I am assuming that if the NEO has a good GPS signal and is flying over a surface, for example snow, that does not have a distinct texture, that it will still maintain control despite the VPS being confused. Is this correct?
Chris
Chris
NEO GPS/VPS
- Thread starter Chrislaf
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Old Man Mavic
Well-Known Member
what do you mean by control, GPS combined with other sensors in the drone ,are what enable it to hold position but when it comes to height, then GPS alone is not very accurate in relation to knowing the drones height above the ground below ,the VPS system on the NEO is sketchy at best ,and it struggles in changing light ,and surface conditions ,and although it can be flown with an RC, dont expect it to have the same abilties as other drones in the Mini series ,control as in having the drone respond to stick inputs ,is totally dependant on a good signal between the RC and drone nothing to do with GPS
Chris, consider that VPS only functions up to 30ft thereabouts on the Neo, and above that GPS is used for positioning.
I would expect so long as the VPS system doesn't "report a lock", so to speak, I'd expect it to continue to use GPS. Going ATTI when you have position information doesn't make sense.
I would expect so long as the VPS system doesn't "report a lock", so to speak, I'd expect it to continue to use GPS. Going ATTI when you have position information doesn't make sense.
Yes, I understand that GPS helps a drone know where it is in space otherwise how would it know how to get back to the home point when signal is lost or follow waypoints on a waypoint mission, that VPS helps determine position when near the ground and that control depends on a good connection to the RC.
What I want to know is whether GPS will help it be more stable in environments that are difficult for VPS, like over snow.
I have a Tello which only has VPS. It does not fly stable over snow because the VPS gets confused.
The NEO is marketed as a low flying drone by DJI so if it cannot hold its position accurately when VPS is confused and flying low to the ground then what’s the difference between a Tello in these conditions?
Chris
So if I am flying below 30ft and VPS gets confused due to lack of patterns on the surface, will GPS assist to some degree in maintaining stable flight assuming a good signal?
Being able to maintain stable flight flying low to the ground is hugely important to me because in a few months the ground will be covered in snow and if I buy a NEO I want to be able to fly it in these conditions otherwise it will be no better than my Tello.
Chris
Old Man Mavic
Well-Known Member
with regards to flying near to the ground, then the Neo has the same limitations as other drones when it comes to its VPS ,but if it was to loose its GPS ,and go into Atti Mode
then the VPS alone would not be very good over something like snow or water
Thanks OMM and Droning on… for your replies.
It does seem like the NEO behaves just like any other DJI GPS drone, that is, it will hold its position when low to the ground even if the ground has no distinct texture as long as it has a good GPS signal.
If I were to purchase a NEO, I would use it differently than my camera drones. In addition to having it follow me along on forest trails, I would want to be using it to fly low to the ground just above the forest floor in reduced light settings like shade and along or beside small forest streams where its not suitable to fly a camera drone like my Mini 3 Pro or Mavic 3.
The built in prop guards and the light durable construction of the NEO make it much more suitable for this type of flying than a traditional camera drone. Also, the lack of obstacle avoidance is likely a plus in these situations.
Even if it were to go into atti mode due to loss of signal, using the RC-N3 controller with O4 should at least help me maintain control over the drone. I have seen some YouTube videos of people loosing control of the drone when it has been set to follow them kayaking and is low over water but they all seem to be using it as drone only or with the phone as a controller. I would hope it would be much better with the N3 controller.
Chris
It does seem like the NEO behaves just like any other DJI GPS drone, that is, it will hold its position when low to the ground even if the ground has no distinct texture as long as it has a good GPS signal.
If I were to purchase a NEO, I would use it differently than my camera drones. In addition to having it follow me along on forest trails, I would want to be using it to fly low to the ground just above the forest floor in reduced light settings like shade and along or beside small forest streams where its not suitable to fly a camera drone like my Mini 3 Pro or Mavic 3.
The built in prop guards and the light durable construction of the NEO make it much more suitable for this type of flying than a traditional camera drone. Also, the lack of obstacle avoidance is likely a plus in these situations.
Even if it were to go into atti mode due to loss of signal, using the RC-N3 controller with O4 should at least help me maintain control over the drone. I have seen some YouTube videos of people loosing control of the drone when it has been set to follow them kayaking and is low over water but they all seem to be using it as drone only or with the phone as a controller. I would hope it would be much better with the N3 controller.
Chris
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I can confirm by direct experimentation that the Mini 4 Pro, when the VPS cameras are covered, still hold position, brakes and holds when releasing the sticks, basically flies well controlled close to the ground (5') with only GPS for positioning.
So the M4P is verified to work this way. Given the same FC and sensors are in every DJI drone, I'd expect them all to behave like this, including the neo.
So the M4P is verified to work this way. Given the same FC and sensors are in every DJI drone, I'd expect them all to behave like this, including the neo.
Thanks, Droning on… that’s good info to know. I have flown my Mini 3 pro about 1.5m (5ft) above ground with no problems so if the NEO behaves the same way then that’s a good thing.
Chris
Chris
Yeah, I think things are going to be fine outdoors. The problems seem to crop up indoors where the VPS camera, and GPS reception, are dicey for this little guy.
EDIT: Currently shipping overnight from Amazon next Thursday, should have it in my hands in a week.
