Announcing APM 2.5!

I’m pleased to announce the new APM 2.0 revision, better known as APM2.5!

But before you start screaming that you just got an APM 2.0, let me explain that there’s NO difference in performance at all between the two, the board is still the same in terms of functionally and it runs exactly the same code as APM 2.0. We just took the liberty of throwing in a few new universal connectors in there (so accessories can be cross compatible with the new PX4 and protect the user from connecting the cable in the wrong direction), some production improvements that will allows to manufacture it faster and finally we added some protection features to protect it from those reverse polarity/short circuit lovers.

Here goes the full list of changes (you already know all its features):

No more shield/daughterboard: magnetometer and dataflash were moved to the main board, making it easier to assemble, repair and hack.
No more on-board GPS, but we added a new 6-pins DF13 connector for our new GPS cable standard (PX4) and kept the old but reliable Molex (EM-406) connector for old GPS compatibility.
The old radio-modem connector is gone and now is being replaced by our new 6-pins DF13 connector (like the GPS, because both are UART’s. Got it?), this will make it compatible with PX4 and prevents users from blowing up the UART mux.
We added a second protection fuse and diode (you are no longer required to solder it yourself) for extra reverse polarity and short circuit protection.
The old I2C connector is gone and has been replaced by our new 4-pins DF13 connector (yeah PX4 compatible. Oh wait correction… None of both (PX4 & APM2.5) are compatible with each other, we created this standard together as a team, but I have to give the average of the credits to PX4).
Added a “mystery” 6-pin DF13 Connector that will be used later. I know you like surprises so please stay tuned. No big deal but is really cool and will save you some soldering here and there.
Added “Magnetometer Jumper” that allows you to disable the on-board magnetometer, so you can attach an external one.
Added extra LED attached to the PPM encoder (Atmega32-U2) on pin PC7. This will allows us later to use it as PPM status indication and leave those poor TX/RX LED’s do their intended job.

Those who ordered the APM2.0 and are still waiting for it (only if is not shipped yet) will have the option to upgrade to the new APM2.5, but you will be required to wait an extra couple of weeks for production to begin. For upgrades please send us an email to sales@3drobotics.com.

If you want to order one now you can get the assembled version here and the unassembled version here (for those who want their choice of RC connector: straight or right-angled). They will begin shipping in a week or so, but if there is a huge flood of orders, the backlog for any individual order may grow to 2-4 weeks. We're making them at the new Tijuana facility, so we hope that we'll be able to keep up with demand much better than we have in the past. We're committed to shrinking all delays, and our investment in the Tijuana facility is just one sign of this.

The APM 2.0 enclosures will not fit this new board, so new enclosures are on their way. If you buy an APM 2.5 now, you will get a $4.99 credit for a free enclosure with your next order (the enclosures should be in in about a month). Also, APM 2.5 will ship with an adapter cable for the 3DR/Xbee radios, converting from the APM 2.5 DF13 connector to the radios' conventional 6-pin connectors. Eagle files for the boards will be posted in the next few days.

Here's an update from this morning's weekly 3DR operations update meeting:

1) Unassembled APM 2.5s, which are made in the San Diego factory, are in, and just waiting for a shipment of adapter cables (they connect the new telem port to existing 3DR/Xbee connectors, and will be included with all APM 2.5s) to arrive tomorrow or Wed before being shipped out. By the end of the week, all the unassembled APM 2.5 backlog should be eliminated and the product will enter normal availability status (boards in stock, available for immediate shipment)

2) Assembled APM 2.5s, which are made in the Tijuana factory, are coming in weekly batches of 200. At the current rate, it will take 3 weeks to completely fill all backlogged orders. After that, it, too, will enter normal availability status.

3) The APM 2.5 enclosures (both straight and right-angle pin versions) are approx 3-4 weeks away. All customers who receive an APM 2.5 before then will get a credit for a free enclosure when they arrive.

4) The team will do their best to update customers with the Twitter feed, but given that unassembled and assembled APM 2.5s are shipping on different schedules, going on simple sequential order numbers can create more confusion that it eliminates. Nevertheless, they'll try to update as best as possible until both APM 2.5 versions are in regular availability status.

5) 3DR radios should start shipping again this week.

Hope that helps!

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Comments

Giuseppe August 6, 2012 at 4:45pm

I hope it will work better than APM 2.0! The APM 2 has been a huge problem. It makes me very angry, because I bought three of them and all presented a fault. I bought them on last december, I received them last late april...now I'm sending them back to the reseller...The APM 2 has not been a good experience to all involved...Thank you to Martin of Build Your Own Drone UK for the customer support!
3D Robotics

Chris Anderson August 6, 2012 at 3:10pm

Marcus: the manual doesn't need to be changed. The two boards work exactly the same; only some connectors have moved. We may update some of the pictures to show the new connector placement, but otherwise the usage is the same.
Marcus Harrysson August 6, 2012 at 3:04pm

Out of curiousity, will the old manual work for 2.5 or will a newer rev. manual be out?
Kranston Kincaid August 6, 2012 at 3:01pm

Well I'm in the assembled group, so I guess I can sit tight for a while. Chris I really appreciate your insight into this whole process. Takes a little bit of the guess work out of it. Thanks
Jeff Smith August 6, 2012 at 2:06pm

Awesome! I'm in the unassembled group :-)
Matt August 6, 2012 at 1:50pm

As I said my order is 27183 and still processing even if I had a mail 1 hour ago from sales@3DR telling me that it was confirmed in their system for APM 2.5 and will then be shipped...
3D Robotics

Chris Anderson August 6, 2012 at 1:49pm

Here's an update from this morning's weekly 3DR operations update meeting:

1) Unassembled APM 2.5s, which are made in the San Diego factory, are in, and just waiting for a shipment of adapter cables (they connect the new telem port to existing 3DR/Xbee connectors, and will be included with all APM 2.5s) to arrive tomorrow or Wed before being shipped out. By the end of the week, all the unassembled APM 2.5 backlog should be eliminated and the product will enter normal availability status (boards in stock, available for immediate shipment)

2) Assembled APM 2.5s, which are made in the Tijuana factory, are coming in weekly batches of 200. At the current rate, it will take 3 weeks to completely fill all backlogged orders. After that, it, too, will enter normal availability status.

3) The APM 2.5 enclosures (both straight and right-angle pin versions) are approx 3-4 weeks away. All customers who receive an APM 2.5 before then will get a credit for a free enclosure when they arrive.

4) The team will do their best to update customers with the Twitter feed, but given that unassembled and assembled APM 2.5s are shipping on different schedules, going on simple sequential order numbers can create more confusion that it eliminates. Nevertheless, they'll try to update as best as possible until both APM 2.5 versions are in regular availability status.

5) 3DR radios should start shipping again this week.

Hope that helps!
Kranston Kincaid August 6, 2012 at 1:02pm

Tell me about it! My number (mentioned before) 27054, is still processing. argh
Jeff Smith August 6, 2012 at 12:53pm

Ok, if your going to have the rest of us crossing fingers, toes, and chomping at the bit...

At least post your order numbers!!!

I'm 28192 and still "processing".
Matt August 6, 2012 at 12:41pm

Yes, just confirmed for me too ! Waiting for the "in the plane to Europe" confirmation ! :)

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