DJI Mavic Dual Remote Controller Mode

A few weeks ago DJI released a new feature called Dual Remote Controller Mode. This allows you to use two remotes to control the drone although the master controller has priority and can override the secondary (also known as slave) controller inputs. This is ideal for training scenarios where a new pilot can fly the Mavic while having a more experienced pilot on hand to quickly take over control. Alternatively, you can have one person piloting the aircraft and another operating the camera and gimbal. We took it for a test fly to see how well it works and what it's limitations are. https://youtu.be/_Whl-Tn9hgU

Who Is This Feature For?

The dual remote controller mode can be used for several reasons.

1. Trainer and Trainee - teaching a new pilot to fly
2. Pilot and Camera Operator - one person to fly the Mavic and another to operate the camera settings and tilt control.

Setting Up Dual Controller Mode

Assuming you already have your original controller bound with your Mavic, take the second controller and bind it to the Mavic as you would normally (with the difference being you must select 'Secondary Remote Controller' before the binding procedure starts). If you don't know how to do this already, follow these instructions.

1. Turn on the Mavic and the controller.
2. In the DJI Go App, go into the Settings > Remote Controller Settings > Linking Remote Controller.
3. Then tap 'Secondary Remote Controller'.
4. This will then bring up a window giving you 60 seconds to press the bind button on the aircraft as seen below. Once it's bound, the countdown will close and the controller will be bound. You should now have a live feed and control as usual.

How It Works

The primary pilots stick inputs and gimbal movements will automatically override any inputs made by the secondary controller. Once the primary pilot lets go of the sticks, there is a 1 second delay before the secondary controllers inputs are accepted again.

Control Limitations

The secondary controller has full access to all of the controls and features that the primary remote has access too (including flight modes, camera settings, aircraft settings, sense and avoid settings etc.). In the situation of using the dual remote mode for flight training purposes, this may actually be a slight cause for concern as the trainee can change any setting he likes without the primary controller having to grant permission. In the pilot and camera operator situation, the camera operator has full access to camera settings but due to the design of the gimbal, he/she will only have access to the tilt movement of the camera.

Final Thoughts

I like it. It's easy to setup and it works flawlessly. I can see this being a popular way for nervous new flyers to feel more comfortable on their first flights knowing that a more experienced pilot can take over at any point. As for using it to camera operate, it's ok. You'll undoubtedly get betters shots with a 2 person operation but it's a shame that its hardware limited to only have tilt control. Although its pan axis range is limited, it would be nice to have some control of the pan axis. If this is a feature you'd find useful, the secondary Mavic controller will be shortly available from our webstore.