Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0"
Bought this last year and it worked with the current version of DroneLink. FIred it up yesterday, Dronelink updated, now I'm getting a warning about "slow device".
So without spending $700 on an ipad, what can be bought for a reasonable price that won't be obsolete in 12 months?
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We added a warning for devices that were consistently causing Device Running Too Slow errors. You can continue using it if you are able to get a good user experience (depending on the complexity of your mission plans), but it is there so you know that you may have a less than ideal experience in some cases. They key is finding a device that has a processor that was released within the last 2 years.
You could buy an iPad mini for under $500 - that has an A15 processor which is good enough. I know it's not Android but, even as an Android person, I still use Apple devices for drone work because they usually work better.
Another option (depending on your plan) is that you can use onboard waypoints. That way your device doesn't need to be constantly in communication with the drone and so the processor is less important. Details of that here: https://youtu.be/4F-W4HKJlmA
IPad Mini 5 is retail $400, 64gig, Wi-Fi only. That’s what I’ve been using for over a year with DL. Since the iPad Mini 6 came out you might look around and still find a 5th gen for a bit less then the $400. IOS devices do work better overall and handle most apps better. It’s worth the bit extra cost for a great experience and no headaches. Even DJI recommends IOS devices with their drones. Enjoy and Good luck.
I thought you had to have gsm/lte for gps? I've always shopped based on that thought.
You don't need the tablet to have GPS. It's useful for a few features, and might be a requirement once remote ID becomes real but, for now, a wifi-only tablet is perfectly acceptable.
Ditto to Barry. I use an Ipad Mini a good bit which has a sim card. But I also use my Samsung Tab S6 which is wifi only. I keep a Tmobile jetpack in the car just for flying. It has a $10 per month prepaid card in it and plenty of data to fly and listen to audio books while traveling.
The only issue with Wi-Fi only is the device location isn’t as accurate on the map. Since the drone and controller doesn’t need the GPS from the device and indicates the drones location map without it, you don’t need internal GPS in device. If I need to change anything in the plan or even load the map on location, I temporarily turn on my iPhone’s Hot Spot. Once done I turn it off and don’t need or use it. All a matter of preference if wanting a GPS/ cellular device. Obviously more money. Good luck.
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