P4 broke gimbal

Duchunter · Apr 23, 2017

Looks like I may have found a deal on a p4. It has a broken gimbal and the ribbon wire is broken. It looks like a pretty cut and dry repair but you guys know better than me. So what u think?

GMack · Apr 23, 2017

Given the camera and that ribbon cable might be around $400 new, you also need to consider the IMU itself may be toast once jarred and not in the included price, any case cracks (Another $65 ?), nor the possible failing battery in the RC if it comes with that too. So you are looking to pay $800 for the drone, camera, and ribbon when you can now buy one with a warranty for $910 on Amazon here: Amazon.com : DJI Phantom 4 Quadcopter : Camera & Photo
https://www.amazon.com/DJI-CP-PT-000312-Phantom-4-Quadcopter/dp/B01CFXQZD0
Personally, I'd pass.

Duchunter · Apr 23, 2017

****, that's not even close to the numbers I was coming up with. The seller says that there is no other obvious damage and everything is included. No way to know if the camera is toast without fixing it. FOR DJI Phantom 4 Gimbal Yaw Arm Replacement Part Includes Ribbon Flat Cable USA | eBay
I appreciate the advice.

Duchunter · Apr 23, 2017

The bird still flies so imu should be fine right?

GMack · Apr 23, 2017

Duchunter said:
****, that's not even close to the numbers I was coming up with. The seller says that there is no other obvious damage and everything is included. No way to know if the camera is toast without fixing it. FOR DJI Phantom 4 Gimbal Yaw Arm Replacement Part Includes Ribbon Flat Cable USA | eBay
I appreciate the advice.

That's cheap! They used to sell it as part of the camera and gimbal combo and it was about $350 then. Ribbon cable was around $36 then too. Might be cheaper since the P4 is old now. Might be worth it then. Your call.

Duchunter · Apr 23, 2017

How about the emu? If it flies it's good right?

Jayfdee · Apr 23, 2017

Big gamble, the camera may be toast. Personally I would not risk it, but if you enjoy fixing things,which I do, then, up to you.
If it still flies, then that is very good and the IMU and other vital internals are still working. Check the body for cracks, a crash that shears the camera is likely to have caused other damage.
Just my 2 cents worth, actually I am UK so 2 pennorth.

Duchunter · Apr 23, 2017

I totally understand

Duchunter · Apr 23, 2017

Well I went ahead and got it. For $400 I just couldn't pass it up. It flies great and it doesn't have a scratch on it other than the broken gimbal arm and ribbon wires. The camera looks good, the gimbal looks good and moves freely so I'll see when I get the parts in.

sar104 · Apr 23, 2017

Duchunter said:
How about the emu? If it flies it's good right?

If it flies it's definitely not an emu. They can run pretty fast though.

Duchunter · Apr 23, 2017

Sorry, IMU. Dang auto correct.

sar104 · Apr 23, 2017

Duchunter said:
Sorry, IMU. Dang auto correct.

That's OK - I just like it when autocorrect produces particularly amusing results.

Duchunter · Apr 23, 2017

Should I be seeing the p4 on my wifi screen?

sar104 · Apr 23, 2017

Duchunter said:
Should I be seeing the p4 on my wifi screen?

Could you be more specific? What is a wifi screen?

Duchunter · Apr 23, 2017

On my phone. When I go to the screen to search for wifi signals I don't see the p4 come up so I can select it.

sar104 · Apr 23, 2017

Duchunter said:
On my phone. When I go to the screen to search for wifi signals I don't see the p4 come up so I can select it.[/QUOTE

That's not how you connect to the P4 - it communicates with the controller. You plug your phone or tablet into the controller and launch the DJI Go 4 app. Or Litchi, or whatever else you may want to use.