As a global leader in drone technology and innovation, we are committed to fostering an open dialogue with the sUAS community. Therefore, we are issuing this open letter to address concerns surrounding our repair services. At DJI, we understand that our customers expect timely and cost-effective solutions for their products.

As frustration mounts, individuals are abandoning their drones due to a pressing issue. Therefore, I am publishing this open letter to DJI via all available contact email addresses, social media accounts, and public relations channels regarding the DJI O3’s compatibility with DJI Goggles 3.

Pricey DJI, 

As a warning to fellow enthusiasts, I would like to highlight an important security concern that arises when combining the DJI O3 Digital FPV Air Unit with the latest DJI Goggles 3. 

When using O3 with Goggles 3, we’ve observed an issue where the FPV stream fails to reestablish the link after sign loss on O3, requiring a disarm command via the MSP show port before connection can be reestablished. 

Regular DJI O2, O3, and O4 Wi-Fi system habits include:

DJI drones utilize a proprietary Wi-Fi protocol for remote controller connectivity, ensuring seamless communication between the drone and controller. 

When a video signal is dropped during transmission, you can reconnect seamlessly upon regaining connection with your goggles when your drone or air unit reenters range. 

Chances are, you’ll experience a brief interruption followed by a seamless recovery; once reconnected, your live stream will resume uninterrupted.

The compatibility issue affects the DJI O3 platform alongside the DJI V2 Goggles, Goggles 2, and Goggles Integra, as well as DJI’s consumer and enterprise-grade drones. 

Despite initial reservations, the combination of DJI O3 and DJI Goggles 3 surprisingly defies these expectations. When the sign loss occurs on the DJI Goggles 3 in conjunction with an O3 air unit disconnection, reconnection to the goggles will not occur unless the air unit is first disarmed via a specific MSP displayport command. 

Without a fleeting signal, the risk of losing control becomes imminent, threatening to ground you instantly; the only viable solution to regain FPV stay view link is to disarm your drone mid-air, a drastic measure that demands swift action to prevent catastrophic consequences. Here’s an alternative way to phrase that sentence: The security of this system is compromised if we don’t find a way to neutralize the O3 air unit, which requires us to locate and disable it.

When operating the O3 air unit in accordance with manufacturer guidelines, users experience difficulties following receipt of a genuine arming command transmitted via MSP DisplayPort through Betaflight. 

After conducting thorough testing, I am pleased to confirm that 

The issue is mainly occurring when using O3 air models in conjunction with DJI Goggles 3; however, DJ O3 air models paired with Goggles 2, Goggles Integra or DJI FPV Goggles V2 will not experience this problem.

I’ve verified these habits on each of the DJI Goggles 3 firmware variations, specifically v01.00.0400 and v01.00.0300, which support O3. 

This confirmation affects all CE and FCC customers equally. 

I’ve independently verified that this phenomenon occurs consistently across both Auto and Guide Channel Modes, as well as all available bandwidth settings. 

Regardless of whether Low Decrease Mode is enabled or disabled, or whether a recording is in progress or not, the issue consistently persists. 

A critical notification is that if the O3 Air Unit fails to arm via MSP, the connection will automatically re-establish as it should always. Without activating the optional MSP arming mechanism in the low-energy mode state, Low energy mode, when enabled, lives up to expectations; however, its effectiveness is limited to extraordinary circumstances that deviate from routine operations. When DJI O3 is activated, it transmits full RF energy only in response to a valid arming command. 

After conducting thorough tests, I have consistently found that this issue is highly replicable across multiple air models, with a success rate of 100%. 

The unreliability of the DJI O3 link is causing customers to crash and even lose their drones, representing a significant security concern due to its persistent failure to function consistently during normal usage; this issue demands urgent attention.

Beyond the initial issues with Goggles 3’s connectivity, I’ve noticed numerous reviews from users experiencing inexplicable video link drops – sometimes out of nowhere, even at close range – which may or may not be connected to this problem, but there appears to be a correlation between the two incidents? 

Currently, utilizing the DJI O3 Air Unit in conjunction with DJI Goggles 3 appears to compromise on the exceptional reliability typically associated with this combination when compared to pairing the DJI O3 Air Unit with the other DJI Goggles models. 

Within the spirit of our company, I have shared this information with the intention of fostering greater awareness, ultimately leading to informed decisions regarding the significant challenges faced by O3 customers utilizing DJI Goggles 3. 

While these improvements won’t directly address the earlier challenge, it’s an opportune moment to highlight potential enhancements for DJI O3 that would significantly benefit the community and further elevate DJI’s impact in such scenarios. 

The DJI O3 Low Energy Mode operates distinctively from its counterparts, specifically the Unique DJI FPV Air Unit and the Air Unit Lite – namely, Caddx Vista and Runcam HyperLink. With earlier air models, pilots can take to the skies without a flight controller requiring an arming command; additionally, they can unlock full RF energy by simply disabling Low Energy Mode. 

The in-depth testing of DJI’s O3 technology has revealed that the low-energy mode option is not functioning consistently. Specifically, when disabling low-energy mode in FCC-regulated areas, the device does not transmit at its full radio frequency (RF) power level.

The full RF energy transmission of ozone (O3) requires a flight controller that provides a valid Media Serial Peripheral Interface (MSP) display port, which can only be achieved by issuing a proper arming command. 

Are we considering a modification that would allow for continuous transmission of full RF energy whenever the low-energy mode is deactivated? 

DJI O3 successfully supports MSP DisplayPort, despite limitations on available font sets. Meanwhile, Betaflight accommodates its requirements, whereas Inav and Ardupilot present more complex demands for icons and fonts due to their broader capabilities. The complexity of utilizing O3 with Inav and other technologies limits accessibility, making it a significant hurdle for many to integrate DJI O3 into their workflow. 

Would it not be a game-changer for the community if DJI introduced the capability to employ custom font packs, mirroring the flexibility offered by cutting-edge digital FPV platforms like HDZero and Avatar HD? This feature would empower users to tailor their experience with DJI O3, elevating the overall enjoyment. 

Unlike its predecessor, the DJI O3 does not offer consumers the option to customize their power level by adjusting the RF energy output, a feature previously available on the original FPV system. 

There are instances where customers may desire to limit or constrain the RF energy output, and we would appreciate the option to manually adjust the maximum RF energy level.

While this challenge bears some resemblance to the initial obstacle mentioned earlier, it does not share a direct connection. All goggles utilised with DJI O3 Air models have encountered an issue where reconnecting the hyperlink is significantly slower following signal loss compared to the native FPV system. The DJI FPV Air Unit and its Lite variant seamlessly reconnected instantly due to their reliable signaling capabilities. Despite appearances, O3 exhibits significant latency, with extended flight periods often resulting in wait times of several minutes being common. 

Optimize O3 hyperlink reconnection when signal strength is sufficiently high. 

Thank you for allowing me to incorporate your valuable input. 

I’m delighted to provide assistance or introduce supplementary technical aspects where needed. 

Kindest Regards 

Ian Lewis 

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