AXN FloaterNot sure if any of you have seen this, but there's a decent looking easy star clone for what appears to be a pretty good price. Here is a review.The shipping will be a little steep at about $35-$40, but considering it comes with a brushless motor, speed controller and servos for elevator, ruder and ailerons the price isn't half bad.I'm looking for a airplane test bed for the PicPilot so maybe I'll order one up and be the Guinea Pig on this one.Brian
These are the necessary mods to make this platform reliable:
Discard the original motor. It is not of reliable quality. Magnets loose, not balanced, not reliable.
Mount a new motor (see my blog for an example)
Use a 6x4 prop. Properly balanced.
Use a 30 or 40A ESC that is bulletproof. Mount in airstream.
Glue aileron horns (comes off on original)
Glue rudder horn (comes off on original)
Remove original motor mount (black). The makers of the plane has max spent one drop of glue on it and it literally falls off (in air, taking the motor with it if you are "lucky")
Discard original canopy
Hinge all control surfaces
Secure wings
Cut out interor of cockpit to make room for batteries
Thomas,
Thanks for the heads up. I had actually read that too while looking into this bird. I think the video reviewer mentions it to. He said he cut the ailerons, rudder and elevator off and re-attached with tape at the proper distance.
That's sort of been my experience with a lot of Chinese products. They aren't always real keen on fit and finish. If your not the crafty type who doesn't mind putting in a little time to polish things up (or you simply don't have the time) you'd probably save yourself a lot of frustration by going with a name brand.
Brian
I read it lacks the huge cockpit of the EZ*. Has ailerons though...whether that's a plus or not depends on your application. Performance-wise people seem quite pleased. Been considering it myself vs an EZ*.
I'll most likely order it tonight along with a few other things I need. I expect it to take two to three weeks to show up based on past experience ordering from Hobby King, but I'll post how it goes.
Would be interested to hear how you get on if you do order one, I have been looking at this VS the easystar for a project using Bill Premerlani's UAV v2 project board from sparkfun.
Comments
These are the necessary mods to make this platform reliable:
Discard the original motor. It is not of reliable quality. Magnets loose, not balanced, not reliable.
Mount a new motor (see my blog for an example)
Use a 6x4 prop. Properly balanced.
Use a 30 or 40A ESC that is bulletproof. Mount in airstream.
Glue aileron horns (comes off on original)
Glue rudder horn (comes off on original)
Remove original motor mount (black). The makers of the plane has max spent one drop of glue on it and it literally falls off (in air, taking the motor with it if you are "lucky")
Discard original canopy
Hinge all control surfaces
Secure wings
Cut out interor of cockpit to make room for batteries
UFO_MAN
Thanks for the heads up. I had actually read that too while looking into this bird. I think the video reviewer mentions it to. He said he cut the ailerons, rudder and elevator off and re-attached with tape at the proper distance.
That's sort of been my experience with a lot of Chinese products. They aren't always real keen on fit and finish. If your not the crafty type who doesn't mind putting in a little time to polish things up (or you simply don't have the time) you'd probably save yourself a lot of frustration by going with a name brand.
Brian
This aircraft has been looked at before on DIY Drones. There were some pluses and some minuses.
I would do a search on RCGroups before making a purchase.
I read one thread on RCGroups that stated that the aileron hinges were very stiff and the servos could barely make them move.
Just a thought.
Regards,
TCIII
Brian let us know how well it works!
Brian
http://www.brchobbies.co.uk/?page=shop&action=additem&item=560
Would be interested to hear how you get on if you do order one, I have been looking at this VS the easystar for a project using Bill Premerlani's UAV v2 project board from sparkfun.