Summer Gecko 🦎
By sergetania on Jul 09, 2019
This quad hits the sweet spot for me. I don't think I can build a 3" drone that I will enjoy flying more than this one. I will keep trying but it will be tough.
Since the first Gecko has endured more than 3 months of almost every day flying I thought it's time to build another but still with the best (IMHO) components.
By far, the Gecko is the strongest 3" frame I have ever flown and it flies so well. The new version has a tiny TBS Unify that at 400mW delivers better video than AKK FX3 at max power. Funny how these things work. The Ratel camera seems to be almost as good as the Micro Eagle but without the notorious white flash. Except it came totally being out-of-focus
The biggest problem is availability of 3044 props. Don't you guys find it ridiculous that no one can make an aggressive 3" t-mount prop?!? Something like 3052 because this drone is too boring with available 2.4-3 pitch props! I've talked to RDQ but they need to see more interest before they consider investing into a prop.
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Breading the motor wires helps how?
Hope that braided wires are a bit longer when unbraided that could help when reusing motors with a bigger frame. Not a significant reason. For this build I have reused motors from a 3" massive droner and had to use racewires for the rear motors, the wires were too short. Mostly wanted to try racewires. I feel like too much trouble for 3" quads, may splice the wires instead.
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Super clean build! Too bad I didn't see this before I built my Gecko. But I have a question regarding your FC. I have the Talon F7 as well with a Rush Tank Mini. And I lose video feed the minute I move or rotate my goggles. I lead to believe that its a Pitmode problem. Was wondering if you had any input or how did you set it up on betaflight?
Thanks!
Are you saying that you lose video if you do something with your goggles? For example, you see it, then you move your goggles and the video is gone? The quad doesn't get any signal from the goggles, it's the other way,from quad to goggles. To turn off the pitmode, you should have the User1 mode always set to ON on the Modes tab in the BF configurator. I believe it's how it comes new though so you should see the video (though I had a Talon where it didn't work but I got a replacement).
moving the goggles around on my face doesnt affect the feed. its when i rotate my head 90 degrees or if i move more than a feet from the quad is when i start to get static.
i do have user1 always and im still having the issue.
Pitmode shuts off video completely. Your issue sounds like vtx is transmitting at very low power, less than 25mW. Check the vtx to antenna connection. That might have popped loose. Try a different antenna. What's the vtx power setting in BF? Did you load the vtx table in the configurator? It's super annoying. If everything is OK the vtx should be at least at 25mW. Based on your description it sounds like much less. I am not familiar with that vtx. Does it have its own pitmode that you might have turned on? Assuming the vtx table is correct check in the OSD or configurator.