GPS satellite loss results from:
- 1. Horrendous RF interference emanating from the gimbal/camera control board.
2. Inadequate shielding of the GPS antenna.
3. Poor GPS plug connection on the board.
Since the beginning, we have been beta testers of the P2. DJI has abandoned us with horrendous customer support, terrible repair times, and inadequate information. "My Phantom flew away" results in a "too bad" response from DJI, while they are fully aware that their own engineering has caused many of the "flyaways", cost their customers aggravation and money, and endagered the public when these birds come down wherever they end up.
Prior to the P2 version 3, with better shielding and isolation, the responsibility of each and every "flyaway" should be borne by DJI. WIthout Flytrex 3G live, or a GPS tracker, there is no evidence of what happened. Even then, if the Phantom ends up in a lake or the ocean, there is still no evidence. But there is plenty of evidence of the design flaws, and that alone should be enough to offer a credit to those that lost a Phantom, or an upgrade to those that still have an older version. A good company, worthy of repeat patronage, would take care of its customers.
This is not going to happen without a class action law suit. 1000 lost Phantoms X $1400 is a 1.4 million dollar lawsuit. Such a paltry sum is probably not interesting to a law firm that would only recover a third of that for their efforts (legal isn't my thing, perhaps a lawyer could expand on this).
Other DJI engineering faults:
- Heat sink of the original WiFi unit in the Phantom (new version (?) eliminates the issue)
No inertia guard for camera/weak ribbon cable (solved by aftermarket parts
Weak landing gear (solved with aftermarket reinforcements)