Announcing APM 2.5!
I’m pleased to announce the new APM 2.0 revision, better known as APM2.5!
But before you start screaming that you just got an APM 2.0, let me explain that there’s NO difference in performance at all between the two, the board is still the same in terms of functionally and it runs exactly the same code as APM 2.0. We just took the liberty of throwing in a few new universal connectors in there (so accessories can be cross compatible with the new PX4 and protect the user from connecting the cable in the wrong direction), some production improvements that will allows to manufacture it faster and finally we added some protection features to protect it from those reverse polarity/short circuit lovers.
Here goes the full list of changes (you already know all its features):
- No more shield/daughterboard: magnetometer and dataflash were moved to the main board, making it easier to assemble, repair and hack.
- No more on-board GPS, but we added a new 6-pins DF13 connector for our new GPS cable standard (PX4) and kept the old but reliable Molex (EM-406) connector for old GPS compatibility.
- The old radio-modem connector is gone and now is being replaced by our new 6-pins DF13 connector (like the GPS, because both are UART’s. Got it?), this will make it compatible with PX4 and prevents users from blowing up the UART mux.
- We added a second protection fuse and diode (you are no longer required to solder it yourself) for extra reverse polarity and short circuit protection.
- The old I2C connector is gone and has been replaced by our new 4-pins DF13 connector (yeah PX4 compatible. Oh wait correction… None of both (PX4 & APM2.5) are compatible with each other, we created this standard together as a team, but I have to give the average of the credits to PX4).
- Added a “mystery” 6-pin DF13 Connector that will be used later. I know you like surprises so please stay tuned. No big deal but is really cool and will save you some soldering here and there.
- Added “Magnetometer Jumper” that allows you to disable the on-board magnetometer, so you can attach an external one.
- Added extra LED attached to the PPM encoder (Atmega32-U2) on pin PC7. This will allows us later to use it as PPM status indication and leave those poor TX/RX LED’s do their intended job.
Those who ordered the APM2.0 and are still waiting for it (only if is not shipped yet) will have the option to upgrade to the new APM2.5, but you will be required to wait an extra couple of weeks for production to begin. For upgrades please send us an email to sales@3drobotics.com.
If you want to order one now you can get the assembled version here and the unassembled version here (for those who want their choice of RC connector: straight or right-angled). They will begin shipping in a week or so, but if there is a huge flood of orders, the backlog for any individual order may grow to 2-4 weeks. We're making them at the new Tijuana facility, so we hope that we'll be able to keep up with demand much better than we have in the past. We're committed to shrinking all delays, and our investment in the Tijuana facility is just one sign of this.
The APM 2.0 enclosures will not fit this new board, so new enclosures are on their way. If you buy an APM 2.5 now, you will get a $4.99 credit for a free enclosure with your next order (the enclosures should be in in about a month). Also, APM 2.5 will ship with an adapter cable for the 3DR/Xbee radios, converting from the APM 2.5 DF13 connector to the radios' conventional 6-pin connectors. Eagle files for the boards will be posted in the next few days.
-
Comment by Giuseppe on August 6, 2012 at 4:45pm -
I hope it will work better than APM 2.0! The APM 2 has been a huge problem. It makes me very angry, because I bought three of them and all presented a fault. I bought them on last december, I received them last late april...now I'm sending them back to the reseller...The APM 2 has not been a good experience to all involved...Thank you to Martin of Build Your Own Drone UK for the customer support!
-
3D Robotics Comment by Chris Anderson on August 6, 2012 at 5:14pm -
Giuseppe: what was the fault?
-
Comment by Giuseppe on August 7, 2012 at 1:26am
-
Hi Chris, I met the following problems: one board was DOA (Dead on arrival) it worked only if powered by USB. I sent it back and after two months I received another board (not the one I sent) with the same identical fault. The other two APM2 worked fine for a while and after:
- in arducopter the motors started to spin irregularly;
- in ardupilot the motor did not arm, the only way to do that is to disconnect (with the Lipo connected) the radio cables and reconnect them.
My radio is a Multiplex Royal Evo 9 pro with M-Link, I'm using Jdrones and 3DR power distribution boards, I've tried different frames (DJI Wookong, Arducopter, home made frames), motors (NTM, RC TIMER, etc..) and ESCs (Turnigy).
I manic precision followed the Wiki instructions and with APM1 everything went well, but with APM2 I've got a lot of troubles.
Maybe this is the reason why APM1 is still on market and APM2 is out of stock or, in many other shops, discontinued.
You and your staff are doing a very good work, I'm following the DIY drones community since last year. I bought 3 APM1 and 3 APM2, I made a lot of mistakes, a lot of test and a bit of experience...I hope, after the RMA, to solve my problems with APM2, otherwise I will give up the DIY plan.
Thanks for your reply, greeting to all DIY Drones community,
Giuseppe.
-
Moderator Comment by Graham Dyer on August 8, 2012 at 11:26am -
What's the weight and dimensions of APM2 / 2.5 and weight of the GPS? I can't find these anywhere.
-
Comment by Rich Maynard on August 8, 2012 at 4:02pm
-
Hey guys,
How are the APM 2.5 Eagle files comming? Any ETA on their being published?
thanks
Rich
-
Comment by Rana on August 8, 2012 at 4:26pm -
My order #28198 ( Please send OK TESTED APM2.5 along with its plastic cover, if you have to wait, no problem )
-
Comment by James masterman on August 11, 2012 at 6:12pm
-
Any chance of a short assembly guide for those of us buying the unassembled version? I think I can pretty much figure it out, but it's always good to check that I haven't missed anything.
The APM1 guide was very good, APM2 had a 1 page guide that required some searching to find. Hopefully APM2.5 doesn't drop it all together.
Cheers
James
-
Comment by James masterman on August 13, 2012 at 10:09pm
-
Got my unassembled 2.5, but unfortunately the promised DF13-Xbee/3DR connector was not in the box. Hopefully support can send it. I would hate to have to pay $30 shipping to Australia for a $2 cable.
Is there any info on what the new pins match up to on the old Xbee pins? I'll make my own cable if there is going to be a hassle.
James.
-
3D Robotics Comment by Chris Anderson on August 13, 2012 at 10:15pm -
James: All of the first batch (last week) APM 2.5 customers will be getting an email over the next day or two with a code for a free adapter cable and enclosure with their next order. (They won't be sent separately.) APM 2.5 boards sent this week will have the cable included. Once the new enclosures come in in 3 weeks, they will be included with all new boards, too.
-
Comment by Martin Szymanski on August 13, 2012 at 10:34pm
-
I like the ability that the GPS and the Magnetometer (compass) can be moved away from interference.
Social Networking
Top Content
Contests
Season Two of the Trust Time Trial (T3) Contest has now begun. The fourth round is an accuracy round for multicopters, which requires contestants to fly a cube. The deadline is April 14th.A list of all T3 contests is here.
Groups
-
ArduPlane User Group
692 members
-
Japan ArduCopter Group
51 members
-
ArduRover User Group
186 members
-
ArduCopter User Group
1298 members
-
Moderators
24 members
Advertisement
© 2013 Created by Chris Anderson.
Powered by
You need to be a member of DIY Drones to add comments!
Join DIY Drones