Completely disagree. Hand launching and catching is even better than starting from the ground. Lately I have engaged with my phantom 2 in difficult terrain, mostly in ATTi mode. As long as you take some precautions this is even better. Start your motors over the head. Give some throttle to get the feeling that the phantom is reacting in a normal way, give strong throttle until you feel it's pulling your arm up and let go. I started from a moving boat, in the mountains, on a smooth reef of a small island, all hand started and hand catch. Always keep that thing higher then your head and nothing will happen. I even avoid doing calibration. It's useless, if you phantom is not giving you some strange signs. I avoid gps now if I can. I love atti and still running on 3.08 software version. There is really no need to be always updated. Just make sure your rc is always well charged, and that you are flying where you got a good view of the area, By the way I only fly on line of sight (max 170 meters or 500 feet) away.
Here is an example of a video all in atti hand start and catch (still have all my 10 fingers)