Bumpy footage

[Fly-catchers]

I did this video to illustrate the "bump" I get from when I am flying away from a subject. And also the bumpy footage I get when flying across a scene. But while copying it I noticed a brief pulse in the motor noise when the footage jumps. For quite some time I have muted the sound when I have played back my Phantom footage. But on checking a couple of earlier bumps on other footage get a similar type of motor noise- though not so extreme. Watching the rest of 5 flights I did yesterday the Phantom motors sound like I would expect. Any ideas as to the cause? And apart from the expected yawing titches- is the overall bumpy footage perhaps caused by the motors? Before listening to the sound I was wondering if it was caused either by the gimbal or the way I fly the craft. It is a version 1.2 Phantom 1 with aeroxcraft brushless gimbal. Standard 8 inch props which I have balanced. Since installing my gimbal in November I have never got close to the type of steady footage I have seen posted elsewhere. And still feel that my flying skills might well contribute to it. Also I would imagine that a zenmuse gimbal would given smoother results. But after hearing that motor noise pulse wonder if something else is the cause. I have completed about 50 or so flights since fitting the gimbal and (so far) had no incidences or unexpected behaviour from the Phantom.

https://vimeo.com/92173812

And an earlier test showing some micro vibrations

https://vimeo.com/88537067

 

[Mark Johnson]

I do not know that gimbal but I have to say that its stabilization performance is not very good. I've flown more than a dozen versions of several gimbals (2 and 3-axis DJI gimbals, ARRIS 2000 and Tarot gimbal for the Hero3) and all of them produce very stable footage. There is something definitely wrong with your gimbal or its settings. I saw your post on the RCGroups forum this morning and you should get plenty of comment there given that it has the biggest collection of online users flying brushless gimbals. Nevertheless, for my two-cents, I believe you've got a bum gimbal. The good news is that you should be able to pick up a new one cheap as a lot of guys are ditching theirs for the new 3-axis offering.

The Phantom 1 is inherently twitchy due to its small diameter and light weight. However, a well performing gimbal will remove all of what you are seeing. The Arris 2000 is listed at $249 new so you should be able to find a used one for $150. In fact, I think I even have one that has never been flown that I could sell you if you are interested. Or, I have several Zenmuse 2-axis models that I have been meaning to put up on e-bay. But, as I say, I'm sure there are tons of people with perfectly functioning 2-axis gimbals who would also be ready to upgrade. I'm not sure what you paid for the Aeroxcraft but you shouldn't put up with that level of poor footage no matter how cheap.

 

[Fly-catchers]

Hi Mark,
Thanks for your views- very useful. The aeroxcraft was not that cheap at £270. In fairness to aeroxcraft I did send them some footage and after clarifying the settings via the naza software and also whether I had balanced the props etc they suggsted sending it back to them for bench testing. I have held back because I was still wondering whether it more my flying ability rather than the hardware. But will now certainly send it back to them and see what happens.

I came across your web site a little while. Excellent and look forward to more updates.

cheers

bill

 

[Mark Johnson]

Hi Mark,
Thanks for your views- very useful. The aeroxcraft was not that cheap at £270. In fairness to aeroxcraft I did send them some footage and after clarifying the settings via the naza software and also whether I had balanced the props etc they suggsted sending it back to them for bench testing. I have held back because I was still wondering whether it more my flying ability rather than the hardware. But will now certainly send it back to them and see what happens.

I came across your web site a little while. Excellent and look forward to more updates.

cheers

bill

And thank you Bill! ... Kudos to you for being reasonable and asking the questions rather than immediately bashing the manufacturer. And good on them for their response.