Parrot Disco Wing

[wgt40w]

All valid points - the one you've missed however (which is the one where people have a problem) is that things like this, while brilliant for a knowledgeable person such as yourself, can be misused in the hands of someone less capable or someone who doesn't give a monkeys what happens with it.

Unfortunately that then reflects badly on us - hence the reference to Phantoms. Brilliant kit, but very easy to be misused (even by accident or through ignorance).

This is no different - brilliant kit, but easy to be abused. And adds very little to what the hobbyist users on here already have.

In fact, it has a flaw that even the Phantom doesn't have. It won't stop and hover if you get into trouble...

Quote from my Post approx. 3 above this one -

"It's stopping or training the "morons" that's needed - not stopping anyone from having an RTF craft."

Morons being the type of person that buy RTF craft and fly without having a clue as to what they should or should not do.

[FPVSteve]

Let's agree to disagree about this one. I look forward to your flight tests.

[iwan_canobi]

So, it would seem the consensus is that any new technology of interest to us should be in a format that is "moron proof" - i.e. not purchasable as RTF.

To fulfill these views, may I suggest that all new improved, compact electronic flight controller units should only be sold only packaged as -

1) Come in a box containing numerous unmarked bags of components.
2) Each bag should have at least 2 components missing.
3) Each bag should have at least 3 components faulty.
4) Chinglish Manual included - for a totally different product.

A degree at least - in electronics - would therefore be needed to try and assemble said unit.

Problems in assembly, due to the 4 specs above, would keep online Forums busy and well supported, through numerous and repeated build questions.

There - everyone happy with this ??    :laugh:

Thats not what I was saying though, in terms of tech it looks excellent. The Phantom is amazing as well in that sense. If this was a thread for the flight controller itself that you could buy with all of that functionality and put it in an airframe of your choice then I'd be interested, but it's not, and a company like Parrot is probably never going to sell the module standalone, as others have said, it's not their target market.

[BlueFlyer]

As per the first Post of this Thread, I still think this craft includes a step forward in integrated flight electronics, which one day may (electronics only) be available to us. That is what this Thread was supposed to discuss.

I never made any comment - good or bad - on the overall craft itself.

- Now I will:-

I wonder how many Users on this Forum have had at sometime, a Phantom, Hubsan Spyhawk or other similar RTF craft with a camera and vtx. Would you also say to those members "This is a fpv forum, (they are) not for fpvers."

If I, who can fly LOS; have passed Part I BNUC-S Ground Instruction Course; am aware of current safety concerns and am knowledgeable in building fixed wings, decide I want something that is reliable and simple to fly for occasional use (not that I can afford one) - are you suggesting then that I shouldn't be able to have one or be allowed to be on this Forum?

It's stopping or training the "morons" that's needed - not stopping anyone from having an RTF craft.

(I would still rather than get me ranting, discuss the integrated electronic package and it's future availability)

With all your self confessed know how and competence in this hobby.... You'd be a idiot to spend THAT much money when you could build something very similar yourself for a lot less.

This product is not aimed towards people like you, but that's not to say you shouldn't buy it... Your own common sense should tell you not to buy it.

With regards to phantoms etc...  I believe they present much better value for money than this particular product.

My opinion.

[wgt40w]

....... If this was a thread for the flight controller itself that you could buy with all of that functionality and put it in an airframe of your choice then I'd be interested, but it's not, and a company like Parrot is probably never going to sell the module standalone,  .....

This is exactly what this blo*dy Thread was supposed to be about! (See first Post)

Parrot have released a craft that is ridiculously expensive and aimed at morons - according to this Forum. Nevertheless the Disco contains an integrated flight controller with a range of features not seen before in one unit. Yes, I agree Parrot will not sell the flight controller on its' own - unless as a spare at a ridiculous price.
My point is that now such a combined integrated flight controller has been created, I hope similar units will be produced in the future from standalone flight controller manufacturers.

When Phantom (the original) was launched, the flight controller (Naza) could also have been said to have been a game changer. In the beginning I don't recall DJI selling the Naza independently - certainly not at a reasonable price. But look at how many 'similarly featured' multirotor controllers are now available - at 'our' type of price.
I'm hoping something similar will happen from the launch of this Parrot fixed wing controller.

If you ever had chance to take apart a Hubsan Spyhawk, you couldn't have failed to be impressed by the 2 miniature PCB's that contained :-
- a 6 channel receiver (ailerons, elevator, throttle, rudder, record on/off, stabilise on/off)
- ESC
- vtx
- dvr

I hoped that higher rated versions would then start to be independently produced - sadly for me this did not happen.

[BlueFlyer]

You're the only one who said the word morons.

And to clarify, it doesn't have a 3 axis camera gimbal. It uses digital image stabilisation.

The Naza was available as a separate unit before the phantom was released, it was the heart of the DJI F450 flame wheel quadcopter kit.

I'm sorry, I don't see this as anything near a game changer or a "boost" for FPV technology.

[BlueFlyer]

If you ever had chance to take apart a Hubsan Spyhawk, you couldn't have failed to be impressed by the 2 miniature PCB's that contained :-
- a 6 channel receiver (ailerons, elevator, throttle, rudder, record on/off, stabilise on/off)
- ESC
- vtx
- dvr

I hoped that higher rated versions would then start to be independently produced - sadly for me this did not happen.

The problem here is that putting every fpv component on a single board means lack of customisation between airframes. It's not always the best solution to have your vtx in the belly of you skywalker right next to a huge 4s lipo. It's not always suitable to have your Esc buried inside the bowels of your mini talon.

Not to mention that if a single component breaks, you need a whole new unit. Instead of just the vtx for example

[wgt40w]

The problem here is that putting every fpv component on a single board means lack of customisation between airframes. It's not always the best solution to have your vtx in the belly of you skywalker right next to a huge 4s lipo. It's not always suitable to have your Esc buried inside the bowels of your mini talon.

Not to mention that if a single component breaks, you need a whole new unit. Instead of just the vtx for example

Point well made, but I will continue to 'dream' of such a device!
Maybe individual components all on individual boards, but sort-of chain-linked together????

[Loopdreams]

I'd rather get hit by one of these than a Phantom.  Added to that I'd be amazed if they sell in significant enough numbers to have any impact on the public consciousness at all.  I just can't see it selling in even a tiny fraction of the numbers that Phantoms have.

[Billy_boy_2010]

Agreed many people are missing the point of this

It's a step towards off the shelf solution. Indeed it's the phantom of the wing world. I can't quite see where the demand will be from Joe public, a bit of flying and then you get bored. Much harder to record your friends surfing/bmx etc with a wing- which I'm sure is the main idea as to why 75% of phantoms are bought in the first place.

Future builds will continue to be more and more idiot proof. The lack of control will be an advantage to us- it will allow parrot to build in strict geofencing etc. This is like the original Apple Mac. A few years down the line there will be loads and loads more safety features.

I really can't see it having the commercial success and mainstream appeal of the phantom type though. Parrot must have a big backer or investor.

One clever feature was the burst of reverse throttle when the wing was 8" off the ground to slow it down a bit more.

[Billy_boy_2010]

Oh and I HATE flite test. Used to love them a few years ago but they have sold out. It's all total BS.

[FPVSteve]

Indeed - this thing is the anti-thesis of what FliteTest was all about at the start .. cheap (nope), scratch build (nope), fun (nope) ...