Hi, what is the furthest/maximum distance travelled that you have flow your spark (with out any modifications) and safely ruturned back.

I don't know about Norway law, but in Poland without BVLOS UAVO license you are only allowed to fly as far away as you are able to see your drone with a naked eye. For a drone as small as Spark, it is just a low few hundred meters max. Personally I never fly farther than circa 150-160 meters and even at this distant it is hard (for me) to judge which direction Spark is pointing out. On the other hand, I saw on YT films where Spark was flying beyond 4km. I'm not convinced that it is a responsible behavior and for sure it would be illegal here in Poland.

_pk Posted at 2017-10-30 09:59
I don't know about Norway law, but in Poland without BVLOS UAVO license you are only allowed to fly as far away as you are able to see your drone with a naked eye. For a drone as small as Spark, it is just a low few hundred meters max. Personally I never fly farther than circa 150-160 meters and even at this distant it is hard (for me) to judge which direction Spark is pointing out. On the other hand, I saw on YT films where Spark was flying beyond 4km. I'm not convinced that it is a responsible behavior and for sure it would be illegal here in Poland.

I live in United Kingdom, we also need to keep line of sight.
However I have also seen many videos of people going 4000+m. Personally I have only been about 100-150m.
I Agree the spark is small and hard to see at such distance. the good thing is that you can always check your screen to see what direction you are going or facing. I have had problem with a smaller drone not knowing what way it was facing at just 50m and ended up flying further away instead of back towards me.

750 meters or so is my top flight at an altitude of 120 meters. This was in the country side, so no building , just crop fields and tress.

I have had beyond 1km at 80-100m altitude twice without any signal loss,
using 2.4Ghz, but I honestly could not see it out there.

I've had maximum altitude and 440 meters at the beach on 5Ghz , haven't tried 2.4Ghz yet.

My previous spark could only manage 350 meters out and maximum altitude, same location , same tablet OTG and RC.

m1n1s Posted at 2017-10-30 10:42
I've had maximum altitude and 440 meters at the beach on 5Ghz , haven't tried 2.4Ghz yet.

My previous spark could only manage 350 meters out and maximum altitude, same location , same tablet OTG and RC.

440m is quite high! I have only been about 100high. I'm hoping for some clam weather when I return home...
yes I also plan on trying the two frequencies in my usual spot and seeing what the difference is.
I haven't tried the OTG cable yet and I have only flown with the RC.

The furthest I've flown out is about 5000' but I haven't really tried for distance, that is just as far as I've gone out in order to get pics/video.  

TexasAerials Posted at 2017-10-30 11:10
The furthest I've flown out is about 5000' but I haven't really tried for distance, that is just as far as I've gone out in order to get pics/video.

is that 5000ft?  1524m?

My friend just recently flew it nearly 2km (1931m) out to sea to do some whale watching.... it came back alright...
Forgot to add this was in Australia which defaults to 5.8G

fansb181213c Posted at 2017-10-30 11:31
My friend just recently flew it nearly 2km (1931m) out to sea to do some whale watching.... it came back alright...

did he find any whales?  I work out at sea and have seen many things including dolphins, seals, sea lions even an octopus but I still haven't seen a whale. hopefully one day....
1931m is quite impressive!  I would be so worried about loosing my spark going this far especially over water!

My max distance has been some 870m in 5.8GHz and 130m high...I would liek to fly at 2,4GHz but it won't fly in that chanel wen I have tried.

Viking-Pilot Posted at 2017-10-30 12:07
My max distance has been some 870m in 5.8GHz and 130m high...I would liek to fly at 2,4GHz but it won't fly in that chanel wen I have tried.

oh really I wonder why thats is? I haven't tried yet myself but I hope it works

As far as I can see it is how far I have flown.  It was across a 50 acre corn field.   I fly it like I do my RC airplanes since that is according to the hobbist regulations for us unlicensed users.   I need photos that are close to the ground anyway.  High altitude and crossing cities is something I don't need.

Gunship9 Posted at 2017-10-30 12:12
As far as I can see it is how far I have flown.  It was across a 50 acre corn field.   I fly it like I do my RC airplanes since that is according to the hobbist regulations for us unlicensed users.   I need photos that are close to the ground anyway.  High altitude and crossing cities is something I don't need.

for sure, its quite small and I worry about it flying away if I go too far.

I have rarely gone over 100m altitude and 200m distance, It really i hard to see the Spark after these distances, I rename it the Spec. Prefer to keep it within range really. Especially altitude wise.

Ryan's Sparky Posted at 2017-10-30 12:11
oh really I wonder why thats is? I haven't tried yet myself but I hope it works

I dont know, but it seems like the drone can't connect to the RC in that chanel, so I had to switch back to 5.8

jksphoto Posted at 2017-10-30 12:18
I have rarely gone over 100m altitude and 200m distance, It really i hard to see the Spark after these distances, I rename it the Spec. Prefer to keep it within range really. Especially altitude wise.

haha the spec, yes I understand this alto I do have a much smaller drone!

Viking-Pilot Posted at 2017-10-30 12:21
I dont know, but it seems like the drone can't connect to the RC in that chanel, so I had to switch back to 5.8

I am not sure, you should speak to dji support and see if they can assist you

Ryan's Sparky Posted at 2017-10-30 12:25
I am not sure, you should speak to dji support and see if they can assist you

You think so? I have no problem flying in 5.8GHz with no obstacles and no interfering I can go beyond 840 m, and thats way too much, maybe i can go beyond 1km in 2.4 but that scares me a little...lol

Viking-Pilot Posted at 2017-10-30 12:30
You think so? I have no problem flying in 5.8GHz with no obstacles and no interfering I can go beyond 840 m, and thats way too much, maybe i can go beyond 1km in 2.4 but that scares me a little...lol

I suppose if your happy then there no need, 840m is pretty far, was further than I've been. I too would be happy with that

Ryan's Sparky Posted at 2017-10-30 12:32
I suppose if your happy then there no need, 840m is pretty far, was further than I've been. I too would be happy with that

Yeah, but maybe when I feel more confident in the near future I might be interesting in trying to fly in 2.4 then I hope it works for me, otherwise I'll have to report the bug to DJI.

Viking-Pilot Posted at 2017-10-30 12:46
Yeah, but maybe when I feel more confident in the near future I might be interesting in trying to fly in 2.4 then I hope it works for me, otherwise I'll have to report the bug to DJI.

yes defiantly

Ryan's Sparky Posted at 2017-10-30 12:14
for sure, its quite small and I worry about it flying away if I go too far.

And the upside of flying within sight was being able to see across the corn field and notice a hawk that started circling 20 feet over the Spark.  I stopped the photo session, turned it, and ran back to myself in Sport mode.

I think a lot of the bird take downs of drones happen where the operator couldn't see the drone.  First indication of a ticked off bird would be the operator seeing claws reaching for the camera lens.

I've been out to 2,871 meters (9,420 feet)  at 120 meter (400 feet) altitude using OTG.  That is the distance Spark lost contact and started RTH.   I was out in my back yard and headed straight out over the water so had Line of Sight the entire time (not visual contact), very little structure nearby generating any signals or interference.  

For me with the Spark the farther I have gone was 1300 meters. But I feel that I could have gone a little bit further.

Ryan's Sparky Posted at 2017-10-30 11:35
did he find any whales?  I work out at sea and have seen many things including dolphins, seals, sea lions even an octopus but I still haven't seen a whale. hopefully one day....
1931m is quite impressive!  I would be so worried about loosing my spark going this far especially over water!

Plenty of whales to see here this time of year, they're heading south, a lot of them are also quite close to the shore, so 2km  range often not needed.

I usually fly under 200m in altitude and have made it about 1 km.  

I have only flown about 500m away and 180m high. I dont know how others can fly up to 2km away. Even at 500m I am constantly getting weak video feed signals.

As a long range test,just over 2500m in FCC some time ago. But under optimal circumstances, me think: RC on high ground, with a real slope in front

Ryan's Sparky Posted at 2017-10-30 10:24
I live in United Kingdom, we also need to keep line of sight.
However I have also seen many videos of people going 4000+m. Personally I have only been about 100-150m.
I Agree the spark is small and hard to see at such distance. the good thing is that you can always check your screen to see what direction you are going or facing. I have had problem with a smaller drone not knowing what way it was facing at just 50m and ended up flying further away instead of back towards me.

There is only one way, to prevent flying in the wrong direction if video feed is gone. Hitting RTH, waiting for the noisy beeping some seconds, till the bird is nose front to home, interrupt RTH  and full forward.

Ryan's Sparky Posted at 2017-10-30 10:24
I live in United Kingdom, we also need to keep line of sight.
However I have also seen many videos of people going 4000+m. Personally I have only been about 100-150m.
I Agree the spark is small and hard to see at such distance. the good thing is that you can always check your screen to see what direction you are going or facing. I have had problem with a smaller drone not knowing what way it was facing at just 50m and ended up flying further away instead of back towards me.

Please ensure that the GPS signal is good enough and it will record home point. You can use RTH to protect your drone from flying away. Since you live in UK, you spark is in CE mode and here is the distance of the mode:
Linking RC without interference:
2.4G : 500 m
5.8G : 300 m
Linking mobile device:
50 m in height and 100 m in distance

JCStorbeck Posted at 2017-10-30 13:53
I've been out to 2,871 meters (9,420 feet)  at 120 meter (400 feet) altitude using OTG.  That is the distance Spark lost contact and started RTH.   I was out in my back yard and headed straight out over the water so had Line of Sight the entire time (not visual contact), very little structure nearby generating any signals or interference.

JCStorbeck....

;-)

Interesting words.

I don't know if you are from the US, but from the FAA site - "Must keep the aircraft in sight (visual line-of-sight)".  You mentioned ".....straight out over the water so had Line of Sight the entire time (not visual contact), very little structure.....".

I think it is an interesting scenario.  When looking up "line of sight", the description is often "nothing between point a and point b", which would fit your scenario.

I just am not sure what the FAA means by that.....is it literally "I can still see my drone"...or "there is nothing between my drone and me".

Interesting...

Todd in Chicago

Gunship9 Posted at 2017-10-30 13:30
And the upside of flying within sight was being able to see across the corn field and notice a hawk that started circling 20 feet over the Spark.  I stopped the photo session, turned it, and ran back to myself in Sport mode.

I think a lot of the bird take downs of drones happen where the operator couldn't see the drone.  First indication of a ticked off bird would be the operator seeing claws reaching for the camera lens.

yes that would be an issue

S-e-ven Posted at 2017-10-30 17:18
As a long range test,just over 2500m in FCC some time ago. But under optimal circumstances, me think: RC on high ground, with a real slope in front

thats a very good range.

S-e-ven Posted at 2017-10-30 17:22
There is only one way, to prevent flying in the wrong direction if video feed is gone. Hitting RTH, waiting for the noisy beeping some seconds, till the bird is nose front to home, interrupt RTH  and full forward.

thanks I shall remember this

DJI Elektra Posted at 2017-10-30 19:12
Please ensure that the GPS signal is good enough and it will record home point. You can use RTH to protect your drone from flying away. Since you live in UK, you spark is in CE mode and here is the distance of the mode:
Linking RC without interference:
2.4G : 500 m

why does my app say max distance 8000m and max altitude 500m? if I can only go 500 100?

been out 10207ft still had signal was 300ft high

Ryan's Sparky Posted at 2017-10-30 21:20
why does my app say max distance 8000m and max altitude 500m? if I can only go 500 100?

Because the Spark can do better.
I highly doubt, it can do 8000m.
That is probably a "gift" from  "One App fits all drones".
But 500m height is often easier as 500m distance, I assume.
And is a setting, as the 120/100/90/60/50 max altitude in some countries/locations is a law thing

Ryan's Sparky Posted at 2017-10-30 21:20
why does my app say max distance 8000m and max altitude 500m? if I can only go 500 100?

Please fly your spark according to the max distance of CE mode displayed above. The app setting is fixed and the flight distance will be various when it comes to different environment.