Dji Phantom UAVs

[Boro]

CocoPops said:

Just ordered a phantom 2 vision+

Any tips for when it arrives?

GPS tracker seems recommended?

Read the manual, a few times lol. Always get GPS Home Lock (rapid flashing green lights, followed by slow flashing greens lights). Start off in a wide open space with no power lines or other magnetic interference, calibrate the compass every flight and start slowly building your confidence. You can switch to NAZA mode when you feel like adding a few more features like Course Lock, Home Lock, ATTI Mode, Manual Mode :-/ (not for the beginner!!!).

[markmullen]

Boro said:

By far the best Phantom for video is the H3-3D Gimbal'd version for GoPro Hero 3 and Hero 3+ Cameras but it's a bit of an outlay once you add everything up it comes to about £1400 including the GoPro. For stills the V2+ is still they way to go.

The gimbal is a touch fragile on the + isn't it? I see a lot of reports of people breaking them. I put a Rotorpixel gimbal on my Vision, and the RE700, so have the best of both worlds.

[Boro]

markmullen said:

The gimbal is a touch fragile on the + isn't it? I see a lot of reports of people breaking them. I put a Rotorpixel gimbal on my Vision, and the RE700, so have the best of both worlds.

Yes, they don't take very kindly to knocks and bumps. The H3-3D Gimbal is much more robust though.

[Original Poster]

andy798 said:

Has anyone tried buying the regular Phantom 2 and installing there own FPV setup?

I use a Lilliput 329DW screen coupled with an ImmersionRC 25Mw (soon to be upgraded to the 600Mw) and it works flawlessly.

[andy798]

Original Poster said:

I use a Lilliput 329DW screen coupled with an ImmersionRC 25Mw (soon to be upgraded to the 600Mw) and it works flawlessly.

I think I'm going to order a similar set up. I have already got a GoPro 3 Black so looking at a Phantom 2, Immersion 5.8Ghz TX and a RX/Screen.

Anyone else tried any different 5.8Ghz screens that they can recommend?

Andy

[Original Poster]

andy798 said:

I think I'm going to order a similar set up. I have already got a GoPro 3 Black so looking at a Phantom 2, Immersion 5.8Ghz TX and a RX/Screen.

Anyone else tried any different 5.8Ghz screens that they can recommend?

Andy

The best screen is the Lilliput 664W however there are problems with the screen when using the 600Mw ImmersionRC Tx.

[Boro]

andy798 said:

I think I'm going to order a similar set up. I have already got a GoPro 3 Black so looking at a Phantom 2, Immersion 5.8Ghz TX and a RX/Screen.

Anyone else tried any different 5.8Ghz screens that they can recommend?

Andy

I can highly recommend the Black Pearl by Flysight. Very well respected screen with good spec.

I'll drop you an email with more details Andy.

[V8A*ndy]

OK got my first flight outside the garden LOL and first pic. I'm a bit rubbish at the photo stitching and general editing (don't know how to make the pics really pop) but I think it turned out OK.

BTW this was total guesswork as I have no screen yet.

Edited by V8A*ndy on Monday 28th July 11:46

[Boro]

That's pretty sweet Andy considering you didn't have a screen.

Having an FPV screen makes it much easier to frame.

[V8A*ndy]

Boro said:

That's pretty sweet Andy considering you didn't have a screen.

Having an FPV screen makes it much easier to frame.

Yes I really need a screen. Suppose I should make a list now and get on with it.

What do I need then?

Screen
Mount for screen
Trans 600mw
ISOD mini
I would have to order a plug and play cable as I can't solder.

Also how easy is it to mount and detach the screen? I've very little use of my right hand and I don't think it would fit in my case mounted.

[Boro]

V8A*ndy said:

Yes I really need a screen. Suppose I should make a list now and get on with it.

What do I need then?

Screen
Mount for screen
Trans 600mw
ISOD mini
I would have to order a plug and play cable as I can't solder.

Also how easy is it to mount and detach the screen? I've very little use of my right hand and I don't think it would fit in my case mounted.

Screen/Receiver, something like the Black Pearl 7"

Video TX, 600mW is probably overkill but anything from 250mW upwards would give you more range than you would probably need.

iOSD Mini for on screen stats like speed, height, distance, satellites locked onto, descent speed, ascent speed, pitch, roll.

Monitor Mount. Ours is pretty easy to take off. Just a 1/4" tripod QR Screw on and off.

Yeh and a cable if you don't want to solder. We're just waiting on a new cable coming in which eliminates the need for any soldering.

[andyr30]

Although I have only recently got the vision+, and think its an awesome piece of kit...The new Walkera Tali h500 looks like it's got everything I wish the Vision+ had. A proper controller with built in 5" screen for one! I think it may be the next purchase

[markmullen]

It certainly looks impressive although I saw some doubts as to its build quality, poor soldering etc, though I've not tried one myself.

[The Moose]

There aren't many videos of the h500 up online but it does appear to suffer from the rotors getting in the shot quite a lot as it moves forward.

[poppopbangbang]

So I've just treated myself to a FC40 - really couldn't justify a 2 and had been handed a fistfull of Maplin vouchers recently. I've had a few goes with it in the garden with some spectacular crashes - one thing that has become clear is that it's a lot more complicated to fly than it first looks. I've watched a few vids on youtube which explain course lock etc. but can anyone run me through in simple terms what I actually want to use to fly around a little bit without crashing it or loosing it (have just hacked over two fields to get it back!).

Oh I've already learn any wind is a bad thing

[04helipilot]

I use course lock most of the time, simply means as you look at the thing it moves in the direction you want it to go no matter which way it's facing so if you want it to fly to the left you move the stick to the left no matter which way it's facing. Most important to get all green lights and position set before flying, the if you lose orientation just give yourself some height then switch to home lock, hold the lever down and it will return to home position. When learning keep it close and low but always remember to keep legal.

[Byff]

Just bought a phantom I. Really wanted a II but this thing was really cheap so couldn't resist it.

I'm looking at the zenmuse HD-3D gimbal but they're all advertised as phantom II only. Will it fit a I but with soldering, board upgrades and chassis modifications?

Looking forward to playing (legally) with my new toy.

[Boro]

poppopbangbang said:

So I've just treated myself to a FC40 - really couldn't justify a 2 and had been handed a fistfull of Maplin vouchers recently. I've had a few goes with it in the garden with some spectacular crashes - one thing that has become clear is that it's a lot more complicated to fly than it first looks. I've watched a few vids on youtube which explain course lock etc. but can anyone run me through in simple terms what I actually want to use to fly around a little bit without crashing it or loosing it (have just hacked over two fields to get it back!).

Oh I've already learn any wind is a bad thing

Out of the box, you'll be in Phantom mode. You'll need to download the Assistant Software if you want to use Course Lock, Home Lock, IOC, ATTI, etc. My advice is stay in Phantom mode until you're confident with it.

They are pretty straight forward to fly, just give yourself LOTS of room for your first handful of flights, again until you are confident with orientation.

Read the manual, learn the light sequences, make sure you have good GPS and that home position has been set before taking off. If the worst does happen it can come back, if you haven't got enough satellites locked on or your home position isn't set, it won't come back!

You can upgrade the props to Phantom 2 props for a slightly longer flight time.

Take it steady and build your confidence slowly. The more wide open the area, the better. Home Lock is something I think should be switched on by default but you only get the option to use it when you switch to NAZA mode from Phantom mode. It allows you to bring the quad back home by pulling back on the right stick, regardless of which way the quad is pointing. Perfect for when you lose oritentation.

Have fun!

[Boro]

Byff said:

Just bought a phantom I. Really wanted a II but this thing was really cheap so couldn't resist it.

I'm looking at the zenmuse HD-3D gimbal but they're all advertised as phantom II only. Will it fit a I but with soldering, board upgrades and chassis modifications?

Looking forward to playing (legally) with my new toy.

Yeh you can fit the H3-3D Gimbal (£249) and an upgrade kit (£50) and about an hour if you know what you're doing to install it.

Most people sell the FC40 (Phantom 1) and buy the Phantom 2 with the gimbal (£699) instead as it makes more sense.

[LB14]

Had my Phantom 2 a few weeks now and been having great fun practising, but still a long way to go.

I have a friend who flies them commercially, he's got the license which involves a flight test and a theory test.

My first trial video:

http://youtu.be/limMSCe4Zeg