Guys, Assuming I have a cam, video tx-rx, display, and a good radio (i hope ujjwanna wont laugh at this  ), these are the following eagle tree items I plan to buy for the OSD and need to know whether all are compatible with one another. I could see some are v3 and v4 specified in hk site. Also is it really required to buy a Copilot for the EagleTree's RTH(returntohome) to function? Is it not sufficient to use just rate gyros alone(3gyros for all axis), assuming my plane wont topple after i lose the signal 

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=7838
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=9473
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=7837
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=4575
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=4650

Are these sufficient for OSD or anything else from Eagletree is needed?

As long as your Tx works fine with you, its all right. Turnigy 9x is pretty popular with DIYDrones folks, but I would highly recommend a good OEM radio.

coming back to FPV + (Future) Auto Pilot choice, Instead of Clumsy Logger + OSD + Fligh Assist from Eagle tree, better go with  Feiyu Tech FY-21AP-II Flight Stabilization & Autopilot:

http://www.lowpricerc.com/product_info.php?products_id=1148

Saurabh on this forum has just got this marvel :
http://www.rcindia.org/self-designed-diy-and-college-projects/feiyutech-fy21ap-ap117(osd)-autopilot-and-stabalization-system/

For Tx/Rx part, since you have a 2.4G system, go with a high power 5.8g system :
http://www.lowpricerc.com/product_info.php?products_id=1476

Its better than (more cost effective) Hobby King 1500 900MHz system.

What are you planing for display ? FatShark Goggles ?

Even I am myself planning to gradually get FPV system and then integrate OSD and  Autopilot (May be ArduPilot for R&D). But then its a well over $600+ investment.   


All the best



 

  with Ujjwaana 

FY21AP is much better and LESS complicated than the Eagletree systems. The GCS is quite simple and easy to connect.
I have been quite busy these days at work and also, will be moving to a new house next week. Hence, I have not been able to fly the system yet. I see myself resuming only in the last week of this month, when I will be testing the system.

But so far, from the forums and the little experience that I have, I can say that FY21AP is the simplest, reliable and the one of the cheapest.

Somehow I do not like the display of Feiyu Tech FY-21AP-II Flight Stabilization atleast from the sample videos.
Eagle tree display looks very good comparatively.
Even I tried to search in the forums whether just gyro is sufficient or a copilot assist is needed.
I do not think Feiyu Tech FY-21AP-II is cheaper than eagletree 

@ujjwanna: turnigy set looks good I will be going for it in near future, but I do not know the full range of that. Even fpv forums doesnt specify it correctly. I do not want to lose the radio signal before video signal 

Quote from: foamybuilder on April 08, 2011, 11:04:08 AM
Even I tried to search in the forums whether just gyro is sufficient or a copilot assist is needed.

What do you mean by this?? There is no external/extra gyro or a pilot assist required. The 21AP is an integrated stabilization and autopilot system.

Quote from: foamybuilder on April 08, 2011, 11:04:08 AM
I do not think Feiyu Tech FY-21AP-II is cheaper than eagletree  

FY21AP + AP117-OSD Total landing cost to me including shipping was close to USD 350.00

I saw the Eagletree Seagull Pro complete setup for USD 1259
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=4838

I meant  that for eagle tree osd just gives signals to servo, to make it adjust in the direction of gps. So i thought external stabilization is a must.
My aim is to have it less than 350 with rx-tx    
This is for entire logging etc, not required for basic fpv to wrk. ( I just need airspeed, gps, altitude and batterypower in osd)
Not sure a complete autopilot is required as it might steal the fun of fpv, my main aim is to have the rth somehow

Quote from: foamybuilder on April 08, 2011, 01:59:18 PM
I meant  that for eagle tree osd just gives signals to servo, to make it adjust in the direction of gps. So i thought external stabilization is a must.
My aim is to have it less than 350 with rx-tx    
This is for entire logging etc, not required for basic fpv to wrk. ( I just need airspeed, gps, altitude and batterypower in osd)
Not sure a complete autopilot is required as it might steal the fun of fpv, my main aim is to have the rth somehow

1. OSD for Temetry Data Overlay: $90
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=9473

2.  Data Logger to connect to different Sensors (Alti, speed etc) = $48
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=4575

3. 10Hz GPS for Home/Waypoint/GPS Data = 75
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=4650

4. altimeter for precise Altitude lock = $30 (opt)
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=7837

5. Airspeed sensor for accurate Airspeed (+Head/Tail)  - $34 (opt)

The Above is for meningful FPV + OSD Telemetry. If you want to add Autopilit/Stablization, you would also need, AFAIK, a seperate Flight control system (auto Pilot) for Way Point Flight Path, Return to Home etc, like ArduPilot, etc


While Feiyu gives you OSD, GPS and Flight Control, all in one package. Just hookup  your Camera, Video Tx/Rx and Goggles !!

<Edit> Just like Feiyu , there is another Flight System offered by CYCLOPS

http://www.fpvhobby.com/87-cyclops-osd-autopilot.html
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-VERSION-CYCLOPS-AUTOPILOT-OSD-FPV-W-GPS-TELEMETRY-/190514843901?pt=Radio_Control_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c5b91d0fd#ht_585wt_1139

But Feiyu  looks neater.

Anybody on the forum in for Eagle Tree OSD + DIY ArduPilot ?
</Edit>

these prices are just display prices sir, once you add to your cart gets reduced  total will come to around 240.
I am not talking about complete autopilit system with waypoints etc like ardino here. I have seen most people using eagletree osd and the copilot to use it for rth. You can check some videos of rth without any ardino etc in rcgroups/youtube.
The point when you loose the radio signal, the et will detect that and just adjust and changes the plane orientation,  by this time you would get back the signal.
I dont need the plane to maneuver  around with waypoints etc atleast for now. let me know if i am wrong 

OSD is only for overlaying Telemetry information over the Camera feed , to put put before Video Transmitter. It wont do any 'Return to home' maneuver if the Rx looses Tx signal. For that you would need a proper Auto Pilot with gyro (or Thremal sensor).

If you just need to view the on board vista like me, and do not need GPS/other Telemetry, just buy a Cam + Rx + Tx + Goggle/LCD. If you need only the basic Telemetry (GPS/Voltage) go for the Eagle OSD Pro + GPS. If you need advanced Telemetry, add the Data logger and additional sensors.

Not quite sure then why will rth be marketed as one of the features of osd. Note that remzibi doesnt have this and so  it goes along with ardnio.
And i believe eagle tree with copilot will bring the plane back home 

check rth section here.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=924018

Quote from: ujjwaana on April 08, 2011, 02:54:54 PM
OSD is only for overlaying Telemetry information over the Camera feed , to put put before Video Transmitter. It wont do any 'Return to home' maneuver if the Rx looses Tx signal. For that you would need a proper Auto Pilot with gyro (or Thremal sensor).

If you just need to view the on board vista like me, and do not need GPS/other Telemetry, just buy a Cam + Rx + Tx + Goggle/LCD. If you need only the basic Telemetry (GPS/Voltage) go for the Eagle OSD Pro + GPS. If you need advanced Telemetry, add the Data logger and additional sensors.

    word by word. 

Quote from: foamybuilder on April 08, 2011, 03:02:07 PM
And i believe eagle tree with copilot will bring the plane back home  

check rth section here.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=924018

Please read the 'Fine Print'

"Note that this feature requires configuration of several parameters via our on-screen menus. An on-screen Return to Home configuration wizard is built in to simplify this process. The feature may require "trial and error" testing, and may not work with all planes or under windy conditions. If you have a stabilization system, this process is greatly simplified. We plan on releasing additional sensors that will further simplify this feature."

A proper RTH (Return to Home) would definately need a proper 2-axis feedback system like cheap Thermopile or advaced IMU/Gyro system, essentially part of of a flight Stabilization/Auto Pilot System.

This highlighted feature of 'OSD Pro' is quite a gimmick than any serious/reliable one. I wonder without a proper feedback about the actual orientation of the plane after initiating Roll/Pitch/Yaw, there is a  huge possibility that your plane may com tumbling down or may go into  infinite correction loop.

I am no expert on this, just wasted some of time on Internet 'crap'. Better you consult the DIYDrone forum or suitable section on RCG/RCU. There would be no more than 5-6 'open' people on this forum having tried this.

Quote from: saurabhhsrivastavaa on April 08, 2011, 03:28:56 PM
    word by word. 

Even I was thinking the same saurabh, but eagle tree OSD is different, it has 3 inputs for servo too and monitors the RSSI of the receiver and a failsafe can be configured as RTH. Atleast only this information I have for now.

Dont think any external autopilot is doing this steering here 

May day may Day!    Houston! (Saurabh).

Now here is the trick. I guess you are in the same catch-22 situation like me. Now like the bare minimum Radio which I am sure you have pushed to its limit with your fine building and flying skill, please do a progressive but future proof investment (like EMI) . I would you suggest you to go for a nice 5.8g Tx and a vanilla 420p Sony  CCD camera. Save enough dough for a Feiyu system later on, or better get the  Feiyu OSD and then the flight system. 

the reason being, though they have a 'Promotional' video doing amazing RTH, it might not be as simple with the scratch build planes we make. They have clearly stated, and by all reason, its a hard thing to do without Inertial/Gyro/thermal sensor.

1. Take the the Eagle route if you wont be using RTH very frequently or plan to upgrade to DIY auto pilot like Ardu.
2. Take Feiyu path if you need haggle less Autopilot in the future.

I would not agree that Eagle OSD Pro has a inbuilt sensor less Auto Pilot which you can rely on completely, unlike the IMU based ones.

Choice is yours.

Yes I agree it wont be a complete autopilot. But atleast I believe we will get back the signal if atleast it aligns back in home direction!
Yah, thats why I told from the begining of the post that whether a copilot is sufficient or just gyro will do, assuming the plane wont topple due to heavy wind when signal is lost.
Not all the videos are promotional ones, there are real people who are using this. So now i am totally confused 

Quote from: foamybuilder on April 08, 2011, 05:51:01 PM
Not all the videos are promotional ones, there are real people who are using this. So now i am totally confused 

Dude, I have some aptitude for commercial (got some goodies for giving ideas). Lately many Indian ads are 'Bogus' - totally unrelated. So don't trust them.
Better search a relevant thread on DIYDrone or RCG. See what people say. Its one time investment unless you want an Army of UAV with different systems. Research more before investing. I recently bought a Co-Pilot system which I dont exactly need. It was a impulsive 'e-bay- Bid, without knowing the full capability (Futaba PA-2 Auto Pilot).

Yes that is correct. Let me do some more research, anyway I wont be buying the stuffs soon. I need a plane for that and a long way to go.

This is Houston.  

I completely agree with Ujjwaana. As for Eagle tree, most of the sensors are add-ons and you need to buy them separately. This not only increases your cost but also makes the wiring a bit MORE messy.  

From my personal experience, so far I am happy with the FYTECH, though the GCS was not fully matured. But recently, a new GCS has been released http://code.google.com/p/happykillmore-gcs/downloads/list
This is a SUPER GCS. Just download and install... You will need the Google Earth Plugin Installed. Do check it out... It works even for EAGLETREE  

I will be posting my reviews and flight videos soon of this system. Currently a little occupied with other things.

The only feature that i found attractive in the Eagle Tree was the VOICE ANNOUNCEMENTS.

And that is now AVAILABLE in the new GCS that I have posted above. The GCS will allow you to fly by wire and will use its own radio for 2 way telemetry and data communication. Its soooo damn... addictive  

Thanks saurabh, I would do any buying only after your test flights
I would like you to go out of radio reach and come back safely. I know you wouldnt like to do that  

This is what I am going to try...

Fly stable in normal RC mode. Once OK. Will try all other stabilized modes like:

ABM (Auto Balance Mode)
ACM (Auto Circle Mode)
FAF (Fixed Altitude Flying)
RTL (Return To Launch)

Once these are successful... I will fly my fpv in normal RC mode with the failsafe set (throttle 50% and default RTL mode) Then I will SWITCH OFF my Tx and hopefully the plane will return to base location and keep circling in a radius of 120 meters, unless I switch on my tx back and land it.

This is going to be some serious fun.  

best of luck for that, but do tell me the direction you fly i will be there to pick it up  incase doesnt return when you switchoff your transmitter 

I have a question on the ground station. Eagle eyes from eagle tree provides diversity reception multiple audio/video output and antenna tracking. Does Feiyu tech have components that replaces eagle eyes?  Using Eagle eyes from eagle tree with Feiyu tech  may duplicate some modules like the remote adapter/OSD functionality in eagle eyes isn't it?

Ashok,
Did you see RangeVideo OSD ? Bit costly but seems the most extensible OSD in offering.

http://www.rangevideo.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=49&products_id=135&zenid=2313566819607541d9a0593d7ddd07a6