Air 1 or 2 vs Mini 1, 2, or 3 vs Nexus 7 or 9

drewmaw · Feb 6, 2015

Which to get? And is the 16gb sufficient? Performance differences? I've read differing opinions about performance between mini 2 and mini 3, but cost differences are negligible. Clearly the Air 2 is the best via performance, but how does the mini compare?

Edit:
As the discussion has progressed, I figure this can be a discussion for all major tablet options.

rilot · Feb 6, 2015

Forget the Mini 3. Your choice should be between the Air 2 and the Mini 2. The only difference between the Mini 2 and the Mini 3 is the touch ID sensor. Internally they are identical.
16GB is fine but it depends on what you intend to do with it other than fly the Inspire.

drewmaw · Feb 7, 2015

rilot said:
Forget the Mini 3. Your choice should be between the Air 2 and the Mini 2. The only difference between the Mini 2 and the Mini 3 is the touch ID sensor. Internally they are identical.
16GB is fine but it depends on what you intend to do with it other than fly the Inspire.

The mini 2 is barely cheaper than the mini 3. Mini 3 is only $330 at my local Costco. Air 2 is about $440. Is there a performance difference? Is there a reason why you prefer mini 2 over mini 3?

Kilrah · Feb 7, 2015

The 2 normally sells for about $100 less than the 3 with the only difference being touch ID, that's it. If you can find the 3 at a good price then go for it.

drewmaw · Feb 7, 2015

Kilrah said:
The 2 normally sells for about $100 less than the 3 with the only difference being touch ID, that's it. If you can find the 3 at a good price then go for it.

what about Air1 vs Air2? any performance difference?

Tahoe Ed · Feb 7, 2015

You need the Air 2. The Air 1 processor is not up to the task. I have flown the inspire with both the Air 2 and the Mini 2. While I like the extra real estate of the Air 2 the difference in transportability tips the scales for me to the Mini 2.

blade strike · Feb 7, 2015

Ed,

I can barely notice the difference between the air / air 2. The air has the a7 cpu.

I know you know this, I think you need some rest. You have been working too hard. Give me a call later if you want.

@drewmaw

The air 2 is just a tad bit smoother than the air 1. The price difference is about $100. If your looking for a new pad I would probably just get the air 2, it has the new a8 and is tad more future proof. But I have seen deals pop up on for the air 1 on ebay for $299 with paypal discount. @ $140 savings it might be cool to just stick with the air 1.

Either one will out perform the shield.

rilot · Feb 8, 2015

Tahoe Ed said:
You need the Air 2. The Air 1 processor is not up to the task. I have flown the inspire with both the Air 2 and the Mini 2. While I like the extra real estate of the Air 2 the difference in transportability tips the scales for me to the Mini 2.

The Air 1 and Mini2 are the same processor. I don't see how you can think the Mini 2 is fine but eh Air 1 isn't. They are the same inside.

Air 1, Mini 2, and Mini 3 are all the same inside. Air 2 is much more powerful.

ArtAldrich · Feb 8, 2015

Tahoe Ed said:
While I like the extra real estate of the Air 2 the difference in transportability tips the scales for me to the Mini 2.

I agree with Ed. I bought a Air2 because my Air1 was not supported. After a week, I bought a Mini3 for the portability. 16GB Wifi.

millerrh · Feb 8, 2015

Does the Air/Air 2 fit in the tablet/phone holder easily? Or is it slightly too big, tipping the scale to the mini for easier use?

Tahoe Ed · Feb 8, 2015

rilot said:
The Air 1 and Mini2 are the same processor. I don't see how you can think the Mini 2 is fine but eh Air 1 isn't. They are the same inside.

Air 1, Mini 2, and Mini 3 are all the same inside. Air 2 is much more powerful.

I stand corrected and misspoke. My apologies. You need a A7 processor or above.

ArtAldrich · Feb 8, 2015

millerrh said:
Does the Air/Air 2 fit in the tablet/phone holder easily? Or is it slightly too big, tipping the scale to the mini for easier use?

The Air2 fits in the holder fine

For me, it was just a little too much for handholding the controller.

nick1606 · Feb 9, 2015

Forget apple! I used a iPad air 2 worked well.But they have a bad back light. I've been using a nexus 9 and its works amazing! Great back light and cheaper and you can get maps without WiFi! So pros: cheaper, good backlight (great for when outdoors), has the official app, can get maps without WiFi. Cons: smaller screen, a little heavier (but so small you can't even notice it) and that's really it.

RossF · Feb 9, 2015

I have an ipad Air 1 and it's been working fine so far...about 40 flights with it.

wincrasher · Feb 9, 2015

Unfortunately, I found out my ipad mini was not a version 2, but a 1. I thought it was when I bought it, so I guess I got screwed on that one. So I need a new device. I also want to use my Cinemizers. So I decided just to get a Shield. They are relatively cheap, and I can attach my goggles via it's external hdmi. I don't have much hopes for the iOS app being officially released. Disappointing that DJI and Apple can't work it out.

It's probably good to have an Android device around the house anyways. It would have been convenient if the Moverios would work with the DJI Pilot App. They are amazing to use with my Vision, but kinda a pain to configure/change anything.

FWIW, I did get the beta iOS app (v 0.9.2) to work just fine with my iPhone 6 Plus. The problem is, the remotes tablet holder is just too big for it, so you have to rig up some way for it to hold the phone.

jplayer · Feb 9, 2015

Ipad Air (1 - orginal)
.092
around 9 flights so far without 1 hiccup!!

Only reason I would consider a Air 2 would be for the anti-glare coating, but in all honesty I have no clue how good or if the coating even works?

acoll123 · Feb 9, 2015

wincrasher said:
Unfortunately, I found out my ipad mini was not a version 2, but a 1. I thought it was when I bought it, so I guess I got screwed on that one. So I need a new device. I also want to use my Cinemizers. So I decided just to get a Shield. They are relatively cheap, and I can attach my goggles via it's external hdmi. I don't have much hopes for the iOS app being officially released. Disappointing that DJI and Apple can't work it out.

It's probably good to have an Android device around the house anyways. It would have been convenient if the Moverios would work with the DJI Pilot App. They are amazing to use with my Vision, but kinda a pain to configure/change anything.

FWIW, I did get the beta iOS app (v 0.9.2) to work just fine with my iPhone 6 Plus. The problem is, the remotes tablet holder is just too big for it, so you have to rig up some way for it to hold the phone.

I use a 6 Plus on the remote. The holder has two little bracket arms that flip up to hold it securely - worked great. My wife got me an Air 2 for my birthday so now I use that. Also works great with the holder extended out to its full height and the extra screen size is very nice to have.

blade strike · Feb 9, 2015

jplayer said:
Ipad Air (1 - orginal)
.092
around 9 flights so far without 1 hiccup!!

Only reason I would consider a Air 2 would be for the anti-glare coating, but in all honesty I have no clue how good or if the coating even works?

TBH I couldn't tell the difference between the screens on my air 1 and air 2. Just like all tablets, they have tons of glare. Hoods are a must no matter what you pick.