HexaCrafter HC-650

[VINHEX]

Just getting in a HexaCrafter HC-650 will keep everyone up to date on build and info if interested on this thread.

 

[VINHEX]

Well couldn't wait for parcel to arrive Monday while sitting in loading bay waiting for a driver to load so went and got it LOL KID with new toy alert LOL. Shipped Wednesday in UK by Saturday Happy Days, Build instructions are wicked, like a meccano set for 10+ lol First of many images as I build wahooooooo.

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Vin
DJI F550, DJI WKM, DJI DataLink 2.4Ghz, 3s 3300, 3s 5000, Aeroxcraft Landing Gear, Graupner 10x5 e-Props, Spektrum DX8, AR8000 Receiver
TM1000, Fatshark Attitude SD, Sony Exview Had II CCD 650 Line Sony Effio-E
Fatshark Spironet Antenna's, Bank balance 0.00
DJI iOSD

 

[kloner]

I'll be anxious to hear how you make out getting her together and what you think of the differences. never understood soft arms till i flew the complete opposite and talk about carrying a load. it's a cool bird..... For it being a new model to the block, it is so refined and has so many solutions. I've found her smoothest with the packs up under her arms where the landing gear meets the frame. like those flat battery plates are,,,,,

Are you transfering over your parts from the 550?

Are you flying a gimble? What height landing gear did you go with?

 

[VINHEX]

Hi Kloner,
Yep transferring all from 550 except motors, ESCs and props. Didn't get landing gear as wanted to put on Aeroxcraft 125 NEX5n gimbal and landing gear. hexacrafter has sent rails to do tiny little adjustment to fix on so should be good to go, even sent cad drawing on what to do for particular part. I've seen pics of builds some with mortars fitting into arm so to speak and some sitting on top. Wondered if made any difference, I'm fitting mine inside for sure of a little more protection.


Vin
DJI F550, DJI WKM, DJI DataLink 2.4Ghz, 3s 3300, 3s 5000, Aeroxcraft Landing Gear, Graupner 10x5 e-Props, Spektrum DX8, AR8000 Receiver
TM1000, Fatshark Attitude SD, Sony Exview Had II CCD 650 Line Sony Effio-E
Fatshark Spironet Antenna's, Bank balance 0.00
DJI iOSD

 

[VINHEX]

Stripping down the F550 last setup images before stripping.

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Vin
DJI F550, DJI WKM, DJI DataLink 2.4Ghz, 3s 3300, 3s 5000, Aeroxcraft Landing Gear, Graupner 10x5 e-Props, Spektrum DX8, AR8000 Receiver
TM1000, Fatshark Attitude SD, Sony Exview Had II CCD 650 Line Sony Effio-E
Fatshark Spironet Antenna's, Bank balance 0.00
DJI iOSD

 

[kloner]

I thought that too, but it made it kinda a pain to change props, couldn't get ahold of the motor

I'm not sure what changes it did except with em down below and cheap motors sucked, good motors up above was a much improved ride. probably more motor than motor placement, none the less

Andrew is an extremely motivated and enthusiastic owner of a new company, he's nothing but a pleasure to work with.

The instructions remind me of an old school single rotor kit. full blown blueprints of everything

 

[VINHEX]

Agree I need something that will give me confidence keeping her in the sky. Wasn't overly confident on the DJI's but! they never failed on me so can't complain about them. Weather is so crap over her at the moment, which is kind of good so wont rush to get her flying will spend time and get the setup and wiring perfect! Neat and nice bit OCD on things like this. Can't agree more about Andrew new exactly what I needed to mod and add..


Vin
DJI F550, DJI WKM, DJI DataLink 2.4Ghz, 3s 3300, 3s 5000, Aeroxcraft Landing Gear, Graupner 10x5 e-Props, Spektrum DX8, AR8000 Receiver
TM1000, Fatshark Attitude SD, Sony Exview Had II CCD 650 Line Sony Effio-E
Fatshark Spironet Antenna's, Bank balance 0.00
DJI iOSD

 

[VINHEX]

Started the build process.
First of the six arms, I used callipers to insert centre standoffs as instructed by on-site build video. Impressive quality and feels well strong.

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Vin
DJI F550, DJI WKM, DJI DataLink 2.4Ghz, 3s 3300, 3s 5000, Aeroxcraft Landing Gear, Graupner 10x5 e-Props, Spektrum DX8, AR8000 Receiver
TM1000, Fatshark Attitude SD, Sony Exview Had II CCD 650 Line Sony Effio-E
Fatshark Spironet Antenna's, Bank balance 0.00
DJI iOSD

 

[jfro]

With this unit your building, for manual flying, do you think there would be much handling difference if one started with the Naza and upgraded later to the WKM controller. I'm thinking of building my first multi and am after visiting the Hexcrafter sight, it looks like one of the motor recommendations is the Avroto M 2814-11.
The features of the Naza are all I need right now, but haven't been able to find any builds on bigger/stronger frames with upgrades on the motors using the Naza. Everyone seems to be using the WKM on the more expensive builds.

I'm looking for just above treetop and down flying while using a gh2 and gh3.... Don't need alot of fancy navigation, but do want ultra stable and smooth video. Trying to save some money so I can go get a good solid camera mount 2 or 3 axis system & gyro's.

Good luck and keep us informed......

 

[VINHEX]

Hi jfro,

The HC-650 can use the Naza, If you look into the detailed line on the http://www.hexacrafter.com/index.php?id_product=12&controller=product Recommended flight controllers you will see the list includes the Naza. The recommended motors are for a number of controllers dependent on what you wish to fly. Andrew at Hexacrafter is very helpful and replies quickly to inquiries When I spoke to him and said that I wanted to use WKM, existing landing gear and gimbal and what I was looking for as well. Andrew not only come back with what I needed but also provided the parts immediately with the order and again a detailed cad drawing and instructions I needed to do the slight mod. When first starting in brought the WKM as I knew needed to upgrade at a later date, but being new didn't realise about the frame just thought that would do and I can build on it. (Beginners excitement) I love this frame, not only is it strong but up-gradable as well, If I wanted to move this up to a 800 all I will do is change the arms and keep the core. Obviously I will need to change props and motors if adding more weight but to be honest I don't think I will need to do anymore, this setup is all I need. There is a cutout on a small plate that the WKM fits into not sure of price must be $10 max if needed replacing, I'm not sure how the naza fits but if its the same sort of setup then just a quick $10 purchase brings it back to core and you add what you want again.

Hope this makes sense, Speak to Andrew for a spec and see how you get on.

 

[Hexacrafter]

jfro,
Our airframe is compatible with nearly all Flight Control Systems.
Naza has / and is being flown on our frames now.
I know nothing of your experience, and honestly prefer to help rather than gain a sale.
If this is really your first Multi, I would suggest a F450. It is very inexpensive and will allow you to gain experience & have some accidents without a major expense.
You can move the FC to any future intermediate or high end frame when you are ready.
Additionally, with the low cost of the F450, your "trainer" really doen't cost much.
When your ready, I would glady work with you to get an airframe that meets your needs.

Andrew

 

[VINHEX]

Just a comparison for the F550 arms loads of strength in the HC650

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Broke an ESC taking off the F550 so need to get another one Arrrrrrrr


Vin
DJI F550, DJI WKM, DJI DataLink 2.4Ghz, 3s 3300, 3s 5000, Aeroxcraft Landing Gear, Graupner 10x5 e-Props, Spektrum DX8, AR8000 Receiver
TM1000, Fatshark Attitude SD, Sony Exview Had II CCD 650 Line Sony Effio-E
Fatshark Spironet Antenna's, Bank balance 0.00
DJI iOSD

 

[jfro]

VinF550.......Looking forward to seeing some video from you new craft. Here's hoping for a speedy build and some nice blue sky/calm winds to fly.
do you usually shoot 25p, 24p, or 60 with your sony?

 

[VINHEX]

Hi Jfro,
I'm so looking forward to completing this bird it seems a little strange that having knowledge of the WKM now, that building a frame like this gives me confidence in the whole set-up. I loved the F550 and the WKM but being new was always worried if done the correct setups ect. Having a little experience behind me now helps with it all. Which probably relates to what Andrew was saying.

With regard to the NEX5n I'm intending to use the GoPro for a while, but normally shoot at 50-fps on this due to PAL settings in GoPro 3 (UK Max) Using high FPS will allow me to create better slow motion when required. When I put on the NEX i'll be doing the same.

I can say for sure flying Mulit's is addictive, you always want more than you have, but with the setup I have now this is going last me a very long time.

 

[VINHEX]

There was a slight mode on the electronics plate to to take the Aeroxcraft landing gear. http://www.aeroxcraft.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=13&products_id=20 Andrew at hexacrafter http://www.hexacrafter.com/index.php sent a template to drill the 8 x 3.2mm Into the plate. Changed the shafts for the longer carbon fibre ones supplied with HC650 so as to get the gimbal out in front of the arms. Starting to look cool now wahoooo.... LOVE IT!

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Then added to gimbal XTR125
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These two baby's fit well together very strong and stable.

Weekends here more soon.




Vin
DJI F550, DJI WKM, DJI DataLink 2.4Ghz, 3s 3300, 3s 5000, Aeroxcraft Landing Gear, Graupner 10x5 e-Props, Spektrum DX8, AR8000 Receiver
TM1000, Fatshark Attitude SD, Sony Exview Had II CCD 650 Line Sony Effio-E
Fatshark Spironet Antenna's, Bank balance 0.00
DJI iOSD

 

[kloner]

was that gimble 80mm mount?

at the link of your landing gear in the pic they show, whats all the stuff at the back?

 

[VINHEX]

Hi Kloner,
70mm centre to centre of rods if that makes sense. In the landing gear link front part is GoPro hero2 gimbal and the back is the battery holders to balance out.



Vin
DJI F550, DJI WKM, DJI DataLink 2.4Ghz, 3s 3300, 3s 5000, Aeroxcraft Landing Gear, Graupner 10x5 e-Props, Spektrum DX8, AR8000 Receiver
TM1000, Fatshark Attitude SD, Sony Exview Had II CCD 650 Line Sony Effio-E
Fatshark Spironet Antenna's, Bank balance 0.00
DJI iOSD

 

[VINHEX]

It's coming together I can see the light lol
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I love this baby so strong and loads of space to add components I can't wait to get her in the air.

 

[jfro]

Hope you get flying soon. Waiting to see some raw footage from the go pro on your new rig. Especially how well your stabilization works.

I'm getting closer to ordering, but still undecided. I'm going to go against the advice of many experienced people and build a 650, 800, or 950 for my first build. I'm more worried about dialing in and getting everything working than learning to fly. Will go slow and learn to fly with no camera or gimble to start and lots of computer sim. Biggest decision seems to be whether I want to carry more or less than a GH2 which will dictate the build. For video I'm content to fly hacked gh2 and go with 650mm frame. For photo's, I'd like heavy camera, but thinking maybe the way camera tech is going, within a year or 2 I might we might see the quality out of a lower camera similar to what a 5D mk2 gives.

 

[VINHEX]

After days of looking around the internet and doing calcs and research I've ordered my props. With all the knowledge I gained these look way much more pretty LOL

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Only kidding LOL... Just waiting for funds for the motors now coming soon!! Wahooooo I can't wait to get this baby flying.. So chuffed with it..