Multiple drones with multiple controllers prep/setup (for no internet flights)

[lomposlapos]

Have two Mavic 3 Pro and one Mavic 3, and have been operating them via RC Pro.

Going for off-grid flying with no internet connection for a month. Once on the field, there’s noting I can do to update, activate, change, log-in/out, etc. that requires internet!

Now, as a safety backup, I want to ready and bring along an RC or RC231 controller.

Questions:
Can the same drone be linked to multiple controllers and still fly with zero issues or the need for internet with either?

On the two controllers, should I use the same DJI account or for some reason it is recommended to have different accounts?

Any other advice so no surprises in the field? (Besides the monthly forced log-in to be done the day I depart.)

 

[GFields]

You can connect more than on compatible controller. However, you can only use one at a time.
When I'm out in the field I use my mobile hotspot if an internet connection is needed. Is that possible for you?

 

[lomposlapos]

I will have no internet or phone reception of any kind for a month. Looking for a ready-to-fly configuration for 3 drones/2 controllers, so I can fly them in any combination without the need of internet.

I want to avoid surprise error messages or prompts that require an internet to resolve.

 

[msinger]

Can the same drone be linked to multiple controllers and still fly with zero issues

Yes

On the two controllers, should I use the same DJI account or for some reason it is recommended to have different accounts?

I'm not aware of any advantages of using multiple DJI accounts. If anything, it will make things more complicated.

 

[lomposlapos]

I'm not aware of any advantages of using multiple DJI accounts.

Can one controller support two DJI accounts without any issues? If yes, then it makes sense to ready each controller with a shared and unique account. (Redundancy is a form of backup.)

 

[msinger]

Can one controller support two DJI accounts without any issues?

A DJI drone can only be bound to one DJI account at a time.

it makes sense to ready each controller with a shared and unique account. (Redundancy is a form of backup.)

Redundancy is a common form of backup, but it wouldn't be suitable in this case. Furthermore, you won't be able to do anything with your DJI accounts (like switch accounts) while disconnected from the Internet.

If you're looking for true redundancy, you should take spare drones and remote controllers in case your primary drones cannot be used, are damaged, etc.

 

[lomposlapos]

A DJI drone can only be bound to one DJI account at a time

Yes, but can that account be switched to another account without internet (only drone-controller communication)?

you should take spare drones and remote controllers

That's exactly what I am doing. But want to ensure the 2 controllers and 3 drones are prepared before departure so they are effortlessly interchangeable and work in any combination without requiring internet.

switch accounts) while disconnected from the Internet

So the accounts on controllers are not self-contained (local) in the controller?

 

[msinger]

Yes, but can that account be switched to another account without internet (only drone-controller communication)?

No. DJI accounts are stored on DJI's servers, so the Internet is required to log into accounts, bind a drone to an account, etc. I wouldn't suggest attempting any of this off the grid as you might accidentally log yourself out of your DJI account. And when not logged in, the max height and distance will be restricted.

That's exactly what I am doing. But want to ensure the 2 controllers and 3 drones are prepared before departure so they are effortlessly interchangeable and work in any combination without requiring internet.

Yep, and that's exactly why you wouldn't want to attempt to use multiple DJI accounts as you could get into a scenario where you'd need to connect to the Internet.

So the accounts on controllers are not self-contained (local) in the controller?

No. Your account is stored on DJI's servers. Your remoter controller or mobile device is just caching your logged in status and likely some account related data.

 

[lomposlapos]

Re Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Pro with RC Pro and RC. 9 batteries are shared between the drones!

It turns out, without having internet...

(i) you can NOT switch between drones using the same controller,
- Getting Firmware version inconsistent message when first selecting the new drone at switch. Hitting Continue, will solve this without internet (so far good).
- However, in DJI Fly Settings, checking the Aircraft Firmware for updates will say New Firmware Available which can be be updated to the drone. But this ONLY works with internet. Big question if it is a performance or safety risk if I ignore this update. I assume this is because the battery was used in a different drone before (shared between M3/M3P)


(ii) neither you can start to use a different controller for either of the drones without having internet access. as requires un-binding which needs internet.
(e.g,. see Please explain: Binding!)

In summary, you can not take your drone off-the grid on a hiking, safari, sailing etc. trip and switch between drones and controllers. WOW!

 

[msinger]

In summary, you can not take your drone off-the grid on a hiking, safari, sailing etc. trip and switch between drones and controllers

Binding a remote controller to your DJI account and switching remote controllers between drones is not the same thing. Which are you wanting to do while off the grid?

 

[lomposlapos]

Which are you wanting to do while off the grid

I want to switch the drone to a new remote controller if one controller becomes inop. It will prompt for un-binding that requires internet.

In addition, but separately, I also want to switch between drones (if one crashes or for max flight time in M3) while using the same controller. This will not force me to have internet, but there will be a missing Aircraft firmware update (only can be updated with internet) and I have no idea if that is a safety/performance risk. (I suspect this is because of the battery was inserted in the other M3/M3P model.)

 

[msinger]

If you're taking your advice for full redundancy, then you should probably plan on taking a separate remote controller for each drone. Or take along a Starlink so you can connect to the Internet if needed. There's really no such thing as "off the grid" these days.

 

[lomposlapos]

What's unreasonable is that DJI's own flagship controllers and drones don't work with each other unless there's internet.

 

[msinger]

Well, they do when the average drone owner uses them. You're trying to set up a scenario that isn't common. So, you might have to do some uncommon things (like pack a Starlink in your bag).

 

[lomposlapos]

separate remote controller for each drone

Should they be on the same account or different account? No internet in the field!