YES!! GPS MODULE ON FRONT PAGE OF SKOOKUM.COM... ASK QUESTIONS HERE

[RC Mike]

Skookum, I assume that the GPS unit has a magnetometer (to get magnetic heading) and a pressure sensor to measure altitude – is that true?
　

[soko]

First of all: Thanks Skookum for your great work

The GPS module was the main feature for me to buy a SK720!

I'm not a rich guy... So the TRex 550 I own means much to me and I don't want it to crash. I need the GPS to bail-out my heli whenever I loose orientation!
SelfLevel works great so far, but GPS is the best way to accomplish perfekt bail-out.
I can't wait to get my hands on the module

@mediclavina
I want every feature you've posted

Soko

[CHIEF-X]

Originally Posted by NRPY

I think those are just possibilities with GPS data. The SK unit will now know where it is relative to the ground in all 3 dimensions. Seems like that opens up a world of possibilities.

i think this is about all that is known about the sk-gps. and i believe you should look for it to perform in the realm of other gps units on the market with mayby a few special features like a better bailout or signal loss recovery and auto. i highly doubt this will make a helicopter a complete robot or autopilot. but possibly some hybrid features with alot less limited possibilitys than any other flybarless system on the market.

just wish the sk720 had all mems sensors and no accelerometers like the 540. vibes would play alot less of a roll in malfuntion of self level and other bailout features to come.

[NWFLYJ]

I don't see it having a barometer sensing feature. The heli would have to have a pitot static system for that to work. As air passes over the canopy in forward flight the pressure drops and the sensor would think you are climbing due to the decrease in pressure..

[NWFLYJ]

Altitude hold might be obtainable from the gps. I am not sure what the resolution would be though.

[mediclavina]

Originally Posted by RC Mike

1 is useless.
2 sounds like you will have to take a PC to the flying field each time to program in all that information. I really don’t want to spend time doing that. I would much rather be flying.

So far I really don’t see anything that I would be willing to spend money for.

How about AP. Can I program it to fly to specific coordinates, take photos, and fly it back to me. That’s what I really need.



.

To me it's useful to know the maximum speed of my heli.

Except for the variable width of flight boxes, the rest of the programming I mentioned can use the initial coordinate, altitude and heading as reference point. For example, he can program to make the GPS think the heli always point away from you (and the crowd) on start up. The pilot just have to make sure he doesn't start the heli nose in or side in by mistake.

I didn't want to mention any feature that would give the FAA the reason to try take away our freedom but...

[Jeff_Barrett]

Originally Posted by RC Mike

Exactly what’s that thing going to do for me? I have no idea why I would need one.

Potentially, it could allow the SK-720 to expand and evolve into something similar to the DJI Wookong-M I suspect.

[heathy]

Originally Posted by RC Mike

1 is useless.
2 sounds like you will have to take a PC to the flying field each time to program in all that information. I really don’t want to spend time doing that. I would much rather be flying.
　
So far I really don’t see anything that I would be willing to spend money for.
　
How about AP. Can I program it to fly to specific coordinates, take photos, and fly it back to me. That’s what I really need.
　
　
　
.

Don't waste your money then

[SimStream]

Actually, potentially it could be much simpler
It could be designed so that a heli is flown around the perimeter of a flying site and this is recorded in the software and after this the system would not allow the heli to exit that space.
The potential is mind boggling when you start to think about it.

Arrive at your competition flying site. Link up the field terminal and press a button or two. Fly around the edge of the arena and then along the front of the pits. Land and your done.

[jperkosk]

Originally Posted by RC Mike

1 is useless.

To you. Doesn't mean it's useless to someone, or even anyone, else.

Originally Posted by RC Mike

2 sounds like you will have to take a PC to the flying field each time to program in all that information. I really don’t want to spend time doing that. I would much rather be flying.

Originally Posted by RC Mike

How about AP. Can I program it to fly to specific coordinates, take photos, and fly it back to me. That’s what I really need.

I doubt you can do it, especially if you'd rather be flying than be bothered with programming

[martin_]

Other than recording speed, altitude and playback accuracy, I don't expect more about this GPS.

Imho there is other priority to fix in the SK-720 before spending time on the GPS.

[RC Mike]

Originally Posted by martin_

Imho there is other priority to fix in the SK-720 before spending time on the GPS.

Now that the SK540 is shipping (next week) I expect that that will occupy most of their time for the next few months. That always happens when a new product comes on the market.
　

.

[ds1rc]

Soko you are the MAN. It will be so nice to be able to stop the Heli dead in its tracks with the Bailout System.

Don S.

[Wesley888]

Originally Posted by RC Mike

1 is useless.
2 sounds like you will have to take a PC to the flying field each time to program in all that information. I really don’t want to spend time doing that. I would much rather be flying.
　

Sounds good to me. One less person to take the limited availability when it releases. I want one, now!

[65L88]

Originally Posted by Wesley888

Sounds good to me. One less person to take the limited availability when it releases. I want one, now!

+1!!

[soko]

@Don

[johnjonfenomenon]

Ok times up .. where is this freaking thing?

[adelmasw]

If you have not heard it Art was on the All Things That Fly show talking about the flybarless units and the GPS module. He said it would be out this summer and also talked about how complicated the software is to get all integrated. here is the link: http://allthingsthatfly.com/ Show #234

In addition - and I am not sure I heard this right - either he said that the module would be about the cost of the 720 OR it was in addition to the 720. But did not state a dollar amount.

I am sure that he is shooting for IRCHA to show it off.

Anyway, it was an interesting show.

And Wow, it is hot here......

[RC Mike]

I'm ready to order!

[Cascade]

It'll cost "more than the 720 but less than the nearest competitor."
Between $400 and $700?