RCTimer ArduFlyer (APM2.5)

[Dusty]

strange that one Jethro, I had no problems upgrading the firmware. My issues only started after the crash

[Hazel1994]

It is coming from Chris Anderson, CEO of 3DRobotics. Perhaps scaremongering to prevent people turning to the cheaper alternatives?

[Dusty]

Sounds like scare tactics to me too Jethro. He's talking jargain speak, goin on about things most people wiuldnt understand.

to me, the appeal of the apm stuff is its ease of use compared to the likes of multiwii etc where you have to actually alter the raw arduino code to change parameters etc.

so why warn about something that most users would be clueless about

[bigMouse]

He's referring to the Atmega32ua, This isn't the main processor that you load the program to, It handles the data passed through the usb, ppm and does other things to!

Their entire coding is based on Arduino, all processors using arduino code essentially uses a 'bootloader'.
It's just a simple program resident on the chip that runs at power up, without going into detail it allows easy uploading of FW through usb.

I would guess what he is saying is that this chip has no bootloader. That's not a problem as such, the makers obviously programmed it using ICSP which doesn't require a bootloader. They no doubt did this because they knew it is rarely upgraded and probably never will  be again.

So you won't be able to upgrade the firmware on that chip without using an ICSP programmer, which can destroy the board if used incorrectly (wrong fuses set).

That could have been better worded:
This FW might need upgrading once it the blue moon, but for anyone who want's to, you can upgrade the firmware on that chip by using an ICSP programmer, just leave the fuses as they are.

for some reason they messed up the 32u2 firmware, and it doesn't come with the DFU bootloader (it just has some unknown version of ArduPPM flashed directly).

He's just saying there is no bootloader, and he doesn't know what FW version was uploaded.

Most people won't ever need to upgrade the ArduPPM anyway, and those that would, also know that they can easily load the new FW directly or load a new bootloader program using ICSP.

So yes, most of the warnings is just hot air, methinks they are getting nervous about the competition!
From my experience, Their after sales service sucks, so don't expect paying the full price will buy you any favours.

I will say again though! They advertise the APM as plug and play, which is misleading! Plug and play might  happen if you are lucky! It is an experimental autopilot board, running experimental code, where several of the command functions don't work! Still it is a really good system if you are really interested...

[Dusty]

Nice one Big Mouse, seriously that cleared a few things up for me.

[Hazel1994]

Interesting quote from the thread echoing what you said bigMouse...


 

Hi Saurabh,

    Your confusion is understandable and I suspect it's a little what Chris intended.  He wants to scare you out of buying an RCflyer and push you into buying from his company, 3DR.  A normal reaction, he's protecting his income.

    Let me assure you that you CAN upgrade to arducopter 2.9 on the arduflyer when it comes out, just like with a 3DR board.  The 32u2 chip is the small processor that handles your inputs from your receiver, combines them and feeds them to the main atmega2560 processor.  Actually this chips hardly ever needs updating.  I've never update mine in 3 years.

    Updating a new arduplane/copter firmware is done on the atmega2560 chip (not the 32u2), which works just fine on the arduflyer, either with arduino or with mission planner.

    The fact that the arduflyer comes with the latest stable arducopter firmware loaded is just an extra service from RCTimer.  You can change this firmware on the arduflyer, just like with 3DR boards.  I have changed the firmware on my arduflyer to arduplane 2.66 with mission planner.

    So in short, as a normal enduser you most likely will never have to update that 32u2 chip.  You shouldn't worry about it.

[Cupid Stunt]

How you getting on with this Chris ?
Any autonomus flights or fpv flights ?
Are you using the Minim OSD or the Remzibi ?

[Dusty]

How you getting on with this Chris ?
Any autonomus flights or fpv flights ?
Are you using the Minim OSD or the Remzibi ?

Just waiting for 2nd one to arrive. 1st one broke in a crash.

Didn't even get to use it

I have some missions planned, saved on my computer... A 2km altitude flight and a 4km flight to fly past(over) my house lol

Osd is fy hornetOSD. Not connected to apm, but that minimOSD looks good, means I could free up the hornet for other things

[Cupid Stunt]

Oh yeah sorry forgot yours went pop

Would be great if the RCTimer one works out, I added it all up yestrday and for around $190 you can get a full system with GPS, OSD Battery sensor (for mah used etc) and an on board telematry kit too

[Dusty]

*DING DING* Round 2

today the postman brought me some lovely RC related goodies, most anticipated of all though is my 2nd RCTimer ArduFlyer.

Made a much better job of soldering it this time, and I've put it in a snazzy case to keep it safe.

My first one was mounted using double sided sticky foam tape directly to the "floor" inside the fuselage of my Bixler 2. This time round I'll be making a special canopy for it, which means I have to relocate all my FPV Gear. This is good though, because I've just ordered a set of servos for my 2nd Bixler which will be my basis for a UAV style aircraft and having the ArduFlyer on a removeable canopy I can just swap it over from plane to plane as and when I need.

[Hazel1994]

That case looks very good. Nice thin profile (not that that is a requirement). What was the total cost for the case incldng pstg? Was it posted to a UK address?

[Dusty]

here you go Jethro: http://www.unmannedtechshop.co.uk/uav-components/ardupilot-mega-uk/ardupilot-mega-2-5-case-top-entry.html

although postage is actually more expensive than the product.

[jiberjaber]

here you go Jethro: http://www.unmannedtechshop.co.uk/uav-components/ardupilot-mega-uk/ardupilot-mega-2-5-case-top-entry.html

although postage is actually more expensive than the product.

byod has them in stock again the postage is more than the case! my auto pilot arrived today from rctimer so its in the queue for testing in the bixler after I have tested the UHF open LRS unit.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

[Dusty]

here you go Jethro: http://www.unmannedtechshop.co.uk/uav-components/ardupilot-mega-uk/ardupilot-mega-2-5-case-top-entry.html

although postage is actually more expensive than the product.

byod has them in stock again the postage is more than the case! my auto pilot arrived today from rctimer so its in the queue for testing in the bixler after I have tested the UHF open LRS unit.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

what autopilot did you get? the arduflyer or the crius AIO?

I just fabricated a canopy mount for this last night, hope to have it fitted to the Bixler2 by the weekend

[jiberjaber]

I got the arduflyer with the 433 data radio and the cirrus ubox GPS all from rctimer.  Also got a new quad frame as well, so might just put it on there (though that will take longer to build...)

I might skip the OpenLRS testing and use the Arduflyer in that first then sort out the LRS at a later date.  I have a dragon OSD in there at the moment, so want to get my   minimOSD from GLB before I put it in the air.

I got the GPS and data radio working tonight with ease, so I'm looking forward to getting it tested