This is a given if you have no prior experience. With a typical camera drone the stick inputs are deliberately “spongy”, for want of a better word. Even on a regular freestyle quad in angle mode the rate of the stick input is reduced as it will only allow you to pitch and roll about 30 degrees. However, in Acro (Manual mode) the rates are higher so you can pitch and roll 360degrees multiple times in less than a second. If you watch video’s of freestylers stick cameras you’ll see that they are using very small stick inputs while cruising, even many freestyle tricks use minimal stick input.
Don’t rush it. Start by trying to just hovering in one spot in manual mode. Because if you can’t hover it you’ll have problems flying it.
Right. This is why I would leave the roll limit in place; even if you enable Manual Mode, there is a secondary setting that still limts your pitch when turning.
My thoughts were to take off in normal mode, get up around 50 metres high, then flip to M mode and see how the controls work. Are you saying it start moving and turning without any stick input at all the moment it goes into M mode?
And if it does, surely I could flip it back in Normal mode or hit the brake, from 50m up…?
Just watched your video @ianinlondon on my limited play yesterday @speatuk give me some great advice, its all in the wrist, not moving your whole arm, almost like the thrustmaster of old, suction cupped to the desk (if that makes sense)
Know where the mode switch is to flick it back to N quickly … aaaaaand relax, before trying again.
That was how I learnt the full manual mode on my P2 … flew it up to height in Normal, changed to M after I had height to recover if things went tits up … or was that down.
Well, I’m also an FPV beginner, and based purely on the DJI sim it’s really rather hard. Not even all my fixed wing R/C experience is helping much. If you can’t borrow an iPhone, then maybe buy a cheap FPV contoller and run Lift-off on your PC?
I’m expecting to do many hours of simulator practice before I try in in the real world. I’ve done perhaps 3-4 hours now and I can just about fly with poor co-ordination.
If you take off slowly in ACRO mode you’ll notice the quad won’t rise straight up but may veer to one side and/or pitch back or forward slowly as it rises out of the prop wash. I usually blip the throttle while pitching forward when taking off so I’m clear of any ground effect as quickly as possible.
I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t engage manual mode if you’re at least a few mistakes high, especially as the “OH CRAP” button will instantly return you to GPS Hold and allow you to put your heart back in your chest.
ACRO/Manual mode is not some mythical thing that only very special gifted people fly. Nearly anybody can fly proficiently in manual mode, it just takes patience and small linear steps to have success. I’ve been flying for a few years in ACRO mode but I still had issues yesterday when I dug some quads out for the first time this year and went hell for leather in Acro mode. A few times I didn’t coordinate my turns properly and ended up seeing skygroundskygroundskywallskytree in my goggles. The difference was I was only flying a cheap 85g toothpick. If I’d bought the DJI Quad and did the same thing I guarantee I’d be the first on this forum sending it back to DJI for repair.
Enjoy your drone. Fly in Normal mode and Sport as much as you like. There are no merit badges for rushing straight into manual mode. Spend time just enjoying the view in the goggles and the freedom it projects. This is one of the reasons I enjoy flying my Parrot Disco and Anafi’s in FPV mode. I just like to enjoy the vistas with minimal work.
Yep; there’s a huge part of me wanting to just dip my toe into Manual mode so I can see what it’s like, but TBH Sports Mode is crazy fun enough…
Well, either way, the camera will be rolling…
@ianinlondon
Just read what @milkmanchris has said.
The easiest way to use the motion controller is to think of it as a joystick in an aircraft.
The pilot does not rotate around in circles, he moves the joystick forward and backwards, and the to the left or right.
What I am saying is, instead of twisting it in you wrist or moving your body to make turns, angle the wrist as if the the motion controller is fastened to the floor.
Far better experience and much better and easier to fly.
Everyone is correct, it will not fly backwards with the motion controller. Just think of yourself as a fighter pilot. Lol. They dont fly backwards.
Manual mode, yeah I have considered this. I have had much thought and debate with myself.
I’m sticking to the simulator, I am also looking for a small quad to try it out on. Before I entertain it. From what I have seen in the simulator, pretty easy in normal and sports mode. Completely different kettle of fish in manual.
If anyone is using the simulator, I would recommend charging your phone so it’s at 100% battery because when you plug the phone into the goggles,the goggles battery will charge your phone. So the battery in the Google’s only lasts for about 20 minutes if your phone is requiring charging.
No pal. I’ve checked everywhere.
First thing I do with stuff, always is read the manual, (flick it through my fingers, look for exciting pictures)
Seriously I do read the manual.
Then to the controls and go through every menu. See what it does.
Then if I am unsure I always google.
Maybe in a future firmware update, I am sure there will be a few.
Spot on; so do I…
Still unsure why the manual states to adjust the tensioners for the sticks before manual mode tho; is this to give you the true genuine manual FPV experience, or because it will all go pear-shaped?
Yes Ian.
The left stick (if it is in controller mode 2) is the throttle.
So if you have it centred it is always adding throttle. When you may find you may only need a small amount of throttle it will give 50% obviously dependable on your stick settings etc.
This is why you tighten it up to remove the auto centre and then adjust the other screw to tighten the stick so it stays where you let go.
EDIT
Just to add to this, today I decided not to fly for real, the temptation was great as it’s the last good day here for nearly a week. I decided to spend more time with the simulator.
I released the throttle stick tensioners and then tried again on the simulator. I must say it does make a massive difference.
If you add a small amount of throttle to life the drone up, then let go of the left stick it hovers.
With the sticks not released this proved difficult as more throttle was added and the drone just took off upwards. It’s small and precise movements.
Completely different to gps mode with the drone flying for you and doing I would say a good 50-75% of the work for you. In gps mode you are ultimately just turning the drone.
