All in all the m300 looks great and is a step forward. However, I see some potential issues with the Smart controller Enterprise:
1. It doesn't seem to have detachable antennas!? So we need to again crack the shell, drill the plastic,etc...? I expected a more professional solution for something called "Enterprise version" The Cendence controller had that option.-
3. the built in screen is (for us specifically) not a good solution at all. We use a 10,5 inch tablet mounted so that two people can operate it.- The built in option is a step backwards for us. Please consider to provide aan external touch screen operation.
4. When will dji make a proper windows SDK? -We try to avoid Android and Apple. We prefer to control from the ground station directly.- was no issue with LOS flights.- It is an issue for none LOS flights. (see further feedback below.)
5. With so many camera options possible: It would be great to have a monitor for each camera sensor..- Does anybody know what output options are available? For me it seems strange that there is a controller that only outputs one signal via HDMI when having 4 sensors capturing data. At least switchable would be fine as I understand bandwidth is not unlimited. Anybody knows what is possible? I didn't get a clear answer from the quick manual. (see further feedback on none LOS control in the list further below)
6. Dji is manufacturing enterprise grade tools.- I wish that they would open up for an enteprise grade controller and antenna solution. I'm aware of legal limtiations, etc.. but some more options in terms of antennas and hardware We will have to take the smart controller apart and get proper antenna N- female connectors in place. Further I'd like to upgrade the joysticks to enterprise grade ones with buttons and wheels and a button ring around just like standard gaming joysticks provide these days. This is again for professional none LOS control. Proper gaming stations are a good example of how to set up real time controlling UIs. Gamers know how challenging it is to sit and control for hours per day ;-) With 50 mins flight time and a whole day of inspections ergonomic design becomes very important. I believe there is room for improvement for dji or third party gear. (see further feedback below).
Here is further feedback on the smart controller mainly. I didn’t fullly test the HDMI functions yet however.
If I put the holding straps correctly then they are exactly in the way to control the joysticks and also the two buttons next to it. This is really flawed design (sorry). I don’t understand how this can happen for the professional class drone... or did I toally misunderstood anything here?
- The design of the controller box itself is also not very good for larger hands. You are supposed to be able to fly more than 30 minutes.- Ergonomy is much more important now than it was with earlier models flying around 25 minutes.
- The new EU classes (“specific”) allows to fly beyond LOS. It would be great if DJI adapts their professional class drones to match “real new world”:
a) Flying longer missions out of LOS means you will most likely sit in a chair. – and often indoor (e.g. mobile office vehicle) to avoid being distracted by noise and dust (construction missions), confusing light circumstances (blinded by sun), freezing fingers, etc.. The consequence is that you need an external antenna. I’m aware of the impact on EIRP but as with cars it’s up to the driver to keep the speed limit. Further, it doesn’t mean that just by using an external antenna an increase of EIRP. Low gain omni antennas would be appropriate then. Solution: provide antenna connectors just like on the Cendence controller.- if possible even the client to choose the type (RP SMA, N-type) instead of driving customers into modifying the controllers.
b)The other issue is monitoring the mission using technical tools rather than human eyes requires a well and flexible arrangement of the data, - spread over various monitors including back-up. FPV view becomes much more important flying out of LOS. see point 4
- With increasing number of camera sensors the data produced by the various sensors increases. I’m unaware of how DJI handles the video downstream in terms of bandwidth handling.- However, this makes it even more important that the visual real-time output of the controller(s) is flexible. With the Matrice 300 and H20t camera it would be great if:
- a) FPV view on the controller’s display and HDMI output displaying the H20t sensors (switchable just like on the controller’s screen) without affecting the fpv image. OSD output via HDMI to be switchable seperatly.
- b) FPV view on the controller’s display and on a larger secondary screen for a co-pilit and sending the H20t image(s) via a 2nd HDMI port. – also here OSD switchable.
- c) FPV on the HDMI output with OSD and h20t on the Controller’s screen with switchable OSD.
- d) Any other combination
The reason why is simply that if making (e.g.) a environmental survey and the expert is asking to stop so the expert can zoom in to check a certain detail you don’t want to all the time switch screens. This is related to the issue that the Matrice 300 has got no pan-fixed fpv camera that can tilt down to see where you actually are above ground. (important for many different reasons). If you want to check this you have got to “misuse” the gimbal mounted H20 to do the jov that actually the pilot should do. - When flying from a control station it would be much better to have a separate touch screen display that can be used to control the mission app/pilot app. It’s not really understandable that a phone size screen should give you full control especially with the background of outside LOS flights where the main screen becomes so much more important.
- Related to 5: When will finally a proper windows SDK be available in order to fly directly from a proper laptop? Corporate world is mainly using windows (for good reasons). Every “in and out” shifting data around should be avoided.
- What happened really to the “tracktenna” announced in 2017? Was it an EIRP compliance issue? The tracktenna that was announced in 2017 by Dji never made it unfortunately.- although now the EU regulations are open for flights beyond LOS. A pitty because it would have improved flight safety which I thought is a point for dji
Cheers,
Bob
| 
lvl.3
Administrator
lvl.4
lvl.1
