Compass Calibration

Asgard · Nov 3, 2018

Ello, I'm a little confused by compass calibration instructions, the first part (rotate 360 degrees with drone upright) is clear enough, but the 2nd step has picture of the Drone oriented on its side but the text says point the nose down??, I've calibrated both ways and they both seemed to work.

So which method is correct?

Porky · Nov 3, 2018

Hi @Asgard

This might be easier to understand. It’s the same process on all drones.

Asgard · Nov 3, 2018

Thanks for clearing that up Porky, so the text is correct but the illustration is wrong.
Strangely the one video I found showed someone calibrating with the drone on it's side and even stranger how both ways seemed to work when I tried them.
I'll use the nose down method from now on

Porky · Nov 3, 2018

Hope it helped. By the way, how old.....

Asgard · Nov 3, 2018

Old as dirt

BTW The video which first caused my confusion where the guy puts the drone sidways is here (go to 3:15 to see what I mean)

Porky · Nov 3, 2018

Hi old git

Really they are both the same but different if you know what I mean. I calibrate as per the Go4 app.

Blimey 115 years of age!!!

hoggdoc · Nov 10, 2018

Asgard said:
Old as dirt
BTW The video which first caused my confusion where the guy puts the drone sidways is here (go to 3:15 to see what I mean)

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And this guy in the video did one of the things you are not supposed to do, he did the compass calibration while standing on a concrete pad.

Asgard · Nov 10, 2018

OK, I suppose this is this because there is a risk that there is steel embedded in it?

P.S. One thing I have not stressed, DJI need to change the illustration that accompanies the calibration instructions in it's go4 app, the text states nose down, yet the illustration clearly shows the drone oriented on it's side.

Aussie Oldtimer · Nov 10, 2018

I agree with Op. the diagram shows the drone tilted SIDEWAYS and not facing down. i now do it facing down.

Cheech Wizard · Nov 11, 2018

Asgard said:
Old as dirt
BTW The video which first caused my confusion where the guy puts the drone sidways is here (go to 3:15 to see what I mean)

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As far as that video goes.... DON"T calibrate on concrete as there is more likely than not steel reinforcement bar in it. It creates a magnetic field. Also a good idea to not have any metal on your person, or a "Smart Watch". I have read that the remote and mobile device should be about 15 feet away, so you need to learn the light signal on back of drone or have someone hold the remote and tell you when to turn it nose down and rotate. Stay away from metal fences and power boxes too.

DanMan32 · Nov 11, 2018

App shows IMU calibration incorrectly also. At least Android 4.3.1 version did. Haven't a need to do it with 4.3.2.

bcoles · Nov 11, 2018

DanMan32 said:
App shows IMU calibration incorrectly also. At least Android 4.3.1 version did. Haven't a need to do it with 4.3.2.

For whatever reason my M2P seems to ask for a lot of compass calibrations. It appears that the M2P / app doesn't mind which way you hold it on the second circle. It has worked for me nose down, nose up, and on its side. 2018 9.7 iPad. Bryan.

Porky · Nov 12, 2018

Blimey, mine asked for a compass calibration couple of days ago, the last time i calibrated was a month ago (30 days) soooo does it have a time frame, 30 days like the manual states? Or was it just a coincidence.
I wonder, Mmmmmm..

DanMan32 · Nov 12, 2018

Many M2 owners have indicated it prompts every 30 days or 30 miles from last flight. Others of us hadn't had that happen. Logs indicate some of us have 'compass calibration clocks' way ahead.