Compass Calibration

[Parkerjh]

I've been flying drones for over 10 years, starting way back with the Phantom 2 and now using the Air 2S and Mavic 3. Lately something occurred to me: I haven't had to calibrate the compass in over a year.

Back when, it felt like I was doing the compass dance every other flight—spinning in a circle like a goofball in public spaces just to get airborne. Sometimes multiple times a week, depending on where I was flying.

Now? Nothing. Even when traveling to totally new locations or different states, the drones just fire up and fly with no complaints. Honestly, it's been so long, I forgot where in the menu the compass calibration even was. That used to be something I had to do by second nature.

Has something changed in the hardware? Are the compasses more shielded or self-correcting now? Or is the software just less sensitive or smarter about when calibration is actually needed? Even when getting new drones through the mail, it occurred to me, I haven't even calibrated them at that point.

Curious if others have noticed the same thing

 

[msinger]

Has something changed in the hardware?

I think what has changed is many people have figured out it's not a best practice, nor is it something that needs to be done before nearly every flight.

When should you be calibrating the compass? See more details here:

DJI Mavic Compass Calibration Guide | Mavic Help

Mavic Help is a site for help with DJI Mavic drones. Find the latest fixes, how-tos, guides, accessories, modifications, and more.

www.mavichelp.com

 

[Parkerjh]

Thanks for the reply, yes, I realize some people used to calibrate all the time. I was not one of them. I would typically only calibrate if I got a error on the controller saying calibration needed. My question is, I haven't seen that pop up in well over a year. Even when drones have been shipped from california, overseas, or on international trips. I just don't see it ever anymore.

 

[msinger]

I would typically only calibrate if I got a error on the controller saying calibration needed

Per the guide above, that's typically an indicator that you should not calibrate the compass. It normally occurs when the compass is/was near some type of magnetic metal source.

 

[Parkerjh]

LOL, I'm not looking for guidance on when to calibrate. I'm curious if DJI changed anything in hardware or software. I used to get compass warnings a few times a week. Haven't seen one in well over a year

 

[msinger]

LOL, I'm not looking for guidance on when to calibrate.

I'm not really offering guidance. Just pointing out the seemingly overlooked possibility that you may have been calibrating the compass unnecessarily.

I'm curious if DJI changed anything in hardware or software

Not that I'm aware of. This is how compass calibrations have functioned for some years now.

 

[Parkerjh]

Something changed. Across dozens of drones, it wasn't unusual to get at least a compass or two calibration notices every single week. Now I don't get them ever. That's what I'm just trying to drive to the root of regardless if one took the advice or not.