Stet Hindes
Member
With two working multirotors up and going, I am under the impression that they are too big for what I want to do which is shoot high quality still photos in an urban environment. My concern is basically that the larger machines have a bigger impact should something go south. I am also becoming increasingly suspicious about FC failures after my Naza decided one day to do a rollover, only to right itself just before impact. Mine currently run on Wookong and Naza V1. The Wookong is on an SPS X4 and carries a Canon S110. The other is a TBS Disco which has a fixed Gopro mount with no gymbal and is really just for FPV and experimentation.
My idea is to build a small FPV racer style MR to carry a Gopro for taking still shots. The only gimbal I need is simple unstabilized tilt. I would use the Gopro for the FPV camera. I am looking at the scale of the Blackout offerings. I like to use first quality components so would likely buy KDE or Tmotor motors and ESCs. I would buy a cheap gopro gymbal and minimize/modify it to only the tilt function, rotating about the CG inside the front of the frame.
I am not flying FPV, I will be flying by sight and use the FPV only for camera line-up. I am not flying further than 30 meters. I do plan to use GPS position hold. I do have issues of wind at times. My expectation is to get up, get the shots and get down in less than 3 minutes. Oh, and I plan to fly over unforgiving salt water.
So if you have any suggestions I would love to hear them considering the following.
4 rotor or 6? This is my biggest question right now. Is 6 easier for the FC and more stable? If 6 and one motor stops, can I still fly it home to land safely? I have never been clear on the 6 rotor loss of motor issue.
Switch to the APM system or use the Naza V1 (I see no benefit to go to V2, right?) The wookong seems too big for these platforms. I've been reading a lot of good stuff on the 3DR offerings.
Pixhawk or APM 2.6? I think I like the APM better since it is smaller and I would use a JR receiver with multiple satellites. I am not a coder, so there would be an effort to switch, but if more reliable I'd like to try it. I am not really clear as to what the Pixhawk has that is not on the APM 2.6, other than the plug for a JR satellite.
2S, 3S or 4S? What motor KV to go with your recommendation? I'm trending to 3S.
SimonK ESC's?
2 or three bladed props?
15A ESCs should be plenty, should I go less? What about Blackout's offerings? KDE's smallest is 20A. My X4 with 800 KV motors, 4S, and 11 inch props hauling 6.5 pounds AUW only draws 7 amps per motor in hover. Who makes the best low amp ESCs?
Hero 4 or 3? Hero 4 Black worth the extra $100 if only used for stills? Any issue with the video out for FPV if I shoot one still frame every second? I want the best still images possible and do not mind paying for the better unit. I have the Tarot video cable but could get something else if better.
Hero battery or leave it off (preferred for weight) and use a BEC to power the camera (I do not really trust the power output on the downlink Tx, don't know if it is switching or not)?
Assuming the shutter speed on the Hero is fast enough, it should not matter if the small MR is dancing around a bit in the wind.
Thanks
My idea is to build a small FPV racer style MR to carry a Gopro for taking still shots. The only gimbal I need is simple unstabilized tilt. I would use the Gopro for the FPV camera. I am looking at the scale of the Blackout offerings. I like to use first quality components so would likely buy KDE or Tmotor motors and ESCs. I would buy a cheap gopro gymbal and minimize/modify it to only the tilt function, rotating about the CG inside the front of the frame.
I am not flying FPV, I will be flying by sight and use the FPV only for camera line-up. I am not flying further than 30 meters. I do plan to use GPS position hold. I do have issues of wind at times. My expectation is to get up, get the shots and get down in less than 3 minutes. Oh, and I plan to fly over unforgiving salt water.
So if you have any suggestions I would love to hear them considering the following.
4 rotor or 6? This is my biggest question right now. Is 6 easier for the FC and more stable? If 6 and one motor stops, can I still fly it home to land safely? I have never been clear on the 6 rotor loss of motor issue.
Switch to the APM system or use the Naza V1 (I see no benefit to go to V2, right?) The wookong seems too big for these platforms. I've been reading a lot of good stuff on the 3DR offerings.
Pixhawk or APM 2.6? I think I like the APM better since it is smaller and I would use a JR receiver with multiple satellites. I am not a coder, so there would be an effort to switch, but if more reliable I'd like to try it. I am not really clear as to what the Pixhawk has that is not on the APM 2.6, other than the plug for a JR satellite.
2S, 3S or 4S? What motor KV to go with your recommendation? I'm trending to 3S.
SimonK ESC's?
2 or three bladed props?
15A ESCs should be plenty, should I go less? What about Blackout's offerings? KDE's smallest is 20A. My X4 with 800 KV motors, 4S, and 11 inch props hauling 6.5 pounds AUW only draws 7 amps per motor in hover. Who makes the best low amp ESCs?
Hero 4 or 3? Hero 4 Black worth the extra $100 if only used for stills? Any issue with the video out for FPV if I shoot one still frame every second? I want the best still images possible and do not mind paying for the better unit. I have the Tarot video cable but could get something else if better.
Hero battery or leave it off (preferred for weight) and use a BEC to power the camera (I do not really trust the power output on the downlink Tx, don't know if it is switching or not)?
Assuming the shutter speed on the Hero is fast enough, it should not matter if the small MR is dancing around a bit in the wind.
Thanks