iPad or iPhone?

[wattage]

Hi all,

Recently taken up this hobby and loving it. I have a P2v+ already but was looking to get the cheaper FC40 as a second quad. In terms of wifi range, I've followed all the threads about range extension, antennae modding, kindles etc and was thinking, I've got my iPad 4the generation that isn't doing much (well it's being used to type this) but might it provide better range than a smartphone or is it even comparable to the Kindle Fire in terms of useable FPV range?

Anyone used one with the stock FC40 and if so, how was your range?

Ta

Edited to say that I'll be planning on using it with the DJI app obviously.

 

[J Dot]

Hello,
I have a P2V, ( I know it is not the same ) but still applies!
Mine is stock ( other than I use a RE700 extender ( P2V+ ))

Anyhow I have an IPhone 4S, an iPad 2, and iPad 3.
I've used ALL 3 on my P2V.
Range is the same ( as far as I'm concerned )
The problem I found is ( you cannot see the image on
The iPads ( either ) where the iPhone is clear as day, even in
Sunlight ( sometimes a little hard to see if REALLY BRIGHT outside )
But iPads are hard to see in shade!
Again, I do not have a ipad4 or a mini, maybe they are different?
Also weight is an issue ( as my iPads are HEAVY ) quite uncomfortable to
Fly!

So I use my iPhone 4s , and I love it. I use preview quality ( 640x480 15fps )
No issues, I enjoy flying my phantom , and I fly it regularly! ( weather permitting )

Hope this helps, take care, and fly safe!

 

[J Dot]

Hello,
Just wanted to add, I'm not sure how you are mounting your tablet,
Or if the fc40 has a ( smart phone mount on Tx or not? )

If you have the phone mount on Tx ( you can buy off eBay )
This tablet mounts works perfectly:
( bought this mount from eBay )

Here is it on Tx

Another angle:

Front:

Close up of mount:

Take care, Fly safe!

 

[wattage]

Thanks for that J! That's surprising and disappointing the iPad isn't better, would've expected it to have better wifi range than a phone but there you go. Looks like the Kindle Fire may be the best option after all.

 

[J Dot]

You might want to do some test yourself,
I just looked up the FC40, it uses your smart device as
It's WIFI. Mine uses a wifi extender ( re500/re700 )
My range is all in the extender, NOT through smart device!
( my smart device ALWAYS sits next to extender on Tx )

Your is different ,
It is from your camera. I would do some of your own tests!
I would also mess with your PREVIEW QUALITY settings in app.
Generally goes like this
( note: this will ONLY affect the image on smart device, NOT the video/picture
You are shooting with FC40 camera. )
Ok
320x240 15fps ( lowest quality preview image / MOST RANGE )
320x240 30fps ( slightly better pic / slightly less range )
640x480 15fps ( much better preview / even less range )
640x480 30fps ( best quality preview / shortest range )
NOTE: DO NOT recommend using ( 640x480 30fps ) causes delay issues
In FPV ) think this setting mostly for P2V+ users! )

I will say when I'm using my HOME wifi, my iPhone 4s cuts out around my
Mailbox out front, my iPad 2 about the same, but my iPad 3 can go to my neighbors
Across the street ( only another 100 feet or so ) but might have been a good day?
Never done any actual tests, but I do remember walking there once, and still had good
Connection!

Keep us informed!

Weight, and not being able to see in the sun,are still issues,
But you might get lucky on range issue?

Take care, Fly safe!

 

[wattage]

Hi again Jerry,

Yeah, I was planning on getting the TPlink MR3040 mini extender since people seem to be having good results with it. I would've used the RE700 from my Phantom 2 Vision Plus but it's been confirmed that won't work with the FC40 so the next best option seems to be the MR3040. Others were reporting that a Kindle Fire with its dual antennae configuration would give the same range as an iPhone using a WiFi extender, hence my dilemma in the original post. Incidentally, theP2V+ can't handle 640*480 @30fps very convincingly either so I'll definitely be leaving the FC40 at 320*240 @ probably 15fps.

Cheers,

Graeme.

 

[Mini-geek]

Hi, how do you adjust the quality preview on the app? I can't find it..

 

[J Dot]

Hi, how do you adjust the quality preview on the app? I can't find it..

I'm not sure on dji fc40 app?
But on vision app is as follows:

When you open app,
You'll see 4 choices
1) camera
2) albums
3) news
4) settings
You need to choose SETTINGS,
Another page opens, you'll see
CAMERA ( sub-category )
1) Toolbar auto hide
2) when connection breaks
3) camera settings display
4) PREVIEW QUALITY
Choose PREVIEW QUALITY,
Under preview quality you'll see
1) 640x480 30fps ( frames per second )
2) 640x480 15fps
3) 320x240 30fps
4) 320x240 15fps
Choose one from above ( do not recommend
640x480 30fps, causes delays )

Like I said I'm unfamiliar with FC40 app, as it won't
Open unless hooked to camera? I don't have 1 to hook
To, lol!

Take care, Fly safe!

 

[Mini-geek]

Looks like it isnt available on the FC40 app..

 

[wattage]

Upon comparison of IOS and Android side by side it would appear:

IOS tested on iPad 4th gen running 6.2.2 and iphone 5 on 7.0.4 was unusably hopeless, with sporadic crashes, lengthy reconnects and a settings page which instantly crashes the app, on both Apple machines, every time.

Android tested on Samsung Galaxy Tab 1. Despite this tablet being panned as a piece of junk from the second it was born, it runs the FC40 app a hundred times better than much more recent Apple hardware. Everything works as advertised and I can even get into settings without a crash. The fact that there's not really much of interest in settings is a shame but there you go.

Haven't had a chance to experiment with video range at all yet as the circumstances haven't been right but in terms of app usability at present, despite how underwhelming it is on both platforms, IOS is a total non starter.

 

[wattage]

Using the Galaxy Tab made it to about 450 feet FPV this morning before chickening out and coming back. No significant lag and looked like I could've squeezed another 100 feet out of it but I was a bit near trees so decided against it. Will test the iPhone 5 later and report back

 

[2014fc40]

Wow, Iphone5 sucked eh? Guess I'll hold onto my 3G, it works like a champ

 

[wattage]

Interesting. What range do you reckon you get with it?

 

[wattage]

Made it to 670 feet with my Galaxy Tab 1 and FC40 camera's WiFi, no repeater. Pretty much the diagonal length of two football (soccer) pitches before the lag got excessive. Quite happy with that

 

[2014fc40]

Interesting. What range do you reckon you get with it?

Never really gave it a scientific test, but we stay within eyeshot anyway. I'm not hunting Taliban in Afgan so its not like I really FPV.
It's more to frame up videos than to navigate.

Now, if they would just release an IPad2 app that used the full frame instead of a childish border and buttons that cover the live image.....

 

[darwin-t]

My iPhone 5 has lousy range. I think it is about 100 yards, if that. A lot of us buy used Kindle Fires (the older model), which are set up for use on wifi and have better range. I think my range is about 200 yards.

Once you lose the signal, you are pretty much screwed, especially if you are recording with the camera. You can't reconnect at all then. Otherwise, you have to close the FC40 app, reconnect the wifi and restart the FC40 app.

I am giving up on buying more Kindle Fires, though. The charging / syncing port works loose and then it won't charge any more. I'm going with a used Android tablet when this one gives out, or switching to a transmitter/receiver and monitor to use my GoPro for FPV.

 

[wattage]

Sounds like my Galaxy Tab 1 P1000 is comparable to the Kindle Fire in range, without the dodgy charging port.

 

[rivest266]

Using iPod Touch (latest model). FC-40 app crashes when I go out of range.