Litchi RC2 vs RC PRO RM510

[dragi]

Greetings fellow Mavic pilots,


Recently I attempted to run some automated mapping missions with my Mavic 3 Classic using missions created in Litchi Mission Hub, and I would like to share my feedback and ask a question.


I successfully mapped one construction site and one farm field, but I encountered the well-known issues along the way.
The first issue was that the DJI Fly app struggled to load the waypoint mission. It eventually worked, which is already an improvement compared to another service I had tried earlier.
The second issue was intermittent signal loss — the drone would stop and hover in the middle of the field and do nothing. I managed to partially solve this by continuing the mission from the point where it stopped, but this only worked once. I need to test this behaviour more.


Since I want to start mapping more seriously and provide services for local clients (small construction sites and farmland), I’m looking for more reliable tools.


My question is: does anyone have experience comparing the DJI RC-N2/RC2 with the DJI RC Pro (RM510) when using KMZ-based waypoint missions? Does the RC Pro perform better for this workflow thanks to its stronger antennas, faster CPU, higher memory, etc., or is this simply a limitation of the DJI Fly app itself?


Thank you in advance for any insights.

 

[DJ Wes]

The first issue was that the DJI Fly app struggled to load the waypoint mission. It eventually worked, which is already an improvement compared to another service I had tried earlier.

I can confirm that the DJI RC and the DJI RC2 both struggle when loading missions at around 200 waypoints. It is likely due to memory limitations.

My question is: does anyone have experience comparing the DJI RC-N2/RC2 with the DJI RC Pro (RM510) when using KMZ-based waypoint missions? Does the RC Pro perform better for this workflow thanks to its stronger antennas, faster CPU, higher memory, etc., or is this simply a limitation of the DJI Fly app itself?

I work with people who fly large waypoint missions with a Mavic 3 Pro and a Mini 4 Pro. As I said, the RC and RC2 both struggle with moderate sized waypoint missions. My colleagues, have successfully created and executed 900+ waypoint missions using the RC Pro.

It is important to know that the limitation is not in the number of waypoints, but in the size of the KMZ file or WPML data. The WPML format is rather verbose. Adding waypoint actions (tilt camera, take photo, etc.) will dramatically increase the size of the KMZ file and resulting memory requirements of the device running DJI Fly. For example, a KMZ file containing 200 waypoints with camera actions may be the same size as a 400-waypoint KMZ file without camera actions.

 

[dragi]

I can confirm that the DJI RC and the DJI RC2 both struggle when loading missions at around 200 waypoints. It is likely due to memory limitations.


I work with people who fly large waypoint missions with a Mavic 3 Pro and a Mini 4 Pro. As I said, the RC and RC2 both struggle with moderate sized waypoint missions. My colleagues, have successfully created and executed 900+ waypoint missions using the RC Pro.

It is important to know that the limitation is not in the number of waypoints, but in the size of the KMZ file or WPML data. The WPML format is rather verbose. Adding waypoint actions (tilt camera, take photo, etc.) will dramatically increase the size of the KMZ file and resulting memory requirements of the device running DJI Fly. For example, a KMZ file containing 200 waypoints with camera actions may be the same size as a 400-waypoint KMZ file without camera actions.

Thank you for the quick and detailed reply.
So if I understood correctly, your experience is that the DJI RC Pro definitely handles mission loading and memory requirements better than the DJI RC and RC2.


Regarding the second issue I mentioned — the brief loss of connection and the drone stopping to hover in the middle of a mission — do you or your colleagues have any experience with this behavior? I’m wondering whether the RC Pro helps reduce or eliminate this problem as well, even if only to some degree.


Thanks again for sharing your insights.

 

[RAC DJI]

Hi, as DJI Wes stated I often run missions with upwards of 5 to 6 hundred waypoints on my Mavic 3 Pro and Mini 3 Pro. I don’t use it for mapping as my main use is Light Painting. On my Mavic 3 Pro the entire mission loads to the drone before in takes off and I have never had it disconnect during a mission. Generally my missions are within 300 meters of the launch point.

 

[DJ Wes]

So if I understood correctly, your experience is that the DJI RC Pro definitely handles mission loading and memory requirements better than the DJI RC and RC2.

While I am unable to test this myself (because I do not own either of those controllers), that is what I have been told by one of my "light-painting" colleagues.

Regarding the second issue I mentioned — the brief loss of connection and the drone stopping to hover in the middle of a mission — do you or your colleagues have any experience with this behavior? I’m wondering whether the RC Pro helps reduce or eliminate this problem as well, even if only to some degree.

The Mavic 3 Pro has native waypoints. As a result, it is capable of continuing a waypoint mission after signal loss. However, in the EU, regulations prohibit this capability. I don't know how it is implemented, but perhaps after signal loss, a Mavic 3 Pro flown in the EU is programmed to abort the mission and return to home. Whether or not the DJI RC Pro provides improved signal capabilities over the DJI RC would have to be confirmed with others.