All the firmwares are correct as of now, however you dont state the camera firmware, open the DJi app when connected its under the help menu or about menu (cant remember which one as i havent used it for a year) the last firmware for the camera is 1.19 i think.
First I'd like to once again thank all that have responded to me as a new-bee and given me advice and words of encouragement; goes a long way, and gave me the "cahoonas" to go out there and just DO IT.
Thank you for getting back, and sorry for the delayed response; I've been injured, and laid up a bit.
I will indeed check the camera firmware as soon as I am done with this post. The Phantom Assistant doesn't show any updates available, so is it safe for me to assume that the camera isn't monitored by the Assistant software?
I wanted to share some of my glories and failures thus far with my used Phantom 2 vision.
1st flight, (not realizing so) I did my compass calibration, but through the FPV application, which I don't think works. After more reviews and videos, I am now doing the "Compass Dance" correctly I think, but when I do the vertical spin, the yellow lights turn green. After that, even when I tip it to vertical for it's spin, the lights remain green, so I MUST be doing something wrong. I will go back to the documentation and see what I missed.
So, 1st flight, did the checklist, had MUCHO space and no electrical or natural obstructions; 3 ball fields all hooked together. Took off, went about 30 feet forward at approximately 25ft, then checked all flight commands; all good. Hovering was good with very little drift (inches per minute drift) and thought that might be due to the fact I only had 7 Satellites. Did a slow circle with slight pitch trying to keep us in frame; definitely easier said than done, but after a couple circles, was satisfied that I'm not going to totally lose it with this baby.
After that the gloves came off. Started the recorder, and did some "running of the bases" on the field, then did a couple box runs of the soccer field as fast as it would go (Phantom Mode Still) and the thing still moves pretty good, but noted right away that there is Alt. loss when you do big pitch movements in ANY direction for a good length of time; makes sense of course. Part of the lift is now being used for direction....duh.
Gave it to my daughter (12 years old, but she's been flying copters with me since she was 5 and before gyro stabilization was really good and affordable). Don't get me wrong, neither of us are pros, but she's 12 man; she does great for her age! So she does the same thing I did, the shoots the thing up to about 150 feet, and gives Daddy that smile (wow, check this out Dad)! So she tools around for a bit, and Daddy gets jealous (give me back the controller) LOL
We do a 'Grab catch, and it's good, but you really have to keep that throttle stick firmly at the 6 O'clock position, no deviation or it will NOT shut it down.
Next flight, no BSing, went right up to about 360ft, did a yaw to check things out, then remembered I hadn't started recording. Start getting involved in the scenery whilst keeping an eye on the drone, but something happened, and I visually lost It.............. holy crap!!! So I am looking at the FPV, and yawing around to spot the ball fields I'm in. Problem is, there are more ball fields on the other side of the trees, and I think that's me. Dummy didn't look at his range or telemetry, and just started off towards the fields. Lost visual, and now its a WHOLE DIFFERENT LEVEL of HOLY CRAP.
Then I remember the Telemetry, and maximize that, and while I'm trying to move towards me, I don't see fluid progress; just "jumping towards me, then seemingly stopping. Well, I yaw it a couple times to make sure I've got link, and sure enough, it does, so I just keep on pushing the stick towards me, releasing in, and doing it again, repeat, and then I heard it before I saw it.
No problems bringing it in, and the terrain was good so landed it smooth as you please on the grass. Could NOT FOR THE LIFE OF ME re-establish FPV (wireless) on the way back to land, and I've done some research on this, and from what I have gleaned is if it doesn't come back on it's own, you have to do a full Wifi Relink.
The video gave me some great clues. Firstly, I lost it because I wasn't paying attention to the wind at that altitude. The video shows while it's trying to stay stationary between commands when I was flying via telemetry that it was pitched at about 3 degrees or more; just guessing, but you could tell easily by the camera view.
SO, all you pros from dover out there that have mastered the P2V, any idea why I had the telemetry seemingly intermittent response, or is it lag in the signal update? I was PRETTY FAR AWAY; I did a Google Earth measurement for approximation and it said it was approximately 1650ft or so from RTH. Could that also be part of the issue?
Another question; should you as a pilot try to focus more on flying via FPV, or do visual until you are interested in the photography? I am so used to NOT having FPV that I find I virtually ignore it (until I periodically look down at it). I have seen a different FPV app that supposedly works with the P2V (Ultimate Flight) and it talks to you, which, if not adjusted to the appropriate intervals in the program would drive anyone batty; does anyone have any input on that product?
Anyways, thank you all again for your "push" off the diving board, and the benefit of your experience/tips/tricks!
Best Regards,
AJ