Mavic 2 Pro ~ Returned with Firmware Update :-( Now What?

[Jumpyman]

Wow. . this just keeps getting better. I WAS posting about the lack of range on my recent Ebay Mavic 2 Pro Purchase. Everything seems fine except it has very limited range. . starts losing video and control bars at about 750' out and 300' up. I was going to test my original Mavic 2 Pro when it came back from a Gimbal Overload Error fix. When I sent it in, it had Firmware Version 01.00.0770. It flew fine. It NOW has firmware 01.00.0797! I paired it with my Smart Controller, calibrated the compass then got "Unknown Error (code: 180). Cannot takeoff. Contact DJI Support". I Googled it. .says usually due to a firmware update and incompatibility between the controller and the drone. I was firmly against updating the firmware as, in the past, it usually causes more problems than it solves. Now, looks like I'll have to update my controller or I won't be able to fly my drone, correct? Should I update my Smart Controller which currently has 01.01.0072 Firmware or tell the repair company to send me another Mavic 2 Pro with my original (or earlier) firmware so I'm not restricted in any way by newer firmware? I don't know enough about the various iterations to be severely pissed or if I should just let it go. . thanks in advance for your advice . PS I also noticed that the "new" camera that they installed isn't new. . it has scuffs, marks and I can see marks behind the lens cover. . not happy. . see pix. .

 

[Cafguy]

I also noticed that the "new" camera that they installed isn't new. . it has scuffs, marks and I can see marks behind the lens cover. . not happy. . see pix. .

DJI did this? You need to update it all or 180 will keep showing up. This is most likely your range issue.

 

[Jumpyman]

DJI did this? You need to update it all or 180 will keep showing up. This is most likely your range issue.

Nope. . I FIRST called DJI to repair the drone. . this was like 3 weeks ago. .they told me it would be at least 3 months before they'd even possibly be able to get parts. . .so I started calling Drone Repair shops. . I'm gonna withold the name for now until I see how they respond. . so far they've seemed good to work with. . and the range issue isn't on THIS drone that I know of. .I have TWO Mavic 2 pros. . .the ORIGINAL i never really flew far because the camera was non-functional. The range issue is with the 2nd one I got off of Ebay just to fly while the original was "in the shop". . either I'd keep it as a backup or sell it depending on which one I liked better. . well, I guess my question NOW is, is the newest firmware BAD? Any severe known issues? Can I use Litchi with the new Firmware? I thought I was good with 0770. . again, I'll request another drone with old firmware since I remember saying I didn't want the firmware messed with. .

 

[Cafguy]

I FIRST called DJI to repair the drone. . this was like 3 weeks ago. .they told me it would be at least 3 months before they'd even possibly be able to get parts.

DJI doesnt repair Drones. they simply replace them if you want a DJI fix that is only done thru Enterprise repair shops and is excusive to Enterprise series Drones.

 

[Jumpyman]

DJI doesnt repair Drones. they simply replace them if you want a DJI fix that is only done thru Enterprise repair shops and is excusive to Enterprise series Drones.

Hey, either way. . they gave me a pretty reasonable quote for a gimbal repair. .I'd have gone with the replacement but they said it would be 3 months minimum. . .so, as far as YOU know, is there any real reason NOT to update my Smart Controller? My choice now is 1) Update the controller and hope for the best or 2) request another Mavic 2 Pro with older firmware. . which I'm not feeling I'll have much luck with. . .this is turning into a can of worms. .

 

[Cafguy]

They are not gonna send you a Drone with older firmware..I have not seen any reason for you not to update the controller and when you do the range issue may just go away.

 

[Meta4]

Now, looks like I'll have to update my controller or I won't be able to fly my drone, correct?

Correct

Should I update my Smart Controller which currently has 01.01.0072 Firmware or tell the repair company to send me another Mavic 2 Pro with my original (or earlier) firmware so I'm not restricted in any way by newer firmware? I don't know enough about the various iterations to be severely pissed or if I should just let it go.

Let it go ... update the controller and your drone will fly normally.
Your concerns about updating are overdone and there's not going to be anything to worry about.

 

[MS Coast]

Hey, either way. . they gave me a pretty reasonable quote for a gimbal repair. .I'd have gone with the replacement but they said it would be 3 months minimum. . .so, as far as YOU know, is there any real reason NOT to update my Smart Controller? My choice now is 1) Update the controller and hope for the best or 2) request another Mavic 2 Pro with older firmware. . which I'm not feeling I'll have much luck with. . .this is turning into a can of worms. .

Any worms in that can are 99.9% mythical. Update the controller and go flying.

 

[KB9Radio]

I've had the code 180 error after updating the firmware for the remote ID thing. I then downloaded the latest version of GO4 for the smart controller right from the DJI website using the built-in browser. After installing that it was all happy and has worked fine since. So, I guess all I can suggest is make sure you have the latest version of GO4 installed.

 

[Jumpyman]

They are not gonna send you a Drone with older firmware..I have not seen any reason for you not to update the controller and when you do the range issue may just go away.

I've had the code 180 error after updating the firmware for the remote ID thing. I then downloaded the latest version of GO4 for the smart controller right from the DJI website using the built-in browser. After installing that it was all happy and has worked fine since. So, I guess all I can suggest is make sure you have the latest version of GO4 installed.

What's "the remote ID thing"?

 

[KB9Radio]

What's "the remote ID thing"?

Drones in the US have to transmit a Remote ID (RID) signal when flying. This is location data that maned aircrafts use to help avoid any sort of collision. The Remote ID rule went into effect sometime in January if I remember right. Some of the older dji models were able to upgrade to built in RID to avoid purchasing an external RID device. The Mavic 2 series was one of those that could update to the native RID capability. It requires updated aircraft and controller firmware and the latest version of GO4 to enable the RID. After I updated my aircraft firmware, I tried to fly my Mavic 2 Zoom and quickly received the error 180 message. I then downloaded and installed the latest version of DJI GO4 from their website, and all was good and has worked perfectly since.

 

[Jumpyman]

Drones in the US have to transmit a Remote ID (RID) signal when flying. This is location data that maned aircrafts use to help avoid any sort of collision. The Remote ID rule went into effect sometime in January if I remember right. Some of the older dji models were able to upgrade to built in RID to avoid purchasing an external RID device. The Mavic 2 series was one of those that could update to the native RID capability. It requires updated aircraft and controller firmware and the latest version of GO4 to enable the RID. After I updated my aircraft firmware, I tried to fly my Mavic 2 Zoom and quickly received the error 180 message. I then downloaded and installed the latest version of DJI GO4 from their website, and all was good and has worked perfectly since.

Okay, wow. .thanks for the explanation. . seems things have changed a bit since I was tearing up the sky with my then rock-solid Phantom 3 Advanced!

 

[MS Coast]

Drones in the US have to transmit a Remote ID (RID) signal when flying. This is location data that maned aircrafts use to help avoid any sort of collision.

Remote ID is unique to drones and not the same as the ADS-B that most manned aircraft use. They're entirely different systems that do no interact.

 

[Cafguy]

What's "the remote ID thing"?

RID is a signal that the Drone transmits it gives anyone reading it your location. The government will tell you its there for safety BUT its actually a way for local governments to keep track of part 107 operators and tax them.
You are required to have RID on all drones flown commercially and recreational pilots must use RID if your drone weighs more than 250 grams at takeoff.

 

[MS Coast]

RID is a signal that the Drone transmits it gives anyone reading it your location. The government will tell you its there for safety BUT its actually a way for local governments to keep track of part 107 operators and tax them.

What tax is based on RID?

The $5/person for three years registration fee that can be used on many drones was there long before RID? What has been added?

 

[KB9Radio]

Okay, wow. .thanks for the explanation. . seems things have changed a bit since I was tearing up the sky with my then rock-solid Phantom 3 Advanced!

No doubt the drone they sent you back has the RID updated firmware. So, therefore you will need to update to the latest controller and GO4 version in order for the system to operate correctly and your error 180 to disappear.

 

[Cafguy]

None yet but local government will require permits to fly commercially within thier limits. The city will use the data they compile to charge operators a fee of some kind.. Does that happen now. NO but some cities around here do monitor filming at times and RID is a useful tool for watching Drone activity (if the city people are close enough)..
With AEROSCOPE being fased out militarily I can see some municipalities purchasing and using those ( except for the DJI ban thing) in that case what we are discussing doesnt really matter.

 

[Meta4]

None yet but local government will require permits to fly commercially within thier limits. The city will use the data they compile to charge operators a fee of some kind.

So, basically it's just something you've imagined?