Geofencing / NFZ came to the Auto
Evo II Pro with firmware update 2.725. I immediately unplugged my drone when I saw it implementing some NFZ update without my permission and am on the prior firmware.
The above Auto NFZ website is a portal to upload "approval documents" along with your name and cell phone number in order to unlock the ability to fly your drone in certain areas.
Avoiding this kind of garbage is the reason I bought an Autel in the first place. A few questions:
1) Does installing *any* firmware version after 2.725 also force install of this NFZ system? IE Is it only 2.725 specifically that installs this or any version after will also force install?
2) Are there significant updates to the firmware since 2.725 that fix major problems (I am happy with my drone's functionality and rarely use the advanced autopilot modes like auto-orbit, etc. so can easily do without them, but if there are significant upgrades like fixing level horizon, improving Return To Home feature, etc. it may be worth upgrading)
3) How are people who don't want geofencing of any type dealing with this? Just staying on the old firmware? Using current firmware but hope they don't implement NFZs? (The above website surely indicates they are moving towards locking down flight features, which will only be unlocked through the manufacturer. Of course this is a costly service for Autel to provide, so I expect increased costs and/or reduced service / upgrades in the future.
4) Is the 800m altitude limit also a forced thing in version 2.725, or was it already there? I flew my drone above 400 feet once, way out in the country, just to see what it was like. I can't remember how high I went, but what I found was, somewhere above 100 feet, everything looks basically the same, no matter your altitude, so I don't really care about flying above 100 feet, but at the same time I hate being locked down via software.
I think we have all taken our cars above 65 MPH before, just to see what it's like! Does anyone want a car with a 65MPH governor?
I don't want any limits on my drone. I understand there are irresponsible pilots out there, but I wouldn't have paid the premium price for this product if it was going to be sandboxed. It's bad enough that most of the places I want to fly already prohibit drone photography--now this?!?