Can you fly a camera drone where there is no cellular service?

GeoJetson · Jul 9, 2016

I'm looking to buy a Phantom 3 to fly over a ranch that is in the middle of BFE with sketchy to zero cellular service. Is it possible to navigate without WIFI or cellular service? Any advice would be appreciated. This is my first post.

alokbhargava · Jul 9, 2016

Yes most of the time I fly in airplane mode which disables WiFi and cellular network.

Cellular network at site may be needed in case you like to see the maps of your location and you didn't cache them before.

GeoJetson · Jul 9, 2016

alokbhargava said:
Yes most of the time I fly in airplane mode which disables WiFi and cellular network.

Cellular network at site may be needed in case you like to see the maps of your location and you didn't cache them before.

Thank you.

GeoJetson · Jul 9, 2016

Do you have a device recommendation for connecting to the controller? Tablet or whatever?

alokbhargava · Jul 9, 2016

I use iOS devices so picked up iPad mini. Any version 2 and above is ok, higher the better but needs more cash out

Go for a device that has GPS else you will miss out few features.

GeoJetson · Jul 9, 2016

alokbhargava said:
I use iOS devices so picked up iPad mini. Any version 2 and above is ok, higher the better but needs more cash out

Go for a device that has GPS else you will miss out few features.

Thanks, again. I searched the threads and came upon the discussion with lots of folks suggesting iPad Air 2 cellular. I will look into these options.

alokbhargava · Jul 9, 2016

You will be surprised that people have even gone for huge sized iPad Pro and are enjoying it. I have also seen many fly with iPhone 5/6

Chris0137 · Jul 9, 2016

I use a 9.7 Galaxy tablet, no cellular service needed.

msinger · Jul 9, 2016

GeoJetson said:
Do you have a device recommendation for connecting to the controller? Tablet or whatever?

You can find a list of recommended and commonly used phones/tablets here.

GeoJetson · Jul 10, 2016

msinger said:
You can find a list of recommended and commonly used phones/tablets here.

Thank you. I went with the iPad Air 2 with cellular.

GKPK · Jul 10, 2016

GeoJetson said:
Thank you. I went with the iPad Air 2 with cellular.

Good choice, I use it also.
Works great with the P4

GeoJetson · Jul 10, 2016

Does the standard mount on the RC accommodate the iPad Air 2, or do you need some aftermarket fix?

GKPK · Jul 10, 2016

The standard mount fits the air 2 perfectly with maybe a half inch to spare.

msinger · Jul 10, 2016

GeoJetson said:
Does the standard mount on the RC accommodate the iPad Air 2, or do you need some aftermarket fix?

The mount can hold a device up to 6.75 inches wide. The iPad Air 2 is 6.6 inches wide.

GeoJetson · Jul 10, 2016

GKPK said:
The standard mount fits the air 2 perfectly with maybe a half inch to spare.

Thank you.

GeoJetson · Jul 10, 2016

msinger said:
The mount can hold a device up to 6.75 inches wide. The iPad Air 2 is 6.6 inches wide.

My iPad Air 2 is, yes, just at 6.6 in wide. So, this should be fine. Thank you.

trebordet · Aug 14, 2016

I use an iPad Pro 12.9 with cellular (with a bracket extender). When I fly I put my Tracfone/Verizon SIM from my Galaxy S6 phone into the iPad Pro and that gives me web access (no voice or SMS and that's OK) so the maps are updated wherever I happen to be (and where there is cell service).