I've been reading all the posts regarding the different quadrocopter and found that the X-3D is by far the most powerful of them all. However recently I found new info about the UAVP open source project and it seems that this quadrocopter uses the same or at least very similar frame as the X-3D’s. It has almost the same electronics and has the flexibility of being upgraded with several sensors and modules. I wonder if the UAVP has the same or more power that the X-3D. I’ve found videos of the X-3D doing a lot of acrobatics but haven’t been able to find similar videos of the UAVP doing similar things.

Here is one of the videos I’m talking about:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Csti6...elated&search=

Any of you guys know the difference between the two? Perhaps Hammer can answer this one.

Thanks
Nick

Well after a long search I’ve found some videos showing the UAVP doing a lot of acrobatics. Even my DF V Ti pro with HD motors looks like a toy next to this thing.

http://www.myvideo.de/watch/816621

http://www.myvideo.de/watch/818114

There is a bunch of X-UFO/X-3D/BL discussion over at [link]http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=664794[/link]
and over at the german forum [link]http://forum.xufo.net/bb/index.php[/link]
translated version [link]http://forum.xufo.net/bb/babelframe.php?trurl=http://forum.xufo.net%2Fbb%2Findex.php[/link]
The Multicopter section has many of the open source folks posting there.

I have a modded X-3D/X-UFO Alu-Tweety and an X-CSM frame on order and am waiting for the Brushless kit and 72MHz ACT reciever to become available.

Seems like the difference is that the UAVP is larger and a more stable Areal Video Platform ... and the X-3D BL is a smaller fun flyer with future addons like an ACC module for self-leveling, etc... both have uploadable firmware interfaces supporting full parameter tweek.

--Eric--

I have been following the development on both as well and still thinking of which to buy,
The bl x-3d seems to be the most agile and stabile of both,I have seen some good videos and even one where the attached still camera was tilted by hand while the ufo was floating in the air and didn't even move !
Biggest problem for me is that it seems to take forever until the whole bl kit is released,while the uavp is already available.
The board of the uavp however needs to be assembled by yourself as where the x-base (mainboard for the bl ufo) will be ready to go as far as i know.
Me too would like to know what the difference in possible size will be? will the x-ufo be restricted to it's orginal size?
Maybe Hammer and Jast can chime in and explain a bit more.

Great stuff - although I still reckon theres an awful lot of pilot skill involved in those vids, that a lot of people miss.

I'll certainly be looking out for the commercial product though (unless they are available now?)

It seems to me that the UAVP opensource project is the most flexible one. As you may find, at www.lipoly.de, you can order a lot of components and highly specialized sensors. I’m not quite sure if the X-3D is able to use all these sensors (I’m referring to the magnetic sensors and compass as well as the barometric module)

I have heard that the x-3d crew will release a self leveling add on this summer .There should be a video somewhere when they were testing it.Too bad I can't find it.
Heck I might buy both of em!

Another good thing I found about the UAVP. Currently the board can handle 3 Gyros, one 3 axis accelerometer, one magnetic sensor (compass) and one GPS Module At the same time. You can also add one barometric Pressure sensor or a parachute trigger but I'm no sure if it will work in conjunction with the other sensors or you have to disable one of them.

For now you can see the assembly manual (PDF format) and schematics (Inside the manual) of the main board at:

http://www.uavp.de/index.php?option=...d=43&Itemid=52

It is in German. Copy and paste into word and use the translation tool. It seems that this machine is the Swiss knife of the quadrocopters.

One more finding, the board’s parachute trigger indeed works along with the gyros, linear, magnetic and GPS modules. It also has a RS232 and a USB port, is software programmable, has two auxiliary servo outputs (for the movement of a photo or video camera) has a beep and can drive 7 LED so it has navigation lights!

I finally found the vids again ... in the same thread
Link to vid here ... [link=http://forum.xufo.net/bb/babelframe.php?trurl=http://forum.xufo.net%2Fbb%2Fviewtopic.php%3Ft%3D3737%26h ighlight%3Dacc]The X-Crew ACC Experiment[/link]

Link to vid here ... [link=http://www.erop.de/gps_ufo.wmv]The X-Crew GPS Experiment[/link]

Link to vid here ... [link=http://www.stumpf-netz.de/x-3d/motiontrackersquare.divx]The X-Crew autonomous flight experiment[/link]

Link to vid here ... [link=http://video.google.de/videoplay?docid=-9020855966734370032]another source for the x-ufo to BL progression vid[/link]

WOW! ... check out x-ufo forum master dawidi's rig! ... for all you AVP folks ...
Link to vid here ... [link=http://forum.xufo.net/bb/babelframe.php?trurl=http://forum.xufo.net%2Fbb%2Fviewtopic.php%3Ft%3D4824]custom alu-camera rig[/link]
[8|
--Eric--

Take a look to my OpenSourceQuadrocopter.
Here is a description:

http://www.uavp.de/index.php?option=...d=59&Itemid=65

and here a vid ...

http://www.dh0sp.de/dh0sp_site/downl...AVP-Stefan.mpg


-Stefan-

Hi Stefan,
I definitely think the UAVP Open Source projects are the wave of the future. As a systems engineer, I am very interested in the ability to configure cost-effective solutions for different kinds of missions, and the "park and hold" feature using GPS/barometric/magnetic sensors is very attractive for many of our applications. My only concern is, if we sell a customer on a system, will it be very difficult to troubleshoot hardware/firmware issues from overseas?? Many of our customers will be law enforcement people, and I don't want to make them unhappy! I'm wondering if there is anything like "customer service" anywhere? Regardless of some other peoples' experiences, I have found DFI to be very responsive in that regard, which gives them a big advantage as a vendor. But I have the feeling that there may be a Q4 in our future - just 'cause it's so cool.

Danke,
Bruce

So has anyone decided which is the best, money no object quad blade?

If money is no object, I would say the MicroDrone, hands down. Reason - it does everything that any of the others will do, appears to be a bit more rugged, is quieter, lifts well, and has dealers and a customer support structure behind it. Someone around here ought to become the U.S. distributor for them.

That's what the website tells you. In reality it has gyros, partially (still in developement) accelerometers and since a few days a one axis magnetic field sensor. Pressure and GPS are "future" plans.

The UAVP is supposed to be a camera plattform, not a fun toy. That's the X-3D BL. A very good power to thrust ratio, the fastest attitude controllers you can get for quadrocopters at the moment for incredible fun and aerobatic flying(*). It's not made for attaching a camera even though it stabilizes any payload very well. Neither compass nor pressure sensor are planed as those sensors are not important for fun flying. There will be the accelerometer upgrade very soon (called X-ACC) to help people lern flying and to have an "emergency" function to regain control if you as pilot don't know what to do...


Regards
Jast

(*) not only for brushless: http://www.asctec.de/X-3D_X-Base_and_brushed_motors.wmv

Wow,finally a DF with brains!!
Excellent work Jast&Co..my dead DF board will be replaced with the x-base,maybe that'll keep the DF from hugging the earth.

Well, that wasn't directly our intention...The X-Base and X-3D are originally meant for the X-BL but offer some power FETs which can be used to convert the Draganflyer to a aerobatic fun flyer :-) Somebody gave us the DF4 after he was frustated while learning to fly. Now it's much easier *G* It has not the power of the brushless X-BL but as you see in the video it's enough for some stunts^^ The upcoming X-ACC (Acceleration sensor module) is also compatible so there is a system that has the same positive feature as the TI but always, anytime, indoors and outdoors. And it's always upgradable to brushless power by adding the X-BL controllers and motors ;-)

I am aware of the fact it was intended for bl motors of course,but it will make a nice trainer of my DF whilst waiting for your bl controllers and motors won't it?

Hi!

Yes, it defenately will! :-)

Regards
Jast

What all can be done to a stock Silverlit X- UFO? Is There a better board, better gyro, brushless system, anything that would make it worth keeping?

You can start by losing the EPP frame and buying an X-3D gyro upgrade ... The x-ufo is slowly being phased out ... you can replace the mech-gyro with a 3 piezo X-3D ... you can replace the CF frame with a X-CSM composite frame ... you can replace the china made main board with a X-Base main board ... you can replace the brushed motors with the upcoming BL Kit ... all developed by Jast & Co aka the X-Crew (including the original inventors of the x-ufo toy and completely separate from Silverlit) ... the only thing worth keeping are the props ... the X-Base is also going to support 72MHz later in the year along with a Tx upgrade of your choice.

Nice vid Jast!!! ... I always wondered what it would look like in a Draganflyer frame.

--Eric--

Can all that stuff be bought at the same place and if so where would that be? How much do you think all of that would cost in american money? Of all the stuff that you have mentioned and is available now, what would that cost in american money? One more question for now: What are your thoughts on the Draganflyer V Ti? If I can get to a web site that I can understand maybe I'll order the stuff that you mentioned. Thanks for your help

The UAVP is a camera plattform (very stable with acc - upcoming soon: axis magnetic field sensor, Pressure and GPS)
http://www.rcmovie.net/view_video.ph...ecb34f0c195b13
http://www.rcmovie.net/view_video.ph...0db9e32851ebf9

and a fun toy (acrobatic, loops and fast)
http://www.rcmovie.net/view_video.ph...48843d74526c11
http://www.rcmovie.net/view_video.ph...c72faacf0cb8ac


and don`t forget www.mikrokopter.de , camera plattform and fun toy (with acc, magnetic field sensor, pressure and gps)
this is at the moment - the must powerful quadrocopter
http://www.rcmovie.net/view_video.ph...b7d49f70afcfb3
http://www.rcmovie.net/view_video.ph...8dd005b3d14b0d
http://www.rcmovie.net/view_video.ph...467fb52ce4ef72
http://www.rcmovie.net/view_video.ph...980f86024e5208

The sole German suppliers are through the [link]http://www.xufo-shop.de/[/link] and their site is in German (they said an English version is coming soon). For figuring out the cost, I use google conversion ... type into their search engine "xxx euro in US dollars" and it will convert ... but remember that the euro value changes at the time of transaction.

Of the stuff available now, the X-3D mech gyro replacement + USB programming interface is what I went for first ... it makes the X-UFO a hobby grade flyer.

I also upgraded my Tx to a Futaba 9CHPS Super and got a 27MHz transmitter conversion module to be compatibile with the X-UFO stock China Main Board. The latest upgrade being released this month is the X-Base(aka X-Cousin) which is a replacement to the China Main Board and supports both brushed and brushless motors, better and flashable electronics, and a receiver of your choice (72MHz is in the works and due later in the year).

The new X-CSM composite (CF, Balsa, Magnesium) frame is also available.

The BL Kit (1KHz response time controllers and motors) will be available in the summer.

More info and siscussion can be found over in [link=http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=687933]RC Groups X-UFO discussion[/link]
Hope it helps,

--Eric--

I just ordered the X-CFM flight chassis. Guess I'll be waiting for the brushless kit. Guess I'll be waiting on that 72mhz, new board and gyro too. Wow I've got just a chassis. Can't do a hole lot with that.