Crius pro V2 or APM 2.6 . Views on which is more reliable/robust in use

[Johnc]

Hi Guys,
As a newbie to this I am wondering if an Arducopter 2.6 has a better chipset/setup or is more sorted than the Crius Pro V2.
I am flying a Crius at present and am thinking of trying an APM 2.6. Just wondering for your experiences if one is better than the other and is it worth trying.
I am using Mission Planner to run my Crius and so far so good after some interesting teething problems,which  I will add were down to my inexperience in loading the firmware, etc, correctly.
Now sorted thanks to the info from this site. 
Am I right in thinking the APM 2.6 seems to have a larger following than the Crius and with more positive results? but would appreciate any input before I try one.
Hope this makes sense and look forward to your thoughts,
Thank you,
John

[guest325]

The APM has more resources so can do more easier, I had a Crius and most of the problems with it was lack of processing power/memory. When 1.6 add ons came out (which actually removed a lot of redundant code it was considerably better.
If you want to get up to date the Pixhawk is better because it is substantially more powerful,  but more expensive. 

[Johnc]

Thanks for the info Darrell.
Do you know if the Crius GPS unit works with the APM 2.6 or is it Crius specific?
Would I notice any difference when flying the Crius compared to the APM, or is it that since they use the same firmware they will act the same?
Cheers,
John

[fruitsalad]

gps module will work on both.
the crius aiop is more suited for use with multiwii.
apm for arducopter/arduplane.
i use a crius with multiwii..

[Johnc]

Thank you for the quick response.
Attached link of quick test flight with camera & gimbal set up at CMES Cardiff.
Cheers,
John

http://youtu.be/zIgavJ5YpQY

[orfordness]

All mine are APM, I';ve a crius AIO Pro V2 spare.....should answer your question


Steve

[hoverfly]

A.P.M. The 2.7 has improved board and up graded power capacitor. I always use the power brick  as well for volt and current monitoring. ::)

[Johnc]

Thank you for the replies.
I have ordered an APM 2.6 to see how it compares.
Cheers,
John

[pheasant_plucker]

Don';t forget to get a power module with BEC

Gerry

[Johnc]

Hi Gerry,
Is a 5v ubec 3amp O.K.?
Just trying to get my head around the bits required before the board arrives.
Just put another post on as I had a fly away with my hex & Crius board, after looking at flight log ( my first time at checking ) the only thing I could see was the low VCC voltage, on checking had 4.9 volts from esc bec yet it registered low 4 volts? on the log.
Does this mean when flying that the esc';s bec output can drop? poss to heat?
I assume that a ubec will maintain a better voltage?
Cheers,
John

[Revs]

The power module will allow you to have voltage and current readings in Mission Planner as well as being a BEC and you can set your craft to RTL when either the voltage drops to a set voltage or you have used a set amount of mA. It';s a must-have really...

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__56855__HKPilot_Mega_10s_Power_Module_With_XT60_Connectors.html?strSearch=power%20module%20apm

^ one of many versions

[philtrum]

I';ve got them here in the uk if you need on

http://makeitbuildit.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=374

Cheers
Phil

[Revs]

I';ve got them here in the uk if you need on

http://makeitbuildit.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=374

Cheers
Phil

Great price that, Phil! Though you don';t specify the max cell count. Is that up to 10s?

EDIT: My mistake, it says 18v, so that';s 4s.

[Johnc]

Thank you for the quick reply,
Wondering, When using the power module do you still need power from one esc bec or just power it all from the module?

[quadfather]

3DR recommend that you only power the flight controller and attached peripherals from it, i.e. use a BEC for VTX, camera, LEDs, etc.

[Johnc]

Is it possible that a low voltage caused the problem in my other post?
   
What voltage do you need on Crius Board? Flyaway? Cause?
http://www.multi-rotor.co.uk/index.php?topic=12640.0

I am concerned that this flyaway was almost exactly the same as a previous one, i.e. on rotating the craft to return or check/confirm direction of flight, it suddenly went off by itself?

I tried rth switch no response, dropped throttle to zero, no response, as you will hear in video motors sound flat out in unison and away it went. 

Ideas?
Cheers,
John