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Arkbird Autopilot System w/OSD (GPS/Altitude Hold/Auto-Level)
The Arkbird Autopilot System w/OSD is an all-in-one solution for your FPV model's navigation. This unit is loaded with features such as GPS waypoint flight, "Return to Home" functionality, auto-leveling, altitude hold and much more! It utilizes GPS, barometer and attitude sensors to stabilize/control your model's flight.
Worried about losing control of your FPV model when flying out of sight? With the Arkbird Autopilot System on-board there is no need to worry! The "Return to Home" function can be activated at any time to fly your model back to its take-off position and will be activated automatically in the event that your model flies out of RF range.
The integrated OSD system provides you with all of the information you need during flight such as altitude, flying direction, home direction, roll angle, pitch angle and time since take-off just to name a few. This system also includes a current sensor with pre-installed XT60 power plugs so you can monitor your model's flight battery status via the OSD.
The Arkbird Autopilot System comes with everything you need to setup your FPV model for the ultimate in GPS based Autopilot flight. It features a "plug and play" design meaning there is no soldering or modification required to use. All power plugs and wire connections are pre-installed.
Features: • GPS, barometer and attitude sensors to stabilize/control your model's flight • Integrated OSD functionality • GPS based "Return to Home" functionality • 4 point GPS waypoint flight • "Cruise Flight" mode offering straight and level flight pattern holding • Auto-leveling • Easy to setup and adjust
*Note: See user manual located under the "Files" tab below for full features/specification for this system.
just got arkbird plugged in everything and powered it up and i am not getting any gps info go into menu and it says it is not connected but it is!.
is this gps 5V or 3.3V link on arkbird it set to 5V.
gps i have is the same as the one in the product photo.
that was the second thing i tried the first was to connect a oscilloscope to it and nothing.
then i was thinking it only output data with a valid lock.
in the end i found out the gps was getting NO power.
whoever crimped the plug on the end of the cable did not strip the end just crimped the insulation on the end and it looked good but no connection.
glad i fix things for a living.
also the cable to connect the arkbird to the camera was wired wrong lucky no damage to camera.
BUENAS NOCHES.. RECIENTEMENTE HE COMPRADO ESTE SISTEMA, PERO AUN NO HE PODIDO COMPLETAR LA INSTALACION EN UN ALA VOLANTE, TENGO UNA RADIO DE 6 CANALES FUTABA, T6J.. SI BIEN ESTE POSEE SISTEMA TIENE APOYO PARA ALA DELTA AUN LO LO PUDE CONFIGURAR CORRECTAMENTE.. EL PROBLEMA SURGE CUANDO SE ACTIVA EL MODO ESTABLE Y SE LE DA POTENCIA AL MOTOR* SE MEZCLAN LOS CANALES 2 Y 3 .. AL ACELERAR SE ELEVAN LOS ALERONES..Y NO LOGRA MANTENERSE ESTABLE..
El Arkbird no sabe de nú*mero de canales. Asegú*rate de que cada puerto está* conectado a su funció*n correspondiente, y deja que el Arkbird haga la mezcla delta/elevon, deshabilitá*ndola en tu emisora. Algunos estabilizadores hacen ellos la mezcla. Por supuesto, las pruebas en tierra. Se ve muy claro el funcionamiento del nivelador. Otro problema que tuve yo fue que el Arkbird necesitaba el acelerador a -125% para considerarlo cero ( mi radio da recorrido posible de -125% a 125%, pero por defecto viene configurada de -100% a 100%), y al activar el estabilizador (en tierra) el motor aceleraba. No tengo foo taba ni ala volante - uso sqektrum y FPV Raptor.
Me pasa algo parecido con el recorrido, tambien tuvr que llevarlo a al maximo.. tambien desactive delta y aumente el recorrido de los servos al maximo para que lo tome como 100%.. segun lei en manual el canal 5 tiene que tener 3 posiones.. y el 6 variable... esta todo en su lugar y funciona todo bien hasta la hora de acelerar, es ahi cuando los elevadores acompañ*an con la aceleracion.. no tengo ningun mix activado.. me han dicho tambien de actualizar el firmware, pero prefiero agotar todas las opciones..
Just for etiquette let's switch back to English - other people benefit from these discussions. Not really, you need one on-off channel (call it ch 5) to activate three (could be two) additional options. It works ch5 off, ch6 off, normal flight - ch5 on, ch6 off, levelled flight - ch5 on, ch6 on, RTH - and ch5 on, ch6 mid activates a programmable feature. I don't have this option directly since my channels 5 and 6 are on/off, but using a mix I have the ch6 at 50% option. Does the wrong mixing happen also in normal flight mode (ch5 off)?
You have 5V available from the OSD next to the video and current sensor connectors. You can also get 5V from your ESC/BEC using, for instance, a Y cable and disabling the signal on the lead to the video gear. And you can always use a separate battery and BEC for the video.
Good afternoon.I have a set of points Sharkov , with 5 volt camera, how to realize the connection chamber , provided that all powered by a single battery ? and Arkbird Autopilot System w/OSD.
Good night guys, someone uses Arkbird? I'm using one and every time I accelerate the engine from a certain point the information OSD disappear from the screen when they return decelerating, pulled the module and held in the hand to see if it was vibrating but it was not, someone knows it can be?
I agree, you are draining out too much power, and the ArkBird is browning out (low voltage) Try and run the ArkBird from its own battery, and this should never happen.
Try to test without motor wires, the battery may be discharged, or C does not have sufficient discharge for that engine, and for that reason it is without power video system ..
Yep checked the wires, slow steady flashing forever is all I get. So is it the GPS or arkbird, I guess it is the GPS failing since it flashes as per spec.
I have had three days great flying with the RTH working really well. Now the GPS refuses to lock. Checked the wires, get slow flashing led on GPS but it never locks on?
Any help?
I have the same problem, sometimes it finds GPS in a snap and sometimes about 5 minutes to lock.
I didn't see wiring problem, otherwise it wouldnt have worked at all
On my second flight this evening I was surprised that GPS got position instantly (not even a second of up elevator at start up). I was flying visual (somebody else watching through the goggles), and when I switched RTH on, the plane darted away in the opposite direction. After landing I checked the OSD data, and it appeared I was 40000 mts away from home, and had flown a total distance of over 80000 mts. Any clue? My first guess was that It was taking me around the world, but that is 40000 kms not mts.
What do you mean by 'Channels'? Radio channels or other? It could be set to work on only Rudder or Aileron or Elevator, but will work best with all channels (Rud/ Elev/ Ail/ Thr) It works well with Fatshark systems, there are a few different ways you can connect it to these.
Elevator, throttle, and one directional channel (aileron or rudder) are absolutely required, but for proper stabilization you need four, and you need two additional channels to turn stabilization and autopilot on, so you need 5 or 6 channels, best with 6. I gave up flaps (until I upgrade my RC system) to use RTH, abd I use it with a Fatshark.
Any volunteer to test the undocumented features of the Arkbird? What is acc. coupling? Accelerometer coupling? Some sort of gain? And what about cenforce para? I cannot find any information about these 2. The third one is quad mode test - more meaningful, but useless for me.
Do I have to have my camera installed to be able to use the RTH function , I will be getting a camera set up but need RTH to so I want lose my plane. Thanks
I would guess no, but you need it for configuration. If you want to use default parameters, and can manage to enter the neutral check in the manual way ( not through OSD). I did it by mistake and went crazy until I figured out what was wrong.
You can get away without a camera, but you will at least need a video Tx/ Rx on it, otherwise you wont be able to see the setup menu's. The default menu's may very well not suit your type of plane, and you really wont get the benefit of the ArkBird until you set it up with FPV completely. As Richtofen says, you can enter the neutral point, but the rest of the features will be void without the OSD being seen to set the system.
hands off one happy owner of this osd. maiden just this afternoon w/high winds 22km/hr w/the fpv raptor flying all stock bat is 2200mah 3cell for motor and 1300mah 3cell for power to osd, tx, video.. w/ the first flight not yet fpv just to trim the raptor manual trims only then second flight test the stabilize mode wow impressive even in high winds it track straight and retains altitude. second test gyro mode.. also ok just like manual mode only smoother. third test rth.. plane circles at lock on home gps.. flown 3minute on w/ rth activated it circles just above me w/ high winds.. great value for money
hands off one happy owner of this osd. maiden just this afternoon w/high winds 22km/hr w/the fpv raptor flying all stock bat is 2200mah 3cell for motor and 1300mah 3cell for power to osd, tx, video.. w/ the first flight not yet fpv just to trim the raptor manual trims only then second flight test the stabilize mode wow impressive even in high winds it track straight and retains altitude. second test gyro mode.. also ok just like manual mode only smoother. third test rth.. plane circles at lock on home gps.. flown 3minute on w/ rth activated it circles just above me w/ high winds.. great value for money
I can see the little blue light! Put it outside and waited for 95min(!) and still Arkbird is showing "Waiting GPS home" :( I don't know what else I can do! Any other GPS device (GPS logger, iphone etc.) gets an GPS signal within seconds...
Sorry to hear that. Sometimes it takes too long to lock on position, but 10 min, may be 15 min is the longest it has taken for me, and that is when I test things next to my home - In the field things go quicker.
I waited, and waited, and waited... and eventually got it. Some people complain about HK support, but at least they answer my messages. All I get from others is an automatic reply, with no tracking number or trouble ticket, saying someone would contact me soon. Still waiting for their message. Mar11, I don't know if other products are better, but from what I've read this is one of the most plug 'n play and it is easy to get it wrong... I cannot imagine what the others would be. I recommend it.
Try reflash the arkbird to software 1014, buy the ttl flash utility and read the info file using the mcuisp sofware.
Then send a e-mail to arkbird@foxmail.com providing the info serialnr, then you will get an e-mail from them with the new HEX file. Look at the youtube video linked how Pedro flash the arkbird. It`s pretty easy. The arkbird gets also som new features as rssi read and improved simple OSD pattern.
Maybe this can fix your problems with balance mode as well
Can someone help me - second ArkBird I've had - sent the first back because it didn't work. Second one was OK then balance mode stoped working - in addition can't get my Fence mode to show up on the control panel - only options are: RTH, Waypoint, Gyro, and Hover. Have no idea how to get this stuff to start working again as advertised - any ideas out there????
Thanks in advance
in what way has balance mode stopped working? are unable to select it or does it not respond to plane movement. not too sure about fence mode haven't used it but i think you have stated all the available options. it may work on top of waypoint or the custom mode.
Under multicopters>flight controllers. you can find a variety of controllers based on the MultiWii and others which include or allow you to include a GPS, or you can use Ardu pilot Note that they are usually flight controller and autopilot combined, and you will have to fiddle with some code (uncomment some lines and recompule) to make it work. Commercially finished products like Dee J I and N a z a a are far more expensive. Ask in the forum ( link on top) and your chances of getting an answer will increase.
Correction - I had not paid attention, but one of the non-documented features that shows uo in the configuration menu is a quad mode test option. May be there is something in there, but no documentation available.
incase anyone else encounters the same issue, i lost 12V supply to camera and tx, i found a track had blown on the current sensor board which delivers 12v to the video system. the track was very thin, my guess is it couldnt handle the inrush current when powering on my 1W 5.8TX and sony superhad camera, repaired track and everything works fine.
I had the same issue, but I thought it was a production defect because I never got the OSD part to work. Testing pin by pin I saw no current was coming out of the current sensor (I was confused because the flight control part was getting its current, but it was through the ESC). I finally saw a small track damaged under the current sensor chip itself, fixed it, and everything worked.
i can't recall if it was a ground track or a 12V supply track. if it was the ground track then yes the ground loop was to blame, if it was 12V then its unrelated. I will get back to you...but you can cut that wire anyway as it will definately not cause any harm.
In my case it was a12V track. I don't see where the ground loop problem is if you power everything from a single battery (and your ESC is well designed).
even with single battery, load current will be divided through both grounds in a ratio dependent on the impedance of each ground path, it seems possible that under high current scenario you can possibly overload the wrong path if the pcb design hasn't allowed for it. & like you said if something happens to ESC gnd ,say a dodgy solder join lol then most likely your going to have BBQ arkbird
That is the problem: overall quality is determined by the lowest quality component. Overloading a path, precisely, can be avoided with multiple paths rather than routing everything on the same, but if one drain gets clogged, or gets parasite currents in an opposite direction, or... The problem with ground loops is finding current or voltage levels where you were expecting none.
Hi Maurel i would of said this one is more for fixed wing planes but i guess you could always try and let us know lol,but it's a lot of money to do a test with but it's up to you,you would be better off with the HKPilot Mega V2.5 flight controller as that one WILL work with RC cars and boats,here is the PRODUCT ID: 9387000016 and it's a really good bit of kit and cost less,which is always a plus in this hobby. :-)
One would think that it could be used for 3 axis/4 channel aircrafts (roll, pitch, raw, and throttle) like planes, multicopters, and even fixed pitch helis, but although controls are the same on your tx, the principles are not the same: autopilot steers with roll, what would cause a copter to bank and move sideways, but not change course, and on rotor craft you accelerate to gain altitude, while you use pitch on planes. At the end, even this controllers, combines everything, including yaw, but behaviour on copters of any kind would grossly inneficient. Note that the big trouble is the autopilot, because stabilization would work (counters each movement on the same axis), but there are better and lower cost options built-in copter controllers.
I forgot you hidden down here. One undocumented feature shows up in the configuration menu as a quad mode test option. May be there is something in there, but no documentation available.
Has anyone up graded the firmware yet and is it hard to do ? I have got the genuine Arkbird USB plug to do it but wonder if I need to as mine works OK apart from some missing OSD
Yes, it works with Immersion and Fatshark systems, but you need to do some cabling. Most likely you can use your power cable to get power from the Arkbird, as recommended, and for video you have to do something else, depending on your set up and preferences, but it is easy. Look at a diagram and photo I posted in the files section of Tiny OSD - you need a very similar cable, but no need to connect ground if you power video from the Arkbird.
Yeah, but other than relying on the reading from the display how do you know if the older style gps is getting power. I like the readout on this unit I just wish I could get the gps to work.
Sorry I cannot help because I don't have the olde style GPS. You could use a polymeter to see if te GPS gets power, but I would just try to do as we comment below: bring a complete set up outdoors to be sure you have a signal.
Now I understand your question! Depending how you control channels 5 and 6 on your system. In my case, I have a Spec tr um Dee Ex Six, with gear on channel 5 and flaps/aux on channel 6. Gear down and flaps up for me it means normal flight (5 and 6 at 0%), when I toggle gear I enter balance mode (ch 5 at 100% and 6 at 0%), and if I toggle flaps now I enter RTH (5 at 100% and 6 at 100%) - Since ch 5 and 6 for me are two position switches I use a mix switch to leave ch 6 at 50% when toggling flaps and thus activat custon mode (5 a 100% and 6 at 50%).
installed it as rcmanpilot did, on EPP FPV, specs as enumerated by him see images tab
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Pierre-Thomas
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good points for this AP: Cheap Easy to use even for NBs Fully integrated Main desired options required for beginner and advanced FPVer Good introduction to AP world leading to a good usage & understanding for future switch to DIY ARDUpilots... Finally all in all ARKBIRD then later on full ARDUpilot conf finally cost cheaper for a better quality than a FY teck complete system witch can cost easily up to 1000 dol for not a better result, i would say even lower. With Ardu, you get total energy indication, Air speed indication, good to calculate Head/tail wind for maximum range ( avoid low bat on the way back if Head wind...) In my opinion that's is definitely the real best choice to go later for nuts ARDUpilot FPV!! PS: that's more that 1 year I am getting documented on that subject...
Only 4 for overall rating cause no sensor upgrade capability.
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pilotoheavy
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producto muy recomendable para fpv y otras modalidades..es un poco lioso porque los cables que van del receptor al autopilot no tienen almenos el color negro en el negativo. pero con cuidado y vigilando mucho no es problema.los cables para la camara i el emisor de video tambien se tiene que mirar las polaridades porque no estan del todo iguales...los cables son un poco cortos y duros..si se tiene un avion pequeño es un coñazo....por lo demas con unos bueno alargos se consigue todo..pero sera dificil no tener que coger el soldador i el estaño.
provado en tres vuelos...el resultado esta muy bien...se enciende la emisora sin ningun tipo de activacion y funciona a la primera..es un poco brusco en la modalidad de autoestabilizacion pero bien, muy bien..en vuelo de vuelta a casa es muy rapido y bastante preciso..un poco desordenado porque cuando esta encima del punto de inicio una vez gira a izquierda otra a derechas y no tiene un patron marcado...una vez gira mas cerca otra vez mas lejos pero el resultado final es muy bueno..si no tienes la altura minima acelera el motor y si pasas de la altura minima baja planeando muy controlado y bien una vez esta a la altura el mismo se va dando gas y quitando...el giro de vuelta a casa es muy brusco pero controlado..de momento estoy muy contento y la verdad con lo que cuesta un avi0n equipado y con todo el fpv solo con recuperarl
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pilotoheavy
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parte 2..para entrar en el setup tengo que alerones y cola a un lado los dos..una vez entras con la profundidad arriba y abajo navegas y con alerones a derechas entras en el submenu y cuando esta seleccionado lo que quieres alerones a la izquierda y ya esta..a mi me pasa que cuando entra en setup el motor se enciende..a muy pocas revoluciones pero es recomendable sacar la helice...con las baterias a menos de media carga a veces falla la transicion cuando pones el autopilot..y se para.. pero lo achaco mas al variador que al autopilot...porque cuando esta a media o a tope de carga no falla nunca...tardo muy poco en coger los satelites el gps..
I bought this as my first OSD and autopilot. Not very dificult to install, but it peace a higjh tecnology,and as so you need to know what your are locking for, and the principels of fisics behind it. I supose all devices of this king requiry the same background knoledge. Worked sing the first trial, but testing has not yet been very extensive. It's acording to expectation so far. I have already required suport, and could find with some effort (see ww.rcgroups.com if needed).Support was very quick and client oriented . Like!
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