Getting bored :) Anything upcoming on the MR horizon ?

[BorisS]

Hi guys,

okay so we have the DJI gimbal coming and frame that has to prove itself if as good as advertised. There will be some developments concerning Openpilot and their new FC and ESCs. We have DIY Drones coming with APM 2 purple all in one solution.
Anything else coming up that has to be considered and could be interesting ?

Thanks

Boris

 

[Bartman]

Boris,

I'm behind (really behind) in posting any info about it but it's exciting and interesting to me! I'm completing my first XY-8 build for a friend/customer complete with my camera mount.

A few features are the very easy access for battery changes in between flights, clear field of view from approximately 30 degrees up to straight down with a Canon T2i and 10-20 lens, Droidworx HLE landing gear, mount allows change of SD cards without removing the camera from the mount, mount power (servos and vid Tx) can be switched off and the battery that attaches to the camera mount is good for multiple flights, very stable in wind including GPS position hold, very stable in descending flight, and simple construction for ease of repair between jobs if/when necessary.

RTF with camera mount, servos, Iftron Mondo Stinger video Tx installed, JR 9503 set-up and included, full MK electronics installed, motors, props......probably about $8500 for the first few. Future plans are to only build what I can support so I'll likely remain a small operation with the ability to provide excellent customer service for the working professionals that the gear is intended for.

The camera mount was designed specifically around the Canon T2i but there are holes for a GH2 and a Sony NEX, each are positioned to be optimal for the camera. The mount is in its fifth revision and that version is what will be included with the heli. I'm trying to finalize arrangements with a local shop to have the parts manufactured as the shop I've been using won't do for production grade parts. There is also a spot for attaching a GoPro under the mount so it can fly along with whatever is on the top of the camera tray.

The last piece to fall in line is the dome and that's in progress as we speak.

Is that interesting enough for you? Here's a pic that shows the partially completed heli. The APC props are my first-flight props so they'll get swapped out for new 12" Xoar props before the next flight.

View attachment 2767

Bart

 

[BorisS]

Bart looks very good ! Looking forward to get a look at your gimbal ? Will you publish some pics of it before it goes into production or to early ?

Boris

 

[DaveM]

CAMremote-2-Wifi

I saw this posted early today that may be of interest to some.



Dave



CAMremote-2-Wifi

" I'm pleased to introduce a next generation remote camera controller: The CAMremote-2-Wifi. It is built on current product CAMremote-2 including composite video digitizer and Wifi support which mean that every camera which have analog composite video output can be streamed to ground controller (iPod/iPhone, Android, PC etc.) through Wifi link - no need for extra video downlink equipment. Liveview video resolution is 320x240 pixels. Full camera control and 5 servo control channels for panning/tilting/rolling etc can be controlled directly from a remote controller. Radio transmission range is about up to 300...350 meters in open environments (line of sight). Network protocol is open which mean that everyone can write his/her own camera control and/or servo's control applications based on Open Sound Control protocol. Application for iPod Touch/iPhone devices will be available in Apple AppStore soon. Customized user interfaces for camera and servos control can be created by 3rd party application TouchOSC (available for Apple and Android devices). GoPro HERO support is mostly done. More detailed info about CAMremote-2-Wifi and protocol description are coming in next weeks. Available for selling at the beginning of March."



Pre Production Device:
View attachment 2768


Setup:

Camera Control:

 

[BorisS]

wow that looks really good ! Especially using it on a Ipad could be very nice. I wonder if they communicate based on a ad-hoc network or a separate router is needed, which would allow to extend the range. Thinking about it and if i understand this part correctly:

Network protocol is open which mean that everyone can write his/her own camera control and/or servo's control applications based on Open Sound Control protocol.

It could work at some point I can attach a smaller device iphone to my radio see the pics and stream of the video and can control the cam tilt , roll, pan over the gyros in the iphone. At least that could be a little help for one man teams to control the gimbal. At a certain tilt of the radio with the iphone attached to command a slow movement of the gimbal for example.


Boris

 

[DaveM]

It really does look promising, with many possibilites

I did not notice a router, so guessing a Ad-Hoc network



He has just posted another video

"This demo shows control of the panning and tilting servos through iPod Touch application.
Note servos have adjustable speed depends how far away finger moves from center position of the screen.
Camera is IXUS960 under CHDK/SDM control"

Dave

 

[DucktileMedia]

I like how Bart's XY8 allows you to get the field of view of a Y6 with the advantages of an 8 motor. I think he mentioned it is able to look upward as well as down without any props in view using a ultra wide angle lens. Let's get some specs for that beast Bart.

 

[Bartman]

Hi Boris,
At this point the mount I'm flying is performing well and the dimensions/materials/mechanics for the production version are final. It's designed to be very functional and very long lasting with all welded aluminum construction, robust hinge points, and a mounting system that is integrated into the frame design. I'd post pics but the one I'm flying is very utilitarian and looks like it came out of a Soviet era design bureau.
I can however post some video in the coming days that will show what it's capable of. My goal in building this was to have a mount that wouldn't be a limiting factor in how the helicopter could be flown. There may be arguments that I could have optimized one thing or another differently but the goal was to be able to fly the heli and have the mount happily ride along while taking the smoothest video possible.
I forgot to mention in my first post that the heli frame is entirely constructed of carbon fiber and that the complete, ready to fly helicopter fits easily into and out of the back seat of my four-door Honda Civic so it's very easy to transport without having an oversized vehicle.
I may also make the frame available as a kit separate from the mount. With the Droidworx gear any of the Photo Higher camera mounts including the 360 pan models could be attached. My camera mount doesn't use the two-rail system included with the gear.
Regards,
Bart

 

[BorisS]

Besides the point already mentioned by Iris before, those make it attractive:

t's designed to be very functional and very long lasting with all welded aluminum construction, robust hinge points, and a mounting system that is integrated into the frame design.

and

fits easily into and out of the back seat of my four-door Honda Civic:

If times allows it keep us informed !

Boris

 

[Bartman]

fwiw,
I say "production version" but it is more like a custom, built to order version and will be built in quantities limited by my ability to support users.

 

[holco]

Interesting,abo

 

[Orracle]

Wow. Really nice frame Bartman, looks very well thought out. I like the location of where the batteries are tied down, it looks more practical than the Cinestar location and some of the mods I've seen where they strap the batteries on the landing legs.

 

[Bartman]

Thanks Orracle. The battery mounts will typically hold the packs on the bottoms but it's also possible to mount two additional packs on the tops. If the camera load is reduced four packs total could be carried and I'll be testing that configuration soon to establish what flight times are possible.
Dual batteries with separate and independent connections to the power distribution board provide for a true redundant power supply.
Regards,
Bart