Ardupilot Mega 2.5, a true maiden flight.

by x3mperformance | April 7, 2013 | (0) Posted in Reviews

I have been really glad to use KK2 boards in my tricopters, But that has changed. Not that the KK boards got worse, not at all, i just found something that superiors it, by miles.

 

My replacement is the Ardupilot Mega 2.5 from DIY Drones.

I got mine as a hardcase pre installed with side entry conections, and Power Module with integrated 5.3V regulator and current and voltage sensing.

I choose to get the updated UBlox LEA-6 GPS with it when i ordered.

 

It is mounted on my fpvlongrange.com framed tricopter, and replace my oldest KK board.

Motors are Turnigy Park 450 890 KV BL with Turnigy plush 18A ESC Standard firmware, and props are 9047's.

 

I have not edited the wind noise away in the video, so you can get an idea about how windy it actually was...

I do not know how much the actually wind speed was, but recons about  8-10 m/sek.

It started with a small UPS moment, where i was caught with a wrong rotation on the rear prop, so it wanted to dig in, not to take off.

But this is the true maiden, of a basic ArduPilot Mega 2.5 (version 2.9.0 software.)

More like out of the box and just basic setup of controller and that's it folks.

 

Heres the video.

 

 

Remember to rate, and do comment, also if you got questions.

 

 

 

COMMENTS

x3mperformance on April 27, 2013
Now with two APM 2.5's and 3DR kit. :-)

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RPS-13 on April 7, 2013
That is impressive. I was finishing off my build of the APM on a new H-quad frame today, but maybe I should have just put in on the Tri.
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voipmonkey on April 9, 2013
I love mine I found a rctimer version a bit cheaper than 3dr and it works a treat. I am getting another ..
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Lttakas on April 7, 2013
How hard was it to program the board?
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x3mperformance on April 7, 2013
It is not that hard.
But a look at the ardupilot wiki page for sure helps a lot.
But most every day use, is very intuitive and straight forward.
Youtube is also full of good tips 'n tricks, also from Flitetest.
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trobi81 on April 8, 2013
Hey Mate,

It's really simple:
1: Install ground station software on laptop or PC (its as easy as clicking the executable)
2: plug the board in with the supplied USB cable
3: Update the firmware with two easy clicks (choose type of craft)
4: follow onscreen instructions

This unit is plug and pay. :-)
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Lttakas on April 7, 2013
Thank you.i am on DIY drones looking at one,prices are not bad at all.might be placing a order very soon.
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x3mperformance on April 7, 2013
Sounds nice, what type of multirotor is it going on?
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apache64 on April 7, 2013
I like you have been using KK2 and keep looking at the Ardupilot for fpv or AP as i would like the return to home and the gps features. The price is just so prohibative at the moment to ship over to here in Europe, and i feel there might be a 32bit version coming soon..
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x3mperformance on April 7, 2013
I'm form Europe, and buy most of my stuff at electricarc.com in Spain, great service, great prices.
And i actually keep one of my tricopters on a KK2 board, which is soo smooth flying, Price is spot on and you don't need a laptop to mess arround with it.
But belive me...
The APM 2.5 are in a totally different League, also Price wise.
But the control is mind buggeling, and the possibilities are huge with it.
And it got Loiter, Return To Launch (Ohhh Crap mode.) and mission planner. WoW.
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RPS-13 on April 7, 2013
There are a few sellers in Europe. I bought mine from buildyourowndrone.co.uk,
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apache64 on April 7, 2013
Hey thanks for the link, they sell the apm too, so it looks like a good place to shop.. thanks again :-)
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x3mperformance on April 7, 2013
Course they will send. Told you so. They got service.
And congrats about your new APM 2.5
You will not regret that, at all, only that you didn't get it before now.
Rene'
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Ardupilot Mega 2.5, a true maiden flight.