Some of you might have discovered that there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the new DJI Mini 4 Pro drone. The drone originally shipped with a 120 metre altitude restriction (above takeoff point) in the EU. DJI addressed this with a software update, allowing you to fly higher, only to revert that decision again with a new firmware update on Monday. This new firmware allows you to permanently override the altitude restriction – with a big caveat. While mini drones (class C0) have looked very appealing thus far, I feel they are not worth your money with the new regulations just around the corner. What is going on and why is this happening now? Let’s find out!
If you own my drone photography e-book, you will be glad to know I have updated my drone photography e-book to add a short text about the change in regulation from January 1st 2024 onwards in the EU.
Disclaimer: This article is not sponsored in any way. However, when you make a purchase using the link in this article, I may earn a small commission. All opinions in this article are my own. If you (dis)agree, I invite you to open a discussion in the comment section.
The quality you can get from the DJI Mini drones in their small package, such as the DJI Mini 3 Pro & DJI Mini 4 Pro, has always been the selling point of the smaller drones.
2024 Brings New EU Regulations
As of January 1st 2024, new drone regulations will come in effect in the EU and some EEA states such as Iceland & Liechtenstein. These new rules are quite complicated and sometimes exceptionally confusing. One of those new rules states that all drones sold from January 1st 2024 onwards need to have classification labels, unless they were sold or on the market before that date. All sub 250 gram drones, such as the DJI Mini 4 Pro will therefore need to have a C0 label. The DJI Mini 4 Pro already has this certification when you purchase one today.
The law has a curious difference between the technical requirements for manufacturer’s and drone operators when it comes to this classification of drones. Manufacturers are not allowed to sell class C0 drones that are able to fly higher than 120 metres above the takeoff point, while the law for drone operators state that they can fly up to 120 metres above the ground level. These two rules are very different, especially for people who intend to fly their drones in uneven terrain such as in the mountains where you will easily need to exceed that 120 metres above the takeoff point. This new regulation means that from January 1st on, all the cheaper, sub 250 gram, C0 drones will not be able to go above 120 metres in altitude above the takeoff point. This is a really strange development as it means that you will be more restricted than the law actually dictates you should be.
The DJI Mini 4 Pro has been surrounded by a lot of controversy ever since it was launched earlier in October.
These are the class identification labels used in the European Union. They can already be found on some newer drones such as the DJI Mavic 3 Classic, DJI Mavic 3 Pro, DJI Air 3 and DJI Mini 4 Pro.
Can I Unlock The 120 Metre Altitude Restriction On DJI Mini 4 Pro (& Should I)?
Every sub 250 gram drone which was sold before January 1st 2024 is sort of in a grey area. While the DJI Mini 4 Pro ships with a C0 label, and therefore the 120 metre height restriction, will be able to have its label removed with the latest firmware update. Every DJI Mini 4 Pro sold after January 1st, will not have that ability. It’s important to note that this limitation applies to every DJI Mini 4 Pro sold worldwide. For example: if you are from the US and want to fly your drone in Europe, you will be met with the same limitations.
Last Monday, DJI released a new firmware update for the DJI Mini 4 Pro which adds the ability to remove the label from your drone. This means your drone will be seen as a “legacy” drone in the regulations. Declassifying your drone can be done as follows:
- Update your drone to the latest firmware.
- Go to the Safety tab in the settings, where you will see a new button to request the removal of the height restriction.
- Remove the label from the bottom of the drone.
- Take photographs which show the label was removed, together with the serial number.
- Upload the photographs to the DJI website to get your drone unlocked.
The removal of the C0 label will only be possible for DJI Mini 4 Pro’s sold before January 1st 2024!
Now, the big question is whether or not you should remove the label. In my opinion, I think you should if you already own such a drone. The biggest issue is that your drone because virtually useless in mountainous areas. For example, when flying in Iceland, I can rarely make use of the 120 metres altitude I get from the takeoff point because you are often surrounded by mountains.
Another important thing to note is that this change to the firmware will be pushed out to all sub 250 gram drones DJI has sold in the coming weeks. This means that if you own a DJI Mini, DJI Mini 2, DJI Mini 3 or DJI Mini 3 Pro, you should probably not update your firmware again. It’s unlikely more new features will be pushed out to your drone, in which case there is no real benefit to updating. If you update, a C0 label will be provided to you by DJI.
The upsides of owning a sub 250 gram drone are decreasing from January 1st 2024, which makes me wonder why anyone would still go down that path. Certification isn’t difficult, or expensive, and grants you many more positives.
Investing In A C0 Drone Is Probably Not A Good Idea
After January 1st 2024, should you still invest in a C0 drone such as the DJI Mini 4 Pro? I don’t believe so. While the appeal might seem big due to the fact you don’t have to register your drone or get a certification, the height restriction is too big of a limitation in pretty much all of my use cases.
Purchasing a bigger drone, such as the DJI Air 3, is not that much more of an investment while you are not stuck with an altitude limitation. On top of that, you get much better battery life, better wind resistance and an additional lens. Yes, you will need to get certified. However, this training is very easy and isn’t costly at all while you get many benefits from it.
Conclusion
From January 1st 2024, the appeal of the cheaper, smaller and more convenient sub 250 gram drones will disappear. Either you purchase a DJI Mini 3 Pro or DJI Mini 4 Pro today and get it declassified, in which case you will also need certification, or you buy a bigger drone. Certification isn’t complicated or difficult and will pay off in the long run anyway.
If you’re still in doubt on which drone to purchase, make sure to check out my drone buyer’s guide for 2023 & 2024.
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Thank you for considering!
Daniel Mountford again,
apologies one more question, if there are drones on a site say like ebay that were purchased before the first of JAN 2024. Will they still have the restriction? Maybe it applies once starting up the drone?
Many thanks again,
Hi Jeroen,
Great article, glad I came across it. If I bought the DJI mini 4 pro today from either amazon or DKI themselves, is it simple to remove the 120m restriction and get it declassified and go above that range. I know you’ve mentioned it here, but have you done it and is it simple and anyone can do it?
Many thanks,
Hi, I was thinking about getting the DJI mini 4 pro but after I looked at your article I’m debating if I should get it or not. I live in the US and not planning to take it out of the country at all. Will it still be worth it to get the mini 4 pro now? Also to my understanding, if you are flying the drone on a hill and reach max height, can I land the drone, turn it off, and turn it back on to fly back up and the limit will be gone because that’s where the drone took flight from? That’s all thank you!
Hi Spencer, thanks for reaching out! If you do not intend to fly in Europe and haven’t bought your drone in Europe, this height restriction does not apply. This is only applying to the drones that have a C0 label, which are only sold in Europe.
Hi Jeroen,
I live near the German alps, I’m i correct that I can’t have the drone follow me when hiking up biking up hill but it can follow me downhill?
Thanks.
The drone won’t go above 120 metres from wherever it took off so uphill it will stop at some point unless you land and take off again. I do not believe there are limitations to how far down it can go. It will just go down to negative altitude if it goes below the takeoff point.