The amount of apparent misinformation on this seemingly simple question is impressive. Does the DJI RC-N3 controller support O4+ (e.g., to the Mini 5 Pro) or only O4? I know the expensive RC Pro 2 controller apparently supports O4+. I've also seen varying specs quoted for both O4 and O4+ theoretical range, etc. in both CE and FCC modes.
Does RC-N3 controller support O4+?
- Thread starter TT3023
- Start date
Indeed.
O4+ requires an extra pair of antennas inside that are not present on the RC-N3, which limits it to 04 only.
Not a really big deal, unless you need maximum range or optimal transmission in an environment where there is lots of signal interference or partial signal blockage.
I recently bought the Mavic 4 Pro creator combo that has the RC Pro 2. So....O4.0+
so then, unless I'm mistaken, I have
* O4.0+ --> Mavic 4 Pro + RC Pro 2
* O3.0+ --> Mavic 3 + RC-N1 (with Tripltek tablet) base tech of RV is O2.0
* O3.0 --> Mini 4 Pro + RC-N1
* O2.0 --> Mini 2 + RC-N1
now, I have a 3 or 4 routes from the deck of my house. None are more than maybe 800 yards. One heads directly toward some cell towers and there is some significant interference and signal drop. Other directions quickly add some trees between the drone and controller
what I have noticed; part 1: there really wasn't a noticeable improvement in signal or range between O2.0 (Mini 2) and O3.0 (Mini 3 Pro). There was a difference between O3.0+ (Mavic 3) and O3.0. The transmission was stronger and more consistent out to the maximum range I was flying. Now, I'm on a slight hill kind of looking down in most directions so I generally only climbed to about 70 feet to clear any trees. I could love VLOS, pretty easily, especially with the Mini's so I wanted to remain no more than 100 foot agl. I's anticipate if I climbed higher I would have experienced better results
what I have noticed; part 2: I flew the Mavic 4 Pro over the same routes and personally, I didn't notice any significant improvement in signal transmission and dropped frames with the RC Pro 2 + O4.0+ over the Mavic 3 + RC-N1 + O3.0+. Maybe a slight improvement. However, the resolution and image quality on the RC Pro 2 was noticeably better than on the Tripltek 8
what I'm really curious about: now I go camping 3 times a year in Eastern-Oregon/Northern-Nevada/Western-Idaho and I have a couple of ideal spots to be a rule-breaker and test the range. Take off slightly higher than the surrounding, flat, sage brush landscape and an desert alkalai flat. So, maybe 75-100 feet consistently above the ground, at most, but unobstructed LOS for several miles; and nobody around, at all. And I'd be able to see any aircraft approaching from 10-15 miles away.
With the Mini 3 Pro my range is about 2 miles, maybe a bit longer, before I start to worry about battery and I'm seeing dropped frames. With the Mavic 3, it was a bit over 3 miles. So, anecdotally, O3.0+ seems to be better for range. Those are the only places I willingly break VLOS rules. So, I will be curious if O4.0+ is better for range than O3.0+
so then, unless I'm mistaken, I have
* O4.0+ --> Mavic 4 Pro + RC Pro 2
* O3.0+ --> Mavic 3 + RC-N1 (with Tripltek tablet) base tech of RV is O2.0
* O3.0 --> Mini 4 Pro + RC-N1
* O2.0 --> Mini 2 + RC-N1
now, I have a 3 or 4 routes from the deck of my house. None are more than maybe 800 yards. One heads directly toward some cell towers and there is some significant interference and signal drop. Other directions quickly add some trees between the drone and controller
what I have noticed; part 1: there really wasn't a noticeable improvement in signal or range between O2.0 (Mini 2) and O3.0 (Mini 3 Pro). There was a difference between O3.0+ (Mavic 3) and O3.0. The transmission was stronger and more consistent out to the maximum range I was flying. Now, I'm on a slight hill kind of looking down in most directions so I generally only climbed to about 70 feet to clear any trees. I could love VLOS, pretty easily, especially with the Mini's so I wanted to remain no more than 100 foot agl. I's anticipate if I climbed higher I would have experienced better results
what I have noticed; part 2: I flew the Mavic 4 Pro over the same routes and personally, I didn't notice any significant improvement in signal transmission and dropped frames with the RC Pro 2 + O4.0+ over the Mavic 3 + RC-N1 + O3.0+. Maybe a slight improvement. However, the resolution and image quality on the RC Pro 2 was noticeably better than on the Tripltek 8
what I'm really curious about: now I go camping 3 times a year in Eastern-Oregon/Northern-Nevada/Western-Idaho and I have a couple of ideal spots to be a rule-breaker and test the range. Take off slightly higher than the surrounding, flat, sage brush landscape and an desert alkalai flat. So, maybe 75-100 feet consistently above the ground, at most, but unobstructed LOS for several miles; and nobody around, at all. And I'd be able to see any aircraft approaching from 10-15 miles away.
With the Mini 3 Pro my range is about 2 miles, maybe a bit longer, before I start to worry about battery and I'm seeing dropped frames. With the Mavic 3, it was a bit over 3 miles. So, anecdotally, O3.0+ seems to be better for range. Those are the only places I willingly break VLOS rules. So, I will be curious if O4.0+ is better for range than O3.0+
FYI I notice a significant difference in range between my Mavic 3 Pro + RC (O3+) vs my Mavic 4 Pro + RC 2 (O4) in a heavily wooded area with a decent number of homes with WiFi. (An odd combination I admit, but we’ve got a big neighborhood in the woods)
not doubting you. I got the Mavic 4 in the first week in December and the weather has been terrible. Not much opportunity to test is yet
With completely clear LOS from an elevated location, without any interference, such as you describe, for testing, you will run out of battery to return long before you would be able to distinguish the difference in range between OS 4 and OS 4+. It's for suicide flights only! LOL! Same with OS 4+ and OS 3+ comparisons. The battery will always be the limiting factor, not the signal penetration.
Yup. Proof of concept. The stock battery prohibits these type of flights
One way missions like this (also know as suicide missions when attempted without a chase crew) can only be attempted with home-made "Extended Batteries," and are the only way to verify DJI's OS 4+ signal range claims, while setting the Loss of Signal setting to Hover instead of RTH. This type of flight absolutely requires a chase crew, much like a hot air balloon needs, to simultaneously follow the drone along the highway for recovery, while maintaining continuous radio communication with the pilot.
Two external batteries are mounted, one on each side, and hardwired to the stock internal battery, doubling the internal battery mAh for the flight. See photo below.
We used a similar battery mod, starting with the original Phantom 3 Pro, back in the day, combined with a "Star Wars" like antenna mods to the controllers, to amplify and concentrate the control signal to support the extended battery range.
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