RC and GPS

[Maddy]

How often and why do you really use GPS in the controller? I understand that it's function is for follow me and re-positioning landing point. I ask because I may bite the bullet and get an ipad mini and am not sure that paying for the cell version would be worth the extra cost.

 

[Fly Dawg]

I ask because I may bite the bullet and get an ipad mini and am not sure that paying for the cell version would be worth the extra cost.

You don't need cellular for GPS. That is free and most devices have it. Other than real time maps, that would be the only gain. The maps can always be cached via wi-fi before you go fly.

 

[msinger]

The GPS receiver on your mobile device is only used when manually resetting the home point to your current location or when using the Follow Me flight mode. If you aren't going to use those features, then you don't need a mobile device with a GPS receiver.

 

[Oso]

How often and why do you really use GPS in the controller? I understand that it's function is for follow me and re-positioning landing point. I ask because I may bite the bullet and get an ipad mini and am not sure that paying for the cell version would be worth the extra cost.

I see that you said you know why GPS at the controller is used and that you are asking how often we use the features enabled when we do have GPS in our mobile devices.

For me personally:
Follow Me: I never use it and only tried it a couple of times when it was first introduced in a FW update (v1.4) about 3 years ago. I haven't bothered with it since.
Reset HP to RC location: This one I have used from time to time, but very rarely.

Note the need for these features would of course depend on your use case. For one example, some folks often fly from a moving boat and may need more options.

I see also that you understand you need the cellular version of an iPad to have GPS enabled. That's unfortunately true. Your current Samsung S2 has built in GPS ability (as you know) as do most all Android devices. Most of us think that Apple should do the same but they disagree.

If you do think that over time you will use the additional features and you decide to switch over to Apple, you could also look into purchasing an external bluetooth GPS device. That way it will work with any WiFi only iPad you buy now or in the future without needing to pay more for the cell version every time. Just another option to consider.

 

[Fly Dawg]

Your current Samsung S2 has built in GPS ability (as you know) as do most all Android devices. Most of us think that Apple should do the same but they disagree.

You must have intended this statement to me which is fine. The OP said nothing about a Samsung S2. Just putting this in to clear that up in case it confuses the OP. I never use the functions you mentioned either, quite honestly.

 

[Oso]

You must have intended this statement to me which is fine. The OP said nothing about a Samsung S2. Just putting this in to clear that up in case it confuses the OP. I never use the functions you mentioned either, quite honestly.

It wont confuse him. He has commented about his S2 several times since he joined.

 

[Fly Dawg]

He has commented about his S2 several times since he joined.

Well, that clears that up.

 

[Maddy]

No confusion here. And thank you for the input!
Didn't realize that I could get an external GPS device to work. That's cool!

 

[Maddy]

Went to Best Buy and talked with the manager who is a droner and quite knowledgeable. He told me of the many issues that he sees when people try to use a tablet, which only confirmed to me of my choice. Came home with a ipad mini 4, none cellular. I figure my phone will probably work if I'm wanting to use the gps functions.
Now to figure it out... My learning curve is pretty steep this week!
Thanks again for the help.

 

[Maddy]

Got my first flight in! Biting the ipad mini bullet was the best thing I could have done. Super simple to fly the drone with a tablet that works.