Neo with RC-2 and Goggles 3

[Droning on and on...]

On a different topic, should I fit a screen protector on the RC-2?

In my direct experience, the manner of use doesn't subject the screen to the sort of abuses that scratch the screen like a phone (putting it in your pocket, face down on stuff, for women tossed in purses and bags, etc.).

I don't bother, and mine is pristine. Only thing that ever touches the screen is my fingers.

Of course, I have a hard case for my A3 where my RC2 gets stored with the sticks screwed on. That no doubt contributes to the protection... Hard cases are the best way to store your system, I highly recommend getting one.

 

[NZBob]

In my direct experience, the manner of use doesn't subject the screen to the sort of abuses that scratch the screen like a phone (putting it in your pocket, face down on stuff, for women tossed in purses and bags, etc.).

I don't bother, and mine is pristine. Only thing that ever touches the screen is my fingers.

Of course, I have a hard case for my A3 where my RC2 gets stored with the sticks screwed on. That no doubt contributes to the protection... Hard cases are the best way to store your system, I highly recommend getting one.

Thanks, I will happily leave it off. Yes, I have ordered a hard case (ouch!). I found the soft case that came with the combo is ok, but I find that I need to put things in in the right order (drone first), or it is pretty impossible. I always fear that it gives little protection to the drone too.

 

[NZBob]

Hmmm... I thought that it would be sensible to buy an RC3 and have a go on Liftoff before thinking about an Avata. I really haven't got a clue! It basically seemed totally unflyable. I was trying the tutorial where they say fly straight through the hoops. After turning the thing on, it flies up in the air, and goes backwards. After LOTS of tries I could finally get it to go through the hoops, but with not enough control to land. Basically I was going faster and faster otherwise the thing started descending. Does the Avata have to be flown like this? I was hoping that I would be able to fly it like the Air 3s, so that it would hover when I let go etc, not need constant adjustment of throttle, nor having it so silly fast that it has gone before I have got it level at all. I was after a FPV, but in a scenic way! Is this possible with the Avata 2?

 

[NZBob]

I mean the FPV remote controller 3 with the simulator Liftoff

 

[Cafguy]

EDIT see below. LOL
It will not be the same unless you put the drone in manual mode.
YES ACRO is a different animal for sure and takes lots of time to get accustom to.Its the best way to fly tho.
In liftoff I believe the "A" key will change modes from ACRO to ANGLE or Horizon You may wish to start there.

 

[Cafguy]

I wanted to add:
If you are in ACRO in the liftoff SIM and your controllers throttle is centered, You are at half throttle already!! You need to fix that! DJI controllers do NOT come FPV ready!
The FPV style controllers have a set of screws that needs to be adjusted to get the throtle stick all the way down. There are a few videos on youtube that explains the adjustment. Here is one:

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[Droning on and on...]

Before doing anything else, Google RATE Mode vs. ANGLE Mode control. You are used to the stick position being roughly proportional to the pitch/roll angle of the aircraft. In manual/acro/rate mode, the stick position is proportional to the rate (how fast) the aircraft is rotating about the pitch or roll axis.

Hold the pitch stick (right in Mode 2) forward and the camera drone goes forward. Push it a bit more forward and the drone pitch angle increases, and it goes faster.

In rate mode, push the stick forward and the drone start to pitch forward. hold the stick there and it keeps on pitching over, turning upside down, continuing to rotate, until it's upright again. Keep holding that stick forward and over it goes again to repeat.

The farther you deflect the stick from center, the faster it will rotate around. You're already familiar with this – that's how yaw works on all drones.

Obviously, your well-practiced muscle memory for flying DJI camera drones in Angle Mode is useless here...

You have to completely retrain your flight control reflexes. This will take dozens to hundreds of crashes. This why you have all that carnage in a simulator first. THEN you go out and crash the Avata for real

 

[NZBob]

If you are in ACRO in the liftoff SIM and your controllers throttle is centered, You are at half throttle already!! You need to fix that! DJI controllers do NOT come FPV ready!

This explains a LOT! Thank you!
I did notice and wonder about the tiny hex key that they included with the RC... obviously much more for me to learn! It makes sense then too that there is a separate RC just for FPV. Why does DJI leave it sprung to center then?

 

[NZBob]

In rate mode, push the stick forward and the drone start to pitch forward. hold the stick there and it keeps on pitching over, turning upside down, continuing to rotate, until it's upright again. Keep holding that stick forward and over it goes again to repeat.

Oh yes, it certainly did that! Doing loops and barrel rolls on my first flight was very exciting, but it also made that a very short flight that I was glad was virtual

 

[NZBob]

Ok, I have downloaded the DJI manual for the controller. I probably should have read this first
They do explain the throttle adjustment screws in it.
Cool, now after having done all the tricks, I can spend a few hours trying to actually fly straight and level! Challenge accepted!
Thanks for the help guys!

 

[Cafguy]

Why does DJI leave it sprung to center then?

Flying their Camera Drones is much easier for the beginner with a "mode" turned on and stick centered works better for this.
Keep us Posted!

 

[Droning on and on...]

Ok, I have downloaded the DJI manual for the controller. I probably should have read this first
They do explain the throttle adjustment screws in it.
Cool, now after having done all the tricks, I can spend a few hours trying to actually fly straight and level! Challenge accepted!
Thanks for the help guys!

As mentioned, in "manual" (rate) mode, the left stick becomes a true throttle, not a "go up/down" control. The speed of the motors will be proportional to the vertical stick position, with idle at the bottom, and full power at the top.

Here's where it flies really different than a camera drone: All control inputs are affected by the others, so simple things like going faster and holding altitude – simply pushing the right stick more forward – require coordinated movement of both the pitch control AND the throttle. To go faster, you blip the pitch stick a little and then recenter to pitch forward a bit more, and increase the throttle, as more lift is going to forward flight, so overall thrust must increase to keep the same vertical force to counteract gravity.

Turning is worse. Camera drone? Just yaw. Manual mode? Combination of all 4 controls.

Takes lots of practice.

 

[NZBob]

Takes lots of practice.

Yup, I have managed to work that one out! Makes me realise how good the software is in normal mode!
But the speed! What a rush... then crash! So glad there are sims or I would have given up already!

 

[Droning on and on...]

Why does DJI leave it sprung to center then?

To work with Normal and Sport modes, the only way you can fly it out of the box. It's an ordinary DJI drone until you go through the settings changes to even access Manual mode (the M position on the RC is also Sport in default config). Even when you unlock M, there are still some training wheels in limiting pitch and roll keeping it upright.

A bit more poking around and you can free that up too, for true full rate mode flight.

 

[NZBob]

Thanks, all makes sense... I watched a video yesterday where the guy advised removing the centering on the throttle on the FPV controller and then to get used to it that way in Normal and Sports modes. A simple first step before going manual with training wheels
I think that it is great that DJI have tried to make it easier to get into Manual mode, it is good (safer) to take it in simple steps.

 

[Cafguy]

Here is the best set of tutorials for learning FPV on the sim. If you have not seen Joshua Bardwell yet...Well meet your new best friend! (ignore the radio stuff in the begging of the video for now.)

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[NZBob]

Here is the best set of tutorials for learning FPV on the sim

Thank you! I have watched a couple of videos but not seen this guy yet. I need all the help that I can get
I will check him out.

 

[NZBob]

Ok, super, I see he has a whole series on every aspect of flying FPV
Thank you so much!
If I watch all of these, and do a few hundred hours in the sim, I may be confident to fly the real one...
I gather that is when the real addiction kicks in! I will start saving.

 

[Cafguy]

Thats it! lol it took me around 50 or so before I took the real Drone out. each time you accomplish a goal in this hobby adds to the addiction!

 

[Droning on and on...]

Ok, super, I see he has a whole series on every aspect of flying FPV
Thank you so much!
If I watch all of these, and do a few hundred hours in the sim, I may be confident to fly the real one...
I gather that is when the real addiction kicks in! I will start saving.

Go easier on yourself, friend!

Usually a few dozen at most will get you in your Avata flying Manual – carefully and cautiously, of course. Nothing substitutes for practice in the real thing.

Also, DJI manual mode has an incredible feature called the BRAKE (seriously, look it up in the manual) that will save your butt if things get out of hand. Stops the drone and puts it in a hover, switching to N mode.

It's saved my booty a few times.