Exploring the limits of the NEO

[Chrislaf]

Today I flew my NEO over some rapids with an ND 64 filter hoping to get some blurred water shots (video and photos). It was a cold -14ºC with a brisk wind. Shortly after the flight began and over the rapids I got the error I got before when I flew the NEO in cold temps (-12ºC) - "Preparing to take off: IMU warming up. Wait before taking off". I did get some video and some photos but did not want to push my luck and returned and landed promptly just in case. I do have Care Refresh but still do not want to risk loosing my NEO.

This is the second time that I have got this error in temps colder than -10ºC and it surprises me as non of my other modern drones like my Mini 3 Pro and Mavic 3 Pro give this error when flown in weather that is colder than the rated specs.

When I got home I looked at the video and photos and the limits of the single axis gimbal became apparent - all of the photos and most of parts of the video was blurry when the NEO was being buffeted by a crosswind that maxed out at 13.68km/h which is well within the wind specs the NEO can handle. The results don't surprise me as there are other reports of the NEO's Rock Steady having difficulty stabilizing sideways movement.

Chris

 

[RcHawks]

Would having a second flight immediately afterwards help with the IMU warming issue at all?

 

[Chrislaf]

Would having a second flight immediately afterwards help with the IMU warming issue at all?

Not sure. I was on my way back home from Ottawa and didn’t have time for another flight. It’s supposed to be cold for the next few days so maybe I’ll try again but over land in case something happens.

Chris

 

[Droning on and on...]

As a general rule l, the smaller something is, the more susceptible it is to cold... The ratio of surface area to volume increases as things get smaller, so they shed heat faster.

 

[GFields]

You are a glutin for punishment

 

[Chrislaf]

As a general rule l, the smaller something is, the more susceptible it is to cold... The ratio of surface area to volume increases as things get smaller, so they shed heat faster.

That's true. It's interesting that I have never had these problems with my Mini 3 Pro, but it is a larger drone and the battery on it is more enclosed so the heat from it does not get dissipated as fast which is likely a factor.

Chris

 

[Chrislaf]

You are a glutin for punishment

Not really! Here, where I live these are typical temperatures for this time of year and often it is even colder. Today the temperature started off at -17ºC and it is currently -11ºC. I am usually prepared for flying in cold temps. I have hand warmers, insulated pants, etc. I also keep my flights short, fly within VLOS, and use automated settings on my drones that have them (eg. panos) so that I can keep my hands less exposed and warm.

I have been flying my NEO in conditions I would normally fly my other drones to see how it performs so that I can determine its limits and be better at judging the conditions and environments where I can fly it.

Chris

 

[RcHawks]

Very smart.