I am 100% new to all of this and I am having a couple problems. First when setting up the transmitter (spektrum dx6i) I have the gear switch for manual and GPS ATTI. When watching videos they have a 3 way switch and can do normal Atti. as well. Since I have the GPS module, I am doing GPS and Manual.

I calibrate the compass/gps fine and get full satilittes and upon startup the quad goes about 2 inches up then tilts forward (where i have the battery mounted if that matters) then the motors power up on their own and it cuts the grass for 5 ft before clipping harder ground and flopping to a stop.

Like I said i am new to all of this, what things should I try to rule anything out?

the difference bt GPS atti and atti? Check the user manual