helicopter autopilot

[FrankC]

Hi guys, I am looking for some suggestions. I want to do aerial photography from a helicopter, most likely a T-Rex 600. I would like to find a system that will do a stable hands-free hover for a minute or two at a time while I take the pictures. The takeoff, flight, and landing would all be done by rc, I just want to be able to flip a switch and have a stable hover until I flip the switch back off. I have seen several (pricey) helicopter autopilots but I don't need the full autonomous flight capability. Is there anything out there that won't cost me an arm, leg, and kidney?

[Jack Crossfire]

Most of the AP flyers use helicommand. Anything else requires a DGPS base station ($2500).

[_helitron_]

AP2000i from Spartan RC in UK plus the FMA X-Y thermopile sensor head ! Look also at the AP forum.

Cheers,

//Erwin

[Dimitris76]

AP2000 and thermopyles technology is old stuff. Might work satisfactory under optimal conditions but you need to have a relative flat horizon 360 degrees around. Furthermore it's influenced more or less by the heat gradient between sky/ground.
The Helicommand in contrast is a gyro based device that needs no external reference.
Bottom line, if you want an all weather system that works all the time get a Helicommand.
Once properly tuned it's 100% reliable and needs no further adjustments.

[FrankC]

Thanks guys, I will check them out.

[muflonwookie]

Hi,
how high above the ground can be helicommand used? Does the height matters?

[Jack Crossfire]

Some anecdotes on runryder had the helicommand doing pretty good horizontal position hold as high as you can see. It's altitude hold falls over beyond a few feet.

[Tuner]

Helicomand is only this expensive for the high end bells and whistles setup. It can be as low as $500-600

[MEPEH]

How about CO-Pilot FMS, KDS flymentor, AP2000i ?
WHich one is better ?
I have to get one these days but can;t get my mind wich one to buy.
I think Helicommand will be too much for me since i intend to fly mostly in our nice SoCal weather :)

[cmulder]

i have a helicommand rigid and while you don't need the rigid version for stabilisation i use it to reduce mechanics.
The helicommand uses internal (gyro?) sensors and work at any altitude.
The position hold feature uses a aditional optical sensor and is limited to a few meters since it uses the ground as reference.
For me the biggest advantage is that the heli can be put in any situation l as soon as i center the sticks (depending on what mode the helicommand is in) it levels the heli.
The time it takes to level the heli depends on how agresive you set the helicommand and i have set it just under the limits of the heli ending up with a near instant level position.
Also since i keep the horizontal mode on the heli flies more stable then my lamav3 coaxial.


Since the helicommand does not use optical/ infra red sensors but a internal reference , hills , lakes or buildings ect do not influence it (you can also fly indoors)

i can not comment of the helicommand is better compaired to the other stabilisation units since i have not tried them.