The link references the
Responsiveness Movement Parameter (in app the settings). Finding a set of default values for the Mode Controls and Settings that accommodate all follow scenarios (speeds, wind conditions, course corrections, etc), is very difficult, but we are continuing to try to automate as much as possible. When automation proves too difficult or impossible, that is when we choose to expose a control or setting and leave it at the user's discretion.
In the video, were you using the Inspire RC as the Leader location source?
What version of Autopilot were you using?
Can you email the flight logs for that video to
[email protected]?
Are you saying the exposure settings that you selected in GO didn't stick when you switched to Autopilot, or are you saying they usually do stick, but didn't for this one particular shoot? We are planning to add camera settings eventually, but it will be after other higher priority features, such as Waypoint Mode.
I though that F and P are identical with respect to GPS assist - it isn't until you switch to A when you disable to the GPS.
The settings in Follow were for Focus/Subject/Leader. Leader was set to Operator. It was set to Course with a bearing initially of 180º, then changed to 276º. Also says altitude 50ft., distance 69 ft. No offset.
I can't find anything on this, but could it be that the bird mimics any movement by me, the operator, while I am holding the RC/iPad and turning around to watch the bird (the 180º is relative to the direction the iPad is pointing?)? Hopefully not.
The software is the newest consumer/paid version 2.0.37 on an Inspire 1 using iOS 8.3.
I'll email the logs to you.
On the Responsiveness, I am quite confused about this. I had a very, very light wind situation (as can be seen in the video), and a <5 MPH boat speed. That would seem to be a very "basic" situation for following a bike, person, etc. The explanation in your online material is simply not very clear.
Do I need to turn it way up to 5 seconds for "normal" yacht following? Do I need to spend a battery to figure out what will work at each shoot, then go back and fly a second time with an adjusted setting? If so, is there a chance of something going wrong while I play with the Responsiveness settings?
I guess I am thinking that this setting needs a clearer explanation and some suggested settings for particular wind/vehicle speeds, if that is what the difference is (assuming the wind speed is always fairly light, no high wind situation). I felt very frustrated that this skipper was burning up fuel and I was getting crap for video, and it seemed there was nothing I had done wrong based on my testing on land (walking in front of the bird at the same settings I used for the yacht shoot).
Perhaps you could try to explain this apparently very critical setting with suggested settings for some common scenarios. It's just not practical to experiment while out over the water with fuel burning and tying people's time up. And can the setting even be changed while the Follow mode is engaged? If not, a lot of time can be wasted starting and stopping a yacht for a Follow mode setup and adjustment.
Some type of starting point based on what you're going to shoot would be helpful. All I know right now after reading that online help section several times is that the 1 Second setting does not work at all! A wasted shoot.
On the P vs F mode for landing, I don't know if its the same with GPS positioning. When I was landing, the bird was quite twitchy, drifting a bit with the wind, etc. It was in the F mode, so I only suspected perhaps it was not using GPS for positioning, but it could have been other factors (boat drift, etc.).
On the exposure issue, not sure what happened. When I have used AP, I always set GO vid settings to AE, had an ND/CP filter on the bird, and when shooting with Go/Pilot have always had decent results with the exposure adjusting pretty well as needed under simialr circumstances. But with this first shoot on the water using AP, it's clear that the AE did not auto expose. Why, I haven't a clue. The only thing I can pass along is that it auto exposes ok when flying/shooting with Go, but did not with AP.
Perhaps you can also clarify the situation on 2 apps connecting with the bird. Having the bird out over the water, I felt uncomfortable about switching back to Go to try to readjust the exposure settings. When this was happening, I flashed back to discussions earlier in this thread about the Inspire not being able to connect to 2 apps. Thus not wanting to see the bird fly away, autoland in the water, etc., I did not try to switch back to the Go app to make exposure adjusts.
Given the nature of flying over water and its consequences, is it okay to switch between apps (assuming you' re disengaged from a mode)? Do I lose my landing altitude reference, etc.? And, yes, having some exposure/cam controls within the app is, I think, important based on this experience. I have no problem switching apps if that is safe to do.
Overall, I love the app and its potential. I feel it needs some fine tuning, but more importantly, it needs much clearer instructions on some of the use and settings. I've been shooting professionally for almost 50 years, so understand cameras, settings, etc., but do have a hard time with several sections of your on line help/Fight School. As others have said, it would be very helpful to explain some of the settings using examples and typical settings. Many of us simply don't have the time to go out and practice using every possible setting change just to find out what is does or how it affects flight. And we can't arrange yachts for practicing like that either. Some suggested examples would save us from making the costly mistake I made on this shoot.
Keep up the good work. Looking forward to the upcoming improvements. And thanks for the great personal support you guys are providing.