Hey everyone! Here’s my ST-360 quad!

Specs:

1)FC:
APM2.6 (AC 3.2)
+ uBlox 6m GPS + compass
+ 3DR Radio Telemetry 433 MHz
+ DroidPlanner2 (with bluetooth module)

2)Power System:

ST 2210 brushless motors
QBrain 4x25A ESC
Haiyin 2200Mah LiPo

3)AUW : 900 grams

4)Max. flight time: 15 minutes

I haven’t done auto-tuning or manual tuning yet. It flies well with stock settings. Will try auto-tune on a calm morning soon.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw_90kt3Uf4&feature=youtu.be

The HobbyKing ST 360 kit comes with:

1) Frame
2) Motors
3) 8x4.5 propellers
4) Bullet Connectors (12 x male + 12 x female)
5) Bumblebee battery strap
6) Screws and nut-bolts

While I was waiting for the kit to arrive, I came across this ‘review’:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=73fSgifJono

I was really shocked and disheartened.

This is what I found out after receiving the kit:
1) The holes on the bottom plate and the arms are misaligned (some RCG members have reported this issue too). I had to use a drill machine to fix this.
2) The aluminum plates are really flimsy, particularly the camera-mount plates.
3) The screw-heads wore out while tightening for the first time. I had to use screws from my own collection.
4) The motors are of low quality, have low efficiency and warm up after a 2 minute flight.
5) The prop adapters had to be tightened too.

To stiffen the frame I added 20mm metal spacers between the aluminum plates. The frame felt much less flimsy after that.
This frame has had a few minor crashes now and there have been no bends or dents. Even the props are unbroken!

If someone wants to try this setup, here are some suggestions:

1) The THR_MID setting should be set lower than 500 (430 for an AUW of 900 grams) to avoid fly-aways.
2) Add extra protection from light and prop-wash for the barometer to get a stable altitude.
3) Use prop-shrouds and foam landing gear while learning.
4) Soft packing foam (used in jewelry cases) works great for vibration dampening.
5) Add LED strips or glitter-tape for orientation or fly in simple mode.

Initially, I was going to add a 6 point rotary switch for mode selection to my transmitter. But, then I came across DroidPlanner 2 GCS. I installed it on my tab, fit the tab on my tx and now I can change flight modes faster than I could with a switch.

Droid planner also provides frequent audio messages (battery voltage, altitude, connection etc) and warnings. It can also be used for tuning and calibrating. I like the frequent 'battery voltage' and 'flight mode' audio messages. And then there's the crazy emergency beeps if the quad loses altitude too rapidly close to the take-off altitude! 

what do you mean by prop wash?

Propwash means the air flow created by rotating props, if a baro meter is kept under or in vicinity of this flowing, air, it won't read correct atmospheric pressure.

Prop wash causes the barometer to output erroneous values and the quad bobs up and down as seen in the following video.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUpSjcW_PyY

Quote from: Swapnil on January 12, 2015, 09:04:57 PM
The HobbyKing ST 360 kit comes with:

1) Frame
2) Motors
3) 8x4.5 propellers
4) Bullet Connectors (12 x male + 12 x female)
5) Bumblebee battery strap
6) Screws and nut-bolts

I dont think the HK kit comes with bullet connectors

This is from the HK site:
Included in box:
ST360 Quadcopter Frame
4 x ST2210 brushless motor
4 x 8045 propeller
Battery strap
All necessary hardware

Oh! I'm sorry!

I was writing simultaneously on an RCG thread and assumed that the frame I bought from you was from HK as well. My Bad!

Thats fine

The motors that comes with this kit is of not so good quality

I have found the original manufacturer of this kit and the motor that they sale with this kit is of excellent build and quality







I had got 1 pc for testing and the test results were good. I would soon get the original kit from with the original motors (waiting for the right hardware) for sale at QK

Quote from: satyagupta on January 13, 2015, 10:28:11 AM

The motors that comes with this kit is of not so good quality

I have found the original manufacturer of this kit and the motor that they sale with this kit is of excellent build and quality

I had got 1 pc for testing and the test results were good. I would soon get the original kit from with the original motors (waiting for the right hardware) for sale at QK

When I saw this kit on your website, I thought it was the original ST 360. Anyway, I'll get the original one from you when you stock it! 

Well trust me this is the kit that comes from HK too. But they dont provide bullet connectors but i asked my supplier to send the bullet connectors too.

I know that HK sells this kit as well. By 'original' I meant the original ST 360 that comes with those black motors you posted pictures of.

I tried the Land mode today. The quad jumps up and down a few times before landing. I thought covering the barometer would have solved this problem.

Has anyone faced this problem? What is the optimal value for the LAND_SPEED parameter? What other measures need to be taken to get a stable barometer output?

Is 2200Mah 3S 20C LiPo sufficient for this quad or need higher C rating?

I'm currently using a Haiyin 2200 mAh 20 - 30C on my quad, but above 25C is recommended.

Quote from: satyagupta on January 13, 2015, 10:28:11 AM

The motors that comes with this kit is of not so good quality
I have found the original manufacturer of this kit and the motor that they sale with this kit is of excellent build and quality




I had got 1 pc for testing and the test results were good. I would soon get the original kit from with the original motors (waiting for the right hardware) for sale at QK

@satyagupta sir
Did you notice that the motor does not fit on the quad arm as the shaft extension at the back is too long?
So either the motor needs a 3mm packing, or the arms have to be drilled for clearance.
And what's the use of 2mm connectors on the motors when matching females for ESCs not provided?
Just a waste as you have to cut them off!

Edit: however, 12 pairs if 3.5 mm provided.

My kit came with unsoldered male + female 3 mm bullet connectors. Also, there were no problems with the motors.
Iyer sir, if you are indeed talking about the new kit with the black motors, it looks like I got a better deal with the old kit!

@KK Sir, Yes we have noticed that, but if you closely check the arms they do have a gap which is provided for the long extension and it fits nicely in it. I have myself tested each each motor and arms and then decided to sell it.

Yes the motor comes with 2mm connectors but then 3.5 mm is very common hence we decided to send 12 pairs of 3.5mm connector. If customer have 2mm connectors then they can use it with the kit else they can use the 3.5mm which is provided with the KIT..

@swapnil. KK Sir is talking about another kit not the one that you bought.

This is the kit that KK Sir is talking about: http://www.rcindia.org/deals-and-special-offers/quadcopter-kit-for-just-inr-5500/

EDIT: added link

Quote from: satyagupta on February 12, 2015, 09:36:07 AM
...
Yes the motor comes with 2mm connectors but then 3.5 mm is very common hence we decided to send 12 pairs of 3.5mm connector. If customer have 2mm connectors then they can use it with the kit else they can use the 3.5mm which is provided with the KIT..
...

WOW! I must have overlooked that deal! So it comes with presoldered connectors and extra connectors at just   5500? Holy cow!

@Satya

I read that complete thread. Great initiative! Just another example of your generosity!

@Iyer sir

I speak from personal dealings with Satya when I use the word 'generosity'. I purchased a GPS module from him which I found out to be faulty after a month of purchase. Now, any other seller would have refused to replace it saying that it was my fault and that I was fooling them. Satya, however, at his own expence replaced the module with a new one. I've purchased a lot of stuff from a lot of Indian RC shops before but I've never had such a great experience till now.

Satya also helped me with suggestions and timely replies to my queries during the build of my quad. I look forward to many happy purchases from quadkopters.com in the future!

Hats off man! 

Thank you so much Swapnil for such generous words. Thanks once again

I know.
At 5500, the deal is GREAT VALUE for money.
Even assuming very low rates, one motor, one ESC and one prop can't be less than 1250.
Or 5000 for 4. Plus say 2000 for kk2.1.

So you save 1500 AND get the frame, power distribution board, and a dozen pairs of 3.5 connectors free.
(That's why it is sold out ☺️)
If Satya sir adds 5 male-male leads, an XT60 lead, mounting bolts and some plastic spacers, and a spare set of props, it would still be a good deal at around 7500.

Haven't run the motors yet, but they appear to be of quite good quality.

Practicing on my mini quad, as i don't want to break a prop on the ST 360. Waiting for Sunday...

The kit from quakopters was indeed value for money .

Quote from: K K Iyer on February 12, 2015, 06:55:37 PM

Even assuming very low rates, one motor, one ESC and one prop can't be less than 1250.

But you may rethink on above view

Nice Video !!!
Regards,
Aman.

Thanks Aman!

I usually go flying alone or I'd have had more videos. The APM can do seriously amazing stuff!

Quote from: K K Iyer on February 12, 2015, 06:55:37 PM
If Satya sir adds 5 male-male leads, an XT60 lead, mounting bolts and some plastic spacers, and a spare set of props, it would still be a good deal at around 7500.

Thanks but this kit is for those customers who are very tight on budget. WE have have few other arf kits too ranging for 7500,8500 and 9500

These kits comes with most of the things that you have mentioned. But none of the kit comes with male to male leads. And every kit comes with deans connector not XT60 (cost of deans connector is less than XT60)

KK Sir please don't use sir for me, i am no way near to be called as sir. That too by a senior members, like you. Its humble request