All Items - Packed Up
All Items - Unpacked
FPV DVR Ground Station - Open
FPV DVR Ground Station - Unpacked
All Items - Assembled
FPV DVR Ground Station - Internals
FPV DVR Ground Station - Display
Parts:
Andriod Nexus 7 running AndroPilot (with Travel Case)
Right Angle OTG Cable
433Mhz USB radio
Suction Mount for Nexus 7
Portable 7-inch DVD Player (with headrest mountable carry case)
DIY 5.8Ghz VRX Module (with IR Remote Control)
Hobby King SD DVR (minus case and expansion board)
Futaba FP-T8UAF
FRSky DFT 2.4Ghz Transciever
Turnigy 2650mAh LiPo
Total Cost: Next to Nothing (<$150)+Tablet($250)
This old Portable DVD Player had given up the ghost. So, after repairing (and then realising that i have zero need for a portable DVD player), i took to tearing in apart again. Removing the unwanted CD carriage, finding suitable AV inputs and a 5VDC line on the board was relatively straight forward. I had even planned to wire in the ADC_KEY_1 and ADC_KEY_2 inputs up the the existing and very conveniently located micro-switches which are no longer required for the DVD player in order to provide UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT, SELECT, MENU, PLAY, RECORD and STOP buttons for the DVR, however found it unnecessary thanks to the fact that the IR receiver for the DVR gives good reception through the small clear window located in the lid to the CD carriage. NOTE - switch on rear left hand corner of FPV unit is wired into alarm trigger circuit of DVR (however, I am yet to find a mode in which this will activate/deactivate recording)
Nice and Small, Easily Portable, Wonderfully Compact, Cost Effective - Couldn't be happier with my little beginners kit.
Comments
@Quadzimodo,
I built the ASM so that I could have a very small GCS, however the ASM kit availability and the late maturing of the firmware has caused it to be overtaken by Andropilot and Androplanner. However it is still handy for field use when I do not want to take my Tab 2 or the Pelican GCS to the test site. You can see pictures of my Pelican GCS here: GCS
@Rob,
That is a nice idea. Using a slightly deeper waterproof case you could mount the GPS and display inside the cover. However you would still need a waterproof connection for the telemetry radio.
Regards,
TCIII ArduRover2 Developer
Probably didn't want to cut up the Pelican. ;)
Would be nice if there was a case for the Ardustation with a lift-off lid. Then you could benefit from the protection during shipping, but remove the lid to expose the GPS and display in operation.
Thomas - That's a nice bit of kit! Any reason why you chose to house the ArduStation separately to your Pelican cased GCS?
@Quadzimodo,
I put my ArduStation Mega in a Preserver P3000 Cruiser waterproof and crushproof protective case.
Regards,
TCIII ArduRover2 Developer
(btw - if you haven't tried adding an anti-glare sticker to your nexus, I bet you'd like it)
sweet!
Thanks for your kind comments.
A Pelican 1520 certainly is a great deal bigger but, as you say, it is far more durable (and probably a whole lot more neat).
I would like to be able to cart this equipment and the associated 450 sized quad on a 3 day hike (into the Wollemi National Park) at some point, where both size and weight are of particular importance.
Unfortunately, there is not enough room left in this particular DVD player to accommodate the ArduStation Mega 1.5, so i will soon be building another GS. It will likely be in a Pelican 1120.
Regards,
Jason
@Quadzimodo,
Nice setup. Very compact.
I presently have a GCS running MP in a Pelican 1520 case which is obviously much bigger than your setup, but it will float when dumped in the water:-) However, I also have a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 running Andropilot and your setup has given me some ideas as to how to house my Tab 2 out in the field.
Regards,
TCIII ArduRover2 Developer