Precise Fly Safe Database and a Connector Cord

[pdmike]

I keep being told I need to update my Precise Fly Safe Database and, to do so, I must connect my Remote Controller to the quad itself, "using the connector cord provided."

Call me crazy, but the "connector cord provided" by DJI is not usable for this purpose. I am using an Apple iPadMini, and the end that is supposed to stick into the viewer doesn't work in my iPadMini.

WTF? Am I going to have to contact DJI and have them send me a Quad/Apple Device cord? Or am I completely missing something here?

 

[pdmike]

I just checked the Go app. Under Aircraft Status, it says "Normal (Latest firmware)." If that's so, why do I keep getting prompted to update my firmware?

 

[RENOV8R]

It may be your controller or battery that needs updating, not the craft.

 

[Rick M]

DJI provides two connector cords with the Phantom 4's. One of them, you will pick up and say "What the Hell is this? I won't ever use this!" That's the one you need to use. If you have it and can't figure out what to connect with what, reply and I'll crack my case open and remind myself so I can explain it.

Edited to add: And Ren is right. You may need to update firmware on the quad, transmitter, or batteries.

 

[pdmike]

DJI provides two connector cords with the Phantom 4's. One of them, you will pick up and say "What the Hell is this? I won't ever use this!" That's the one you need to use. If you have it and can't figure out what to connect with what, reply and I'll crack my case open and remind myself so I can explain it.

Edited to add: And Ren is right. You may need to update firmware on the quad, transmitter, or batteries.

Here's the thing - it isn't giving me the option to update anything. It says everything is "normal" and there is no "update" link to tap on that I can see. Is there some sneaky path in the app to get to the place on the app where you update the firmware on the battery or the quad transmitter as opposed to the quad itself?

I don't remember getting two connector cords. I'll check again.

 

[KentA]

pdmike,
You really need to go to
https://phantompilots.com/
It is the customer service that DJI does not offer.

 

[pdmike]

DJI provides two connector cords with the Phantom 4's. One of them, you will pick up and say "What the Hell is this? I won't ever use this!" That's the one you need to use. If you have it and can't figure out what to connect with what, reply and I'll crack my case open and remind myself so I can explain it.

Edited to add: And Ren is right. You may need to update firmware on the quad, transmitter, or batteries.

Rick:

I checked and DJI did send me two connector cords. One of them is very short - 4 or 5 inches. The other one is very long. I will refer to them as Short and Long.

Short: on one end is a USB recepticle (female) and on the other end is a very small, male connector that looks like it ought to fit into a similar-sized port in my Apple iPadMini or a similar-sized port in the quad itself. It will not fit into the iPadMini. I think it may fit into the quad itself, but I have to force it and I'm not totally sure that's where it's meant to go. Even if it is, that leaves the other end, which doesn't come close to going into anything going into or coming out of my iPadMini. So much for the short cord.

Long: on one end is a male, USB connector and on the other end is the same, very small, male connector that is on the Short cord, i.e., it doesn't fit into the iPad Mini and may or may not fit into the quad itself - have to kind of force it to get it in. But it doesn't matter. Even if it does fit into the quad itself, there is no female, USB port on the iPadMini.

So, as I see it, neither of these cords is going to enable me to connect my iPadMini directly to the quad itself so that I can upgrade firmware.

I suspect that the small, male connectors on both of the cords are meant for Android devices, rather than Apple devices.

What am I missing?

p.s. - If you like, I can post a close-up of the connectors I am referring to but they should be identical to yours.

 

[pdmike]

pdmike,
You really need to go to
https://phantompilots.com/
It is the customer service that DJI does not offer.

Kent:

I was/am already registered there. I note they have a Firmware forum among all of their other forums. I looked at some of the posts and saw that I am apparently venturing into a whole, new world - one that I presently know NOTHING about. What a hassle!

 

[KentA]

Mike:

I fly the Autel X-Star. It has a strong resemblance to the Phantoms, & I encountered the same type of problems you're experiencing. I also needed to google "firmware".

Although I'm only 68 years old, I cannot remember any basic computer lessons we had when in school. Without understanding my digital watch, I acquired this modern drone & thought I was in way over my head, but somehow managed to negotiate the learning curve enough fly, photo, land & enjoy. There were frustrating periods when I needed to backtrack to understand, but overall it was (is) a labor of love, a new experience that I was seeking, & satisfying to know that just because our learning has some gaps, we ain't stupider that the youngsters.

P.S. My XSP also has 2 USB cords. The short one connects the controller & the tablet. The long one is for the battery charger. Updates are magically communicated between the transmitter & the craft so the Starship is never been harnessed by a wire.

 

[Rick M]

This should help.

 

[KentA]

Yea!

 

[pdmike]

Mike:

I fly the Autel X-Star. It has a strong resemblance to the Phantoms, & I encountered the same type of problems you're experiencing. I also needed to google "firmware".

Although I'm only 68 years old, I cannot remember any basic computer lessons we had when in school. Without understanding my digital watch, I acquired this modern drone & thought I was in way over my head, but somehow managed to negotiate the learning curve enough fly, photo, land & enjoy. There were frustrating periods when I needed to backtrack to understand, but overall it was (is) a labor of love, a new experience that I was seeking, & satisfying to know that just because our learning has some gaps, we ain't stupider that the youngsters.

P.S. My XSP also has 2 USB cords. The short one connects the controller & the tablet. The long one is for the battery charger. Updates are magically communicated between the transmitter & the craft so the Starship is never been harnessed by a wire.

You mention "the tablet." Is it an Apple device? iPad? iPhone?

 

[KentA]

You mention "the tablet." Is it an Apple device? iPad? iPhone?

Samsung Galaxy Tab A. An Android.

 

[pdmike]

This should help.

It should, but I think I am jinxed. I can follow something step-for-step perfectly and where it always seems to work for the information provider, I always seem to run into something. That has happened here. At least I was able to solve the connection problem - thank you for that.

I turned everything on as instructed, and in the order instructed. Naturally, this time, the app didn't ask me to upgrade anything. So I had to go to Step 2 (the "caveat") in the video - a firmware refresh, as Mr. Heron calls it. So I held my thumb down on the three bars for 5-6 seconds and was able to bring up the download window. As instructed, I hit Download. Nothing happened. I went back, re-accessed the download window and tried it again. Nothing. I did this several more times until I noticed that, when I first accessed the download window, in the upper left hand portion of the download window screen, in red, appeared the message: "Getting firmware version list." I waited a minute or two and then it changed to: "Get firmware version failed."

My viewing device (iPad Mini) was connected to a strong Wi-Fi signal the entire time.

Mr. Heron didn't cover a problem like this in his video. Of course, when I'm on the other end of an instruction video, they never do ....

Apologies for whining. Any thoughts?

BTW - my firmware version is 02.00.0106 which, I understand, IS the latest version. So why all this fuss about upgrading?

 

[pdmike]

Samsung Galaxy Tab A. An Android.

Well, it doesn't make any difference. The video showed me how to connect the quad to my iPad Mini, so that part is good. See my post immediately above for why I'm still frumped. Lord, I hate this kind of stuff. (I just turned 79.)

 

[KentA]

Well, it doesn't make any difference. The video showed me how to connect the quad to my iPad Mini, so that part is good. See my post immediately above for why I'm still frumped. Lord, I hate this kind of stuff. (I just turned 79.)

Ha! When I was trying to set up my Autel, it was necessary to stop & first learn all about Android & set up the tablet. I didn't use your word, "frumped", however. My wife will testify I used more colorful language to vent my frustration. I had to walk away from it several times over several days before I was over the hump & flying in the clear blue sky.

 

[RENOV8R]

The short

Rick:

I checked and DJI did send me two connector cords. One of them is very short - 4 or 5 inches. The other one is very long. I will refer to them as Short and Long.

Short: on one end is a USB recepticle (female) and on the other end is a very small, male connector that looks like it ought to fit into a similar-sized port in my Apple iPadMini or a similar-sized port in the quad itself. It will not fit into the iPadMini. I think it may fit into the quad itself, but I have to force it and I'm not totally sure that's where it's meant to go. Even if it is, that leaves the other end, which doesn't come close to going into anything going into or coming out of my iPadMini. So much for the short cord.

Long: on one end is a male, USB connector and on the other end is the same, very small, male connector that is on the Short cord, i.e., it doesn't fit into the iPad Mini and may or may not fit into the quad itself - have to kind of force it to get it in. But it doesn't matter. Even if it does fit into the quad itself, there is no female, USB port on the iPadMini.

So, as I see it, neither of these cords is going to enable me to connect my iPadMini directly to the quad itself so that I can upgrade firmware.

I suspect that the small, male connectors on both of the cords are meant for Android devices, rather than Apple devices.

What am I missing?

p.s. - If you like, I can post a close-up of the connectors I am referring to but they should be identical to yours.

The short one with the female USB end is an OTG cable. You say the small end won't fit your iPad which I think is a lightning connection, so it's probably just a micro. You'd use it to connect your controller to your iPad

 

[RENOV8R]

Oh and I just noticed you're using the GoApp. Download the DJI Assistant 2, that's what you need to update firmware. I just finished updating the Spark and it went smooth and easy with the Assistant.

 

[pdmike]

Oh and I just noticed you're using the GoApp. Download the DJI Assistant 2, that's what you need to update firmware. I just finished updating the Spark and it went smooth and easy with the Assistant.

Got it. Will try to do it using DJI Asst. 2 ASAP.