Trying something new with this one! It's my first true freestyle quad with a top mounted battery and dedicated place for a gopro. As such, it was kinda challenging to build since I'm not used to that kind of layout. I had to think about what to do with the battery pigtail, where to mount the vTX, etc etc.
I really wanted to try the Fortini F4 OSD as a flight controller because I think it's great that it supports 32kHz gyro (for BF 3.3) and it has a dedicated pin for camera control, amongst other cool features. But now I kinda regret this decision because I didn't anticipate that it had only 1 fully normal uart (uart1 has both TX and RX pins without inverter or anything). The other uarts either only provide a TX or RX pin, or have an inverter in the way. For a normal receiver this would not be such a problem, but in this case with the crossfire, I could not add the GPS module I had planned...
Another point of concern is that I had some nasty yaw twitching on the first hover test (the only flight so far). It seems strange because I have softmounting (built into the FC) and a capacitor on the mains, which are the two usual remedies to yaw twitching. Maybe a faulty gyro? I tried softmounting the motors too, we'll see if that helps.
I initially wanted to use the normal crossfire antenna (the flexible one) in an L shape to have some kind of polarization diversity, but it was a sketchy mount at the back with zip ties and heat shrink, and it would have been close to the video antenna, which could alter the tuning of both antennas. So I went for the immortal T which is super easy to mount on the back arm.
Quite happy with the "Race wire" as a solution to the annoying problem of having to swap a motor or an arm with a 4-in-1 ESC. Also it helps with propstrikes, although I never really had a motor wire cut by the props.
Not pictured here is the final solution I adopted to mount the crossfire RX and vTX. I put the RX right between the back arms and the back standoffs, on the bottom plate (the width is just perfect). The vTX is kinda held on top of that and the back arms with a zip tie that goes around the bottom plate.
UPDATE! I upgraded the flight controller and put a HelioRC Spring in there! I only did a couple of tests but I can tell this thing is amazing! The motors sound totally different that with other flight controllers, much smoother.
Hey I just got the Fortini and am building an identical quad minus motors. Did you figure out your use twitches? Thanks
Hi beeb, your build sure came out nice ... sorry that your fighting the yaw issues. Hope your able to get them sorted out soon so that you can enjoy the build. I noticed in the fifth photo that your hd camera strap looks pretty stressed and I'm not sure I would trust it.
Anyway, have fun with her, she really is a beauty!!
Cheers ...
Nice build! Why not cover those ESCs with some shrink tube or tape though?
Hey Whiffles! Those are not ESCs, those are "race wire" which is basically a PCB with 3 traces that acts as stiff wire and makes swapping a motor easier (as opposed to removing the top plate + FC and accessing the 4-in1). Since they are very light, I think the very strong sticky foam tape will hold them enough.
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Read moreWith the release of the DJI FPV Drone cinematic FPV has become a lot more accessible, but you certainly don't want to crash a $750 drone! The QAV-CINE Freybott is a compact, lightweight cinematic FPV drone that can take a hit and keep going. It's a lot safer to fly indoors and around people. With a naked GoPro or the SMO 4k you can capture some great stabilized footage. In this guide I'll show you..
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I'm planning to do a similar build. What are your thoughts on the Bardwell FC? Any tips on building?
Hey! I have not used the Bardwell FC so I can't really speak for it. No particular tips on building, except make sure you get the new batch of screws from Armattan. The first batch from January had a problem where the hex hole would strip too easily because it was too shallow. One tip maybe, if you can, rotate your PDB or 4-in-1 ESC half a turn so you have the XT60 pigtail to the front. And route it between the gopro plate and the top plate. Or if your PDB / 4-in-1 has the XT60 on the side, then that's even better I think, you can then make it very short.
Thanks for the reply. Sorry about the Bardwell FC I got the post mixed up with another. Lol