Hi Guys - I need help on this issue as I seem to keep getting the run around.

My issues are:

1. During the first 2-3 minutes of flight (everywhere I've flown) I get blinking red compass error on the status bar and drifting. I fly atti a lot so I am ready to compensate on drift. -- Now I've read by tahoe_ed that this is due to be fixed in the upcoming firmware update?

2. HD signal strength for video feed is extremley weak when I reach 1,200-1500 horizontal distance (not altitude). I get the warnings and 1-2 bars of strength. Other users are pushing their Inspires out almost a mile. Keep in mind I'm not looking to push these types of distances however I do feel I'm not able to take advantage of the range this craft is capable of.

I've tried both my iPad Air (V.1) + iPhone 6, same issues for both platforms.

Please help!

Thank you,

Scott

Hi Scooter,
I have no problems with my Ipad air (wifi only)

Try to switch on airplane mode on yr device.
Maybe thats the culprit.

Scooter i believe that is a firmware/app bug  and is reproducible ....i am scratching my head for same issue....for now ATT flight is only safe alternative

I also experience the weak HD signal at approx 1,300 ft distance and no more than 100-150 ft altitude. Is that normal then?

today at 3500 feet , 150 feet high , not one video freeze with an ipad air2 ,
13 flights and never gps loss

dundee Posted at 2015-2-26 16:21
Hi Scooter,
I have no problems with my Ipad air (wifi only)

Hey Dundee - I always switch to airplane mode prior to takeoff after I have loaded map at my location (I have the cellular capable iPad Air Version 1)

Embelish Posted at 2015-2-27 00:25
I also experience the weak HD signal at approx 1,300 ft distance and no more than 100-150 ft altitud ...

Not according to DJI and other posters who are reporting distances without interruption. Something isn't right...

scooterlam Posted at 2015-2-27 01:08
Not according to DJI and other posters who are reporting distances without interruption. Something ...

Are you selecting a channel or letting the Auto feature do it?

You should have some else look at you while you are holding the controller.  In most instances, antenna direction causes the lack of distance.  Remember, the antennas should be perpendicular to the inspire, not perpendicular to the ground.

method007 Posted at 2015-2-27 08:45
You should have some else look at you while you are holding the controller.  In most instances, ante ...

I have my antennas slightly facing up and outwards like rabbit ears.  Like this: "  \   /  " I always face the direction of the Inspire.

I know what perpendicular means however trying to figure out what that looks like in relation to this scenario. Antennas straight up?

leostrat_54@yah Posted at 2015-2-27 05:13
Are you selecting a channel or letting the Auto feature do it?

Auto feature. Selecting a channel has never worked for me as the channels never seem stronger than one another. They bounce from green to red so I don't feel comfortable choosing one manually.

If you are flying over a built up area, houses and buildings, most probably this would affect your range. Magnetic fields, powerlines, other repeaters and transmitters like cell phone towers etc would havens effect.

Scooter, your antennas should be parallel like this "| |", and from what I've read, the flat part of the antenna blades should be perpendicular to the aircraft.

ulrick Posted at 2015-2-27 23:25
Scooter, your antennas should be parallel like this "| |", and from what I've read, the flat part of ...

Thanks Mate - So tips point to the sky at a 90 degree parallel from one another?

Yes, that sounds correct.

Just to recap, if you were to connect a straight line from the inspire (flying around up in the air) to the antennas, it should be perpendicular to the antenna (lengthwise), and the flat part of the antennas pointed towards the craft.  

Hope that helps.

ulrick Posted at 2015-2-28 02:58
Yes, that sounds correct.

Just to recap, if you were to connect a straight line from the inspire (f ...

Thank you - didn't realize they were that sensitive. I'll test tomorrow.

All this time i've had my antennas pointed at the bird. Several flights of just over 1km at over 100m and no problems. Maybe i've just been lucky?
I guess one way to tell is move the antennas when you get a problem to see which direction best fixes it.

scooterlam Posted at 2015-2-27 08:57
Auto feature. Selecting a channel has never worked for me as the channels never seem stronger than ...

I have been following because I also have this issue. have you tried taking it out of auto yet? I was afraid to do it at first so I waited and put up with the signal loss... I finally switched auto off and like you most of my lines were barely visible above the bottom line and kept changing from green to red...I found the tallest green one I could and chose that channel... Even tho it appears from the graph to be weaker than the auto channel I am not getting any drop out.....

Hi Scooterlam

Good thread, I have been having the same problem. I have only had the inspire for a couple of weeks so only taken out a few times, but i was expecting it to go further then i does before it flashes bad RC signal.  (Have not had a go at choosing a custom channel yet, all looks a bit confusing!)
On the last flight i did notice that the inspire did drift to left slightly when hovering too.  Need to test again to see how bad it is.
I have been using a new iPad mini 3 but returned it the other day because i came to the conclusion from others on the forum and talking to Dji live chat support that really the pilot app is opitmized for the A8 chip.  So may get the iPad Air 2 or up grade my phone to iPhone 6.  What are peoples thoughts on using the iPad air 2? Does it not feel i bit big??

dundee Posted at 2015-2-26 16:21
Hi Scooter,
I have no problems with my Ipad air (wifi only)

True, it does make a big difference. I found that with my Phantom. By using "Airplane Mode" I more than doubled my distance. I also fly Cell Towers for Inspection while they are in use and active and have never had a problem and I am literally within inches of the Antennas.

Embelish Posted at 2015-2-27 00:25
I also experience the weak HD signal at approx 1,300 ft distance and no more than 100-150 ft altitud ...

Try Dundee's suggestion and see what happens?

scooterlam Posted at 2015-2-27 08:56
I have my antennas slightly facing up and outwards like rabbit ears.  Like this: "  \   /  " I alw ...

To Scooterlam : Look at this test.

Scooter,

Try this.
I don't know if will address any of your problems but after I calibrate the compass and take off I go to about 20', bring my gear up, and do a couple really slow 360's in place. I make this part of my pre-flight on each session.

I read someplace (can't remember where) that this helps the GPS lock on. I have no idea if this is true. It's just something I do each flight (because it takes little time) and don't seem to have GPS problems. Maybe this is not true and just over-kill. You decide.

dundee Posted at 2015-3-12 21:31
To Scooterlam : Look at this test.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BPQxflfQiE

Just to be safe, I'll stick with the DJI guidelines on this.

Hey scooter,

I experienced these type of problems before the latest firmware and have had really strong GPS, RC, and Image transmission signals ever since.

Before, I would lose it around 800 ft distance and 200 ft altitude, which irritated me, but I never used long distance shots so it wasn't horrible. But like you said, I felt it hindered me from really utilizing it's capabilities.

Maybe a compass calibration before ever flight and IMU calibration every 3-5 flights? (not including battery changes)
I experienced signal problems which were fixed with the IMU calibration, so that may help.
And a fully charged RC is always helpful.

Best of luck!

This may sound juvenile, but some of you guys have cell enabled pads and you turn on airplane mode, are the guys with wifi versions remembering to turn off their wifi? Because I'll be honest here... I just realized every flight I've had my wifi was still on in my IPad.

Dangair Posted at 2015-3-13 00:05
This may sound juvenile, but some of you guys have cell enabled pads and you turn on airplane mode,  ...

Thank You Dangair!

I hadn't even thought about the necessity of turning off my WIFI.

Again, Thanks a Bunch!

I don't know if it really matters if they are not on the same frequency or a harmonic resonant frequency but you never know. Anyway, I'm gonna remember to turn it off after I've cashed my map