I’m still in the early stages of owning my DJI Mavic Mini (Flight distance: 58773 ft) and as with everything new you don’t expect to have an issue so soon (unless you have crashed into a tree or your own face) after buying your new toy.
I however had a “Motor Speed Error” message on only my 10th flight. My lack of experience firstly had me in a panic with the bird still in the sky; a quick RTH while thinking that it is not going to make it back; but I got her home without an issue.
It indicated that the rear left propellers needed changing out for a new one. On inspection I couldn’t see any signs of anything wrong with it. No chips or damage or even any warping to the propellers that I could see with my eye.
Previous to this issue I had seen a small amount of chat online about something to do with the last firmware update driving an excessive amount of people into ordering new Propellers, but I just didn’t think that this issue should be anything to do with me and my new MM. Now that I have looked into it a bit myself; it seems that there is an actual issue but is it a money grab, safety, or something else.
Everyone agrees that the error message that people are seeing started with the Firmware update V01.00.0500
A video from QC Guy seems to suggest the issue is “not a big deal” and that as long as you have checked your props to make sure you are happy; you should just fly on. He suggests that the error is caused because of a small voltage difference in the motors due to a “bad prop”. He is suggesting that if you didn’t have this update everything would be fine as long as you are checking your props over before you get in the air. He says that the error is a “false alarm”.
Ignacio Moreno has simplified the issue down to just how people have been storing the Mavic Mini in the Fly more case. The props are just getting pressure on them while they are in the case and they are being damaged.
Jay Cents seems to think that the issue can be fixed by doing the firmware update using the DJI Assistant software on your computer instead of using the DJI Fly app. Then completing a IMU Calibration will complete the fix.
The official word from DJI: CLICK HERE
DJI is saying that the issue is an RTFM, Read the fucking manual situation and that everyone just needs to chill out and look at the little sticker that is in the Fly More Case that tells you how to put the Drone in the case.
A few posts on Reddit have hinted that the changes in the firmware increases the sensitivity of the Motor Speed Sensor and was just a way of drive additional sales of Props. Several people say that DJI is out of stock of MM Propeller since the last update and this change in the reason.
My take… RTFM
A friend purchased his new MM around the same time as I did and has not had any “Motor Speed Error” on his MM. The only difference between him and me… I got the Fly More Combo, he didn’t. I haven’t read any of the instructions, if I had I wouldn’t have been putting my MM in the case the way I have; the wrong way. I think what DJI has done is the right thing by improving the firmware to better detects possible errors and help prevent your bird from falling out of the sky. I think I would prefer to have this error if I do have a slightly warped prop and protect my MM from the worst. The other thing I have realized is that I need to check my IMU calibration once i have worked out what the hell that is. As far as a money grab; I do believe that they are going to make a killing on the number of props that they will sell off the back of this change. From a PR point of view if birds start to drop out of the sky and its found that DJI had a way of detecting the issue but did nothing, that would be a bigger problem than prop buying kickoffs. DJI is refining their product to be better and this will carry over to make future products better and that can only be a good thing.
Thoughts?
