Aeronavics / Droidworx Skyjib Flat 8 v X4

D

Dependabletv

Always learning
I'm about to place an order for a SkyJib for high end aerial filming and stills and simply can't decide between flat 8 and X4. Geoff at Quadcopters is leaning towards the X4 then you look at the Droidworx website that says the flat 8 is the first choice for aerial filming. We'll be carrying 5D and an F55 (similar size and weight to a Red Epic - but better in many ways IMHO) Do you have any opinions you'd be prepared to share

The size difference is obvious. I'm interested in things like stability in the UKs wind, shot interference from the front spar of a flight 8 if the camera is facing forwards in low fast flight and also flight duration.

Thanks
Richard
 

Droider

Droider

Drone Enthusiast

D

Dependabletv

Always learning
Hi Dave,
Thanks for this. Firstly, I'm over the Pennines in North Yorkshire but don't hold that against me!

Do you have comparable experience of a flat 8? Geoff (who you clearly know) is similarly convinced about the merits of the coax but as a relative newbie to all this, and being conscious of what the rest of the TV and film world use, I am keen to hear as many informed opinions as I can. In time we'll be judged by the pictures of course but for now I want to make the best informed decision possible.
Regards
Richard
 

Droider

Droider

Drone Enthusiast
Richard.

Its horses for courses, yes I know Geoff very well and really respect what he has done for MR's in the UK AV business. Along with Paul we are a team working the MR market in the UK. Virtually all the commercial shoots we have done have been in less than perfect conditions. Conditions in my opinion we could not have flown with big flat machines. The biggest flat hex we have as a company of 10 CAA registered craft is a F550.

IF you want to see mine in action I am more than willing to show what it can do. I dont own a flat hex or octo the reason the coax work form me in the UK.... ahh why am I telling you all this.. you will be a near by competitor...

Second thoughts matey, I would not hesitate in recommending you totally ignore Geoff's and my advice and go for a big flat 8 with 16" props!

Dave

:)
 

D

Dependabletv

Always learning
Ha Ha - Brilliant! If it helps, I'm happy to swap any camera/TV advice I can offer in return! That way it's mutual benefit rather than competition - a much more gentlemanly way forward?

Really helpful stuff and Geoff and Paul are being equally helpful. Just after as many views as possible although this is a very small world isn't it. (Did I meet you at the Quadcopters stand BVE?)

The offer to see yours in action is really kind. I'm sure I'll be over with Geoff in the coming weeks so I'll let you know when. Where abouts are you?
Regards
Richard
 

redridinghood

redridinghood

Member
Richard I had my SJ8 in a flat configuration for 6 months and then converted it into an X8 a few months ago. The coaxial is superior in every way. Well maybe not run time...
 

Droider

Droider

Drone Enthusiast
Aye Up Richard.. Thats how we all learn the cheapest possible way. If everyone on this planet did the same thing it would be a far better place.

I love IP mind melts thats how real quality solutions are found. I am up to Inverness again at the weekend for a couple of weeks working two of my passions, MR flying and saving the bloody planet!

Anyhow I am in Southport till weekend. Inverness, Kings Lynn, Bedford, Northampton, Brentwood, Neasdon, St Austel and everywhere in between over the next few weeks!

@ RR.. by how much? and what is the advantage, 1 min at best. My SJLX4 has 8 mins with loads to spare with a 2.2KG camera. Now why would you want to fly longer? I just tell DOP's the flights are 6 mins total. If you cant get at least 3 attempts at the shot in 6 mins then maybe a MR is not the right camera platform.

Dave
 

D

Dependabletv

Always learning
Thanks Redridinghood - and you must have much better weather in Cyprus! Please will you expand on why it's superior?
Regards
Richard
 

redridinghood

redridinghood

Member
Yeap, if it wasn't so hot in the summer months I would say the weather is really nice down here. The X8 seems to be less affected by wind gusts and does not drift as much compared to the flat 8. Also the wkm I am using seems to favor the X configuration giving a wider range of usable gains to play with. Some negatives are that the props are more in the shot if your gimbal is not low enough, you get 10% less flight time and the bearings on the under motors need changing more often.
 

D

Dependabletv

Always learning
Dave,
The shots on one of your reels of Anthony Gormley's "Another Place" now make sense. I was at Crosby filming on the ground only a couple of weeks ago. Your schedule sounds like mine. I'm particularly jealous of Neasdon though - only marginally surpasses Brentford. St Austel will make up for it though.

All your advice is very much appreciated. No doubt we'll catch up at some point as our build progresses. I'm a big believer in shared experience and from what I've learned in my very short time in this, we need to work together to ensure safety standards are upheld so that we build a sustainable future for the industry. Sounds like you're leading the way on that front!
R
 


Droider

Droider

Drone Enthusiast
Aye Up Richard..
Sounds like you're leading the way on that front!
Click to expand...
its sort of a shared thing. its such a small industry in real terms so you soon get to know the good'uns and the Bad'uns in the UK. There are only a very few guys in the UK I would love to work more with. A serious conglomeration of real professionals would clean up in the UK.

Hands up?

Dave

PS. Has Geoff told you about my Neasdon project then? If not just have a look what is there!
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Lanzar

Lanzar

Member
It is time that we start charging for x8 conversions :) as a worldwide fee. 1 $ for everybody that mentiones coax on forum and 10$ for every picture off coax and 100$ for evey build off coax :) :) :)
In the start nobody belived us, today this will become standard for multis. We know our work payed off and we are glad you enjoj them.

Welcome to KopterworxCOAX world.
 

BorisS

BorisS

Drone Enthusiast
actually the coax props would have to go to Droider and Bartman :), first ones in this forum to do them before all us others !

Boris
 

R

RyanMcCrae

Member
Its cool how things progress, it seems like it going to be the norm soon enough. But say a year ago it, it was like black magic lol.
 


Droider

Droider

Drone Enthusiast
Lanzar said:
It is time that we start charging for x8 conversions :) as a worldwide fee. 1 $ for everybody that mentiones coax on forum and 10$ for every picture off coax and 100$ for evey build off coax :) :) :)
In the start nobody belived us, today this will become standard for multis. We know our work payed off and we are glad you enjoj them.

Welcome to KopterworxCOAX world.
Click to expand...

Aye Up Lanzar maybe you should change your name to COAXWORX! :highly_amused:
 



SMP

SMP

Member
Aye, we also have a Skyjib V1 (Truth is I prefer the look of the older style retracts)...

This is the downside of the coax config. 360 LG Solutions! We converted our older AD6 to an X8 (more XY8 or XH8 - Wide open front and rear) and fell in love with the Coax setup particularly in the wind. We've been using the AV200/360 with the landing gear attached to the gimbal. Now that we're moving that bird towards a Brushless Gimbal we've been pulling our hair out trying to find a landing gear 360 pan solution plus mount adapters etc.

I believe Droidworx Coax retracts are the same as the normal but just dont travel up as high. Thats not an answer. If we could sort a decent LG solution we'd move the Skyjib to coax as well but so far havent really seen one. Perhaps a Cinestar style 360 adapted to Droid frame...

Thoughts??
 

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