mavic 2 Pro automatically return to its home point. Press again to cancel return to home.

3. LCD Screen – Displays information while flying including altitude, distance away from controller, speed, and aircraft status.

4. Removable Control Sticks – Control sticks that can be unscrewed and removed for a slimmer profile while traveling. The control sticks can be stored in slots at the bottom of the controller.

mavic 2 pro controller 1

5. Flight Pause Button – Press at any time to immediately bring your aircraft to a stop and have it hover in place.

6. Control Sticks Storage Slot – Store your control sticks here for a slimmer profile while traveling with the DJI Mavic 2 Pro controller.

7. Mobile Device Clamps – Specially designed clamps to hold your smartphone in place while running the DJI Go 4 app.

mavic 2 pro controller 2

8. USB Port – Used to connect the controller to a compatible device running the DJI Go 4 app. Video is transmitted through this connection so you can see what the drone camera sees while flying.

9. 5D Button – This is a small, flat joystick used to control different settings:

Up – toggle camera between horizontal and vertical view

Down – toggle camera between horizontal and vertical view

Left – Decrease exposure value (make the image darker)

Right – Increase exposure value (make the image brighter)

Press Down – Bring up intelligent flight options within DJI Go 4 application

These settings can be changed and configured to your preferences within the DJI Go 4 application.

10. Flight Mode Switch – Switch between sport (S), positioning (P), and tripod (T) flight modes.

11. Power Button – Press once to check the battery level of the controller. Press once, then press and hold to turn on or turn off the controller.

12. C1 Button – Custom button 1, can be customized in the DJI Go 4 app. Default configuration is center focus.

 

mavic 2 pro controller 4

13. Gimbal Dial – Adjust the tilt of the camera.

14. Micro USB Port – Used to connect the controller to a compatible smartphone with an included cable for running DJI Go 4. Also used charge the controller via the AC power adapter.

15. Record Button – Press once to start recording. Press again to stop recording.

16. Focus/Shutter Button – Press half way to autofocus on the center of the image. Press fully to take a photo.

17. Aperture/Shutter Adjustment Dial (Mavic 2 Pro) – Turn to adjust the exposure compensation (when in Program mode), the aperture (when in Aperture Priority and Manual mode), or shutter speed (when in Shutter Priority mode).

17. Zoom Adjustment Dial (Mavic 2 Zoom) – Turn to adjust the focal length, or the zoom level, of the camera in the the Mavic 2 Zoom.

18. C2 Button – Custom button 2, can be customized in the DJI Go 4 app. The default configuration is playback.

Display Screen Overview

The DJI Mavic 2 Pro controller display screen contains valuable information which updates in real-time as you’re flying. Check out the 4 minute video below to learn what all of the different icons and numbers mean, and how they can help you while flying.

 




mavic 2 pro controller display screen

Display Overview

What each of the display items mean in order from left to right, top to bottom.

  • Flight speed – current speed of the drone regardless of direction
  • Flight Mode
    • GPS: Global Positioning System, super accurate location
    • ATTI: No GPS connection, Mavic relying on internal instruments and sensors to keep itself level
    • OPTI: Active if close enough to ground, Mavic uses downward facing visual sensors to hold its position and prevent itself from drifting (opti is short for optical)
  • GPS Signal Strength – connectivity strength between drone and orbiting satellites
  • Aircraft Battery Level – battery percentage of the drone
  • Remote Controller Signal strength – connection strength between controller and drone
  • RPM – rotations per minute of the propellers
  • System Status – messages displayed in middle of screen
    • Powering on
    • Powering off
    • Ready to fly
    • Returning Home
    • Other warnings
  • Remote Controller Battery Level – battery percentage of remote
  • Vision System Status – indicates wether or not vision system for forward obstacle avoidance is active
  • Camera Status – indicates wether or not the camera is recording
    • Helpful if you are flying with just the controller and not your phone
  • EV – Exposure Value, indicates if the image is properly exposed or not
  • Micro SD Card Indicator – displays whether or not there is a Micro SD card in the drone
    • If no Micro SD card this icon will blink
  • Sport Mode Indicator – indicates when in sport mode
  • Clearance – distance from the drone to the ground
  • Flight altitude – vertical distance from the point the Mavic took off
    • When flying up a hill, flight altitude will increase while clearance will remain more or less the same 
  • Ascent/Descent Indicator – indicates if drone is currently climbing or falling in elevation
    • More arrows means a faster ascent or descent speed
  • Flight Distance – distance from drone to Return to Home Point

 

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About the Author

Stetson Doggett

Stetson is an Ithaca College alum and a certified drone pilot. He has been flying the DJI Mavic Pro since it first came out and loves finding new ways to improve his aerial photo and video quality. Stetson is from Acton, Massachusetts, and when not in the air he enjoys playing board games, producing YouTube videos, and watching Stranger Things.