Teething problems connecting to WiFi only tablet?

[technoflyer]

So I opened my brand new Spark yesterday and went through all the setup. I used my WiFi only Nexus 7 tablet and found it annoying that it had to keep switching between my router WiFi with internet and the Spark/controller WiFi to do the firmware update. I guess doing it on a mobile wouldn't be an issue cos when you are connected to the spark, it could still download the firmware update over mobile data without disconnecting from the spark.

Anyway, I managed to connect my Nexus 7 to the spark and controller and get them all on the latest firmware (including the two batteries that I have). All this was fine and I switched everything off. What wasn't completely clear was how to turn on the Spark connecting to my N7. I thought simply turning on the Spark would auto connect to my N7 but I had to hold down the Spark power button until I heard three beeps before it connected. The app said it should only be two beeps but when I did that nothing came up.

The other issue is that my N7 is too big to fit in the controller (I should have checked before). So I'll probably need to go through the setup process again on my Google Pixel instead.

 

[Dronason]

Are you using the RC (remote controller) to connect to your N7 or not?
Linking the Spark to the RC or the tablet should be done only one time. When it is linked to the RC, you cannot connect directly to the tablet without relinking, the opposite is also true.
After successful linking, it will relinking only if your ta let is not connected to another wifi network.
With direct connection, you could have an issue with Android device, CE mode and 5.8G channels. Several Android devices cannot see the 5.8G channels used by the Spark. So pressing the battery button for 3 beep reset wifi to 2.4G, avoiding these hidden channels.
PS: don't forget to turn off Bluetooth on your tablet.

 

[technoflyer]

Are you using the RC (remote controller) to connect to your N7 or not?
Linking the Spark to the RC or the tablet should be done only one time. When it is linked to the RC, you cannot connect directly to the tablet without relinking, the opposite is also true.
After successful linking, it will relinking only if your ta let is not connected to another wifi network.
With direct connection, you could have an issue with Android device, CE mode and 5.8G channels. Several Android devices cannot see the 5.8G channels used by the Spark. So pressing the battery button for 3 beep reset wifi to 2.4G, avoiding these hidden channels.
PS: don't forget to turn off Bluetooth on your tablet.

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I connected the RC to my N7 also. I thought I could easily switch between RC with my N7 and just my N7 alone. But seems like this is not the case. I'd rather play it safe and just use the RC as the main connection to the drone due to the more reliable connection to the drone. I've also since purchased a micro USB OTG adaptor so I can have a wired link between my N7 and the RC.

I'll probably also switch my Pixel phone with my N7 so that it fits in the RC grips too. Thanks for the advice regarding switching off bluetooth.

 

[Zoran]

I also use an N7 with my spark but just be mindful when using the OTG cable when it's plugged in you can't check your wifi interference on the channel your flying on, so I suggest you start off with WiFi check your channels make sure everything is clear then plug the OTG cable in before flying.

 

[technoflyer]

PS: don't forget to turn off Bluetooth on your tablet.

What's the reason for turning off bluetooth? Is it just precautionary as it's just one less thing to cause interference?

 

[technoflyer]

I'm not entirely sure but I think the Android feature where it uses mobile data connection if the WiFi connect you're attached to doesn't have internet was causing problems. Because once it was connected to the Spark via WiFi, it (obviously) couldn't find internet on that connection so it was using the mobile data connection. However, this feature was preventing the DJI App from realising it had a connection to the Spark. Only when I disabled my mobile data connection did it recognise it was connected to the Spark via WiFi. Anyway, it's taken a lot longer to get up to speed with it but I'm getting there. Still watching more beginner youtube videos to fill the gaps in my knowledge but so far so good. I only did indoor test flights though as I'm not next to any suitable outdoor areas and I wanted to get a feel for the controls and features a little before taking it out into the real world.

It's extremely annoying that switching control between the dedicated RC and the mobile control is such a faff. I wish there was a quicker and easier way to do this. Also, how loud is the DJI beeping? Happy for it to have loud beeping for when there's an important warning but the beeping for when pairing could be half the volume.

 

[Dronason]

What's the reason for turning off bluetooth? Is it just precautionary as it's just one less thing to cause interference?

Bluetooth generate interference all other the 2.4G band. This will affect operation when the Spark is fare away and operates at 2.4G and it will usually make the Spark to use 5.8G instead of 2.4G, especially in a country where CE mode is applied.

 

[Dronason]

I'm not entirely sure but I think the Android feature where it uses mobile data connection if the WiFi connect you're attached to doesn't have internet was causing problems. Because once it was connected to the Spark via WiFi, it (obviously) couldn't find internet on that connection so it was using the mobile data connection. However, this feature was preventing the DJI App from realising it had a connection to the Spark. Only when I disabled my mobile data connection did it recognise it was connected to the Spark via WiFi. Anyway, it's taken a lot longer to get up to speed with it but I'm getting there. Still watching more beginner youtube videos to fill the gaps in my knowledge but so far so good. I only did indoor test flights though as I'm not next to any suitable outdoor areas and I wanted to get a feel for the controls and features a little before taking it out into the real world.

It's extremely annoying that switching control between the dedicated RC and the mobile control is such a faff. I wish there was a quicker and easier way to do this. Also, how loud is the DJI beeping? Happy for it to have loud beeping for when there's an important warning but the beeping for when pairing could be half the volume.

In general I would say that flying without the RC is a no go for me. It would be only in a case of an emergency situation as I would expect nothing good with the Spark (my initial experience with the Spark without RC). So having it not so easy to switch between RC and direct phone connection don't seems to be a drama for me.

 

[smallman28]

Yep,found it a massive ball ache trying to do updates with a phone and having to switch between internet wifi and Spark/controller wifi,not helped by the fact that it just totally ignores the mobile/4G data connection as a source to download the updates.
Also doesn't help that I couldn't find any mention of the process through official DJI channels.

 

[Zoran]

That's the only problem I find with the spark...the silly wifi connect from device to RC, let's hope that DJI officially support the OTG cable sooner rather than later!

 

[PlznMySoul]

The other issue is that my N7 is too big to fit in the controller (I should have checked before). So I'll probably need to go through the setup process again on my Google Pixel instead.

I use a NEXUS 7 Gen 2 and it fits in the controller. Yes...initially you think it's just a tad too big but slow and steady it will slide in. Once you get used to putting it in, you will be fine.

Wow... That almost sounded like a PORN story