INAV Configurator for Chrome — Tips, Tricks & Troubleshooting

Best Practices Using INAV Configurator for ChromeiNav Configurator for Chrome is a Chrome-based application used by drone pilots and multirotor enthusiasts to configure flight controllers running iNav firmware. It provides a graphical interface for setting up sensors, tuning PID loops, assigning auxiliary functions, and flashing firmware. To get reliable flight performance and avoid common pitfalls, follow these best practices below.

1. Prepare before connecting

• Backup your current configuration. Before making any changes, export and save a full backup of your current iNav configuration. This lets you revert quickly if a new change causes unexpected behavior.
• Update software safely. Ensure both iNav Configurator (Chrome app/extension) and your flight controller firmware are compatible. Read changelogs for breaking changes, and avoid upgrading mid‑season or right before a big flight event.
• Charge batteries and secure props. Remove or secure props when connecting, powering, or testing—propellers moving unexpectedly are a major safety risk. Use a bench battery or a safe power method and ensure voltage is adequate for the controller and peripherals.

2. Use the correct drivers and USB settings

• Install the right drivers. Most flight controllers require virtual COM port drivers (e.g., CP210x, STM32/BOSSA) on Windows. Mac and Linux usually handle drivers better but verify if you need assignments or udev rules on Linux.
• Select the correct COM/port. In Configurator choose the port that corresponds to your device. If the Configurator fails to connect, try another USB cable or port, and toggle the controller’s bootloader/DFU mode if flashing is required.
• Avoid USB hubs during flashing. Direct connection to your PC reduces the chance of disconnects while writing firmware.

3. Flash firmware with care

• Read the firmware notes. Choose the appropriate iNav build for your flight controller hardware and features (e.g., GPS, barometer). Avoid experimental builds unless you need a specific fix.
• Calibrate after flashing. Flashing may reset settings. After flashing, re-calibrate sensors—accelerometer, magnetometer (compass), barometer—and re-check all the configuration pages.
• Use full erase only when needed. A full erase can clear problematic settings but requires you to reconfigure everything. Use it if you suspect corruption or mixed-profile problems.

4. Sensor calibration and orientation

• Accelerometer calibration. Place the aircraft on a perfectly level surface and complete accelerometer calibration in the Configurator. If your craft has angled mounts, set sensor alignment/orientation correctly in the CLI or the configuration page.
• Compass calibration. Calibrate the magnetometer outdoors away from large metal objects and electronics. Follow the on‑screen prompts and perform rotations slowly.
• Barometer placement and calibration. Ensure the barometer is mounted in a location with minimal airflow and not near ESCs or motors. Enable barometer calibration after mounting to avoid altitude drift.

5. Receiver and input setup

• Confirm receiver protocol. Set the correct receiver type (SBUS, CRSF, PWM, DSMX, etc.) and ensure your radio and receiver are bound and working before flight.
• Center trims and endpoints. Verify channel center values and endpoints in Configurator’s Receiver tab: all channels should show correct movement and centers near the expected values (e.g., 1500 µs).
• Failsafe configuration. Program failsafe behavior in both the transmitter and iNav to ensure controlled behavior (e.g., drop, land, or hold) on signal loss.

6. Flight modes, auxiliary switches, and safety

• Use dedicated auxiliary switches. Map flight modes, buzzer, turtle mode, and other functions to distinct switches or combinations—keep critical functions on easy, reliable switches.
• Test modes on the bench. With props off, change modes and verify responses (arming, disarming, beeper, receiver failsafe) to ensure correct assignment.
• Enable arming checks. Keep arming checks active—these prevent arming if sensors are uncalibrated or the GPS/compass is not ready. Temporarily disable only for bench testing, never for normal flight.

7. PID tuning and filtering

• Start from recommended defaults. Use the firmware’s recommended PID and filter defaults for your frame and motor size as a baseline.
• Tune incrementally. Make small adjustments to P/I/D values one axis at a time. Document changes and test in short hover/flight tests.
• Use filtering wisely. Enable gyro/gyro_denom, notch, or biquad filters only as needed to remove vibrations. Over-filtering can add latency and reduce responsiveness; under-filtering can cause oscillations.
• Log and analyze. Use blackbox logging to record flights and analyze oscillations, motor noise, or control loop performance. iNav logs help pinpoint whether problems are mechanical, tuning-related, or sensor-noise related.

8. Performance and telemetry

• Configure telemetry channels. Set up useful telemetry (battery voltage, GPS status, RSSI, flight mode) on your OSD or radio to monitor health in flight.
• OSD layout. Customize the OSD so critical data is easy to read without cluttering the screen. Prioritize battery voltage, altitude, GPS satellites, and flight mode.
• Battery profiling. Use voltage and remaining percentage telemetry to estimate safe flight duration. Check battery sag under load and adjust throttle limits if needed.

9. Troubleshooting common issues

• If Configurator won’t detect the flight controller: try a different USB cable, switch USB ports, install drivers, or boot into DFU/bootloader mode.
• If compass or GPS shows poor reception: check mounting location, re-run calibration, ensure there’s no magnetic interference from power wires or antennas.
• If oscillations occur after changes: revert to the last known-good backup and retune incrementally; inspect frame for loose parts, motor bearings, or bent props.
• If failsafe behaves unexpectedly: verify receiver binding, check channel mapping, and test on the bench with props removed.

10. Maintain a good workflow & documentation

• Version control settings. Keep dated backups after major configuration changes or firmware updates (store alongside firmware version and flight controller type).
• Change log. Maintain a simple changelog: what changed, why, who changed it, and test results. This speeds troubleshooting.
• Community resources. Use iNav’s official docs, forums, and flight log communities for frame-specific PID recommendations and problem‑solving examples—but validate suggestions in small steps.

Quick checklist before flight

• Props off: verify receiver inputs, flight modes, arming, and failsafe.
• Calibrations: accelerometer, magnetometer, and barometer confirmed.
• Batteries: charged and mounted properly; voltage telemetry working.
• Logs: blackbox enabled if testing tuning changes.
• Safety: propellers installed securely, range check completed, flight area safe.

Following these best practices when using iNav Configurator for Chrome will help you achieve safer flights, more reliable performance, and faster troubleshooting.