Hi everyone,
I'am new here, but thank for all yours discussions, there are really interesting.
I want to use a Phantom II and use an APM 2.6 with telemetry to send some GPS cordinates and control the drone like that.
I want to have a real-time video on a computer or Ipad, and I have one question, can I use a Gopro and connect it directly to the APM 2.6. Because I know that I can't have a good resolution with the Gopro even if I'm really near the drone in real-time (for the first prototype, later I'll use an better camera + gimbal)
If you have any idea, answer my, thank you for your time .
Julien
Replies
Salut Julien,
(even though I see you're French) let's stick to English so everyone can understand and participate.
I'm certainly not the most experienced user here so take my "advices" with care.
First of all, as far as I understand, the gopro shoudn't be wired to the APM.
If you want a strong video feed from the gopro to a screen, you'll need to connect the gopro to a video transmitter on board and you'll need a video receiver on the screen side. I don't know if there's anything that can be done with the ipad, but I read somewhere that there is a usb dongle that can bring the video feed to a computer (sorry, I can' t remember the name. Maybe someone will).
I guess you could use the wifi capabilities of the gopro to connect to a computer or the ipad app, but I wouldn't rely on this (delay and short range...)
Anyway, in both case, the gopro is not connected to the APM.
The best option is of course to buy a separate camera dedicated to fpv (they are not that expensive), connected to the video transmitter to use it to control the quadcopter with live video on a small lcd screen or goggles, and to use the gopro only for recording images (no feed).
And if you intend to mount the gopro on a gimbal, I read several times that flying fpv qith a stabilised camera can be really disorienting?
Silly question: why start with a phantom if you're going to make so many changes?
Wouldn't it be easier to start with a DJI F450 flamewheel or anything more flexible.
I chose to go with the TBS discovery because it already has the printed circuits for the fpv camera and the video transmitter, but that's just me...
So in a nutshell, the APM doesn't need to be connected to the gopro
Not sure if I helped, but I tried ;)
A bientôt!
Mathieu
Merci Mathieu,
Ok, that's the kind of answers I was waiting. In fact, I want a good video to make some film for example, I want to use the drone as a camera-man. So I don't know if a video dedicated for fpv sould be a better option.
I chose the Phantom because it's certificated to fly in France by DGAC and not DJI F450, that why I chose it. It's so difficul to use a drone for a project and stay legal here. I want to fly outside and near to city.
Thank you for answering.
Julien
Hi Julien,
Regarding the camera, I think I get it.
You want to film only and the screen's only purpose is to see what you're filming.
In that case, there are cables like this to connect the gopro to a video transmitter:
http://mikrokopter.altigator.com/cable-gopro3-vers-emetteur-video-p...
(btw this eshop is really good, fast and the people there are really willing to help).
Regarding the DGAC, I'm pretty sure the Phantom would lose its certification if you perform major modifications such as changing the flight controller (from NAZA to APM). And yes, the legal aspects in France (not only) are a pain...
Here is the list of the DGAC certified drones:
http://www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/WEB-CONSTRUCTEURS_...
Oh, and I just found this: http://www.helicomicro.com/le-dji-phantom-2-homologue/
Looks like the Phantom isn't certified out of the box...
Hope that helps.
Mathieu