Am I missing something?

DattaGroover · Mar 17, 2016

. . . or is there a reason Solo doesn't have a headless mode (the way the Phantoms have had since the Phirst Phantom)?

The DJI products also have a compass direction on the video feed so you can see what direction the vehicle is pointing. With Solo using tower, there is a compass direction shown on the map, but not in the app or on the controller.

AND, the DJIs have the home mode function: when in non-manual mode, when you pull the stick back, it comes towards home, regardless of orientation.

This would all seem upgradable by software. Does anyone know why they don't do them?

Or do these all exist and I'm too dumb and/or ignorant to know about them?

Jubalr · Mar 17, 2016

This has been discussed before, but it basically boils down to learning to fly RC. Those modes are available in arducopter and can probably be used in Tower (haven't tried). For the first time pilots it makes it easy to try and remember in a bad situation, pull back to bring it home. But if they don't learn headings, they will have a difficult time later on. And they wouldn't be able to fly by looking at the monitor (fpv style) as that would really screw them up.
Just my opinion. YMMV

Pedals2Paddles · Mar 17, 2016

In Arducopter based flight controllers, that's refered to as simple mode (heading based) and super simple mode (GPS based). It's readily available and works using DIY products and controllers, or tower. It certainly COULD be implemented on the 3DR controller or app. IMO, I think 3DR elected not to include it for simplicity and to reduce buttons. It would need to be another button on the controller, or it would need to be options in the advanced flight mode selection. Personally, I think it is better to not have that crutch. Learn to fly!

DattaGroover · Mar 17, 2016

Pedals2Paddles said:
In Arducopter based flight controllers, that's refered to as simple mode (heading based) and super simple mode (GPS based). It's readily available and works using DIY products and controllers, or tower. It certainly COULD be implemented on the 3DR controller or app. IMO, I think 3DR elected not to include it for simplicity and to reduce buttons. It would need to be another button on the controller, or it would need to be options in the advanced flight mode selection. Personally, I think it is better to not have that crutch. Learn to fly!

I get get you, but wanting a simple control that I know ill bring the drone back towards to me when it is 3000' away is very useful. It also is very useful for filming - having the camera independent of the flight direction.

It's not about learning to fly, nor is it a crutch.

pyrate · Mar 17, 2016

yeah it kind of is about learning to fly
and it is sort of a crutch.
Coming from someone who never flew before solo, I have tried some of these headless drones to practice on. I found they just confused me, They also dont really work that well.
Once i learned that when flying home left and right are reversed, I prefer to fly on my own. If I get disoriented and just need help I hit home.
I consider that a failure as a pilot though

DattaGroover · Mar 17, 2016

pyrate said:
yeah it kind of is about learning to fly
and it is sort of a crutch.
Coming from someone who never flew before solo, I have tried some of these headless drones to practice on. I found they just confused me, They also dont really work that well.
Once i learned that when flying home left and right are reversed, I prefer to fly on my own. If I get disoriented and just need help I hit home.
I consider that a failure as a pilot though

Well, I respectfully disagree- and as a videographer who happens to fly drones, I find that a useful and missing feature in terms of capturing the best video possible.

It might be a crutch if I was trying to figure out how to make it return to me, but that's not what I am talking about.

Jubalr · Mar 17, 2016

DattaGroover said:
I get get you, but wanting a simple control that I know ill bring the drone back towards to me when it is 3000' away is very useful. It also is very useful for filming - having the camera independent of the flight direction.

It's not about learning to fly, nor is it a crutch.

DG, understood. But if you are filming and maintaining camera position on the subject to be filmed, you will not be able to adjust camera position based on what you are seeing. While filming and the subject is centered and moves to the left of the screen, is it not more intuitive to be able to move the stick left to compensate, just as if you were looking at it while standing there? If you are using the other modes you would first need to the exact orientation to home. Moving left may move you left of home position, but right of the image.

RichWest · Mar 17, 2016

DattaGroover said:
It's not about learning to fly, nor is it a crutch.

I can fly fairly well, but would also like the Simple or Super Simple modes implemented on Solo. Its an amazing tool once learned how to apply. I think smart shots are a crutch if anything is a crutch, but I do like hobbling around with them as well on occasions.

DattaG, we're out numbered. Circle the Solos, every man for himself...

Marich · Mar 17, 2016

DattaGroover said:
I get get you, but wanting a simple control that I know ill bring the drone back towards to me when it is 3000' away is very useful. It also is very useful for filming - having the camera independent of the flight direction.

It's not about learning to fly, nor is it a crutch.

Seems like you can just hit the Home button, let Solo get underway, then press Pause (twice) to return to regular flight.
Of course your Solo will make like the Space Shuttle climbing to RTH altitude, but oh well...

franknitty69 · Mar 17, 2016

i didn't know simple and super simple modes were even desirable to use. they are available in pixhawk on solo, so i guess if enough people wanted it it could be added to the app.

as far as the compass on the map, i have asked 3dr multiple times to add a compass with heading up and north up options as well as a flight trail (flight path).

Pedals2Paddles · Mar 17, 2016

franknitty69 said:
as far as the compass on the map, i have asked 3dr multiple times to add a compass with heading up and north up options as well as a flight trail (flight path).

I agree. I'm really surprised that's not included. A heading tape across the top has been a staple of every OSD and ground station display forever.

DattaGroover · Mar 20, 2016

Jubalr said:
DG, understood. But if you are filming and maintaining camera position on the subject to be filmed, you will not be able to adjust camera position based on what you are seeing. While filming and the subject is centered and moves to the left of the screen, is it not more intuitive to be able to move the stick left to compensate, just as if you were looking at it while standing there? If you are using the other modes you would first need to the exact orientation to home. Moving left may move you left of home position, but right of the image.

My choice would be to have all options. Just like auto-focus with a high-end DSLR. Even the best pros may not use it 90% of the time, but it's a great thing to have when they need it. Or videographers. The pros mostly do not use it, but it is handy for certain (limited) situations. Neither of these is necessarily a crutch for these pros, but can be a handy tool. However, for the majority of still photographers and videographers those things are a crutch. I think it all depends on the use.

DattaGroover · Mar 20, 2016

Pedals2Paddles said:
I agree. I'm really surprised that's not included. A heading tape across the top has been a staple of every OSD and ground station display forever.

I have asked them for that, too. With Tower you can see the Solo's heading, but it would be nice to have it on the Solo App as well, and also as a compass direction in degrees, or at lease N-S-E-W and the in-betweens.

DattaGroover · Mar 20, 2016

Marich said:
Seems like you can just hit the Home button, let Solo get underway, then press Pause (twice) to return to regular flight.
Of course your Solo will make like the Space Shuttle climbing to RTH altitude, but oh well...

I've actually done that. It's better than nothing, but I'd rather have more control.

DattaGroover · Mar 20, 2016

RichWest said:
DattaG, we're out numbered. Circle the Solos, every man for himself...

We are, but I can live with that

pyrate · Mar 20, 2016

its a personal choice I guess, I am heading the other direction.
While I do like all that computing the solo does, and helps me focus on filming, I have also learned to enjoy the piloting aspect of this hobby, or what ever we call it.

PdxSteve · Mar 20, 2016

DattaGroover said:
I have asked them for that, too. With Tower you can see the Solo's heading, but it would be nice to have it on the Solo App as well, and also as a compass direction in degrees, or at lease N-S-E-W and the in-betweens.

Most of that is there, it's just not on the main screen. Swipe right to get the sat view that shows home, solo location and solo heading.

DattaGroover · Mar 21, 2016

PdxSteve said:
Most of that is there, it's just not on the main screen. Swipe right to get the sat view that shows home, solo location and solo heading.

On the Solo app (not Tower)?

PdxSteve · Mar 22, 2016

Yes. Swipe right on the main screen to bring up satellite view. If you slowly swipe, you can make the sat view take up 1/3 the screen with the other 2/3 showing the app, or you could swipe more and make the sat view full screen. Tap the video feed to return to main app view.