Hi. We've been flying the phantom now for about three months. Until today I've been telling others how cool DJI's product is.
Sadly, today when I started up the copter three of the four motors stuttered and wouldn't turn properly. Reading on the forum it seems that this is caused by damage to the motor wire coils from the long screws of the crash guards.
I've read that people take the guards off and then screw the long screws back into the body, causing the long screws to move into the motor damaging the windings. I wish I can claim that I did that. My screws went back on with the guards as per normal.
I simply removed a gimbal assembly, screwed everything back the same as many times before. And voila. 75% motor damage.
It seems that DJI is aware of this issue. Yet before I even started up the Phantom I watched of videos on its LED signals, radio settings, firmware upgrades and USB connectivity. I even carry the printed manual with me for reference (having read it a number of times). I didn't pick up on any mention of this problem, yet the forum has many references to it.
From what I read on the forums DJI is aware of the problem of the long screws causing damage to motors, even though it is a stock product.
In my opinion this product has somewhat of a factory defect and DJI could offer customers a swap policy - return damaged motors to DJI along with the long screws and receive new motors with shorter screws. I wouldn't mind paying for return postage.
However, buying new motors because the stock parts (under normal usage) caused damage seems unfair.
Tonight at the digital video association we are supposed to demo the phantom. Instead I'll make sure to send out a warning.
Sadly, today when I started up the copter three of the four motors stuttered and wouldn't turn properly. Reading on the forum it seems that this is caused by damage to the motor wire coils from the long screws of the crash guards.
I've read that people take the guards off and then screw the long screws back into the body, causing the long screws to move into the motor damaging the windings. I wish I can claim that I did that. My screws went back on with the guards as per normal.
I simply removed a gimbal assembly, screwed everything back the same as many times before. And voila. 75% motor damage.
It seems that DJI is aware of this issue. Yet before I even started up the Phantom I watched of videos on its LED signals, radio settings, firmware upgrades and USB connectivity. I even carry the printed manual with me for reference (having read it a number of times). I didn't pick up on any mention of this problem, yet the forum has many references to it.
From what I read on the forums DJI is aware of the problem of the long screws causing damage to motors, even though it is a stock product.
In my opinion this product has somewhat of a factory defect and DJI could offer customers a swap policy - return damaged motors to DJI along with the long screws and receive new motors with shorter screws. I wouldn't mind paying for return postage.
However, buying new motors because the stock parts (under normal usage) caused damage seems unfair.
Tonight at the digital video association we are supposed to demo the phantom. Instead I'll make sure to send out a warning.