Discussions

3DR telemetry no longer supported by 3DR....options?

Posted by Aussie in AZ on January 19, 2016 at 4:59am

I have been using the 915mhz telemetry v2 units with my Pixhawk for a while now.  One of them is not giving the range that it used to and I need a replacement.

I varified the range with the use of my Fighting Walrus iDrone Link and one unit is getting about 100m range while the other is getting good signal to where my hexacopter is just a spec in the distance.

Problem 1:

I can not get hold of Fighting Walrus any more.  They have not answered my emails since about October of 2015.  I am assuming they are no longer active? (also no updates to their iOS app for almost a year)

Problem 2:

3DR are no longer making their 900 or 433 telemetry units. (verified vie an email to them)

"Hello Justin,

Thank you for contacting 3DRobotics customer service.

We apologize for the inconvenience. Unfortunately, we do not have the Telemetry available anymore since they have been discontinued, both the 915 and 433."

I am using a Nexus 7 v2 Tablet with the Tower App (great app by the way)

Question:

Other than the $250 long range 900mhz kits (I don't need/am not allowed to use super long range) or $10 knock 3DR off kits from China (gamble as to whether you get a good one/no warranty), what options are there that are "PnP" ?

I am using a Taranis Plus TX with x8r RX and could use that telemetry but then there is no way to load missions in the field.

Thanks for input

J

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Replies

  • Arthur February 14, 2016 at 6:42am
    Hello. I have seen here intetesting conversation about quadros.
    Maybe you will find good this one
    http://www.rcfair.com/en/blogs/view_entry/12638/
    H-Quad with FPV
    Hello. By popular demand I'm going to write a post about my FPV H-Quad.
  • Aussie in AZ February 13, 2016 at 6:06pm
    I've been thinking about this a bit more since my original post. If I can't buy 3DR genuine accessories from 3DR any more and I can get a clone Pixhawk with all the trimmings for under $200 on eBay, why would I even consider 3DR any more?
    I'll tell you why, Chris Anderson, because I want quality. I don't want my $2000 Hex, $900 gimbal and $2500 camera going down due to shitty quality Chinese clones.
    I hope 3DR reconsider their position on DIY parts or DJI might get more of their business.

    J
    • Richard Kennedy > Aussie in AZ February 13, 2016 at 6:55pm

      Or if nothing but the best will do 

      http://store.rfdesign.com.au/rfd-900p-modem/

      or

      http://store.jdrones.com/jD_RD900Plus_Telemetry_Bundle_p/rf900set02...

      RFD 900+ Modem
      RFDesign designs and manufactures the Antennas, RF Electronics and the RFD900 radio modem
      • Cala > Richard Kennedy February 14, 2016 at 6:31am

        Aussie: I agree with you about genuine parts but, fortunetly, Chris allows other serious providers to manufacture spare parts with the open source, last year I couldn't buy parts from USA for goverment politicies, only chinesse  (fortunetly we changed gov ;) this year ) and that save me to continue my proyects with serious Chinnese providers, (only pirates copy Naze for ex.) lot of engineery as you say, but only that choice and now, that we are returning to open market 3DR don't sell anymore components :( Murphy law, but we still have this great Chris forum to know were to buy and were not, etc.,I feel Chris don't go away abandon their users, now we have lot of tools to continue owr hobby and He take another way to continue growing, Is just a Genious!! :D, the only thing that I disagree Is that He's the main culprit that I adquire this vicious :D

    • Richard Kennedy > Aussie in AZ February 13, 2016 at 6:52pm

      Here ya go.. http://store.jdrones.com/jD_SiK_Radio_Telemetry_radio_p/rfsik20set.htm

    • Richard Kennedy > Aussie in AZ February 13, 2016 at 6:42pm

      I don't speak for 3dr at all but I think the fact you can buy all these clones is one of the reason 3dr had to re-evaluate the business model. You can't sell a radio for $100 when people can buy the same thing on eBay for $25. But look at the up side of open source which Chris has been a big proponent of. The creativity, diversity, of product now offered in relation to the whole open source code and hardware apm line of products. Just amazing!!  We all owe Chris a big gigantic thank you!!  It can be difficult to weed out the 'shitty' products but better to have all the options than only one like DJI that charges you a kings ransom for the most basic accessory. Look around you can find quality mavlkink radios. RFD900 for example. 

      • Aussie in AZ > Richard Kennedy February 14, 2016 at 5:47am

        I don't disagree with your comments Richard and yes, Chris and his team do deserve a big thank you

        THANK YOU CHRIS AND TEAM!! (really, thank you and all who are/were involved with 3DR)

        3DR has made strides in this field.

        However, say I was to buy a car, I don't want to have to go to many different stores to buy parts for the car hoping they are of OEM quality and actually engineered to do the job.  Some people are happy fitting non OEM parts hoping that the part will work because they are cheep.  Some people prefer to go to the dealership and pay a little extra for a part that was designed and engineered to do the job promised without the worry of wasting money and having to buy the same part again.  To each their own.

        I have many people come to the dealership I work for and willingly pay the extra for the assurance that their car will not break down.  We have airport shuttles that run almost 24 hours a day come in.  These companies can't afford for their vans to be off the road and so they pay a little extra for the right parts the first time.

        Case in point.   A friend of mine purchased a clutch kit for his 1996 Toyota truck.  I fitted it for him and it seemed okay at the time.  5 Months later the part failed.  It had a 3 month warranty.  Now he had to buy another clutch and have it fitted, a genuine part this time (once bitten twice shy). Now the job cost more than it would have to do it properly in the first place.

        It's the same for us DIYers.  I too have bought parts in the hopes that the cheep price will be worth the risk only to be burned.  I rejoiced when I found 3DR.  An almost one stop shop with quality parts and good customer service.  Now, sadly it seems, I have lost 3DR.

        I guess I am a little disappointed that this has happened as I am now back to hunting and pecking and reading reviews from, often poorly written and bias blogs and forums (not including DIY Drones, this site has a higher standard of DIYer and actual engineers rather than self proclaimed experts than other sites, but often does not have reviews of items I am looking for).  

        It seems that it is not only the telemetry modules that are unavailable from 3DR.  The 3DR online store is very sparse.

        J

  • Emin Bu February 11, 2016 at 7:36am

    we all buy excellent GPS from CSG Shop,

    http://www.csgshop.com/product.php?id_product=215

    i guess its time for radio too....

    http://www.csgshop.com/product.php?id_product=213

    if you need Power Module (one that can measure above 70A(200A)and 6-12S you can order here 

    http://www.mauch-electronic.com/apps/webstore/products

    if you need OSD 

    http://www.satxo.com/

  • Tom February 10, 2016 at 2:12am

    could THESE be used as an alternative?

  • Don LeRoi February 3, 2016 at 6:22pm

    If anyone is in a bind and wanting authentic 3DR V2 900 MHz radios, I have some spare sets that I'm willing to part with.  These are radio pairs, purchased from 3DR - 2 radios with cables and antennas, still in their original packaging, unopened.  The cost is $100, same as I paid, plus $7 for Priority Mail within the lower 48. PayPal preferred.

    Message me if you want a set.

    -Don

This reply was deleted.

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