I recently picked up a used Phantom version 1 from a friend that updated to V2. He initially had issues getting the V1 flying and I helped him eventually get it in the air after sitting on it for almost a year and not flying it. I'm an experienced RC pilot of planes and multirotors and just wanted the Phantom to add a few aerial shots to my videos since I'm a videographer. I enjoyed the ease of flying the Phantom so I took the chance to get one at a pretty decent price. It is an original version 1 and just lists Version 1 on the bottom sticker. I have a few questions.
1. When I got it I mentioned to another Phantom pilot friend and he offered me a free Zenmuse 2D gimbal that had been crashed and then repaired by DJI. It didn't have the mounting brackets/anti-vibe mounts or the 8 pin cable to hook it up. He also threw in the Upgrade board for the copter that took away the extra controllers inside the Phantom. I have since decided just to get an aftermarket gimbal from Ready to Fly Quads and not use the Zenmuse since the mounts are hard to find (at least ones I know are going to work properly without extra mods), they are expensive when you do find them and I have no idea if the Zenmuse actually does work since he never tested it after repair. I also only have a GoPro 2 which DJI says won't work with it ( I think it just may have problems balancing properly as all pins on the plug are identical and it snaps into the gimbal just fine). Instead of spending the money on the parts to get the Zenmuse working, hopefully, I decided to get an aftermarket one since it was reasonably priced. My big question is should I go ahead and install the upgraded board into the Phantom even if I am not using the built in gimbal controller hardware? Is there anything in that board that will make the basic copter a better copter? If so I will do the update. If not I will just leave it as it is. I did install the little pitch control lever on the transmitter that came with the upgrade. That will be handy for the aftermarket gimbal.
2. Can I put 9" props on the original version 1 and will they increase any flight times or help lift the gimbal. I don't want to upgrade the motors or get crazy. Just wondering if there are 9" props that will help it. If there are will it put too much load on the battery. The Phantom batteries that came with it are always slightly warm when I land. Loading the motors up with 9" may really kill them which would not be good. If 9" are ok with the stock setup which ones are good to get. When I bought it there were 3 extra sets of stock props included and one pair of 8" CF props that had been nicked on the sidewalk a little so the tips were ground down slightly.
3. Speaking of props, I thought I have read that the stock white props are pretty efficient and usually balanced well. All the ones I have balanced are terribly out of balance. It takes a few pieces of tape to get them balanced. What's the truth on the props. The ones I have are the OEM props.
4. What kind of flight times can I expect with the stock 2200 Phantom batteries if I am carrying a gimbal. I know it will be shorter times and I am ok with 5-7 minutes on a battery. That's more than enough time to get the shots I need under most circumstances.
Thanks for any help.
1. When I got it I mentioned to another Phantom pilot friend and he offered me a free Zenmuse 2D gimbal that had been crashed and then repaired by DJI. It didn't have the mounting brackets/anti-vibe mounts or the 8 pin cable to hook it up. He also threw in the Upgrade board for the copter that took away the extra controllers inside the Phantom. I have since decided just to get an aftermarket gimbal from Ready to Fly Quads and not use the Zenmuse since the mounts are hard to find (at least ones I know are going to work properly without extra mods), they are expensive when you do find them and I have no idea if the Zenmuse actually does work since he never tested it after repair. I also only have a GoPro 2 which DJI says won't work with it ( I think it just may have problems balancing properly as all pins on the plug are identical and it snaps into the gimbal just fine). Instead of spending the money on the parts to get the Zenmuse working, hopefully, I decided to get an aftermarket one since it was reasonably priced. My big question is should I go ahead and install the upgraded board into the Phantom even if I am not using the built in gimbal controller hardware? Is there anything in that board that will make the basic copter a better copter? If so I will do the update. If not I will just leave it as it is. I did install the little pitch control lever on the transmitter that came with the upgrade. That will be handy for the aftermarket gimbal.
2. Can I put 9" props on the original version 1 and will they increase any flight times or help lift the gimbal. I don't want to upgrade the motors or get crazy. Just wondering if there are 9" props that will help it. If there are will it put too much load on the battery. The Phantom batteries that came with it are always slightly warm when I land. Loading the motors up with 9" may really kill them which would not be good. If 9" are ok with the stock setup which ones are good to get. When I bought it there were 3 extra sets of stock props included and one pair of 8" CF props that had been nicked on the sidewalk a little so the tips were ground down slightly.
3. Speaking of props, I thought I have read that the stock white props are pretty efficient and usually balanced well. All the ones I have balanced are terribly out of balance. It takes a few pieces of tape to get them balanced. What's the truth on the props. The ones I have are the OEM props.
4. What kind of flight times can I expect with the stock 2200 Phantom batteries if I am carrying a gimbal. I know it will be shorter times and I am ok with 5-7 minutes on a battery. That's more than enough time to get the shots I need under most circumstances.
Thanks for any help.
