Been out flying again tonight, it was windy. Software update on the naza, which is a really good improvement. Glitch free so far, and better control on decents.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHrhgMsAON0


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpix-SYNXAE


My flying is better in the second video I think.


How are you getting on Col? got your replacement motor and flying now?

Still trying to decide which route to go with this Quad stuff !

I keep looking on Hobbyking, but there is too much choice and it's confusing !

I found this guide - which looks really usefull for the KK route :
http://oddcopter.com/2012/12/12/easy...he-parts-list/

I think I'm going to do this as cheaply as possible, so something to learn on before parting with too much cash.

I saw hobbyking are doing a quad speedcontroller soon - might hang on for that.

Col - How's yours going, any updates ? Are you happy with what you bought, or would you have done / bought anything differently - very temped to 'copy' your route :)

Cheers Guys.
Andy

if you want something to learn on, try the syma x1 for about £35 from uk

good liitle quad to start with :thumbsup:

Cheers Chris - I already have two of the WL Toy's quad's the 949 I think :)

They are indeed ace, but i'm really getting the hang of flying them now and i'd like something that's bigger and does not get blown away by a light breeze !

I wish Hobbyking sold 'packs' or at least bundled everything together on the quads to give you a simpler way of buying. I know i'll forget something - or buy something that's wrong, so although i'm ready to buy - I don't know what to buy !

I was going to do the DJI / Nazza route, but it's just too expensive for what I want. I'm sure I can do this much, much cheaper and have lots of cheap spares for when I inevitably crash.

Neal / Col.

Thinking of buying the parts based on this: http://www.hovership.com/2012/12/beg...-buying-guide/

But - with the KK board and the Turnigy TX and the 450 style frame.

Any problems with it ? The speedo's are only 10 amp - is this a problem ?

Cheers guys.

Andy

I bought the Heliguy Viper, so small, so much fun.

Its hard to fly in confined space ie my living room, Good laugh though!!

I have one of these little beauty's too, in pro mode outdoors it's amazing! Even in medium winds it is really stable!
I'm not sure how this compares to flying an expensive quad but it has really helped me get used 3D flight and for £40 it's not the end of the world if you crash it! :thumbsup:

I quite fancy a play now with a KK 2.0 board, the hobbyking one. was thinking about making up a micro-sized quad with it, similar to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GI5WUroedw

The HK Q450 frame is a direct copy of the DJI F450 frame, just much cheaper.

I'd also look at their SK450 frame: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...ame_450mm.html
there are quite a few option parts for it, deadcat mod, etc: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...450_Parts.html

also check the various HK Talon frames.

You will crash and break a few arms setting set up. Something where you can get arms quickly/cheaply would help. or buy a few spares when you pick your frame.


The build guides you've linked both look fine and look to be decent quads.
I'd go for ESCs in the 25-30A range, ones that allow you to change the firmware, as that seems to be the done thing. The DJI kit 30A OPTO ones just come done, but I suspect they are similar to some hobby king units.

I'd just recommend you get a turnigy 9x radio though, over the orange/spectrum/JR based ones seem to be susceptible to interference. At least there is a good upgrade path to FrSky modules when you want with the turnigy, although the orange could be hacked with the DHT module too.

Just remember to do your hobbyking orders in smaller chunks, as not to get stung with lots of duty. and buy the cells (and anything else they have in stock) from the UK warehouse, again no duty to pay.


Looking forward to hearing from Col's progress and seeing his fly.

Actually this: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...rol_Board.html
Although the frame is meant to be junk. I'd probably build my own.

HK UK warehouse has the KK2 board in stock :-)


From what i've read, you want to get ESCs that can be flashed with SimonK firmware on them.

This gives detailed specs on the HK units: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...BQkZZRlE#gid=0

Also this seems to cover los of details about flashing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZsT0agRZMY


I believe these F-30A ESC's are a really good choice: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...dProduct=15205

Arghhhhhhhh.

This deciding lark is killing me!

Every time I think i've made a decision - something comes along and makes me reconsider.

Eg.

The ESC's that Col bought have lots of posts about them burning out - putting out 11v on the BEC and frying controllers / motors etc. Also stuff I have read says many ESC's are for fixed wing and not Quad's which causes them to fail.

There's not an obvious ESC choice and this SimonK stuff just makes it more complicated :(

Too much choice of motors, and how to match motors to props etc is confusing.

So....

I thought i'd decided to buy this:
http://www.buildyourowndrone.co.uk/D...i-fquadkit.htm

Then buy a KK board / Turnigy TX set & lipo's from hobbyking. At least doing it this way I know the ESC / Motors / Props will work well together and spares are available easily in the UK.


Then I saw this - found it from looking at a seller on ebay selling them for £130, but obviously I could just buy it direct - http://www.rctimer.com/index.php?gOo...6&productname=

Very tempting - what should I do guys !?

Also, what do I do re the BEC with the speedo's - with the DJI kit I need to add an external one, but what do you do if all 4 (other brand) ESC's are pumping 5V to the receiver !

find best price for dji phantom, click buy now, assemble and fly - job done :p

no more will i wont i lol

think of all the flying time you are wasting ;-)

they are tough little buggers - mine has survived a few big crashes

lots of mods and upgrades coming through for them as well :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Phantom is tempting - but a lot of cash :(

This looks amazing - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=the7W...e_gdata_player

Anyone know if it's $1000 ish for the phantom and Gimbal - or is he saying $1000 just for the gimbal !!!!!!

Quadcopter and some parts in the for sale section guys!:)

A dji phantom is up on the modelsport forums, brand new with the gimbal for 400 quid ;)

It's sold - and not to me :(

Peter King just north of Wolverhampton makes up Hobbyking kits with the Ardupilot 2.5 flight controller. I have one of his setup's and for £270 which includes GPS to do waypoints etc. You honestly cannot go far wrong for the money.

Hi mate.

Could you PM me his details :)

Cheers
Andy

Did you get the PM Andy?

Cheers
Steve

Yes thanks - watched the vids last night and sent an e-mail to him. Cheers :)

Andy

can you pm me his details , please, looking to upgrade my 450 ;)
thanks

Pm Sent :)

Spoke to Peter, he e-mailed me details of the gear too. Seems like he really knows his stuff :)

Don't know why this ArduPilot 2.5 flight controller was not on my radar. Seems to do everything the Naza can and more. Looks great from the video's.

Very tempted by this now - just not entirely keen on the idea of buying it built as I like to tinker myself, but at least it will work and I suppose you can tinker from a point where it initially flies :)

After weeks of head scratching - I have ordered this little lot - all from the HobbyKing UK Warehouse. I was very tempted to buy a built Quad from Peter King - but I feel the only way to really learn is to build it myself. With this in mind i've gone for the smaller Quad, cheaper and less likely to break as i'm learning :)

With shipping came in at £157.46

I have though bought 2 frames and an extra esc for spares :)

I still need props / radio TX /RX / power distribution board / receiver wires, plugs / Lipo connectors . Anything else chaps ?

2x #260000006/38063 F330 Glass Fiber Mini Quadcopter Frame 330mm (UK Warehouse) = $22.50
1x #9171000073/31656 Hobbyking KK2.0 Multi-rotor LCD Flight Control Board (UK Warehouse) = $30.65
1x #9171000016/35250 5.6mm x 21mm M3 Nylon Threaded Spacer (10pc) (UK Warehouse) = $2.30
1x #OR009-00502/35181 M3x8 Nylon Screws (10pcs/bag) (UK Warehouse) = $0.93
2x #N2650.3S.25/32243 Turnigy nano-tech 2650mah 3S 25~50C Lipo Pack (UK Warehouse) = $34.78
4x #SK3-2822-1275/31202 Turnigy Aerodrive SK3 - 2822-1275 Brushless Outrunner Motor (UK Warehouse) = $66.44
1x #TR_PC/29330 TURNIGY BESC Programming Card (UK Warehouse) = $7.58
5x #TR_P18A/28407 TURNIGY Plush 18amp Speed Controller (UK Warehouse) = $62.10

Added this list from the US Warehouse :

Turnigy 9X 9Ch Transmitter w/ Module & 8ch Receiver (Mode 2) (v2 Firmware)
*JIT-Item (this item takes 3-5 days to dispatch)

10CM Male to Male Servo Lead (JR) 26AWG (10pcs/set)
Hobby King Quadcopter Power Distribution Board
On-Board Lipoly Low Voltage Alarm 2s~3s
8045 SF Props 2pc Standard Rotation/2 pc RH Rotation (Black)
8045 SF Props 2pc Standard Rotation/2 pc RH Rotation (Red)
Individual HXT 3.5mm connector for motor/ESC (12pc)
5.6mm x 8mm M3 Nylon Tapped Spacer (10pc)
M3x8 Nylon Screws (10pcs/bag)
HXT 4MM to Banana Plug Charge Lead Adapter
HXT 4mm Connector to T-plug conversion charge lead

Looks good that lot Andy, will make a very capable and fast small quad i'm sure.

Cheers Neal - my only concern is the motors - thought they were ideal but after ordering I began to wonder if they will be powerful enough. Plenty or rpm - but not much power on the specs.

Ive read various info / posts mainly saying they should be ok and as the Quad should be lighter I'm hoping it will be ok :)

No doubt it will be a while for it all to arrive - I'm in no rush.
You do realise I'll be asking even more questions now :)

Cheers. Andy

Those motors will be plenty powerful enough as it is a small Quad. i see you ordered a low voltage alarm, there is one on the KK2 lcd board but you have to solder 2 wires and connect it to the power distribution board, worth doing. Good luck with the Wild animal. :)

Keep us updated how it goes. Yes Peter knows his stuff, the Ardupilot 2.5 is a good controller, certainly does more than the Naza and its getting better each month as new firmware is released.

I don't think it'll be long before you upgrade the KK controller and start adding things like GPS and camera's, I know I didn't!

I filmed this at the Dez Chand meet in insanely high winds, I put my quad in Loiter and let go of the transmitter!

And I've just noticed you've bought 4 standard rotation blades. You need 2 CW and 2 CCW blades.

Hope this helps,
Steve

Hi Steve.

Cheers for the info :)

These are the prop sets I ordered :
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...dProduct=25815
Says - "SF Props 2pc Standard Rotation/2 pc RH Rotation (Red) - Complete with spacer rings."
So I hope they are right !

My favourite part of RC cars is building them - so I had to 'have a go' myself with this and buy the bits to self assemble.

Peter was very helpful - and I was very tempted, maybe if I like this little one, i'll go to him for the next one :)

Re the alarm - I read up on that last night. So much to learn - I feel like I have learnt a new language this last month or so :)

Worried now :)
Thought it would be tame with smaller motors !

The props are fine Andy.

My replacement motor arrived a couple of weeks ago, but it seems it took a phase out of the esc with it, so I've bought another 4 of those which arrived today.

RE the kk2.0 - I've flashed mine onto v1.5fw, but there are numerous hacked ones about as well. Later I'll be flashing it to another which has much improved acro settings as well as the improved self level and an apparently superb camera gimbal controller.
If you want to borrow the flash tool just let me know and I'll post it over to you - flashing was initially daunting but actually extremely simple.

Hopefully will have it in the air sometime soon...

p.s. those motors are animals...

Cheers Col.

Please post and let us know how you get on with the Quad now you have some new parts :)

My UK order is now 'en route' but the US order has not left yet.

Looking forward to building it. Let me know how the new firmware goes and I may take you up on the kind offer of the 'flash' gear :)

Andy

Cool Quad Video. Looks like a Nice Track there too.
Thought i would show you my Little Quad video too :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmGqf6beuQU

Well.. it flies. Badly.
I think it's probably my fault - I've continually messed with the PI settings (which TBH I don't really understand) so when I get some time I'll factory reset all the settings and start again.

But I don't care! It flies!:thumbsup:

May aswell jump on bandwagon. The little chinese quads are ace to learn with. This is first day my syma landed from bangood. 27 quid delivered with 2 batteries :)

http://youtu.be/X5Bd3K7jEOg

Looks awesome - have you flown one before - you look pretty confident with it :)
That little quad looks pretty rapid compared with my WL Toys one - is it bigger / more powerful?

It's actually the same! just with a different bodyshell and white front props. the Tx software is also the older type where you push a button to flip, rather than the auto-flip at 100% setting on our WL toys v949s.

Just had a couple goes of Neals before it came, I seem to find them fairly intuitive. Probably from playing on playstations for years as a kid/young adult :)

You seem to have the same camera man as Neal... turn it round 90degree!

A full reset has transformed mine and (with the 1min of battery life left) it flew pretty well tonight. Still needs some fine tuning, but it's a vast improvement on last night.
Should be at YORCC on the 25th of you boys fancy it?