Total newb here - you guys rock - need to update my P4P+ first time

[Danoldo]

Hey guys,

I have a Phantom 4 Pro + (RC with built in screen) and suffice to say I do have quite a lot of questions.

I've had the P4P for probably about a month now. I am studying to get my 107 first and foremost. All flights to date have been for recreational/hobby use. Mainly on a golf course and out of range of any airports. If I am within that airport range, I've just called to inform them(its a low traffic airport) but they've been more than awesome, courteous, and very nice. Now its to the point where they seem like they would rather me not call but I act under the assumption of better safe than sorry.

I haven't flow it in over 2 weeks to date. A couple days after I got it, there was an update to firmware saying it wanted to update No Fly Zones. My maps went to chinese. The map problem was fixed when I did a reboot of the RC. Until then, I didn't update because I was seeing a lot of people post about glitches.

1) Do you have a video recommendation for best way to update? I believe the first update wanted me to do the RC, batteries, and aircraft.

2) I have the GL300E. I see the thread at the top about range. I understand the VLOS. People are posting ranges(horizontal) that I can't even fathom. My range has been pretty limited and my craft(last time I used it) was limited to 400' vertical. Are either of these two affected with this new update?

2A) I see many posting about Litchi. I haven't even dove into this realm yet as far as using anything other than the stock RC. I have tried to access the google play store but from what I've read, its confirmed, it doesn't let me access it. Is there any way to use 3rd party apps with the P4P+ when you have the built in screen?

3) I'm a little nervous about this firmware update. Being that its my first time updating and seeing people having issues, I guess you could see how it could be a little nerve racking. If you have any advice or suggestions, consider me your padowan. I hope you all are having an absolutely wonderful day!

 

[Meta4]

2) I have the GL300E. I see the thread at the top about range. I understand the VLOS. People are posting ranges(horizontal) that I can't even fathom. My range has been pretty limited and my craft(last time I used it) was limited to 400' vertical. Are either of these two affected with this new update?

The app has a user-configurable height limit. By default this is set to 400 ft.
There is also a user-configurable max distance limit which can be switched off.

2A) I see many posting about Litchi. I haven't even dove into this realm yet as far as using anything other than the stock RC. I have tried to access the google play store but from what I've read, its confirmed, it doesn't let me access it. Is there any way to use 3rd party apps with the P4P+ when you have the built in screen?

It's not possible to install 3rd party apps on your controller.

 

[Danoldo]

I hear that for professional purposed, 3rd party apps are essential. Wouldn't this be a major negative? Drone Deploy? Litchi? Etc?

I assume people must buy the other controller?

 

[msinger]

Do you have a video recommendation for best way to update?

The firmware can be updated via DJI GO like this or using the DJI Assistant 2 application like this. I usually use DJI GO to update the Phantom.

The P4P+ remote controller updates are pretty large. If you have a slow Internet connection, you can download the firmware from the P4P downloads page and update the firmware using a memory card like this.

Are either of these two affected with this new update?

No. As @Meta4 noted above, it sounds like your current DJI GO settings are limiting your range.

Is there any way to use 3rd party apps with the P4P+ when you have the built in screen?

It is possible to install some 3rd party apps like this. I don't know of anyone who was able to successfully install a DJI GO alternative though (e.g. Litchi or Drone Deploy).

I'm a little nervous about this firmware update.

It's easy to update the firmware when you follow the instructions.

I hear that for professional purposed, 3rd party apps are essential. Wouldn't this be a major negative? Drone Deploy? Litchi? Etc?

It really depends on what type of professional work you're going to be doing. DJI GO should be sufficient unless you're doing some kind of specialized activity that requires something like mapping.

I assume people must buy the other controller?

You will need to buy the P4P remote controller if you want to use 3rd party DJI GO alternatives.

 

[Danoldo]

Msinger... you are a rockstar!

 

[Danoldo]

msinger, whats the point of litchi and why are so many interested in it if the DJI GO is sufficient?

 

[Meta4]

msinger, whats the point of litchi and why are so many interested in it if the DJI GO is sufficient?

DJI Go is a great program and all you need for most flying.
You use other apps when you have specific needs for features that Go doesn't include.
Litchi is particularly good for waypoint flying - being able to smoothly fly the exact path again and again.
DroneDeploy is very specialised and can't be used for general flying.
It's only purpose is flying aerial survey mapping missions.

 

[Danoldo]

DJI Go is a great program and all you need for most flying.
You use other apps when you have specific needs for features that Go doesn't include.
Litchi is particularly good for waypoint flying - being able to smoothly fly the exact path again and again.

Honestly, it sounds very useful until I get more experienced. My neighbor borrowed some gardening equipment a couple months back and I annoy him to get it back all the time. He's always outside laying on his hammock.

Sounds like it would be good to go back and forth (horizontally) to bug the piss out of him.

 

[Meta4]

Sounds like it would be good to go back and forth (horizontally) to bug the piss out of him.

I suppose you might use it that way but it's more often used for things like this where I fly and video the same path each month to provide visual updates on construction progress on a major project.

 

[Danoldo]

I was being facetious regarding my neighbor.

 

[Danoldo]

I did do a firmware test flight. All seems good.

Next order of business. Image signal transmission(weak) - is this common when only 200-400' distance

 

[NoCoDrones]

I was being facetious regarding my neighbor.

I laughed [emoji3][emoji3]

 

[msinger]

msinger, whats the point of litchi and why are so many interested in it if the DJI GO is sufficient?

I own it, but rarely use it. Other than its waypoint functionality, I don't see much benefit in using it over DJI GO. You can find lots of threads on this topic in these search results.