The Gateway Drone: How the Mini 3 Hooked Me (and Will Probably Hook You Too)
Hi, my name is Ryan, and I have a problem.
Zero days since my last relapse.
It all started with one little piece of plastic — the DJI Mini 3. The gateway drone. The first beer. The slippery slope into a garage full of cases, ND filters, and a growing collection of awkward conversations with my wife.
If you’re reading this because you’re thinking, “Maybe I’ll just get a cheap little drone to try it out” — stop. Save yourself. This is your intervention. Nobody stops at one.
The First Beer: My Mini 3 Origin Story
The Mini 3 is under 250 grams, which means in Canada it slides under the licensing radar. No tests, no advanced certificate, no bureaucracy. Just charge the batteries, toss it in the air, and boom — you’re suddenly a “drone pilot.”
That’s what got me. It looked harmless. Cute, even. A little flying GoPro that fits in a jacket pocket. DJI markets it like it’s the gateway to fun family memories: beaches, road trips, backyard BBQs. And yeah, it can do all that.
But here’s the thing: once you’ve had a taste of that perspective, the hook is set.
At first I told myself, “I’ll just film a couple sunsets, maybe grab a few overhead shots of the Westshore for fun.” Then suddenly I’m waking up at stupid o’clock to film Esquimalt Lagoon at sunrise, telling myself it’s “for practice.” That’s like saying you’re just “researching” bourbon by drinking half the bottle.
The Slippery Slope
The Mini 3 is good — but it’s also just good enough to make you crave more.
Wind picks up? Suddenly you’re watching it wobble like a drunk flamingo.
Low light? Grainy footage that screams “amateur.”
Clients? Forget it — nobody’s impressed when you pull out the “starter drone” for a paid shoot.
And that’s when you start scrolling forums, lurking on DJI rumor accounts, bingeing YouTube reviews at 2 a.m. The cycle is the same: “I don’t really need the upgrade… but man, that Air 3S dual camera setup looks sharp.”
This is how it happens. This is how you end up with a drone nickname spreadsheet and a budget spreadsheet that don’t line up.
DJI: The Friendly Neighborhood Dealer
I swear DJI has studied addiction psychology.
First, they give you the Mini series. No license required. Easy. Cheap.
Then they dangle the Air line in front of you: bigger sensors, longer flights, sexy omnidirectional obstacle sensing.
And once you’re hooked? They casually drop the Mavic 4 Pro with a Hasselblad that makes your Mini footage look like it was shot on a potato.
The Mini 3 was my first taste. The Air 3S — my latest relapse. I even gave it a nickname: Lord of the Wings. It’s sitting on my desk right now, smelling like a big credit card bill.
Do I regret it? Absolutely not. Am I in too deep? Definitely.
The Mini 3’s Place in the Story
To be clear — the Mini 3 still has a role. It’s my “backup goalie.” When the Air 3S is on the ice, the Mini 3 is riding the pine, waiting for its moment.
And honestly, it’s still a killer choice for new pilots. Portable. Legal everywhere. Great for casual shots and tight spaces. It’s the gateway drone for a reason.
But like the first beer, it’s rarely the last one.
So You’re Thinking of Buying a Drone…
Here’s my honest, unapologetic take:
If you just want to dabble: Sure, grab a Mini 3 or Mini 4 Pro. You’ll love it. Just don’t kid yourself — it won’t stop there.
If you’re eyeing bigger gigs (construction, hospitality, conservation): Skip the gateway. Go Air 3S or higher. You’ll thank yourself later when your footage actually looks pro.
If you’re telling yourself you’ll be “disciplined”: Good luck. I said the same thing. Now I run a business called Vancouver Island Drones and my YouTube channel is half therapy session, half relapse confessional.
Closing Confession
So yeah, the Mini 3 isn’t the best drone. But it’s the gateway. The first beer. And nobody stops at one.
If you’re reading this because you “just want to get into drones casually,” I’ll save you the suspense: see you in a year with a heavier backpack and a lighter wallet.
Want to start your own relapse? Check out the gear page:
👉 Vancouver Island Drones – Drone Gear https://vancouverislanddrones.ca/drone-gear
