Phuong Do
Second Officer
Flight distance : 29800 ft
Vietnam
Offline
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Hi guys,
Thank you for all of you guys who have been following, supporting and giving comments on my threads about this matter: Spark got power cut-off during flight and fell out of the sky. Please note, I don't talk about pilot error cases here where people unintentinally do the CSC conbination or not reading the manual carefully.
1. Findings:
-I have been trying to separated between Software - Hardware issue, and for some reasons people do not want to accept my logic. So I will just say again like this: I absolutely do not think this is software issue. Why? It is just a simple logic: All Sparks use the same code, if there is problem, all Sparks would fall from the sky by now, not just a few cases. And, put yourself into DJI shoes, if it is a software issue, will you do nothing for nearly a month or you will release a firmware update as soon as you can? Also, some veterans pilots said that don't worry, when Mavic and Inspire first released, they also fell from the sky, but DJI fix after some update... However, I think you are looking inside the box, how about think outside the box and consider this scenario: is it really true that DJI fix the fall out cases of Mavic, Inspire, Phantom,... "by software update"/ Or they just waiting for cases to report, send in and fix. If it is the quality issue and just happen to a few units, of course after all those "faulty" unit sent back and fixed, the problem gone. That made you think the problem fixed by update but that is the hardware faulty. I got a feeling this is the case happening here.
1A-Talking about hardward, we (me and some other users in the forum) got an assumption that it is overheat problem that the temperature sensor thought Spark is overheat so it cut off the power mid-flight... I would like to reject this assumption. First we don't know if Spark has that kind of function or not (which let it cut-off power when overheat), I highly doubt that, especially for a flying toy like this, DJI would not program such ability for Spark. Also, if it is really overheat, it will not let you power-up again right after falling (because still being overheat), but guys reported that they still can power-on right after the fall.
1B-Talking about battery issue: I highly suggest it is the issue with battery, no issue Spark itself. Anh we got 2 assumptions:
1B1-The contact between Spark and battery not tight enough (aka the Gopro Karma similar issue). However, i did a small test by turning on the battery (without connecting it to the aircraft), it can maintain the power itself and only turn off after I double tab the power button again. So, if it is the contact issue, when Spark and battery lost contact, the battery should be still power on when it landed on the ground, because it should be able to maintain the power itself like in the experiment. However, cases reported that battery was off when they pick it up. And those users also confirmed they have check carefully the latch between the battery and Spark --> So reject this assumption.
1B2-This is the most likely root of issue in my opinion, the battery itself has problem. Now, software or hardware I don't know. If software, could be some glitch that trigger the power off randomly/ or under some combinations of outside elements. Or if hardware, some mistake during manufacturing make it work unpredictable and random shut-down.
2.Opinion:
-I made a poll to see how many people got the fall out issue, although not many vote, and I assume that meant they do not have power issue. The number of battery issue is only 11/44+, considering thousand of Spark users on this forum. I guess this is not a critical issue.
-Now, I do not saying that DJI is doing it this way, I just put myself into DJI shoes and say what I would do: First, we all accept that faulty cases are real, I did not make them up --> which tells that there are random error with Spark. However, I believe DJI will not official announce there is issue with the hardware. Why, you ask? Do a simple maths: if DJI announced globally that there are some faulty units out there, all users will request to send the product back for checking/ fixing. And not only Spark, but Mavic, Phantom, Inspire as well. That will cost them a fortune. And please note, seems like there are only some defected items only, I also think that it is not necessary. Rather than that, DJI just need to focus on develop the support team, and when there are defected cases, they will fix for those individual only (and they can even charge back customers IF customers cannot prove it is not pilot error). The picture is quite clear there.
3.My conclusion:
So you will think: oh no, I am so scared, I want to stop flying, I want to return Spark, I don't like DJI anymore. PLEASE DON'T. As I said earlier, we all think that Phantom, Mavic, and other are fixed after a few updates, but who knows, maybe that was just because DJI have successfully replaced those faulty units already, and see how happy people are with DJI all around the world. Same case here for Spark: If you don't have any issue that tells you are having a good product -> Keep flying, because there is nothing else you could do anyway, nothing happen yet means it is a good product. If your Spark is falling from the sky or not working, that tells you are having a bad quality product and should definitely go through DJI customer care (and hopefully DJI will be fair in compensation for customer).
So...guys, thank you for all of your inputs, comments and support until now for this falling matter, but I think I will drop this topic for now because I do not have access to internal code for reviewing more. And you can see that not many users are having issues. If the cases of falling keep increasing, then surely DJI cannot stay quiet (I believe need to be at least the number is around 2,500 units like Gopro Karma incidents for DJI to actually do something).
My advice for new users are:
-Do not fly recklessly.
-Follow the pre-flight checklist.
-Be aware with the battery, I would suggest to a Spark firmware refresh with every new battery (Connect to PC, use DJI Assistant 2 to re-run the newest firmware for Spark)
I am new to DJI, Spark is my first product with them, and I start falling in love with drone. As long as DJI focus more on customer assistant, and be fair in solving the issue (For example, should not charge customer for repairing if that is not pilot error), I will surely keep buying more products form DJI.
OK guys, hope this post helps to release your worry about the issue and start enjoying Spark.
By the way, very sad case of Chester Bennington (Linkin Park's vocalist) today. I hope he Rested in Peace.
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