Multirotor, multicopter and quadcopter discussion - The Drone thread
- Thread starter RomanNose
- Start date
Soldato
Divorce. It's the cheapest compromise.
Honestly my wife doesn't mind TOO much about my computer/electronics
e: will pick up an x4 over the weekend. It's basically free, just need some extra batteries and props
Man of Honour
In return for Phantom I have to buy missus new pram at weekend lmao
Soldato
Ha, I have one going cheap 
Man of Honour
Just had first flight up to a reasonable height, I'll get a video up later (filmed at 720p 60fps). I guess it felt like 40 odd meters, but it was so windy I didn't want to risk it. For scale the Tree's below are extremely tall 
The dampener and moon gel did a great job with no jello at all in video, below is still from video
The dampener and moon gel did a great job with no jello at all in video, below is still from video
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Man of Honour
Associate
That's really cool, I am still having fun with my little Blade MQX, I just managed to get a Spektrum Dx5e on eBay for 20 in great condition and I can fly much better than with the supplied transmitter. Hoping to move up next year to a bigger quad and get some FPV gear as that's what I really want to do.
Man of Honour
First crash 
Associate
ouch looks like it just dropped or did you lose control?
Man of Honour
Just flew it too fast without GPS, too low, and too far.... Lost visual on orientation.
Apart from 10 mins trying to find gopro which flew away from crash site no damage at all. Amazing!
Apart from 10 mins trying to find gopro which flew away from crash site no damage at all. Amazing!
I think i am going to follow a guide i've seen online and build one. Will keep it much to spec for now and add as i go along, i fancy mounting a raspberry pi camera on it at some point.
This is the guide i am going to follow (mainly for the parts list).
http://oddcopter.com/2012/12/12/easy-diy-quadcopter-build-part-1-the-parts-list/
Don't suppose anyone who knows a thing or two could give the list the once over and maybe suggest any improvements (bigger battery? More powerful motors etc) for the first build or maybe even future updates as the frame looks fairly easy to mod.
Soon as i have a finalised list i'll pull the trigger and buy the bits
This is the guide i am going to follow (mainly for the parts list).
http://oddcopter.com/2012/12/12/easy-diy-quadcopter-build-part-1-the-parts-list/
Don't suppose anyone who knows a thing or two could give the list the once over and maybe suggest any improvements (bigger battery? More powerful motors etc) for the first build or maybe even future updates as the frame looks fairly easy to mod.
Soon as i have a finalised list i'll pull the trigger and buy the bits
Soldato
This guy's tricopter skillz are immense
Man of Honour
Fatshark FPV fitted with custom made Skew Planar antennas.
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Soldato
I see goal posts in the field, I guess a common recreational ground? Do you need special permission to fly in public spaces?
Soldato
Man of Honour
Probably, but I would never fly if it was being used, it's usually deserted. I think you have to stay at least 50m away from people.
Don
Oooh, didn't see this thread.
This what's in my multirotor hanger at the moment:
DJI F550
Naza Lite with GPS
Stock DJI motors
Graupner 9x5 props (not in picture)
Turnigy 4S 5000mAh LiPo
Brushless gimbal with GoPro Hero 3 black
Mini FPV camera
Suppo OSD
3 channel video switcher to swap between fixed camera and GoPro
200mW FPV Tx
200mm legs
AR8000 RX
TM1000 telemetry unit
DJI Phantom
Graupner 8x5 props
AR6200 RX
Hubsan X4
Totally awesome indoor flier
I use a Spektrum DX8 as my Tx. Love it. I used to have a DX7 about 5 years ago and really gelled with the Spektrum gear.
I only recently got in to multis having previously been in to helis (Had a TREX 450 and a TREX 600).
Really enjoying it apart from the fly-away I had with the Phantom the other day. I popped the updated 3.16 FW on it, reset everything, set the gains properly, calibrated the GPS etc etc. It was flying quite happily in GPS-Atti and then suddenly it lurched to the right. I compensated with some roll left but it just kept going before dropping out of the sky. I broke 2 props and cracked the casing.
I've rolled back to 3.14 again and it's now flying quite happily again. Tough little thing it is.
The mrs isn't too happy with the amount of cash I've spent in a short time. It all started with the little Hubsan for £30. I think I've dropped over £2k in the last month and there's much more spending to come. Motor upgrades for the F550 are on my list as well as some more LiPos.
FPV flying is something I've dreamed of for 30 years ever since I saw an RC plane as a child. It's now a reality and I'm totally addicted. As a keen amateur photographer too, it's just the best thing since sliced bread.
Now, to save up for an S800 Evo with Wookong............
This what's in my multirotor hanger at the moment:
DJI F550
Naza Lite with GPS
Stock DJI motors
Graupner 9x5 props (not in picture)
Turnigy 4S 5000mAh LiPo
Brushless gimbal with GoPro Hero 3 black
Mini FPV camera
Suppo OSD
3 channel video switcher to swap between fixed camera and GoPro
200mW FPV Tx
200mm legs
AR8000 RX
TM1000 telemetry unit
DJI Phantom
Graupner 8x5 props
AR6200 RX
Hubsan X4
Totally awesome indoor flier
I use a Spektrum DX8 as my Tx. Love it. I used to have a DX7 about 5 years ago and really gelled with the Spektrum gear.
I only recently got in to multis having previously been in to helis (Had a TREX 450 and a TREX 600).
Really enjoying it apart from the fly-away I had with the Phantom the other day. I popped the updated 3.16 FW on it, reset everything, set the gains properly, calibrated the GPS etc etc. It was flying quite happily in GPS-Atti and then suddenly it lurched to the right. I compensated with some roll left but it just kept going before dropping out of the sky. I broke 2 props and cracked the casing.
I've rolled back to 3.14 again and it's now flying quite happily again. Tough little thing it is.
The mrs isn't too happy with the amount of cash I've spent in a short time. It all started with the little Hubsan for £30. I think I've dropped over £2k in the last month and there's much more spending to come. Motor upgrades for the F550 are on my list as well as some more LiPos.
FPV flying is something I've dreamed of for 30 years ever since I saw an RC plane as a child. It's now a reality and I'm totally addicted. As a keen amateur photographer too, it's just the best thing since sliced bread.
Now, to save up for an S800 Evo with Wookong............
Don
What flight time are you getting on your Phantom with that load?
Man of Honour
Hi mate
Around 8.5 mins (might be a little less with FPV gear now), I set a timer to 6 though so when lost in FPV I know it's time to come home. Sort of works though yesterday I was out in new forest and enjoying the view, timer went off and I couldn't find where I was... was a very stressful 2 mins.
I left GoPro in waterproof housing to protect it should I fall from sky... which worked when I did crash other day.
I'm on 3.16 and not had any problems, but I do cal the compass whenever I put in first battery of a session.
Love the F550, a real beast... how's it compare to little Phantom ?
I'm kinda loathed to drop any more money on the Phantom (like a gimbal) as it's already over £1000 and I'm not sure I could cope with the loss lol
edit: take the Hubsan out even on a windy day, it's a real blast
Around 8.5 mins (might be a little less with FPV gear now), I set a timer to 6 though so when lost in FPV I know it's time to come home. Sort of works though yesterday I was out in new forest and enjoying the view, timer went off and I couldn't find where I was... was a very stressful 2 mins.
I left GoPro in waterproof housing to protect it should I fall from sky... which worked when I did crash other day.
I'm on 3.16 and not had any problems, but I do cal the compass whenever I put in first battery of a session.
Love the F550, a real beast... how's it compare to little Phantom ?
I'm kinda loathed to drop any more money on the Phantom (like a gimbal) as it's already over £1000 and I'm not sure I could cope with the loss lol
edit: take the Hubsan out even on a windy day, it's a real blast
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Don
Big and heavy but much, much more stable in the wind. I've not had a chance to really properly dial the gains in so I've mostly just been hovering to test current draw, voltage drop etc.
I plan to give it a really good thrashing this weekend. It's in pieces on my bench at the moment as I wanted to re-do the ESC soldering that I wasn't 100% happy with now my new temp-controlled iron has arrived.
My long term plan for the two is to drop the GoPro mount from the Phantom and just use it for fun FPV flying. The F550 will get used mainly as a camera platform until I decide how far I want to take this hobby.
The Phantom is great but when you start loading it up with a proper gimbal, fpv gear, an OSD, different Rx etc etc you shorten the flight time too much.... So, you add a dual battery conversion.... which over weights the stock props.... So you go to 9" props.... Which over-stress the stock motors..... So, you upgrade to T-Motor Anti-Gravity..... And before you know it you've dropped £2k on the Phantom but in the end have a cramped camera platform that isn't so great to fly.
My advice would be to keep the Phantom as lean as possible for fun flying.