Quadcopters anyone?

I flew this config without issue on mine. In my world the video TX is usually 5x to 10x the power of the radio.

Colin, I do have a LOw pass filter that u can get to you try.

 

That's just asking to watch your aircraft fly away out of control range with crystal clear video heh heh. But I guess if you have a good rtl then you might be ok.

 

I don't go lost comms with those setups until I'm typically around 30nm at which point I can usually get a command thru to bring the aircraft closer to close the range...

 

But that phantom has a 2.4 ghz controller... 30nm seems far fetched. ( nm = nautical miles correct?)

It's just an added risk is all but if it works for you, it works.

 

Im looking at getting an almost ready to fly kit like the DJI 450 flamewheel.
I also noticed they offer the 350 as well buy its only 10 bucks cheaper. Would there be any benefit to getting the smaller quad?

Link is for the 450
http://www.amainhobbies.com/product...50-ARF-Quadcopter-Kit-w-Motors-ESC-Propellers


Or would an all inclusive kit be better to get?
http://store.3drobotics.com/products/3dr-arducopter-quad-c-frame-kit-1

I would like to be able to mount a gopro on the quad down the road and possibly a small FPV setup as well.

 

Mike will tell you not to get a flamewheel because they are flexible which will make for shakey video. I haven't flown one, but i tend to trust mike in this area.

if you do get a flamewheel, go with the 450 or larger. i held a 350 last week, and the thing is very tiny. as far as outdoor flying with a slight breeze, it won't be much better than your mini. sure a GPS mode would keep it in one spot, but it'll have to work to do that.

 

Guys, what's the learning curve or ease of use of a Phantom? Am looking at attaching their new gimbal, too. Will I crash and burn often, or should a solid day or two of practice get me used to this entry copter?

 

Thanks for the input. Ill standby for Mike

 

Extremely easy to fly in GPS mode. Goes a little faster and attitude mode. You will crash it in manual mode (you have to plug it into a cumputer and change around some settings to enable and tune manual mode).

 

Welp. Bout 30 or 40 flights and finally broke a prop. And the spare props I bought, have the wrong size holes... blah. Waiting on snail mail.

 

Awesome! You think GoPro footage, without a gimbal, would be useable on this copter?

 

like the typical "thats what she said" bigger is usually better heh heh. Like others have said, better in wind, can carry a gopro better, easier to see it when it gets a little further away, etc. 450 is a good size.

Both of those kits are good options. I love the APM and find it is great. Others havnt had as easy of a time with it. If it were me...with those two, I would go with the flame wheel and an APM. The phantom would be good too.

The flame wheel arms are fine if you have a good camera mount. Chasing vibes on a copter can be a black art though. Thankfully its a lot easier on a multi copter than a normal RC heli.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPXqM1_8t6w

this is really well done considering there isnt a gimbal or anything. You can see some jello in the shot though. Depending on what you mean by useable, the phantom should be able to get you some decent footage.

 

That's actually a lot better footage than I thought! Nice pull, thanks! How would you rate that operator in the film? Good, bad, noob, experienced? I'm wondering if I could get that same footage myself without ever having flown a copter. I've built/love r/c cars, though!

 

it's less than desired with the stock mount, but tolerable. for under $20 you can get a jello/vibration reducing fixed mount that aparently does a nice job if you don't want to splurge for a gimbal.

i think i posted this a couple pages back. jsut some raw footage i took a week or so ago. everything from slow cruising to flips in this one, so you'll see under what conditions you really get some vibration, and when it's crystal clear.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC5dCVjo3qA&feature=c4-overview&list=UUXe4AY77gNKXW9QrIeVfuyQ

 

the flying in that video is very basic. in "attitude" mode if you make it move sideways and then let go of the sticks, it will continue along that path and rate of speed on its own, so for a numper of those real smothe shots, the operator probably wasn't even doing anything. you'll be able to fly like in that video within a day or two no problem. especially since your depth of field from driving rc cars and trucks already.

 

Dang, you're good! (When did you move to TX??) Makes me feel better if I can take my hands off the controls and it'll continue. You weren't transmitting a video feed to the ground, right? You just eyeballed your shots. I just found a rental for $350/wk with 30minutes of pilot training thrown in.

 

thank you, but the phantom makes me look better than i am i still have a lot of improving to do. most of that video was with full time tx input. not a lot of hands off drifting. just line of sight as well.

the nicest feature (for learning at least) is the gps mode. if you start to panic, just let go and it will stop and hover in place (you still have to adjust altitude). it also has a return to home function built in, so if you lose it, just turn off the transmitter and it will gain 60 FT of additional altitude, fly back to you, and land where it took off from.

 

Whoa, that sounds like exactly what I need to practice with. Thanks for the advice!

 

Careful with that return home function... sometimes she goes away...