A friend of mine (software developer) helped me to custom build an Android app for boosting my Vision+ Wifi signal strength. Holy cow! It ended up DOUBLE the FPV range by a single click even when my Vision+ was still in the air. It does not need to power cycle/reboot the Vision+, and boost the Wifi signal strength immediately. In general, I would prefer to boost the Wifi well before take off, while boosting in the air was to demonstrate no power cycle required.
My FPV range test setup below:
- Stock Vision+ aircraft
- Stock RE700 range extender
- 5.8G Transmitter (came with P2V not Vision+) with 11dBi patch panel
- Rooted Nexus 7 (2012 model) running Android 4.4 Vision app 1.0.40 with Preview Quality 320x240 15fps
The video was a bit glitch probably due to the app 1.0.40, as some other pilots reported in this forum. I may need to rollback to 1.0.39 until DJI fixed the issues.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVdhKFMqSBI[/youtube]
I would like to summarize the FPV range test results from our iOS beta testers below. All beta tests were conducted with stock (un-modded) Vision+ aircraft and RE700 repeater.
1. tizzl10: 5,642ft / 1,720m – 640@30fps (5.8G control signal dropped & triggered RTH)
1. tizzl10 (video below): 7,037ft / 2,145m – 640@15fps (5.8G control signal dropped & triggered RTH)
2. LMC: 6,058ft / 1,847m – 640@15fps (FPV connection broken)
3. mem_ny: 3,620ft / 1,104m – 320@30fps (in high Wifi residential area)
4. Alib: 5,061ft / 1,543m – 640@15fps (5.8G control signal dropped & triggered RTH)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGOfdoIKUKg[/youtube]
If you have achieved better range, please keep me posted. I will keep updating the above list upon received further test results as a summary for easy reading.
The iOS version of Vision+ Wi-Fi Booster is generally available in App Store on 16-May-2014, and beta testing stage is ended accordingly.
Vision+ Wi-Fi Booster (V+ Booster) FAQ:
Q1. How it works?
- Turn on both Phantom 2 Vision+ aircraft and range extender, and connect your iOS/Android device to Wi-Fi network as usual.
- Open V+ Booster app, tap “Boost up!” button. The app connects to Vision+ aircraft through the Wi-Fi network, then it boosts up Wi-Fi power and applies tweaks to the aircraft. It will display a message "Your Vision+ is boosted up".
- Open DJI VISION app, and Happy Flying.
Note: Every time when you power cycle Vision+ aircraft or range extender, you need to run V+ Booster app to take effect.
Q2. Does it compatible with original Phantom 2 Vision?
NO. V+ Booster is ONLY compatible with DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ (Plus). Running the app on other incompatible platforms (including original Phantom 2 Vision) may encounter unexpected results.
Q3. How can I find it in App Store or Google Play?
For iOS, V+ Booster app is classified as "iPhone Only". You may search "fpv booster" in App Store, or click the link on your iDevice http://itunes.apple.com/app/vision+-wi- ... ?ls=1&mt=8
For Android, you may search "fpv booster" in Google Play store, or click on your Android device http://play.google.com/store/apps/detai ... fi_booster
Q4. How to test it working?
Fly your Vision+ WITHOUT turning on the booster (as a reference) to your favorite flight path until Wi-Fi video dropped. Fly back your Vision+ and run the V+ Booster app, then fly again the same flight path with the same Preview Quality for apple-to-apple comparison. It may fly out of your 5.8G control range and trigger RTH.
Q5. Does it boost 5.8G control link?
NO. V+ Booster app only boosts 2.4G Wi-Fi video connection (FPV) while the 5.8G control link remains the same.
Q6. Does it consume more battery power to shorten flight time or generate extra heat to damage the circuit?
It consumes VERY little extra power and generates NO extra heat per our testing. It's estimated shortening less than 10 seconds of flight time out of 25 minutes.
Q7. Does it work with other antenna mods?
YES. V+ Booster app works well alone, as well as any antenna mods on Vision+ aircraft and/or range extender.
Q8. Is there a plan to develop a version for original Phantom 2 Vision?
YES. Once we finish V+ Booster app for both iOS and Android, we will do research on the original P2V.
I would like to summarize the FPV range test results from our Android beta testers below. All beta tests were conducted with stock (un-modded) Vision+ aircraft and RE700 repeater.
1. MattUNI2001: 3,518ft / 1,072m – 640@15fps (Wifi congested area, FPV connection broken, 53% range improvement)
2. Hovtech: 2,600ft / 793m – 640@15fps (100+% range improvement)
3. Vortex66: 2,722ft / 830m – 640@15fps (Wifi congested area, 51% range improvement)
4. tizzl10: 5,364ft / 1,635 – 320@15fps (5.8G control signal dropped & triggered RTH)
5. neoneo: 6,245ft / 1,904m – 320@15fps (80% range improvement)
6. Orbbs: 3,608ft / 1,100m – 640@15fps (urban area, 47% range improvement)
7. LMC: 8,424ft / 2,568m – 640@15fps (FPV connection broken)
8. kescot: 6,144ft / 1,873m – 640@15fps (FPV connection broken)
9. sigwameister: 6,534ft / 1,992m – 640@15fps (5.8G control signal dropped & triggered RTH)
10. nhoover: 7,419ft / 2,262m – 320@15fps (FPV connection broken, 54% range improvement)
V+ Booster Longest FPV Range Contest (640x480 15fps)
- tizzl10: 10,840ft / 3,305 (iOS)
- LMC: 8,424ft / 2,568m (Android)
- sigwameister: 6,534ft / 1,992m (Android)
- kescot: 6,144ft / 1873m (Android)
- M.Tigelaar: 5,300 / 1,616m (iOS)
- Alib: 5,061ft / 1,543m (iOS)
- Orbbs: 3,608ft / 1,100m (Android, proof required)
- MattUNI2001: 3,518ft / 1,072m (Android)
- neoneo : 3,200ft / 976m (Android, proof required)
- Vortex66: 2,722ft / 830m (Android, proof required)
- Hovtech: 2,600ft / 793m (Android, proof required)