DJI Phantom
From ivc wiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
The printable version is no longer supported and may have rendering errors. Please update your browser bookmarks and please use the default browser print function instead.
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