StuckinNoDak Posted at 2018-5-26 07:49
I feel justified because the product malfunctioned. And that comparison barely makes sense.

This is a forum where people come to ask for help and talk about drones.  I’m disappointed to see so many posts that are just rude.  Simply blaming me for what happened.  Pilot error, your fault, don’t do this, don’t do that...., clearly you were in the wrong, etc.

Yes, DJI is willing to help you, and I conclude that you know that there is a mistake. And I think if this software bug had already come up with a new firmware, this could be hardware failure.
With 16 satellites in open terrain, suddenly the signal is broken ... This receiver may have a problem.

Or they can recall all Sparks (this would be a very big loss) or replace the missing pieces (they chose this).

Of course, we would appreciate DJI's customer service, but it would not be necessary if it worked the way it was designed ...

Jos A Posted at 2018-5-24 06:18
I see you using sport mode, you get yaws errors due to aggressive flying/turning , with yaw error spark goes into atti mode, then when you lost connection, rth will be failed and stay in atti mode. Also you are in 5.8 gig mode and far away cause signal lost.

To name just a few:
https://forum.dji.com/thread-149701-1-1.html
https://forum.dji.com/thread-146808-1-1.html
https://forum.dji.com/thread-149695-1-1.html
https://forum.dji.com/thread-103792-1-1.html
https://forum.dji.com/thread-145379-1-1.html
https://forum.dji.com/thread-142793-1-1.html
Enough of the good advice ... !!!

"It's not like you've been flying too far, because if the connection is broken, it should come back 10 seconds later. (or do not I have to be? I'm wrong?)
- Strong winds can not cause a compass error, nor can GPS errors or interruption cause any interruption (just cause it to blow something)
- No aggressive flight can be made to it just for what it was designed (if this was a bad idea why it was "sport" mode)
- The system automatically switches between the channels to be optimized. In order to be a fault, all channels and both frequencies must be fully occupied, which is unusual even in the city, but outside is impossible in nature. Of course the interference can be captured ...

When do you understand that there is a relationship between these cases? A sudden mistake in the Spark navigation system, which even surprised the experienced driver, is surprised by the less experienced ...

Believe me, the pilot knows (he feels) if he's lost his wire due to his fault. These cases are NOT pilot errors (this is also supported by logs ....)

You do not need to post comments that blame the operator and do not realize the real reasons ...

Jakab Gipsz Posted at 2018-5-26 14:33
To name just a few:
https://forum.dji.com/thread-149701-1-1.html
https://forum.dji.com/thread-146808-1-1.html

Exactly, whenever the connection is broken it comes back shortly...then you know you have to change something or come back home.  That is what I was waiting for, yet the Spark kept going further away.  I was planning on testing the distance between using and not using the antenna range extenders. This was without them.  It’s been brought to my attention that my compass is way off as well.  Showing that I wasn’t facing the drone, which I definitely was.

Glad to hear your case was resolved favorably.

Some general random comments with respect to what I have seen on this thread:

1) Just because DJI agreed to replace the AC does not mean the OP wasn't flying in a foolish manner
2) Also - just because the AC may very well have malfunctioned does not mean the OP wasn't flying in a foolish manner - both can be true
3) If you push the boundaries you increase the risk of loss. The time of flight indicator crossed over the the yellow H -- yes there is safety margin built into this, but again if you do this in general you increase your risk of losing the AC. I'll add that in this case apparently the wind was not favorable
4) There was a comment that the Spark GPS problems don't seem to occur with cell phones. However if you check cell phone forums you will see many complaints about GPS problems
5) The manual clearly says that compass interference can result in ATTI mode. It does not specify that this can only occur on the ground at takeoff (I am not claiming there was compass interference in this case)
6) It is true that DJI advertising can create a false sense of security
7) There has been much discussion that IMU issues may also cause ATTI mode. DJI should provide more info.
8) The coincidence in this case of RTH request and then ATTI is not that surprising. We know that people push the RTH button and we know that Spark can go into ATTI mode. Eventually you will have a case where both will happen at about the same time. There may or may not be a causal link - we don't know
9) The OPs complaint of rude treatment here is not justified. The cause and fault of fly-aways is a subject that merits robust discussion

marlowe Posted at 2018-5-27 11:22
Some general random comments with respect to what I have seen on this thread:

1) Just because DJI agreed to replace the AC does not mean the OP wasn't flying in a foolish manner

1. These drones are intended for amateurs, anyone can buy and fly it.
2. Designers should be aware that these amateurs could fly far away with it.
3. That's why you have built protection that prevents you from losing your drone
4. This protection will work if you are too far away or did not go but something disturbs the RC connection.
5. Then 10 seconds later he will fly home to the fixed home point.
6. These advanced protections, advanced controls, enable fools to use it safely.
7. Spark really is cheaper than its predecessors, but it is not so much that it just flees and disappears.

The trouble is that there is an error in the operation.

For this reason, and for that reason, I recommend that you stay in sight as the control can collapse at any time, the cause of which nobody wrote yet.
8. It's crazy that we fly so that we can flee from us at any time ...
9. Therefore, instead of blaming the pilots (they may be kids), tell the DJI to repair the Sparks or warn the buyers that they may not come home at any time ...

I dont know why you lost gps but 200 ft altitude nearly 2 miles out is asking for signal lose .

I know what I expect when I am out 10,000ft - for the craft to function properly and return

Some of the commenters here need to live a little. What fun is this hobby of you keep it within a couple hundred feet of yourself.

DJI sending a replacement after looking at all the outcomes available tells me that the Spark malfunctioned. If it was user error they would tell me, and rightfully so.  

With the Spark you lost visual range of sight not beyond 100 feet since it is so small.

Testing the limits of anything you purchase is normal. I wanted to see what this little guy could do and was impressed so far. The fact that I reached 10,000 feet with no drops shocked me, but then for it to lose everything and not flicker back isn’t right. Before when I was just a thousand feet out or less it would lose connection for a second or so then I would gain control. That’s when it’s time to come back. I didn’t even get a warning.

As far as the wind thing, it wasn’t windy. I live in North Dakota. If I stopped flying every time I saw that notification I would never be able to fly a drone. You know when the wind gets bad, and the drone tells you too.

>> The day after losing the lil guy I bought a Mavic Pro Fly More Combo and an super impressed.  Glad I chose this over the Air.  OccuSync is wonderful!  

As I am sure you won't want to be limited to 7 kM, I would suggest you invest in a trackimo.

https://mavicpilots.com/threads/mavic-pro-flyaway.30614/
https://forum.dji.com/thread-135695-1-1.html
https://forum.dji.com/thread-118834-1-1.html
https://forum.dji.com/thread-137580-1-1.html

Of course there are many more like this.

This evening I went to look again. Using the last known GPS COORDINATES. I talked to a farm hand and explained the situation and left my number. After searching myself....  Hard terrain. It sucks knowing approximately where it is.

White is an awful color. I was looking at skins and was thinking of doing a hot pink or something before I lost it. I still hope to find this original for the memory card and footage. Luckily I always back it up since it doesn’t take much to transfer wirelessly from the Spark.  

I need to skin my Pro. But the stock color is so nice. It needs to be bright and ugly though.

Anyone add a tracking device to their drone?  So when you’re searching the closer you get it’ll let you know?