Performed functionality testing of Version 4.1.3 of DJI GO 4 App released on 27JUN2017 with a Phantom 4 Pro with latest 01.04.0602 firmware installed using the following four mobile devices: - Apple iPad Pro (10.5-inch) Wi-Fi + Cellular 512GB tablet running iOS version 10.3.2
- Apple iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular 128GB tablet running iOS version 10.3.2
- Apple iPad Mini 3 Wi-Fi + Cellular 128GB tablet running iOS version 10.3.2
- Samsung Galaxy S8+ running Android version 7.0 and Samsung Experience version 8.1
EQUIPMENT TESTED - DJI Phantom 4 Pro (stock unit)
- DJI P4Pro RC equipped with a DJI HDMI Module
- Third-party Slip-on Aluminum Windsurfer Parabolic Antenna Reflector (to maximize signal strength during long-distance flights - $30 on eBay, no permanent mods required)
- DJI Extended Capacity (P4Pro) and Regular Capacity (P4) Batteries
FUNCTIONALITY TESTS PERFORMED - Achieved extremely stable live video in AUTO 5.8 GHz HD mode on the iPad Pro 10.5” and the Samsung Galaxy S8+ phone. AUTO HD channel mode was unusable on the iPad Air 2 (see Bug #1, below.) However, achieved extremely stable live video in MANUAL 5.8 GHz HD mode with the iPad Air 2.
- Successful long-distance flights to 16,000 plus feet maximum distance achieved using the iPad Pro 10.5 (in AUTO 5.8 GHz HD mode), iPad Air 2 (in MANUAL 5.8 GHz HD Mode) and Samsung Galaxy S8+ (in AUTO 5.8 GHz HD Mode) with stable, clear 720P-quality video throughout entire flight out and back with no stutters, lag or green screen and only occasional minimal pixilation.
- Continuous Auto Focus worked very well throughout flights in both sunny and cloudy conditions.
- Smart RTH automatically triggered during EVERY long-distance flight at a battery level of ~65% with a 10-second warning delay. I overrode this automatic RTH each time by pressing the C1 button as instructed in a message displayed on the DJI GO 4 app screen. Note: I typically return home when battery level reaches 55%.
- REQUEST: Reinstate the ability to turn Smart RTH ON or OFF in the app; if DJI wishes to turn this ON by default, that is a good safety feature for newer users, but experienced users would prefer to have the option to set this feature OFF, particularly if they are using something other than DJI GO 4 app to control aircraft for photogrammetry, etc.
- Precision Landing worked extremely well in both sunny and cloudy conditions with the P4Pro consistently landing within 15 inches (often within 6 inches) of exact take-off point even during take-off and landings with winds up to 12 mph at ground level and 16 mph aloft. NOTE: precision landing performance is enhanced by using programmed RTH heights of at least 30 meters; this gives P4Pro longer to recognize take-off point and make adjustments during descent.
- The iPad mini 3 was completely unusable with the latest DJI GO 4 app during several attempted flights because the video quickly became unstable after starting recording and message was displayed in DJI GO 4 app live view screen indicating that CPU was loaded to limit and video stability would be compromised (or words to that effect). I guess I will need to retire this mobile device from use with the DJI GO 4 app.
- Gimbal Horizon was VERY level throughout all flights including long-distance flights with winds aloft up to 16 mph through slow gimbal pans up and down, slow turns up to 360 degrees, and full-stick forward flights at 37 mph in P-GPS mode (exceptions noted in next item). This level gimbal behavior of the P4Pro was achieved with the 01.04.0602 firmware release and it is extremely impressive and much appreciated.
- Gimbal instability (a sudden, severe roll-over of camera from absolutely level to approx. a 70-degree tilt to the left and immediate snap back to level) did occur several times during two flights during the following specific conditions:
- Flying to the right above 19 mph with wind coming from front of aircraft
- Flying into the wind while also turning left
- Panning gimbal completely down while also flying forward above 20 mph
- During quick (non-cinematic) yaws (turns) to the left
- Quick turns during high-speed forward or sideways flight in Sport mode
- Note: this gimbal instability was observed PRIOR to the latest release of the DJI GO 4 app and is either a bug/issue with the current P4Pro firmware version (01.04.0602) or it is a possibly a mechanical limitation of the P4Pro gimbal hardware. It can be avoided completely by avoiding the flying conditions noted above, but it would be preferable if it could be eliminated with a firmware update, if possible.
SOFTWARE BUGS NOTED DURING TESTING 1. With the 01JUL2017 DJI GO 4 app running on an iPad Air 2, setting the HD mode to AUTO in either 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz transmission frequency results in extremely unstable live video with frequent interruption, stuttering and/or complete loss of live video. This unstable video behavior with the iPad Air 2 in AUTO HD mode is constant and horrible and new to this release of the DJI GO 4 app. Neither turning off Wi-Fi nor turning off cellular service on the iPad Air 2 improves the unstable live video in AUTO HD mode. WORK-AROUND: changing from AUTO to CUSTOM mode in either 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz mode and selecting an interference-free channel restores smooth, stable live video. Note that AUTO HD mode yields reliable, stable live video on both a new iOS-based iPad Pro 10.5-inch tablet and on an Android-based Galaxy S8+ phone.
AUTO 5.8 GHz HD mode on my iPad Air 2 worked without problem PRIOR to this update of the DJI GO 4 app and was my standard flying configuration for both short and long-range flights. Based on forum comments from several other users, this unusable, unstable video behavior in AUTO HD mode may be an issue with other mobile devices as well.
BUG RATING: Moderate – extremely annoying, although there is a workaround, and can lead some new users unwilling or unfamiliar with manual channel selection modes to believe DJI GO 4 app is seriously flawed and/or their P4/P4Pro is now useless for video recording; thus, DJI should fix this major bug ASAP.
2. Flight Records recorded on Android version of DJI GO 4 app running on a Samsung Galaxy S8+ do not appear in the flight records of any iOS device – even after syncing all devices numerous times. However, all flight records made on two iOS devices appear in the flight records of the Android device (Samsung Galaxy S8+) after syncing to the DJI cloud. BUG RATING: Annoying, but not critical.
3. Twice during over 70 minutes of recording 4K/60 H.264 video to the same 64GB SanDisk Extreme Plus U3 V30 micro SD card in the Phantom 4 Pro camera, video recording spontaneously stopped to BOTH the mobile device AND to the micro SD card in the P4Pro camera. I noticed this same random and very disconcerting behavior with the 01.04.0602 firmware PRIOR to the latest DJI GO 4 app release, so this is not a NEW bug in the DJI GO 4 app. I think this may be related to the storage space on the mobile device hitting its programmed target limit even though the app is set to clear space automatically. I caught this the first time it happened but this caused the loss of an entire 20-minute flying session the second time as the video stopped recording 15 seconds into the flight and I didn’t notice recording had stopped until the end of the flight. BUG RATING: MAJOR/SEVERE – Needs to be fixed ASAP.
4. The option to quickly and easily calibrate the P4Pro aircraft’s compass from the DJI GO4 app startup screen that appears immediately after entering the DJI GO 4 app “live view” screen has been deleted (intentional change by DJI). WORKAROUND: You can still initiate a compass calibration by tapping on 3-bars menu button on top right-hand corner of live view, going into Aircraft sub-menu, then Advanced, then Sensors. I prefer to recalibrate the compass every time I move to a new location – and have been doing so for two years of flying DJI Phantom aircraft. BUG RATING: Not a bug, but I request that DJI return this option to the opening screen.
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