XK Detect X380 is a budget quadcopter GPS drone, an impressive entry since the days of DJI Phantom 1-2, Walkera x350 Pro or Scoutx4 class. A large community of RC pilots have been raving about the x380, so I was asked to take it for a spin and to share my personal experience. I work for the largest RC manufacturer and have flown a variety of quadcopters the last three years. I am actually impressed how easy it is to fly this x380. Just the basic GPS functions, just enough to include RTH, Head Lock mode (Headless), Auto Take Off, Circle a Point and a dial to pitch a gimbal. All for $210!
First flight test, the Auto Take Off (just one button, perfect 3 feet high), RTH (returned a foot away from launch point), Altitude Hold (solid) and Head Lock (works).
What most people raved about, is that this quadcopter is accurate on the Return to Home and how simple it is to take-off with just one button. More importantly there are color indicators that assist you in calibrating your compass and best of all, confirms that you have calibrated correctly. This is to ensure that the Return to Home will just be as accurate on the next flight…
Head Lock mode. I never used to be a fan of Intelligent Orientation Control aka Head Lock, but have begun to appreciate it in some ways as alternate way to return home without GPS. Forward is forward, backward is pulling back, regardless of which direction the model is facing. However Head Lock is relative to where you are standing during take off, so if you decide to fly behind, you are now flying in reversed.
Another feature added on Sep 2015, is the FAP button. FAP stands for Fly Around Point, a button that allows you to set the radius dynamically and fly around a target point.
What can be improved on this budget GPS quadcopter (1) the dial button to control the gimbal. It should spin no more than one round to control a pitch on the gimbal. (2) Label the ports for users. (3) Finally, without adding too much cost, a basic OSD port to provide a Return Home arrow, GPS counts and a flight battery voltage reading. You can’t really see those light indictors on the rear of the quadcopter during FPV or with goggles.
Material:
PC + ABS carbon fiber wrap
Size: 30.5*30.5*21 CM
Wheelbase:37.6 CM
Take off weight: X380(945) ,X380-A(1055g), X380-B(1005g), X380-C(1180g)
Features:
GPS positioning, distance deviation (±0.5m)
Measuring height with air pressure, vertical deviation (±0.5m)
Compass Headless mode
Automatic return, Failsafe, Circle Around A Point filming
Two low-voltage protection warning to land your x380.
One key take-off and one key to land
Charging time: 1.5 – 2 hours
Radio transmitter mode: 2.4G
Radio transmitter range distance: 1000m
Motors:(2212 950/KV)
Battery Details:11.1V 5400mAh 20C
Flight time: No additional load (27 minutes), Gimbal & camera (22 minutes)
► Software:
• Flight config: http://www.xk-innovations.com/down/59.html
• Driver: http://www.st.com/web/en/catalog/tools/PF257938#
► Where To Buy:
• x380X: http://dronemission.com/find/detect-x380.php groupsale $210
• Walkera G-2D gimbal: http://shrsl.com/?~ba89
• Walkera iLook+ 2-in-1 Camera: http://shrsl.com/?~ba8b
• G-2D G-3D Power Cable: http://shrsl.com/?~ba8o
• Fatshark Video Transmitter: http://shrsl.com/?~ba95
• DJI Phantom 3 9450 Props Part #09 Self-Tightening Propeller will fit tightly
After completing a diagnostic on the motors and flight controller, I proceeded to add a gimbal. The gimbal control on the XK radio dial is the downside of the quadcopter, it is slow, making it quite impossible to control your gimbal precisely.
Calibration
Find a flat surface, preferably concrete, not grass to do calibration.
Power on radio and than quad. Best practice is to not move or shove your LiPo cables until the x380 has completed it’s bind and self-leveling, or better still wait for the GPS lock. Leave the wires alone!
When to cailibrate:
1. When you change venue a long way from your last flying location (greater than 100 miles).
2. When your x380 is drifting or rotating in a “toilet bowl effect” fashion. The inclination and deviation has to be corrected through compass calibration. The inconsistencies between GPS and compass will cause that swirling motion, in a tug-of -war for direction.
3. After a firmware upgrade, as it may carry the factory magnetic values.
Horizontal calibration
Lower the throttle stick and toggle the Head-lock switch for about 3 times. You should see a solid green indicator
Rotate around 2 times, horizontally and ensure the horizontal green indicator always stays on.
Vertical calibration
Lower the throttle stick and toggle the Head-lock switch for about 3 times. You should see no lights
You should see a solid red indicator when the x380 is vertical. Rotate around 2 times, keep it vertical and ensure the vertical red indicator always stays on.
Lower the throttle stick and toggle the Head-lock for about 3 times to save your new compass magnetic inclination and deviation values.
I found that completing an Auto Take Off is one good way to perform a pre-flight check, to ensure the quadcopter is behaving properly. If it begins to drift off to the side and not hold it’s position on take-off, I will land manually immediately, inspect the x380, the gps, the extra weight center of gravity (CG), recalibrate if needed.
