Multicopter - 3D Robotics IRIS - Initial thoughts

[P13]

After over 3 months on the pre-order list, I've finally got my hands on the 3D Robotics IRIS quadcopter which can carry a GoPro and has the Tarot gimbal as an option (together with extended legs). I ordered the gimbal hence the wires showing in the photo, I've not connected the gimbal yet, but it's clearly easy enough.

The IRIS is based off open source software developments, which means you won't find release notes that never list bug fixes as being such (DJI record bugs as enhancements which is disingenuous and misleading), you won't find unexpected software limits imposed on you, for example you can set a fully autonomous flight plan without worrying about the number of waypoints. I guess the only downside is when you start delving into the software you can be overwhelmed with options.

I find the telemetry is very useful, even if just used to get real time feedback, the included telemetry comes with a USB that will connect to a tablet so whilst flying, you can have a Nexus (for example) providing you with useful information such as number of satellites locked and the remaining battery life, which it reads out verbally at every loss of 10% remaining charge.

I always fly any multicopter I use with a GPS tracker (in my case I use the Fi-Li-Fi) to be able to find my copter in the event of a GPS glitch (if in GPS mode) or any other error that might result in an unexpected flight out of sight. With the IRIS any such tracker should be mounted at the back so as not to block the built in GPS. A nice software feature is present in the IRIS software called GPS glitch protection which should prevent some fly-aways, it's nice to see this issue being tackled, especially to give new users protection, where DJI much prefer denial and damage limitation:

Details on the algorithm here:
http://copter.ardupilot.com/wiki/gps-failsafe/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN0c0bKlFUs

I've only had a day with the IRIS so far but my initial thoughts are (based off experience with DJI products):

1) The IRIS is nicely put together - with neat wiring, it is also easy to remove the top cover for upgrades.
2) This is a very complete pack right down to providing tools, a lipo bag and even an SD card is already installed to record the telemetry.
3) The manual and accompanying guides are good but miss details on using a tablet.
4) The handling is user friendly, especially in GPS the IRIS is very tame, far more than a Naza based copter - this is great for new pilots and video people but will likely not be to everyone's taste, RC people in particular will feel restricted.
5) Start up is very quick compared to a Naza, in the same spots I've flown before the IRIS was ready to fly reading well over 7 satellites where the Naza takes longer, I'd guess maybe twice as long but I'd need to time them both side by side to be sure.
6) The GPS lock seems as good as a Naza but the height doesn't feel as well locked in, it sometimes felt the IRIS was losing a bit of height (not enough to be alarmed however).
7) There is a manual mode called Stabilize (STB) for those wanting to unleash the potential of the IRIS which may go some way to address the concern of more experienced RC pilots finding the IRIS tame.
8) The RTL (Return To Launch) mode works with the landing looking smooth.
9) Flight time is poor compared to the DJI Phantom, with the provided 3500 mAh battery, the flight time is claimed at 10-15 minutes, but you're not going to see over 12 minutes in reality, with a gimbal this time is trimmed by 4-5 minutes from feedback I've heard from another user. The IRIS can fly with a 5000mAh battery squeezed in. so I see this problem being solved with a more suitable battery than the one provided. A 5000/5450 mAh will provide a fair 17 minutes without a gimbal.

In summary, the IRIS is a very capable entry level multicopter, it's the first genuine competitor against the DJI Phantom, offering more advanced features in some areas but is taking an unwelcome step back where flight time is concerned, this is one area 3D Robotics need to address seriously along with gimbal integration which ideally needs to be with retractable legs (especially to allow evolution to a 3 axis gimbal) rather than using ugly looking extended legs.

Value for money is an issue I've not addressed, it's not a simple equation, especially for new users such as photographers wanting their first multicopter to learn the ropes. The IRIS is more expensive than similar DJI products, you could argue the IRIS with its autonomous features is a more advanced multicopter, but DJI does offer upgrade paths to add such features, yet at the same time you'd have to concede with the IRIS the battery life and the ergonomics of the gimbal solution fall short of consumers expectations these days.

My personal feeling, especially as a European consumer, is DJIs customer service and software testing falls well short, especially when you weigh it up against the standards you get with photography equipment, 3D Robotics has still to prove itself in this area, but it did send out the right signals with the IRIS by producing a developer edition (effectively a beta test) and was clearly seen to work out potential bugs before the IRIS went to consumers, if 3D Robotics continues this approach along with knowledgeable and helpful after sales support both in the US and Europe then it could justify a higher price tag and consumers would pay it.

For consumers buying a multicopter right now, there's no easy choice, as yet there's no perfect ready to fly multicopter, there's little in the way of redundancy and an expensive crash is likely a matter of when rather than if, but at least there's now more options, more competition and in the long run competition will drive better products.

I like the IRIS from my first day with it, would I recommend an IRIS over a Phantom 2? As yet I don't know, only time will tell.

 

[Anthem]

Great review! I agree if I was in the market for a RTF (Ready to Fly) Quad for gopro use, the 3D Robotics IRIS would be it. I've flown a local rc members DJI phantom in Atti mode and it felt a bit sketchy, drifts a lot. I didn't feel comfortable switching into GPS mode due to "phantom flyaways".

Keep us posted with updates and videos, its refreshing to see a review from a filmmakers pov.

 

[P13]

Great review! I agree if I was in the market for a RTF (Ready to Fly) Quad for gopro use, the 3D Robotics IRIS would be it. I've flown a local rc members DJI phantom in Atti mode and it felt a bit sketchy, drifts a lot. I didn't feel comfortable switching into GPS mode due to "phantom flyaways".

Keep us posted with updates and videos, its refreshing to see a review from a filmmakers pov.

Thanks. I need to fly it more to really compare this to DJI products, my gut feeling at this stage is there are likely some firmware glitches still to sort out, on the last flight I had 2 occasions in GPS mode (flying it deliberately rough) where the IRIS dropped a metre or 2 hitting the ground, though both the IRIS and the props were strong enough to take those bumps.

A young lad that got the IRIS about a week before me has posted an information first look too:

 

[P13]

Since writing this review I've started customising the IRIS, this is a little bit harder when you get to something advanced like adding a retractable gear as I'm having to use forums to ask for information (not much forthcoming so far), so that's one downside of a smaller user base, that aside, I've had some fun flying it so far.

Here's a quick look at the initial customisations of Xoar props (had to move to 5mm prop mounts) and a retractable gear plus 3 axis DYS gimbal (I've not tested in flight yet as I only installed it yesterday and I have worked all day long).

 

[P13]

Some updates on the IRIS since the first look.

Like any new product it’s had a few issues, thankfully 3D Robotics have shown good customer service to tackle issues as they’ve arisen, some points that come to mind are:

1. The early batches of the IRIS went out with motor screws a few milimetres too short to provide a good long term reliability, 3D Robotics has held it’s hands up to this and sent out free longer screws. In fact they’ve even replaced without quibbling a user’s IRIS that crashed due to the motor coming loose for this reason.
2. Some replacement parts still aren’t easy to get hold of, most notable being the gimbal mount, this has been addressed by the community by putting out 3D printable designs, but I’d prefer that all the parts were easier to come by, especially in Europe. The postage charge from the US to UK on the 3DR shop is very reasonable so at least the main parts such as motors and arms are cheap to replace. One positive that does need a mention is that the stock motors seem very smooth so I’ve not seen the need to replace these with T-Motors, which is something I’d normally do.
3. The battery life isn’t such as problem as it first appeared, 5000mah Turnigy & Zippys are great value whilst the MaxAmps 5450 battery is an ideal fit too. I personally think the default battery warning needs increasing by a few volts, but that’s my personal opinion and at least like any setting it’s easy to change. I always like a good advanced warning so I can keep my batteries above 20% charge so they remain in good health.
4. Software testing. This is an important point photographers may overlook, but is really important given you’re flying a multicopter that if it goes wrong could cause damage or harm. To date I’ve been reassured with 3D Robotics as they have employed the key developers (given it’s an opensource project) of Arducopter and the conversations around bugs and the investigation into them is done in full public view, as discussions are on Google groups, so bugs aren’t concealed from the users, I’ve been able to read about upcoming bug fixes before they’ve even happened.
5. Communication. There is an APM forum with sections for the various 3DR products which has been handy in having a moan when I’ve needed to as well as finding out information, in addition there is a formal trouble ticket system too.
6. Complexity. I still feel a little overwhelmed given the huge configurability of the Pixhawk but it’s also empowering to be able to change things at will, for example I’ve increased the return to home height so it’s sure to clear trees and buildings with a good margin.

I wasn’t too happy with the DYS 3 Axis gimbal as it was too heavy for my set-up so I’m going for a robust 2 axis gimbal instead, I’m likely to be using a heavily modified GoPro, possibly a Ribcage version, so I have a limited choice of gimbals to choose from.

There has been reports from other users that had the first batch of IRIS quadcopters that they’ve had a height drop in Loiter mode like I experienced on a few occasions, but the suggested cause is the GPS module touching the Pixhawk, if this is true it’s a simple fix at least. There’s also a firmware fix to deal with vibrations as well in the pipeline which ought to resolve the problem too.

I’d like to see 3D Robotics succeed as the more competition there is, the better for us all, I like the fact they’re building smart software and putting in safety features, for example the last release put in code for automatic deployment of a parachute (all we need now are some more affordable parachute hardware options). I could see me eventually owning an X8 either wholly made by 3DR or controlled with a Pixhawk.

 

[P13]

As an update, although it what was just a handful of customers saying they thought they had a problem with a height drop caused by vibration and/or wear to wires around the GPS, 3DR took the reports seriously and started an investigation, their staff opened up a number of IRIS models on their assembly line and did find some had not been assembled with the Pixhawk in precisely the same position, rather than keep this fact quiet, they held their hands up to the problem. They’ve emailed all their customers and sent free kits out along with a link to an instruction video so we can correct the placement ourselves, it’s an easy 15 minute job thankfully.

I have to say the after sale support has been great, to see a multicopter company own up when there is a problem, to even post on groups on Facebook explaining and apologising and then shipping kits even internationally for free, it is the kind of service the industry needs.

To top it off, plenty more spares are now available including the gimbal mount so I can continue my modding.