P3 Standard map drift while on the ground

[Singlehandturnings]

I'm very new to all this. Got a used Phantom 3 standard, only 3 cycles on the battery and it looks brand new. It has the latest firmware installed, I calibrated the IMU and compass.

1st flight just hovering at about 10 feet in GPS mode, zero wind and it's moving around about 5 feet in every direction, not real fast but not holding it's position, it does better in atti mode than GPS.

I also noticed when it's on the ground not moving at all when I zoom in on the map it's position is moving around the map.

Any ideas what I am doing wrong?

Thanks,
Chuck

 

[Meta4]

1st flight just hovering at about 10 feet in GPS mode, zero wind and it's moving around about 5 feet in every direction, not real fast but not holding it's position, it does better in atti mode than GPS.
I also noticed when it's on the ground not moving at all when I zoom in on the map it's position is moving around the map.

Any ideas what I am doing wrong?

You are probably doing nothing wrong.
Your second observation is a big clue.
GPS does not give pinpoint accuracy. It can give locations that vary by a metre or two every second.
Even more if it does not have a clear unobstructed view of the whole sky.

it does better in atti mode than GPS.

In atti mode, the Phantom makes no attempt to hold position (and can drift or even be blown away if there is any wind).
In P-GPS mode it is trying to hold position.
If it is getting slightly different location data each second, you'll see it wander over a small distance trying to match the differences in the position data it is getting.
Forget ideas about props etc.
Just put the drone up where it gets a clear unobstructed sky view and see how it flies.

 

[MotorCycle-Man]

My ideas about being props has been removed !

 

[captainmilehigh]

Mine does that wandering thing every now and then. I’ve found that a complete shutdown and restart seems to ‘fix’ the issue. I don’t change locations either.

No idea why this happens sometimes. Maybe the IMU doesn’t warm up enough or a GPS positioning issue. No clue. But a restart seems to get things back to normal. Good luck.

 

[Singlehandturnings]

Thanks for the replies, I am right around my house and have some large trees around me, I'll go test it out in a big open field tomorrow and see how it does. I only have one useable arm so I do need it to be kind of stable because I'm only using one stick at a time. It's going to take a lot of practice to use both sticks with one hand, haha.

Thanks again for the help, I'll let you know how it goes.

Chuck

 

[LarBear360]

Thanks for the replies, I am right around my house and have some large trees around me, I'll go test it out in a big open field tomorrow and see how it does. I only have one useable arm so I do need it to be kind of stable because I'm only using one stick at a time. It's going to take a lot of practice to use both sticks with one hand, haha.

Thanks again for the help, I'll let you know how it goes.

Chuck

You should be fine. Good luck and welcome to the forum!

 

[MotorCycle-Man]

WOW Chuck...... we don't really realize HOW " lucky we are " with BOTH HANDS till we read your message back.....Thank You Chuck and I wish you all the patience that you need to fully accomplish the sport of taking that drone In the air...and enjoying the ever flight !
check back with us any time you want too.it a good idea to know how the "Return To Home" feature works too...So read UP on it...just takes ONE finger to do that and the drone flys back to home point and lands !

 

[Singlehandturnings]

FYI, I did break out the new set of propellers, also ordered a couple new sets. The used ones looked fine but I had no clue how old they are or what they had been thru. The new one are all very straight and line up with one another. I didn't even think about checking them for balance, what do you do for that? Was thinking just to put them on a toothpick or something and make sure they aren't leaning one way.

I'm going to take it to the big field in a couple hours and see how it flys.

P.S. I've been one handed since I was 16 (58 now) so I'm pretty used to doing things with one hand and figuring out a way to get things done. Sometimes it's a bust and you gotta ask for a hand but you'd be surprised what you can do.

 

[Singlehandturnings]

Just got back from the 1st real flight. Meta4 was right, rock solid out in the open. I re-calibrated the compass there and it was very steady, even in about a 5mph wind no problem. I had about 12 sat, I only went about 200 ft up and no more than 300ft out. I didn't seem to have any trouble with connection and video to the phone was good tho I didn't look down a lot other than to check the battery level and wave at the camera. Takes great video, I just need to learn to slow down on the yaw, it'll make you dizzy watching it.

Now I just need about 5 batteries, a bigger sd card and some cool places to fly!

Thanks for all the help and welcome, hopefully I can return the favor after I learn something...

Chuck

 

[LarBear360]

FYI, I did break out the new set of propellers, also ordered a couple new sets. The used ones looked fine but I had no clue how old they are or what they had been thru. The new one are all very straight and line up with one another. I didn't even think about checking them for balance, what do you do for that? Was thinking just to put them on a toothpick or something and make sure they aren't leaning one way.

I'm going to take it to the big field in a couple hours and see how it flys.

P.S. I've been one handed since I was 16 (58 now) so I'm pretty used to doing things with one hand and figuring out a way to get things done. Sometimes it's a bust and you gotta ask for a hand but you'd be surprised what you can do.

Genuine DJI props are very durable. If you don't see any chips or cracks, you're good to go. I've been flying the same set of props for over a year.

Balancing won't hurt though I've found the DJI props are very well balanced right out the factory. I used a prop balancer kit (DU BRO) for mine and the only difference I noticed was they seemed less noisy.

 

[LarBear360]

Just got back from the 1st real flight. Meta4 was right, rock solid out in the open. I re-calibrated the compass there and it was very steady, even in about a 5mph wind no problem. I had about 12 sat, I only went about 200 ft up and no more than 300ft out. I didn't seem to have any trouble with connection and video to the phone was good tho I didn't look down a lot other than to check the battery level and wave at the camera. Takes great video, I just need to learn to slow down on the yaw, it'll make you dizzy watching it.

Now I just need about 5 batteries, a bigger sd card and some cool places to fly!

Thanks for all the help and welcome, hopefully I can return the favor after I learn something...

Chuck

My first flight (as was my last) was very similar. I hesitate to let that thing out of my sight!

 

[MotorCycle-Man]

And i hate to be on the last battery !....after that its pack up time and head for home and then i get to pull the sd card and look at all the super great pictures and videos and re charge the 4 batterys....Hope Mrs Santa gets me a few more batterys for CHRISTmas !

 

[PeterX]

Hi Chuck,
you may have a look to the number of logged GPS satellites on the Go app. It should be more than 7 satellites. If it ´s so but your bird is drifting so much then re calibrate the IMU.

 

[MotorCycle-Man]

Hi Chuck,
you may have a look to the number of logged GPS satellites on the Go app. It should be more than 7 satellites. If it ´s so but your bird is drifting so much then re calibrate the IMU.

In his very first post it looks like he did that.......However he might have jiggled the drone while it was doing its thing and buggered it UP.

 

[PeterX]

The bird must stand on an even level like a wooden table during the calibration of the IMU. This procedure takes 1 to 2 minutes. The app tells when the calibration is over.

 

[Singlehandturnings]

Yeah, I read about and watched several videos on IMU calibration and did it a couple different times. I understand it needs to be cool, level and not moved / touched while it's calibrating. I also ordered the Dubro prop balancer so will be giving that a try when I get it.

Batteries will be on the Christmas list, I hope Mrs Claus can swing a couple.

 

[PeterX]

With unbalanced props you get a shaking but no drift. Give Santa Claus a lasso,so he is able to catch 2 or 3 batts for you,if he brings xmas gifts to Chinese lil an big kids.

 

[Singlehandturnings]