Where's the new Typhoon H firmware?

[RiverRunner]

I like trying goofy and unconventional stuff.

Last month I bought one of these to test:
Aperture Hexacopter Aerial Photography Drone (RTF) (Mode 2)

As expected, there were problems right away. The radio was junk so I couldn't fly it more than ~100 ft before the radio failsafe kicked in. It was not very stable as the motors were no doubt elcheapo, but it was still pretty neat.

I installed the latest Arducopter fw, but could not perform auto tune because of the radio problem and could not assign a switch for it. It accepts up to 16k mah 6s battery.

The real reason I wanted it was to see how the frame was constructed. I want a hexa that is water proof. Two years in a row I went to the Michigan Mud Jam and got rained out, although was able to get some decent video.

Well, this Aperture is water proof (well, at least for rain). However, for $562 one can't expect the greatest quality components. I ended up sending it back for a refund.

Long story short, the bare frame for this behemoth can be bought for under $400. It's actually quite a strong frame, and although plastic, it is stiff. The flight logs indicated the vibration was surprisingly good, so that's a big positive. The landing gear mounts would need replacing, but other than that I'm tempted to buy it for a winter project and install high quality internals. The downside is the motors required are huge, which means $$$.

I seriously looked at the 520, but can't justify the price. I don't believe the frame/hardware quality is that much better than the 480. Yuneec would have to itemize why the 520 is so much more. The software would have to be as robust as Mission Planner, such as having the ability to continue missions when a failsafe is triggered, or ability to customize parameters. It would also be persuasive if 3rd party software could be used such as UgCS. The camera system has always been my nemesis when going the DIY route. I still think it may be possible to use a Yuneec gimbal/camera system on a Pixhawk drone.

I have built several waterproof quads using the Dex frames. You might have a look at their offerings.
DeX Nuke | DeXModels

 

[BeeRAD56]

I truly hope that Yuneec not only supports, but grows the H480 platform for those of us that have a lot invested and can't just jump to the next best thing.

 

[PatR]

Since your 480 camera will not work, and likely never will, with the 580 you might want to save an extra $1200.00 on top of the $2k before buying one. We’ll leave those that already have a current CGO-ET and getting hosed alone for now, but it must be remembered neither the 580 nor it’s functionality is intended to be an expansion of the “consumer” drone class.

 

[C&M Aerial Imaging]

I really hope the next firmware update (480) addresses mission planning and camera support (e50 and maybe e90, although weight could be an issue with the e90.)

 

[C&M Aerial Imaging]

I would be happy with the time being coerrect...

 

[C&M Aerial Imaging]

I would be happy with the time being coerrect...

Unlike my spelling

 

[glider]

I have built several waterproof quads using the Dex frames. You might have a look at their offerings.
DeX Nuke | DeXModels

Well that is pretty cool; when I said waterproof, that wasn't literal, but those Dex frames are very nice looking. Problem: I definitely want another hexa. Honestly, my Y6's are just awesome fliers, but for mounting cameras and such, a larger flat is the way I'm leaning right now. The Dex frame has a good size quad and monster octo, but no hexa size in between. I imagine the octo is $$$. Not that I'm afraid to spend money, but have spent quite enough already on DIY.

I'd consider another Yuneec, but not willing to pay their price for a H520 and don't get me wrong, I like my H, but don't trust it enough to put a $1700 camera on it.

 

[PatR]

Try checking some Hong Kong locations for package deals on a 520 if that holds your interest. You'll be surprised if you see the right ones.

I had the same problem you do relative to payloads on smaller and/or untested systems and why I went with the much larger but well proven 920. I was in the market for something that fit the majority of my mission needs and the 920 actually specs out better than the 520 for those, and it's not a DJI product.

 

[RiverRunner]

Well that is pretty cool; when I said waterproof, that wasn't literal, but those Dex frames are very nice looking. Problem: I definitely want another hexa. Honestly, my Y6's are just awesome fliers, but for mounting cameras and such, a larger flat is the way I'm leaning right now. The Dex frame has a good size quad and monster octo, but no hexa size in between. I imagine the octo is $$$. Not that I'm afraid to spend money, but have spent quite enough already on DIY.

I'd consider another Yuneec, but not willing to pay their price for a H520 and don't get me wrong, I like my H, but don't trust it enough to put a $1700 camera on it.

Did you look at the Dex Nuke?

 

[glider]

Try checking some Hong Kong locations for package deals on a 520 if that holds your interest. You'll be surprised if you see the right ones.

I had the same problem you do relative to payloads on smaller and/or untested systems and why I went with the much larger but well proven 920. I was in the market for something that fit the majority of my mission needs and the 920 actually specs out better than the 520 for those, and it's not a DJI product.

As you know I had a DJI Mavic Pro for a few days before the sd card jammed and I returned it. I really liked it (I know it hurts to hear me say that ) because it fit in a small shoulder bag....literally everything including extra batteries. Their FC SW is very much bloatware though. BB didn't have any replacements so I took the refund. Unfortunately I'm hearing they are having problems, so am passing on getting another one for a long time if ever.

I'm looking for a winter project. I'd kill to get a 920 frame, already had a 1100 so am partial to big frames. The 920 looks water resistant and just plain BA. Yuneec really needs to not let the H die on the vine. The fw is greatly improved but still needs some refinement. I think they will lose a lot of customers if they don't continue supplying consumer drones like the H and offer more options. If the price drops I probably will buy another, but want a better camera, and one with thermal.

I do have to cool it on the spending, the wife is getting suspicious as it's getting more difficult explaining the stupid things I bring home. I bought a Mitsubishi MiEV at an auction to drive to work and save my truck. Please don't laugh. This isn't my first EV, and no I'm not a tree hugger. I wait for the depreciation to hit about 80%, then buy and drive cheap. If I don't like, there are plenty of 'who killed the EV' nutjobs in Ann Arbor that will pay premium prices for these clown cars. This one still has 5 years warranty left on the battery. I told her I can use to charge all my drone batteries outside; will negate the need of buying an expensive new charger and much safer.

 

[PatR]

Funny thing, before I made the 920 purchase I researched the crap out of it and came to the conclusion it was likely being discontinued. Someone here suggested there was no word about that happening. So right after I ordered it I got a message telling me the 920 was being discontinued in the U.S. No big deal as there have been few firmware updates with the largest change being the system being downsized to use the ST-16 instead of the -24, which I surmise was a cost-inventory reduction thing for Yuneec. Based on the research I did it appears they didn’t sell very many of them, perhaps the price was more than the market would bear and their support for it has been lack luster. That’s cause to cut losses and discontinue it.

I was hoping the 520 would meet my needs but requests for information and camera comparisons were unfulfilled. For the price of a 520 I’ll work from known performance data and build one before sticking my neck out and hoping a new model works as intended. The 520 price point is within a few dollars of the 920 and may be why people don’t seem to be lining up to buy one. They will need to continue developing and support the H if they want to continue in the multirotor market if 520 sales disappoint. I’m afraid their product histories thus far suggest they won’t though.

Hey, nothing wrong with electric cars as long as you understand they don’t do anything to help the environment. Tax credits are always nice to have, and it’s a lot easier to come in late and get away with it if you drive one[emoji4]

 

[Tuna]

The thing with all hardware, and even more with specialist hardware, is to buy things for what they actually do, not what they 'might' do. Last year during the Drone Rush, people were buying kit from lots of manufacturers believing that it was only going to be a matter of time before a magic firmware update made them do X, Y or Z. Many assumed that just because Yuneec or DJI or Autel had a specific feature that all the others could have that feature too - it's all just software, right?

Of course, that way lies disappointment and regret. How many cameras or VCRs suddenly gain an extra feature a year after they went on sale? It just doesn't work that way.

That said, what the Typhoon H does do is pretty impressive - it flies really well, the gimbal is still class leading, the controller is great and the camera gives some excellent results with a bit of effort. Buy it for those reasons and you won't be disappointed. Not only that, but in that first year of release Yuneec managed to put out some pretty good firmware releases that did improve existing functions and added new features. That's not bad going.

But expecting them to endlessly fiddle with the current model is a bit optimistic. It remains a good drone, so buy it for what it is and enjoy flying it. You can always buy UAV Toolbox to get more out of it , but there is a limit to how much more functionality you can add to a drone without proper investment. It's right that Yuneec starts investing in the next model(s) rather than throwing money at stuff that is already out in the shops and in users' hands.

 

[PatR]

Companies should always invest in new designs and technologies to remain market competitive. My only concerns are with Yuneec continuing support of the H now the 520 is out. Their track record with the Blade 350, Chroma, Q-500, Typhoon 4k, and 920 has followed a constant pattern. They have not provided much in the way of support outside of continued parts availability. Of equal concern is an apparent decline with customer service.

Reductions in staff and management, consolidating hardware between platforms, lackluster product promotion, and increased difficulty in making contact with the company are not things I normally associate with confidence building. Another influencing factor is a total lack of official communications referencing company plans. Without communications the only safe position is to assume the worst.

 

[Magic]

But expecting them to endlessly fiddle with the current model is a bit optimistic. It remains a good drone, so buy it for what it is and enjoy flying it. You can always buy UAV Toolbox to get more out of it , but there is a limit to how much more functionality you can add to a drone without proper investment. It's right that Yuneec starts investing in the next model(s) rather than throwing money at stuff that is already out in the shops and in users' hands.

Let me disagree with you. It was enough to open the software code for SDK, as it was done in 520 and you can no longer care about software for further development and start promoting a new model.
Open source would allow other programmers to be similar to Litchi, make the software acceptable for flights and make money from it, and Yuneec company can see what can be done for the future. So did in due time DJI and now it is far ahead.
I wrote to Yuneec company and to Litchi company, some refuse to open the code, others wait for this (it was a year ago).

Now I know that this will not happen. I started looking for programmers who hack into the TyphoonH software and adapt it to free first versions of the Software Litchi. I also bought the second UAV Inspire, who will be able to make up for me what is missing in the Typhoon H.
IMHO

 

[AH-1G]

I too worry about Y not keeping up with firmware for the H480 however, I wouldn't mind paying a fee for updates as long as there are improvements to known issues and improvements to the camera. We all purchase homes and cars and we pay for the upkeep, same should be for firmware updates.