Disclaimers: This is still called a DEV kit... things may change in real production version.
Full disclaimer, I am the Canadian reseller of 3DR stuff, but people knowing me know that I keep it true and if there is something I don't like I will point it out!
So my IRIS RTF arrived Guess what I did... yeah pictures time!
First of all... the box is HUGE!! (30 X 21.5 X 7.5 inches...!)
It has no issues with Fedex, I think because of it's size carrier will maybe handle it a bit better... hard to toss this one around... but could it has being smaller a bit... let's open it up...
Oh... shipping with props on... !!! that is a first for me... was it really necessary guys? I mean installing props is something we do (or should do) everytime we go flying and for safety I am always saying to remove them when done flying/crashing :)
I think it's one critical step that I like to leave for the customer to do...
There is space optimization too where 3DR could have fit this all in a smaller box (but not much, Radio is cleanly secured, IRIS arms are solidly held in place in the cardboard cutout and tape.
Let's see the parts we get!
Wow a LiPo Bag! yeah! now we are just missing a small LiPo Alarm/bench tester to complete the kit (as the included charger has no voltage display... plugging in the LiPo to the IRIS and starting up Mission planner to check voltage is not intuitive...)
So here we go with the inventory (remember, DEV kit, subject to change, bla bla bla)
1 X IRIS craft (yeah... will get back at this later but the first time you touch it to take it out of the box you feel how strong and rigid the arms and shell are... wow)
1 X Radio FlySky FS-TH9x (basic, proven, comes with the FrSky 2.4GHz DJT module so reliable signal) - no battery included, need 8 X AA regular batteries or a power pack...
1 X IMAX B3 charger... basic, simple, does the job, 1 LiPo at a time
1 X bag of cables (international plugs for charger
1 X very nice user manual!
4 X spare props (10x4.5 APC composite)
3 X LiPo (not sure this is standard, I think you only get 1 LiPo unless you order more... I feel special!)
What is missing... Tool bag... USB cables... I think It is included, manual refers to an included Alen key and a supplied custom wrench for the prop nuts... Also there should be a Tablet/USB cable and a PC/USB cable (referenced in manual)
So I think that was all in one bag that is missing from my DEV early shipped box... not a big deal for me but not fun for someone new to the hobby. (guys put a checklist in the box for the content, it helps a lot and customers like to review it too)
Love the included pre-flight check list and the sticker for Radio switches flight modes (wish it was pre cut but again maybe an early version)
Belly side up
(more pictures in next post, reached the max for now)
Comments
Dany, agree. I've spent too many hours doing impeccable wiring installations, only to have to take it all apart again way too soon.
As far as snowshoes are concerned, I'd used some small feet on the legs, like 1". That will get you on top of hardpack. But there's no practical way to get it to float on powder with anything reasonable to fly with. Bring a landing pad in that case.
Shawn, there is a need for simple snowshoes like this:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:47564
sure someone can come up with something interesting....
the sleekness of the IRIS makes me wish I studied Industrial Design. so purty
@Shawn, Thanks ! But I must say (since no one know me here) that I'm just starting in the Quad community.
I just got a great gift by a really good friend of mine, a Phantom, so I could see if I liked to fly.
And like this friend of mine told me "First taste is free" ;-). So now I'm hook and must find a way to have a budget to buy myself some gear. I would really want to by myself à GoPro, so I could take great pic/movie with it (probably XMax gift from me to me) and some more Lipo (because 20 min is not enough).
The next step, will be to have a IRIS. Learn all about it.
And it's really possible that I break loose and start to make a Quad from Scratch (I mean buying all the parts and doing it all by myself). But this would be the big step, because I know nothing about all this.
Flying is easy, but electronic and all.. much more hard for me.
@ John I was thinking like that when I built my first quad 6 years ago.. all wires were super tidy, organized, hidden as much as possible... then the inevitable struck, got a crash and needed repairs... internal wires are a pain to fix/repairs, I think the motor wires look very neat under the arms like that, easy access and all... I like it!
oh and they are not zip tie, they are using the rail system on the arms with a custom clip to hold it in place. super these rails!
John, the wires are neatly tucked into a groove in the arms, held in place by clips, not zipties. which makes this thing so attractive.
heck maybe even 2 ski's could work.
Also, since it is a packaged unit with an integrated shell it would be neat to contain the motor wires within the structure of the arms somehow rather than the wires being zip tied to the outsied. Just some constructive critisism.
Dany, I'd never want to land that thing in snow, I'd definitely have at minimum a piece of cardboard to launch/land on.
However, If I were you, I'd be thinking in terms of some kind of flat gridded/mesh plastic attachment for the corner points of those legs that would allow it to function like a primitive snow shoe.
http://kaufmann-mercantile.com/images/wooden-snowshoe.jpg
My personal opinion is that it takes the y out of diy drones but I think it's a really neat looking copter and If I was just getting into the hobby I'd probably seriously consider it. I like frames where I have a lot more room to expand/experiment if I want fpv gear, gimbal, or other stuff to add in the future. I like the original 3DR frames where you can add plates to the stackup and modify it. I'm looking forward to the Pixhawk and it's processor speed.
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