Just got a phantom 1.1.1

[edwart]

Hey guys. I just got a phantom 1.1.1. I can't try it out yet thoroughly until after the rain stops :-(... This thing is awesome so far (from what I can tell in the garage). Why am I so scared of this thing. I am afraid I am going to lose it or break it. Any advice before I go out tomorrow morning and really fly her?

[Morrchew]

Just don't take off until your locked on all sats . I took off once without being locked on all sats and I had a fly away but with a happy endings . I found my phantom 2'miles away .

[edwart]

Well its really windy outside so I wasn't able to go crazy with her. Has to be easy and not go very high. Nice test for my gopro hero though. I'll get used to it. The wind is about 20,mph here this morning. Really ruined my morning lol

[edwart]

Originally Posted by Morrchew

Just don't take off until your locked on all sats . I took off once without being locked on all sats and I had a fly away but with a happy endings . I found my phantom 2'miles away .

Yeah I read that. I did a lot of research on it before I even turned it on. I do the calibration dance with her before every flight too just to be sure.

[Big Island Guy]

That's a great little bird to start out with! I put well over a thousand flights on mine before I passed it along to my brother, who still flies it!!

Just FYI, while it is indeed important to get the green light on the satellites before you hit the throttle, there is no need to do the compass calibration dance with every flight or flying session For that matter, once done, you don't need to do that again unless you: A) Modify your bird in any way that adds/removes/moves metal parts B) Inadvertently expose it to a strong magnetic field or C) Move the bird a long way (as in hundreds of miles) from where its compass was last calibrated.

Have fun!!

[r44flyer]

As Big Island Guy says plus...

Do a compass recal if the bird hovers in slight circular motion (called the toilet bowl effect). My Phantom V1.1.1 was fine for a year or so until it gradually got this effect. Compass recal cured.

Time your flights with a cheap timer that bleeps at time up.
We get 8 mins caning them around, maybe 10 mins if being more sedate.
(we don't use the V1s with a camera, just for mad flying around).

Eventually do the GPS lead mod to get far faster satellite lock.
(remove top, disconnect GPS lead, carefully peel up the copper screening foam, put the GPS lead under it, re-stick foam, reconnect lead, and refit top).

[setishock]

You got a link to that mod? Your description doesn't make sense.

EDIT: I found some YT vids but they're just doing that on the higher end models. I've never had any GPS lock issues. But then living where I do I get good GPS coverage.

[r44flyer]

The positioning of the multicore lead can be crucial to good GPS lock.
The lead is initially outside of the foam covered copper screen and putting the lead underneath the screen seems to make a big difference.

Yes it makes even more difference on the P2 models.
My P2 took ages to get GPS lock until the cable was re-routed.
My P1 now gets lock quicker.

I didn't really want to do a full "how to" because of the info and videos already out there.
Was a teaser for you to do so (and you did).

[edwart]

I usually only have to wait 3 minutes for multiple green lights (GPS lock). Is there any reason I should have to do this mod? I'm guess I get decent coverage here in my area 45833

[setishock]

Not really unless your an impatient sort. if you're going through the start up cycle in 3 minutes, that's about average.
As you know wait for the rapid series of green blinks before you take off. Have fun with it. It's a pretty rugged bird. I've done several cartwheels across the yard and didn't hurt it.

Make sure you go in to the programming and that the sticks are going full travel and in the right directions.
Most other settings at default will work just fine.

Have you upgraded the firmware to V2?

[r44flyer]

Originally Posted by edwart

I usually only have to wait 3 minutes for multiple green lights (GPS lock). Is there any reason I should have to do this mod? I'm guess I get decent coverage here in my area 45833

The first power up of the day takes longer to obtain GPS lock.
You should also see 2 incidences of rapid flashing green lights, the first means compass lock, the second means full home GPS lock.

1 to 2 minutes is more usual for full lock on the first flight of the day with few obstructions.
On subsequent flights lock should be much quicker, typically 30 to 40 seconds.
So you might benefit from the mod.

It's easy enough to do - watch the videos - and make sure the top is re-fitted the correct way round - don't overtighten screws.
Peel foam screen carefully, do not press hard on GPS module.

See photo - lay cable flat under screen along dotted line.

[edwart]

Originally Posted by setishock

Not really unless your an impatient sort. if you're going through the start up cycle in 3 minutes, that's about average.
As you know wait for the rapid series of green blinks before you take off. Have fun with it. It's a pretty rugged bird. I've done several cartwheels across the yard and didn't hurt it.

Make sure you go in to the programming and that the sticks are going full travel and in the right directions.
Most other settings at default will work just fine.

Have you upgraded the firmware to V2?

Not sure. I don't knowhow to do that.

[r44flyer]

Originally Posted by edwart

Not sure. I don't knowhow to do that.

Does that mean you have not connected your Phantom to the DJI Assistant Software on a PC or MAC via a USB cable?

There are still some important things to do if not.

[Skapr1]

One thing I noticed that was not mentioned but is very important is make sure your phantom (as well as any model) sits outside to acclimate to the flying environment. Now that the weather is getting colder let it sit outside for at least 10 minutes before connecting the battery!

[Big Island Guy]

Good point on the acclimatization, Skapr1. It's something we never think about here, except that I do try to keep all electronics away from any automobile AC ducts, so as to avoid issues with condensation when I get it out into the humid air we have here.