I have M2P and M2Z with very old firmware - RID module or activate latest?

[pchaps]

My Mavic 2's have old firmware (perhaps 2020 year). I do some Part 107 work but also recreational. Getting back into it after some health setbacks.

It seems obvious to me to update firmware for RID inside the Mavic 2 -- but is there any advantage to keeping the oldest viable firmware and just adding a RID module? The expense of a module is not an issue.

 

[Cafguy]

If you are just the normal Drone pilot I would update the firmware You can get a module I suppose BUT If you are not using any "Hacks" then why spend the money, Just upgrade.

 

[mavic3usa]

Agreed get the update and if anything goes wrong, like the software hangs and the drone is bricked, maybe you can send it in and get another newer one.

 

[pchaps]

If you are just the normal Drone pilot I would update the firmware You can get a module I suppose BUT If you are not using any "Hacks" then why spend the money, Just upgrade.

Thanks that seems easiest. What are "hacks" for DJI?

 

[pchaps]

Agreed get the update and if anything goes wrong, like the software hangs and the drone is bricked, maybe you can send it in and get another newer one.

Thanks I updated my DJI Assistant 2 and did the firmware update for the M2 Zoom, and it was very picky about the USB-C cable as I did not get the original with the used drone. Only my latest Apple USB-C to C cable worked!

 

[pchaps]

Lesson learned: Why my Mavic 2 firmware update keeps failing? -- the cable! Must be a high-quality data cable like OG Apple USB-C to USB-C! Worked now!

 

[KB9Radio]

My M2Z is updated to the latest firmware with RID and works fine. I also use the Smart Controller and needed to install the latest version of GO4 and reboot both for everything to work properly. So I would think whatever phone or display you use would need the latest version of GO4 as well as the aircraft firmware. I've flown at least 10 times since updating everything and it works flawlessly.

 

[Talldiver]

I have also updated to the latest firmware on my M2P, and everything works. I do both recreational and Part 107.

 

[anotherlab]

I have the current firmware on my M2P and it has been fine.

 

[GadgetGuy]

-- but is there any advantage to keeping the oldest viable firmware and just adding a RID module? The expense of a module is not an issue.

Definitely an advantage to using an external RID module. Unlike the drone RID broadcast, the external RID modules do not continuously also update the pilot location, so if you launch and leave, you can conceal your new location, away from the original home point, until you land and leave. Keeps Karens from disturbing you during your flight. If you land elsewhere, and recover the drone later, your new location will never be revealed by RID.

The continuous transmission of the pilot's location is the biggest objection to RID. With an external module, it is easily still legally concealed, by moving away from the launch location during the flight.

 

[pchaps]

My M2Z is updated to the latest firmware with RID and works fine. I also use the Smart Controller and needed to install the latest version of GO4 and reboot both for everything to work properly. So I would think whatever phone or display you use would need the latest version of GO4 as well as the aircraft firmware. I've flown at least 10 times since updating everything and it works flawlessly.

Thanks for letting me know that it is working for you!

 

[pchaps]

I have also updated to the latest firmware on my M2P, and everything works. I do both recreational and Part 107.

Oh good -- and you some Part 107 too! Thanks for writing!

 

[pchaps]

Definitely an advantage to using an external RID module. Unlike the drone RID broadcast, the external RID modules do not continuously also update the pilot location, so if you launch and leave, you can conceal your new location, away from the original home point, until you land and leave. Keeps Karens from disturbing you during your flight. If you land elsewhere, and recover the drone later, your new location will never be revealed by RID.

The continuous transmission of the pilot's location is the biggest objection to RID. With an external module, it is easily still legally concealed, by moving away from the launch location during the flight.

I have several drones, and just got 2 FrSky modules -- one for my heavy lift, and the other for an old training model. I could remove the trainer from my list, and put the module on my M2P.

In this way, the M2 Zoom would have activated internal RID; whereas my M2 Pro would have the module for situations where I prefer to legally move my control position. Best of both worlds.

Is there any reason to update firmware on all my batteries, and on the iPad control app? Pardon me bc I don't know all the terms -- but if some items are do *not* have updated firmware (like the M2P) and some items *do* have updated firmware -- can there be any compatibility problems?

In short, is there anything that I can avoid updating other than my M2P (with module) such as controller, batteries, and controller.

My novice plan is not update one drone and one controller. Does that sound right? Can an updated Go4Pro (?) app on iPad work for all? Should I update all my batteries?

I apologize for repetition -- just try to find the words lol need more coffee.

 

[pchaps]

About the controllers I have both RC1A (came w/ the used M2 Pro), and RC1B (came with the used M2 Zoom). I have updated firmware on theM2Z for RID, but will use module on the M2P.

Would both controllers work with both aircraft or should i keep them as originally paired? Also, if they are all mix and match-able, can I update a controller's firmware and not the drone?

If I decided to not update one controller, and it would still function, which one would you leave as-is and not updated. The "B" I think does not save a .DAT file -- what does that mean, and what is that used for? Is it good to have on my module-RID drone or is it less better not to have it in some cases. Is that just more 'evidence' (lol) -- not that I am planning anything bad just tired of intrusion.