It's this limit an unavoidable restriction [FAA ?] or will exist ways or places to fly higher ?

That´s what I am wondering and it seems nobody actually care. DJI Phanton 4 looks ok even if it is not a technological leap..But, what about Altitude limit? In Inspire and Phantom 3, max. altitude is "6000 m (Default altitude limit: 120 m above takeoff point))". Actually, you can set max altitude to 500 m .  But if you read carefully Specs fort he new DJI Phantom 4,  it literally says 19685 feet (6000 m)  (Software altitude limit: 400 feet above takeoff point). What does this mean? I already find too limiting 500 m above takeoff point, especially when flying in Mountain areas or in cliffs by the sea, or simply deep valleys.  Has effective altitude limit above takeoff  changed to 400 feet ?.Does anyone know? The different wording in Specs really make it suspicious.

Highlander Brow Posted at 2016-3-1 16:11
That´s what I am wondering and it seems nobody actually care. DJI Phanton 4 looks ok even if it is  ...

I do fully agree.
So what is the real altitude limit ?
No more possible flights above 120 meters or 400 feet ?
Will DJI clearly answer that ?

Jacques850 Posted at 2016-3-2 03:37
I do fully agree.
So what is the real altitude limit ?
No more possible flights above 120 meters o ...

The max altitude is limited to 500m from take off point.I'm sorry for the prior error given.

Wow, I'm out.  How many cars do you think you would sell if you put a max speed limiter and set it to 65 mph.  You guys have no idea how quickly consumers are going to do an about face on this one.  We are going to build in all these great features, oh and a set of handcuffs.  Not that I go over, or will ever need to go over 400 ft, but at least with the P3 the decision is mine to make.  Had the credit card actually out.

DJI-Ken Posted at 2016-3-1 16:50
The max altitude is limited to 400ft from take off point.

Would you please explain us the real, legal or marketing reason [if one] to create that new and unpleasant restriction for what appeared as a so handsome new product ?

What?  Only 120m? Crazy.

This is software limitation option like in the P3 (enabling to 500) or this is permanent?

DJI-Ken Posted at 2016-3-1 13:50
The max altitude is limited to 400ft from take off point.

How are you supposed to get shots if your in the mountains unless on top of one? I definitely won't be buying one.

With this amazing model Phantom 4, you can fly a cylinder of 500 m diameter  (VLOS regulation) and  120 m height (above takeoff point)...expensive toy!  This is not serious.

wheeliesteve Posted at 2016-3-1 17:39
How are you supposed to get shots if your in the mountains unless on top of one? I definitely won' ...

I'm not living in USA.
Why am I forced to flight below 120 meters ?

Should we wait for an upcoming similar exxagerate restriction for P3 and Inspire through a next update of firmware ?

I live uphill and normally fly my phantom 3 before battery goes to around 50% long range however... as i am going uphill further (not mountains just hills) at 400ft i have to increase this height because ground level is getting closer to me and this i have to avoid tall trees ( DJI need to adjust the feet at ground level and not the take off point as this can be dangerous) . Also 400ft limit makes me weary for impact on flying birds as i am working uphill.

This will not work trust me!!

I was so close to ordering this  to.

Jacques850 Posted at 2016-3-1 21:56
Should we wait for an upcoming similar exxagerate restriction for P3 and Inspire through a next upda ...

Good question.

Better to keep eyes open and block DJI servers on mobile devices.

What doe's this mean? From DJI's web site.
Beginner Mode

The Phantom 4’s beginner mode limits Beginner flyers to 100ft (30m) up and away. It also prevents camera tilt controls to allow beginner pilots to familiarize themselves with flying before adding more distance and camera control. When beginner mode is switched off, the Phantom 4 will default to a maximum flight altitude of 390ft (120m) above the takeoff point. This can be adjusted to a maximum of 1640ft (500m). You can also set your own maximum distance.

This is very bad !!

Jacques850 Posted at 2016-3-1 15:56
Should we wait for an upcoming similar exxagerate restriction for P3 and Inspire through a next upda ...

You can bet its coming.

pgrover516 Posted at 2016-3-1 16:22
That's a real shame as it's a great machine, I will definitely move to another brand for the next  ...

I really dont care about the 400 ft limit, i dont fly over that anyway what its upsetting is the direction this hobby is headed.

Mostly filming glaciars and mountainous lanscapes around the world.
Due to 400 feet limit, P4 becomes a useless $1.400 toy, specificaly in those cases.
Not bad, but not suiting a LOT of frequent flyers, heavy users and "till-now" fans.

I just think DJI could be clearer about that.
Fearing and concerned about new restrictions to upcome sneakily...

It should not limit to 400 feet. Not least because it would be a problem for people filming in areas with elevation (mountains).

400 foot Max?
The canyons where I live are 800 - 1000 feet tall, not good.....

I suspect and hope that this will be changed to something you can disable in the app. Shouldn't affect me too much, but for the majority of users, this can be bad news.

Such  height restriction can not be applied to former versions like Phantom 3 Pro or Inspire 1. When I bought my equipment I was promised a performance. DJI can not degrade it without facing legal actions,

highflyerone@ho Posted at 2016-3-1 22:07
What doe's this mean? From DJI's web site.
Beginner Mode

Where did you found it? I cant see it on DJI web.

I think ken was talking about defalt limit of 400 ft, if your read through the discription is says you can change it to 500 m

On DJI's home page under learn more, then scroll down to more.
It is under Beginner Mode learn more.

Highlander Brow Posted at 2016-3-1 18:32
Such  height restriction can not be applied to former versions like Phantom 3 Pro or Inspire 1. When ...

Do we know the REAL reasons for DJI to do that ?
Are we sure or could we believe no "masked or malicious" updates will take place and limit the altitude of all their products, based on allegated increase of safety for "all the community" ?
What will we do after, when impossible to downgrade ?
Suing DJI ?

OK, i found it.

R&L Aerial  Posted at 2016-3-1 18:35
I think ken was talking about defalt limit of 400 ft, if your read through the discription is says y ...

DJI is denying that...

It looks like...the 500 m height above takeoff position is possible then! Why DJI-Ken said in one post that 120 m is the absolute max altitude?

The 400ft Limit is a default setting after you come out of Beginner Mode. You can then change that 400ft setting to anything up to 500mts. It's on the page about Beginner Mode.
BEGINNER MODE

The Phantom 4’s beginner mode limits Beginner flyers to 100ft (30m) up and away. It also prevents camera tilt controls to allow beginner pilots to familiarize themselves with flying before adding more distance and camera control. When beginner mode is switched off, the Phantom 4 will default to a maximum flight altitude of 390ft (120m) above the takeoff point. This can be adjusted to a maximum of 1640ft (500m). You can also set your own maximum distance.

Highlander Brow Posted at 2016-3-1 16:44
It looks like...the 500 m height above takeoff position is possible then! Why DJI-Ken said in one po ...

Yes maybe he has bad information. If it goes to 500m height then I would purchase it.

At least confuse.For obvious purposes ?
How many people plan to order P4 without clear understanding or perception of this altitude limit, as confirmed by DJI-Ken ?

Indeed i pre ordered one, i dont want to go max 120Meter high
lets hope ken is wrong

Is this DJI decision to put a limit on the 400 altitude or is it something to do with the FAA

But DJI Ken said http://forum.dji.com/forum.php?m ... 9&fromuid=49267

In addition, the Specs wording are different to those for Phantom 3 and Inspire.  "default altutude" is not found in the new Phantom 4 specs

R&L Aerial  Posted at 2016-3-2 05:35
I think ken was talking about defalt limit of 400 ft, if your read through the discription is says y ...

The max altitude limit is indeed 500m.