DJI Phantom 3 quadro copter, crashed at a tree, survived - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: FrankBuss
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 09, 2016, 08:42:08 pm
content: This is a really nice quadro copter. I bought it for EUR 599 last week, delivered yesterday. Should have waited a week longer, todayyou can get it for $499(because recently they released the new Phantom 4, which isn't much better, if you don't need 4k video).I'm not affiliated with the company, just an impressed customer. My first flight video:But the setup was a bit tricky, because the remote control creates a Wifi hotspot, where your mobile phone has to connect to (the manual is wrong, no USB connection is needed for the standard version I have, except for charging the remote), but at the same time you have to register on their website for the initial start of the app from within the app, so I had to switch the Wifi connections while the app was running back and forth to the remote and my internet Wifi connection. Same for the required firmware update later, which needed more than 15 minutes while the copter was (quietly) beeping and the camera moving, which means you should use it only with a fully charged mobile phone, copter accu and remote when you start it first. And be patient, the update status on the mobile phone updates only every some minutes, it didn't freeze.Aside from that, once it is all installed and configured, the copter is amazing! It hovers very stable on its own in the air in the beginners GPS mode, even in moderate breeze (I don't dare to enable the adavanced flight mode until I have learned the controls better), it is very responsive and fast, and with the click of a button it comes home where you started it, after rising to a configurable height. And there are some other fun features, like the follow-me mode, or the course mode with waypoints.Dave, or anyone else, if you want to buy a good copter with a camera, I can recommend this.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2016, 09:03:56 pm
content: First flight of an unfamiliar aerial platform and you surrounded yourself with trees. I know, I know, you could not wait to play with it and it's was windyMany of these QC's have optional propellor protectors that form a protective arc around the propellers to reduce the risk of prop damage and injury to you or others whilst learning to fly the unit. A sharp QC prop in the face can be quite a painful and skin damaging experience.I used to fly both fixed and rotary wing Glo-motor powered RC models but they are languishing in the loft since getting married in 2004 !I would love to buy one of these but I have too many toys already and I have to behave on the buying front at the moment. If I did buy one, it would likely be your model or, if I was feeling rich, I would buy one of the types used by the BBC and Police. It has retracting landing skids and costs over £1200. Great aerial camera platform though.Fraser

author: FrankBuss
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 09, 2016, 09:29:21 pm
content: I thought about buying the propeller protectors. But some people think it is not worth the money outdoor and can be even a problem with strong wind, because they can act like sails:(but this pilot was a beginner, too). I hope when I use it only in wide open space in future (at least while learning), don't fly it too high when too windy, and keep it far away from more trees or people, it should be safe.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2016, 10:16:25 pm
content: Wow, he was a lucky chap to get that back without greater mishap.I love the auto RTH and auto land on low battery functionality...... How I could have used that on my RC aircraft in the past !Fraser

author: FrankBuss
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 10, 2016, 10:18:59 pm
content: Today I tried the pre-configured max. altidute of 120 m (up to 500 m is possible)Was pretty scary for me, always worrying that it drifts away, or falls from sky. I'll keep it below 40 m for the time being.But back to more EEVblog typical topics: is there a Phantom 3 (or even Phantom 4) teardown video? I couldn't find a descent one on Youtube. The most technically video mentions that there are SMD ICs on the board. Yeah, which ICs, how does it work, what microcontroller does it use, high-res images of the boards, measuring and explaining the signals of the brushless motors with a scope, reverse engineering the WiFi protocol etc., like Dave does it? Couldn't find any.

author: Artlav
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2016, 11:37:01 pm
content: Another advice - don't do sharp maneuvers if you're not used to the quad's flight dynamics yet.Not entirely sure why it flipped, but i guess it was the speed at which i turned.The rest was just the panic.Unfortunately, that was from before i got the main camera, so the video is from the FPV one as recorded on the ground.

author: FrankBuss
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 11, 2016, 08:58:51 am
content: Quote from: Artlav on March 10, 2016, 11:37:01 pmNice DIY copter. I like the aluminium square-cut construction. Maybe it needs some round sheatings for better aerodynamics.

author: FrankBuss
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 15, 2016, 05:19:23 pm
content: Ok, next I should try this, looks funReally heavy motors: 190 W, 17 A maximum continuous current. These FPV (first-person-view) racers don't have GPS or barometer height stabilization, you have to flight it all yourself. Too bad it is illegal now in most countries, because of the line-of-sight regulation.

author: Augustus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2016, 06:21:09 pm
content: Sweet... I was also interested to get into that hobby, but actually never did it... There were always other things I spend my money onA drone liability insurance ist mandatory in Germany? How much do they charge for a year?

author: FrankBuss
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 06:57:06 am
content: Yes, you need an extra insurance. A cheap one is included if you are a member of the DMFV, which I chose. Membership costs EUR 42 per year. If you fly outsite the DMFV area or for models heavier than 1 kg (the Phantom 3 weights 1.280 kg), you need the extra "Form II" insurance from them, so in sum EUR 56,36 EUR per year. Pays up to 2 million EUR in case of injury to persons or property damage.