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[size=14.666666984558105px]I've been reading up in advance of my MP arriving Monday from a second source, despite an order 5 Nov from which the stockist has yet to receive stock from DJI.
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The manual is very clear on calibration; i.e. IMU and compass.
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Yet I keep seeing comments from DJI support staff here recommending compass calibration before every flight, rather than when the app commands it.
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I'd like to get this right so, which is it?
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Exactly as the manual, no deviation?
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Similarly, I've just watched an official DJI support video which refers to the DJI Go app, not the DJI Go 4, despite a being a tutorial on calibrating IMU.
[size=14.666666984558105px]I assume i should be using the DJI Go 4?

[size=14.666666984558105px]Many thanks.

As the Manual says don't calibrate until prompted, I would like you to show where you seen dji mod here say calibrate before every flight, that's no true..

Hi Willhay555, all I can tell you is I fly an Inspire 1 and " MY instructions" for the Inspire 1 says to calibrate before every new, or different flying location,  and that is exactly what I do. The Mavic "instructions",  however say calibrate when prompted, and that is exactly what I would do. If you follow the instructions (as long as you understand them) you can't go wrong! Beware of hearsay and follow the instructions. Ken  

On page 51 it also says this on mavic pro instructions,this was just copied and pasted
Note number 2..............

When to Recalibrate
1. When compass data is abnormal and the Aircraft Status Indicator is blinking green and yellow.
2. When  flying  in a new location or in a location that is different from the most recent  flight.
3. When the mechanical or physical structure of the Mavic Pro has been changed.
4. When severe drifting occurs in  ight, i.e. Mavic Pro does not  y in straight line.

fans6b1659a0 Posted at 2017-1-22 18:45
On page 51 it also says this on mavic pro instructions,this was just copied and pasted
Note number 2..............

I agree  with that,   but have see  several people that insist it should also be done after a firmware update,    I would like to believe,  that if it needs it, it will tell me,  

fans6b1659a0 Posted at 2017-1-22 18:45
On page 51 it also says this on mavic pro instructions,this was just copied and pasted
Note number 2..............

i keep getting conflicting answers about #2 some say within 20 miles calibrate compass some say over 1000 miles and some say not at all unless it says to which is it??

hallmark007 Posted at 2017-1-21 14:15
As the Manual says don't calibrate until prompted, I would like you to show where you seen dji mod here say calibrate before every flight, that's no true..

It was probably following a reported problem by a user rather than a general point.

fans6b1659a0 Posted at 2017-1-22 18:45
On page 51 it also says this on mavic pro instructions,this was just copied and pasted
Note number 2..............

I'm not to sure what version of the Manual you are reading this from I use version 1.2. And it's not in my manual on p51 .

#2 is very unclear. But it was the same instruction for the phantom.  I calibrated only when I was hundreds of miles away from any prior flown location. Never had an issue

fans90d4f438 Posted at 2017-1-23 05:39
#2 is very unclear. But it was the same instruction for the phantom.  I calibrated only when I was hundreds of miles away from any prior flown location. Never had an issue

P50 Manual top of the page, you will find it there..

sorry, what i meant was that the way DJI has #2 phrased, it's vague. It would be better if they clearly defined "new location"

Regardless of what any manuals say or don't say, I always re-calibrate the compass when traveling more than 100-200 miles from my last flying location.  Near my home, the magnetic deviation is about 1 degree per 60 miles.  It gets greater at  latitudes closer to the poles.  Always re-calibrate a fair distance away from metal structures and you won't experience any problems.

Griffith Posted at 2017-1-23 06:43
Regardless of what any manuals say or don't say, I always re-calibrate the compass when traveling more than 100-200 miles from my last flying location.  Near my home, the magnetic deviation is about 1 degree per 60 miles.  It gets greater at  latitudes closer to the poles.  Always re-calibrate a fair distance away from metal structures and you won't experience any problems.

except excess calibration probably is doing more harm..than good.

From another forum..

"There are typically only two reasons why a compass would need calibration: Magnetic deviation and changes in magnetic declination.

Magnetic deviation is compass error caused by magnetic fields which can be hardware related (near-field), caused by large metal structures or sources of strong magnetic interference like power lines, etc. (local), or by geological influences like iron deposits in the earth (regional).
Near-field magnetic deviation is usually the result of changes in the device's hardware like adding or moving a battery pack, camera, etc or replacing motors with ones with different magnetic characteristics. If you haven't done anything like that then it shouldn't be necessary to re-calibrate your compass.
It's also not wise to re-calibrate your compass to correct for local magnetic influence like large buildings and power lines because what you'll actually be doing is introducing error once you fly away from those things.
It may be necessary to re-calibrate the compass to correct for regional compass error, but that will depend on how widespread the magnetic influence is throughout the area you will be flying in. Local pilots and/or the local airport will know whether there is regional magnetic deviation in the area.
The other reason it might be necessary to re-calibrate a compass is to correct for changes in the magnetic declination between true north and magnetic north as you change locations. But devices which are GPS enabled know where they are and all but the most rudimentary systems will automatically correct the magnetic declination values for changes in location. Consequently, it's not necessary to re-calibrate the compass on most GPS enabled devices for differences in location.

The bottom line is those of you who insist on re-calibrating your compass frequently are most likely being counterproductive. If the compass is calibrated correctly to begin with and you haven't made any changes to the hardware (which, BTW, includes any abrupt changes in velocity [crashes]), then there's probably no valid reason to perform a compass re-calibration)."

fans90d4f438 Posted at 2017-1-23 12:46
except excess calibration probably is doing more harm..than good.

From another forum..

Nice one, I fully concur. Good post

My old Phantom of a few years ago. I had probably 300-400 flights on it before I sold it. In perfect condition. Literally still had the same props on it as I bought it, to when I sold it. I calibrated the compass maybe 5 times total. Flew it in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina.  Zero re-calibrating.  Took it to Mexico, and calibrated there:




Then calibrated when I came back.  That was about it.  Never had issues.

also..before the usual suspects come in whining about "omg you went over 400 feet..the FAA detectives are coming after you and youve ruined things for all drone flyers worldwide!" "OMG..you flew over a fish..you endangered wildlife. How dare you!"  

#1. I dont care about you
#2. FAA has no jurisdiction in Mexico.
#3. Not shown on this particular video..I've flown RC craft at altitudes and locations that I'll never post publically. ;-)

fans90d4f438 Posted at 2017-1-23 12:59
My old Phantom of a few years ago. I had probably 300-400 flights on it before I sold it. In perfect condition. Literally still had the same props on it as I bought it, to when I sold it. I calibrated the compass maybe 5 times total. Flew it in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina.  Zero re-calibrating.  Took it to Mexico, and calibrated there:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vAxO5SCJCY&t=23s

Nice video, good job ,  I've been to Isla majurers,  spent the day travelling around in a golf buggy, 2004, beautiful place, I feel the same about calibration, on my P4 I think I calibrated once and traveled many hundreds of miles no problem.

Isla Mijeres is like..one of my favorite vacation spots..like..anywhere.

Also, small trivia note:
  
Recognize the 1:35 point here?  :-)

fans90d4f438 Posted at 2017-1-23 13:15
Isla Mijeres is like..one of my favorite vacation spots..like..anywhere.

Also, small trivia note:

Oh yes I must go back there and bring my aircraft. Good luck..