@kpbrady90 Thank you. That's a Cheerson CX-20. It's got a APM ArduCopter based flight controller, compass, GPS... it's basically a Phantom clone, but with a few advantages over the Phantom.
@ruouttaurmind what are the advantages? I'm thinking about my next multirotor (the meh phantom 1 is my first). What can the CX-20 do vs the comparable DJI?
@zippyus CX-20 (and the identical rebranded Quanum Nova) use the APM ArduCopter based flight controller. ArduCopter and APM are OpenSource products. No propriatary components, no software locks, just good old fashioned open, accessible, modifible code. This means out of the box I was able to connect my CX-20 to my computer via a USB cable, open the free MissionPlanner software, plan a flight, write the instructions to the CX-20, then execute an autonomous mission. No extra upgrades, no additional parts... it just... worked. Not so with the Phantom 1. OR Phantom 2 for that matter. Other advantages: $252 delivered to my door. Two power ports and two servio channel ports on the bottom of the fuselage. Just plug in a JST connector to power your gimbal and camera, and even control two axis of the gimbal, or even control your camera using the two open servo ports. Like the P1, it uses standard 3s batteries. Unlike the P1, it's got quite a bit more room available. Some folks are reporting using 3000mah batteries without any modifications. Repair parts aren't treated like a commodity as they are for DJI products. Flight controller, GPS, compass, even the RX and ESC's are easily replaced wtih off the shelf items. Heck, most of the parts ARE off the shelf items. Upgrades and repairs cost half that of a similar DJI product. Oh, and the TX has two available channels for things like landing gear, gimbal control, activating night flight LED's, etc.
There's this mountain that lives across the street from my office. It's taunting me. What I really want to do is walk across the highway and launch from that little dirt road on the left there, then fly to the hill and fly up the hillside, cresting the peak and revealing the giant metropolitan city in the valley below.
But dang that sure looks farther and higher than I've flown before. 3,300 foot elevation and probably 3/4 of a mile to the peak? Maybe I'd be better off to send it as a autopilot mission? Except I'm not sure what it'll do if it's on a mission and loses comms with the TX. Maybe it'll finish it's mission, then try to make it back to me, or maybe it'll try to go back to my house... 30 miles away.
Prolly better to do this on another day when I can wear some hiking clothes and go over there to retrieve it if I have to ditch into the hillside...
@garyhgaryh The motors are the same. Literally identical in every way. The fuselage on the Cheerson is a bit thinner and more flexible, so it's just a bit lighter, but the two are within a few grams of being the same weight.
@garyhgaryh The CX-20 is a bit more... hmm... "raw"? I admire the fit, finish and polished feel of flight of the Phantom. The CX-20 doesn't have that polished feel as you control it. I guess I'd compare it as the difference between a Porche... with superb fit and finish and power steering and power brakes... compared to a 1968 Camaro RS 396 with manual steering and manual brakes. They're both awesome, they're both fast, they each have their advantages and disadvantages. The Porche is more elegant and smooth, the Camaro is more raw and immediate.
@ruouttaurmind Does the cx-20 use the same battery as the phantom (connector and such)? The best price I've seen is $280, which is close to the $300 of the meh.com phantom.
@garyhgaryh I haven't had the P1 out of the box in a couple weeks. I was really disappointed when I realized I coudln't connect to the P1 via USB to upload autopilot missions. I have quite a bit of fun playing with the MissionPlanner software, learning about the extended features, working towards hacking my own routines for the APM flight controller.
BTW, also watch for the Quanum Nova. That's HobbyKing's rebranded version of the CX-20. It's identical in every way. I actually bought one for evaluation so I could compare the two. Yup. Sure enough. Same bird.
@garyhgaryh I got the Nova to compare to the CX-20 and see if there were any differences in the FC, TX, firmware, whatever. Turns out they are identical. If you're thinking about a CX-20, I can offer you the Nova at a very fair price. I've no desire to have two identical quads and would rather move that resource into a better camera or try another drone.
@DJMajickMan I got the same/similar dual battery kit but I haven't installed it yet due to worries about weight and aerodynamics. Since I'm only getting about six mins I might install it now. You have 11000mah! What us your flight time and how is Ye handling of the phantom?
@ruouttaurmind good deal. I think I'll hold off. I'm going to use that dough on the new Skyzone 3D goggles. I'm not after the 3D, but it does include 3D camera (actually it has two cameras) and a dual stereo transmitter (for both cameras). It has a DVR function on it - that's what I'm after. If I lose the phantom, my future OSD mod will record the last coordinates as backup to my gps tracker.... They're expensive right now at $530, which makes me wonder if I should get the older goggles which has dropped from a high of over $500 to $370 (but no dvr).
@garyhgaryh Sweet! I have a HTC phone with a 3D camera on it I've been trying to figure out how to attach it to the gimbal so I can record some 3D video. LOL!
@garyhgaryh It occurs to me... my HTC EVO 3D is about three or four years old by now. I bet if I looked I'd be able to find a used one for next to nothing. Even if it has a cracked screen or bad EIN, no matter, as long as the 3D camera works... I could strap it to the drone with some duct tape and get some pretty fun 3D videos.
@DJMajickMan lol thanks for sharing. How about trying two 2200 lipos? Are you using the stock 8" or 9" p2 props? If not the p2 props you should try it. They are suppose to generate more lift.
Second flight with two 2700mAh batteries that weight about the same as the 2200 that came with it. Short flight as I'd had to get to lunch and go back to work. After having found so many issues with the first flight and pre-first flight I didn't have enough time to really play as much as I wanted to.
@DJMajickMan I just asked about putting two smaller capacity batteries.. I should have read further down. I think I will install mine this weekend and try it out. I have two pairs of 2200 lipos (stock and tenergy). I also have one 2700mah battery, but I'm not going to mix it with the 2200. This flight looks good. Did you adjust the gain? How much airtime can you get out of the twin 2700mah setup? BTW, what camera are you using? Your motors sound nice :).
@DJMajickMan Some 9443 rotors would prolly help a bit with the smaller batteries. I doubt anything less than bigger motors is gonna help with the full load though.
@DJMajickMan Let's compare notes. I'll install mine this weekend. I noticed your kit has standoffs - a little heavier than mine.. Mine mounts between the legs and phantom body.
Well that was just great. Went out and flew it for about 9 minutes with some mad crashes that I thought I had on video. Only to get back and find that it shot in burst mode 1 photo every 60 seconds :(. Prop guards all are now broken from a hard landing. Flew it up really high doing some 360's and when I started bringing it down it started to wobble and even under full throttle it kept coming down until closer to the ground but it was to little to late. After that it flew fine for a little while than I found it was no longer staying level when the throttle was let go of.
Also when I got out there, I was unable to use my FPV camera as for some reason it wasn't being picked up by the goggles which had worked before I left the house. :(
Here's to hoping I can get a full charge before the rains come so I can go back out. All guards are now removed and props replaced for my second flight fingers crossed
@DJMajickMan Was the altitude loss with the dual batteries? or the BIG dual batteries? Did you spend any time tweaking the gains in the FW? I'm dealing with storms here too. Woke up ready to hike out to the wild flowers and get some video but the weather doesn't agree.
@ruouttaurmind this was the 2700 mAh batteries about 5-6 minutes into flight time. unknown altitude when wobble occurred. had not tweaked gains and it flew fine both times. this was also after a tumble a hillside so that my have had something to do with it.
I've thought the same, but flying indoors after work (big open office, high ceilings)
@zippyus Ohhh... yessss... :-)
Thats a sharp looking drone! What kind is it?
@kpbrady90 Thank you. That's a Cheerson CX-20. It's got a APM ArduCopter based flight controller, compass, GPS... it's basically a Phantom clone, but with a few advantages over the Phantom.
@ruouttaurmind what are the advantages? I'm thinking about my next multirotor (the meh phantom 1 is my first). What can the CX-20 do vs the comparable DJI?
@zippyus CX-20 (and the identical rebranded Quanum Nova) use the APM ArduCopter based flight controller. ArduCopter and APM are OpenSource products. No propriatary components, no software locks, just good old fashioned open, accessible, modifible code. This means out of the box I was able to connect my CX-20 to my computer via a USB cable, open the free MissionPlanner software, plan a flight, write the instructions to the CX-20, then execute an autonomous mission. No extra upgrades, no additional parts... it just... worked. Not so with the Phantom 1. OR Phantom 2 for that matter. Other advantages: $252 delivered to my door. Two power ports and two servio channel ports on the bottom of the fuselage. Just plug in a JST connector to power your gimbal and camera, and even control two axis of the gimbal, or even control your camera using the two open servo ports. Like the P1, it uses standard 3s batteries. Unlike the P1, it's got quite a bit more room available. Some folks are reporting using 3000mah batteries without any modifications. Repair parts aren't treated like a commodity as they are for DJI products. Flight controller, GPS, compass, even the RX and ESC's are easily replaced wtih off the shelf items. Heck, most of the parts ARE off the shelf items. Upgrades and repairs cost half that of a similar DJI product. Oh, and the TX has two available channels for things like landing gear, gimbal control, activating night flight LED's, etc.
Cheers!
(x-posted in the Videos thread in this forum)
@ruouttaurmind Tuck and roll landing!
There's this mountain that lives across the street from my office. It's taunting me. What I really want to do is walk across the highway and launch from that little dirt road on the left there, then fly to the hill and fly up the hillside, cresting the peak and revealing the giant metropolitan city in the valley below.
But dang that sure looks farther and higher than I've flown before. 3,300 foot elevation and probably 3/4 of a mile to the peak? Maybe I'd be better off to send it as a autopilot mission? Except I'm not sure what it'll do if it's on a mission and loses comms with the TX. Maybe it'll finish it's mission, then try to make it back to me, or maybe it'll try to go back to my house... 30 miles away.
Prolly better to do this on another day when I can wear some hiking clothes and go over there to retrieve it if I have to ditch into the hillside...
@ruouttaurmind I have to see the other side! Do it!
@crapstick Instigator... ;-)
Cheerson CX-20 is a nice little quadcopter. For that price, I'm tempted to pick up one of these. Can it lift more than our p1.1.1?
@garyhgaryh The motors are the same. Literally identical in every way. The fuselage on the Cheerson is a bit thinner and more flexible, so it's just a bit lighter, but the two are within a few grams of being the same weight.
@garyhgaryh The CX-20 is a bit more... hmm... "raw"? I admire the fit, finish and polished feel of flight of the Phantom. The CX-20 doesn't have that polished feel as you control it. I guess I'd compare it as the difference between a Porche... with superb fit and finish and power steering and power brakes... compared to a 1968 Camaro RS 396 with manual steering and manual brakes. They're both awesome, they're both fast, they each have their advantages and disadvantages. The Porche is more elegant and smooth, the Camaro is more raw and immediate.
@ruouttaurmind Do you use the cx-20 more than the p111?
@ruouttaurmind Does the cx-20 use the same battery as the phantom (connector and such)? The best price I've seen is $280, which is close to the $300 of the meh.com phantom.
@garyhgaryh http://www.amazon.com/Cheerson-CX-20-CX20-Auto-Pathfinder-Quadcopter/dp/B00J7OGX9C/ref=sr_1_2?rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1431609721&sr=8-2&keywords=CX-20 Looks like that would be a yes. Same battery connection. If the landing gear is the same this may be a nice secondary for me. I've already purchased and installed these on my Phantom http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PDGSYU4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 with 2 really heavy :( but twice the mAh http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RHJM6ZO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1. Yet to fly it with those in other than small indoor test for lift.
@garyhgaryh I haven't had the P1 out of the box in a couple weeks. I was really disappointed when I realized I coudln't connect to the P1 via USB to upload autopilot missions. I have quite a bit of fun playing with the MissionPlanner software, learning about the extended features, working towards hacking my own routines for the APM flight controller.
@garyhgaryh @DJMajickMan Yup, the battery is the same. 3s, 25c XT60 connector.
@garyhgaryh Keep an eye on Banggood.com and GearBest.com. Right now Banggood is showing the CX-20 for $249.20 delivered. http://www.banggood.com/Cheerson-CX20-Opensource-Version-AutoPathfinder-Quadcopter-RTF-p-932145.html
BTW, also watch for the Quanum Nova. That's HobbyKing's rebranded version of the CX-20. It's identical in every way. I actually bought one for evaluation so I could compare the two. Yup. Sure enough. Same bird.
@garyhgaryh I got the Nova to compare to the CX-20 and see if there were any differences in the FC, TX, firmware, whatever. Turns out they are identical. If you're thinking about a CX-20, I can offer you the Nova at a very fair price. I've no desire to have two identical quads and would rather move that resource into a better camera or try another drone.
@DJMajickMan I got the same/similar dual battery kit but I haven't installed it yet due to worries about weight and aerodynamics. Since I'm only getting about six mins I might install it now. You have 11000mah! What us your flight time and how is Ye handling of the phantom?
@ruouttaurmind I might. How much for the nova?
@garyhgaryh Dunno, maybe $225 plus actual shipping (method of your choice)?
@ruouttaurmind good deal. I think I'll hold off. I'm going to use that dough on the new Skyzone 3D goggles. I'm not after the 3D, but it does include 3D camera (actually it has two cameras) and a dual stereo transmitter (for both cameras). It has a DVR function on it - that's what I'm after. If I lose the phantom, my future OSD mod will record the last coordinates as backup to my gps tracker.... They're expensive right now at $530, which makes me wonder if I should get the older goggles which has dropped from a high of over $500 to $370 (but no dvr).
@garyhgaryh Sweet! I have a HTC phone with a 3D camera on it I've been trying to figure out how to attach it to the gimbal so I can record some 3D video. LOL!
@ruouttaurmind Haha that would be awesome!
@garyhgaryh It occurs to me... my HTC EVO 3D is about three or four years old by now. I bet if I looked I'd be able to find a used one for next to nothing. Even if it has a cracked screen or bad EIN, no matter, as long as the 3D camera works... I could strap it to the drone with some duct tape and get some pretty fun 3D videos.
@ruouttaurmind lol.. duct tape! It would be a heavy piece of equipment to haul.
@garyhgaryh 11000 mAh and I need new motors these things aren't powerful enough it only got about 2-3 feet off the ground.
@DJMajickMan poor copter reminded me of SNL's "the all drug olympics"
@DJMajickMan lol thanks for sharing. How about trying two 2200 lipos? Are you using the stock 8" or 9" p2 props? If not the p2 props you should try it. They are suppose to generate more lift.
Second flight with two 2700mAh batteries that weight about the same as the 2200 that came with it. Short flight as I'd had to get to lunch and go back to work. After having found so many issues with the first flight and pre-first flight I didn't have enough time to really play as much as I wanted to.
@DJMajickMan I just asked about putting two smaller capacity batteries.. I should have read further down. I think I will install mine this weekend and try it out. I have two pairs of 2200 lipos (stock and tenergy). I also have one 2700mah battery, but I'm not going to mix it with the 2200. This flight looks good. Did you adjust the gain? How much airtime can you get out of the twin 2700mah setup? BTW, what camera are you using? Your motors sound nice :).
@DJMajickMan Some 9443 rotors would prolly help a bit with the smaller batteries. I doubt anything less than bigger motors is gonna help with the full load though.
@DJMajickMan That "rattle" I hear as you tip back... is that a balance connector getting into the rotor?
@ruouttaurmind thats the cracked guard from the first video :(
@garyhgaryh recharging now hoping to fly again tomorrow to get full flight time. edit: camera is GoPro Hero 3+ Black
@DJMajickMan Let's compare notes. I'll install mine this weekend. I noticed your kit has standoffs - a little heavier than mine.. Mine mounts between the legs and phantom body.
@garyhgaryh aluminum standoffs really light weight.
Well that was just great. Went out and flew it for about 9 minutes with some mad crashes that I thought I had on video. Only to get back and find that it shot in burst mode 1 photo every 60 seconds :(. Prop guards all are now broken from a hard landing. Flew it up really high doing some 360's and when I started bringing it down it started to wobble and even under full throttle it kept coming down until closer to the ground but it was to little to late. After that it flew fine for a little while than I found it was no longer staying level when the throttle was let go of.
Also when I got out there, I was unable to use my FPV camera as for some reason it wasn't being picked up by the goggles which had worked before I left the house. :(
Here's to hoping I can get a full charge before the rains come so I can go back out. All guards are now removed and props replaced for my second flight fingers crossed
@DJMajickMan Was the altitude loss with the dual batteries? or the BIG dual batteries? Did you spend any time tweaking the gains in the FW? I'm dealing with storms here too. Woke up ready to hike out to the wild flowers and get some video but the weather doesn't agree.
@ruouttaurmind this was the 2700 mAh batteries about 5-6 minutes into flight time. unknown altitude when wobble occurred. had not tweaked gains and it flew fine both times. this was also after a tumble a hillside so that my have had something to do with it.