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A complete, receiver-ready quadcopter for 240 bucks? That’s what GoodLuckBuy is offering, but can this ready-to-fly package really satisfy, or is it a useless china gadget? Find out in our review!
DJI, the same company that makes the NAZA and WooKong multirotor controllers, has shown an integrated FPV controller at the NAB Show in Las Vegas yesterday. The “Ruling” as they call it, is a ground control terminal with integrated video display. According to DJI this system provides compatibility with the AceOne and WooKong controllers, and offers neat features like an integrated full-color OSD with artificial horizon, attitude ladders, etc.
Also new by DJI: The S800 hex-rotor craft with injection-molded frame assembly and the ZENMUSE camera gimbal assembly, which when combined, form one badass (and expensive) FPV package.
The MSRP for the S800 is USD 8500.- and the “Ruling” FPV controller is expected to sell for around USD 5000.-
Hubsan is offering a range of ready-to-fly FPV products that remove the need for all the cables typically associated with FPV flying. The system uses a remote control with integrated video system:
The remote combines a 2.4GHz spread spectrum control system and a 5.8GHz video link
The remote has a video output in case you want to use your own glasses, and best of all, the 5.8GHz video system is compatible with most receivers out there except FatShark equipment – then again, FatShark is not compatible with anything but FatShark anyway.
There’s several models available, including helicopters and an EPO-made pushprop-plane called “Spyhawk”:
Interestingly, the Spyhawk has a 5MP camera, gyro-stabilization and an integrated microSD slot for recording the video feed it sends to the RC remote. The Spyhawk RTF package and the helicopter packages can be ordered at onlyflyingmachines.com and cost less than $300.-
A GPS-powered Auto-Return module will also be made available in Summer 2012, and can be just plugged into the Spyhawk to upgrade it to a semi-autonomous drone.
Hubsan FPV Website: www.hubsan.com
Technical Specifications:
EPO Crashproof Material
Wing Span:843mm
Overall Length:617mm
Flying Weight: 180g
Flying time: around 30 mins
Motor:C1404 Brushless KV3000
Battery:7.4V 450 mAh
ESC:6A
Transmitter:2.4Ghz 4 Channels vs 3.5″LCD Monitor
Video+Audio: 5.8Ghz Transmission
Camera:5M pixels camera included
Live video distance:400 meters
OSD module included
Auto-pilot module(Option H301A )
Video Recording module(Option H301A )
Memory Card:Micro SDHC class6 2G (Option)
GPS return module (Option H301A)
The OS-RC transmitter is modular and may be extended to a full integrated FPV platform.
What do all the current dominant RC transmitters have in common? They are all closed-source and full of unrealized potential. The OS-RC Project aims to rectify that, and after over a year of work they have now opened up preorders for their modular RC control platform. The base unit consists of a transmitter with optically-scanned and motorized(!) sticks that don’t have any springs or ratchets anymore, a graphical LCD with an intuitive menu, and the possibility to snap-on a full-color TFT module for displaying your FPV video feed right on the transmitter.
The transmitter can support both a choice of Futaba, JR or Hitec RF modules, as well as their own “cloud-RC” transmission module. This unique system will allow the OS-RC transmitter to reach a model that’s outside its own transmission range, as long as there are other models with OS-RC receiver inbetween. This multi-hop communication is indeed unique on the market right now, and it will be interesting to see how it works in practice.
Base price starts at around EUR 570.- with a fully decked-out transmitter with 4.8 inch TFT screen coming to a solid EUR 1100.- or more. Preorders are open now at www.gizmoforyou.net, deliveries are expected to start in Q3 2012.
Watch their lengthy introduction video below, and note the motorized sticks shown moving on their own as the transmitter is turned on:
Are your batteries getting drained in your Devo6 even though you made sure to turn it off? Read up on a simple fix that will allow you to finally keep those batteries in the transmitter over the week without starting the weekend with a dead transmitter.
The Devention Devo 6 Transmitter supports Telemetry out of the box. All you need to do is apply the latest upgrade by Walkera and bind to a compatible receiver with telemetry support, like the one built into the Mini-CP.
Bonus: The Mini-CP has the exact same flight setup as the Genius-CP, so you can just copy your existing model and pretty much fly right away.
Walkera USB Software Update Utility
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep track of all the multirotor controller boards and units out there. While the level of sophistication is increasing with most of these offerings, some are just open-source projects rebranded and sold under a different name. Here are some of the more interesting offerings at the moment which are either extremely sophisticated, or come at a price that makes it easy to get into this hobby.
http://www.dji-innovations.com/minisite/index_en.html
Source: $1099 at Goodluckbuy
The DJI Wookong is probably the most expensive, and the most complete package out there. This is not only a mere multicopter controller with three gyros. It also incorporates S-Bus compatibility, GPS for position-hold, return home and other nifty functions. At a price of just over $1000 it does not come cheap. However, by adding a data downlink transmitter (=another 300-400 bucks) and using the supplied PC based flight control software you essentially get a turnkey drone system. A quad or tricopter can be built or bought for under $100 these days, and a sub-2000 dollar pricetag for a drone system that is easy to set up and lets you place waypoints on a screen is pretty damn good. Yes there’s the open source Paparazzi project, but that’s far from easy to get to work.
http://www.dji-hobby.com/naza/index_en.html
Source: $238 at Goodluckbuy
The DJI Naza is the low-cost alternative for those of us who don’t need PC control, GPS and all that. At a price of over $200 it is more expensive than the open source counterparts, but it does offer S-Bus compatibility as well as a 2-axis gimbal output for stabilizing camera mounts, and comes with documentation, software and upgrade capabilities.
Source: $186 at Goodluckbuy
The Bumblebee controller looks very much like the NAZA, and for a good reason: It’s essentially a stripped down OEM version without S-Bus support and gimbal output. It also only supports quadcopters.
Source: $150 at Goodluckbuy
The FC1212-S from XAircraft is part of a modular system similar to DJI. In addition to support for an external GPS module and other features, the FC1212 features a 3-axis camera gimbal stabilization output AND a camera shutter output. It should be noted that a high-quality 3-axis gimbal mount will cost you another $300 dollars, but for that you get the best possible camera stabilization.
Source: $90 at Goodluckbuy
The back says “Love it” and it sounds rather unconvincing. The board features 3-axis accelerometers in addition to the 3-axis gyros, and supports 4, 6 and 8 rotor craft. It supposedly also supports return-home via a GPS addon, but there’s only a flimsy pdf manual, and the included software is not fully translated to english.
The Rabbit software, note the weird button labels...
We have tested the Rabbit flight controller, check our Review for more information!
Source: $50 at Goodluckbuy
The cheapest offering is also one of the best: 3 axis gyro + 3 axis accelerometer, 2 axis camera stabilization, solid PC software, firmware upgrades, and manuals in english and french language. Only drawback: It only supports quadcopters.
On the other hand, you can get the IFLY-4 folding quadcopter kit including this controller for under $200 right here, including the quadcopter frame, 4x 1200kv motors, 4x 12A ESCs, the FF controller and a no-soldering ESC connector board. Even the props are already included.
In conclusion, all of these controllers are suitable for FPV flight, and most boards offer stabilization output for creating smooth and stabilized action footage with your DSLR or GoPro HD. Note that it’s not advisable to mount the FPV camera itself onto the gimbal, unless you’re used to flying with a stabilized camera – it’s very difficult to judge your relative motion if you don’t “see” what angle the craft is at.
While a self-made quadcopter was a novelty in 2009, it’s safe to say that the sky will be buzzing with the little buggers in 2012.
Up until now getting a Transmitter with a color touch display set you back at least 2 grand. The Futaba 14MZ was the de-facto standard for this kind of extravaganza. But bling aside, a colorful touch display has another advantage: It allows for much more intuitive controls.
But who are we kidding? It looks cool too. But is cool enough to justify fumbling with a touchscreen? Find out in our in-depth review!
In early 2011, an Austrian FPV pilot nicknamed “Trappy” went to New York with his FPV foam wing and recorded a stunning video of his flight:
Since then, a number of organizations and individuals have stepped up and complained about the reckless and irresponsible behaviour. The AMA issued a statement that this flight violated the AMA safety code (which is a code of conduct that applies to AMA members, which Trappy is not). Some local politicians issued statements that the person should be locked up. Legal experts called for new legislation, while noting that they can’t prosecute because no felony was committed. Even german magazines like rc-heli-action.de denounced the flight and issued a statement calling for new, stricter laws while denouncing the action as not having anything to do with RC flying anymore.
This is a soapbox column, so here goes my opinion:
We are talking about a piece of foam. It doesn’t matter that there’s a camera on it and a propeller on the back. At the end of the day, the worst thing that could happen is a piece of foam hitting someone. Would that be pleasant? Certainly not. But it would take one hell of a dive and a direct hit to produce injuries. Possible, but very unlikely. The AMA suggests that buildings have been endangered. Buildings! By a piece of foam! Worst of all, many of the people complaining first point out that such reckless behavior could bring about stricter laws – and then they ask for stricter laws themselves, sometimes in the same sentence. “People like you are gonna be the reason for stricter laws (…) – this should be forbidden, we need stricter laws!”
Another issue that is being brought up is that RC planes could be misused in a terrorist attack. Sure, that’s actually a very real issue, albeit a far fetched one – it’s still far easier to drive a bomb in a car, doing special stunts with RC planes is too complex and has too little yield to be practical for would-be terrorists. In the end the issue is not the real threat, but the fear itself. And apparently a good number of people have problems gauging the threat level of styrofoam. And at this point I think it’s no secret that RC planes exist, so saying that this could inspire terrorist attacks is, mildly put, an exaggeration.
There’s a distinct difference between this stunt and, say, flying in the middle of a crowded plaza with a 450-size helicopter. Any mistake would mean severe injuries of bystanders. Interestingly enough, when videos like this one here appear there is no public outcry:
I don’t want to see what would happen if these rotor blades were to hit someone. This is a stupid stunt.
Bottom line: Don’t fly irresponsibly, and don’t listen to the people calling for stricter laws just to get a brief press coverage. Was it a bright idea of Trappy to fly in New York? No, certainly not. But let’s face it, most people are extremely worked up because this was New York – what with 9/11 and all that. It’s still just a piece of EPP foam, get over it.
And don’t fly helicopters over crowds, unlike foam wings, they can really kill someone.
Thinking of buying a KK Multicopter board? While the current sale price over at http://www.kkmulticopter.com is 75 GPP ($120 USD), Goodluckbuy is currently selling the very same board for a mere 33 bucks.
This offer even includes the USB programmer…
The KK Board itself without the programmer is available for $25. And to make things even more interesting, worldwide shipping is free (even though it may well take some 2-3 weeks to arrive)
(Disclaimer: This is not an advertisement)
FPV cameras have very specific requirements, they should have a good sensitivity, a reasonably wide field of view, shouldn’t draw too much power and they should react quickly to changes in lighting conditions, i.e. a camera that takes over a second to recover from a bright light means your plane/helicopter travels 30-50 meters without the pilot seeing a thing. While any CCD or CMOS camera module will give you a picture that looks okay at first glance, flying with a bad camera can really ruin your day.
So how did this camera fare? Read on to find out!
In our Smart6 Review we complained about some bad PCB layout decisions and build quality issues in what’s otherwise a very good balancing charger. Hobbyking has obviously watched our youtube video (which was posted a few months ago) because not only did they fix both the fan connector and the keyboard connector, but they now also make the annoying buzzer shut up with some hot glue.
The revised PCB has all our complaints fixed: Proper connectors for fan and keyboard, and the buzzer is not painfully loud anymore
We’ve updated our review accordingly. Thumbs up to Hobbyking for listening and acting!
See someone flying FPV? Chances are they are wearing a FatShark. With a brand this ubiquitous, can they actually live up to the hype?
It should be noted that RCModelReviews have made a excellent review, so we’ll try to shed light on some of the aspects that weren’t the focus of that review. Read on to find out the details!
A balance charger strictly for 3S battery packs? What might sound like an insane design choice at first blush does make a lot of sense when you think about the fact that most FPV platforms run on 3 cells, it’s the most popular pack configuration and thus always the first to go out of stock at retailers. But is this charger a hidden gem or a battery killer?
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