That reminds me also video recordings were important (eg aerial photographs on top of our settlement), I decided, for reasons of visibility deliberately for a slightly larger model. In my previous off flights (up to 50-60 m high) has proven to be the most valuable, because it is precisely at such distances it is important not only to look at the device, but also to be able to detect its orientation about, around him - at all to bring back home - especially in mild altitude winds. Helpful is because on the one hand the color of the rotors, on the other hand the powerful LEDs (front blue, red at the rear) - and a cool head in order to possibly enough to go and repair it as quickly correct a piece in the wrong direction can.
Nevertheless, you should definitely his phone number and attach hope in doubt on friendly page ...
To name definitely positive, the materials used: the device is pretty indestructible. In the fight against various flowers and branches, it has never been defeated, there was no more than a draw. Only some plant looks after pretty battered.
Also as crafts platform could this device be quite interesting - although it bears the "original state" less than 20 grams still reasonably (if correspondingly more when camera (5 g) - and housing (30 g) are removed), but it has three switchable functions (light, photo, video) that are provided with plugs at copter and thus could be used for other light.
Overall, my machine makes a lot of fun, and I also have some exciting - and pretty shaky, but it was clear - brought aerial photographs. To look after the joy of flight nor the recordings on the television (meanwhile the batteries have started their long load break), is not contemptible value. But quite a disappointment and the main reason for the devaluation was the camera - the quality comes from my feeling never over 0.3 MP instead of 1.2 MP out (details below).
CONCLUSION: Although I see some limitations, which I shall in more detail below, the purchase has definitely paid off for me. I'm looking forward to some minor tinkering to him to optimize something (including changes to 808 # 16 Keycam, 17 grams). To be able to fly out right, I still recommend the purchase of additional batteries, for example, the identical model of S-idea (01165). With 5 battery you should already get along quite well.
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Detailed considerations
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Control and flight behavior:
Something strange control of the right remote control lever is implemented: It seems as if a small area "hidden" to the zero position; here is no reaction of the quadricopter. If you move the lever from that zone out of the copter reacts rather abruptly. In Mode 1 the problem is, this is the "leap" barely perceptible, and the reaction-free zone should be helpful for beginners.
In Mode 2, however, it seems as if you've forgotten to turn off this "suppression". Here the jump is clear; it will succeed little more, the copter gently tilt and to slide in one direction (only the trim). As I have in the Revell Nano a more precise control experienced (despite clearly other obesity-related inertia, yet similar terminal velocity).
As a consequence, I use still regularly Mode 1 to avoid when shooting video a seasickness subsequent viewers. Mode 2 is then the sporting Flying reserved - or flying at medium crosswind. In this mode, the copter is refreshingly agile, can be tilted quickly and quite far. However, he quickly flips at full deflection off so far that the upward thrust is no longer sufficient and the copter falls rapidly. The response to countermeasures takes place immediately, so I do not yet see it as a shortcoming but as an interesting challenge. Overall, for me so in Mode 2 Although not sensitive, but a fairly dynamic flying possible, which promises long-term fun. This is also the sufficiently good gyro control that keeps the copter fairly evenly in the air and even in a tumbling device (if thrust is turned off) usually stabilized very quickly, once you are a little gas again makes.
Things get decidedly sporty is when you remove the protective cover. It is clamped only at the four arms, also still carries a front-LED, which is connected with small connector on the board. The problem is that then exposed all wiring, and unfortunately is the Copter no corresponding exchange mini housing at. Say: In a crash landing in the tree could be quite a few cable tear (see tip # 1 below). Difficult however then the height control: It was not until about 10% "gas" according to DisplaySearch start the rotors to rotate, at 17% it is already rising significantly - with brimming batteries are the switching between the rise and fall, as constant height so obviously not goes. Nevertheless, one comes also so to only 6 min. Flight time (with the camera turned on). As would be an opportunity to make it with one or two parallel-connected batteries (16g) heavier again and be able to fly longer.
With the remote control, I am otherwise happy: she has sufficient size and is thus well in hand. There are a number easily accessible special functions (eg own button for switching between modes 1 and 2 in mid-flight), and the lever convey a good feeling - in Mode 2 only this reaction-free zone disturbs something. A candy is still the display on the remote control, which is mounted below but unfortunately held up. Whether one actually needs the percentage of thrust remains to be seen, especially since they do not take into account the battery level - all the other status information (! Mode, light on / off, the VCR is recording, even (good) Trim setting) I think definitely for helpful , Also good: The degree of trim is recognizable by changing pitch; you reach reversed the zero position, you can hear the sound at particular - adjust so you can "blind" (with eyes on the copter).
Camera:
Two fat star trigger there because of the camera. In the product properties is explicitly advertised with a 1.2 MP camera - but the films come only in 640x480er-quality out so 0.3 MP. These are indeed quite handsomely for it, but only at that level. With HD has nothing to do with the best intentions. When alleged 1.2 MP I would have expected much more.
So how is it to this statement? The format used to store photos (1280x960) takes place entirely in the advertised 1.2 MP format. When I enter zoome however to pixel size, I have the distinct impression that at least the Y dimension (bad!) Is interpolated - two pixel lines are very similar, only between every other row a strong gradation can be seen. Horizontal is - if it is interpolated here - this obviously correct, but the overall impression the picture to me just seems muddy and lacking in detail as the 640x480er movies. Since it would be a lot less space - but definitely not as promotional products - have been if the images were stored with the alleged actual sensor resolution of 0.3 MP and would then possibly only upscaled to a computer with (in case of doubt better) program.
Surely you can find such tricks with other Quadcoptern - eg advertised the new camera Hubsan 107C with 2 MP, but has only one (film) resolution of 1.2 MP notional. I expect as a customer an open, differentiated and honest representation, to avoid disappointment - or must respond with appropriate rating.
Flips:
On the box and in product advertising 360 ° -upward looping is advertised with. Even this I think is a bit misleading advertising: I do not know how to make the upward looping depicted in forward flight. So far my copter has definitely made only down-flips.
There are two variants to trigger such a "flip": a dedicated button that causes an immediate forward somersault, or you can choose with the left shoulder button, the Flip function before and then dissolve it by moving the right stick in the appropriate direction out. In all cases, however, the UAV tilts only in the desired direction, overturns, as it were, loses about 1 m in height and stabilizes quickly. The whole process takes felt not even a second. For my 11-year-old daughter, who - under supervision - enthusiastic flying with the unit and it controls all right, that may not be very exciting, but in my eyes it does not bring the desired majestic effect, but looks more like an embarrassing pilot error ,
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Tips and Hints
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Tip # 1:
For an alternative minimum protective case I have the floor a 1.25L bottle of Schweppes at the circle seam cut, drilled with a 5 wood drill four holes, and then cut it to the edge. So I have a slight (8 g), trans parte and receive very stable replacement hood that can clip on how the original hood and holds almost as bomb-proof - but the rotors completely free leaves (see photo customers). This has a very beneficial effect on the flight characteristics, such as rate of climb, as well as crosswind sensitivity of. There have also certainly other, lighter and deposit-free plastic containers (yogurt cups, etc.) on, however, is next to the specific stability and the shape (five noses) this solution aesthetically not without its charm ;-)
One could this "Cathedral" and make considerably higher and top mount an alternative camera so that the rotors do not get too much into the picture. However crosswind would push away the dome side so that the rotors tilt downwind and increase the drift. A corresponding holder under the quadricopter should be tilt it against the wind direction, so stabilize the position falls. As I said, as a craft and experimentation platform, the device is not without its charm.
Tip # 2:
In untrue running (rotors hakeln something when rotated with a finger; in video recordings is horizontal to see streaky "Wabbern" by vibrations, engines sound harsh), the gears should be checked. Here is similar easy even a grain of sand pinch. Wear and energy consumption are expected to increase in this way - only on flight behavior you hardly notice it, because the electronics very good readjusts.
Note on the "Modes":
The terms "Mode 1" and "Mode 2" here have a different meaning than usually in helicopters. As simple helicopters are often only equipped with three-channel control (there is no hovering to side), the rotation is along with forward / backward flight then usually on the right lever, and the Left are only gas (speed-controlled height control). This is then the so-called. Mode 1. Lying gas and turn left together, it is called the Mode 2. The right lever controls only then sliding fore / aft and left-right.
I know of no Quadcopter who might not slide in any direction (not least a 4-channel controller would). Here the rotation so a Mode-2 control in the sense described is therefore usually to be found on the left, be realized.
But we speak at Quadcoptern - at least when U181A - Mode 1 and 2, it simply means that in Mode 1, the control commands are weakened, so you can not over-react - what happens when Teach virtually any.
**** ***** SUPPLEMENTARY 04/06/2014
After three weeks and something 10-20 flight hours, the gyro control was so inaccurate or defective that the copter had to be claimed. After just one week, there was - very rarely - to spontaneous lateral Flips (partially only half done). I then with changing weights and different focus experimented (808 # 16 Keycam below the copter), and it was generally windy, I found it only right to, as the copter increasingly freaked, or partout broke out in one direction and barely returned could be. At an altitude of 30m above the house was out of the question, from 5m I had concern to get it back into the garden. The fun factor was getting smaller, until I realized that the problem lay with the copter. A balancing of the propeller (. 4mm brass tube construction market, about 10 cm shortened rotor simply plugged and roll on the edge of the glass plate can be - normal Auswuchtspindeln not fit!) Brought a much quieter flight and a much more stable camera image. But the copter flew to where he wanted, and the countermeasures of Gyro overreacted increasingly. By AGETECH24 (was Direktbuy) called me a calibration procedure that I had not seen in the manual: to connect the remote control (triad) the right lever down and then pull to the side, copter flash then a couple of times to confirm. This flips the were suppressed momentarily, but quickly came back, and the drift was more extreme.
The e-mail service was exemplary, return slip for free returning came promptly, even stating the obvious post offices (nice, though: I live here ...). After 4 days (Sat -> Mi) was there an exchanged device also new FB. Now I'm excited - apparently I'm not the only one with this problem, perhaps the new gyro keeps better. So far I could only in the living room test (not a good idea: overflight music stand with many loose sheets of music!), The "dead area" at the right control lever seems to me a bit smaller, the flight definitely worlds better - just like in the beginning the first unit , So let's wait and see ...
