Follow Me mode debate - controller or device GPS??

flynsign · Mar 2, 2017

I was under the impression that Follow Me mode works by the quad locking in to the GPS signal on the device used (smartphone, etc). I was using this mode with my ipad mini 2 with wifi only (no cellular network - hense no GPS). Question is, it seemed to work fine in spite of this so maybe the quad does lock in with the controller. Any thoughts?

msinger · Mar 2, 2017

Yes, Follow Me requires GPS on your mobile device. Are you sure you weren't using ActiveTrack?

AlanTheBeast · Mar 2, 2017

msinger said:
You're describing ActiveTrack.

Yep - already deleted! Sorry about that.

flynsign · Mar 2, 2017

Yes, 100% positive I was NOT using active track. I've used that function many times before and it requires the green box be drawn around the subject. I was using Follow Me and it worked great - just was wondering how it could have followed me when using an ipad mini wifi only model - it must lock to the controller is my only conclusion.

msinger · Mar 2, 2017

flynsign said:
it must lock to the controller is my only conclusion

You are correct. It does lock onto the mobile device's GPS location.

Are you 100% sure you have a Wi-Fi only iPad Mini model? What's the model number on the back of your iPad Mini?

flynsign · Mar 2, 2017

I left it at my office so cannot check that info but wifi model (like mine) does not have a sim card slot.

Bunny Too · Mar 2, 2017

flynsign said:
Yes, 100% positive I was NOT using active track. I've used that function many times before and it requires the green box be drawn around the subject. I was using Follow Me and it worked great - just was wondering how it could have followed me when using an ipad mini wifi only model - it must lock to the controller is my only conclusion.

Something makes me think I read that follow me mode follows the RF signals from the controller, so you have to be sure you have the antennae aligned correctly, however I can not find anything in the literature that backs me up so... hum. And everything I am reading contradicts this so.. I am going with GPS on device.
Regards,
-d.

msinger · Mar 2, 2017

Per the Mavic manual:

flynsign · Mar 2, 2017

Yes, I read that from the manual as well - hence the contradiction in my results. Does anyone know which flight intelligent modes are available when flying in wifi mode? Perhaps this could clear things up.

msinger · Mar 2, 2017

flynsign said:
Does anyone know which flight intelligent modes are available when flying in wifi mode?

All but Follow Me will work on a Wi-Fi only device.

msinger · Mar 2, 2017

flynsign said:
wifi model (like mine) does not have a sim card slot.

I have two cellular iPad Mini models. Neither of them have sim card slots.

GA_Mavic · Mar 2, 2017

Was the iPad tethered to a iPhone? The WiFi iPad can inherit GPS functionality when it’s tethered to an iPhone.

flynsign · Mar 2, 2017

That's possible, yes. I did have my iphone 7 with me at the time. How can I tell if it's 'tethered' and does this feature mean that my wifi tablet can act as if it DOES have cellular (GPS) when near an iphone?

flynsign · Mar 2, 2017

msinger said:
I have two cellular iPad Mini models. Neither of them have sim card slots.

This is from the Apple forum:
You do not need a SIM to access GPS although you do need to have an iPad that has a SIM slot. WiFi only iPads do not have GPS. Some mapping apps require a data connection to download the maps. You DO need a SIM to access GSM.

Squamer · Mar 2, 2017

Which would be better for someone moving pretty good distance? Active track or follow me? Looking to shoot some footage following my boat

GA_Mavic · Mar 2, 2017

flynsign said:
That's possible, yes. I did have my iphone 7 with me at the time. How can I tell if it's 'tethered' and does this feature mean that my wifi tablet can act as if it DOES have cellular (GPS) when near an iphone?

Were you sharing your data connection from your phone to your tablet to download maps? That is tethered. The personal hotspot in settings.