So has anyone noticed a decrease in speed or RC output power?
Yes, definitely. It's about the same in horizontal speed, but it takes longer to get there. It's an acceleration decrease, not a top horizontal speed decrease. However in vertical ascent speed it went from 11mph to 5 or 6mph, definitely a reduction in performance. My tests today were in 55 degree sunny conditions.
This is highly noticeable when taking off
full throttle up and
full throttle forward, simultaneously. Like many of us that are very comfortable with our Phantom 3's we take off fast and forward, I do this about half the time after a quick 10-15sec hover to double check things and the test the craft behavior. Usually when taking off full throttle up and forward, the craft would fly out at about 35 degree angle (I'm estimating that). Now it takes off at about 15 or 20 degree angle with the same full up and forward. This is clearly DJI's way to limit the current draw from the battery that could potentially suck the voltage down below 3V, especially in cold weather conditions.
They apparently must avoid scenarios when the battery voltage goes below 3V. This indicates DJI has left in the default trigger for the battery to
shut off if the battery gets below 3V, which IMHO is absurd while flying. I noticed there was no announcement that stated DJI removed the battery protection "feature". I'm curious why they believe they need this safeguard from potentially harming the battery? Warranty concerns? Maybe. So would DJI rather have the craft fall from the sky, potentially harming someone? That makes no sense.
Maybe they need the battery to shut off automatically in case you accidentally leave the battery on and store the craft overnight in the case, unknowingly draining the battery to zero. That could harm the battery obviously, if left on like that. So they put in this battery protection, overlooking the possibility it could make birds fall from the sky! The only problem is the battery intelligence is apparently not smart enough to determine if the battery is flying. If it did, it could have an override to
NEVER SHUT OFF THE BATTERY if flying. Wouldn't that seems logical to minimize liability?
DJI reducing performance is a band-aid on this problem, they still haven't fixed the root problem correctly, IMHO. If they would create an "IF THIS, THEN THIS OCCURS" algorithm, it would seem more logical that "if flying" , "then" when the voltage creeps below 3V the controller would flash a RED WARNING signal over the video display saying "OVER DISCHARGE DANGER" and have an audible voice warranty saying "BATTERY LOW, RETURNING TO HOME", which of course could be over-ridden, but it would clue you in that the battery is in danger so you'll "lighten up on the throttle". I think that would be a much better way to solve the problem, versus shutting the battery off mid-flight.