title says it all, but can firmware help to improve battery life somehow. I'm averaging like 20-22 minutes. I actually just spoke to DJI about the issue too and they said that their HQ is aware that customers are having this problem. So can it be fixed through firmware?

Well, battery flight time is always less in practice when compared to the DJI published times. I think they measure it under ideal conditions, which you would never duplicate in the field. But fixing it by firmware, no, I don't think so. Even the P3 never got to its published flight time.

Not really something that firmware will change.


Dave

I am so used to flying my Inspire with the X5R that when I fly my Phantom3 or Phantom2 I feel like it will never be time to land. I am always checking the battery thinking it has to be almost done but no it just keeps going.
Perspective....
I guess....


Dave

DJI-Dave Posted at 2016-4-2 11:40
I am so used to flying my Inspire with the X5R that when I fly my Phantom3 or Phantom2 I feel like i ...

Yes, I agree. My problem is always that my attention span is less than the battery flight time, so it is never an issue.

Geebax Posted at 2016-4-1 17:42
Yes, I agree. My problem is always that my attention span is less than the battery flight time, so ...

This is true for most all of us. Including me.  I think if we ever got to a 1 hour flight time we would see a lot of crashes towards the end of the flight because of attention span. People need a small break in-between flights.
I think one day we will see 1 hour flight times (in the future) and it will be good for certain circumstances but not for everyone every-time. I personally do not need that long of a flight time. Not at all.
I do wish my Inspire flew as long as my Phantom though.

Dave

DJI-Dave Posted at 2016-4-2 11:51
This is true for most all of us. Including me.  I think if we ever got to a 1 hour flight time we  ...

My flights are always way less than the available time for most purposes, so I don't miss having long flight times. I always seem to fly fairly repetitive sequences.

DJI-Dave Posted at 2016-4-2 11:51
This is true for most all of us. Including me.  I think if we ever got to a 1 hour flight time we  ...

What I would like to see though is development of fuel cell technology for powering drones. Batteries are OK, but a fuel cell will not suffer from voltage sag in flight, is less subject to temperature extremes, should last longer than batteries and you always know for sure how much fuel is in the tank.

See article on the BBC about a  fuel cell powered drone http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-35890486

mcritchley Posted at 2016-4-2 14:35
See article on the BBC about a  fuel cell powered drone http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-35890486

Yes, thank you. I saw that. Some years ago there was a company offering fuel cell kits for RC model cars, I wish I had bought one at the time to experience it.

Just so you know the advertised 28 min is in Atti mode so try that and see what happens. Obviously that disables gps and decreases the amount of battery that has to be used.

Geebax Posted at 2016-4-1 20:25
What I would like to see though is development of fuel cell technology for powering drones. Batter ...

Yeah, that would be cool to see fuel cell tech in our drones.


Dave