Thinking of Buying a 920

[PatR]

The quick detach prop mounts... I think was more the props center unlock pin vs the block having a problem. A very small drop of dry lube (bike light dry lube) into well of prop fixture to seep through the push pin... and wiping excess seemed to greatly improve the click sound and the block locking into the prop.

Still a cheeky setup, a resin carbon embedded material would be better than the soft nylon plastic mounts. Plus, if motor shroud has multiple holes, why not offer 4 holes instead of only 2.

Cheaper, plus the prop only uses two screws I agree, the quick detach mounts are a glaring weak point. Motors get hot, nylon is not thermally stable. Is there a possibility a centrifugal load on hot nylon might eventually elongate or otherwise deform threaded holes? Even if you never remove them they develop slop with repeated use. It's one of the experiments I'm doing with mine, observing how the free play increases over time.

 

[thoneter]

Thinking of Thoneter's camera loom... I do hope that can be corrected nicely for you. In examining my CGO4, are you referring to where the loom passes into the top of the Gimbal... the section between belly mounts and gimbal?

The CGO4 is shipped mounted to hand held mount. One thing I did notice on the hand held mount (brain burp on official name), there is a channel in top plate where the gimbal screws up to hand held top plate. That channel held the camera's wire loom from being pressed & squeezed. I wonder if yours accidently got crimped in the plate damaging a wire(s). If so, examining that section of the loom might expose 1-3 wires simply shorting and a few pieces of tape may correct. When I was re-mounting mine, I almost didn't see the channel and started to tighten the plate... I was wondering what kept the loom from being pinched over time and upon examining noticed the wire channel.

Might be worth a look?

On my CGO4 problemo, we've come up with a work around for me anyway. I bought a very slightly used one and the shipper is buying the damaged one from me. He's got a tech guy that he thinks can fix it. I do appreciate the thoughts though.

I don't know why they just didn't put more space between the grip and gimbal so the wires aren't stressed. On the new one that is coming I'm going to get some silicone glue and affix the wires in the correct position so there's considerably less stress issues.

 

[thoneter]

Good thought on light... but the 2 magnets on door were fully clamped and it didn't appear until voltage was on the lower.

On the throttle stick, I'll have to check but I think I recall the H's ST16 had the full down at a small negative... -10 or -15 with 50 mid and 100 full up.
The 920 had 5, 50, 100 so I changed it to -12, 50, 100 for full swing. With props off, I could now hear a mild slow down. I'll try that as a test.

Since post, I did a 2nd hover session with a 3 pak... that performed better... still if levered a few mild to strong lifts... voltage dropped excessive so I'll wait for the Zippies for other than break-in hovering. On light, it reappeared when voltage was about 21.9 and 3 light RGB blink began at 21.8 or 21.7... so I'm thinking it's a early notice to battery.

Thoneter... have you noticed this Purple changing to Purple - Green flash before the RGB flash of 1st Level battery warning? It's about 1 minute in length before the documented RGB flash for 2 seconds Lv1 and the constant RGB flash for Lv2.

Pat, does the 920+ have the RGB flash for battery Lv1 & Lv2.

For motor screech... against my best judgement I had the CGO4 mounted. The screech is only at idle, so you're probably correct. With a little throttle, it fades. It has also faded some with 2nd battery session a tad.

Landing Hover is way different than the H. The 920 wants to resist, or float more... getting it to drop quickly isn't what it wants... although I noticed above 30' it'll drop faster till about 10'.
On final landing, it acts like it wants to stay light on the skids... I've hit the disarm to drop it. Maybe setting Throttle Expo to a small negative value will improve the landing.

Speaking of altitude; the ST24 indication was off... showing 4' when 8, 10' when 20'. Maybe that will improve with a little altitude flying.

I had posed this ? b4. I have not tried the disarm button to land the 920. It is my preferred landing for the 480 as it is consistent and works on uneven and unlevel surfaces. To me it handles the ground affect much better. I would assume that the 920 and + handle landings differently but since I don't have both that is just an assumption.

I call it pumping the kill switch but here's the method.

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[Dougcjohn]

I'd have to do it again to be sure but IRRC mine just adds a red flash to the Purple-White. First warning adds a single flash, additional warnings add more red flashes. The transmitter vibrates as well.

For me the first voltage warning initiates sometime after 21.8v is reached but before 21.7v. As you've noted the Yuneec batteries don't handle a deep dive with a high current load for crap. I'm still a bit pi$$ed about buying 2 additional sets of Yuneec batteries at full pop with the system without the supplier warning me about them before hand The Zippy batteries really expose the Yuneec battery deficiencies as achieving 21.8v with Zippy batteries does not immediately initiate the first voltage warning. It takes awhile running at 21.8v before the voltage warning kicks in. With the Yuneec batteries the voltage warning occurs almost immediately after hitting 21.8v. Then again, the Zippy batteries (10,000mA) hit 21.8v after 15 minutes or so while three Yuneec batteries (12,000mA) do it after only about 8-9 minutes. The problem with Zippy batteries, if you want to call it a problem. is they remain in the 21.8-21.7v zone that triggers the first voltage warning for a relatively long time, which means that massively annoying first voltage warning pop up has to be cleared over and over and over. Below 21.7v things go nicely for quite a while before hitting the next warning at about 21.5v, which surprisingly is not as persistent as the first warning.

Sounds similar on battery warning levels...
Prior to warnings - solid Purple GPS
1) early warning - purple / green flash @ 21.9
2) Battery Lv1 warning - Red,Green,Blue flash 2 Sec burst between Purple GPS @ 21.8 ~ 21.7
3) Battery Lv2 warning - RGB flash constant @ 21.6~21.5

Interesting... charging the OEM, showing 2800-3000ma, and that’s a increase from earlier cycles of 2200ma avg.

Not sure on minutes of flight, the on-screen timer that I was glad to see doesn’t seem to start. I’ve tried 25 and 50% stick to initiate timer... so far no go.

Thoneter... does your screen timer start when starting flight?
By the way, what version firmware is on your ST24?
In camera section, does yours list multiple cameras, CGO4, CGO3+, GoPro & GB203, V18, GH4 and GB604, Sony A7.

 

[Dougcjohn]

On my CGO4 problemo, we've come up with a work around for me anyway. I bought a very slightly used one and the shipper is buying the damaged one from me. He's got a tech guy that he thinks can fix it. I do appreciate the thoughts though.

I don't know why they just didn't put more space between the grip and gimbal so the wires aren't stressed. On the new one that is coming I'm going to get some silicone glue and affix the wires in the correct position so there's considerably less stress issues.

Hmmm ... ?? so was it the area between the top of gimbal and mounting plate on hand held unit? The wire channel removes the risk of crimp and stress on loom.

Thst’s Great to hear you have a nice solution to correct!

 

[Dougcjohn]

I had posed this ? b4. I have not tried the disarm button to land the 920. It is my preferred landing for the 480 as it is consistent and works on uneven and unlevel surfaces. To me it handles the ground affect much better. I would assume that the 920 and + handle landings differently but since I don't have both that is just an assumption.

I call it pumping the kill switch but here's the method

That pumping - multi press I don’t think will work on 920 ST24. I’ve noticed a pretty long delay of 920 reacting to kill switch and when it initiates it stops the motors quickly.

But, not 100% certain... be interesting to see if it works.

 

[Dougcjohn]

Speed Notes

Today being a nice calm day I played around with the 920 Plus and GPS for a bit. The Plus is normally on the slow side with GPS on at ~23mph-25mph. Performing three back and forth runs about 600’ long generated consistent speeds of 39mph and 41mph.

Like the H the 920 is a little smoother in starts and stops with GPS off.

That sounds about the same as the 920... maybe a few shorter but won’t know til tested. How’s she handle at speed?

 

[thoneter]

Sounds similar on battery warning levels...
Prior to warnings - solid Purple GPS
1) early warning - purple / green flash @ 21.9
2) Battery Lv1 warning - Red,Green,Blue flash 2 Sec burst between Purple GPS @ 21.8 ~ 21.7
3) Battery Lv2 warning - RGB flash constant @ 21.6~21.5

Interesting... charging the OEM, showing 2800-3000ma, and that’s a increase from earlier cycles of 2200ma avg.

Not sure on minutes of flight, the on-screen timer that I was glad to see doesn’t seem to start. I’ve tried 25 and 50% stick to initiate timer... so far no go.

Thoneter... does your screen timer start when starting flight?
By the way, what version firmware is on your ST24?
In camera section, does yours list multiple cameras, CGO4, CGO3+, GoPro & GB203, V18, GH4 and GB604, Sony A7.

I have those cameras and the panasonics. On the timer we've had blizzards and strong winds for a week. Weird thing is that while I was looking at those setting the 24 froze up which doesn't instill a lot of confidence. o1b94 version.

 

[Dougcjohn]

You’re same as me, current is b95. I’m hesitant to upgrade and loose camera configurations. The B95 states improvement in CGO4 control and manual video mode. But not sure what else or what was removed.

 

[thoneter]

You’re same as me, current is b95. I’m hesitant to upgrade and loose camera configurations. The B95 states improvement in CGO4 control and manual video mode. But not sure what else or what was removed.

I've never had any of my st16's seize. I've been running the same firmwares on all 3 of my st16's with no issues. The 480's have been great for over a year of flying. Like I've said before it would be nice if we could petition Yuneec to get access to the 920's.

I like how my 480's and st16's handle. Trying to learn all of the idiosyncrasies of the 920 so that I don't do something stupider.

 

[PatR]

That sounds about the same as the 920... maybe a few shorter but won’t know til tested. How’s she handle at speed?

Handles well but we have to remember she handles like a thoroughbred, not a cutting horse[emoji6] Arcs, not angles.

Pumping the arming button is something that won’t ever happen with mine. It’s much too easy to land, even on uneven surfaces. Won’t do it with an H either. You have to hit it perfectly 100% of the time to get away with it. Wrong just once and the gear and gimbal are up for repair.

 

[thoneter]

Handles well but we have to remember she handles like a thoroughbred, not a cutting horse[emoji6] Arcs, not angles.

Pumping the arming button is something that won’t ever happen with mine. It’s much too easy to land, even on uneven surfaces. Won’t do it with an H either. You have to hit it perfectly 100% of the time to get away with it. Wrong just once and the gear and gimbal are up for repair.

I can't argue with the 920 but with the 480 the pumping method works fabulously. What helps is that you practice from 6 or 8 feet to get the feel of how much the H drops for how long you hold the button down for.

Steve Carr showed me the trick while in Duluth. It took me a few times to practice getting used to the process. I love it because it does work well and seems to eliminate the ground effect. From what you guys have said the kill button is retarded on the 920/st24. Everyone has to do what works best and what they are comfortable with. I haven't remotely had a rough landing using the pump method on the H. To each their own.

 

[PatR]

I'm not going to get into the landing thing again. We have to do what works for us and run with it. I think You'll like the 920 landings though.

 

[Dougcjohn]

I'm not going to get into the landing thing again. We have to do what works for us and run with it. I think You'll like the 920 landings though.

Pat, Not chewing on the landing methods...

I did notice the 920 skids provide a wider stance ratio along with less upper mass extending “beyond” the skids and/or the center mass is greater in weight... one of the variables provides a better CG. Whichever, end result is the H920 is a lot more stable on the skids than the H480 when touching down. The light skid behavior mine exhibites might result in a tip over on the H480... but she’ll skim the ground teasing a landing without an apparent tendency to tip while settling down. I’ve hit the disarm I think based more on H480 than H920 behavior.

Although still looking forward to seeing if new Throttle expo will help with motors settling down further.

Just a 2 cent blurp!

 

[Dougcjohn]

As Thoneter can confer... Our Iowan forecasted weekend weather of sunny skies, mid 40’s to low 50’s has changed to high 20’s with 1-3” snow ahead tonight.

This has prevented the 920 break-in runs today. To risky on OEM batteries and personal confidence of Pilot or 920.

Switch over to testing a few Inspire battery cage insulator wraps. The batteries are fully exposed by design on the bird, requires methods to retain heat. Have one as a wrap, other as as a insulated shield that holds a pair of hand warmers. These LiPo’s have a warning not to use under 5C (41 F)... but the various wraps have shown good results. DJI also offers stick on insulators for mild cold... not effective in freezing.

 

[PatR]

Just a note for those interested; 3/4” ID Thermacell pipe insulation will slide over the foam landing gear bumpers on the 920 with a little work. 4 pieces about 3” long will raise the 90* leg joiner off the ground and minimize hard object strike damage at an important junction.

If you’re enterprising you can use foam safe paint on them for a visibly bright color to contrast the sky. The 920’s size permits LOS flights a heck of a lot further away than an H, Phantom, or Inspire, and 4 bright points under the aircraft might help with orientation.

 

[PatR]

Spent a couple hours last night making a spare pair of battery adapters.....

 

[thoneter]

Pat, Not chewing on the landing methods...

I did notice the 920 skids provide a wider stance ratio along with less upper mass extending “beyond” the skids and/or the center mass is greater in weight... one of the variables provides a better CG. Whichever, end result is the H920 is a lot more stable on the skids than the H480 when touching down. The light skid behavior mine exhibites might result in a tip over on the H480... but she’ll skim the ground teasing a landing without an apparent tendency to tip while settling down. I’ve hit the disarm I think based more on H480 than H920 behavior.

Although still looking forward to seeing if new Throttle expo will help with motors settling down further.

Just a 2 cent blurp!

I also am not on here to pretend that I am an expert drone user. I am at best a sophomore of the 920 and 2 years experienced at the 480. My point wasn't to tell the experienced fliers how to fly but to give those that weren't aware of the pump method. I wasn't aware that the 920 with the st24 is slow to disarm. I do have a pretty good and positive experience with the 480 and corresponding st16. Many have had tip overs and hard landings with ground effect bouncing. When I've tried to land on tilted surfaces the 480 does not do well in my experience. I did say that each person has to figure out which works best for them and knowing there is a option to use the secret disarm button is something that does have merit.

OK that's as serious as I can be for a post

 

[PatR]

Seabee’s gonna have to post the rules and penalties. Theoneter just flagrantly violated the “no serious posts on a Saturday, which shall always be fun day” commandment

 

[thoneter]

Seabee’s gonna have to post the rules and penalties. Theoneter just flagrantly violated the “no serious posts on a Saturday, which shall always be fun day” commandment

And here I thought it was you I had to have fake reverence for and all along it's Seabee that I have to pretend to respect! What a waste of time and resources!