AP2000i w/ camera control?

[architorture]

I am wondering if the AP2000 system is stable enough to operate a second controller for the camera while the heli hovers in hold mode.

I have a DX7 that I was planning on using for flight control and was thinking of getting a DX6 for pan/ rotate/ tilt/ trigger on the cam mount. I would rather not have to rely on a second person to frame the shot, is anyone doing a single person, full control camera system? I was thinking of mounting both controllers on a tray so I can be close to the flight controls if I have to make adjustments. Can anyone provide any feedback on this?

[Tonystott]

That's what the AP2000i is all about. It will provide enough stability to enable the momentary distraction of taking the picture. Of course, many people prefer to work a two-person team, and for video, the benefit of a separate camera operator increase even more.

[jrohland]

As I understand it, the AP2000i provides CCPM mixing and sensor processing. In and of itself, it does not stabilize the ship.

Stability comes from the various sensors attached. Such as:

Elevator and aeliron gyros. IR (horizon line) sensors, GPS, accelerometer, etc...

How stationary your heli will stay is a function of the sensors you have attached. Gyros will not keep the heli in place at all. Horizon line sensors will try to keep the heli level but, have no way to counter wind. Accelerometers can try to counter movement in any direction but, overtime the heli will still drift. GPS will try to keep it within their distance resolution. GPS with WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) may be slightly more accurate.

Bottom line is, if you can afford to have it drift around within a large area, with a combination of sensors, you can get 'good enough' stability. Still, I would tend to recommend at least a spotter to keep an eye on the heli and nearby hazards.

jrohland

[architorture]

I guess I was just wondering how stable it keeps the heli. Stable enough to take my hands off the controls to frame up a shot with another TX? I'm also thinking about going flybarless with the AP2000i and 2 additional gyros. So with the 2 gyros and IR sensor am I pretty good to go? I'm not talking staying absolutely in place in 20 mph winds, just in a rough location to get the shot. Where can I find GPS RX for the AP2000?

[Tonystott]

I guess I was just wondering how stable it keeps the heli. Stable enough to take my hands off the controls to frame up a shot with another TX? I'm also thinking about going flybarless with the AP2000i and 2 additional gyros. So with the 2 gyros and IR sensor am I pretty good to go? I'm not talking staying absolutely in place in 20 mph winds, just in a rough location to get the shot. Where can I find GPS RX for the AP2000?
Stable enough to frame a shot? Yup! However, I think you have misunderstood the flybarless/2 gyro "option". It is my understanding that the benefits of flybarless +2 gyros relate to improved drivetrain efficiency compared to a flybar-equipped heli, but this is not directly linked to the ability of the heli to remain stationary enough for framing shots.

Mark Webber has direct experience of thie combination of AP2000i and flybarless+gyros, and will no doubt be along shortly :)

[architorture]

I understand that the flybarless gyros will not keep the heli in place, but I thought they could be configured to HH mode, so they will maintain their orientation (pitch and roll) better than a flybar heli would. I do mainly want flybarless for the additional efficiency and simplicity though.

[MarkWebber]

HH mode and the IR stabilization are at odds with eachother as the AP2000i is configured now. Independantly, they work well. The problem is this: In HH mode, the gyros will fight to overcome the AP2000i's attempts to right the heli. In rate mode, it will work just as if you had a flybar installed. As a matter of fact, I could discern no difference in flight characteristics when the 401's were in rate over having the flybar installed.

HH is a whole different feeling. No bad but different.

As far as efficiency, I'm not sure how much you'll really gain. The gyros did seem to consume quite a bit more of my rx battery than before the conversion.

If it's stricktly for AP, I'd stick with the AP2000i w/IR stabilization.

The reason I wanted to convert was for testing for 3D purposes and to correct an issue I was having with my gasser in the wind. Heavy flybar weights solved the gasser issue.

[architorture]

Thanks. Thats is what I need to know. I will just go with the AP2000i.

[hueyheli]

Hi, the AP2000i together with IR sensor , they work very well ,when emergency situation all you need to do is : let the stick go back to center... AP 2000i will level your heli fast and safety... I used on my scale HUEY , Good luck.