Drones - General Discussion.

liamtimdusty

Planning on getting a phantom 4 in the near future.

Decided it might be a good idea for a general discussion thread to be started.
What are your experiences to date? - Good / Bad.

Would be interested in hearing from someone who is using them commercially for promo videos etc and the legalities that come with that.

tomstud12

I just bought my phantom 4 today and i just wanted to ask am i able to fly these at the beaches over water and stuff i know what the regulations are and registration but just wanted to ask or should i ask someone before i do or???

And this is where you register your drone right??

https://www.iaa.ie/general-aviation/drones/drone-registration

coolwings

You could take a look at www.maci.ie and check what their advice is for these small aircraft. Model aircraft fliers have experience of what really happens going back many decades.

I am personally extremely cautious about the idea of a mechanically vulnerable machine flying over other people, or their property. People sue to get money for themselves , either justifiably for damages caused to them cars children etc, or possibly alternatively just for greed. So public areas and model aircraft ..... not a prudent combination.

I understand that MACI were in negotiations with the IAA. And due to technological improvements in drones, and a tight control requirement emanating from the EU, it's in flux. The latest situation is probably on their website.

Shannon757

Hey guys, I got a phantom 3 advanced a few weeks ago and it worked fine. Then one day I went to fly it and when I opened the app all of got was "how to connect" rather than "camera" I couldn't get a it to connect after following the instructions in the manual. Any ideas?

Thanks
Shannon757

Kencollins

Shannon757,

I got this error on my Phantom 4 the other day. It turns out I had swiped left or right on the DJI GO app, and the wrong aircraft was selected. Does the app show the Phantom 3 advanced on the home screen or has it gone to something else?

Shannon757

Kencollins wrote: »

Shannon757,

I got this error on my Phantom 4 the other day. It turns out I had swiped left or right on the DJI GO app, and the wrong aircraft was selected. Does the app show the Phantom 3 advanced on the home screen or has it gone to something else?

When I open the app up it gives me the camera option for the inspire. Is this what you mean?

Vizzy

Shannon757 wrote: »

Hey guys, I got a phantom 3 advanced a few weeks ago and it worked fine. Then one day I went to fly it and when I opened the app all of got was "how to connect" rather than "camera" I couldn't get a it to connect after following the instructions in the manual. Any ideas?

Thanks
Shannon757

Turn off the receiver. Leave it a few secs and turn it on again. You will probably get a message on the phone "do you want DJI Go to be the default app" (or something similar). Press "Ok" and the phone should open up with the "Camera" screen.
You might have to disconnect the USB from the phone as well but it generally works every time.

Shannon757

Vizzy wrote: »

Turn off the receiver. Leave it a few secs and turn it on again. You will probably get a message on the phone "do you want DJI Go to be the default app" (or something similar). Press "Ok" and the phone should open up with the "Camera" screen.
You might have to disconnect the USB from the phone as well but it generally works every time.

I will try it when I get home. Thanks

Vizzy

Just tested my one again a few mins ago.

Turn on transmitter, then Drone, then connect the phone.

You should get the message "Open DJI Go when this USB accessory is connected?".

Tap "OK"

Hopefully you will get the "Camera" screen.
Tap "Camera" and you should be good to go.

Must admit that it is a bit fiddly getting the phone to connect up but it works first time about 90% of the time and with a bit of turning the various receiver,drone, on and off it works the rest of the time.

Shannon757

Vizzy wrote: »

Just tested my one again a few mins ago.

Turn on transmitter, then Drone, then connect the phone.

You should get the message "Open DJI Go when this USB accessory is connected?".

Tap "OK"

Hopefully you will get the "Camera" screen.
Tap "Camera" and you should be good to go.

Must admit that it is a bit fiddly getting the phone to connect up but it works first time about 90% of the time and with a bit of turning the various receiver,drone, on and off it works the rest of the time.

I've done that but am not getting a message

Vizzy

Shannon757 wrote: »

I've done that but am not getting a message

Maybe it is the way I have set up the DJI app (i.e. it doesn't automatically open, I have to prompt it by tapping OK).
Are you getting the "Camera" page for the Phantom 3 advanced or does it give you the camera page for the Mavic or the Inspire.
If you get the page for the Mavic or Inspire simply swipe the page and you will get one for the Advanced series ( Phantom 4 or 3 Standard/Advanced/Professional).
Select Phantom 3 Advanced and it should work.
Mine generally pairs with the Advanced 3 straight away but sometimes it takes one or two tries.

Shannon757

Vizzy wrote: »

Maybe it is the way I have set up the DJI app (i.e. it doesn't automatically open, I have to prompt it by tapping OK).
Are you getting the "Camera" page for the Phantom 3 advanced or does it give you the camera page for the Mavic or the Inspire.
If you get the page for the Mavic or Inspire simply swipe the page and you will get one for the Advanced series ( Phantom 4 or 3 Standard/Advanced/Professional).
Select Phantom 3 Advanced and it should work.
Mine generally pairs with the Advanced 3 straight away but sometimes it takes one or two tries.

What I have is the camera option for the Inspire but only How to connect for the phantoms

Vizzy

Shannon757 wrote: »

What I have is the camera option for the Inspire but only How to connect for the phantoms

Try this.

Leave everything switched on and just disconnect the lead from the phone then reconnect again.
If that doesn't work, turn off the transmitter and then switch it on again.

Shannon757

Vizzy wrote: »

Try this.

Leave everything switched on and just disconnect the lead from the phone then reconnect again.
If that doesn't work, turn off the transmitter and then switch it on again.

Will do

Shannon757

No its still the same

Vizzy

Shannon757 wrote: »

No its still the same

Last resort so - Uninstall DJI go and re-install it.

Shannon757

Vizzy wrote: »

Last resort so - Uninstall DJI go and re-install it.

I've tried that

Vizzy

I'm guessing that you bought the Phantom from Model Heli. Give them a ring in the morn and they should be able to talk you through it. I can PM you a number if you wish.

As I said it seems to be a bit fiddly but once it pairs correctly it seems to do it 90% or more of the time after that.

Shannon757

Vizzy wrote: »

I'm guessing that you bought the Phantom from Model Heli. Give them a ring in the morn and they should be able to talk you through it. I can PM you a number if you wish.

As I said it seems to be a bit fiddly but once it pairs correctly it seems to do it 90% or more of the time after that.

I bought it in Maplin actually. Would there be any point asking them for advice?

Vizzy

Shannon757 wrote: »

I bought it in Maplin actually. Would there be any point asking them for advice?

I'd give them a ring anyway or if they cant help the lads in Model Heli are very helpful.
They are just outside Ennis.

Shannon757

Vizzy wrote: »

I'd give them a ring anyway or if they cant help the lads in Model Heli are very helpful.
They are just outside Ennis.

Ennis isn't to far from me. Do they have a shop?

Vizzy

Shannon757 wrote: »

Ennis isn't to far from me. Do they have a shop?

They have a shop but it is at the back of a house in Inch village.
Seriously impressive set up. They have their own little airfield as well.
They sell heli's, planes, fuel etc etc.
If you go down, leave the credit card at home:D

I see from their site that they are closed until next Tuesday though.

If you are still in trouble tomorrow, PM me your number and I will give you a ring and we can muddle through it together.

Shannon757

Vizzy wrote: »

They have a shop but it is at the back of a house in Inch village.
Seriously impressive set up. They have their own little airfield as well.
They sell heli's, planes, fuel etc etc.
If you go down, leave the credit card at home:D

I see from their site that they are closed until next Tuesday though.

If you are still in trouble tomorrow, PM me your number and I will give you a ring and we can muddle through it together.

I'll see if I can get near Maplin tomorrow or over the weekend. I'm in no rush with it. I'm off school next week so might call down. Thanks for all your help Vizzy

Vizzy

Shannon757 wrote: »

I'll see if I can get near Maplin tomorrow or over the weekend. I'm in no rush with it. I'm off school next week so might call down. Thanks for all your help Vizzy

No bother, glad to help.

exaisle

The reason you're getting the Inspire page is that it's the default for DJIgo as the controller isn't connecting to the phone. Nobody has suggested rebooting your phone so try that first. (You should do that fairly regularly anyhow). It might be as simple as not having enough cache memory available....
The other reason you'll get the Inspire page is if the battery on the controller needs recharging...(excuse me for suggesting this but it happened to me once!)
If all fails, try installing DJIGO on a different phone and see if it works, then you can isolate the problem to either the controller or the phone. Try using a difference USB cable too...

You may also find this forum useful:
http://forum.dji.com/

Shannon757

exaisle wrote: »

The reason you're getting the Inspire page is that it's the default for DJIgo as the controller isn't connecting to the phone. Nobody has suggested rebooting your phone. (You should do that fairly regularly anyhow). It might be as simple as not having enough cache memory available....
The other reason you'll get the Inspire page is if the battery on the controller needs recharging...(excuse me for suggesting this but it happened to me once!)

I cleared the cache and no difference. Also the controller and drone are fully charged

exaisle

I've attached a link for the DJI forum....have a look there....

Shannon757

exaisle wrote: »

I've attached a link for the DJI forum....have a look there....

I don't see a link?

tedpan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzdVq8fqZyY

Short mess with my New Hubsan X501s. Not a gimble drone, but it has over a 1KM range, Follow Me, Return to home for 230e with a decent control setup

Kencollins

Shannon757 wrote: »

I don't see a link?

I may have a solution for you.

I had the exact same issue last night.

You need to format the SD card in your PC.

Mine was corrupt (even though it appeared fine). As soon as I did a quick format, put it in the drone and turned it on, it connected first time.

Ken

exaisle

Shannon757 wrote: »

I don't see a link?

There's a link in my earlier post.

Let us know if you got it sorted....

Shannon757

Kencollins wrote: »

I may have a solution for you.

I had the exact same issue last night.

You need to format the SD card in your PC.

Mine was corrupt (even though it appeared fine). As soon as I did a quick format, put it in the drone and turned it on, it connected first time.

Ken

How do you format the SSJ card? Do I just put it in the computer? I've had a family emergency do haven't had time to go to Maplin but will update you guys when I know what's going on

Kencollins

Shannon757 wrote: »

How do you format the SSJ card? Do I just put it in the computer? I've had a family emergency do haven't had time to go to Maplin but will update you guys when I know what's going on

Does your computer have a micro sd reader? If so, stick in the card. Go to my computer, right click on the sd card, and click format. Leave all the settings as they are, and hit format.

Are you in the Shannon area? I work there Monday to Friday so if you need help id be happy to help.

If you want to confirm if the sd card is the problem, just remove it from the drone while it's off. Turn on the drone and try to connect the dji go app. If it connects properly without the sd card inserted, then there is your answer!

Shannon757

Kencollins wrote: »

Does your computer have a micro sd reader? If so, stick in the card. Go to my computer, right click on the sd card, and click format. Leave all the settings as they are, and hit format.

Are you in the Shannon area? I work there Monday to Friday so if you need help id be happy to help.

If you want to confirm if the sd card is the problem, just remove it from the drone while it's off. Turn on the drone and try to connect the dji go app. If it connects properly without the sd card inserted, then there is your answer!

Hi Ken.

I'm not sure if it has a micro SD card reader. I will give that a go.

I'm not in the Shannon area. The username.was picked because of the airport.

Many thanks.
Shannon757

Dr.TV

@Shannon757
When you open up the DJI app and you have the phantom listed as your device, have you chosen the Phantom 3 advanced from the drop down list, instead of the Phantom 4? I know the Phantom 4 shows up as default.

Shannon757

Dr.TV wrote: »

@Shannon757
When you open up the DJI app and you have the phantom listed as your device, have you chosen the Phantom 3 advanced from the drop down list, instead of the Phantom 4? I know the Phantom 4 shows up as default.

Yes I have. It still only comes up "how to connect"

ozmo

* You don't need any sd card - so you could take it out - shouldnt make any difference though.

* I would check the cable - make sure you are not using one of those short charging cables with no data lines connected - just try a new cable.

* You can fly the drone without the phone attached - so take the props off and see if you can start the drone motors without phone (bring sticks together and down)
If you cannot do this - then the controller is not in sync with the drone - see manual on how to resync controller to drone.

If you can start the drone from the controller - then the phone,cable or one of the usb socket is likely faulty.

Shannon757

ozmo wrote: »

* You don't need any sd card - so you could take it out - shouldnt make any difference though.

* I would check the cable - make sure you are not using one of those short charging cables with no data lines connected - just try a new cable.

* You can fly the drone without the phone attached - so take the props off and see if you can start the drone motors without phone (bring sticks together and down)
If you cannot do this - then the controller is not in sync with the drone - see manual on how to resync controller to drone.

If you can start the drone from the controller - then the phone,cable or one of the usb socket is likely faulty.

I tried that and the drone starts. I'm using the cable that came with it. Would it be gone wrong already?

Shannon757

I've used all my cables and followed the steps each time and still only get "how to connect"

ozmo

Shannon757 wrote: »

I tried that and the drone starts. I'm using the cable that came with it. Would it be gone wrong already?

Ok so its doesnt seem like the drone... Its either the remote, the cable or the phone.
Next thing to try if its not the cable is another phone - if that doesnt work you maybe should try the dji help website - they have manned help forum there and they may need to replace your remote transmitter if they think its faulty.

Shannon757

ozmo wrote: »

Ok so its doesnt seem like the drone... Its either the remote, the cable or the phone.
Next thing to try if its not the cable is another phone - if that doesnt work you maybe should try the dji help website - they have manned help forum there and they may need to replace your remote transmitter if they think its faulty.

I'll try the phone but it'll be next week before I can get one. Would it still be worth bringing it into Maplin?

Fionn

the DJI go App, the RC or the craft itself might need to be updated!
I have a Phantom 3 Pro, didn't use it for a good while, then a job came up requiring aerial photography and i updated but eventually ran into the same problem! the RC wouldn't connect to the craft!
I kept updating until everything connected.

keep at it

Shannon757

Fionn wrote: »

the DJI go App, the RC or the craft itself might need to be updated!
I have a Phantom 3 Pro, didn't use it for a good while, then a job came up requiring aerial photography and i updated but eventually ran into the same problem! the RC wouldn't connect to the craft!
I kept updating until everything connected.

keep at it

How would I update the drone or the RC?

ozmo

Shannon757 wrote: »

How would I update the drone or the RC?

I wouldnt attempt this if it was working before... unlikely to help matters.

You should definitely talk to the guys at dji first - it may be a faulty remote - although more likely just misconfigured phone software - but either way - these are they best guys for you to sort it for you...

here -> http://www.dji.com/support/product/phantom-3-adv

Fionn

the RC and the craft might need to be re-binded, you'd need to do a bit of research for that!

All i can say is that updating solved my problem, then it hadn't been updated since I got it so i had to update it about four times or so. You'll eventually have to update it but I guess the advice to go to to DJI support is probably the best way forward at the moment.

ozmo

Fionn wrote: »

the RC and the craft might need to be re-binded,

He is saying that he can control the Aircraft ok from the remote- so the firmware and binding to aircraft seems all ok or he wouldnt be able start the motors

- the issue he says he has is the phone wont connect to the remote controller.

Which is sounds to me like a remote controller issue (damaged usb port or usb cable) or messed up dji go application on the phone.

Fionn

ah i get you!

So many variables eh?

ozmo

Fionn wrote: »

ah i get you!

So many variables eh?

Yeah - so much can go wrong - The first thing Support will ask him to do will probably to update the firmware.. but as he had to ask how to do it - I think its best done under their guidance. There are plenty of tales of messing up the range and even bricking the P3's while updating the firmware.

eg. This thread (link) of horrors

Vizzy

I'd still be leaning towards a "faulty" DJI app.
Maybe, uninstall it and reinstall it again. It might take a couple of tries.

If not this, then a faulty cable would be my next option.
Try using the cable to download something to your computer(photos or something). Make sure you turn off the WiFi on the phone or else it will download the photos over the internet.
If this works then the cable would seem to be Ok.

After that the transmitter(possibly the USB port) may be faulty but you would be very unlucky if your transmitter was faulty given that it is only a couple of months old and the number of units that DJI sell.

Did you ring Maplin or Model Heli services ?

Shannon757

Vizzy wrote: »

I'd still be leaning towards a "faulty" DJI app.
Maybe, uninstall it and reinstall it again. It might take a couple of tries.

If not this, then a faulty cable would be my next option.
Try using the cable to download something to your computer(photos or something). Make sure you turn off the WiFi on the phone or else it will download the photos over the internet.
If this works then the cable would seem to be Ok.

After that the transmitter(possibly the USB port) may be faulty but you would be very unlucky if your transmitter was faulty given that it is only a couple of months old and the number of units that DJI sell.

Did you ring Maplin or Model Heli services ?

I have Uninstalled the app a number of times but still the same.

I will try the cable with the computer but it seems to be fine.

I don't think it's the transmitter. I only used it a few times, 6 flights I think.

I will try get into Maplin tomorrow. I've been very sick so it's hard to get in.

Thanks for the help everyone, much appreciated

ozmo

Shannon757 wrote: »

I will try get into Maplin tomorrow...

hopefully you will find someone there who will get it working for you - I wouldn't leave it with them unless absolutely necessary. Not anything that delicate.

I left an expensive CCTV camera setup with them that kept rebooting randomly - I was very careful and bubble wrapped it - and photoed it as I was handing it in - it came back in a bag all bent up with footprint on it - and a note to say "No Fault Found".

They were insistent I took it but I steadfastly refused letting them hear the clanking of the some loose bits rattling about inside it - and I had photos of it on their desk in perfect cosmetic condition.
Eventually I got a decent discount off another model as that version wasn't available anymore - but he wouldn't do a refund or replacement.