19May/120
Unpacking the Naza Controller
After 3 years of using a couple of MultiWii Paris boards (Version 2 & 4) on a whole variety of quads and tricopters (http://bit.ly/JZ1iDA) and tricopters, I've bought my first commercially made multirotor controller. The DJI Naza controller (http://bit.ly/JZ1S4r) along with an F450 Flamewheel frame. It's tempting to retrofit a couple of old Quads with the Naza to compare the performance between the MWC and Naza but I'm too keen to see the DJI controller and frame flying as one unit.
What comes in the little red box.
- The Main Control unit (MC). It's smaller than I expected with inputs at one end and outputs at the other
- The Versatile Unit (VU). Basically a voltage monitor, regulator and USB interface to programming the board.
- The USB cable. I was a little disappointed it uses a micro USB connection instead of the fairly standard mini USB connection. It just means I'm less likely to have a spare cable on hand if I misplace the DJI supplied one. I guarantee if you were at the flying field and needed a 'mini' USB cable that almost every product comes with and seem to be multiplying in my desk draw, someone would have one in their camera bag or portable hard disk....
- 3-PIN Servo cable (female to female) for connecting your receiver to the Naza controller. By the time you connect the four standard controls, plus mode switch, plus X1, X2 & X3 you'll use them all up.
- 3M Gummed paper for sticking the controller to your multirotor. It's not very thick. Not sure if I'll use the supplied stuff or my own.
Configuring the Naza.
- The first thing to do is download and install the DJI Naza Assistant Software. Registration and activation by email is required so the DJI overlords can keep track of everyone that has the privilege of using their hardware.
- While waiting a few seconds for the activation email I soldered an XT-60 connector to the VU and hooked up a 3S 2200 Lipo.
- I'll be using 'Quad-rotor X4' config.
- Receiver Type = "Tradition(al)"
- Calibration was pretty straightforward by banging the sticks to all possible end-points. At one point I did get a flashing red box saying "Config Error" but after a power cycle it went away.
- I've assigned Sticks monitor (X1 & X2) to my slidey switches on the LHS and RHS of my Futaba 10C Tx. From what I understand these channels can be used for inflight gain adjustment. I'm not convinced I'll use that much but we'll see.
That's about as far as I've got. Think I might start putting the frame together.
