New Compass Calibration Recommendations (from the v2.0 manual)

[msinger]

DJI recently released v2.0 of the Mavic manual. Check out the changes here.

The most notable change is the new compass calibration recommendations. DJI is now recommending the compass be calibrated when:

• Flying at a location further than 10 km away from the last flight location
• The Mavic has not been flown for 1+ months
• A compass error is displayed in DJI GO and the error remains after changing locations

 

[Mossiback]

Thanks for the update.

 

[WillyWonka]

Like that App for comparison of two documents. Thanks for posting

 

[Mavic_Pete]

That comparing page is sweet! Thank you as always!

 

[PiAir]

Thank you for info.
Despite the fact that i flew my MP in different locations far away from each other (Far East-Europe) i never recalibrated the compass and at both places the MP behave properly.

 

[msinger]

Despite the fact that i flew my MP in different locations far away from each other (Far East-Europe) i never recalibrated the compass and at both places the MP behave properly.

Right on. I was just sharing DJI's latest recommendations (which seem to change bi-yearly).

I still recommend following the Compass Calibration Guide instead.

 

[Robert Mitchell]

Well, I guess I might finally calibrate then.

It's been nearly a year all over the eastern half of the US and Canada with flawless flights so I hope I don't jinx it.

 

[Mavic_Pete]

Well, I guess I might finally calibrate then.

It's been nearly a year all over the eastern half of the US and Canada with flawless flights so I hope I don't jinx it.

My suggestion is don't fix what's not broken.

 

[Mako79]

DJI recently released v2.0 of the Mavic manual. Check out the changes here.

The most notable change is the new compass calibration recommendations. DJI is now recommending the compass be calibrated when:

• Flying at a location further than 10 km away from the last flight location
• The Mavic has not been flown for 1+ months
• A compass error is displayed in DJI GO and the error remains after changing locations

There's a manual???

 

[Xtreme Drone Pilot]

Well, I guess I might finally calibrate then.

It's been nearly a year all over the eastern half of the US and Canada with flawless flights so I hope I don't jinx it.

Calibrate as often as you want, it doesn't hurt, it's not like there are little cogs inside that can wear out. Moreover, the more you do it, the smoother you do it, you learn little tricks how to better hold it and rotate smoother.

Today, I noticed my Mavic is drifting a bit when flying straight. Calibration time! (compass) BOOM, DONE.

 

[Xtreme Drone Pilot]

There's a manual???

I heard from reliable sources that DJI is considering removing it from the site - it's just eating up server space, nobody is dowloading it!

 

[LivinLarge]

DJI recently released v2.0 of the Mavic manual. Check out the changes here.

The most notable change is the new compass calibration recommendations. DJI is now recommending the compass be calibrated when:

• Flying at a location further than 10 km away from the last flight location
• The Mavic has not been flown for 1+ months
• A compass error is displayed in DJI GO and the error remains after changing locations

From early Phantom recommendations we used to calibrate if more than 100 miles from last location which is what I have done with the Mavic. 10k is 6.2 miles. This will mean a lot more calibrations.

 

[sar104]

From early Phantom recommendations we used to calibrate if more than 100 miles from last location which is what I have done with the Mavic. 10k is 6.2 miles. This will mean a lot more calibrations.

But it is a very strange recommendation - I cannot think of any plausible reason why it should depend on distance from the last flight.

 

[Marko9219]

But it is a very strange recommendation - I cannot think of any plausible reason why it should depend on distance from the last flight.

Magnetic declination perhaps. Declination is totally a factor of location.

 

[Robert Mitchell]

Magnetic declination perhaps. Declination is totally a factor of location.

Declination can't be the issue here as I've flown from Western Ar. to Nova Scotia with NO prompt or error. Heck the darn thing came from China and has been perfect since day one.

 

[Xtreme Drone Pilot]

Declination can't be the issue here as I've flown from Western Ar. to Nova Scotia with NO prompt or error. Heck the darn thing came from China and has been perfect since day one.

It probably uses current location to correct for magnetic declination.

 

[Robert Mitchell]

Calibrate as often as you want, it doesn't hurt, it's not like there are little cogs inside that can wear out. Moreover, the more you do it, the smoother you do it, you learn little tricks how to better hold it and rotate smoother.

Today, I noticed my Mavic is drifting a bit when flying straight. Calibration time! (compass) BOOM, DONE.

It isn't that I am against doing it. I have two other machines and I calibrate them regularly. But the Mavic was somehow spot on since day one in all locations. Never a drift, deviation, or error in over 2000 miles of travels. Who knew it would suddenly become a problem.

I didn't do it before because it wasn't recommended, I will now because it is.

 

[Robert Mitchell]

It probably uses current location to correct for magnetic declination.

Could be. But if it has built in compensation, wouldn't that negate the need then?

 

[GlenT]

I've had magnetic declination errors when flying my Mavic (and other platforms).
Last time I took my Mavic away on holiday which was approx 100km west I had to recalibrate, then do the same upon returning home as it wouldn't fly straight.
It's to be expected and very easily rectified.

 

[Xtreme Drone Pilot]

Could be. But if it has built in compensation, wouldn't that negate the need then?

It still may need calibration for local magnetic fields or random magnetisation it can get. For example, my Mavic's drift was caused by putting a Bluetooth speaker on top of the case where it was stored. Speakers = magnets.