Vision Sensing

SF327 · Dec 23, 2018

I've seen some members mention turning off Vision Sensing. OK, so I have a few hours of flight time under my belt and I've always used everything available in terms of infrared, sonic and visual sensing. I've read the manual cover to cover, and still browsing it, when something is not yet clear. Keeping the flights short and tightly controlled. I don't mind the collision avoidance stuff, but I'm really curious about times when the vision sensing will be an encumbrance, or worse yet a pitfall.

So my question is, when and why would you turn off the vision system.

3rdof5 · Dec 23, 2018

SF327 said:
I've seen some members mention turning off Vision Sensing. OK, so I have a few hours of flight time under my belt and I've always used everything available in terms of infrared, sonic and visual sensing. I've read the manual cover to cover, and still browsing it, when something is not yet clear. Keeping the flights short and tightly controlled. I don't mind the collision avoidance stuff, but I'm really curious about times when the vision sensing will be an encumbrance, or worse yet a pitfall.

So my question is, when and why would you turn off the vision system.

The problem with VPS is it isnt perfect and can be triggered by false data, even low sun can cause erratic behavior. I don't like having to fight with it so I keep mine off and have full control.

Deleted member 62848 · Dec 23, 2018

This p3 but same for p4,,I think it also helps for the precision landing in same spot as take,(can't remember name) the bottom cams called onnocular which take picture of landing site so it come land exactly same spot,,,(OA front cams called monocular cause scan foward),,,mine still on and have calibration needed prompt but nothing is wrong so I just leave it,no issue for me on or off,..vps can also give you a height if flying with no gps

edmundC · Dec 24, 2018

SF327 said:
I've seen some members mention turning off Vision Sensing. OK, so I have a few hours of flight time under my belt and I've always used everything available in terms of infrared, sonic and visual sensing. I've read the manual cover to cover, and still browsing it, when something is not yet clear. Keeping the flights short and tightly controlled. I don't mind the collision avoidance stuff, but I'm really curious about times when the vision sensing will be an encumbrance, or worse yet a pitfall.

So my question is, when and why would you turn off the vision system.

I own a 3p and I keep the vps off most of the time because it can't accurately detect the AC's height when I fly higher than 3m from the ground. Turning it off also means I have one thing less to worry about in case of vps malfunction I also think in such it saves me some battery and perhaps allow my bird fly longer?

SF327 · Dec 24, 2018

3rdof5 said:
The problem with VPS is it isnt perfect and can be triggered by false data, even low sun can cause erratic behavior. I don't like having to fight with it so I keep mine off and have full control.

Thanks for the input. Yep, I'm nearly always in low sun conditions. Didn't know about that one.

SF327 · Dec 24, 2018

edmundC said:
I own a 3p and I keep the vps off most of the time because it can't accurately detect the AC's height when I fly higher than 3m from the ground. Turning it off also means I have one thing less to worry about in case of vps malfunction I also think in such it saves me some battery and perhaps allow my bird fly longer?

Thanks for the input. I'm flying a P4 Pro V2, and there are some newer vision system elements, but honestly I haven't compared the P3 and the P4 side by side. It being wintertime, the trees are not dense enough for the vision system to accurately see them, so I try to stay well away. I'm sure the extra electronics require power, but compared to rotating four props at a high RPM I would think it's minimal.

SF327 · Dec 24, 2018

Thanks all for the replies. So I gather that VPS system glitches can cause erratic behavior and in the conditions I'm currently flying in, (specifically open areas over smooth flowing water and bare trees) I really don't need it. I use RTH as a tool for a quick flight path reset, but I prefer to control the landing. Incidentally, the precision landing puts it right down on the landing pad every time when I do use it.

At this point, I think I'll turn it off and see the difference for myself.

Andy9 · Dec 24, 2018

But if you have it off the auto land function might work rather rough so you must get used to landing manually.

SF327 · Dec 24, 2018

I agree, since precision landing is one of the functions of the sensor set. From my last data set, it kicked in the Doppler at about 32 ft and I suppose the other sensors were functioning as well. I can land, but I've used the precision land function about 50% of the time. Thanks.