TWICE now I have been bitten by software updates in the last month. The LAST place you want to find these new bugs is in the field. Against my better judgment, I allowed Map Pilot to update last week before a job I had the following day. BIG MISTAKE (slapping myself in the head). I get out the field and my third-party app lost its ability to download SMRT data. So there I was on a 1850 acre mapping job (with 600 acres planned for that day), and I've got no terrain data and ZERO support from "Drones Made Easy" (they don't have a phone number or chat support - they don't even answer email - but that's another story).
Fortunately, I had saved all my mapping missions on my other iPad (another hack because Apple doesn't just allow you to manage .ipa files [Apple install files] the way Windows allows you to manage .exe files). So I was able to complete the day.
Last night, I allowed PreSonus software to update before a gig (PreSonus is an audio company who produces digital mixing consoles and the remote software used to control them). I get to the gig, and all the channel strip labels were missing. Fortunately, in both instances, I had a second, NON-updated iPad. I always keep two iPads at all times for good reason. I update them one at a time. I also make sure I have stored on my laptop legacy, WORKING .ipa files for the programs (apps) I use on my iPad. It's all quite convoluted, but I guess it separates my business from other businesses who might get hung up in similar situations.
My paradigm is basically this; If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I use legacy software and firmware for ALL three of my birds; Mavic Pro, Inspire 1 (Gen 2), and
P4P. I couldn't be happier. It's amazing what a wonderful tool these birds can be when you don't have DJI's fist in your....face....all the time.
I never had to worry about third-party apps before. But now it's clear I have to keep an eye on the third-party apps I use. No more updates for me until I:
A) have the .ipa file for the known-to-be-working legacy version of the software (app) I use.
B) have time to TEST the update at home.
If you don't want to go through all that hacking rigmarole, simply don't update. Because I use legacy versions of software and firmware in ALL my DJI products, I NEVER have to login to the DJI mother ship, and NEVER get stuck having to take their ridiculous tests. DJI seems to think we have Internet and/or Cell service at every job. In the mapping game, I very often have neither. And until you login to their mother ship or take their on-line test, your bird is grounded.
Look at what this poor chap went through out in the field! You might wanna turn down your sound card if you have kids.
Good luck!
D
