ArduFlyer APM2.5 From RcTimer

[Gaza07]

For those that havent seen it rctimer have released a new flight controller it is a clone of the arducopter APM2.5 and it looks very good and at a very good price,
I think I will be getting one as soon as funds allow 

http://www.rctimer.com/index.php?gOo=goods_details.dwt&goodsid=818&productname=

Heres the Info from the site

The ArduFlyer is a complete open source autopilot system. Its design come from 3DRobotics and it 100% compatible with APM2.5. It allows the user to turn any fixed, rotary wing or multirotor vehicle (even cars and boats) into a fully autonomous vehicle; capable of performing programmed GPS missions with waypoints. This version comes with the RC/Servo connectors unsoldered, so you can choose between straight or right-angled ones, both of which are included.

Features:
Arduino and ArduPilot Mega 2.5 Compatible!
Includes both right angle and straight pins for I/O, allowing user to customize as needed.
Includes 3-axis gyro, accelerometer and magnetometer, along with a high-performance barometer
Onboard 16Mbit Dataflash chip for automatic datalogging
Digital compass powered by HMC5883L chip, included on the main board.
Invensense';s 6 DoF Accelerometer/Gyro MPU-6000.
Barometric pressure sensor upgraded to MS5611-01BA03, from Measurement Specialties.
Atmel';s ATMEGA2560-16AU and ATMEGA32U-2 chips for processing and usb functions respectively.

Manual:
http://code.google.com/p/ardupilot-mega/wiki/home?tm=6
http://code.google.com/p/arducopter/wiki/ArduCopter?tm=6
http://code.google.com/p/ardurover/wiki/Overview?tm=6

Board schmatic and layout with EAGLE files:
http://stuff.storediydrones.com/Main_V25.zip

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[neagron]

   Hi Garry,ive got a little spare cash i got the other day,thought about the 2.5 to tinker with,dont no really think the Rabbit will be best for me,where do you get the GPS that Jumpy mentions and do you have any idea of its cost,Marty.

[Jumpy07]

Ordered mine from 3DR as it has the 3DR updated code..
but its more expensive @ £60 ://www.buildyourowndrone.co.uk/3DR-GPS-LEA-6-p/gps-3drgpslea.htm

Standard LEA-6 on ebay @ £40 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UBLOX-LEA-6H-GPS-Module-Built-in-Antenna-2-5m-Accuracy-upgrade-version-of-Ublox-/280995198297?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item416c9e7559     if I had seen this first would probably have bought this one..


The new CN-06 V2 is much better than V1 and hold the settings.. also has bigger antenna  .. not as good as LEA-6 but cheap as chips @£19      http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CRIUS-CN-06-V2-U-blox-GPS-module-Ceramic-antenna-fr-APM-Arducopter-Mutliwii-/380471431402?pt=UK_ToysGames_RadioControlled_JN&hash=item5895dd50ea

Incidently the Crius Extend board has a LEA-6 on later models..

The 3DR LEA-6 is currently the best GPS for Ardupilot/Arducopter .. it came out tops in recent tests.. 

[Gaza07]

Hi Marty are you ordering an APM2.5 ? I will sort that info for you tomorrow about the rabbit, I had a pc crash today and have been fixing and installing windows back on to it 

  Hi Garry,ive got a little spare cash i got the other day,thought about the 2.5 to tinker with,dont no really think the Rabbit will be best for me,where do you get the GPS that Jumpy mentions and do you have any idea of its cost,Marty.

[Gaza07]

Ive currently got the cn-06 v2 on my AIOP but will prob go for the LEA-6 if I get an APM2.5 

Ordered mine from 3DR as it has the 3DR updated code..
but its more expensive @ £60 ://www.buildyourowndrone.co.uk/3DR-GPS-LEA-6-p/gps-3drgpslea.htm

Standard LEA-6 on ebay @ £40 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UBLOX-LEA-6H-GPS-Module-Built-in-Antenna-2-5m-Accuracy-upgrade-version-of-Ublox-/280995198297?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item416c9e7559     if I had seen this first would probably have bought this one..


The new CN-06 V2 is much better than V1 and hold the settings.. also has bigger antenna  .. not as good as LEA-6 but cheap as chips @£19      http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CRIUS-CN-06-V2-U-blox-GPS-module-Ceramic-antenna-fr-APM-Arducopter-Mutliwii-/380471431402?pt=UK_ToysGames_RadioControlled_JN&hash=item5895dd50ea

Incidently the Crius Extend board has a LEA-6 on later models..

The 3DR LEA-6 is currently the best GPS for Ardupilot/Arducopter .. it came out tops in recent tests..

[Jumpy07]

Looks like mine wont be dispatched until at least 10th of Nov either..  so probably likely to be end Nov before I see it :-(

[Gaza07]

Did you miss out on the first batch then 

Looks like mine wont be dispatched until at least 10th of Nov either..  so probably likely to be end Nov before I see it :-(

[neagron]

Hi all,it looks like well all be on the same learning curve,which will be a good thing,ive got the mission planner downloaed ready for when it arrives,Jumpy is ther much difference between the £40 and £60  GPS unit may order that now,Marty.   :scotland: :scotland:  :scotland:

[Jumpy07]

Did you miss out on the first batch then 

Not sure.. says dispatched on their system.. but havent had a dispatch note.. and dont think they have had any on yet..    sent a couple of emails.. waiting a response..

[neagron]

Hi Jumpy,my last order from them said dispatched,did not get an e-mail or tracking number,just had to wait on post man pat to ring the bell,I would think its on its way to you,Marty. :scotland:

[Jumpy07]

Hi Jumpy,my last order from them said dispatched,did not get an e-mail or tracking number,just had to wait on post man pat to ring the bell,I would think its on its way to you,Marty. :scotland:

Great if it is..  will do a write up on it when it arrives..  dont have a frame for it yet.. so better make my mind up lol

[Jumpy07]

Found a very useful UK website that is a great guide to the APM http://www.arducopter.co.uk/index.html

[Jumpy07]

Boards have started to arrive at customers in the US today..     keeping my finger crossed mine wil be here this week..

[neagron]

Hi Jumpy i expect you willl have it before the weekend,Marty.

[Jumpy07]

Mine arrived this morning in a nice jiffy bag and inside a cardboard box with the APM  2.5 and cables in antistatic bags.. well packaged... amazing how small it is.

Connected it to APM Planner. and tried to update the firmware and it failed..  loaded up Arduino and compiled and uploaded Arducopter 2.8.1 and all is well.. just need to solder pins on board now...

[neagron]

Very nice Jumpy,have to wait for your maiden,and your set up guide,I told yo post man Pat wouldint be long,what date did you order yours,Marty.  :scotland:

[Jumpy07]

Very nice Jumpy,have to wait for your maiden,and your set up guide,I told yo post man Pat wouldint be long,what date did you order yours,Marty.  :scotland:

Ordered on the 19th.. showed shipped on the 21st.. arrived 30th... not bad considering..

[Jumpy07]

[Jumpy07]

Pins soldered and fitted to case (side entry pins), case from BuildYourOwnDrone

[Gaza07]

Thats looking very good I will deff go for one of those cases when I get a board 

[neagron]

Are you any nearer getting one Gary,Marty. :scotland:

[Gaza07]

Hmm maybe 

Are you any nearer getting one Gary,Marty. :scotland: