Multirotor, multicopter and quadcopter discussion - The Drone thread

Are right, so you would buy a transmitter like this 'Spektrum DX6i with AR6210 DSMX Receiver - Mode 1' and the receiver is separate, then attach it to your plane?

That makes a lot more sense if it is separate from the TX

And I can see you can get the receiver by itself http://www.wheelspinmodels.co.uk/i/105382/

You just end up saving ~£7 getting both together (unless you go for the different model receiver)
 
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Are right, so you would buy a transmitter like this 'Spektrum DX6i with AR6210 DSMX Receiver - Mode 1' and the receiver is separate, then attach it to your plane?
Yes :)

And I can see you can get the receiver by itself http://www.wheelspinmodels.co.uk/i/105382/
You just end up saving ~£7 getting both together (unless you go for the different model receiver)
Exactly. plus you don't need that specific receiver.. you can use any dsm2/dsmx receiver.. plenty on HobbyKing and the like for a fraction of the price.

Edit: Be sure of what mode you want before buying :)
 
I wouldn't buy a DX6i. If you get more in to multirotors you will need more than 6 channels.
Look at the FrSky Taranis, Futaba T8J or Spektrum DX8. I'd go with the Taranis.
 
Made a big mistake just now...actually two

1. tried to move my 350qx with the quad blades spinning, now have a bit of a weird shaped welt on my arm and a slight cut lol

2. Having mounted a cheap eBay gimbal from China on it and put it all back together the test flight ended up with two broken front props... at first I thought the CG was way off as it tipped right over into the concrete when I tried to get her off the ground... but noooo I put the front props on the wrong way round.... what a numpty lol
 
Why would 8 channels be needed over 6?

It adds up pretty quickly... For example on mine.

Throttle
Rudder (turn left / right)
Elevator (forward / back)
Aileron (move left / right)
Flight mode
IOC mode
Gimbal tilt
Camera source switch
Strobe led
Strobe led

So that's 10 already... You don't need all those channels, but you generally buy one transmitter for all your future models, so best to buy well beyond what you think you might need one day
 
So that's 10 already... You don't need all those channels, but you generally buy one transmitter for all your future models, so best to buy well beyond what you think you might need one day

This plus a million.

I have a Futaba 8FG. 8 channels but with a software update makes it 14channels.. More than I'll ever need.
Buy the best Transmitter you can afford, either the Futaba or Taranis that Rilot suggested.
 
For sure... Don't forget some channels need certain switches. So my video switch , flight mode and IOC need 3 way switches. My tx only had two so one is switched from a spare rotary control.

The gimbal works best with a rotary control also, luckily I had a second spare one. More assignable switches the better... Plus it makes you feel like some kind of fighter pilot lol

I inherited a cheap walkera devo 10 from my old heli. It's ten channel but cheap as hell. Put a custom firmware on that enables 12 channel mode..... But one day I need a better radio, it's a lot of £££ to have in the air trusted to something out a Christmas cracker :-)

It's a bonus if you can also find a tx that can be easily powered from lipo. The devo 10 has internal JST connector and can accept a lipo in stead of 8 aa batts which used to drain in a couple dozen flights. Go with the tx's that Rilot suggested though
 
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I take it my basic Hubsan x4 TX is just 4 channel then -

Throttle
Rudder (turn left / right)
Elevator (forward / back)
Aileron (move left / right)

What is flight mode and IOC mode?

On the x4 you press the throttle and elevator sticks in to change different flight modes
 
Most flight controllers have different flight modes like GPS, Attitude, manual etc and you need access to them in flight usually. IOC is a feature of DJI controllers to change how the machine moves in relation to its home position.

Not sure how many channels on x4 controller, maybe 4 or 5 at tops. Did you know the antenna on the hubsan controller is fake ?, yep you can cut it off if you want :-)
 
5 channels is a bare minimum, flight controls plus flight mode. Even entry level flight controllers have mode switching e.g. acro and self level etc

The Turnigy 9x isn't a bad shout for a cheap way into multichannel transmitters, especially if you are up for a bit of modding!
 
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I am still a beginner really, I can fly the x4 pretty well but is it worth not over-complicating things?
i.e
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=45025&aff=164733
• 64 mixers, 9 flight modes
• 16 custom curves with 3-17 points each, 32 logic switches
This thing looks like it could control a jet!
Are Spektrum known as the best TX, be it the cheaper 6 channel DX6 or DX9?
Complicating things how? If you were to buy that Taranis or any other suitable multi channel Transmitter then you only use it to your needs, any when your needs grow the transmitter is capable of accommodating those needs.

Re: Spektrum know as the best Tx... Depends who you ask... I'm getting into the Futaba vs Spektrum vs JR debate.
I will say however I've always been a Futaba user, so has my Dad and Grandad before him. I read a lot when choosing my first 2.4ghz Transmitter and looked at the Dx6i (amongst others) transmitter like yourself. I settled on the Futaba 8FG, which like I said earlier will serve me for many years. (And I got a nice case with it!)
14387026833_2ddec02eac.jpg
 
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I am still a beginner really, I can fly the x4 pretty well but is it worth not over-complicating things?

Are Spektrum known as the best TX, be it the cheaper 6 channel DX6 or DX9?
Spektrum are a middle of the road brand really, they make average priced radios, with good performance and an average number of features. Nothing wrong with them really, they did get a lot of stick with DSM2 being pants but DSMX has no major issues. I jumped in and bought a DX6i when I first started and to be honest it limits you, it only has 2 way switches which isn't great with the number of multirotor FC modes and you will soon want more than it's 6 channels.

Futaba and their protocol are used by industry to control machinery and stuff so are supremely reliable. They're also built very well. No question they are the best radios. The problem is they are expensive and IMHO the radios are ugly.

FrSky have a protocol that's as bulletproof as a hobbyist will need. The Taranis wipes the floor in terms of customisability and potential to change stuff around. The other good thing is the receivers are £25 for the bells and whistles X8R. The downside is that it's quite daunting for a beginner to program.

The Turnigy Radios are incredible for the cost, they have almost the same amount of customisability as the Taranis. With a FrSky module you've got a reliable protocol and can use the Frsky receivers. The only thing that lets them down are the slightly cheap feel.

As long as you have enough channels, the the radio fits your hands and is comfortable then any radio will be fine. It's all down to personal preference.
 
I agree with Col M with the makes. I would personally go for the Taranis then you will never need to upgrade again and it will work brilliantly out of the box. I have a Futaba 6EXA and I wish I had options like the Taranis back when I bought it (I think it was back in 2005 I bought it if that gives you an idea how long you will keep with a transmitter).
 
A question for those who have used a cheap chinese eBay gimbal... when I used a fixed mount for a go pro I had zero jello affect, but now with this gimbal I seem to get a slight judder likely from the gimbal motors adjusting every so often, nothing is restricting the movement... is there something I could adjust in the softrware?
 
Could be he dampener mounts are too sloppy... Mine were ok, but a neat trick to stiffen them is to stuff a foam ear plug inside each one
 
It's because your gimbal is out of balance. You need to make sure that the camera is perfectly balanced in both axis and that the cable isn't fouling at all. Any kind of imbalance will cause what you describe.
 
Thanks guys, definitely not wiring already checked that, will have to figure out how to manipulate the weight... but will also steal some earplug from work :D

EDIT: Had a thought and I tested it hand held, I don't think its imbalance. I have some neoprene lying around so will cut some to shape and stuff it in the dampers and test fly tomorrow.
 
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