Turnigy T1000FC auto pilot system with GPS

[MarkLincs]

Not exactly a flight controller but flight stabliser

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=48219&aff=364745




The Turnigy T1000FC auto pilot system with GPS is an in-line flight stabilizing system that offers auto level, tilt angle limits and return to home functionality at an unbelievable value.
The T1000FC can be added to any type of aircraft supporting conventional layouts, flying wings, V-tail and A-tail airframes. Installation is as easy as unplugging your servos from your receiver and adding this in-line between the two and selecting the proper control surface direction.
There is a total of 5 flight modes selectable in the T1000FC; autopilot mode (auto levels and does not let the aircraft roll or pitch past 45 degrees), 3D mode for sport flying, Flight mode (stabilization off), Fixed high direction mode (heading hold), altitude hold mode (this will maintain the aircraft's altitude) and GPS return to home. The various flight modes can be easily accessed from a three position switch on your transmitter.
The Turnigy T1000FC is the perfect product for FPV users with auto leveling and return to home functions and a great tool for beginners to RC flying allowing for an adjustable degree of safety and autonomy.
Features:
• Safe and reliable design
• Inertial vector measuring and barometer accurate in all-weather
• Compatible with conventional and V-tail, delta and A-tail aircraft
• Smart PID control leaving the adjustment to the flight controller
• Multiple flight modes for beginners to 3D pilots
• 3 full axis of stabilization
• Smart self-control (45 degree limited roll and pitch in some flight modes)
• GPS return to home Function
Includes:
T1000FC flight auto pilot
GPS module
Servo extensions
Set tool
Instructions


looks good and i'm going to try it out  price 42.99  plus P&P

[BlueFlyer]

I was talking about this earlier.

I'd say it's ideal for someone who's already got an OSD but wants to add RTH functionality at a low price, without swapping out their current OSD for an all-in-one unit such as RVOSD, StormOSD, DIANMU etc...

shame they couldn't have included a simple GPS based OSD, at HK prices, it would have been a serious competitor to the Storm OSD

[MarkLincs]

I agree

But I like my OSD and its not got the RTH feature so I'm looking forward to see how it works :)

[electricmick]

I notice that it does not control the throttle, so the throttle failsafe position has to be set at cruise power for long distance RTH, not the best idea. Alternatively, I guess you could set the throttle failsafe position to close and the RTH will try to glide the plane back towards home and therefore back into radio range.

[MarkLincs]

I notice that it does not control the throttle, so the throttle failsafe position has to be set at cruise power for long distance RTH, not the best idea. Alternatively, I guess you could set the throttle failsafe position to close and the RTH will try to glide the plane back towards home and therefore back into radio range.

My plan is to set the throttle failsafe enough power it back home...

[Coyote]

Its a nice price, I will be interested on seeing how the first brave souls get on with it

[MarkLincs]

Its a nice price, I will be interested on seeing how the first brave souls get on with it

Yea erm being brave....   :D

[BlueFlyer]

did you get one then Mark?

I was tempted to get this for my skywalker and go without a OSD for a bit... but then I won't know how high/far I've been.

As for letting it glide home on zero throttle.... most RTH capable systems bring the aircraft down to a set altitude then keep it at that altitude for the journey home. with no throttle and the AP trying to keep the aircraft level, it will stall - no doubt about it. at best that will cause a massive loss of altitude before the aircraft has enough airspeed to regain level flight, but at every point in that stall the AP will be attempting to keep the aircraft level whereas you or I would be allowing it to dive for a while to gain airflow over the surfaces.

The best thing to do before you go anywhere near your max distance is to thoroughly test your system until you have complete confidence in it. That way you can set throttle to cruise speed on failsafe in the knowledge that it will be working OK.

If you want a standalone AP unit with throttle control, there's always the APM

[MarkLincs]

Yes I have one ordered :)

[electricmick]

did you get one then Mark?

I was tempted to get this for my skywalker and go without a OSD for a bit... but then I won't know how high/far I've been.

As for letting it glide home on zero throttle.... most RTH capable systems bring the aircraft down to a set altitude then keep it at that altitude for the journey home. with no throttle and the AP trying to keep the aircraft level, it will stall - no doubt about it. at best that will cause a massive loss of altitude before the aircraft has enough airspeed to regain level flight, but at every point in that stall the AP will be attempting to keep the aircraft level whereas you or I would be allowing it to dive for a while to gain airflow over the surfaces.

The best thing to do before you go anywhere near your max distance is to thoroughly test your system until you have complete confidence in it. That way you can set throttle to cruise speed on failsafe in the knowledge that it will be working OK.

If you want a standalone AP unit with throttle control, there's always the APM

or Eagle Tree OSD Pro or their new Vector