Hints and Tips Discussion Phantom 3 Hints, tips and fixes

Here are some hints and tips for those who want to take more exciting video with their Phantoms!

 

A nice list of most of the available cases for Phantoms!
http://forum.dji.com/thread-28826-1-1.html

Probably the best budget deal is the Banggood case USA Ship linked here.

At the upper end, Think Tank makes stuff that serious photographers take all over the world - about $240 at this link.

DJI has a nice hardshell backpack- lined here. They also have an expensive (but full featured) softpack.

 

Looking for a top-end, but lower cost, device to run the DJI GO APP for your P3.
Walmart has the ipad mini 2 for $199 - with 16G. It makes a perfect dedicated device for the Phantom 3.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Apple-iPad-mini-2-16GB-WiFi/30146246

 

(Below Post from DJI - Tim)
Important information for newbies!
Here is a list of basic things to pay attention to:

A. Calibrate Compass and IMU
How to calibrate IMU:
1. Open the DJI GO
2. Enter camera view
3. Enter MC Settings
4. Sensors=>IMU calibration
5. Keep the aircraft on a flatsurface while calibrating IMU
After long transportation or in a newflight environment, parameters of IMU, including gyroscope, barometer, andaccelerometer can be changed, so in this situation flying without calibrationcan lead to the aircrafts incorrect behavior.

B. How to calibrate compass:
1. Open the DJI GO app
2. Enter camera view
3. Enter aircraft state
4. Compass => Calibrate
5. Follow the instructions on adisplay.
Tips: Dont calibrate compass in the zonesof strong electromagnetic interference as: electro stations, near high voltagepower lines, metal constructions, signal generator towers etc.

C. Set go-home altitude correctly, and keep your eye on a low batteryreturn to home notice.
1. Open DJI Go> MCSettings>Advanced Settings>Failsafe mode>Return to homealtitude(20-500m)
2. When DJI Go displays low batteryreturn to home notice, pilot has 10 seconds to cancel it manually if needed.If RTH has not been canceled in 10 seconds aircraft will ascend to the RTHaltitude and fly to the home point. If user needs to land aircraft manually,RTH command has to be canceled in application or by pressing home-button on theremote controller. During critical battery warning, pilot cannot cancel RTH,but aircraft is controllable while returning back home.


D. Dont turn on the aircraft holding it in your hands.
Power on the aircraft only when it standingon the ground. Powering aircraft on, while holding it in your hands, wobbling orshaking it may cause Z axis bias estimation and yaw drift.

E. Enable multiple flight mode.
Open DJI GO> MC Settings>AdvancedSettings> Multiple flight mode
When aircraft is getting interference, itwill switch to Atti mode which will stop GPS and compass operation and RTHfeature will not be available. Pilot also can switch aircraft to the atti mode,if there is some incorrect behavior of aircraft discovered. If multiple flight mode function is notenabled, switching between F/A/P modes will not be available and set to P-GPSby default.



F. Battery usage:
1. First charge the battery. Whenall the indicator lights go off, battery is fully charged. Dont keep the batteriescharged longer than 48 hours. If the time exceed 48 hours, please charge thebattery again to prevent voltage drop during the flight.
2. Make a cycle of battery fullcharge and discharge every 20 flights.
3. Always use a 100% charged battery for your initial takeoff and flights - you can land and take off again after that. Do not, for example, use a 1/2 discharged battery from the day before for a new flight (without recharging to 100%).

G. Observe flight environment before taking off.
Try to choose a wide and opened spot.Flying above the people, in the city above the water and in other complexenvironments fly cautiously and dont go beyond visual range.


H. Be soft on RC sticks. Do not push the full stick continuously.
Also, you can adjust aircrafts sensitivityin DJI Go>MC Settings>Gain & Expo Tuning.

 

Antenna Hints from DJI

 

For those interested, DJI is having a Holiday Sale until the end of December, 2015- this is on all Phantom 3 Models.
ALL of them get the $149 hardshell backpack FREE with purchase.
The P3 Standard remains at $699 ($100 off original price) plus you get the free backback.
DJI Link to Holiday Sale Here.

Note - there are also promos on some of their other equipment:
Inspire 1 V2.0 – One free TB47 battery
Inspire 1 Pro – One free TB47 battery
Ronin – One free 3400mAh battery
Ronin-M – One free 1580mAh battery

Note - if you already have a Phantom 3 be sure to update the various software as per the DJI Support Page at:
http://www.dji.com/product/phantom-3-pro/info#downloads

I find it easier (more consistent) to use the MicroSD card method for the Phantom and Camera - this involves downloading the upgrade to a computer and transferring the .bin (after you unzip the file) to the root of your Phantom MicroSD card - then inserting it in your P3 and turning the bird on. Do not turn on the R/C control.

Depending on your exact model and firmware revision, it may be possible to upgrade everything through the DJI Go App screen. `If so, this will prompt you for downloading and installing the files as long as you are in an area with a cellular or wireless connection. I often do my upgrades in the backyard since my tablet (Nexus 7) isn't cellular - this allow me to hook to the house wireless network if need be.

Happy Holidays to all - and hopefully you will get some flying weather.

 

Note - when upgraded firmware a number of problems can present themselves - especially if you've traveled with the P3 (vibration, etc.).
If you get various errors such as weak image transmission signal, etc - first order of business is to completely delete and reinstall the DJI GO app from your device.
After that you'll want to place your P3 on a very level surface and do an IMU calibration.
It's always good to do a compass calibration before flying again.

Here is some detail on upgrading to the newest firmware!
http://forum.dji.com/thread-35873-1-1.html

 

You are probably better of posting in the DJI forums or the Phantompilots where more people with the exact same unit will be able to answer.
Depending on the age of your unit (I have an early P3), the process can sometimes differ.

I upgraded using the sd card - not through the app. I also had to so an IMU calibration as the bird was throwing off errors.
If the unit is working with current firmware you may want to try a IMU calibration before you start the upgrading. Then try the upgrade using the sd card (not through the app).

Mad-Angler has a bunch of tips on his RC Groups blog:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/member.php?u=573812

He also hangs out on the DJI forums. Good luck...I'm still on 1.4 but will try upgrading soon.

 

As of Feb 16 (today), DJI has lowered the price of the Phantom 3 Pro to $999.
Rumors say they may introduce a Phantom 4 in two weeks - this is likely to be a higher end model ($1500+).
DJI Store $999 Phantom 3 Pro

 

A new thread - and linked blog article - on 3rd party apps to extend the capabilities of the Phantoms (and Inspires) is here:
https://www.droneflyers.com/talk/threads/dji-3rd-party-apps-litchi-and-more-for-phantom-inspire.1936/#post-5641

 

RE: Battery treatment

Just as an FYI.....

To test a theory I have done absolutely nothing to my 3 P3P batteries - all of which I have had for a year. I do usually fully charge within 3 days of intending to fly...but never purposely discharge, etc.

After a year they all show as perfect and work perfectly. The batteries have software installed which automatically regulate them (discharge after time, etc.)

Obviously your mileage may vary but it just may be that those who attempt to constantly fiddle with their batteries aren't gaining much.

 

Another checklist - PDF format - for those with a Phantom 3.

 

A new site we are working on will provide all the best links to articles, sites, forums, accessories, etc. related to the DJI Phantom 3 and 4.
Please visit http://www.phantominfo.com for the start of something big!

 

Note - we have published our best selling book on the Phantom 3 (and now 4) here on this site - in chapters.
You can find the first installment and links, etc. at:
https://www.droneflyers.com/2016/09/ebook-buying-and-flying-dji-phantom-3-and-4-quadcopters-chapter-1/

 

Weird.
1. Check to see if firmware is up to date.
2. Restart all devices and the Phantom
3. If this fails, reinstall the Go App

MAKE SURE YOUR GO APP IS LOGGED INTO DJI - if you are not logged in, range is limited.

Good luck.