New SK720 owners please share your thoughts

[rickn816]

Originally Posted by BobOD

Actually, it might be feasable for a GPS to help the heli get level...well, sort of. In a round about way. It could make a series of control changes and monitor the resulting change in direction. From this, I think it is theoretically possible to calculate the orientation. Basically if it keeps working until all movement has stopped, then it can be assumed that the heli is level...or pasted into the ground. The most simple example would be if pos. collective is added and the altitude starts to drop then you can figure that you are inverted. If you roll right 10 degrees and the acceleration vector points North, then ...um, I'm confused already. But, you get the idea.
Now, doing all this quickly enough to determine orientation in 3d space would be pretty hairy I think. I would not want to be the programmer with that request on my desk.

Thank you .
Exactly.
Relative (movement) not precise position.
Rick

[rickn816]

Originally Posted by ElectricSheep

I agree with using GPS to hold relative position, give or take a few feet (or give or take a few inches if you have enough money/access to more accurate receivers)...

But I was saying that it would be very difficult to use GPS instead of the accelerometers to self-level the heli.


Maybe Skookum can chime in if what I'm saying is accurate. (?)

Art posted several times that the GPS will augment the accelerometers.
Rick

[ElectricSheep]

Originally Posted by rickn816

Thank you .
Exactly.
Relative (movement) not precise position.
Rick

Originally Posted by rickn816

Art posted several times that the GPS will augment the accelerometers.
Rick

The statement above is like a presidential candidate saying several times that he/she will help the American people. I can believe it, but how will you do it? AFAIK, and what I've heard Art say, is that the GPS will augment the accelerometers when you playback a flight, not level a heli.

As I stated earlier:

Originally Posted by ElectricSheep

If you choose to believe that answering the question "Where in the world am I?" will level the heli because the accelerometers can't (because of excessive vibration levels -- as c_forthofer asked), then please go right ahead.

How the hell is something that's accurate within a meter or so (a GPS receiver) going to level a heli? Especially when the heli is heading for a certain dirtnap at 50 mph?

Remember the original question: can the GPS level the heli if the accelerometers can't??? I'll just wait for Skookum to reply, because you still can't answer these questions. (Unless you work for or represent Skookum). I'd really like to know.

<end>

[ElectricSheep]

Correction.

Rick, maybe you do work for Skookum?

From the "720: No Self-Leveling!!!" thread here:

Originally Posted by SlavikR

Hello Where can I buy a GPS sensor?

Originally Posted by rickn816

From many retailers, when it is available.
We will let you know.

Rick

[blade strike]

no.. he is just one of the beta users that THINKS he know a bit more..

IMHO he needs to chill just a bit! That "WE" remark made me laugh also :o

Us beta users know no more than the public as of now!

[t2o]

Originally Posted by BobOD

Interesting. Metal gears...I would not have expected that to hold up well.
Anyway, that brings up a good question. Does the SK720 give any indication of the frequency of the vibrations it's picking up?

Yep.. metal.. helical even and the manual has you grease them very well, holds up great but not as smooth as a belt I don't think.

So far the vibration level is just a raw score.

I know a set of less than perfectly balanced blades is murder. I have a set of woodies that I always install for my installation lap (after a new FBL is added). They are not perfect but work fine to make sure everything is good to go. With these blades the score was-->> hovering at 7 and flying around was off the chart. Change blades and now I am usually under 1, with spikes into 3 or 4, until I stall the blades which will sends it over 7 for short intervals.

[BobOD]

Originally Posted by ElectricSheep

Hey Bob,

Hmmm...

Makes me think of this (when a pipe from the origination point to the exit point will do):

UM...that has a lot of balls.

[ElectricSheep]

Originally Posted by blade strike

no.. he is just one of the beta users that THINKS he know a bit more..

IMHO he needs to chill just a bit! That "WE" remark made me laugh also :o

Us beta users know no more than the public as of now!

Hey blade strike,

Thanks -- good to know. I was worried that he really might be with Skookum. As a future customer (still on a waiting list), I was starting to think...

Wow. Just, wow.

I'll just leave it at that. Thanks again.

[OnTheSnap]

Well this thread has become lots of fun.

Yah, I'm not sure how well a self leveling implementation would work with GPS alone in something like a heli. The commercial quality GPS update rate is usually around 1Hz. So if you made a correction and then sampled to see the result, you'd probably already be in the ground.

[okteister1]

Yes this has become a fun thread but we need more new owners input. I have an SK720 on second batch pre-order from heli-RND which I guess I will get in a couple of weeks - meanwhile all I can do is listen to other guys who already own this unit. This is going to be my first Flybarless experience and the unit is going on a Logo 500SE.

[hurricane.br]

Originally Posted by hurricane.br

In fact, he contacted me yesterday with a pm.

My unit will be heading his way later today.

Just to get the record straight.
I'll pickup my replacement unit on the post office tomorow.