They must have fixed litchi because I've not once had a problem after many missions. Litchi can also be verified in Google Earth Pro which is just awesome!
Dear Sir, on the Litchi App, make sure that the Gimbal is not set in the App to maintain a certain focus height. I did, and when I tried to over ride the Gimbal Pitch all hell broke loose, and resulted in a crash. Once the Gimbal is set to manual control, I believe this will correct the dangerous error. I love the ease and accuracy of the Litchi App. If your Bird crashes, it will most likely be Pilot input error. Take Care.
Interesting comparison of these apps. I appreciate you posting this. I have Litchi, GSP and Autopilot. I started using Litchi, but met the developer that wrote Autopilot and decided to use this app. He lives here locally.I feel that problem with Autopilot is not complicated, but the videos that were created to explain it is overwhelming. I have used Autopilot for a year and finally understanding (both in LCMC and AutoPilot as the controller) that it does not have to be that complicated. I find using waypoints in Advanced is the way to go...and skip the rest. Waypoints seems to be able to do most of what the others do and then some. Will subscribe to your channel.
Abbotsford in British Columbia hosts Canada's largest air show each year. This video captures a small amount of the energy, variety and drama of these classic and powerful machines. 100,000 people attend this family festive event, with antique prop planes ranging up to the most modern F-35 jets newly off assembly. Canada's Snowbirds, the Breitling jet Team and Canada's Skyhawks Para Demonstration team are featured with a few of the other many performers. Spectacular Mount Baker provides a scenic backdrop to the show.
Thanks!...I was also looking for a comparison and there are enough variables in each app that its hard to compare everything against everything, so I figured Waypoints are the most useful thing they do and make my own video on that.
How do you find detailed maps of an area that are compatible with the Mavic installed software? The current maps are very course resolution with no info in them at all in anything but larger urban areas....or am I missing something completely?
When using these apps doesn’t the drone technically have infinite range because the mission is being sent to the drone instead of it being directly and constantly controlled with the software?
TriggerFingaRichie Good point. Everything from the Mavic firmware, the Go app, Litchi etc all have had many version changes since then so its time for a full comparison review. It's on the list now, thanks!
That was a great comparison , as you said free is hard to beat and the DJI GS Pro is rock solid . Best video I have seen on the subject . Also the DJI GS works with all their industrial Naza drone flight controllers and can work without the internet .
Great video ! Just venturing into waypoint flying with my Mavic, one question..... I use an iPad mini 4 wifi, do you need gps in the field for the iPad for waypoint flying to work ? I would plan my mission at home before setting out to my flying location. Thanks
The Mavic/controller/waypoint software all use their own GPS, so I think you mean do you need wifi/internet or cellular data in the field. Not if you set up waypoints at home, keep the map on your screen big enough to capture the route as well as a bit more. It will cache automatically at home. When you go in the field you don't need anything, the map will load automatically when you load the saved waypoint route. I use a iPad mini4 as well and it works great (although I had to cut 5mm off the end of each arm so that the angle opened up a bit more to easily load the iPad in) Also, you'll need a longer USB-lighnting connector than the one that comes with the Mavic for iPhone.
Thank you for the video. I’ve used all of these and whereas free is good, GSP’s stopping at each waypoint is a videographer’s nightmare. Plus, the higher functionality of it costs a monthly premium. Litchi is really easy to use and I have had to go to it when Autopilot has failed me. For whatever reason, there are times when it simply won’t engage. But there are more camera facing and gimbal pitch options in Autopilot than Litchi. Plus, you failed to mention that GSP is only for iPad and Autopilot was iOS-only last I checked. So, I have yet to find a reliable app for both videography and mapping that doesn’t cost a fortune.
Mark Williams iOS App Store, only works with ipad, listed as DJI GSPro. Or Ground Station Pro, ignore the Japan label I dont know what thats all about.
RICHARD HUDMAN you are right in that this was a much earlier version than now, both in Litchi and DJI upgrades, But I’ve sold the Pro and have an Air now, happy with it except it doesnt work with 3rd party apps like Litchi (well so far). So no new reviews for awhile.
Thank you for this very good comparative, very useful! None of the programs supports the altitude of each point? I live in a small mountain area and I'm afraid to schedule a flight and plant my Mavic Pro !!
They all handle altitude a bit differently, check on specific youtube videos on how to handle heights. I think Litchi has a setting which shows each waypoint height relative to your starting point (It has altitude elevation built into its maps, FPV may have that too) and how much ground clearance remains, Autopilot works with your late model iPhone or iPad (its iOS only) and uses the barometer in it to track your relative altitude and keep its distance above that, really useful for "follow me" mode so you don't plant the Mavic!
Thank you for your reply. I will search RUclips to learn more. But I think I have to buy the latest Ipad Mini 4 (with barometer) to have my security :-( !!
Tout Tango I'm using the ipad Mini4 and it works smoothly, fits the controller and has the perfect size of screen. DJI seems to be working mainly on an iOS platform then recoding for Android. My biggest disappointment with iOS devices is they dont have a native screen recording app like Android. Some apps like FPV Camera have a built in screen recorder, but you have to remember to save after stopping it or it purges the cache. Seems like a simple thing to have as an app, but not yet anyway.
Nice Video......i have Mavic, P4P and P3P and have used Litchi and haven't experienced the problems you had, but i didn't use the app to plan the missions, i used the mission hub instead... i will say however that i have learned it best to close all programs if you switch between flying apps.....fwiw...
mark householder Excellent point. I didnt mention that, not really an instructional video, more to give a sense of how each works, but you are totally correct. Start with DJI Go 4, setup, then close it out, then launch another app. NEVER have two apps running at the same time.
I am wondering what firmware you had running on the Mavic. I have tried all these apps since watching your video but Litchi is very laggy and Autopilot is not working properly at all. There are issues with the latest Mavic fimware so I might try to downgade and hope for better results. The others work well.
Your phone or tablet may be the culprit if its an older model, especially if you were also screen recording too. I've dropped Litchi for now and have been trying to really get FPVCamera working smoothly. I'm trying to preplan a video I'm working on where I will practice the flights in advance until the conditions for video are perfect, then I know the shots will be great. I flew several missions tonight and for no reason it was not loading them well, usually had to try twice, and one mission was hesitating and very bumpy. ???. Twice I was kicked out of flights that aborted halfway through ???. The only thing thats changed is DJI has a new Go 4.0.6 that loaded today and maybe there's a glitch now. Maybe downgrade? You may be right. Its frustrating having these little things add uncertainty and outright danger to the missions.
You Litchi review was bizarre ... your complaints are the first I've heard. If you haven't seen flylitchi.com, I believe this type of planning tool is only offered by Litchi and is mission planning supreme. I wonder how your results might have faired if using a 3 series Phantom. You fail to mention that as wonderful as Autopilot is, it is NOT autonomous and requires contiguous connectivity for mission/waypoint flying. Thanks for effort!
I haven't heard of any problems with the Phantoms, so I think Litchi's issue is with Mavic. Ive tried many times with Litchi and have had some issue about half the time, even simple missions. I'm going to keep trying and see if there is some combo of the DJI Go 4 app setup, then shutting off, then launching Litchi thats giving me some kind of conflict. It may be buried in my own settings setup but I'm just reporting what I'm observing, and its been happening several times. You are right about Autopilot, I mention that in another video as its an important point, also the fact thats its only available for iOS, not Android, a no go for many. I rerun a simple mission in my next video (I was really trying to get Litchi to behave) and get similar results to this one, I skip DJI GS Pro as until it smoothly corners its not realistic for good video. I have had other people mention Litchi's gimbal issue with Mavic so its not just me, that would be a concern maybe something is mechanically wrong with my Mavic. Live and learn, your experience is appreciated in these vids to keep them honest and even though your results dont agree with mine its still useful to see, I'm not trying to trash a great product like Litchi, just giving a caution in case someone gets the same response. Thanks for your comments though, always interesting!
I have used both Litchi and Autopilot, and I also find Litchi more unstable than Autopilot. Random errors, while I had no problems with Autopilot. But both are great programs, and I love the ability to program your flight via Litchi's web service.
Your statement on autopilot NOT being autonomous is frankly WRONG. it is indeed and will continue the mission under a controller disconnect. It is a setting you can select while in the settings menu. Do your homework Litchi fan boy. Auto pilot has your a@@ soundly kicked. Litchi is OK........ just...... ok autopilot is the king.
Mike Duncanson If its your very first drone I would recommend buying one of the cheap ones (basically a decent drone under $100 with a poor camera and less distance and features) and practice on that. The smaller ones can be flown indoors in rainy or windy weather. You will crash it, but thats the point, you wont care too much and repairs are easy and cheap,just props usually. Get your confidence and coordination up so when you take that expensive Mavic out you'll enjoy it more and worry less. Now for some decent weather!
NorthOlbo thanks for the tip. You are right about learning on a cheaper drone, however I'm a stickler for performance and it's on its way already. My plan is to fly it in tripod mode till I build confidence and experience. Wish me luck, as the first inevitable crash will suck!
There is actually a Beginner Mode on the DJI Go app that is similar to Tripod mode but I believe even more conservative. Definitely the way to start. My first drone was a Parrot AR and it is very difficult to fly smoothly, so I expect my incoming Mavic to be a much more enjoyable experience.
Thanks for the tip, I'll definitely try that. FYI, DJI's website says it will ship within 1-3 days... been waiting 9 days now, and it still hasn't been shipped. hmmm
Very helpful, though dated, comparison. I am new to the drone world and trying to get help with waypoint mission planning and execution. You have given me valuable help. I will Like and Subscribe. Thank you!
Check out a recent Amazon ebook entitled "Gently Curved, Convergent, Non-traditional Drone Flight Paths" which details how to create curved drone flight paths with a constant tangent angle which totally avoids the problems of a) having to control either drone yaw or b) rotate the camera to get the feature shots discussed in this video. If the curved path (waypoints) is flown, the camera (set to the constant tangent angle) will continuously focus on the intended target.
I've flown with Litchi app for over a year. Never had the issues you mentioned. However, Litchi was developed for Android and you are using an iOS device. That may be part of the cause of your issues. Too bad Autopilot doesn't support Android...I might have given it a try. Also, you failed to mention an important Litchi feature... you can plan a waypoint mission using Mission Hub, open it in the field and have Litchi calculate esch waypoint altitude at Xx feet AGL.
Hi. Err, I'm a newbie. I did n't even know all of these apps were available! Yes, I know, very sad. So thanks for highlighting them. I'll be researching the latest versions as this sort of filming is something that I am very interested in and these could change my choice of uav. Thanks also for the comments below from others. All grist to the mill. Bob UK.
Why did you use manual yaw and camera when testing FPV Camera? You gave a lot of attention to how other apps kept the camera on the POI. Seems like this throws out the idea of a fair and complete comparison.
tornadokat good point, I can’t remember why as I did this a year ago. All of the apps, the Mavic firmware and operating system, and iOS have several updates since then so this is dated now. Time for a new review!
It is NOT correct that there isn't a mode for circle corners in GS Pro. The solution: chose "All Points" and set "Cornering" to "Curved". But remember: there are no way-point-actions possible in this mode what is quite clear because no waypoints are actualy reached. :-) I did about 100 flights on 18 routes which i planned at home with GS Pro, Wlan and earth-map in the background. After 2 control-flights at low speed at ~ 2m/s and a few corrections on gimbal, heights and corner-radius, one course looked quite well. All this with GS Pro. But there is a big point for me to switch over to Litchi right now: As i want to overlay each video with a video-in-video with the syncronized course-tracking i need the flight logs. GS Pro does NOT offer an export-function for flight-logs and it seems to me that they are also not written to the SD-card. Therefor the logs are not visible via DJI Assistant 2. On the other hand: DJI Go4 app does write the logs on the SD-card but offers no import-function for KML-files etc. So: I'll go and try with copying the routes by hand to Litchi. Anyway: 1 year has passed since you posted this video and surely have found out a lot more about those programs by yourself. Would like to hear which one you are finally using. Thanks anyway for your work.
Pepe Pape Thanks for those thoughtful comments and personal experience. One thing for sure is that all these apps and the drones own firmware systems change A LOT over a year, so this review may be completely irrelevant. I was waiting on the Mavic Air apps before re-running everything again with all the updates and so far there is no third party support for decent waypoint missions. So I’m going to wait a bit to see if Litchi and FPV Camera come up with something or just try it all again on the Mavic Pro. GS Pro was free but so simple and inelegant that it had to get better, I haven’t gone back to it. There are so many systems out there now, its important to try and find these head to head comparisons because some are less stable and more buggy. But its important to know which app version was being tested on which DJI operating version; bug fixes by DJI are almost every few weeks.
NorthOlbo - you are so right!! Fixes on DJI operating systems sometimes cause final disfunction of the copter - so did mine after the first update. Gently: DJI sent me another one without costs for me. An hour has passed since my first post and meanwhile i wouldn't care about the few Euros more for AutoPilot. So i collect more infos about this app and if it can solve my needs for writing and export flight-logs which i am going to use in Dashware to create an overlay track-video.
I have been using Litchi for the past two years. Your comments on stability is not fair because you did not use the interpolate function properly. I have used a number of times … it did not give the result as what you have showed in the video.
Same here! RUclips was autoplaying this video in the background after a M2P Litchi video I watched. This makes no sense. I've been using Litchi since 2016 on my Phantom 4 and I tried with my Mavic Pro in Oct 2017 with no issues...it takes the smoothest panning shots that I have ever seen. I only wish I had the skills to do it myself...you almost need a split brain.
Here's the justification for flying curved, non-traditional (non-linear/non-parallel) flight lines. Minimising systematic error surfaces in digital elevation models using oblique convergent imagery Rene Wackrow Jim H. Chandler First published: 16 March 2011 doi.org/10.1111/j.1477-9730.2011.00623.x Results of the simulation process, the laboratory test and the practical test are reported in this paper and demonstrate that an oblique convergent image configuration eradicates the systematic error surfaces which result from inaccurate lens distortion parameters. This approach is significant because by removing the need for an accurate lens model it effectively improves the accuracies of digital surface representations derived using consumer‐grade digital cameras. Carefully selected image configurations could therefore provide new opportunities for improving the quality of photogrammetrically acquired data. I hope this helps. Jim Dow
IMPORTANT: The GS Pro app is IOS only. GS Pro does not have a POI option. Stopping at each WP is a pain. Not circle corners is poor. Definitely incomplete design Your review is too generous.
They must have fixed litchi because I've not once had a problem after many missions. Litchi can also be verified in Google Earth Pro which is just awesome!
Yeah, this is a pretty old version now of these apps. They have greatly improved. Thanks for your comment though.
Dear Sir, on the Litchi App, make sure that the Gimbal is not set in the App to maintain a certain focus height. I did, and when I tried to over ride the Gimbal Pitch all hell broke loose, and resulted in a crash. Once the Gimbal is set to manual control, I believe this will correct the dangerous error. I love the ease and accuracy of the Litchi App. If your Bird crashes, it will most likely be Pilot input error. Take Care.
Thanks for that tip on setting your gimbal to manual mode!
Interesting comparison of these apps. I appreciate you posting this.
I have Litchi, GSP and Autopilot.
I started using Litchi, but met the developer that wrote Autopilot and decided to use this app. He lives here locally.I feel that problem with Autopilot is not complicated, but the videos that were created to explain it is overwhelming. I have used Autopilot for a year and finally understanding (both in LCMC and AutoPilot as the controller) that it does not have to be that complicated. I find using waypoints in Advanced is the way to go...and skip the rest. Waypoints seems to be able to do most of what the others do and then some. Will subscribe to your channel.
Great review of the 4 apps for the cinematic waypoint mission fliers...like me. Wonder how they compare on automated building roof inspections.
I know it was just a windmill but it was a lovely shot, shot n sweet and very eloquently delivered
Abbotsford in British Columbia hosts Canada's largest air show each year. This video captures a small amount of the energy, variety and drama of these classic and powerful machines. 100,000 people attend this family festive event, with antique prop planes ranging up to the most modern F-35 jets newly off assembly. Canada's Snowbirds, the Breitling jet Team and Canada's Skyhawks Para Demonstration team are featured with a few of the other many performers. Spectacular Mount Baker provides a scenic backdrop to the show.
Excellent comparison video... I was looking for it and couldn't expect a better one.
Thank you very much.
Thanks!...I was also looking for a comparison and there are enough variables in each app that its hard to compare everything against everything, so I figured Waypoints are the most useful thing they do and make my own video on that.
I'm Sorry I can't seem to find FPV Camera app in the play Store in my phone, perhaps I'm looking in the wrong place. Many thanks john
Hi
Are these apps only available on iOS? I'm trying to find them on google play store and can't find them.... Only Litchi, not the other 3...
How do you find detailed maps of an area that are compatible with the Mavic installed software? The current maps are very course resolution with no info in them at all in anything but larger urban areas....or am I missing something completely?
cool like gs pro, how do I delete the mission, seems iv tried everything?
What about max distance that the missions can be? Im wondering if I can create a mission that has points of interests that are 5+ miles away
Could you recommend an app that would let me fly my Mavic around an empty sports field and stop every 10 meters? Thanks
When using these apps doesn’t the drone technically have infinite range because the mission is being sent to the drone instead of it being directly and constantly controlled with the software?
When doing a comparison it would be good idea to do a identical route programming
Great review! I'm curious if you're opinion has changed since making this video...
TriggerFingaRichie Good point. Everything from the Mavic firmware, the Go app, Litchi etc all have had many version changes since then so its time for a full comparison review. It's on the list now, thanks!
thank you! appreciate the gift of all that experience shared in less than 15 minutes
That was a great comparison , as you said free is hard to beat and the DJI GS Pro is rock solid . Best video I have seen on the subject . Also the DJI GS works with all their industrial Naza drone flight controllers and can work without the internet .
Great video ! Just venturing into waypoint flying with my Mavic, one question..... I use an iPad mini 4 wifi, do you need gps in the field for the iPad for waypoint flying to work ? I would plan my mission at home before setting out to my flying location. Thanks
The Mavic/controller/waypoint software all use their own GPS, so I think you mean do you need wifi/internet or cellular data in the field. Not if you set up waypoints at home, keep the map on your screen big enough to capture the route as well as a bit more. It will cache automatically at home. When you go in the field you don't need anything, the map will load automatically when you load the saved waypoint route. I use a iPad mini4 as well and it works great (although I had to cut 5mm off the end of each arm so that the angle opened up a bit more to easily load the iPad in) Also, you'll need a longer USB-lighnting connector than the one that comes with the Mavic for iPhone.
Thank you for the video. I’ve used all of these and whereas free is good, GSP’s stopping at each waypoint is a videographer’s nightmare. Plus, the higher functionality of it costs a monthly premium. Litchi is really easy to use and I have had to go to it when Autopilot has failed me. For whatever reason, there are times when it simply won’t engage. But there are more camera facing and gimbal pitch options in Autopilot than Litchi. Plus, you failed to mention that GSP is only for iPad and Autopilot was iOS-only last I checked. So, I have yet to find a reliable app for both videography and mapping that doesn’t cost a fortune.
Great video! where do i purchase the GSPro? I have never seen it. Thanks
Mark Williams iOS App Store, only works with ipad, listed as DJI GSPro. Or Ground Station Pro, ignore the Japan label I dont know what thats all about.
You should re-review the Litchi. I have not had any trouble with it. Maybe you needed to restart the app?
RICHARD HUDMAN you are right in that this was a much earlier version than now, both in Litchi and DJI upgrades, But I’ve sold the Pro and have an Air now, happy with it except it doesnt work with 3rd party apps like Litchi (well so far). So no new reviews for awhile.
Thank you for this very good comparative, very useful!
None of the programs supports the altitude of each point? I live in a small mountain area and I'm afraid to schedule a flight and plant my Mavic Pro !!
They all handle altitude a bit differently, check on specific youtube videos on how to handle heights. I think Litchi has a setting which shows each waypoint height relative to your starting point (It has altitude elevation built into its maps, FPV may have that too) and how much ground clearance remains, Autopilot works with your late model iPhone or iPad (its iOS only) and uses the barometer in it to track your relative altitude and keep its distance above that, really useful for "follow me" mode so you don't plant the Mavic!
Thank you for your reply. I will search RUclips to learn more. But I think I have to buy the latest Ipad Mini 4 (with barometer) to have my security :-( !!
Tout Tango I'm using the ipad Mini4 and it works smoothly, fits the controller and has the perfect size of screen. DJI seems to be working mainly on an iOS platform then recoding for Android. My biggest disappointment with iOS devices is they dont have a native screen recording app like Android. Some apps like FPV Camera have a built in screen recorder, but you have to remember to save after stopping it or it purges the cache. Seems like a simple thing to have as an app, but not yet anyway.
Nice Video......i have Mavic, P4P and P3P and have used Litchi and haven't experienced the problems you had, but i didn't use the app to plan the missions, i used the mission hub instead... i will say however that i have learned it best to close all programs if you switch between flying apps.....fwiw...
mark householder Excellent point. I didnt mention that, not really an instructional video, more to give a sense of how each works, but you are totally correct. Start with DJI Go 4, setup, then close it out, then launch another app. NEVER have two apps running at the same time.
I am wondering what firmware you had running on the Mavic. I have tried all these apps since watching your video but Litchi is very laggy and Autopilot is not working properly at all. There are issues with the latest Mavic fimware so I might try to downgade and hope for better results. The others work well.
Your phone or tablet may be the culprit if its an older model, especially if you were also screen recording too. I've dropped Litchi for now and have been trying to really get FPVCamera working smoothly. I'm trying to preplan a video I'm working on where I will practice the flights in advance until the conditions for video are perfect, then I know the shots will be great. I flew several missions tonight and for no reason it was not loading them well, usually had to try twice, and one mission was hesitating and very bumpy. ???. Twice I was kicked out of flights that aborted halfway through ???. The only thing thats changed is DJI has a new Go 4.0.6 that loaded today and maybe there's a glitch now. Maybe downgrade? You may be right. Its frustrating having these little things add uncertainty and outright danger to the missions.
Oh also, I'm using an iPad Mini4, which is about the best running tablet with DJI so it should not be hardware issues....who knows?
You Litchi review was bizarre ... your complaints are the first I've heard. If you haven't seen flylitchi.com, I believe this type of planning tool is only offered by Litchi and is mission planning supreme. I wonder how your results might have faired if using a 3 series Phantom.
You fail to mention that as wonderful as Autopilot is, it is NOT autonomous and requires contiguous connectivity for mission/waypoint flying.
Thanks for effort!
I haven't heard of any problems with the Phantoms, so I think Litchi's issue is with Mavic. Ive tried many times with Litchi and have had some issue about half the time, even simple missions. I'm going to keep trying and see if there is some combo of the DJI Go 4 app setup, then shutting off, then launching Litchi thats giving me some kind of conflict. It may be buried in my own settings setup but I'm just reporting what I'm observing, and its been happening several times. You are right about Autopilot, I mention that in another video as its an important point, also the fact thats its only available for iOS, not Android, a no go for many. I rerun a simple mission in my next video (I was really trying to get Litchi to behave) and get similar results to this one, I skip DJI GS Pro as until it smoothly corners its not realistic for good video. I have had other people mention Litchi's gimbal issue with Mavic so its not just me, that would be a concern maybe something is mechanically wrong with my Mavic. Live and learn, your experience is appreciated in these vids to keep them honest and even though your results dont agree with mine its still useful to see, I'm not trying to trash a great product like Litchi, just giving a caution in case someone gets the same response. Thanks for your comments though, always interesting!
I have used both Litchi and Autopilot, and I also find Litchi more unstable than Autopilot. Random errors, while I had no problems with Autopilot. But both are great programs, and I love the ability to program your flight via Litchi's web service.
Your statement on autopilot NOT being autonomous is frankly WRONG. it is indeed and will continue the mission under a controller disconnect. It is a setting you can select while in the settings menu. Do your homework Litchi fan boy. Auto pilot has your a@@ soundly kicked. Litchi is OK........ just...... ok autopilot is the king.
No wonder I can’t engage in some rural areas, even with a cached map 😒
Ole Åsheim litchi is super smooth
Litchi not setting curve size is a mistake
Hey fellow Victorian, great tutorial! I'm awaiting my first drone now (Mavic), and look forward to trying these apps.
Mike Duncanson If its your very first drone I would recommend buying one of the cheap ones (basically a decent drone under $100 with a poor camera and less distance and features) and practice on that. The smaller ones can be flown indoors in rainy or windy weather. You will crash it, but thats the point, you wont care too much and repairs are easy and cheap,just props usually. Get your confidence and coordination up so when you take that expensive Mavic out you'll enjoy it more and worry less. Now for some decent weather!
NorthOlbo thanks for the tip. You are right about learning on a cheaper drone, however I'm a stickler for performance and it's on its way already. My plan is to fly it in tripod mode till I build confidence and experience. Wish me luck, as the first inevitable crash will suck!
There is actually a Beginner Mode on the DJI Go app that is similar to Tripod mode but I believe even more conservative. Definitely the way to start. My first drone was a Parrot AR and it is very difficult to fly smoothly, so I expect my incoming Mavic to be a much more enjoyable experience.
Thanks for the tip, I'll definitely try that. FYI, DJI's website says it will ship within 1-3 days... been waiting 9 days now, and it still hasn't been shipped. hmmm
Litchi leaves DJI app for dead! Thanks man!
Thanks a bunch man, great review, solid and brief.
I can not find the DJI GS Pro. Is this android only?
I downloaded mine from the App store for iOS. Its a new product. I'm not sure if there is an android version.
I can't find it in the app store for IOS. What are you typing in the search menu?
Mike Littlefield try Ground Station...its the Japan version....
Got it, Thanks!
I'm having no luck in finding it via my iPhone 6s
Very helpful, though dated, comparison. I am new to the drone world and trying to get help with waypoint mission planning and execution. You have given me valuable help. I will Like and Subscribe. Thank you!
How to get DJI ground station pro?
try this itunes.apple.com/app/dji-gs-pro/id1183717144?mt=8 but its only available in an iPad not on iPhone ...
Check out a recent Amazon ebook entitled "Gently Curved, Convergent, Non-traditional Drone Flight Paths" which details how to create curved drone flight paths with a constant tangent angle which totally avoids the problems of a) having to control either drone yaw or b) rotate the camera to get the feature shots discussed in this video. If the curved path (waypoints) is flown, the camera (set to the constant tangent angle) will continuously focus on the intended target.
Brilliant reviews. Many thanks.
I tried litchi and got zero video stream, no matter how I connected. Tried their support and still nothing. Very disappointed 😔. Got a refund
I've flown with Litchi app for over a year. Never had the issues you mentioned. However, Litchi was developed for Android and you are using an iOS device. That may be part of the cause of your issues. Too bad Autopilot doesn't support Android...I might have given it a try. Also, you failed to mention an important Litchi feature... you can plan a waypoint mission using Mission Hub, open it in the field and have Litchi calculate esch waypoint altitude at Xx feet AGL.
Hi. Err, I'm a newbie. I did n't even know all of these apps were available! Yes, I know, very sad. So thanks for highlighting them. I'll be researching the latest versions as this sort of filming is something that I am very interested in and these could change my choice of uav. Thanks also for the comments below from others. All grist to the mill. Bob UK.
Why did you use manual yaw and camera when testing FPV Camera? You gave a lot of attention to how other apps kept the camera on the POI. Seems like this throws out the idea of a fair and complete comparison.
tornadokat good point, I can’t remember why as I did this a year ago. All of the apps, the Mavic firmware and operating system, and iOS have several updates since then so this is dated now. Time for a new review!
Yes, please do!
Agree! Keen to see how FPV Camera handles with autopilot and yaw!
It is NOT correct that there isn't a mode for circle corners in GS Pro. The solution: chose "All Points" and set "Cornering" to "Curved". But remember: there are no way-point-actions possible in this mode what is quite clear because no waypoints are actualy reached. :-) I did about 100 flights on 18 routes which i planned at home with GS Pro, Wlan and earth-map in the background. After 2 control-flights at low speed at ~ 2m/s and a few corrections on gimbal, heights and corner-radius, one course looked quite well. All this with GS Pro.
But there is a big point for me to switch over to Litchi right now:
As i want to overlay each video with a video-in-video with the syncronized course-tracking i need the flight logs.
GS Pro does NOT offer an export-function for flight-logs and it seems to me that they are also not written to the SD-card. Therefor the logs are not visible via DJI Assistant 2.
On the other hand: DJI Go4 app does write the logs on the SD-card but offers no import-function for KML-files etc.
So: I'll go and try with copying the routes by hand to Litchi.
Anyway: 1 year has passed since you posted this video and surely have found out a lot more about those programs by yourself. Would like to hear which one you are finally using. Thanks anyway for your work.
Pepe Pape Thanks for those thoughtful comments and personal experience. One thing for sure is that all these apps and the drones own firmware systems change A LOT over a year, so this review may be completely irrelevant. I was waiting on the Mavic Air apps before re-running everything again with all the updates and so far there is no third party support for decent waypoint missions. So I’m going to wait a bit to see if Litchi and FPV Camera come up with something or just try it all again on the Mavic Pro. GS Pro was free but so simple and inelegant that it had to get better, I haven’t gone back to it. There are so many systems out there now, its important to try and find these head to head comparisons because some are less stable and more buggy. But its important to know which app version was being tested on which DJI operating version; bug fixes by DJI are almost every few weeks.
NorthOlbo - you are so right!! Fixes on DJI operating systems sometimes cause final disfunction of the copter - so did mine after the first update. Gently: DJI sent me another one without costs for me. An hour has passed since my first post and meanwhile i wouldn't care about the few Euros more for AutoPilot. So i collect more infos about this app and if it can solve my needs for writing and export flight-logs which i am going to use in Dashware to create an overlay track-video.
I have been using Litchi for the past two years. Your comments on stability is not fair because you did not use the interpolate function properly. I have used a number of times … it did not give the result as what you have showed in the video.
I reviewed a version of Litchi from over two years ago, it has improved greatly since then. I agree with you.
Excellent information that I really needed, thank you bro!!!
I know for a fact Litchi with a Mavic Pro is super smooth
Same here! RUclips was autoplaying this video in the background after a M2P Litchi video I watched. This makes no sense. I've been using Litchi since 2016 on my Phantom 4 and I tried with my Mavic Pro in Oct 2017 with no issues...it takes the smoothest panning shots that I have ever seen. I only wish I had the skills to do it myself...you almost need a split brain.
Very informative and useful. Thanks.
There is nothing wrong with litchi if the user doesn't know to use and tweak it
Never had this with litchi
Litchi doesn't have video/photo preview, like dji go has (only ios) Other than that, litchi is better
I am also using an ipad mini 4 just for the mavic and it is much smoother than my note 4 or note pro
Very useful, coherent review. Thank you.
Great review, thank you very much!
Here's the justification for flying curved, non-traditional (non-linear/non-parallel) flight lines.
Minimising systematic error surfaces in digital elevation models using oblique convergent imagery
Rene Wackrow
Jim H. Chandler
First published: 16 March 2011
doi.org/10.1111/j.1477-9730.2011.00623.x
Results of the simulation process, the laboratory test and the practical test are reported in this paper and demonstrate that an oblique convergent image configuration eradicates the systematic error surfaces which result from inaccurate lens distortion parameters. This approach is significant because by removing the need for an accurate lens model it effectively improves the accuracies of digital surface representations derived using consumer‐grade digital cameras. Carefully selected image configurations could therefore provide new opportunities for improving the quality of photogrammetrically acquired data.
I hope this helps.
Jim Dow
IMPORTANT: The GS Pro app is IOS only. GS Pro does not have a POI option. Stopping at each WP is a pain. Not circle corners is poor. Definitely incomplete design Your review is too generous.
FANTASTIC! Thank You!
Thanks for sharing Mate, + one new subscriber from Sint Maarten
Coming from you thats a nice thumbs up! You have a great youtube channel.
Thanks
thanks appreciate the effort!!
great video and presentation
Check out the Red Waypoint APP, it is also supported with SPARK
if the interface is more elaborate and what about the failsafe features ?
by pressing the joystick autoimatic mode is overrided by manual and it RTH if connection is lost