• INAV 1.1 for Naze32 with working telemetry

    As long as Naze32 / Flip32 are decent flight controllers for those who does not demand too much, they share very big flaw: low flash memory size. While even a year ago 128kB of flash was enough, times changed, and limited flash makes a problem for advanced flight controller software like INAV. Starting from INAV…

  • 3D Printed RunCam HD / Mobius camera mount for Reptile X4R 220

    After I finished my new Reptile X4R 220 racing mini-quad, I’ve realized, that there is no way I will be able to mount my RunCam HD on it. Comparing to ZMR250, 220 frame is just small. On a top plate there is enough room to fit battery, RC and FPV antennas and all what is…

  • Flyinglemon AIR32 STM32F3 flight controller

    It was a good week for flight controllers from Poland. Few days ago ROTORACER showed his RACEBASE FC, yesterday Flyinglemon showed his AIR32 STM32F3 board. Comparing to RACEBASE F3 it is maybe less advanced in terms of integration, but not always more is better. AIR32 features: integrated 5V step-down 600mA BEC compatible up to 6S…

  • Hands on: Reptile X4R 220 quadcopter frame

    Last week, first parts for my new racing quadcopter started to arrive. One of them, was carbon fiber frame: Reptile X4R 220. Why this one? Like I stated many times: I’m cheap. Plus, I did not wanted to go with another ZMR250 build. This frame was easily available, within budget and good looking. So, few…

  • Hands on: Matek PDB-XT60

    As long as quality is decent, there is nothing better like "el cheapo" electronic components. Just like below $5 Matek PDB-XT60 Power Distribution Board with integrated 5V and 12V BEC. Preparing to build a new 220 racer I just got my Matek PDB from Aliexpress. Quality, at a first glance looks good. Laminate nicely cut,…

  • How to print PLA on glass?

    When I got my first 3D Printer (Malyan M150) and got into 3D printing I was surprised how consumer not-ready technology this is. Sticking, not sticking, overextrusion, underextrusion, Kepton, blue painters tape, clogged extruder… Over the time, at least, I was able to get the whole 3D Printing process somehow repeatable. I think one of…

  • Detecting Cleanflight PID tuning issues with Blackbox: gyro noise

    After a short brake, let’s return to Blackbox series with new entry: “How much gyro noise is too much?”. Almost all PID tuning tutorials states: reduce vibrations that affects gyroscope and accelerometer readouts. Yes, this true: any vibrations that appear during flight affects gyroscope and accelerometer readouts are bad and should be kept as low…

  • How to tune PID I-term on a quadcopter

    With this entry I want to initiate short series of articles showing how to tune multirotor / quadcopter PID controller. Let’s call it a continuation of Blackbox series, but this time I will not relay only on Blackbox data. Yes, I will show few examples how given scenarios looks on Blackbox logs, but all steps…

  • Flight controller 30.5mm to 45mm mount adapter

    Almost all “racing” MultiWii derivatives flight controllers like Naze32, SPRacingF3, CC3D or Sparky, besides the same CPU family (STM32) and ability to run Cleanflight, share the same form factor: 36x36mm size and 30.5mm hole spacing. That creates a small problem when mounting them to some bigger frames designed to fit APM, Pixhawk or MultiWii. They…