DJI Phantom

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 quadrotor
• Airframe: Molded plastic
• Dimensions: W292xH190xL292 mm (excl. propellers)
  • Absolute size: W457xH190xL292 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
• Transmitter: DJI 6-channel 2.4GHz 100mW transmitter
  • Range: 300m (advertised), 1000-1800m (tested) [2]
• Receiver: DJI 2.4GHz S-Bus -93dBm receiver
• Battery: 3S 2200 20C+ single LiPo pack with XT60 connector
  • Battery weight: 170-220 grams recommended
  • Battery cage: W36.5xH28xL109 mm
  • Charger: Balanced 3A Lipo charger
• Suitable motors: 22x12 mm (Ø28x26-28mm) or 22x16 mm (Ø28x30-34mm), 700-900KV, 150-250W, 25-50grams
  • Motor mount arms: 16x19 mm pattern
  • Motor shaft: 8 mm (DJI 2212 920KV)
• 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

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 8mm hub on DJI motors
• Graupner E-Prop 8x5-inch - quality, balanced, 5mm bore, requires reaming to 8mm
• RCTimer 8x4.5-inch carbon fiber propeller - cheap, great for practice

Motors

• Tiger Motor MN2214 920kV brushless motor - direct replacement motor
• 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 [3]

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

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

Transmitter

• Futaba 8FG 12-channel transmitter - quality, feature proof
• Turnigy 9X 9-channel transmitter - value, customizable

Modules:

• FrySky DJT-II-V2 2.4GHz transmitter module
• EzUHF 433Mhz transmitter module - quality, long range, sma connector

Receiver

• FrSky D8R-II Plus 8-channel receiver
• EzUHF Lite 8-channel receiver - quality, slim, sma connector

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 [4]
• For better range or gimbal remote control, replace the stock DJI RC receiver with a regular module (and transmitter) capable of S-Bus output [5]

Community

• phantomguide.com - news blog with gear upgrade and maintenance tips
• fpvlab.com - specially geared toward fpv but lots of general discussions
• 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, good prices, HK
• rc-drones.com - Selection of Phantom parts and gear, US
• foxtechfpv.com - FPV gear, cheap Tiger and SunnySky motors, 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