Multirotor, multicopter and quadcopter discussion - The Drone thread

That looks awesome, Rilot!

How much has it all cost, if you don't mind me asking, and how many builds has it taken for you to be competent enough to do this? Any chance of a summary spec now it's done?

Really enjoying FPV but in a month or two's time, I want to start doing some filming. I'm a bit confused as to why it seems you can't buy the H3-2D for Phantom 2 as a standalone part yet? :confused:
 
Narj said:
That looks awesome, Rilot!

How much has it all cost, if you don't mind me asking, and how many builds has it taken for you to be competent enough to do this? Any chance of a summary spec now it's done?

Really enjoying FPV but in a month or two's time, I want to start doing some filming. I'm a bit confused as to why it seems you can't buy the H3-2D for Phantom 2 as a standalone part yet? :confused:
Click to expand...

OK. Total build cost is just over £4k but that includes everything including the camera.

Full specs:
DJI S800 EVO
DJI A2 flight controller
DJI iOSD Mk2
DJI AVL58 5.8GHz video link
DJI 2.4GHz data link for ground station
X-Cam 2-axis brushless gimbal
X-Cam HDMI-composite converter
Sony NEX-5T
Sony 16-50mm PZ lens
Sony 600TVL FPV camera
Flytron remote shutter release
FrSky X8R receiver
FrSky FAS-100 current sensor
FrSky Variometer
Turnigy Nano-Tech 6000mAh 6S x 2 in parallel
 
Cheers - what was the switch you used to switch between FPV and Camera on your ground station? I might look into doing this as well.

In other news, the local model flying club never got back to me. I presume they don't like Quadcopters and FPV! It's OK, I've found plenty of large, quiet places to fly now anyway!

I've started thinking about head tracking and a few other bits but it seems I'd have to get a Futaba TX/RX to replace the P2 standard ones because of the extra channels required. Not sure how confident I am with that - those transmitters look like a nightmare to program..
 
Last edited:
The iOSD Mk2 does the video switching for me on the S800.
On my F550 I'm using this little fella which works really well: http://www.unmannedtechshop.co.uk/fpv-3-channel-video-switch.html

With regards to head tracking, I played with this using my FatShark Attitudes and a 2-axis, servo gimbal. It was useless. Every time the Fatsharks moved beyond a certain amount, or I moved my head too fast they would emit a beep and then the head tracking would stop working. I gave up after 4 or so hours of messing about.
 
Rilot said:
OK. Total build cost is just over £4k but that includes everything including the camera.

Full specs:
DJI S800 EVO
DJI A2 flight controller
DJI iOSD Mk2
DJI AVL58 5.8GHz video link
DJI 2.4GHz data link for ground station
X-Cam 2-axis brushless gimbal
X-Cam HDMI-composite converter
Sony NEX-5T
Sony 16-50mm PZ lens
Sony 600TVL FPV camera
Flytron remote shutter release
FrSky X8R receiver
FrSky FAS-100 current sensor
FrSky Variometer
Turnigy Nano-Tech 6000mAh 6S x 2 in parallel
Click to expand...

Looking good! When's the maiden gonna be?

Do you mind if I ask what the AUW is and how long a flight time you think you'll get from the 6s2p setup?

Finally, have you taken any shots with the NEX & the zoom lens? We're getting a rig for work and the only thing holding it up is choice of camera! I have seen samples from the pancake lens on the Sony and they weren't great at all, very soft around the edges so I was looking at the Panansonic GH2 or GH3 with either of their pancake lenses, which by all accounts, are pretty darn good!
 
'kin hell, that looks like a serious piece of kit Rilot.

How much for everything sans-camera? EDIT: Could've just worked it out myself - camera £500ish, lens £500 - so £3k? That seems like a lot.

EDIT #2: Oh my god... how much did you spend on that S800 evo?
 
Last edited:
the 16-50mm PZ is OK as far as kit lenses go. I picked it due to it being cheap, reasonable quality and extremely light. Also, the CoG of the lens doesn't change much when zooming from 16-50mm meaning that I don't have the re-balance the gimbal all the time. It also means I can rig up some sort of remote controlled zoom once I get around to taking the lens to pieces.
If I had a higher budget for the build I would absolutely have gone for the GH3. It's a better camera in every way.
 
That look a serious bit of kit Rilot! Very nice indeed.

Edit: TriCopters - do they have to be balanced smack on? i assume ill get better flight times with a balanced Tri as the motors aren't working overtime.
 
Last edited:
Don't suppose anyone wants to buy a brand new set (x2 CW and x2 CCW) of Neewer 10x4.7 1047 Carbon Fibre props off me?

I bought them by accident, meant to buy 9x4.7's.
 
You want the CoG on the point where the arms would meet if they were long enough, equidistant from the centre of the motors - in an ideal world. Realistically, its not going to be 100%, especially when carrying FPV gear. I use Wrapstraps to hold my battery on so can move it about (lots use Velcro straps too), but basically use my pointed fingers to guesstimate the balance. There is some efficiency savings to be had in a perfect CoG, but I think they are tiny IMHO
 

Did a quick flight. Not sure if my settings are right as it doesnt look as good as others. Its also jerky, but that might be to some wind.

Also changed the fov setting to narrow to avoid the fish-eye look.
 
Last edited:
Anyone want some P2 prop guards cheap? I got them but gave up on installing them as 2 of my hex nuts were a bit rounded to start with and now I have no chance of getting them out. It'll be fun if I have to replace those motors at any point... :/

The guards just seem like extra weight I don't want anyhow.
 
d_brennen said:
You want the CoG on the point where the arms would meet if they were long enough, equidistant from the centre of the motors - in an ideal world.
Click to expand...
Check. That's where my CG is marked anyway.
Realistically, its not going to be 100%, especially when carrying FPV gear. I use Wrapstraps to hold my battery on so can move it about (lots use Velcro straps too), but basically use my pointed fingers to guesstimate the balance. There is some efficiency savings to be had in a perfect CoG, but I think they are tiny IMHO
Click to expand...
So do I need to balance the Tri for balance along both axis? :confused:
 
d_brennen said:
I use Wrapstraps to hold my battery on so can move it about (lots use Velcro straps too), but basically use my pointed fingers to guesstimate the balance. There is some efficiency savings to be had in a perfect CoG, but I think they are tiny IMHO
Click to expand...

3M Dual Lock is much better than Velcro, I've found. Amazing stuff.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom