Hi has anyone upgraded from a P3 professional to P4.
Is it worth it?
Rob
Sent from my iPhone using PhantomPilots mobile app
Is it worth it?
Rob
Sent from my iPhone using PhantomPilots mobile app
Hi has anyone upgraded from a P3 professional to P4.
Is it worth it?
Rob
Sent from my iPhone using PhantomPilots mobile app
What filters do you have that can't be used w/ the P4? I have a full compliment of filters from my P3P (both DJI and PP) that work just fine on the P4. Same goes for my backpack (I'm sure this varies pack to pack) I have the Manfrotto/DJI made soft black/red one. Which some people claim doesn't fit the P4 well, and fewer batteries. Not true at all. It fits great, and I can actually fit more batteries in it (8).Also depends on your total investment in the P3 kit.
For example, I have two controllers, itelite and FPVLR antennas, 4 batteries, a good backpack, ND filters, props, a Flytrex Live...
And granted, while I can reuse the controllers, the rest would have to be replaced for the transition to the P4. In particular, it's hard to eat the cost of 4 new batteries and a new case.
All for marginal camera improvements, OA, improved VPS, increased top speed, and slightly better battery life.
So for me, I'd rather save the money, and be able to pick up a new P3P for cheap if mine crashes. I also own a P2V+ that's been retrofitted with a H4-3D gimbal and a Gopro Hero 4 black, so already have a pair of good reliable and fault-free craft.
That said, if I was coming from anything below the P3P/P3A, I would definitely jump straight to the P4 (though I might get an older GL300A controller for it).
What filters do you have that can't be used w/ the P4? I have a full compliment of filters from my P3P (both DJI and PP) that work just fine on the P4. Same goes for my backpack (I'm sure this varies pack to pack) I have the Manfrotto/DJI made soft black/red one. Which some people claim doesn't fit the P4 well, and fewer batteries. Not true at all. It fits great, and I can actually fit more batteries in it (8).
RE: The upgrade question, I have both, and I'd agree it's a significant upgrade all around. It just feels more solid, both in build and flight attributes. Whereas the P3P was mostly stable with GPS, wind, etc, it still had moments that felt iffy and had variable performance in different conditions. The P4 just feels like it's on rails.
I also don't plan to really use the activetrack or VPS features, but they are nice to have just in case. I think some shots like circling a moving object, where there's a lot of subject differentiation (such as a kayak on a lake or ocean) it makes it very smooth and easy, but in most land-based non-fast-moving situations I prefer to manually orbit and fly all my routes, it's just too jumpy and bobbing while the drone adjusts and course-corrects... shot-ruining for my needs (especially evident when shots are sped up)
I enjoy the P4's faster top speed, I've now clocked 54mph w/ the wind, which is nice when you just want to get the drone home as fast as possible.
Battery life, I report the same as others, it's a bit longer than the P3P, but both models are about 5-7 min short of the advertised flight time. The best empirical evidence I have of that is simple looking at my flight logs for both drones. I don't always spend the full battery life in the air, but when I do those flights are obvious in the logs, and I would avg 17-19 min w/ the P3P, whereas I'm averaging 21-23 min w/ the P4.
So it depends what reasons you're considering upgrading? I would say don't do it if it's for the camera. Don't do it if you expect longer flights. Don't do it if your P3P is flying reliably. Do upgrade if you feel you'd really use the new VPS features or like to fly manually at top speeds.
Also another reason to maybe not upgrade is the not often mentioned 'props in the frame' issue, which I'm kinda pissed off about. When they first announced the P4 they touted the taller motors and re-designed body as lifting the props higher out of the shot, which is complete bullS$%#. Maybe in default/slower flight mode, but in sport it's just as bad as the P3 at full tilt. Which in case some of you are wondering, the main way to get clean but full speed shots previously was to shoot flying backwards. Which is only a good idea when you have a clear line of sight on what the drone might hit as it speeds away, or you need to go 'scout' the path first w/ the camera, return, and them repeat the line and waste battery time.