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Post by jamint on May 12, 2009 16:11:44 GMT -5
First off, great forum! I've been researching the x6 for a couple months and have had a very difficult time tracking down anyone with real world experience with the platform.
I was scheduled to attend the demo in Canada scheduled for May 11th. I made my flight reservations before they told me they wouldn't be flying it outdoors. This was discouraging enough for me to walk away from the 500 in plane tickets. I don't think test driving a 4x4 on a racetrack would be any more valuable than testing the x6 indoors.
After reading this forum, it looks like my skepticism on it's abilities in the wind was well placed.
A couple questions for the USA owners:
Being that shooting AP from an rc device is frowned upon by the FAA, how do you guys insure your x6?
Has anyone been able to successfully pull off one of the 360 bubble pano's with an x6 yet?
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Post by skyshark on May 12, 2009 17:26:55 GMT -5
Jamint, Welcome to the forum! I too was considering buying the X6 and wanted information from actual owners before shelling out so much money. The members here have been kind enough to answer many questions on flight performance and technical issues that the X6 has exhibited. Canceling your demo and losing $500 in a plane ticket says a lot to me. I can see how this forum combined with Draganfly's indoor only demo would certainly be discouraging. I am impressed with the technology employed by the X6, but if there are so many issues I might have to pass. I'm really up in the air. Another aircraft that I was considering purchasing is the Microdrones MD4-200. Check out a demo performed at a "Chaos Communications Camp" www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkSl1CUZwjY I'm still researching the flight performance. I'm really sold on Microdrones. Just not the cost of the thing. |
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Post by helicrazi on May 12, 2009 17:29:14 GMT -5
Hello jamint, and welcome to the group  Sorry that you weren't able to have a demo, was it due to their weather ? The X6 is very limited in the wind, and in IMO I think they need to re think their price structure due to it's limitations. But I still think it is an incredible piece of equipment and has it's uses. due to it's size you wouldn't want to fly the X6 to far it's just not easy to see. As far as insurance my is covered by my home owners policy. I had to read up about a 360 bubble pano, I don't see why it wouldn't be possible with the X6 Again Welcome to the Group !!!! |
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rdent
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Post by rdent on May 12, 2009 19:24:32 GMT -5
Hi Jamint, welcome to the forum.
A word about the indoor flight class....
The reasons for conducting flight training indoor are several.
But most important is the factor of weather.
For first flights on the X6 you MUST have all attention on the controling of the copter. How to fly the copter is the primary concern...... going up, down, side to side....etc. Without any concern for weather variables....yet. The most perfect training would be in an absolute vacuum so that all attention can be focused on the controls and how THEY affect the helicopter. Sort of a performance baseline. Once that is taught and familiarized...then
the pilot can take that training and apply weather (wind) to the experience ...with the baseline knowledge now gained.
To train for the first flights out in weather (wind), the pilot would not know if the behavior of the craft is due to input or wind.
No baseline of performance could be established. For the day that your are there to train, Draganfly just cant take the chance that the weather (wind) will be ideal to fly outside....
So why take the chance....Book the gymnasium and teach basic flight controls. Then you will know what to expect when you take it outside.
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Post by skyshark on May 12, 2009 20:22:57 GMT -5
rdent, Thanks for the explanation. It makes perfect sense!
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Post by garymortimer on May 13, 2009 2:23:24 GMT -5
Hi Jamint
Kites are the best for bubble panos. a few people use maxi jokers and helicommand.
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Post by helicrazi on May 13, 2009 8:54:53 GMT -5
I agree rdent, for training, was it a demo or training ? for a demo I would want to see both inside and out zero wind to max. claimed. my 2 cents.
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Post by jamint on May 13, 2009 8:55:30 GMT -5
rdent,
The demo was just that, a demonstration of the x6's capabilities. I'm sorry if my original comment implied a flight training aspect. I understand them not wanting me to fly outside, but surely they've got someone capable of running it outside and demonstrating the gps hold function. I'm buying this thing to set up in a parking lot, run it up to 200 feet, hold it's position while I snap a couple dozen shots, then lower it back down, pack up, and move to the next job.
Be that as it may, I'm still amazed by the technology. I'm a fullscale aerial photographer, we've operated a Cessna 206 for the last 20 years, and 20 years ago, that was the ideal platform. With advances in technology, we're convinced this is a solid direction for the AP business, but we're not sure if we're jumping in a bit too soon and paying a premium for what might be thought of as a "beta" launch of the x6.
If the wind capabilities are as bad as I've read, this would limit my flying days to less than 50 a year in Oklahoma. If this is the case, it'd take quite a while to get in the black...
How much are the Microdrones going for these days?
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Post by helicrazi on May 13, 2009 8:58:39 GMT -5
jamint, have you flown any RC helicopters ?
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Post by jamint on May 13, 2009 9:02:47 GMT -5
That's a negative helicrazi, hence my interest in the x6.
I spoke with Mark Bateson (great guy) who's had plenty of experience with the x6 and he said learning to fly the x6 may actually be harder for someone who's got an RC background.
A six foot rotor spinning at 300mph probably exceeds my danger/risk threshold at this time.
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Post by helicrazi on May 13, 2009 9:08:41 GMT -5
Hi jamint, my background is in RC helicopters, and the X6 would be the easiest way to learn to fly RC helicopters as in PIC mode, the controls are the same. the nice diferance is the X6 will go back into a hover were a RC heli wont. if the X6 was scaled up it would be great and handle the wind better. is sounds that for what your going to be doing there are other options.
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Post by jamint on May 13, 2009 9:20:21 GMT -5
Thanks for your honest response Helicrazi
I'm attracted to the multi-rotor concept from a noise/safety standpoint.
I love the gps hold capabilities
flight time of 8 minutes wouldn't be a problem for what I'm doing
Mast cant get high enough
I guess this leaves me with x6/microdrone, the build it yourself mikrocoptor, or a kite.
One thing we have in Oklahoma is plenty of wind, which is the opposite of ideal for multirotor based platforms.
Oh, and couple that with it being illegal and perhaps you're right, maybe this isn't the best option....
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Post by skyshark on May 13, 2009 18:40:38 GMT -5
jamint, You can check out Microdrones at www.microdrones.com . As far as pricing...it depends on the configuration. The helicopter AND base station will run around $39000 "with a typical set up". Now don't quote me on the cost. You would have to contact a distributer about the actual cost. The MD4-200 is also affected by the wind too. I've read on other forums about the craft's performance in wind. But watching the videos on youtube have convinced me that their technology works (at least in fair wind conditions). I think that's why Microdrones scaled up their MD4-200 and call the larger version the MD4-1000 (plus longer flight times). I'm sure it will cost both arms and both legs. Cost and technology were reasons that I consider the X6. Having telemetry and a diversity video receiver on the controller is a great idea. I like both Aircraft and I'm trying to weigh the cost/technology/needs vs want. Microdrones has full autonomous flight. You can program waypoints via google earth and give it specific commands like loiter, snap photo etc. It is capable of autonomous take off and landings. So you won't have to worry about radio range. But...you'll have to consider flight times (14 mins with camera). I'm just up in the air. Both aircraft have pluses and minuses. ..... droning..... |
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rdent
New Member
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Post by rdent on May 13, 2009 19:42:38 GMT -5
Skyshark
I priced the Microdrone in October...when looking at the two systems. Was told $64K.....for the 1000 series. Yikes...
Problem is....it is relatively easy to scale up these copters....
The commercial industry trend tho is for micro copters....smaller and smaller....that is where the technology money is being spent.
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Post by skyshark on May 16, 2009 13:15:01 GMT -5
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