DJI Map & Radar Display: Hidden Functions that Really Help you Fly

[@IaninLondon]

Forgot to mention the blue dot goes green when you're facing the drone as at 5:10. Happy flying everyone and remember to ignore any replies using my photo asking to get it touch for a prize (that doesn't exist!). 👍🏻

[@kayberry6292]

Yes, you need to keep green the little arrow attached to the RC in radar view if you want to maximise signal range. Trouble is, it's so small that it's not always easy to see when it changes from green to blue so maybe two more contrasty colours should have been chosen.

[@alexthai4957]

WOW! Awesome production and valuable content. Flying almost 4 months and never knew this function existed. Seen over 50-100 DJI drone related videos and never saw this mentioned. Will certainly reduce stress knowing my exact position relative to the drone. Clouds, haze, and other elements can cause even the most responsible pilot to momentarily lose sight of the drone. Well done, thanks again! Liked and subbed based on this video.

[@2big2climb]

Great job explaining this, thank you

[@joseph-n8y]

Very nice.good explanation.thanks

[@DroneShowLive]

I just don’t understand why the CAA doesn’t except this as an aid to help us know where the drone is. But then recently I just don’t understand the stance the CAA are taking towards drone operators in the last few months. The CAA used to be indecisive now they just don’t know. Great information as always Ian 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

I agree. Pilots on manned aircraft rely on instruments to assist in navigation all the time.

[@noseeum6385]

Excellent lesson. Just getting started and it’s one icon at a time. You are spot on about the manual; worst technical document to accompany any product. Ever.

[@translumination2002]

Such a critical piece of information to find out in which direction your drone is. After I do a orbit good knows where the drone is.

[@grahamniven]

You can also use two finger pinch gesture to zoom in/out on the full screen map view and also drag the map about with one finger.

[@davidsneyd6844]

Another great bit of help, as always :) I fly all the time with the radar screen, makes life so much easier when you lose sight of the drone in sunlight or whatever. Quick check and you find it and re orientate yourself and drone, and carry on.

[@tjcuneo]

I use the radar all of the time and as you found it to be very useful. Thanks for the very well done video covering the map/radar display.

[@richardstewart4866]

Thanks Ian your videos are always so informative and reassuring.

[@atcautoelec]

Yet another informative vid, expertly delivered and crystal clear delivery. Well done Ian.

[@IaninLondon]

Thank you 🤠👍🏻

[@adewilson7993]

Want to say thanks Ian very helpful tips, I've just started flying with the DJI spark I'm definitely learning every tip is appreciated 👍

[@hitsounds]

Great info - in one video an actual user of a drone tells you what the manufacturer seems incapable of doing, and also tells you how to properly maintain awareness of location and orientation without acquiring superhuman vision - as the guidelines would expect you to have. If only the product guidelines and government legislation were outsourced to responsible users instead of passionless capitalists and bureaucrats.

[@Synergypartnersnl]

This was exactly was i was looking for! Thanks a lot !

[@fredguernsey2732]

As always - yet another great video from you - thanks so much - Fred, Guernsey

[@DigitalJunior2003]

I didn't know some of the information so very useful for me to have someone explain it thanks

[@pauloborges-xz3xi]

Always learning how to be a better pilot, thank you for all the help you have provided, keep on the great work, I am waiting for your next video, because your tips are really helpful.

[@IaninLondon]

Thank you 👍🏻

[@grumpyclark]

I saw a similar tuition a while ago from Mattheww Brennan and started using it, but one day I panicked and didn't know where my drone was in relation to me or which way it was facing. I forgot to look at the radar and just looked up to see if I could visually see it. End result - Tree - Crash. Practice makes perfect I suppose. Many thanks Ian :)

[@mediamannaman]

This is very useful info. Thank you.

[@xmaarten]

Great man thanks! And having to predownload maps sucks, why did DJI change this anyway?

[@BjEddy1]

Interesting for sure I wasn’t aware this worked like this

[@JesusGomezMartinez-fv6dx]

Excellent explanation. Greetings from Mexico 🇲🇽

[@IaninLondon]

Greetings and thanks for the good words!

[@martinhlavac1657]

Thanks a lot Ian, it is fine to see you again. BTW, even your dog too :)

[@IaninLondon]

Thanks for the good words! :)

[@dwkdrones]

Really well explained Ian

[@illiyakuryakin3092]

Very useful information, Ian. Now I would appreciate you making a video explaining the use of the micro SD cards in the drone and the controller. Thank you.

[@georgekelly1948]

Thanks for the overview, Ian. I almost always use the map view, but you have convinced me to use the radar view more often. When I get more used to the radar view, I will probably adopt it as you have. Cheers from Wisconsin, USA.

[@IaninLondon]

Thanks George! I think you only need the map when you've crashed..... ;)

[@dronelandingzone]

Nice! Great explanation of the screen and maps! Thank you for taking the time and effort for putting this together!

[@JocksDrones]

Great explanation Ian,thanks for sharing mate : )

[@summerzaddy4554]

Very useful tips

[@metheult]

Ian I need to sit down with you sometime with cold beers out your backgarden on a summer evenning and have you show me the A to Z on drones. Six months under my belt with the Mini 2 and followed by the Mavic 3 Classic two months later. Mini 2 so user friendly out of the box.........the Mavic!!! super performance but that camera is going to take many many more KZbin content video's to master. Thanks a million mate for your input into the community Jay 45 Ireland

[@phix1742]

Nice explanation. Only one thing missing, the direction of the controller pointing to the drone. Turns from blue into green when the controller is ponting in the direction of the drone. This is important additional information.

[@IaninLondon]

Good point! You see this at 5:10 when I'm showing the orientation....

[@phix1742]

@@IaninLondon right, it's visible in the video. Maybe a short explanation would have been helpful.

[@IaninLondon]

​@@phix1742 Yep, I've pinned a comment now 👍🏻

[@phix1742]

@@IaninLondon This is great. The video ist very helpful, many drone pilots are not aware about these helpful and important functions.

[@kamikazekaos]

​@@phix1742don't fly if ur not aware

[@chrisgill5532]

Great stuff Ian - thanks! I'm new to all this, and have quickly discovered that the VLOS requirement makes most of the flights I am interested in impossible. It's one thing to follow a drone in the sky, but entirely something else to find it again after you have spent a few seconds looking at the controller screen to set up your shots. Without exception, I have found it impossible. So I can either fly within the rules, or I can shoot pics and video. I can't do both. This leads me to ask: who (in the UK, in particular) represents the views of drone users in influencing CAA policy? Seems to me we need an organised campaign to get a more realistic policy.

[@IaninLondon]

Sadly we don't seem to have much say with what we really want from the CAA. Their view is that you must be able to control the drone if the screen fails. My view is that I just need to know up from down as down is where I would move the drone if things went wrong...

[@ChrisGulliford]

Thanks another great helpful video . Tried mine today, not sure if an issue but the direction doesn’t reconcile, with the dji, for example I was flying north with my controller also pointing north (dji in site as always) but had to turn and face east to see correct status on the radar screen Any ideas? I’ve calibrated the etc, but no difference.

[@esanford]

Great video....

[@henryD9363]

At last! A clear, understandable and comprehensible explanation of how this map thing works! The DJI user's manual has about three cryptic lines that explain nothing. Now that you 've described it, I would agree with your choice of putting the pilot at the center and the drone in the radar display. We always have the distance away so the radar screen does not have to indicate that. Makes sense now. Thank you!

[@mikestone9129]

This is the first video I have found showing this important information. Thanks so much for it.

[@PhreddCrintt]

Once again, an excellent video Ian. Thank you. I too, am a firm user of the 'RADAR' version of that display but he map has it's place when needed. 😁😉

[@lynsmith1096]

Good tips again Ian.

[@IaninLondon]

Cheers Lyn!

[@meibing4912]

That little "hidden" Radar Screen is a life saver when the drone is out of sight!

[@MarkO.80]

Ref- CAA update on VLOS- Its like knowing what speed you driving at but without (and not allowed to be) looking at the speedometer

[@elsabiopr]

great vid, ian. For the vlos (day or night) I use a Firehouse Technology Arc "V" Drone Strobe Light. Using the red light of the strobe works for me. On a clear I am able to see over a mile away

[@AshraRai]

I was wondering how to get to that radar screen. I think I will be able to find after watching this video. Thank you very mych.

[@kamikazekaos]

Very worrying Ian...to know some drone users don't know how to navigate thru the app menu😕, or not know what is what....

[@IaninLondon]

Not everyone has the skills or mindset to explore and remember ever single menu option. Easy to fall into habits. I'm sure I only use 0.1% of Premiere Pro's functions 😀

[@PH-md8xp]

Great video, super helpful. FYI - DJI calls that “little radar screen” an Attitude indicator.

[@harleynut1961]

Great video a new flyer . Can you please say how you changed the radar to a dark background rather than the default white background?

[@IaninLondon]

I thought the radar display is always black, whereas the map layout is white.

[@wb4514]

I'm a brand new DJI Mini 3 Pro user and find your videos very helpful. I freak out when the little guy goes out of sight ! Beautiful property you have there !

[@jimburnetto]

mini 2 se owner here--thank you for this. It's hard to find useful info on the dji fly app. Appreciate the efforts

[@uranoscopist6090]

Thank you for all this. To lessen the impact of the CAA's recent folly, requirement to be able to SEE the aircraft's orientation, perhaps DJI and other manufacturers might bring back a facility offered by the old Phantom Vision 2: the controller could be set so that forward movement of the right stick caused the aircraft to move directly away from the user, even if this meant its flying sideways or backwards, as normally considered. The concept of orientation would thus be practically meaningless, there being no inherent forward direction.

[@IaninLondon]

That's a good point. Headless Mode is what other models call that. Pros and cons of that mode.......🤔

[@youjaymair]

Thanks for the description of the map/radar, really useful stuff, definitly easier to understand than the manual.

[@waddac2]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@eastwoodsadventures]

Unless I am flying with the added strobe light I have, I have no clue which way the drone (mini 2) is facing just looking at it less than 20m away when the sky is the ssme colour as the drone where I have full signal to show me via camera view and the radar/map view exactly the direction it is pointing. Even if I can't see which way it's pointing I always know that I can drop altitude to avoid any other air traffic. CAA really need to give their heads a wobble

[@IaninLondon]

Yes. Down is the only direction you need to know!

[@eastwoodsadventures]

@Ian in London shame we know that but CAA don't seem to grasp it

[@mjklein]

I keep the radar display visible at all times. I normally don't use the map but I do always update or preload the maps just in case I need them. Thanks for the clear explanation, Ian.

[@wakeywarrior]

This is the only thing I can use to bring the drone back, following the line back. How else to do it if don’t use return to home? See you can use the radar. Do people regularly just press return to home instead? I’ve never used it.

[@grazzasfreshwaterfishing]

Thanks, Ian - as a user of the Mini 3 Pro, I learnt a lot from the video, very helpful. Grazza from 🇦🇺

[@Stone1108]

Thanks Ian, as ever, always useful information, that keeps us honed to fly better and safer. 👍

[@jesusgjchuza6491]

Cool🤝😎

[@andypc14]

Great video - your comment re CAA (be able to physically see your drones orientation) made me laugh. Does this mean for example, a 787 captain has to use VFR to get me to Kenya next month - they need to apply the basics of risk vs probability to their drone regs!!

[@TheNorfolkBowyer]

I just set mine up exactly the same this morning 🤙 I’ve got two green flashing led’s on the rear & two blue on the front, they really help with orientation day & night 😁

[@jasonpundek6358]

Just got my Mini 2SE.....noe learning Maps and Radar...Thank you for the info sir.

[@ThePeteW]

It's crazy that this very useful functionality is so hidden and a bit fiddly to use with those "hidden" touch points. The only bit that could have been added was the attitude of the drone in respect to the horizon - the pitch (you mentioned the left/right). But this is useful also to see if how much the drone is pitched and give an indication of the wind strength e.g. if drone is pitched forward with no input from you, it is dealing with a head wind (and vice versa)

[@thecorbies]

I think you'll find that the pitch of the aircraft IS shown on the 'radar' image. The displayed horizon will be above or below the horizontal line.

[@ThePeteW]

@@thecorbies Sorry, I was unclear. Only bit in the *video* that was missed was the ability of the radar to show the pitch which as you rightly say, it does

[@IaninLondon]

Thanks gents; yes, I mentioned the horizon tilting when flying but only mentioned sideways, not forwards and back....

[@gusm2752]

Great information thanks. I’m new to this and wasn’t aware of what you just explained. Got the Mini 3 Pro last summer and just bought the Mavic 3 Classic. A lot to learn still. These things are incredible. 👍

[@Tyberius1]

I've had my drone since last year and I learned a few new things from this video. Very informative, thanks!

[@charlesmarkman9776]

The other day I lost access to the screen, although it didn't go blank. In mid-flight DJI just filled my screen with a notification that I needed to upload the flight data that had been accumulating since I don't know when. I didn't panic but I didn't push forward either. I stopped and hovered until I could figure out how to clear the screen.

[@paulegan7250]

Thanks mate, I really appreciate the info this is so useful maybe the one most important thing to know, thanks for sharing.

[@ABPhotography1]

is it possible to display the compass bearing of the drone in the direction its taking a picture? Great video Ian.

[@IaninLondon]

On the Minis, the camera is usually the same direction as the drone itself. On the maps view, you can lock the North or have it as per the direction of the drone (like sat nav) by tapping the top left button

[@Morphaplasm]

Another informative vid! Thanks Ian for sharing your knowledge. Love seeing the dogs in your vids too! 🙂

[@Stefan_Boerjesson]

Great video for us being new. Actually tested the radar map the other day, just to make sure I could use it. Standing on a wide beach and the drone is "somewhere" out over the sea, in what direction is home?... If the telemetry is lost... how will that function work? Faced that not long ago and then testing new functions was not an option....

[@mstevens113]

I had the app crash on my phone once. Lost sight of the drone trying to get it working then couldn't spot it again. That was interesting... That's something I like about the new remote, much less fiddly and less to go wrong.

[@TheFlyingfarmer28170]

Thank You! I recently bought a dji mini 3 and did not know that. Have a Great Day!

[@calvin14888]

I found that this radar is very useful on strong wind situation I can keep track of how the drone is doing in the sky. It even shows where the drone's pitched.

[@TheAshantidutch]

Great info, again, thank for your advice as I now have the A2 Cof C

[@OrangeManStan]

So are we saying that if you cannot visible see the direction of the drone you are breaking the law? I would guess any more than 40 meters it would be very difficult to tell. Is that correct?

[@IaninLondon]

You're breaking their guidance, which isn't technically the law, but could be used against you if you caused an accident....

[@OrangeManStan]

Thanks Ian, I see. Not quite so concerning

[@Petrus_Images]

Thank you very much for your input. I have two questions that I want to share with you, in case you know the answer: 1 When selecting "find my drone" on the controller, it shows two options, option 1 Other maps and option 2, emit visual and sound signals. How useful is the other maps option and how can I use it? 2 when you enter Settings, Networks and Internet, it shows the available networks and at the end it shows Add network with an icon like a QR code, when you press the QR icon, it shows "Scan the QR code, scan the QR code to connect to the Wi-Fi network, how can you scan the QR if you don't have a camera? Thanks a lot

[@AndrewUxcentric]

Thanks, just one question, is the North point in the Radar view accurate in both drone centered and pilot centered view? Have you ever had any issues with the north point being incorrect? Happens to me some times, not sure why.

[@duncangatland6021]

Thank you Ian. A lot of very useful information contained here. I was looking to see how the RC updates the maps when it has no SIM card. I use a dedicated phone for my Mini 2 controller and hotspot it for maps, just as you say for the RC. Info required in purchase decision for Mini4 Pro. Nothing in the DJI hand book and until now nothing else that I've found on the web. Appreciated, along with the other lessons within.

[@NorthernKitty]

Some DJI drones have a "home lock" or "course lock" headless mode, where orientation of the drone doesn't matter. Push the stick away and it flies away from you. Pull the stick back and it flies toward you. I wonder if this would comply with the VLOS definition they provide? If so, then as long as your drone has this mode available, you are in compliance. Although I can see them requiring that you are able to switch to this mode using just the controller without using the screen interface, otherwise it's the same potential problem as relying on the map functions.

[@matmackenzie]

I actually had my camera (only) fail mid flight, so - whilst I still had full control of the drone - I had no visual view to refer to on the RC. I used a combination of the radar view and VLOS to fly it back. Unlike you I find the ‘drone at centre’ more useful, as it’s easier to know if the drone is heading directly back or is still a bit ‘off’.

[@harryhorton976]

Great informative Video Ian - Thank You (UK)

[@AllMy78s]

Thanks for explaining the radar part...

[@jimgunderson6439]

I can’t seem to get my radar full screen view like I can with the map or video feed. Is this possible and or how do you enlarge the radar screen? Thank you!

[@petrjanek7763]

hi Ian radar version of map not showing on Iphones...weird..

[@vincegp]

As always, I am amazed at how you figure these things out Ian! Thanks for sharing, makes a lot of sense now.

[@skeeterstube]

Nice one Ian. Already knew however found it a great refresher. Thanks for taking the time and sharing.

[@Ron-w3m]

I have a mimi 2 se since a few months. Radar shoes up fine but the grren/blue 'horizon' doesn't show. is this normal for the mini 2 se?

[@Blueskyver]

Super useful review, Ian. Thank you!

[@aquaclean]

Hi, I have a mini 2 SE and the option "please check it on the map" is lost I only ear "home point is been updated, do you know how to get this part back. Thank you

[@weseehowcommiegoogleis3770]

I've got a mini 2 and a mini 3 that the arrows for drone and controller act 180 degrees off.?? I don't know if it was an app update or what did it. 2 complete different packages?

[@aloeisthestuff9622]

As I want to understand more, I find the Arrow on the blue/green dot on mine always points in the wrong direction. How can some thing be so precise but yet so far off?

[@Truths_Sayer]

Thanks.. New information I learned

[@johnstonlarry]

Thanks from Michigan USA

[@baxter6504]

The "Radar View" is actually called the Attitude Indicator.

[@einyv]

Question I have the RC controller. Does it need to paired to my phone's hotspot in order for RTH / home point position to be updated?

[@IaninLondon]

Yes. Check the linked videos. It need WiFi and internet to update the maps

[@ianmcat]

No, it doesn't need to be paired to the hotspot to be able to update the RTH/Home point. Also you can choose to update to current location of the drone, location of the controller or somewhere else which you manually select. You only need wifi if you want to download or cache a detailed map from the internet.

[@MWB_logic_reason_respect]

Thank first video I have seen in this! Marcelo in Kent

[@offbeatwarble]

Handy video cheers. I've noticed if you tap the map it puts a blue pin on it, it doesn't seem to actually do anything and can't clear it? Do you know what it's for?

[@nbrettoner]

Hi Ian, 8:24 the radar is showing you (centre circle) in green, as well as the direction you (and the controller) are facing (adjacent green triangle). This also is a thing people may not be aware of. I find it an encouragement to know I'm sort of 'locked on' to the drone this way. I'm pretty sure you've covered this somewhere else, but am mentioning it here for those who may not know about it. It's so refreshing to come and check out "what's next" here with you. And that refreshing begins simply by reading "Ian in London". Because where you actually live and do so much of your wonderful drone exploits and generous well~thought~out sharing and teaching from, must be the very antipode of your brilliant 'handle' here.

[@IaninLondon]

Thanks for the good words! Yes, forgot to mention the green in the video but pinned a comment on that. I need to work out what advice to film next....... :)

[@vincegp]

@@IaninLondon how about something involving the Avata? Maybe around different Simulator choices, manual mode flying, accessories for drones, and my biggest issue, finding one bag, to put my 3 favourite drones in, complete with extra batteries and accessories, the Mini-3 Pro, the Air 2S and the Avata, with the proper sticks FPV remote and motion controller and also my DJI Osmo Action 3 camera.

[@es1951]

i think when you said pitch you meant roll. the absolute orientation feature is also available in the map mode. i mean when you turn and point to the drone the red line points to the drone when you are facing it. thanks for the video i am sure it helped many people

[@manuoz3545]

is the blue arrow is the camera side of the drone right ? sorry silly question

[@northwind7409]

When flying my Mini 2, I had my iPhone shut off once in mid-flight. Fortunately, the drone was only about 50 meters out in front of me, so landing was no problem. My biggest regret was not getting video of the flight of ravens that passed by my drone, including one that swooped to within 1 meter of the drone. VLOS really helps, as does the DJI RC that came with my Mini 3 Pro.

[@leexgx]

After 10 seconds it should have returned to home on its own

[@paulhoward979]

Great vid, simple yet accurate! Nice one 👍

[@TwoFourCharlie007]

That was such a useful tutorial, Thanks Ian👍