So it's finally here...okay so it's here tomorrow. My Phantom 2 Vision+ arrives tomorrow! Just looking for general words of wisdom from those that are experienced as to avoid "rookie" mistakes.

Thanks and I'll see you in the sky

Read the manual, charge and calibrate everything, above all, have fun!

Read the forums - lots of good information!

Welcome!

Do ALL your calibrations and upgrades to the programming first before you fly.  Do the compass dance before you takeoff at the home point.  Read all you can and understand your machine and make small control movements on the controller close to the ground in GPS mode.

Gerry1124 Posted at 2015-3-27 06:38
Do ALL your calibrations and upgrades to the programming first before you fly.  Do the compass dance ...

As Gerry said small movements except give it full throttle until it is in the air and stable. Mine always seems to tip a little bit forward on take off

Well that rules me out!

Good luck anyway!

Jerry

Take the time to make sure you have 7 or more satellites.   When you take off, give it full throttle to get up and then let it hover at about 10'.    Check the lights to make sure everything is correct.   make some small movements to ensure everything works correctly.    When you land, I recommend using the throttle only to shut off the props, DON"T CSC.   And like Gerry said, read everything and do you homework.   It's sort of like skydiving, most of the time you pull the cord and the chute comes out, no problem.   You want to practice what to do when the chute doesn't come out

marc.aronowitz@ Posted at 2015-3-27 06:47
Take the time to make sure you have 7 or more satellites.   When you take off, give it full throttle ...

Parachute for sale. Used once, never opened, slight stain.

After the first short flight sit down and give your a knees to a chance to stop shaking.

What's CSC?

trsmith18@hotma Posted at 2015-3-27 07:15
What's CSC?

Code for ESC.

Gerry1124 Posted at 2015-3-27 07:18
Code for ESC.

You lost me Gerry. CSC is cross stick combination for starting and stopping the motors

Capt. Bill Posted at 2015-3-27 07:33
You lost me Gerry. CSC is cross stick combination for starting and stopping the motors

You got it my friend.  You know your codes.

trsmith18@hotma Posted at 2015-3-27 07:15
What's CSC?

Emergency shutdown.

trsmith18@hotma Posted at 2015-3-27 07:15
What's CSC?

Left stick all the way down and to the right, right stick all the way down and to the left. Starts motor and stops motor even when in the air.

trsmith18@hotma Posted at 2015-3-27 07:15
What's CSC?

Combination Stick Command

When you start/stop the motors you do the CSC.

Though the recommended way of stopping is just pull the throttle all the way down after landing. The motors will stop in seconds.

Rookie Mistakes:
#1 Did not bother to calibrate
#2 Tried to push the distance too early and ran out of battery.
#3 Flying over the ocean on your 1st flight
#4 Flying near a small airport the DJI has not blocked.  (there are a lot of these)

Anyone else?

Capt. Bill Posted at 2015-3-27 07:52
Though the recommended way of stopping is just pull the throttle all the way down after landing. The ...

Ya that's what I always do.

Didn't I say calibrate everything before Gerry?

I don't know how much prior experience you've had, but I'll assume (hope!) this is not your first rodeo!...... If you can fly a 'trainer', this things a breeze - once you understand it!

I was overwhelmed initially, and consider myself pretty good at this stuff..... I left the props off (remove the gimbal guard!) and ran it around the back yard by hand for two days to see what each part was doing. Confirm the home point is set, learn to glance at the display to check batteries, GPS status, adjust the camera angle and so on.

Then, find a nice big grassy area, do the compass dance, make sure the LEDs are flashing slow green and go fly! As has been said, keep it close and low and prepare to be impressed!
FWIW, I, and many others here, 'disagree' with DJI's assertion that you should start in 'Phantom mode' versus ''Naza-M" mode..... The latter 'scared' me initially, but once you 'get it', it makes a lot more sense IMO.

Good luck,
Cheers,
Ian

nrgwise@gmail.c Posted at 2015-3-27 08:18
Didn't I say calibrate everything before Gerry?

I was still typing when you had posted and not refreshed the screen yet.  If that bothers you so much, I'll delete mine to make you happy!

Also meant to note that the guide written by 'Fantomas' is a great supplement to the manual. Gives some background etc that definitely helped me get my head around it. I'm sure if you search his name the link to it will pop up.

Didnt see it mentioned but find an open field to practice in.  Stay away from sidewalks and roads and buildings as these can contain electric water and other conduits that can interfere with satellite lock and compass calibration.  Don't worry about anything fancy at first, stay 20-50 feet high and practice the contols.  Learn what everything does before adventuring out.  Take off your gimbal guard and lens cap before power up before lift off.  Always stop recording before powering off the phantom.  Practice Practice Practice and READ READ READ.  And above all else don't be afraid to come back and ask questions.

trsmith18@hotma Posted at 2015-3-27 07:15
What's CSC?

R U Serious?
CSC = Combination Stick Command!
It is one way of shutting off your Phantom motors when it lands,
I prefer, left stick held down for a few seconds on landing, a lot less chance of tipping.
Download this guide, it is awesome!, lots of good videos and info.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/mv8d1h ... ry%20Guide.pdf?dl=0

My only advice is to have fun and unless you are a porn star, don't do it with an audience! as you will never get it up when you want to or be able to sustain any height with control once you do for any sustained period of time and it will come down without any good reason..even though you think you are really, really ready!

Do you plan to start in Phantom or NAZA-M mode. If in NAZA add make sure both switches are the top position.

Northofthe49th Posted at 2015-3-27 08:45
R U Serious?
CSC = Combination Stick Command!
It is one way of shutting off your Phantom motors whe ...

CSC = Can't Stop Crying!
That's what happens after you have lost your Phantom and have not read anything and can't figure out why it left you or fell out of the sky unexpectedly and you want to file a flyaway69 form. That's the form where if you could fill it out, submit it and get approvals, you would turn around and do it differently given the opportunity!

Capt. Bill Posted at 2015-3-27 08:48
Do you plan to start in Phantom or NAZA-M mode. If in NAZA add make sure both switches are the top p ...

I planned on starting in Phantom mode for awhile until I get comfortable.

Is this what you would recommend or jump right in to NAZA-M mode

It'll be a POC......

(Piece of cake)


Have fun! :

trsmith18@hotma Posted at 2015-3-27 09:59
I planned on starting in Phantom mode for awhile until I get comfortable.

Is this what you would  ...

There are many advantages to NAZA mode (home lock in particular). The disadvantage for the new pilot is the fact that in NAZA, essentially each and every position of switches S1 and S2 have different, and in some cases dramatic differences as to flight, so, if you are aware of this, and are careful not to inadvertently change the position of either/both switches, NAZA is the way to go. If you elect to go NAZA, turn on IOC, and change the function of S1 at the bottom position to FailSafe.

Gerry1124 Posted at 2015-3-27 08:31
I was still typing when you had posted and not refreshed the screen yet.  If that bothers you so m ...

Did not come out right, was being facetious.

Fly in course lock. That way it responds to the same orintation no matter which direction its facing.

After your 5th flight or so, you'll be really pleased with that wonderful fly past of the object that you wanted to video, only to remember that you forgot to press the "record" button .

Seriously, do all he preflight checks, then do them again. Then press the record button, then take off.

Thanks for the kind words, advice and a little sarcasm . Charging everything up tonight. Rereading the manual and watching videos. Hoping to have maiden voyage tomorrow. I'll report back

cant wait to see how it goes for you

trsmith18@hotma Posted at 2015-3-28 07:00
Thanks for the kind words, advice and a little sarcasm . Charging everything up tonight. Rereading ...

It wasn't sarcasm, it was to make a fun way to get the information you need to you.

trsmith18@hotma Posted at 2015-3-27 07:15
What's CSC?

Well,
I don't know about all of you but good bad or ugly I didn't post explicit details of my first time......and git your heads out of the rudder, we are talking about flying, right!

Northofthe49th Posted at 2015-3-28 08:51
Well,
I don't know about all of you but good bad or ugly I didn't post explicit details of my first ...

It's been soooooooooooo long for me that I can't remember my first time.

trsmith18@hotma Posted at 2015-3-27 09:59
I planned on starting in Phantom mode for awhile until I get comfortable.

Is this what you would  ...

That's good, but that's how I had my first crash.  Actually, my daughter did but it was my fault.  I had it in home lock mode and handed her the controls without switching back to phantom mode.  She likes flying from the FPV screen.  It went through a few branches at 20 ft altitude, smacked the ground, lost a prop, but all else was fine.

perdidoflyer Posted at 2015-3-27 10:15
There are many advantages to NAZA mode (home lock in particular). The disadvantage for the new pil ...

If DJI had thought it through, the bottom position of switch 1 would DEFAULT to failsafe.  I wouldn't say "NAZA mode is for experts", but I WOULD say "Manual mode is for experts."  And I'll never be an expert.

paul@westpointd Posted at 2015-3-28 11:50
If DJI had thought it through, the bottom position of switch 1 would DEFAULT to failsafe.  I would ...

Paul,
You can easily set this as your default in NAZA-M, i get it would be nice if everything were perfect but perfect for one is not perfect for another so the fact there is some flexibility to program to your needs is kind of cool, i think..If you want stock out of the box, stay with Phantom Mode, it really has what most flyers want, if you want flexibility, go NAZA-M and configure as needed. I just changed S1 position 3 tonight from Failsafe to Manual, and was easy as pie to do which i like.....I hope i like the end result as i have never flown in full manual, it may be a few days as it is raining cats and dogs here for the next few days but i am looking forward to it.

Guy,
I dream and have always dreamt of flying!
In manual..I will be off..I might shart myself in the process but I have to give it a go..as soon as the weather clears..I will truly be flying....