What is the differencies between Ardupilot and APMega ?
Could you prefer new mega system or Ardupilot 2.6 ?
Product Comparison Matrix
| Features | ArduPilot EZ | ArduPilot | ArduPilot Mega |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 4.7 cm (L) x 3 cm (W) x 2.2 cm (H) | 4.7 cm (L) x 3 cm (W) x 1.7 cm (H) | 7.4 cm (L) x 4.1 cm (W) x 2 cm (H) |
| Vehicles handled | Stable airplanes, ground and water vehicles | Any airplane | Any airplane, quadcopters and (in Q4) helicopters |
| Processors | Atmega328 (main), Attiny45 (failsafe) | Atmega328 (main), Attiny45 (failsafe) | Atmega1280(main), Atmega328 (RC interface/failsafe) |
| Stabilization sensors | Three-axis gyro | Thermopiles or ArduIMU | Custom IMU shield |
| RC Channels | 4 in, 3 out | 4 in, 3 out | 8 in, 8 out |
| Serial ports | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Additional sensors | GPS | GPS, airspeed, voltage | GPS, altitude, voltage. Optional airspeed, magnetometer |
| Programming interface | FTDI | FTDI | USB |
| Datalogging | Ground (via wireless telemetry) | Ground (via wireless telemetry) | Onboard 2Mb memory and ground (via wireless telemetry) |
| Addition I/O pins | 8 analog, 2 digital | 5 analog, 2 digital | 16 analog/digital, 12 digital |
I saw this table already but i want to know your decision ?
Replies
APM + OilPan has many other features than just having pressure sensor and PPM encoder on board. Ok they are important too. Along with those extra features you also get
- Dedicated serial port for GPS
- Dedicated serial port for Telemetry
- 4 times more memory on main CPU
- Programmable relay outputs (for driving LED lights or so...)
- Voltage dividers to look after your battery levels
- I2C port
- 8 PWM outputs
- 8 PWM inputs
- More accurate gyros, accelerometers
- Internal datalogging
- Really compact design
and much more. Also gyros and other electronics is a lot better on this new OilPan IMU than earlier ArduPilot hardware. Tho old hardware still rocks but if you are plannig to have your first electronics now.. go for ArduPilot Mega with ArduPilot Mega IMU (OilPan)
The APM and IMU Shield will set you back $200 US plus you will need a GPS and a differential pressure sensor for aircraft models. The Ardupilot is only $26 US plus the cost of the V2 Shield, $20 US, and the thermal piles, $100 US, for a total of ~$150 US. You still need a GPS and differential presssure sensor for aircraft models. So the Ardupilot is about $50 cheaper, but does not have the PPM encoder nor the absolute pressure sensor. Use of the IMU sensors means nothing is outside of the fuse. Take your pick.
Regards,
TCIII