Since the first time flying the DJI Mini 3 Pro drone, I’ve missed a good quality leather neck strap for the DJI RC controller I’m using.
I really enjoy the DJI RC remote controller with its large built-in full HD screen. It is surprisingly light and the battery life lasts a generous amount of time. When I fly the drone using three batteries in a row, so about one hour and a half, I usually still have 2/3 of the DJI RC battery life left. Importantly, it’s also so much more convenient not to have to use your phone as the main display and attach it to a remote controller as we used on the Mavic Pro. That frees up your phone and just removed the faffing about and the risk to forget the cable at home etc…
When you fly a drone you often do it in places where the ground can be dirty, dusty, or wet..., whether in nature or an urban environment. You are regularly changing the drone’s battery or perhaps switching the ND filter to suit the conditions you are shooting in. I admit the battery life on the DJI Mini 3 Pro is really good at 30 minutes of real flight so you’re not changing the battery that often. But the f1.7 fixed aperture means that in some conditions and especially for video, you are changing ND filter constantly. I’m talking in particular about places like forests and woodland where the light changes all the time as it penetrates differently through the tree canopy. (watch my video “Reconnect”)
This can become a real challenge when you are in the wild in the middle of nowhere and also holding the remote controller. So you put your bag down, place both the drone and the DJI RC on the bag and all this becomes more complicated than needed as you also need to retrieve batteries or ND filters from within the bag.
With a neck strap to hold the DJI RC, you can hold the drone with one hand and search your bag with the other. Of course, I could place the drone on the ground. I prefer to avoid doing so as wet grass and dew can mess with the front of the lens, or it could be dust etc…
Another time when I feel a neck strap is key when flying a drone is when you are a one-man-band and film yourself. You want to act naturally and whilst the drone follows you in active track mode, holding the remote in your right hand is not a good look. Nor is it realistic to put it in your bag or pocket as you want to be able to regain control in case of a dodgy trajectory leading to a possible crash, something many of us are familiar with. Having the remote hanging around your neck allows you to walk more naturally and give that performance you always dreamed of.
So I started looking for a neck strap for the DJI Mini 3 Pro online but none appealed to me.
I decided to go semi-DIY/up-cycling. I modified slightly a beautiful leather camera strap I already owned and just searched for the right M4 screws for the DJI RC.
Here’s a link (I am not affiliated in any way) if any of you have been searching for the right screws: SCREWS FOR THE DJI RC CONTROLLER NECK STRAP
Be careful though, as they are a little too long, about 3-4mm. If you leave them as they are and screw them too tight, you may damage your RC. Instead, I cut 3mm off each with a hacksaw and it did the trick.
I will add rubber washers eventually but it’s not necessary, just don’t screw the bolts like a maniac and they’ll stay put as you will have the strap attached which will stop them unscrewing.
The leather neck strap I use is from my favourite British manufacturer of leather camera straps: Hawkesmill. I highly recommend you visit their website if you’re into leather goods (bags, straps) for your camera and/or drone.
That’s about it. Probably a little more work than many will want, I understand some people just want an easy solution, just out of the box. I enjoy a little DIY or problem solving and this has indeed solved the problem I had.
I can now carry my DJI RC using a comfortable (and stylish) leather neck strap which I know won’t let me down since I put it together myself using quality parts.
Until next time.
Nico