Thursday, January 28, 2016

Actioncams compared - Firefly 6s, SJcam M10+, SJ5000+, Xiaomi Yi, Foxeer Legend1, Eken H9, Gopro3+



Over the last months I was looking for 60fps capeable actioncams that are cheap AND good quality. Some guys just buy a Gopro (350$ or more!) and hope nothing bad happens to the expensive cam.
The last addition to my nice collection of cams is the Firefly 6s. Find all the details below!

1. Firefly 6S
2. SJCAM M10+
3. SJCAM SJ5000+
4. Xiaomi Yi
5. EKEN H9
6. Foxeer Legend1
7. Gopro3+ Black

►►DOWNLOAD the Siemens Star comparison PICS in Highres

------------------------------------
Firefly 6s FW: 2.3 (REVIEWED here)
------------------------------------
Sony IMX078 CMOS illuminated sensor
Processor: Novatek 96660 chipset
1600mah Battery! (but same phys size like 1050mah gopro3+ batt - sceptic I am ;-)

Firmware: http://www.cnfpv.com/en/TECH/110.html
Manual     
Android app cannot set 4k mode or 2.5kmode (4k mode isnt compatible with wifi operation)
iOS app

Size: 59 x 41 x 12mm Weight: 70g
Working Voltage: 5V Charging Current: 800mA
Working Time:1.5h Charging Time: 2-3h
Compressed Format : H264 Video/ Photo Format: *.MP4 / *.JPG
Optical Parameter: Diaphragm: F/2.8,7 glasses Angle: 105 degree level, 140 degree diagonal

Photo Resolution: 16M/8M/5M
Video Resolution: 1080P 60fps, 2.5K(2560 x 1440) 30fps and 4K (4096 x 2160)24fps (4k video is only 2880 x 2160p).
ISO: AUTO/100/1600
AV Output Format : PAL/ NTSC
USB Port: compatible with Gopro Gimbals (but not the "old" zenmuse with Gopro Back connector!)
Support HDMI output:YES
Support max 64G TF card, Class 10
Support WiFi (Wi-Fi doesn't work on 4k mode!)

Buttons:
Power Button: Press once for power on, long press 3 sec. to turn off, Photo/ Record Mode switch.
OK Button: Start/ Stop recording
Up Button: Enter menu/ Add options of menu; long press to turn on WiFi
Down Button: Enter menu/ reduce options of menu.
------------------------------------
Xiaomi Yi
------------------------------------
16 megapixel Sony Exmor R BSI CMOS
Processor: Ambarella A7LS
Hacking the Xiaomi Yi Action Camera: http://www.tawbaware.com/xiaomiyi.htm
Upgrade firmware: (I'm at 1.2.13) http://www.xiaoyi.com/update/sports
- why is the battery so small (phys size?) there is 2-3mm more space in the compartment!
------------------------------------
Foxeer Legend1
------------------------------------
get the latest (currently 1.7) Firmware here on their Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/foxeer/
(just download FW file, drop it in the root of your SD card, then turn on the cam and it will auto-update in a few secs)
Size: 75 x 37,5 x 17,1mm Weight: 49gr

16 megapixel Sony Exmor R BSI CMOS
Processor: Ambarella A7LS
166° wideangle
Lens: F2.5

Possible to remotely control photo/video mode with servo wire connected to your RC receiver!
------------------------------------
Eken H9 my FULL REVIEW
------------------------------------
Chipset / Sensor: Sunplus 6630M + OV4689
Weight: 64gr
Size: Product Size (L x W x H): 6 x 3.2 x 4.1 cm
no TV Out!
------------------------------------
SJCam M10+ my FULL REVIEW
------------------------------------
Chipset Novatek 96660(Newest)
Sensor: OmniVision OV4689
12Mega Pixels CMOS-Sensor (but I read pictures are only 4mp and interpolated to 12mp?)
------------------------------------
SJCam SJ5000+ my FULL REVIEW
------------------------------------
Ambarella A7LS75 DSP
Panasonic MN34120PA 16 Megapixel 1/2.33 CMOS Sensor
170° FOV

Filmed with Gopro Hero 3+ Black - check out http://Gopro.com !
used the great MP10 lens on my Gopro3 to get DISTORTION FREE video! check out the lens!
Some shots with Lumix GX8

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Blade Chroma Review

During my flights with the Chroma I could test most of the functions (hopefully).
Summit: Flight performance great, RTH+follow mode work also great, Wifi Link and cam performance are average. Wifi: 500m are reachable, please check if the cam quality is ok for you - if not consider the Gopro Gimbal version or the CGo3 (4k).


Videoindex Hangar-Review:
01:02 Backpack friendly
01:35 different versions / pricing (this will surly drop!)
03:01 Powering up the Chroma / Radio closeup
04:05 Display on radio
05:08 Flightmodes
06:09 Battery / Flighttimes
07:34 charging adaptor tip: bl8624
09:28 note on follow me / tracking mode setup
10:05 Low battery behaviour
11:29 Video range?
12:39 Props
13:12 motors
13:37 size / weight
14:27 cgo2 video quality?
15:30 final thoughts; Chroma vs. Phantom3...



Videoindex Flighttests:
01:23 takeoff (maiden flight actually!)
02:10 first flight footage
03:02 chasing the girl (and the dog ;-)
03:37 first RTH tests
04:24 first crash on Follow-mode tests (and low-battery landing)
05:44 follow-mode and tracking tests
07:50 Return to home - test (what's home?)
10:13 wifi video link (Quality, issues)
13:34 Low battery behaviour
15:29 updating "Geofence" settings for more than 200m range






Follow or Tracking mode:
you have to enable it ON THE GROUND for it to work; as soon as you're in the air it will follow/track you if you go into smart mode

Test return home:
RTH flies to your current (radio) position and lands around 5m infront of you
RTH flies at about 13km/h and descends pretty fast on landing approach to land very smooth (good autolanding!)

Low Battery behaviour:
vibration alert on radio at 10.6v and the max alt is reduced to 60m - LEDs are blinking RED
initiating autoland (whereever it is at this moment - NOT RTH!)
if you're getting below 10.4vs
I had little over 1min from first alert to autoland.
so if you're out far and you get the first alert - try to fly a safe route home - a route where it can land safely if it chooses to (no water, trees etc.)

Flighttimes:
28.11.: Flighttime 24min, 500mASL and mostly hovering, did autoland on 10.5v
3.12.: warm battery; 10 degree C sunny, no wind, 700m ASL: 19mins (50% hover 50% flying around medium fast, not much climbing - I was around 50m once)

Range: how to get more than 200m?
As per default the "Geofence" is at 660ft or 200m! And this is a direct line from your Radio to the copter. So height also counts - not only distance as seen from above.
There is a way to enlarge this Geofence:
Download the GUI Software from http://flychroma.com
http://www.horizonhobby.com/pdf/BLH8600-Chroma_GUI_V.1.rar
GUI Software instructions video

Cam quality below Gopro3, a bit oversharpened, pixelated
Bitrate: 30mbit on 1080p50fps

Nice portability - easy to pack in a sleek backpack landing gear easy detachable cam with quickrelease and only one plug (looks like the wifi happens directly in the cam)
GPS tower foldable

Status leds:
Motor POD LEDs are very bright
RED blinking means LOW Batt! - return imediatly or it will autoland soon where it is!
purple LEDs indicate the "angle" Mode (which I normally flew it in)

Remote:
well built, all switches labled and logically placed;
gimbal tilt slider on one side, speed slider on the other
Built in touch display with suction cup mounted sunshade - computer is android based
video transmission is 5.8ghz wifi, latency notable (400ms)
- suctioncup mounted sunhood doesnt stick too well (mod it with velcros might be a good idea)
- position of screen is not ideal, screen ABOVE joysticks is better

Props are similar to Phantom - selftightening
10" Props - very silent - efficient
Motor: 3508 780kv. blh8611

Battery: 3cell 6300mah
important TIP: get the bl8624 adaptor to charge on your normal charger to have it recharged faster and with more control over how much juice was put in
25-30mins Flighttime at 0m ASL in warm temps

WEIGHT: 1,3kg
PACKING SIZE: 33x33x9.5cm
gimbal 12x12x8cm
radio: 25x19x11cm

Useful Links:
Discussions about Chroma
http://www.horizonhobby.com/media/chroma
Manual: http://www.horizonhobby.com/pdf/BLH8665-manual-DE.pdf