Simple orbit not smooth at all (link to video included)
I'm a new user and as a test did a short orbit mission. It started on the online tool. I'm flying a P4PV2. The mission was at 300 ft focused on the center point with a 20 ft offset. The diameter was 200 ft. There was hardly any noticeable breeze and 95 degrees. On site it went to height fine but then the result I got from the Orbit were as though it was flying a waypoint mission with multiple focus point. The orbit would be smooth but then slide//dolly a couple of feet then resume smooth. DJI Go4 (on site) nor Litchi (preplanned) does do this.
I haven't tried doing a fly with a preplanned mission yet. I much prefer using an online tool like this. So does anyone have a fix?
Video footage: https://youtu.be/lq-g5dCFwao
EDIT** Speed was the default of 10 mph max. Using latest Android release, on a new Samsung Tab A8. Firmware on everything up to date. EXP settings on smooth.
Comments
14 comments
"I haven't tried doing a fly with a preplanned mission yet." - Sorry meant to say a flight set up from the location.
A ton of post regarding this. Many factors which can cause the issue. Maybe this link will help.
https://support.dronelink.com/hc/en-us/articles/360052533153-Why-does-the-drone-fly-off-course-or-make-jerky-movements-during-certain-mission-plans-
It can happen. Do not hesitate to use stabilization option in post-production.
Just a thought what have you got the rotational speed set at, can you share the mission, that way we may be able to see if any of the settings can be tweaked to make it smoother
Speed was default max at 10. Everything else is listed above. I'm flying it again today without the height offset out of curiosity. It's the same POI height I fly in other programs. I found another video on YouTube of a pilot who's video turned out exactly the same.
I made my projects public but I don't know how the share.
https://app.dronelink.com/haus-drago/my-first-project
Ok Don, couple of suggestions, if not already in it change into expert mode (hamburger menu top left), then in the plan settings change the speed to 5 mph, click advanced and you'll see a setting of rotational speed, is default is 45, change it to 15, and give that a try.
Thanks Martin. I found the setting and will give it a try.
Edit ** Nothing changed after making the adjustments. I flew again in On-the-Fly mode but it was worse. https://youtu.be/25kQ-DBnRSQ
Read the link I sent. Here is another link which is in that post. DL has answered this question many times over the last couple years. Only way to get it smooth is trying all the suggestion in the links and only in very low winds. Good luck.
https://support.dronelink.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360051985554-smoother-
Thanks Mike. I read Jim's scientific explanation yesterday. Guess I'll never get how a drone that can communicate Ocusync for several km has signal trouble at 250 ft. I really like the concept that you can set up missions in sequence, hit start, and just watch and wait. Hate having to change apps for different tasks.
Frustrating I’m sure Don but I doubt it’s signal interference at that short of a distance. It could be a combination of things like the power of the device, the specific drone, and especially any winds. I have ran some very smooth Orbits over the last 1-1/2 years with my MA2 but only in actual measured winds speeds between 3 to no more them 7 mph max during the mission. No strong gust however brief they may be. Sometimes what seems like a light breeze can be more then what is estimated. I don’t know how powerful the Samsung A8 tablet is but if possible try another device. As stated in the DL articles it’s a resource intense app which needs a powerful device. Your device may be powerful enough but I don’t know how well it should work since I don’t use it.
My understanding is the DJI firmware which won’t allow gimbal free mode as mentioned in those post. You can try the engagement parameters and rotation mode suggested in those link also which they added awhile back to see if it helps but I’ve never used them so I don’t know what would work if at all. Sorry I can’t help more but this has always been an issue with Orbits and even with a path using POI’s. All you can do is try to eliminate any possible issue and see what works best.
One last thing. You may have already done this but make sure no apps are running in background. If any are running you need to force close all other apps. Nothing else should be running. Then shut down and restart the device fresh and try again. Other then that there’s not much you can do but try to eliminate the possible other issues. Good luck Don.
https://support.dronelink.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360051985554-smoother-
I face this exact same issue with my DJI Mavic mini. The droneLink orbit has never been smooth as the DJI quick shot circles no matter the speed, the radius of the circle or signal strength. I had reported this to droneLink but they said it could be an issue with a low performing phone. I was using an iPhone 6s that time so I thought it could be true but later I tried with a brand new Samsung Galaxy and now with my iPhone 13 pro. With last 2 years experience I learnt it has nothing to do with the mobile device I use, the wind speed or the radius of the circle . It is the droneLink app itself. DJI quickshot I take from the same scene at the same time under same wind condition is always buttery smooth. The only issue is quickshot is too quick and short. I need control over speed, time and radius. So I recently even upgraded to droneLink premium as they advertised the premium version offers some advanced orbit features and hoped it would fix the issue. It turned out I just wasted another 25 dollars. I think I will move to Litchi as DJI still restricts the maximum radius of the quick shots and you cannot adjust the speed and time even with mini 3pro. Your YouTube sample video using Litchi Orbit is perfect!!
And the follow mode in droneLink is another comedy. I uploaded a video here . Try not to laugh after seeing how the drone follow me
https://youtu.be/yc8i_B4BuvI
https://support.dronelink.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360051985554-smoother-?page=2#community_comment_13083622283155
This is a video I shot using follow mode with my mini2, no complaints from me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52QXeIjhW2U no complaints from me
It sounds like the slight sliding could be due to GPS drift or mission calibration differences compared to DJI GO4 or Litchi. I recommend trying a preplanned mission first to see if it smooths out. For more tips and troubleshooting, visit here for helpful insights!
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