Gimbals.
 

I've bought a few super cheap parts to make a SSG (Super Simple Gimbal) but if it doesn't not work really well - then this looks the dogs nuts for the coin :)

http://www.myrcmodel.com/images/cm20...000-CF-012.jpg

http://www.rtfdrones.co.uk/product/a...tor-gimbal-v3/

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1881497

To add to the mix - Team Blacksheep have announced a Gimbal for the TBS Discovery - this looks interesting....

http://fpvlab.com/forums/showthread....bal-quadcopter

That's my choice right there^.

Decided to build my SSG (super simple gimbal) as my 2 micro servos arrived today.

Very impressed with it - still needs a bit of work - but overall it's miles better than mounting the keychain camera to the quad as it pretty much maintains the horizon line as opposed to making you feel very ill whilst watching the video back.

I had to put on firmware 1.6 for the KK2, with the SSG mod for it to work - but then it works a treat :)

Wiring is a real mess at the moment as the servo leads only just reach the board :(

Piccy:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/15062770/ssg.jpg

Nice.

New props and LED's too i see ;-)
looking forward to the improved footage.

TBS Discovery Pro video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W3CB4bi_ts


This has got to be the frame setup to have...

No pricing at yet, but it's expected to be under $700 for the frame and gimbal!

Preorders are live at 3pm UK time today...

Don't tell me that...

I'm going to see how you get on with yours first ;-)

lol they're not shipping until the end of the month and its direct from Honk Kong so there'll probably be import tax to pay.. I'll do more with mine first and maybe take a look at one when they've been out a little while..

Yeah, probably best. I was just about to order the regular TBS discovery frame to get my gopro on, then buy up the bits for an FPV setup. Then i'll look to get one of these, once the first run is sold, get any issues ironed out, and they are available directly in the UK.

Yeah agreed.. My 650 is now a beast it's got so much stuff on it, personally I preferred the way the 450 flew so I think a happy compromise will be the tbs pro and bigger motors, I like the agility of the smaller quads..

$599.95: http://team-blacksheep.com/products/prod:discopro

or £479 in UK: http://quadcopters.co.uk/tbs-discove...-kit-821-p.asp

I'll wait for batch 2. Still looks a fantastic bit of kit.

looks nice that tbs. Still unsure which gimbal to get for my 550?

Are there any proper pictures of the TBS Pro?

I think i'll wait though - i'm keen to build my 450 now I (almost) have all the parts.
As we have all said / thought, the price of brushless gimbals is sure to really drop soon, so i'm going to hang on for that too :)

Also - the DJI Naza Lite - what an amazing price! Can't decide if I should stick with the KK2 as it's so easy to change stuff with the lcd, or jump onto the Naza wagon....

I think i'll wait too - it's a lot of cash!

http://team-blacksheep.com/img/gallery/discopro1.jpg
http://team-blacksheep.com/img/gallery/discopro2.jpg
http://team-blacksheep.com/img/gallery/discopro3.jpg
http://team-blacksheep.com/img/gallery/discopro4.jpg
http://team-blacksheep.com/img/galle...O_ohne_GPS.jpg

Ive slimmed my gimbal list down to the aeroxcraft GoPro Hero3 Brushless Gimbal and the cm2000v3. Both priced at £260.
Do you think prices are still going to drop or should i just press the buy button on one of the above?!

TBS looks nice - I like the design of the gimbal / anti vibration mount.

Gimbals - who knows on price - look at the Naza - the 'lite' version is around half the price the original Naza + Gps was a few weeks ago.

There seems to be some real momentum to the whole ariel filming lark - so I for one am sticking with my SSG (about £20 all in) and waiting until it all settles down. At that point i'll probably buy the TBS kit with the gimbal is it's proven to be a real winner :)

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/...psb633f588.jpg

spidex with brushless gimbal :thumbsup:

Thank you for a well written post, it really made me think.swisher sweets

I personally have the Yun-1 and the rctimer - so one a lot more than you're price range, and one a lot less. I found the rctimer with their own martinez board just didn't work nicely on 7.4v, it really is a different story with 3s however. I didn't manage to adjust the settings yet - it just wouldn't write them no matter what I did. I need to give it another try really. It tends to over or under compensate - it doesn't remain perfectly flat.
The Yun-1 is magic.

The alexmos board which the yun-1 uses is a better board - but on it's own probably costs £150?!? The Martinez boards are all much cheaper than this.

For my helicopter gimbal (a big one) and my hand-held rig, I will use the 3-axis alexmos board that's just starting to be released. But it aint cheap, I think I paid around £200 for it.

I'm a Gimbaholic.

Major dollar there!
The main thing for me is i dont want to spend hours programming a control board.
I want to power gimbal up and pretty much work, is this too much too ask? Maybe i should go for the DJI gopro gimbal thats just been released, think its £450. Problem being a heavy landing and i can kiss good bye to some major dollar!:thumbsup:

Gimbal ordered! Aeroxcraft brushless. Should be with me Tuesday.
Will get some footage on here once setup.

Ok - I need to do this, I want a brushless Gimbal that's ready to go that I can simply strap under my 450 and go fly !

I do not want the Yun1 as it's too expensive.
The Areoxcraft looks good, but again quite a bit of cash and they only do the mount for the 550 Rail set or the Phantom...

Is there anything else out there that's great out of the box, gimbal, motors and controller all included... I've read countless threads and seen countless gimbals - it's so confusing !

search for 'Tarot brushless gimbal'. Still thin you will need to make up some mounting for it.
The Tarot has had some good reviews on the facebook dji 550/450 owners page.
Think it can be had for around £170.

Try helipal.:thumbsup:

Looks like just the ticket - currently sold out, expected restock in July. Will keep me eyes peeled :)

Cheers.
Andy

Plenty on ebay.

Cheers for the info on the Tarot Gimbal - read loads on it now and looks very good for the money. Thing is - the Tarot Quad's looks really nice too!

I'm mulling it over....

Whilst mulling over brushless options - I decided to order the Hobbyking gimbal with my last lot of bits. It's pretty decent - but the problem i'm getting is simply vibrations on the picture - not really jello as such, but not stable. Gimbal works fine for stabilising the footage in regard to keeping the image level, but i'm worried that if I buy a brushless gimbal, then I might have the exact same problem - little vibrations spoiling the footage ! Any ideas chaps. Don't want to blow a load of cash on a bigger Quad / Gimbal and have the same problems.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...70/gimbal2.jpg

Had another try with this setup - I swopped the tilt servo to the other side so I can get the Go Pro lens centered and I added my ebay special vibration dampening plate. Overall quite chuffed as the video looks really quite decent, still a bit of vibration now and then, but overall very happy for now. Not bad considering it all cost very little.

Carbon Props are en-route, so once balanced, they should help too.

Piccy of gimbal now mounted on anti vibration plate.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...70/gimbal3.jpg

Only thing is on my 3S 2650 lipo i'm only getting around 8 mins flight time now with all the extra weight :(

Not sure what lipo would be best as bigger = heavier and all that - any suggestions chaps?

Is that your 330 Andy? Liking the top cover,

That's where he stores his lunch! :thumbsup:

no its the HK Q450 frame.

Andy, could the vibration transferred to the video be due to the flex in the HK Q450 arms?

Guys - tried all sorts re my cheap gimbal.

What i have found is that by using carbon props and balancing them - then mounting the GoPro straight onto the frame of the Quad - I get the best, almost vibration free video (no jello either).

I realised that the dampening balls (the red things) on the mount were probably inducing some tiny vibrations / rocking of the camera / gimbal unit - so I hard mounted the gimbal to the frame and I have the best video i've had so far by doing this.

So - my concern is that even if I go with a brushless gimbal - they have similar vibration / ball mounts. What are the gimbals like that you guys are using re rigidity of the whole unit and how well it mounts to the frame ? I'm guessing the less movement in the whole structure the better as it can't 'jiggle' about. I'm veering toward the Tarot Gimbal and perhaps the aeroxcraft 550 landing gear - but i'm unsure of how the gimbal would mount.. Still looking and trying to decide !

Aeroxcraft setup.
I'm sure they sell just the top plate that fits over the landing gear poles?

[IMG]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7340/9...75b82ba1_c.jpg
Untitled by psslocksmiths, on Flickr[/IMG]

Seen this from warthox: http://vimeo.com/m/72070361

Depressingly awesome :)

What flight controller does this guy run. Noticed it's 8 inch props and 10amp esc's ?

Don't know what's on the hex, but his acro board is a nanowii with "specially modified mwc firmware (oneshot + 3d)"

:drool: nuff said

Finally plumped for the Tarot Gimbal from 'Bang Good'

All I need to do now is finish building my 550 - and order a Naza and a Go Pro 3.....

Might be while before I get all this together!

Just hang fire with the gopro purchase! new one on the horizon. which means existing one should drop in price.