Tough Tilt Tricopters

by FliteTest | March 3, 2015 | (21) Posted in Reviews


Introducing the Flite Test Tough Tilt! A rear motor mount system for your yaw-controlled mutli-rotor!

On the store now!

Tough Tilt Motor Mount
Tough Tilt Servo
Electrohub Tricopter Kit 
Electrohub Dragonfly Kit  

We listened to multi rotor pilots and read the feedback and we’ve answered your requests with the Tough Tilt, by delivering a durable, low-profile motor mount option that is designed around the ElectroHub and other Rotor Bone components!

Although our ElectroHub has been around for awhile, the Tough Tilt tail/yaw mechanism is brand new. 

Unlike tradition homemade or 3D printed designs, the Flite Test Tough Tilt is injection molded, durable plastic yaw mechanism built to last.

We've learned a lot over the years and we've been listening to what multirotor pilots were telling us.

Eric’s Tricopter is built around the ElectroHub and is currently a test-bed for some new and upcoming Flite Test products.

 

His multicopter features Angle Arm Brackets and a Flight Control Board Plate (available in our Online Store) Eric’s setup also features a prototype landing gear mount as well as a prototype camera/gimbal and battery mounting adapter.

Let us know if you’d like to know more about some of these prototype designs and ElectroHub add-ons. Be sure to check out the Online Store for some items that may already be available!

Eric is also working on a ‘drop-down’ design that places the rear motor at the same height as the other two motors, keeping everything "symmetrical". 

Balance is an important thing when building a multi-rotor built for AP, aerobatics and optimal flying experience.

With the ability to shift CG with camera mounts and battery, the landing gear/ camera platform builds seamlessly onto the ElectroHub opens up all kinds of cargo carrying options on your multi rotor.

All of the “tricopters” (multi rotors) are designed around the Flite Test ElectroHub and the new Tough Tilt tail servo mount.

 


Josh’s “tricopter” err.. Pentacopter is designed as an AP (aerial photography) ship but is also setup with additional arms/ motors for redundancy and power while flying with a gimbal or camera system.

This design is available as a kit that we call The Dragonfly. This pentacopter is built around the ElectroHub utilizing our prototype camera mount landing gear as well as the usual 13mm wooden booms common with all of our multi rotor kits.

The Dragonfly is Josh’s answer to the Inspire 1 from DJI. He’s cheap and wanted to create a multi rotor that could still be stable and offer a good platform for his gimbal system. 

Which in this case, is a custom painted C-Go2 GB300 HD Camera/ 3-Axis Brushless Gimbal from our Blade QX3

Peter’s multi rotor is built on the BatBone and features a custom foam board canopy. Peter's tricopter is built on the BatBone kit frame, with Simple Delrin Landing Gear and Simple Motor Mount Discs.

Peter customized his tricopter with HUGE Avroto LIFT 3515 400Kv motors (the same motors used on the Heli Carrier) swinging 15 x 5 props with custom painted tips.

We’ve been building and testing over the past year and we’re happy with the end results in our Tough Tilt design. After putting it through it’s paces, we’re confident in it’s construction. So much so that we are offering a 2 yr warrenty on the Tough Tilt (not the servo).

 If for any reason you break or damage your tough tilt within 2 years of purchasing, mail it back and we’ll replace it for free! Be sure to send us a photo of the crash that cause the wreck, we’re sure it will have to be epic to have caused a broken Tough Tilt.

The Tough Tilt is available now! Be sure to take a look at some of the other great multi-rotor components in the store! Let us know what else you'd like to see!

Check out the web store for our full line of multi-rotor kits and components! 

We also have complete Electronic Packs available in our store! CLICK HERE to learn more! 

All of these designs were created to give you just an idea of all of the options available when designing around the Flite Test Electohub Rotor Bones components. We're excited to offer the new Tough Tilt and to see what kind of multi rotor designs you come up with!

Thanks again for all of your input and support!

 

 

COMMENTS

MEarly13 on March 3, 2015
This is Awesome!! I just recently finally filmed my first couple of flight videos with my Tricopter, and would love to get more involved in aerial video and photography. Awesome to see a DIY Answer to the inspire. I've got to build a Dragonfly at some point. It looks Awesome! When my tail mechanism fails I will definitely get a Tough Tilt.
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MEarly13 on March 4, 2015
Random thought. Would there be any pros to building a V-Tail Dragonfly over the regular dragonfly other than it looking crazy and awesome? Just curious if the v-tail would still give it that tricopter swooshieness and if the extra rear motor would be redundant if one of the rear motors failed. The idea would be to have the redundancy and stabilization of a hexcopter but the benefits and yaw control of a Tricopter or v-tail quad.
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maue on March 5, 2015
I was thinking about this to but I wonder about if the one of the tails fail you now only have one direction of yah. I don't know if there's a way to control that not that it changes anything, your in the same shoes with a trycopter. I think that it is worth trying some time.

Lol "hint to the FT guys"
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MEarly13 on March 5, 2015
I wonder if the one direction of yaw would be good enough to bring it down without a horrible crash? I lost yaw control on my tricopter when my potentiometer on my rudder stick failed(which was my fault it failed). It wanted to go full right rudder at center stick but with left input I could slow the rate down enough to get it back on the ground with very little damage (Broke a landing gear). Really curious if a v-tail would keep it from falling out of the sky if a motor failed. Would be awesome to see the FT Crew test the idea out. :-)
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grackle on March 3, 2015
Please sell me a quint copter!
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daniel.monger81 on March 3, 2015
Are the landing gear and camera mount for the Dragonfly in the video what is listed in the store as an addon? If not can you please put them up or at least the specs for them to be built?
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jaysteel on May 1, 2015
Yes, I second this request. I believe it's mentioned in a video that FliteTest would put up the plans for that mounting platform/landing gear. I've been waiting for the plans to show up. on the site. Or at least some detailed pictures so I can just build from that.
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CESSman on May 12, 2015
You have your third for the landing gear/camera platform! I believe you would see a good response from the community if you made them available!
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dartt55 on June 25, 2015
Yes I would love to see the landing gear build and up in the store!
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banditjacksRC on March 3, 2015
I've been waiting for this one and I'll be placing my order very soon!

Great work FT crew, keep it up!
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Rotorblade on March 4, 2015
This is like the mother of all multirotor updates for FT! Need input! tons of info and things to look up! Total inspiration!
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Pav on March 4, 2015
what if you loose the tail motor?
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Ano Pilot on March 4, 2015
Very inspiring, loved it.
Quadcopter CofG: My idiot self has learnt through expensive prop replacements for a DJI Phantom how important CofG is. Adding gimbals and cameras etc had pushed it way forward so that at takeoff it tended to skate forward smashing the props, only avoidable by full-aggresive UP takeoff commands.

Which camera had Josh borrowed ? and what has happened to its donor ?

Can Eric suggest a good sensibly priced camera for aerial photography ? I take time lapse photos using a Mobius which works very well except that the photos need image correction ( I use ProDrenalin ) to straighten the lines: ALSO the village, details of which are clearly visible only 1 1/2 miles over the fields, looks like it is 10 miles away. I want a camera that doesn't exaggerate distance or distort lines

And I was wondering, in the end... what happened about the Shindin ??? Am I even allowed to ask ???
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Rotorblade on March 5, 2015
RCTimer offers their IMP 3 axis gimbal for about $90 and I am thinking about trying that one and picking my own controller board, RCTimer offers a Alexmos control board which is about as full featured as it seems to get when it comes to 3 axis gimbals. I am wondering if the Flite Test crew has messed around much with the Alexmos vs the Storm32 controller boards. Storm32 is offered by RTF Quads and wondering if anyone here has tried that. Any feedback would be appreciated! Thanks
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michael300 on March 4, 2015
The "dragonfly" is AWESOME

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mlilasic on March 4, 2015
Hi, can you share more details on vibration dampening system for landing gear/camera platform.
BTW, great work FT team. Like the concept of dragonfly.
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Tinfoil_Haberdashery on March 4, 2015
So...with my previous tricopter, the point of failure was never the tilt mechanism itself, it was always the interface between the servo horn and spline. Is there something special about the tough tilt that mitigates that stress point?
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ludodg on March 4, 2015
soooooooooooooo unfair. I just ordered the Electro Quadcopter Kit.
If I had known :(

;), I'll survive :)

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EpicLockdown on March 8, 2015
at least you didn't get the tricopter! lol
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chrisloh on March 4, 2015
I would love to try and build the dragonfly but have no experience with multi rotors. Do you have a list of all items needed to build a dragonfly and also a build video from start to finish? Would love to try it out.
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spastickitten on March 4, 2015
were those motors from the box o copter?
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jimb0 on March 4, 2015
What kind of flite times are you guys getting on the FT_Dragonfly compared to the TriCopter?
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maue on March 5, 2015
Ditto. How much more drain is there?
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maue on March 5, 2015
You guys are always pushing the envelope. Incredible how far the scratch built multi rotors have come. Looking at joshes old trycopter just shows the milestones.

I can't wait for the new landing gear and drop bracket. My next project is going to be the dragonfly, I'm wanting to do the angle arms on it for added stability. I can't wait.
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Kasukikun on March 5, 2015
Guys this is just INCERDIBLE !! Do not forget to save this invention woth a patent ! Otherwise a commercial company will stole your idea !!
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kilts75 on March 5, 2015
Great Video . I would like to see a built video of the Dragon Fly with landing gear & camera mount.
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Rotorblade on March 5, 2015
In the 14th and 15th picture down what 3 axis gimbal is that?
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T-Richard on March 5, 2015
It's the gimbal from the blade 350 QX3 AP.

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T-Richard on March 5, 2015
I'd like plans for Peter's tricopter body!
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dege13 on March 5, 2015
No 3d printable design files?
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Dark Wing on March 5, 2015
Absolutely, positively, AWESOME!!!!!! I would love to see what you guys have as future add-ones and projects. How soon until all components to Eric's tri, and Josh's Dragonfly are available? ( landing gear and camera mounts)

My boys saw this, and well let's just say, I know where that Uncle Sam refund will be going.
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samthe0ne on March 7, 2015
Im planning on buying and building the Dragonfly Pentacopter As soon as possible (when I have enough money) but are new to the RC (even though Ive been flying some of Silverlits helicopters before) and want to know: would a Futaba T6J S FHSS be enough for this configuration? Will also buy the Nace 32 mini board along with the kit.

Yours Truly
Samuel G from Sweden
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PropSpinner on March 7, 2015
Doesn't this put Peter closer to building the Chimera again?
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EpicLockdown on March 8, 2015
Can you guys please share the way you built the wooden rails/landing gear underneath Eric's tri and the Dragonfly?
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Mitchmo5000 on March 8, 2015
This is awesome! Please get a video out on the landing gear/camera mount!
Thanks guys!
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Undermine on March 10, 2015
Hey guys, I was wondering when the Landing gear/camera and battery mount will become available? The reason I ask this is because I do not live in the US but will be visiting family in a little while and I was most likely will have the tough tilt sent to them plus the electrohub.

If this will not become available in time does anyone have any pointers to making larger landing gear like shown in the vid?

Undermine
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Undermine on March 10, 2015
PS I plan on modding my current quad up to the dragonfly style (Openpilot Revo)
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Espy 77 on March 11, 2015
I would like to see the dragonfly with retractable landing gear!
Also can we get the plans for the landing gear with the gimbal mount
Thanks great show as always.
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lildrummerboy111703 on March 19, 2015
What is the difference between the camera josh used (C-Go2 GB300) and the gopro 3 w/ gimbal that is seen in a later pic? Is one more apt to video work than the other? Wonderful work boys!
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grackle on March 21, 2015
I'd really love to see build details on the modular undercarriage in the video, being able to slide the battery tray, mount or dismount a gimbal, of just swap purpose built unders would be cool. It looks like it's pretty simple...

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Topgun on March 22, 2015
Awsome job FT!!! I just ordered my tri-copter :). Just one question, where do I get the dome cover that Eric is using for his builds?
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yoadrian on March 25, 2015
This is the most awesome episode to date for me anyway. I have several tricopters that are in various degrees of disrepair. I have run them on KK2 boards but never really liked the way they flew. Tried to run a CC3D board couldn't get it the way I liked. Ran a Naze32 board crashed it several times not sure why, so I would love to see a from beginning to end build of the angled arms copter that was shown in the video, going through all of the settings in the NAZE32 board. And then adding a gimbal as an add on. One question. The reason I am always drawn to the tri is because of the foldable design. Is this still possible? Im assuming removing a few screws?
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Sub_IT_Guy on April 3, 2015
I love both designs! I am new to the diy scene but committed to getting a multi-rotor in the air. I love the idea of the tricopter with the plane like tendencies. My weak point is the control board and any of the programming or parameter adjustments that need to be done. Which board would be the better board for a beginner the KK or Naze? Focused on ease of installation/setup and getting in the air. Thank you so much, you guys have an amazing passion and the positive attitude about everything is so inspiring.
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CharlieD on April 13, 2015
Please please please please please get the electronic kit back in stock soon. I have Finally saved up enough money to buy it.
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Kid3872 on May 14, 2015
Working on building your dragonfly design could you send me a complete setup for it for naze or maybe a scratch build thanks.
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istapleton on May 14, 2015
Any chance there are built plans for the elevated landing gear and camera mount set up?
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Dark Wing on May 27, 2015
Any specs on the landing gear that Eric is using? Plans? Or detailed pics? I just ordered everything, with the exception of the control board (oos), and would love to get into AP. In addition do you have the specs on the bracket that Eric made for lowering the tough tilt bracket on the tricopter he has in the video?
Thanks,
DW
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FrankB on June 8, 2015
I too have the same questions. Reading through the above, it appears many people have and there have been no updates :(
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cdub49 on June 12, 2015
Josh what is your input on putting the tilt on the arms that are 90 deg. to the flight path?
they would tilt or pivet fwd or aft or spin to help keep the quad level or make it realy fast.
cw
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Lennart228 on October 19, 2015
When building the dragonfly could you use all cw rotating motors, since two are upside down?
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Tough Tilt Tricopters