So ive been going back and forth on this for like two weeks now and i cant decide. I mostly fly on weekends, some hiking trips, occasional family stuff. Nothing professional. My budget can stretch to the Air 3 but i'd have to skip the fly more combo and just get the base kit which kind of defeats the purpose.

The Mini 3 Pro with the fly more combo comes out cheaper and id have the extra batteries which honestly matters more to me than slightly better video specs i probably wont notice anyway. But then everyone keeps saying the Air 3 is just a better drone and ill regret not getting it... i dont know. Anyone been in this situation or made the switch either way?

Honestly for what you're describing the Mini 3 Pro is totally fine. I had one for about eight months before upgrading and the only reason I went Air 3 was because I started doing some paid shoots and needed the dual camera system. For hiking and family stuff you're not gonna be sitting there wishing you had slightly better dynamic range. The omnidirectional obstacle avoidance on the Air 3 is genuinely better but again ? weekend hobbyist on trails, you'll live without it. Get the fly more combo with the Mini, having three batteries in the bag changes your whole day out.

i went Air 3 base kit and kinda wish i had more batteries ngl. been flying with just the one and it runs out faster than you'd think especially in cold weather. the drone itself is great but yeah the combo thing is real