First Mission - Location Unavailable (yes, same problem as reported by othes) + feedback and question.
Hello Jim, not sure if it belongs to bug reports or else. anyway.
I just did my first test of your mapping app. And I had exactly, exactly the same issues as Matthew Coad reported here a month ago.
I created my mission on my PC on your site, loaded it to my app, and tried to fly my Mavic Pro 2. I did the test mission to fly above my house in a bush. I hit play and get an error "Location unavailable". I was exactly on programmed starting spot, up to a meter or so.
I went back home and checked this forum. and, i did as someone suggested - i opened DJI Go first, obtained "home position updated", then closed DJI Go and opened DroneLink.
After that - mission started as it should. So, I would say - it is ok - except that this procedure wastes battery for unnecessary fiddling. I hope there is a way around to eliminate this.
Another issue - again exactly the same as Matthew reported - I got warning that I am in a restricted area, with 120m limit. And - I am NOT in restricted area when I fly with DJI Go. This worries me. I live on a small Caribbean island, and it is so small that about 1/4 of the land really is in restricted areas. So, if with No restrictions I get basic restriction - what will happen in real restriction zone - can't take off? I had the restriction warning both with failed mission, and later with successful mission. And, will your app work with DJI restrictions unlocking?
Another thing - perhaps more of a feedback. I tried to set my mission using your main map provider. Mapbox. Maybe it is ok in your area. But around here in the Caribbean it is totally useless. It is soooooooo outdated. I started building my home 6 years ago. But on the map there is not even a sign of construction, just bush. and my home is finished for last 3 years. So i wasn't even sure if it shows me right spot. Thankfully i saw your second map choice that was slightly better. But not perfect either. Just so you know.
And, I do have a question - how precise starting point has to be? I mean - i can only program my missions at home. Terrain here is mountainous and most often phone data and mobile connection not working.
If I make a mistake on my mission and put starting point - say - 50 meters off real location I can access - will it start, or will give me hassle?
Many thanks!
Derek
Comments
2 comments
When the location unavailable message happened, was the location of the drone rendered correctly on the map?
The restriction message happens automatically and comes from the DJI SDK. Unfortunately this is not our code and we have no control over it. You should be able to unlock NFZs in DJI GO, which saves the fact to the firmware, and then fly in Dronelink without issues.
The map quality has been discussed at length elsewhere. TLDR: we can't just add Google maps as another base layer, it would require a complete rewrite of all the map code in the mission plan due to Google's draconian license terms. We may eventually do that, but there were other technical reasons that we chose to use Mapbox in the first place, and those have not changed so the ultimate solution to this is unclear. In the meantime, the best I can suggest is export to Google earth for verification.
The precision of the starting point is really just a question of how good the maps are combined with how good the drone's current GPS lock is.
Hi again,
yes. screen placed drone right at the starting spot. So it puzzled me a bit with that "location unavailable" message. I only hope it won't happen when i go on a day trip, and then have to come back empty handed.
With NFZ restriction it is really strange. I fly drones near my home often to test this or that. Never ever they restricted me in that location. I actually often increased default height limit - without any issues. DJI phantom 3, 4pro, and mavic pro 2. it is first time i see restriction - when flying this mission.
As for the map quality - it is just a feedback, so you know that in some parts of the world, that map is practically useless. Thankfully - you have another one which is better.
Thanks for a good product, and for your time responding. Cheers!
DerekGalon.com
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