With all due respect, I completely disagree with this statement, and I think this contributes to the issues that occur when GPS is lost.
Auto-landing is a GPS-based feature - it returns either to the launch or to the controller (your choice), but in either case it has to know where it currently is before it can decide where it needs to go. It can't do this without GPS.
The end result is that if you lose GPS in flight, all navigation capabilities are unavailable, including auto-land and hovering. It's an entirely manual bird at that time, which is why you must always keep it in VLOS so you can fly it where you need it to be.
Please note, I'm not criticizing your piloting abilities as I've not experienced what you've described, so I don't know what it's like (maybe the same will happen to me one day and I'll find out). What I want to do is ensure that people understand the ramifications of losing GPS, and not relying on GPS-based features to save them when it happens. I am guessing that when people are experiencing GPS loss, they're panicking and hitting the RTH button and that's causing these issues (emphasis: guessing).
I appreciate the input. Believe me, I want to believe it was pilot error. At least if I know the pilot error was the cause I can learn to avoid it in the future. That being said I really feel drones having GPS turned on by default is a mistake. I would much rather have learned to fly without GPS then turn on GPS. Kind of like teaching a 16-year-old to drive in an autonomous car then giving them a relic from the 60's for their first car. All I know is that the screen was responding, it flew out of line of sight (seemed like it did it on its own) I knew I needed to go UP and LEFT to avoid houses, people etc so I pulled hard and fast in the general direction I wanted to go, which seemed it may have worked then it said it was landing it self. I think at that point I may have been caught up in the moment and figured it would "land itself" as indicated or something.
I think this was a great learning experience however GoPro needs to learn from this. There needs to be far more warning and general overview/training built into the drone regarding GPS loss. It only ever prompted me saying GPS loss would be difficult to fly once it lost it while mid air, so useful at that point.
Final question for you my friend, do you know how to turn off the GPS on Go-Pro Karma? I am sure I can find it but I am away from the drone atm. I am going to take the training wheels off so to speak and take it somewhere safe and keep it low while i learn to rely on VLOS and no GPS. I will use GPS as a "bonus" feature rather than the primary mode of flight. It is concerning though that most people are having GPS issues after the most recent firmware update.
For anyone else reading this, the lesson I learned that I want to share.
1. Take the training wheels off and fly in no GPS mode first and keep it low and slow until you're used to flying without GPS.
2. Scout the zone before flying and then scout the zone from the sky but keep it low, close and slow as you walk the zone making sure it continues to hold GPS. Last thing you want is to punch it to 3000 feet distance and loose GPS.
3. If this is a big purchase for you, plan on keeping it within 1000 feet distance and 200 feet high to stay safe.
4. Don't rely on the camera as your window for driving, it will cut out and if your out of VLOS (visual line of sight) your pretty screwed.
5. GET INSURANCE. GoPro offers a coverage program for their drone. Get it get it get it get it......
6. Remember that it is technology and then remember the last time your computer or cell phone crapped out on you. Yeah, scary.....
7. Bring someone with you if you can, its hard to line up the perfect shot while trying to keep the drone in view.
8. A high caliber drone like a mavic, phantom or karma are TOOLS not TOYS. If you spend this much on a drone rememeber this concept and use it as such. If you want to simply fly and see from the sky there are cheaper drone options which means less loss if it dies.