Okay, so this flight was not nearly as daring as I may have sold it to be, but it is my first flight over water. Knowing water and electronics don't mix, I was a bit nervous.
This flight made me realize a few things. First, I want a bigger quad. Second, I would probably treat a bigger quad with kid gloves. Third, I really really really want a lightweight FPV setup for this little V959 quad. And D, errr...fourth...YouTube can really botch videos at times. I may have to move over to vimeo.
So, my thoughts beg questions. What bigger quad should I buy, or build, next? One I can thrash a bit, and not bring down the wrath of the wife in the initial expenditure and upkeep? Also, one which preferably would carry a GoPro in its protective case, as I am getting a hand-me-down GoPro cheap from a friend moving over to Contour cameras. Next, what light weight FPV setup would people recommend? I can carry about 50 grams extra on my current quad. I have been looking at the Walkera all in one camera and transmitter setup which can be purchased for their micro quads, because I know size-wise they would work. Any other suggestions though? Finally, what are peoples thoughts on Vimeo? I have heard mixed thoughts elsewhere.
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I'm currently using my quad for some aerial surveying. It sneaks in under the CASA requirements for Oz. It'd be great to get this thing to do some autonomous flying! I'd be keen to see what you've got on the back burner...
60hr work week sounds nice by the way! :P
That VR pico drone is amazing! I had been thinking about using a Micro MWC controller I saw at HK. I may have to look into this project further! I have something I am working on for control of the v959 from a ground station using a camera to determine orientation. But, I am slow going right now. Sixty hour work weeks do that.
Thanks for sharing!
These really are great little quads, and the price is hard to beat. I have banged my v959 around, and have less than 20 bucks invested in repairs! I have also dropped mine in the drink once, and it survived to fly another day. It was in about 2 feet of water at least 90 seconds. It was in this very creek, actually. Unfortunately, the only thing which didn't last the v959 submarine test was the sd card. This saddened me, because I thought it would have made a great video! I envisioned it similar to Golum pulling the ring out of the creek in LOTR. You probably would have even heard me crying out, "my precious!"
I have the v222, and it flies different. It is more stable, which makes it feel less stable at first, oddly. I think it was me overcorrecting on its corrections. Better to just let it stable itself out after motions, which it does well. The only problem I had at first was drop outs. This, for me, was solved by similar mods to the ones in the link you posted.
Check out my HD videos with the 808 #16 cam strapped to the v959. For less than a hundred bucks, I have a small, durable, HD quad.
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Hi mate,
I thought you'd be interested in this vid if you haven't seen it yet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYLgYnmOroQ
Also, there is a thread on extending the range of these quads and others at http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1864651
As far as the v959 being aqua-phobic, in my zeal to get mine in the air, I went straight to a deserted place at my work and proceeded to rapidly lose control of my quad on my second go at it and dropped it into half a meter of water. I found it fully submerged and upside down with the camera LED blinking at me. I let loose a few choice four letter words, (much to my shame!) and then un-plugged everything and sat it under the car's air conditioner for 20 or so minutes until it dried out. I then plugged everything back in and away she went, no complaints. These little quads are amazingly strong aren't they?! I've done my best to kill mine, (including a 20m+ fall out of a tree onto hard pavement) and it still springs straight back into the sky no problems! Got a V222 on the way here now plus a few spares just in case they can't keep taking my harsh treatment!
My next move is to try and emulate Roberto Navoni's VR Pico Drone somehow... Anyone reading this have any ideas?
Cheers
Jesse