Hi, thanks for your comment. I used the prop guards once flying near branches but if you don't do this you not need them in my opinion. No, until now I have not crashed my drone by flying sideways (I only tried the auto modes once or twice). Before I used the phantom 4 pro, which has a better sensor and is capable to record 60 FpS in 4K, but is much much bigger to carry around, so I have sold it :-) For me the Mavic Air video quality is awesome enough :-)
Have fun outside! Spring is coming (at least in germany)