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Compass Calibration Guide
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<blockquote data-quote="msinger" data-source="post: 595" data-attributes="member: 18"><p><strong>Why Calibrate?</strong></p><p>A good compass calibration is important to ensure a safe, controlled flight.</p><p></p><p><strong>Warning Signs</strong></p><p>The Spark can only detect when the compass is providing extremely poor <em>(implausible)</em> data. This typically occurs if you place it near a strong magnetic field. It will flash red and yellow lights and the Spark will indicate a compass error in the app.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #ff0000"><strong>IMPORTANT:</strong> The lack of a compass error does NOT mean your compass is working and calibrated properly.</span></p><p></p><p><strong>Compass Interference</strong></p><p>You can view the current compass interference in the "Main Controller Settings" --> "Advanced Settings" --> "Sensors" section of DJI GO. The colored bars should be in the green <em>(Excellent)</em> range when the Spark is in a location that is away from magnetic influences. If the bars are in the red <em>(Poor)</em> range or close to it, move the Spark to a different location and check again. If the compass interference is still in the red <em>(Poor)</em> range or close to it, the compass could need calibrated or it could be magnetized/damaged.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #ff0000"><strong>IMPORTANT:</strong> A good compass interference value does NOT mean your compass is working and calibrated properly.</span></p><p></p><p><strong>When Should I Calibrate?</strong></p><p>You do not need to calibrate before every flight and in some cases you definitely should not calibrate. That doesn't mean you shouldn't ever bother doing it. It only takes one time for it to go very wrong.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #ff0000"><strong>IMPORTANT: </strong>The ideal place to calibrate is an open field with nothing metallic in a 20 ft radius. Keep away from drainage pipes, irrigation systems, rocks, etc. </span></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>DO Calibrate</strong><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Compass interference values are out of whack or compass error is reported <em>(check area first)</em>.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Circling in flight <em>(also check for other possible causes)</em>.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">New metallic equipment added or removed.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">If you just degaussed your compass <em>(BTW, don't degauss unless instructed)</em>.</li> </ul></li> </ul> <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><span style="color: #ff0000"><strong>DO NOT Calibrate</strong></span><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><span style="color: #ff0000">If near concrete, buildings, and hidden or overhead power lines/pipes/etc.</span></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><span style="color: #ff0000">If you're indoors, on a paved surface, on a stone surface, on the beach, on a boat, on a balcony, near a car, near speakers, etc.</span></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><span style="color: #ff0000">If there are magnetic metallic objects nearby or you're not sure</span></li> </ul></li> </ul> <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Pre-Calibration Checklist</strong><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Everything used in flight should be powered during calibration <em>(e.g. GPS tracker)</em>.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Remove all metal from your person that could potentially be held near the Spark while you're calibrating <em>(e.g. watch or rings)</em>.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Calibrate on grass or dirt and not on concrete/asphalt <em>(unless you know the concrete/asphalt does not contain rebar)</em>.</li> </ul></li> </ul> <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>How to Calibrate</strong><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Power up your Spark and accessories as normal.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Wait until your Spark is ready to fly.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Select CALIBRATE under AIRCRAFT STATUS | COMPASS. Click OK.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Confirm solid yellow rear lights.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Pick up the Spark and turn it smoothly and steadily a full 360 degrees until the lights turn solid green.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Point the front of the Spark straight down and repeat until the lights turn off and resume normal flashing.<br /> Note: Don't be concerned if your gimbal reacts poorly to being face down, keep turning as normal.</li> </ul></li> </ul><p>If for any reason you do not complete any of the above steps smoothly and evenly, restart the process.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #bfbfbf">─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────</span></p><p><strong>Note:</strong> A lot of this information was copied over from ianwood's <u><strong><a href="http://www.phantompilots.com/threads/compass-calibration-a-complete-primer.32829" target="_blank">thread</a></strong></u> in the Phantom Pilots forum.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="msinger, post: 595, member: 18"] [B]Why Calibrate?[/B] A good compass calibration is important to ensure a safe, controlled flight. [B]Warning Signs[/B] The Spark can only detect when the compass is providing extremely poor [I](implausible)[/I] data. This typically occurs if you place it near a strong magnetic field. It will flash red and yellow lights and the Spark will indicate a compass error in the app. [COLOR=#ff0000][B]IMPORTANT:[/B] The lack of a compass error does NOT mean your compass is working and calibrated properly.[/COLOR] [B]Compass Interference[/B] You can view the current compass interference in the "Main Controller Settings" --> "Advanced Settings" --> "Sensors" section of DJI GO. The colored bars should be in the green [I](Excellent)[/I] range when the Spark is in a location that is away from magnetic influences. If the bars are in the red [I](Poor)[/I] range or close to it, move the Spark to a different location and check again. If the compass interference is still in the red [I](Poor)[/I] range or close to it, the compass could need calibrated or it could be magnetized/damaged. [COLOR=#ff0000][B]IMPORTANT:[/B] A good compass interference value does NOT mean your compass is working and calibrated properly.[/COLOR] [B]When Should I Calibrate?[/B] You do not need to calibrate before every flight and in some cases you definitely should not calibrate. That doesn't mean you shouldn't ever bother doing it. It only takes one time for it to go very wrong. [COLOR=#ff0000][B]IMPORTANT: [/B]The ideal place to calibrate is an open field with nothing metallic in a 20 ft radius. Keep away from drainage pipes, irrigation systems, rocks, etc. [/COLOR] [LIST] [*][B]DO Calibrate[/B] [LIST] [*]Compass interference values are out of whack or compass error is reported [I](check area first)[/I]. [*]Circling in flight [I](also check for other possible causes)[/I]. [*]New metallic equipment added or removed. [*]If you just degaussed your compass [I](BTW, don't degauss unless instructed)[/I]. [/LIST] [/LIST] [LIST] [*][COLOR=#ff0000][B]DO NOT Calibrate[/B][/COLOR] [LIST] [*][COLOR=#ff0000]If near concrete, buildings, and hidden or overhead power lines/pipes/etc.[/COLOR] [*][COLOR=#ff0000]If you're indoors, on a paved surface, on a stone surface, on the beach, on a boat, on a balcony, near a car, near speakers, etc.[/COLOR] [*][COLOR=#ff0000]If there are magnetic metallic objects nearby or you're not sure[/COLOR] [/LIST] [/LIST] [LIST] [*][B]Pre-Calibration Checklist[/B] [LIST] [*]Everything used in flight should be powered during calibration [I](e.g. GPS tracker)[/I]. [*]Remove all metal from your person that could potentially be held near the Spark while you're calibrating [I](e.g. watch or rings)[/I]. [*]Calibrate on grass or dirt and not on concrete/asphalt [I](unless you know the concrete/asphalt does not contain rebar)[/I]. [/LIST] [/LIST] [LIST] [*][B]How to Calibrate[/B] [LIST] [*]Power up your Spark and accessories as normal. [*]Wait until your Spark is ready to fly. [*]Select CALIBRATE under AIRCRAFT STATUS | COMPASS. Click OK. [*]Confirm solid yellow rear lights. [*]Pick up the Spark and turn it smoothly and steadily a full 360 degrees until the lights turn solid green. [*]Point the front of the Spark straight down and repeat until the lights turn off and resume normal flashing. Note: Don't be concerned if your gimbal reacts poorly to being face down, keep turning as normal. [/LIST] [/LIST] If for any reason you do not complete any of the above steps smoothly and evenly, restart the process. [COLOR=#bfbfbf]─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────[/COLOR] [B]Note:[/B] A lot of this information was copied over from ianwood's [U][B][URL='http://www.phantompilots.com/threads/compass-calibration-a-complete-primer.32829']thread[/URL][/B][/U] in the Phantom Pilots forum. [/QUOTE]
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