Exploding Fist
05-30-2012, 08:23 PM
Since I'll be flying this for at least the next little while, I figured I'd make a thread introducting this Quadcopter since it has just been released a couple of week ago. Don't expect it to carry a lot (really, anything), but for an entry level drone, it is extremely durable, and reasonably priced ($350). The only draw back is only the Source sells it right now in Canada.
Key features:
Very stable
Auto leveling at both the y/x axis. The drone can literally sit still, even in light wind. It has a camera at the bottom to keep it in place, as well as a barometer/sonar.
On board live video (FPV) to any ipad/android device
Local recording, or USB recording of video
Foam shell to protect the internals for some decent crashes (I've bashed this up fairly well)
Uses wireless for remote control from your iDev/Android device.
Runs Linux under the covers, which you can play with
Auto shut off when it flips over
Auto shut off when a prop hits anything (preventing damage to the something, and the prop)
Cheap for all the features
Key draw backs:
Requires iDev/Android to control it
Limited range to a decent wireless signal (max 50M)
Using a touch screen to control it while looking at the drone is annoying. no tactile feedback, you lose your fingering very easily.
Can not carry a decent load. Modding it would be limited for addons.
Auto shut off when it flips over - Yes this is a feature, but a strong wind could shut it off high up in the air.
It's light, so wind up really high will likely eat your drone
Engine replacements include significant electrionics (i.e. ESC). Each motor is $50 to replace. Rest of the parts seem reasonable price wise.
I've mitigated some of these draw backs but building my own RC mod based on arduino hardware. It can be controlled now like any RC Quadcopter (I have a Turnigy 9x RX/TX) - Details here: http://mirumod.hopto.org/. You can order assembled kits on ebay, (McGyver mod is most popular, which uses the same code. The cost of buying one assembled might make the drone less attractive cost wise. Building one is CHEAP). I wrote up instructions on installing the mod into the 2.0 drone here: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=21738497&postcount=2303
I'll leave that here. I'll answer questions if people have any. I just finished my RC mod the other day and tonight was really the first night where I was flying it (not tweaking it), and it is extremely fun to fly now (and far less frustrating).
Key features:
Very stable
Auto leveling at both the y/x axis. The drone can literally sit still, even in light wind. It has a camera at the bottom to keep it in place, as well as a barometer/sonar.
On board live video (FPV) to any ipad/android device
Local recording, or USB recording of video
Foam shell to protect the internals for some decent crashes (I've bashed this up fairly well)
Uses wireless for remote control from your iDev/Android device.
Runs Linux under the covers, which you can play with
Auto shut off when it flips over
Auto shut off when a prop hits anything (preventing damage to the something, and the prop)
Cheap for all the features
Key draw backs:
Requires iDev/Android to control it
Limited range to a decent wireless signal (max 50M)
Using a touch screen to control it while looking at the drone is annoying. no tactile feedback, you lose your fingering very easily.
Can not carry a decent load. Modding it would be limited for addons.
Auto shut off when it flips over - Yes this is a feature, but a strong wind could shut it off high up in the air.
It's light, so wind up really high will likely eat your drone
Engine replacements include significant electrionics (i.e. ESC). Each motor is $50 to replace. Rest of the parts seem reasonable price wise.
I've mitigated some of these draw backs but building my own RC mod based on arduino hardware. It can be controlled now like any RC Quadcopter (I have a Turnigy 9x RX/TX) - Details here: http://mirumod.hopto.org/. You can order assembled kits on ebay, (McGyver mod is most popular, which uses the same code. The cost of buying one assembled might make the drone less attractive cost wise. Building one is CHEAP). I wrote up instructions on installing the mod into the 2.0 drone here: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=21738497&postcount=2303
I'll leave that here. I'll answer questions if people have any. I just finished my RC mod the other day and tonight was really the first night where I was flying it (not tweaking it), and it is extremely fun to fly now (and far less frustrating).