DJI Phantom
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The DJI Phantom was released January 2013 and is a fully pre-tuned ready-to-fly (RTF) quadrotor. It has protective aerodynamic molded body with all required equipment integrated. Designed for aerial filming with a GoPro camera.
Specifications
- Released: December 2012
- Type: Symmetric 350 size small vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) quadrotor
- Airframe: Molded plastic
- Dimensions: W292xH185xL292 mm (excl. propellers)
- Absolute size: W457xH185xL292 mm (incl. propellers) [1]
- Weight: 800 grams (incl. battery)
- Weight frame only: 630 grams
- All up weight: 1000-1500 grams (incl. camera)
- Flight controller: DJI NAZA-M with GPS and compass module
- Default gains: basic 125/125/100/100 and attitude 125/125 [2]
- Optimal gains: basic 130/120/100/100 and attitude 122/122 - pitch will be greater than roll since the mass/momentum (battery, camera) is bigger on the pitch axis
- Transmitter: DJI 7-channel 2.4GHz 40mW/16dBm transmitter [3]
- Receiver: DJI 2.4GHz PPM -93dBm bare-board receiver
- Battery: 3S 2200 20C+ single LiPo pack with XT60 connector
- Battery weight: 170-220 grams recommended
- Battery cage: W36.5xH28xL109 mm
- Charger: DJI Balancing XH-JST 3A Lipo charger [6]
- Motor: DJI 2212 920KV 8 mm shaft white brushless motor
- Suitable motor: 22x12 mm (Ø28x26-28mm) or 22x16 mm (Ø28x30-34mm), 700-900KV, 150-250W, 25-50grams
- Motor mount arms: 16x19 mm pattern
- Propellers: 8x5-inch, 2xCW 2xCCW
- ESC: 4x Integrated 18A 400Hz speed controllers
- Forward speed: ~30-40 km/h
- Flight time: 8-10 minutes
- Product pages:
- DJI Phantom - official product page with software upgrades and manuals
- DJI NAZA-M - further details about the flight controller
- Similar models:
- DJI F330 Flame Wheel - same size but more versatile
Upgrades
Below is a list of potential upgrades:
- Add quality propellers for less vibrations and better reliability
- The stock propellers are soft and could break in extreme maneuvers
- Spare Lipo battery packs with XT60 connectors
- Easily swap the battery to get back in the air
- Install a camera gimbal with pan and tilt
- The stock NAZA flight controller can be configured to stabilize the camera gimbal
- Replace the remote control transmitter and receiver to enable 6-channels and longer range
- Enables manual adjustment of pan and tilt from the remote control transmitter
- Adding a UHF system extends range to several kilometers
- Add a simple FPV system using a GoPro video-out cable and velcro to attach a video transmitter to the underside
- Auxiliary power from the battery is supplied by two leads through one of the arms
Manuals
- Official DJI Phantom How To video - complete introduction to the Phantom from unboxing to flight
- DJI Phantom quick start manual - get started guide
- DJI Phantom advanced user manual - detailed setup manual
- DJI NAZA-M flight controller quick start manual - overview of the flight controller
- DJI NAZA-M flight controller user manual - configure the flight controller
- DJI NAZA-M Phantom configuration - pre-tuned flight controller config file
- DJI Phantom Downloads - all manuals, software and drivers
- WKM Detailed Descriptions on Autopilot parameter setting - guide for setting up NAZA autopilot
- OpenPilot Stabilization Configuration - useful fundamentals of PID control loops
Gear
Propellers
- GemFan 9x5-inch carbon fiber props - fits directly on DJI motors, 8mm bore [7]
- Graupner E-Prop 8x5-inch - quality, balanced, 5mm bore, requires reaming to 8mm
- FoxTech Carbon Fiber 8045 propeller - direct fit on stock motors, DJI bore notch, 8mm bore [8]
- RCTimer 8x4.5 carbon fiber propeller - cheap, great for practice
- Zinger 9x4 Wooden Props - less vibrations, bit larger than stock [9]
Motors
- Tiger Motor MN2214 920kV brushless motor - direct replacement motor, white, bit more powerful and efficient
- Tiger Motor MT2212-13 980KV brushless motor - quality, powerful
- Emax MT2213-935KV brushless motor - same as the original DJI motors
- Suppo A2212/13 1000KV brushless motor - quality
- Turnigy Aerodrive SK3 2822-1275KV brushless motor - cheap, powerful
- Cobra C-2208/34 1180KV rushless motor - great motor, efficient, pricey [10]
Batteries
- APLUS Extreme 2200mAh-65C 3S1P 11.1v Lipo pack - quality pack
- Hyperion G3 CX 11.1V 3S 2500mah 25C Lipo pack - extra capacity
- Zippy Compact 2200mAh 3S 25C Lipo pack - lightweight, inexpensive
- Turnigy nano-tech 2200mah 3S 35C Lipo pack - inexpensive, must be handled properly
- Thunder Power G8 Pro Force 2250mAh 3S 70C Lipo pack - quality, fast charging
Gimbals
- RC-Drones X2 PhantoMount - pan, tilt, supports GoPro
- RC-Drones X2-Wide PhantoMount - pan, tilt, supports GoPro case, space for video-out cable
- QuadFrame GoPro 2-axis gimbal - pan, tilt, lightweight, uses DS11-SCB or ES08MD digital servos or similar
- DJI Phantom GoPro Gimbal - prototype [11] [12]
Cases
- Go Professional Cases DJI Phantom - space for transmitter, batteries, charger and lots of accessories
- ToughCase DJI Phantom - carries transmitter, battiers, charger
- Pelican 1620 case - large case, customizable foam fittings
- BuzzFlyer DJI Phantom Case - customizable foam inserts [13]
Transmitter
- Futaba 8FG 12-channel transmitter - quality, feature proof
- Turnigy 9X 9-channel transmitter - extreme value, customizable
Modules:
- FrSky DJT-II-V2 2.4GHz 60mW transmitter module - plugs directly into JR and Turnigy tx
- EzUHF 433Mhz transmitter module - quality, long range, sma connector
Receiver
- FrSky D8R-II Plus 8-channel receiver - great sensitivity, diversity antennas, two-way communication
- EzUHF Lite 8-channel receiver - quality, slim, long range, sma connector
Charger
- SkyRC e6680 80W 220V/12V charger - well-rounded charger, powerful, easy to use, great value
- SkyRC e4 Balance Charger - Direct replacement for the DJI charger
Accessories
- Dubro Tru-Spin Propeller Balancer - reduces vibrations and "jello"-effect dramatically
- UBEC 6V Power Regulator for gimbal - power gimbal servos directly, instead of via NAZA [14]
- DJI Phantom Graphic Skins - apply different desgns to the body [15]
- Infinity Hobby Damping Mount Kit - absorb vibrations before they propagating to camera
Tips and tricks
- For multiple flights, get a few extra batteries and a faster charger, preferably one which works in a car
- To enable manual/rate mode, connect the NAZA flight controller to the assistant software and in the autopilot section change 'Atti' to 'Manual' in the drop-down menu
- A gimbal with pan and tilt can be connected to F1 and F2 on the NAZA-M, the gimbal will be stay level as the quadrotor moves, no remote gimbal control possible
- Consider balancing the propellers to get vibration free GoPro video, alternatively get Graupner or Gemfan propellers
- To minimize the jello-effect, use 1080p60 or 720p60 and disable ATTI GPS to avoid miniature adjustment performed by the flight controller
- Keep the LED sequence reference handy, print out page 15 and 16 of the manual [16]
- For better range or gimbal remote control, replace the stock DJI RC receiver with a regular module (and transmitter) capable of S-Bus output [17]
- Try a new maneuver, or anything risky, at a fairly high altitude so that you will have time to make a saving correction [18]
- Wobble on fast descent is caused because self-turbulence and stall (props are rotating slower) and is not the fault of the flight controller [19]
- To make the quadrotor more nimble, adjust the attitude gain in the NAZA Assistant from stock 125/125 to 120/120
Community
- fpvlab.com - specially geared toward fpv but lots of general discussions
- phantomguide.com - news blog with gear upgrade and maintenance tips
- phantompilots.com - phantom specific discussions
- rcgroups.com - massive community for all sorts of RC talk
Shops
- flying-hobby.com - Quadrotor gear, fast shipping, HK
- hobbyking.com - General RC gear selection, EzUHF gear, good prices, HK
- rc-drones.com - Phantom upgrades, FPV gear, US
- foxtechfpv.com - FPV gear, cheap Tiger and SunnySky motors, HK
- bevrc.com - FPV gear, antennas, goggles, vtx, general RC gear, HK
- armbgc.com - Gimbal controllers and motors, AM
- flyduino.net - GemFan propellers, DE
- rc711.com - Phantom spare parts, HK
Videos
Below is a video showing a FPV equipped Phantom.
References
- DJI Innovations Phantom RTF Review - Lots of good photos
- 200 beginner tips for Quadcopters and the DJI Phantom - Great list of tips