QuadMeUp

  • PID looptime: why it is not only about frequency

    Last 18 months was an extremely good period of time for all mini-quad enthusiasts. Progress, hardware and software both, was just incredible. Who could have guessed that in less than 2 years mini-quads will evolve into main group of drones with such excellent flight characteristics. Just take a look at looptime. When I entered the…

  • Hand on: Flip32 F4 Flight Controller

    Yesterday I’ve received new flight controller for my Reptile X4R 220 quadcopter: Flip32 F4 from ReadyToFlyQuads. This is my first contact with STM32F4 based flight controller and I’m really looking forward to see if it really puts a difference comparing to F3 boards like SPRacingF3 I’ve been using last few months. Some features: STM32F405 CPU…

  • Hands on: JJPro P175 4" mini-quad

    Thanks to GearBest I have a new quadcopter to test and review: JJRC JJPro P175 True-X 4″ min-quad. First of all, it is Ready-To-Fly (RTF) product. Everything required to fly is inside white box: JJPro P175 comes assembled with accessories and radio transmitter:

  • Marabou Stork is so ugly…

    My Depron FPV airplane is ugly! Good thing is flies quite well…

  • Project Dualcopter – worklog #1

    Flying season 2016 is slowly coming to an end on northern hemisphere. That means less time spent on an airfield and more time spent behind a desk. For this autumn I've found a very interesting, small project: Dualcopter. Dualcopter is an UAV with two coaxial contra-rotating propellers and 2 control surfaces driven by servos. Lift…

  • Hands on: DALprop T5046 propellers

    Last weekend I had an opportunity to spend some time in the air with new DALprop T5046 propellers from Surveilzone.They are "funny" propellers. On one hand they have some nice features, on the other, they have few flaws that almost disqualifies them in my eyes… Pros Good air "grip" Good efficiency Smooth flight Nice speed…

  • Tip: how to secure XT60 plugs

    I had a problem with my SkyZone goggles: I was constantly breaking battery cable near XT-60 plug. One not careful enough grip and cable was ripped away. I’ve decided to fix it and permanently secure the cable with epoxy glue. Sure, I could use hot glue (that looks ugly) or Sugru (that is expensive), but…

  • INAV is learning to do mini-quad racing too

    Let’s be honest: in terms of mini-quad racing there is Betaflight (probably also Raceflight but I’ve never flew it yet, so will not comment on its flight performance), long long gap, and then it’s everything else including Cleanflight, LibrePilot, INAV etc. Originally INAV concentrated on “big” UAVs with GPS capabilities. After all NAV in name…

  • Hand on: DAL (DALprop) TJ5045 propellers

    After moving to new, 4S powered, mini-quad based on Reptile X4R 220, EMAX RS2205 2300KV and FVT Littlebee 20A, I’ve discovered that I’m missing some power. DALprop 5040 and DALprop T5040 I’ve been using on 3S did not delivered enough power. So, I’ve gave DALprop TJ5045 a try. According to specs, they should be most…