Compass Error - new iPad and trackimo 100

brianb87 · Sep 17, 2015

I've never had a compass error, 30 flights or so. I have a new iPad mini 2 + cellular and a trackimo 100 I just added. I was flying in a farm field, not near any metal and pockets empty. I was about 4000' out when I got a compass error. (Showed 1490-1510) I was able to fly it back but when I was 15' feet away it was still flipping back and forth between compass error and GPS. When I had a mini 2 wifi I flew on airplane mode. Now I fly Cellular data only. Any idea of the issues? Checking out healthy drones now.

brianb87 · Sep 17, 2015

ImageUploadedByPhantomPilots - DJI Phantom Forum1442528580.663202.jpg

ImageUploadedByPhantomPilots - DJI Phantom Forum1442528598.010104.jpg

brianb87 · Sep 17, 2015

brianb87 · Sep 17, 2015

Confused how it was showing compass error then looking at healthydrones everything seems to be fine.

brianb87 · Sep 17, 2015

Compass mod now showing 1550? This is not normal, correct? Anyone?

Pulsar747n · Sep 17, 2015

I don't know much about the Trackimo, but it may be possible to cause some interference with the Phantom being an electronic device. I would try to repeat the flight without the Trackimo and see what happens. Maybe do a compass calibration before you take off?

spin2win · Sep 17, 2015

where on the bird do you have the trackimo mounted? Keep mine attached to the landing gear as to avoid interference

brianb87 · Sep 17, 2015

Took off the trackimo and the mod went from 1570 to 1500-1530.. Still a little high?

brianb87 · Sep 17, 2015

spin2win said:
where on the bird do you have the trackimo mounted? Keep mine attached to the landing gear as to avoid interference

Landing gear with 2 zip ties

brianb87 · Sep 17, 2015

Is it possible the tracker damaged my compass?

Meta4 · Sep 17, 2015

The compass is in the base of the landing gear.
Rear, starboard side.
Mounting as far away as possible is recommended.
Anything steel or having a magnetic field mounted close will have an effect.
How far from the compass is the item?
Have you recalibrated the compass after fitting it?

MADrone · Sep 17, 2015

brianb87 said:
Is it possible the tracker damaged my compass?

My last 25 flights or so were with trackimo mounted on the landing gear and I have not had any compass errors. My trackimo is mounted rear, port (left) side.

brianb87 · Sep 17, 2015

Maybe it's my iPad mini 2 + cellular then (which I use data) ? What setting should I run it on? My wifi iPad mini 2 I run on airplane mode.

Meta4 · Sep 17, 2015

brianb87 said:
Maybe it's my iPad mini 2 + cellular then (which I use data) ? What setting should I run it on? My wifi iPad mini 2 I run on airplane mode.

Your device has no effect on compass readings.

Check my post above for what matters.

brianb87 · Sep 17, 2015

Meta4 said:
The compass is in the base of the landing gear.
Rear, starboard side.
Mounting as far away as possible is recommended.
Anything steel or having a magnetic field mounted close will have an effect.
How far from the compass is the item?
Have you recalibrated the compass after fitting it?

I removed the tracker, it was on the left side (looking into the camera) towards the back with two zip ties

MADrone · Sep 17, 2015

brianb87 said:
Maybe it's my iPad mini 2 + cellular then (which I use data) ? What setting should I run it on? My wifi iPad mini 2 I run on airplane mode.

I use the iPad air2 w/cellular, I have not used airplane mode.

Meta4 · Sep 17, 2015

brianb87 said:
I removed the tracker, it was on the right side towards the back with two zip ties

There's the problem ... it was right on the compass.
Put it on the other side, recalibrate the compass then go and have fun flying.

brianb87 · Sep 17, 2015

Meta4 said:
There's the problem ... it was right on the compass.
Put it on the other side, recalibrate the compass then go and have fun flying.

I edited my post(had starboard and port confused) Left side, looking at the camera. Is a compass mod value of 1500-1530 normal? I checked and it said I did not have to calibrate

Meta4 · Sep 17, 2015

You have to calibrate any time you change the configuration of your Phantom ... like adding a small electronic device.
The Phantom will only advise when it detects a big change but not necessarily for small things.

brianb87 · Sep 17, 2015

Meta4 said:
You have to calibrate any time you change the configuration of your Phantom ... like adding a small electronic device.
The Phantom will only advise when it detects a big change but not necessarily for small things.

Ohh ok thanks Meta! So if I am looking at the cam the tracker should be on the right or left side, just to be clear?