Quadrocopters :) - Page 2

daz · #21 27-03-2013

Col u geek!

neallewis · #22 27-03-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Col

Hi Col, I started out with a list like this from hobbyking, but after some deliberation decided to go the DJI Naza Kit way.
I priced up all the bits very similar spec to yours, same frame, same motors, 30A Turnigy Plush ESCs, and all the bits and bobs you've added here.
Hobbyking do make a clone of the DJI F450 quad frame, I think theirs is the Q450. There have been reports of it being very similar, but the quality isn't as good, although other people have said they are the exact same unit. I'll probably order one for spares they are only a few $ compared to the £30 or so for the DJI frame.
I was also looking at the KK v2.0 board, which are good and very hackable. I struggled to find the right information for the correct props to use with my motor, frame and batteries choices. Then there was the issue of changing firmware on ESC's to consider, and lots of different information to take in.

Then I started reading about the NAZA flight controller, and saw videos of it in action compared to the KK, and others, and it appears by far the best, albeit a lot more money. Then I discovered they do a kit with everything you need to get it running, for about the same money as the hobbyking bits to build the same. Plus you get support and backup if its all DJI kit, they say.

When you factor in not all the stuff I wanted was in stock at the same time, or in the same hobbyking warehouse, and you need to ship it on multiple orders to keep it below the customs radar, multiple postages charges, then the 10days+ delivery time for some items, it was easier just to order the DJI F450 kit with the Naza controller I had decided I wanted. it's £302 from heliguy.com up in northumberland. Getting it delivered tomorrow. The baulk of the extra cost is the Naza flight controller, which are a lot more expensive than the KK boards. Take out the flight controller, and the are very similar cost.

Doing my research I also came across the multiwii flight controllers which I think are worth a look as well. Again very hackable and work and fly very well. You can also add in cheap(er than DJI) GPS sensors and there are lots of software settings to play with to get it flying how you like.

I got my battery packs from Hobbyking UK warehouse, they had them in stock and shipped next day. 3S 3000mAh 40C jobbies.

Radio gear.
By far the best pricepoint option is the Turnigy 9X radio gear. it's again from hobbyking, though always shown out of stock, but I've heard to order it anyway and they just send it out soon as they have stock. You want the V2 mode 2 unit, either with the Jr type module and receiver or without any. They are spectrum BNF compatible/clones, and super cheap to buy compared with the big brands 8/9 channel stuff. Mine arrived yesterday after a snow delay, actually really impressed with the quality and feel of it, was expecting something cheaper. Feels like a decent radio.
I'm going to run mine with the FrSky JR Module and FrSky 8 channel receiver, as they offer far far greater range and no interference, unlike the regular 9X or spectrum DSM gear. Read about far too many problems with interference with them. The FrSky plug in modules/receivers are available locally here: http://www.t9hobbysport.com/item.asp...234&prodid=594

The good thing about the 9X transmitter platform is there have been many RC hacker groups that have reworked and modified the firmware to add new features and turn the 9x into a far far more advanced unit. Search for ER9x or Turnigy 9X hacks for lots of info on it, and all teh different projects people have done.
Hobbyking again sell the 9X, but often show out of stock, and had none in the UK warehouse, or from HK. I looked on ebay and found shop RCGeeksUK http://stores.ebay.co.uk/RCGeeksUK sellign them for 69.99 with free next day delivery. I got mine from there.

So I'm hoping for no more snow delays and my kit will arrive tomorrow so i'll have something new to play with over the weekend. I've got my gorpo already, and am looking at gimbal options for it once I've got it up and flying ok. I'll look to get FPV addons later on.

James · #23 27-03-2013

You've gone through all the same thought processes and conclusions I went through when I bought my gear last year! Its the ideal starting point I think, although there's a lot to learn and make sure you fly on gps first lol

andys · #24 27-03-2013

Hi Neal.

Great Post - are you leaving out the gps?

James - what does flying on gps give you other than locking the position / hover?

Not sure if I should get the GPS or not?

Cheers guys.

James · #25 27-03-2013

GPS is just an uber flyer aid, makes it really easy, plus if you're a bit too adventurous and lose line of sight you can flick the return to home button..

You don't 'need' gps, a flight controller will do the necessary hard work for you as has been mentioned, running on full manual mode takes some practice and can be especially tricky if its windy.

andys · #26 27-03-2013

Cheers James.

I've seen the return to home vids - looks great.
In normal flight is the gps a benefit - you mention flying in wind?

Is it easy to set all this tech up - its a far cry from setting a speedo on a car !

James · #27 27-03-2013

Setting it up is a complete nightmare!! I still don't really know how to do it, going to take a lot more experience!

GPS is just an easy flying mode, you'll have seen the hover youtube vids and similar.

GrahamH7060 · #28 27-03-2013

After my last post , and after dropping a few hints !! I received a DJI phantom in the post yesterday !! An early birthday present from a friend of mine,

Anyway , flew it today in a field opposite where I was working today , got the hang of it a bit , used it in GPS mode , the wind was blowing quite strong , it holds itself and adjusts itself accordingly , amazing really , then I plucked up the courage to try the "fly home" function , so ..... Flew it about 150 mtrs away and about 30 mtrs up and switched off the handset , it hovered for a few seconds then started flying towards me , it stopped directly above my head, all with the wind blowing strongly too , then it slowly dropped to about 20 mtrs , hovered again for a few seconds then descended slowly down towards me , by this time I'd put the transmitter on the floor and was waiting for it to land , what astounded me was that I moved my feet about two steps to the right and the thing landed in my hands !!

To say I was blown away was an understatement !!

Can't wait for tomorrow to give it another whirl ,
Anyone got a go pro they want to sell ?

neallewis · #29 28-03-2013

Thanks James for confirming I've made a good choice. Hopefully I'll be bringing it with me to the Spring cup.

Andy, I did leave out the GPS module on my order, but can add it back in for £120. After what James has just said about it, I think it might be best if I order it next week. I figured I'd try it without, knowing that I could add it in later. The money wasn't the issue, I just hadn't considered it might make learning to fly a bit easier!

Col's build will also be excellent, and probably a similar performing and load carrying to the DJI F450. I just figured it was an easier route to get flying for a relative beginner, with a kit package that's tried, tested and going to work out of the box. I gather they are all bit of a hackers toy anyway, in fact I first saw quads flying several years ago at a hacker conference in the Netherlands.

Graham, your Phantom sounds excellent. I can't wait to get mine built and flying now!

neallewis · #30 28-03-2013

My kit has arrived!

James, did you need to balance the DJI props?

GrahamH7060 · #31 29-03-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by neallewis

My kit has arrived!

Cooool ! Happy building , had my second flight today with the Phantom , it's amazing , considering I've never flown anything before its quite easy to get the hang of ..... Granted I'm flying it in GPS mode but even so it's easy to control

It was even windier today than on my first outing , battery didn't seem to last too long though , I'd guess that's because it's having to make so many adjustments in the wind ?

Does anyone know what the cut off voltage is as it flashed at me to land cos of lack of power, and as I didn't get an instruction manual in the box I'm unsure!

Cheers

G

neallewis · #32 30-03-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrahamH7060

Quote:

Originally Posted by neallewis

My kit has arrived!

Cooool ! Happy building , had my second flight today with the Phantom , it's amazing , considering I've never flown anything before its quite easy to get the hang of ..... Granted I'm flying it in GPS mode but even so it's easy to control

It was even windier today than on my first outing , battery didn't seem to last too long though , I'd guess that's because it's having to make so many adjustments in the wind ?

Does anyone know what the cut off voltage is as it flashed at me to land cos of lack of power, and as I didn't get an instruction manual in the box I'm unsure!

Cheers

G

Phantom instructions here: http://wiki.dji-innovations.com/en/index.php/Phantom

FAQ: http://www.dji-innovations.com/products/phantom/faq/

Downloads and manuals: http://www.dji-innovations.com/produ...tom/downloads/

Col · #33 02-04-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by neallewis

My kit has arrived!

Changed a couple of items, but pressed the button today...
The wife will go mad

neallewis · #34 02-04-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Col

Changed a couple of items, but pressed the button today...
The wife will go mad

Excellent! Look forward to seeing it.

I've had too much on this weekend to get mine finished and setup, but its getting there.

James · #35 02-04-2013

I'm upgrading to a bigger quad so I might sell my DJI 450 frame, boards, 4xmotors, 4xprops, 4xspeedos.. They retail at £130, anyone interested? Make me an offer?

ClydeBuilt · #36 02-04-2013

A chap on here was flogging an AR Parrot but I missed it.

I went on YouTube to check them out and was gobsmacked! managed to find one locally at the same price and now looking forward to some F1 style arial coverage at our track.

Just thought....being so stable and with the camera being so good, a fella might offer an inspection service to estate agents? Help to pay for your RC addiction maybe?

racingdwarf · #37 02-04-2013

Have to say I was watching one film the east of england regional yesterday. Having flown rc helicopters I was amazed at how well it performed in the strong gusty wind, with a normal cyclic helicopter gusts like that under the rotor would have made things quite sporty and I'm sure no one would be to keen on it hovering 12ft above their heads

GrahamH7060 · #38 02-04-2013

Hi Dave

I was the one at holbeach yesterday flying the phantom quad ! It was only my third trial out with it and it also amazed me how well it coped in the wind !

Also when I binned it into the front of the race control hut it still worked perfectly afterwards !! Wish I would of known you had heli experience , I would of got you to fly it instead !!

Great fun though I thought

GrahamH7060 · #39 09-04-2013

I've ordered a go pro hero 3 black edition for my DJI Phantom and was wondering if it's worth while investing in one of those anti "jello" mounting plate thingy majigs ?? Anyone used one and which is the best one to get ?

Does the wireless connection option really work on the hero 3 ? I've got an ipad I'd like to link it to

I'm not looking to get too involved in the photographic side of things but I wouldn't mind some half decent results ! Is the standard mounting kit sufficient?

Cheers

G

raymondkerr · #40 09-04-2013

The wifi works great on the Hero 3. I have the silver edition and have used it with both my iPad mini and iPhone 5 without any problems.

I used to have a Parrot AR Drone a few years back when they came out, they were easy enough to fly with the iPhone, but the camera was rubbish and the ad-hoc wifi network is created to control with the iPhone wasn't that reliable. I think with the new AR Drone 2.0, Parrot have sorted some of the issues, but forget attaching a GoPro to it, the Hero is way to heavy.

I have been looking into a proper r/c quad, something like the DJ or maybe the Storm Drone from helipal, full RTF for about £240 and comes with a reasonable radio which already has all the channels and gyro setup at the factory.

Raymond