I recently posted that my spark went out of control.
I decided to try it again, in a controlled environment.
First, I downloaded and installed the latest firmware. Then I made sure I had a full battery.
Took the spark to an open place, on top of a mountain.
Turned it on, waited for it to pair with my phone. Waited until it had home point, multiple satellites and ready to fly gps. No calibration of compass or IMU required. All ok.
This time, I decided to start it from the ground. Aka no gestures. Used slide to launch. Lifted it in air about 8ft from ground. Hovering in place and waited, checked that all was still ok.
Then I slowly started to yaw. It yawed and then it took off at full speed, just like last time!!!!
Tried to land it, but it was not responding to any controls.
It behaved EXACTLY like in the first time: did a semi circle while losing height.
I still ran after it but waited to see what it would do. It flew through trees, scraping them, hitting branches. When it finished its semi circle it came to a stop.. I did not have to catch it and injure my fingers. Put my hands underneath it, caught it and turned it off.
Conclusions:
1. I must have a defective Spark
2. Defective Sparks are really dangerous.
3. When spark goes haywire, it seems obstacle avoidance is not working
4. When spark goes haywire, phone is useless in trying to control it.
5. I now officialy HATE my Spark
These two incidents have completely blown my confidence in these. It's not fun anymore.
Based on these experiences, as soon as I get back home, this drone is going back to DJI.
It will take a lot to convince me they are safe. So sad.
I decided to try it again, in a controlled environment.
First, I downloaded and installed the latest firmware. Then I made sure I had a full battery.
Took the spark to an open place, on top of a mountain.
Turned it on, waited for it to pair with my phone. Waited until it had home point, multiple satellites and ready to fly gps. No calibration of compass or IMU required. All ok.
This time, I decided to start it from the ground. Aka no gestures. Used slide to launch. Lifted it in air about 8ft from ground. Hovering in place and waited, checked that all was still ok.
Then I slowly started to yaw. It yawed and then it took off at full speed, just like last time!!!!
Tried to land it, but it was not responding to any controls.
It behaved EXACTLY like in the first time: did a semi circle while losing height.
I still ran after it but waited to see what it would do. It flew through trees, scraping them, hitting branches. When it finished its semi circle it came to a stop.. I did not have to catch it and injure my fingers. Put my hands underneath it, caught it and turned it off.
Conclusions:
1. I must have a defective Spark
2. Defective Sparks are really dangerous.
3. When spark goes haywire, it seems obstacle avoidance is not working
4. When spark goes haywire, phone is useless in trying to control it.
5. I now officialy HATE my Spark
These two incidents have completely blown my confidence in these. It's not fun anymore.
Based on these experiences, as soon as I get back home, this drone is going back to DJI.
It will take a lot to convince me they are safe. So sad.