Ok, quick question, I'm flying from NJ to the British Virgin Islands and getting on a boat for a 5 day sailing trip. Before you get on the boat, should i compass calibrate or just check the drone to see if it asks me to calibrate?

I'm getting mixed answers to this. Some say since you are going quite a distance to calibrate. Some say to do it only if it asks??

Huh? Obviously I don't want to calibrate while on the boat as it would probably be a lot of metal interference. I don't want to ship out and then it tells me to calibrate and I'm like uhh crap!

According to the manual, "Only calibrate the compass when the DJI GO app or status indicator prompt you to do so."


I would do a test flight where you keep it close. If the drone is flying in straight lines and not drifting, then you should be ok. If the drone seems like it is not flying correctly, land immediately and then calibrate it.

According to some new outlines, DJI has changed the manual and asked the user to calibrate the compass if you have traveled more than 10km from the last flight location.

https://forum.dji.com/forum.php? ... 1&fromuid=23146

Personally, I would calibrate before you go on the boat and check if everything is working. It also gives you a peace of mind I guess.

That far away I would calibrate it but obviously not on the boat.

I would calibrate.. If anything what could it hurt? Then calibrate again when you get home.

why wouldn't you.  it really doesn't hurt to do a compass calibration

100% calibrate it!

Yeah that's my thought to calibrate. I can't remember though whether it's IMU calibration or Compass calibration where you shouldn't always do because it can screw things up. But I think it's IMU calibration that I shouldn't really be doing everytime which makes sense.

I generally check my MP pointing direction in the map. If I move it around manually and it's pointing correctly, I don't do the calibration.

Jay W Posted at 2018-3-23 22:59
I generally check my MP pointing direction in the map. If I move it around manually and it's pointing correctly, I don't do the calibration.

Yeah, I heard this before. Obviously if something is wacky definitely re-calibrate and someone mentioned also that as a secondary precaution, check the minimap to make sure it's pointing in the right direction and as you have stated, if it looks good there, then I'm good to go.