This is the same exact product as the Quanum Nova

There have been different iterations with different compasses and GPS units.

There are 2 other models that are not compatible with Mission Planner

The "Open Source Model" is what you want. It appears that it uses a proprietary clone of the APM flight controller. I still don't know how to tell which version has been cloned and there are several different ones out there that all look different and the looks seem to have no bearing on what's inside.

When you get one, the first thing you need to do is  take it apart. Mine was flipping over on its back at takeoff. Turned out that the flight controller was physically laying about 45 degrees and loose inside.

Make sure everything is down good and tight, make sure the GPS lights up. Make sure he compass in the dome is mounted, secure, and properly oriented, etc. The external USB port is simply a cable running to a micro USB port on the flight controller. Mine was rather loose so I put a drop of hot glue on it.

Next, run Mission planner. Don't screw with parameters until you know what you're doing. DO go through and run all of the calibration tests. If it won't connect with your machine via the outside USB port, it is likely because the cable running to the flight controller USB port isn't connected right. From everything  I've read, you want to use Mission Planner (MP) for calibration and not the poorly documented procedure in the manual.

Mission planner works with or without the battery connected to the quad. But if the battery is not connected and charged, it will BEEP loudly and consistently the entire time you're connected with the low battery warning.

Compass calibration on Mission planner takes a while. Keep rotating on various axis until it tells you it's done. It takes a LOT of samples, but that's a good thing.

Some things I'm working on solving:

Erratic auto modes. I think I have the most recent version of the firmware installed now. I did that first thing when I was having problems. I've heard that you don't want that version  but I didn't know any better and I don't know specifically which version works best on this quad. In position hold, it bounces around a lot, and then will come down to some random spot and land...sort of .... and take off...sometimes. It's strange. Altitude hold will hold for a while and then will do the same. RTL sometimes works. Sometimes it just goes where it works. And half the time when it works, it sets down hard, flips over, and still doesn't shut off the motors until I kill them. I haven't left it on long enough to see justhow long it will continue. I lose my nerve at about 5 seconds.

I'm at work but I didn't want this thread to just not get started. Gotta run but I'll add more later.