IMU calibration.

[basophil]

I've just taken delivery of a Mavic 2 Pro. Do I need to calibrate the IMU before flying, or can I just use it out of the box? In fact, when should I recalibrate the IMU?

 

[FoxhallGH]

That's a good first step - yes ... The IMU will only need to be calibrated if you transport the Drone a significant distance somewhere else. So - assuming last time IMU cal' was done could have been in a factory in China - it's a good idea to do the calibrations on your new MP2 - yes.
However, the other good thing that calibration the IMU (and the compass) will do, is get you on the way to be familiar with the DJI Go 4 app' and how it runs on your mobile device in conjunction with your controller. There are how-to vid's on the DJI website, and all over YouTube, so resource is there to learn how to do this.

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[basophil]

Thanks for that. In my ignorance, I flew it straight out of the box. It didn't ask for any calibration. It seemed fine. Do I still need to calibrate the IMU?

 

[FoxhallGH]

It doesn't hurt to do it - so I would recommend it.

 

[basophil]

Does the surface have to be dead flat? My leveling app says my table has 0.8 degrees of tilt. Also, since this is setting only the accelerometer and angular measurement sensors, I presume I don't need to worry about nearby metal, electromagnetic fields (e.g. TV, speakers, Wifi) etc when carrying out this calibration?

 

[FoxhallGH]

Does the surface have to be dead flat? My leveling app says my table has 0.8 degrees of tilt. Also, since this is setting only the accelerometer and angular measurement sensors, I presume I don't need to worry about nearby metal, electromagnetic fields (e.g. TV, speakers, Wifi) etc when carrying out this calibration?

That amount of flat should be OK ... The critical calibration that needs to be away from all that you have listed, is the compass calibration. Do that one before you fly out at the flying field.

 

[basophil]

OK thanks fox. Will do IMU cal.. my only concern is I will stuff things up? Everything seems to be OK at the moment. There are several posts reporting where IMU cal messed up a normally functioning drone.

 

[FoxhallGH]

Extremely rare! - and usually, if there is a problem, the IMU calibration just won't complete. If that's the case, you can shut down the drone and the Go 4 app' and all will be OK. The Go 4 app' will show you pictures and instructions - follow them exactly ...

 

[beejAMG]

IMU calibration shouldnt be done unless the bird asks you to do so.

I reckon youre talking about compass calibration that it should be done after taking your bird a hundred miles (or something like that) away from where you last flew. I wouldnt do anything unless the bird ask you to do it.

Why fix something that is not broken?

 

[FoxhallGH]

Up to you @basophil - But I'd want to do it just so I knew it was off the list!
It's not going to hurt anything ...