The extremely popular DJI Phantom 3 has been flying off our shelves since early May. In that short time our Tech Support team has already noticed a few trends developing in DJI Phantom 3 crashes.
DJI Phantom 3 crashes: Broken cameras
Whether you’ve bought the Advanced (which is currently delayed) with the HD camera or the Professional with added 4K capability, there are some things you need to be aware of.
First of all, and this may be stating the blindingly obvious to experienced pilots, the drone does not fly straight out of the box. Three parts of the system have software that needs to be updated from time to time and, if that’s not done, your Phantom 3 may refuse to fly or it may be hard to control, resulting in a crash.
Firmware on the Phantom needs to be the latest version. Your instructions will tell you how to do that but don’t assume that because it’s brand new that it has the latest firmware. A lot can happen between your system leaving the factory and getting to you.
The same applies to the transmitter/controller. It has firmware that needs to be upgraded as and when new updates are released. This is usually the same update as the aircraft’s but it needs to be installed after you’ve updated the Phantom 3.
The third component in the system that needs attention is the DJI Pilot app. It needs to be kept up to date via iTunes or Google Play depending on whether you have an iOS or Android device. Always fly with the latest version of software. Early models weren’t compatible with Apple tablets when they left the factory. However, by the time customers took delivery the iOS version of DJI Pilot had been released. All this underlines the fact that you need to keep on top of firmware upgrades and app updates to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable flying experience.
The other trap that new pilots tend to fall into is being in too much of a hurry. Some new pilots have confessed to our technicians that their first crashes happened because they didn’t wait for the DJI Phantom 3 to hook up to enough satellites and to record its home point. That can lead to all sorts of problems controlling your nice, shiny, new aircraft.
If you are unfortunate to have a crash what sort of repair can you expect? Well props and landing gear are common casualties and are reasonably priced at £25 and £10 respectively for full sets. It’s certainly worth having a spare set of props with you anyway – 2 clockwise and 2 counter clockwise.
A full set of DJI Phantom 3 propeller guards is a wise investment too, especially if you’re flying indoors or near trees and bushes. They’re only £15 a set (available soon) and can save you a lot of grief. Mind you, it’s safer to steer clear of obstacles in the first place.
Camera broken from DJI Phantom 3 gimbal
At the other extreme is the Phantom 3’s camera. Unfortunately, because of its position on the aircraft, the camera can bear the brunt of a crash or even a heavy landing. If you are lucky, it could just be a connecting cable that needs replacing but a new HD camera for the DJI Phantom Advanced will set you back £375. The 4K version on the Professional model costs £449.
DJI Phantom 3 crashes: Broken cameras
Whether you’ve bought the Advanced (which is currently delayed) with the HD camera or the Professional with added 4K capability, there are some things you need to be aware of.
First of all, and this may be stating the blindingly obvious to experienced pilots, the drone does not fly straight out of the box. Three parts of the system have software that needs to be updated from time to time and, if that’s not done, your Phantom 3 may refuse to fly or it may be hard to control, resulting in a crash.
Firmware on the Phantom needs to be the latest version. Your instructions will tell you how to do that but don’t assume that because it’s brand new that it has the latest firmware. A lot can happen between your system leaving the factory and getting to you.
The same applies to the transmitter/controller. It has firmware that needs to be upgraded as and when new updates are released. This is usually the same update as the aircraft’s but it needs to be installed after you’ve updated the Phantom 3.
The third component in the system that needs attention is the DJI Pilot app. It needs to be kept up to date via iTunes or Google Play depending on whether you have an iOS or Android device. Always fly with the latest version of software. Early models weren’t compatible with Apple tablets when they left the factory. However, by the time customers took delivery the iOS version of DJI Pilot had been released. All this underlines the fact that you need to keep on top of firmware upgrades and app updates to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable flying experience.
The other trap that new pilots tend to fall into is being in too much of a hurry. Some new pilots have confessed to our technicians that their first crashes happened because they didn’t wait for the DJI Phantom 3 to hook up to enough satellites and to record its home point. That can lead to all sorts of problems controlling your nice, shiny, new aircraft.
If you are unfortunate to have a crash what sort of repair can you expect? Well props and landing gear are common casualties and are reasonably priced at £25 and £10 respectively for full sets. It’s certainly worth having a spare set of props with you anyway – 2 clockwise and 2 counter clockwise.
A full set of DJI Phantom 3 propeller guards is a wise investment too, especially if you’re flying indoors or near trees and bushes. They’re only £15 a set (available soon) and can save you a lot of grief. Mind you, it’s safer to steer clear of obstacles in the first place.
Camera broken from DJI Phantom 3 gimbal
At the other extreme is the Phantom 3’s camera. Unfortunately, because of its position on the aircraft, the camera can bear the brunt of a crash or even a heavy landing. If you are lucky, it could just be a connecting cable that needs replacing but a new HD camera for the DJI Phantom Advanced will set you back £375. The 4K version on the Professional model costs £449.
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