Danyboy
09-03-2007, 04:36 AM
I know, it's a more or less common question, and yes, it is correct in this corner of e-heli's...
If you'd asked me that question, you might get an answer like:
Sheesh, you ask me whether I believe in UFO's or not? I don't believe, I got one... :)
I even organised an UFO-Meeting lately...
See video that was made of that occasion here (http://www.mg-uster.ch/downloads/quadrocoptertreffen1.wmv)...
The X-Ufo is a quadrocopter that was manufactured as toy by Silverlit (you might have heard of the company from the Picooz). Original design was done a team of youngsters at a german university, with which they also won a price. The design had been bought by Silverlit and being cheaply produced in china.
The design of a quadrocopter is quite genius, but real progress was only made in recent years, when electronics were developing.
While the disadvantages of the mechanical gyro were discovered by the toy's users, the original team already worked on advanced electronics for gyro (solid state, 3-axis heading-hold... :) ), followed by a more sportier frame, controlling unit and just been finished by the addition of brushless controllers and motors.
To fly one of those is quite similar to helicopters, only the major difference is in the behaviour. While with heli's you'd have to change mechanical-ratios, with the ufo's you can simply plug in the interface and then change settings with the software, so changing a perfectly balanced hover-vehicle into a sporty and agile aircraft is a matter of seconds. Even better, you can save four different settings and select them with a jumper on the electronics.
Backside of the medal: The price... Since this is not a model produced in big numbers, prices for electronics appear rather high for the looks. A complete UFO bought from scratch would be about 1500.- CHF, equalling around 1000$. But compare that with a pimped-out TRex450, and you'd get to the same figures, though you'll only have heading-hold on the tail, and nothing on the cyclic... ;)
Flighttime with a 3S-1250mAh equals for me to 10mins, staying well within the 80%-rule... Possible is something of about 15minutes when using full capacity.
Big plus is the durability... I had mine once do a dive out of about 8m height, impacting straight on one of its arm. All I had to do is reinstall the battery that was thrown out, switch it back on, at if flew on and on and on... Except if you fly over hard surface, and if you refrain from major ****ups, you'll barely break anything...
The only time I had to replace things was after an update of firmware and additionally changing the settings. Resulted in one controlled flip which was followed by exactly 2,5 free flips, and since you can see that the props aren't reversible, and knowing that the BL-motors can't be reversed, you'll know that the airframe's attitude after 3,5 flips only leaves one vector for escape... Luckily the lawn was still a little muddy after three days of rain, so the fall from 15meter was somewhat softened. Three arms had to be replaced, the metal bent back to form, and it flies ever since (after I corrected the software, that is... ;) ).
Hope I was able to bring something to you that does not quite fit the all-day-flyer lookings... :)
If there are questions I'll be glad to answer them...
Cheers,
Daniel
If you'd asked me that question, you might get an answer like:
Sheesh, you ask me whether I believe in UFO's or not? I don't believe, I got one... :)
I even organised an UFO-Meeting lately...
See video that was made of that occasion here (http://www.mg-uster.ch/downloads/quadrocoptertreffen1.wmv)...
The X-Ufo is a quadrocopter that was manufactured as toy by Silverlit (you might have heard of the company from the Picooz). Original design was done a team of youngsters at a german university, with which they also won a price. The design had been bought by Silverlit and being cheaply produced in china.
The design of a quadrocopter is quite genius, but real progress was only made in recent years, when electronics were developing.
While the disadvantages of the mechanical gyro were discovered by the toy's users, the original team already worked on advanced electronics for gyro (solid state, 3-axis heading-hold... :) ), followed by a more sportier frame, controlling unit and just been finished by the addition of brushless controllers and motors.
To fly one of those is quite similar to helicopters, only the major difference is in the behaviour. While with heli's you'd have to change mechanical-ratios, with the ufo's you can simply plug in the interface and then change settings with the software, so changing a perfectly balanced hover-vehicle into a sporty and agile aircraft is a matter of seconds. Even better, you can save four different settings and select them with a jumper on the electronics.
Backside of the medal: The price... Since this is not a model produced in big numbers, prices for electronics appear rather high for the looks. A complete UFO bought from scratch would be about 1500.- CHF, equalling around 1000$. But compare that with a pimped-out TRex450, and you'd get to the same figures, though you'll only have heading-hold on the tail, and nothing on the cyclic... ;)
Flighttime with a 3S-1250mAh equals for me to 10mins, staying well within the 80%-rule... Possible is something of about 15minutes when using full capacity.
Big plus is the durability... I had mine once do a dive out of about 8m height, impacting straight on one of its arm. All I had to do is reinstall the battery that was thrown out, switch it back on, at if flew on and on and on... Except if you fly over hard surface, and if you refrain from major ****ups, you'll barely break anything...
The only time I had to replace things was after an update of firmware and additionally changing the settings. Resulted in one controlled flip which was followed by exactly 2,5 free flips, and since you can see that the props aren't reversible, and knowing that the BL-motors can't be reversed, you'll know that the airframe's attitude after 3,5 flips only leaves one vector for escape... Luckily the lawn was still a little muddy after three days of rain, so the fall from 15meter was somewhat softened. Three arms had to be replaced, the metal bent back to form, and it flies ever since (after I corrected the software, that is... ;) ).
Hope I was able to bring something to you that does not quite fit the all-day-flyer lookings... :)
If there are questions I'll be glad to answer them...
Cheers,
Daniel