Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jake Stew on May 16, 2012 at 9:18am

12V will fry the APM, it runs on the normal 5V power you should be getting from your ESC/BEC.

The thing about waves is that they travel, so there's no way to get "back to the same wavepoint".

Look up the current consumption in the GPS datasheets, there's no way to name off the power consumption of every GPS out there.  You're also not going to get 2m accuracy, most decent ones now claim 3m.  The 3m is also calculated at the 75% confidence level.  That means 75% of the time it will be within 3m.  All of that is also figured with a completely clear view of the sky, no radio interference, and a clean power supply.  Likely you'll have none of those factors in your favor.  That said, they're still pretty darn accurate most of the time.

I have two mediatek chipset GPS modules, they usually work pretty well.  Ublox also comes highly recommended by most UAV enthusiasts. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Hadleigh Shaw on May 16, 2012 at 2:34pm

Hi Jack

Thanks for clearing that up.

I can get a ready made unit for my boat but the supplier wanted 650GBP.Not sure how accurate that one is but by the sounds of things it won't be any more accurate then making up this kit myself at a fraction of the cost $110 

I appreciate the advice mate.

Hadleigh

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jake Stew on May 16, 2012 at 5:15pm

I'd suggest the APM2 @ $199.  Everything is all in one nice little unit, so it would be easier to waterproof than using separate modules.  The GPS by it's self can be had for around $30.

The mediatek and ublox chipsets are the best out there AFAIK.  3m is all you're going to get without spending thousands. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Hadleigh Shaw on May 16, 2012 at 5:53pm

Hi Jake

Thanks for the info.

Can i run the Ardupilot 1.0 software with this board as I've been told with the newer sotware I would need sensors X and Y ?

For the purpose I need it for (Boat) these sensors arent needed (they are for altitude etc.)

I think i'm right in saying this ? I'm not a wizkid with all the jargon etc but I'm handy with a soldering iron and I can plug in Boards etc.

ii

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jake Stew on May 17, 2012 at 6:00pm

The APM2 has everything the AMP1 has and more.  It's a complete solution.  You should be able to plug it right into your system and be ready to go unless you need some sort of special sensors specific to your application.

I wouldn't get an APM1 as it uses older analog sensors and is larger.  The only thing APM doesn't have that the APM1 does is the small relay.  The relay is easy to replace with a relay cable if you need it for some reason.

I'm no expert BTW so also do your own research.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Hadleigh Shaw on May 17, 2012 at 10:59pm

Hi Jake

You've been a great help with your advice and for the extra few dollars I agree with you on the APM2 being the choice of boards to get.

thanks again

Hadleigh 

• ▶ Reply