Multirotor, multicopter and quadcopter discussion - The Drone thread

FPV Guys - do you run a seperate camera for taking pics and for FPV?

If you only have one camera and it is on a gimbal does it make flying it a bit more tricky as you can't really tell what the quad is doing?
 
Yeah ours is separate. GoPro and then the Predator v2's camera is mounted to the gimbal plate that doesn't move. Some of our work requires a 180 degree view down which would make the FPV impossible :p
 
howler said:
FPV Guys - do you run a seperate camera for taking pics and for FPV?

If you only have one camera and it is on a gimbal does it make flying it a bit more tricky as you can't really tell what the quad is doing?
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I run two cameras, the light handling abilities going from light to dark or vice versa (which means pointing the camera towards the sky or ground) of dedicated FPV/Security cameras is far better than from GoPros, Mobius etc.

With regards to how hard it is to fly with a gimbal, it depends what mode you fly. Chances are you're in a GPS assisted mode if you're flying with a gimbal and you don't need to "fly" at all you're just pushing it around the sky, to crash in a GPS mode you'd need to be so uncoordinated you have problems putting a cup to your mouth without spilling it down your front :D If you fly in self-level or acro then flying FPV via a gimbal will probably cause you orientation issues.
 
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howler said:
FPV Guys - do you run a seperate camera for taking pics and for FPV?

If you only have one camera and it is on a gimbal does it make flying it a bit more tricky as you can't really tell what the quad is doing?
Click to expand...

2 cameras here. One fixed, and the main shooter on a gimbal. I have a video switch so I can cycle the views from the two cameras from my transmitter.
 
quotidian said:
How much would it cost for a simple quadrotor that could maybe carry some light like a go pro? I don't mind building it or buying it complete.
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Most quads that you would build yourself (even low end parts) providing they are around the average size would cope with a gopro fine.

1200kv motors, 8" props, weight inc. battery of less than a KG. Gopro will be fine without really having to take a huge amount of care.
 
@Rotty

How did you decide to bring your Phantom's power cable out when using the dual battery mod? It would be really neat to bring it (and in my case the 3S cable for the FPV too) down through the spare leg holes but no idea how to remove the XT60 and 3S connectors to get the cables through. Or did you just cut a little hole out of the battery door/elsewhere?
 
I live near Stansted Airport, at an angle to the flight path and about 15 miles away. Do I need to be careful about height. I know the restriction is/will be 1000 feet (think its increasing from 400feet?)... but does that apply near an airport or do you have to fly lower.... and how close can you be to an airport?

Can't seem to find a lot of information... I was flying at about 300 feet today judging by the video I took, and had a bit of a fly past with a couple of spitfires likely from Duxford which seemed pretty low... so it got me concerned.
 
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PinkFloyd said:
Most quads that you would build yourself (even low end parts) providing they are around the average size would cope with a gopro fine.

1200kv motors, 8" props, weight inc. battery of less than a KG. Gopro will be fine without really having to take a huge amount of care.
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How much would a simple kit like that cost? I looked around a bit but the prices seem to vary a lot.
 
Was meant to say in my last post, I evidently forgot!
If you ignore the transmitter/receiver you can get the whole lot for anywhere between £100 and £150. Budget transmitters can be had for as little as £30 but I have no idea how good/bad they actually are!
 
quotidian said:
How much would a simple kit like that cost? I looked around a bit but the prices seem to vary a lot.
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You could put together a starter quad with good components and a KK2.1 for about £175 including a couple batteries.
Then if you don't have one already you'll need a transmitter and reciever, about £70 for a good cheap one (Turnigy 9X + FrSky module and Rx, my bro has this combo and it's fantastic).
So say about £250 for a complete starter setup.

If you want GPS assisted modes you'll have to spend about £150 on top of all that for a flight controller with that capability.
 
PinkFloyd said:
Just spotted the super basic hobbyking FC is only £3.95... Tempted to order one and some other really cheap parts just for a bit of fun whilst building a new serious one!
linky
Believe it based on the KK1 so imagine it is more than good enough for something for basic accro flying :)
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I was ordering bits to rebuild my tri and stuck one on the order to have a play with. Can't go wrong for that money
 
Yeah obviously :p. Still crazily impressive though, especially for military, search and rescue, commercial use etc. Just imagine what they'll be able to do in 10-20 years time, especially if we see any new battery tech.
 
Right, after much modding I think we're finally there with the Phantom! Been trying to keep everything as neat as possible so I've done my best to make all the external cables pretty flush without modding the Phantom's shell too much.

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All-in-all it weighs 1,020g without batteries, 1,358g with both. Mods made:

Tarot T-2D Gimbal
FatShark Predator v2
Dual Battery Extension
3D Printed Leg Extensions
DJI Vision Props

When I list it like that it doesn't sound like a lot but it's been a hella' lot of man hours and soldering, sawing (!), cutting and fiddling :p.
 
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