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Main => Everything Else => Topic started by: Howard_Casto on December 30, 2015, 08:35:01 pm

Title: So....... Quad Copters.......
Post by: Howard_Casto on December 30, 2015, 08:35:01 pm
For whatever reason, mom got me a pretty nifty quad copter for Xmas. 

Sky King (http://www.jcpenney.com/sky-king-quadrone-with-camera/prod.jump?ppId=pp5006110127&selectedSKUId=68301270018&selectedLotId=6830127&fromBag=true&quantity=1&cm_mmc=ShoppingFeed-_-GooglePLA-_-Drones-_-68301270018&utm_medium=cse&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=drones&utm_content=68301270018&gclid=CLi65Kz4hMoCFYU-aQod80MM9Q&kwid=productads-plaid^81646490018-sku^68301270018-adType^PLA-device^c-adid^45810122978)

I've been having fun with it.  The thing is darn near indestructible and surprisingly easy to get to hover stable.  It comes with a camera, but it's kind of crappy... only 640x480. 

But anyway, you know me, I can't leave well enough alone so I'm wondering about mods.  The thing really needs a better battery... this 8 minutes stuff is for the birds.  This company called WLToys also makes an accessory kit .... a water gun, a nerf dart gun and a wench, but they aren't all that impressive and seem to run on a 5 wire setup (mine is 3 wire).  I've got to think two of those wires are power and the other is some sort of simple data trigger.  Also a first person view kit would be nice.  At the same time I don't want to put much money into it.  At the current price point I wouldn't feel too terrible if I ruined the thing, but at $200+ things would get iffy. 

So is anyone else playing with this stuff?  Opinions?
Title: Re: So....... Quad Copters.......
Post by: Slippyblade on December 30, 2015, 09:08:17 pm
Comes with a wench, huh?  Niiiice.

I'd really wonder about the water gun add on.  I can't imagine the sloshing of a half-empty tank would do good things for stability.
Title: Re: So....... Quad Copters.......
Post by: Howard_Casto on December 30, 2015, 09:32:38 pm
It's not that impressive anyway.... only enough for about one good squirt.  It does make me think that making custom accessories would be fairly simple though.... if they can sell a kit will all three (sometimes a spare camera is even included) for a mere 30 bucks I don't see how there would be anything on them in terms of electronics. 

I saw those 2 dollar Bluetooth trackers on eBay the other day.... I'm wondering how much they weigh, because I've nearly lost the thing once already. 
Title: Re: So....... Quad Copters.......
Post by: Wired203 on December 30, 2015, 10:54:05 pm
3 wire sounds like a standard servo connection,  PWM for the output 1500 is center if I recall.  Lookup Arduino servo controllers to get started with hacking.
Title: Re: So....... Quad Copters.......
Post by: pbj on December 30, 2015, 11:26:18 pm
Any hot neighbors with large windows?  $5 cash in hand.
Title: Re: So....... Quad Copters.......
Post by: 05SRT4 on December 31, 2015, 01:08:42 am
I have been looking for reviews or a parts manual for that thing. I think I found some parts on eBay but im not sure if they are for the same model.

My first thought was to go FPV. I have been flying the  Nano QX FPV (http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=BLH7200#quickFeatures)
Watching a flight after is cool and all but actually seeing through the eyes when flying is amazing.

I had to watch a review video to get a good idea on the size of yours. I know it wouldnt have any issues with the same FPV setup I have.

I know there tons of different brands but this one would be uber easy to setup but the cost might be a little higher.

Spektrum Ultra Micro FPV (http://www.horizonhobby.com/product/cameras---fpv/fpv-bundles/all-cameras/ultra-micro-fpv-system-with-headset-spmvs1100)

If you dont want to go the whole package you can always get the Ultra Micro Camera (http://www.horizonhobby.com/product/cameras---fpv/fpv--first-person-view/all-cameras/ultra-micro-fpv-camera-and-video-transmitter-spmva1100) by itself. Its a camera and transmitter in one. So all you would need is googles or receiver/tv setup which you can make for cheap.

No since yours already has a camera built in and after seeing some videos the video isn't that bad. You should see if its possible to add a video transmitter. Then all you would need is the googles or tv setup.

 
Title: Re: So....... Quad Copters.......
Post by: Howard_Casto on December 31, 2015, 02:17:57 am
3 wire sounds like a standard servo connection,  PWM for the output 1500 is center if I recall.  Lookup Arduino servo controllers to get started with hacking.

I don't think it's a servo because this 3 wire connector is used to control the camera.  The controller has two buttons, one to toggle video recording on and off and another to take a photo.  It could be as simple as a ground wire and one wire for video and another for photos.  Those accessories have a 5 wire connector, but only use two wires for the water gun and I believe three for the dart gun, which has a single dart function and machine gun mode.  All of them use regular dc motors.