Further info from CARVEC: They're more confident (than in the first response) the system will work with our four-rotor 'copters, although some adaption will be required. However, since the four-rotor designs are becoming more and more popular, there will probably be support for it "out of the box" at some point...

Will

I am fast to coming the conclusion, I should persist with the df, then wait and see what happens over the next 12 months, i think there will be twice as much to choose from and it will be a 1/4 of the price - thats todays thought anyway - who knows what tomorow will bring.

You know the real scary thing is that if df is working fine, I cant imagine a better size4d machine to fly next to a flash house. Some of these camera ships out there would take a bedroom and half the garden if they do come down, and like the saying goes "What goes up must come down"

Marty

Agreed, I don't think there's any arguing with that. Every electronics advance has had the same pattern, practically: initial high prices, followed by mass adoption and rapidly lowering prices. Our Achilles' Heel is the "mass adoption" part...Our electronics needs will always be specialized: we don't need DVD players, after all! But still, the price of the technology will fall as more and more people start to use it.

The problem with the DF V is its weight carrying capability. The X-Pro can carry plenty of weight, but it's expensive and has no stabilization system (beyond basic attitude stability). We need X-Pro lifting at DF V prices, with TI. And I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if DFI is working on something like that (here's hoping!).

Will

I repeat...

Don't forget the future X-3D brushless UFO.

Jast said to me that they will work on a future version, dedicated to aerial photography and "relatively" cheap (more expensive than the current X-3D UFO of course).

They will release it later in 2007....but he said that it's not sure though.

I think it's more reasonable to expect this machine for the beginning of 2008.

Well i just ordered some video glasses, maybe that will help, plus i may look a little like tom cruze in mission impossible...... i did say only a little!!

It would be nice for df to keep us a little more in the loop as well, i realise that they have to protect a degree of what they do, but a taste would be nice

I don't know why DF innovations don't want to tell us (just a little more...) about their future projects...

When you visit the website of microdrones, they say on their homepage that they are working on a future machine with 5 kg payload...

When you ask questions to Jast about X-3D UFO improvements, he says that they are thinking about working on a special machine, dedicated to aerial photography (with brushless motors)...

So, why does DF innovations keep its future project so secret ?

Sorry, but for me....it's not an invitation to wait for their future hypothetical new releases. Their concurrents are more talkative...good point for these ones

I am now working on the teory... better the devil you know!

M

I invite you to visit the website of microdrones (microdrones.com)...

Their new prototype/invention (see last video on the website : the razor/hand motion control) is absolutly awesome !!!

[X(]

WOW !!!!

So why the razor...? Does that have something to do with the battery capacity of the helo?

I don't know why they have used a razor......but it seems to be extremely efficient !!!!!!!

Check this:

http://www.uavp.de/index.php?lang=en


It is more stable than the x-UFO or x-3D. It uses not only 3 gyros but also a 3 axis accelerometer, a compass and a GPS. And has enough power to lift considerable weight for your Aerial A/V projects. There are two versions and the cost is about 1200 Euros for the bigger one (UAVP Set 4D) which is about the size of the DF but again way more power.

You can purchase it at:

http://www.lipoly.de/index.php?main_...56&language=en

It uses four Axi 2217/20 BL motors

Here you can see some videos:

Stability test (Practically hands off)
http://www.rcmovie.net/view_video.ph...3749885523d6a2

Outdoors tests
http://www.rcmovie.net/view_video.ph...e=&category=mr

http://www.rcmovie.net/view_video.ph...e=&category=mr

Yes, but the problem is that you must build the machine by yourself (correct me if i am wrong)....that means electronics knowledges, etc....

Not so easy....

[&o]

No, although i'm not 100% sure think You can buy it assembled from lipoly.de

You can contact them at: [email protected]

Here is another video of another project maybe you would like this one

http://www.rcmovie.net/view_video.ph...980f86024e5208

Thanks Nicoleto !

Just a question : i'm not sure...so i prefer to ask you : do you think there is a special camera mount that comes with the UAVP Set 4D ?

I just read a post on the x-ufo forum that they will start to sell the mainboard fully assembled for only €15,- extra.So thats good news.
And the last one in Nicoleto's post can only be used with the special brushless esc's from Holger ,afaik.
I will be getting myself the uavp power set I think,and build my own frame.

1200 euros...

very interresting but...

to have a complete AP/video system ready to use, you must also buy a camera + a screen or special glasses + a trigger system + building a special camera mount (what about vibrations ?) + batteries + a receiver, etc...

So i think that finaly...this AP platform will cost you MUCH more than 1200 euros.....and for sure, more than a draganflyer SAVS.

So...is it so interresting ?

I don't know.

Not that I'm aware of. However this is an open source project and I believe that some of the guys developing the frame have created a CF camera mount which I hope after some testing will become commercial.

For sure, it will cost more that a DF SAVS. The advantage here is first that this project is open source so you’ll constantly get software (yes it is software configurable) and firmware upgrades as well as all the info regarding upgrades on the electronic components. Second, it is modular so you can easily replace any of the electronic components that gets damaged (i.e. gyros, accelerometers, magnetic compass, pressure sensor, GPS or main board). Third, you can always upgrade your quadrocopter to a more powerful version is just a matter of changing the motors and BL controllers. Again this is possible because of its modular design.

So, is It an interesting project? Definitively

Nicoleto,

Have you already flown the UAVP Set 4D ?

If yes, can you share your experience with us (is it easy to fly ?) ?

Thanks for your precious informations !

Hi,

Here's some informations about a brand new helmet to control the camera of the microdrones (MD4-200).

[link=http://www.innosuisse.com/upload/cms/user/rz_ins_ss_297x210_flyer.pdf]HERE[/link]

and

[link=http://www.microdrones.com/press/la_liberte.jpg]HERE[/link] (in french sorry)

WOW !!!!

Total cost : more or less 40 000 euros....