AP Y6 Options

[egrims]

Hey guys, I've been a lurker here for a little bit but finally looking for some help. I've been reading around and seeing a lot of chatter about the Y6 frames, even from some of the bigger names. Definitely has peaked my interest. I've been flying only quads for the past couple years, built a few, crashed a few. The usual deal. I recently totaled my Turnigy H.A.L. quad build with an RC Timer Gimbal on it. Still haven't figured out what happened but it was a fairly hack build so anything is possible. Seem to have lost a prop mid flight. Hence my peaked interest in something coaxial, figured it's time for some redundancy.

A little bit of background. I've only flown KK2 and OpenPilot CC3D. Nothing with a GPS and am itching to get there. I bought a APM ArduFlyer knock off from UAVObjects (RCTimer) but I'm not 100% confident in it. I don't do a lot of crazy flying, usually just up, maybe scoot around a little bit and then back down. I'm a fairly noob pilot even after having 5 quad builds under my belt. I seem to have an obsession with building more than flying...

Have been eying the DIY Y6 Kit from 3DR. I've already decided I'm going to go with the APM 2.6 (thought about the Pixhawk but want something more tried and true for this frame). Has anyone used the Y6 from 3DR for AP on this forum? They tout it as being great for it, I can only imagine that's the case given the layout. Maybe a slight bit small but I've been looking for something aluminum square armed and with G10 body since it's something I can easily fabricate myself if it breaks. Or modify it for size / layout later if need be. For $65 it seems like a fairly worthy frame. Thought about going Tarot or with Rusty's UAP but for over double the price and something I can't as easily modify I'm not sure it's worth it.

The quad I crashed had Turnigy Plush 40As on it. Thinking about just re-using those to save money and get rid of my Turnigy 1100kv motors and move to something in the 700 range. Thought about getting the 850 or 880's from 3DR but I haven't seen much chatter about them. I'm sure they are fine but I'm debating looking for some Sunnysky's or maybe even some RCTimer motors. I only use APC Slow Flies at the moment and have some 10's and 11's that I planned to test out on this frame using a 4S 5200mah pack. This will be just a GoPro / Gimbal lifter for now, eventually something more like a Samsung EX2F or a Canon S110/120. Plan on sticking GoPro for a bit though until I get comfortable with the flights on it.

Sorry for the scattered thoughts, just looking for some opinions on what you guys think. Thanks in advance for anyone who read this mess and any input and also for all those who contribute here. It's been a wealth of information already.

 

[Av8Chuck]

What camera are you hoping to fly?

I'm not impressed with what I've seen of the 3DR RTF Y6, granted its all second hand information. I have not flown one or seen one flown in person. Depending on you aversion to building something I'd recommend this frame: http://www.quadframe.us/collections/hexaframe/products/pro-y6-frame-with-25mm-carbon-arms

Or this quad: http://www.quadframe.us/collections/quadframe/products/pro-quad-x8-frame-with-28mm-carbon-arms

And this controller: http://xaircraftamerica.com/collections/all/products/superx-flight-controller

You certainly don't need a Y6 to fly a GoPro you could start with the SuperX basic on the quad with Avroto 2814-11 with 30A ESC's and 12" props on 6S and then upgrade your controller and frame when your ready to use bigger camera's. These frames are incredibly strong and rigid, they are very easy to build and the SuperX is very easy to setup and flies great in all modes.

 

[egrims]

What camera are you hoping to fly?

I'm not impressed with what I've seen of the 3DR RTF Y6, granted its all second hand information. I have not flown one or seen one flown in person. Depending on you aversion to building something I'd recommend this frame: http://www.quadframe.us/collections/hexaframe/products/pro-y6-frame-with-25mm-carbon-arms

Or this quad: http://www.quadframe.us/collections/quadframe/products/pro-quad-x8-frame-with-28mm-carbon-arms

And this controller: http://xaircraftamerica.com/collections/all/products/superx-flight-controller

You certainly don't need a Y6 to fly a GoPro you could start with the SuperX basic on the quad with Avroto 2814-11 with 30A ESC's and 12" props on 6S and then upgrade your controller and frame when your ready to use bigger camera's. These frames are incredibly strong and rigid, they are very easy to build and the SuperX is very easy to setup and flies great in all modes.

Hey Av8Chuck, thanks so much for the response! I was worried that might have been people's impressions. I'm curious to find someone who has actually built it to see what their thoughts are. I wouldn't be getting the RTF, just the frame. I'm certainly not opposed to building anything since that's all I've done for all my current quads. Not interested in a quad this time around though, would like something with redundancy.

Forgot about quadframe, I'll definitely have to give that frame some thought. I have some of their landing gear and I'm a big fan of how that has worked out. I'm most likely not going to 6S yet, planning to stay 4S but I'll be either re-using the Turnigy Plush 40As or moving back to a 30A Opto with SimonK. GoPro for now, eventually will move up in camera so I don't want to limit the frame lift from the start.

The SuperX is new to me. I've been primarily on the OpenPilot forums and haven't paid much attention to other flight controllers besides APM. Definitely looks interesting. Quite a bit more than the APM 2.6 though.

 

[Av8Chuck]

It is a little pricey, however, it flies almost as smooth as the HFPro, its as responsive as the OPCC, the position and hold and altitude hold is better than DJI's, the software is simple and very stable and customer support is pretty good.

I had three Open Pilot CC FC's, I like them a lot, still have one left but I'm not a big fan of open source. Great in concept but way to many changes and too much drama. I just wanted to get to something I could trust more than my Wookong-M, was stable and I didn't have to continually tune and change things and the SuperX seems to be working great. I've only had it for about 6 months.

Good luck.