The CaddxFPV digital camera gimbals (GM1, GM2, and GM3) are designed particularly for the Walksnail Avatar Digital FPV system, providing a novel mix of superior options and high-quality video seize. On this evaluation, I’ll clarify the aim of those gimbals, stroll you thru the set up course of, and share my expertise utilizing them, together with sensible insights that can assist you get probably the most out of this setup.
Learn to arrange the Walksnail Avatar system right here: https://oscarliang.com/setup-avatar-fpv-system/
The place to Purchase
You should purchase the CaddxFPV Gimbals from:
These gimbals are available three variations: GM1 (single-axis), GM2 (dual-axis), and GM3 (three-axis). Every mannequin affords various levels of motion freedom, with the GM3 being probably the most superior and versatile, but it surely has 3 motors, so it’s additionally the heaviest.
What’s within the Field:
- GM3 Gimbal
- Person Handbook
- Two cables: One with 4 wires and one other with 8 wires
Why Use Caddx’s Gimbals and Headtracking?
Headtracking, mixed with a digital camera gimbal in your plane, provides you exact management over the place your digital camera factors, enhancing the immersive FPV expertise. Whereas DIY digital camera gimbal setups with servos have been utilized in FPV earlier than, they usually include technical challenges and jittery motion as a consequence of low-resolution servos.
Enters the Caddx Gimbals, a extra polished {and professional} product made by Caddx. These gimbals are designed to work seamlessly with Walksnail Avatar HD goggles, permitting head monitoring with minimal effort. The gimbal contains a built-in MIPI cable, that means all it is advisable to do is join your Walksnail digital camera and VTX to the gimbal.
With the Walksnail Goggles L head tracker, the gimbal follows your head actions, simulating a cockpit view for a extremely immersive FPV expertise. These gimbals use brushless motors for easy and exact motion, eliminating the necessity for complicated wiring and making the setup easy.
Moreover, these gimbals could be managed through PWM indicators from third-party {hardware} like your radio or flight controller, making them versatile for various setups.
Past head monitoring, the gimbals additionally assist scale back digital camera shake throughout flight, delivering clearer and smoother footage, even in unstable environments. The soft-mounted design utilizing rubber grommets additional reduces vibrations, bettering video high quality.
When To not Use Gimbals
Digicam gimbals are glorious for floor automobiles, planes, or drones with autonomous mission functionality, however they might not be appropriate for each kind of flying.
For freestyle FPV drones, utilizing a gimbal can intervene along with your means to evaluate the drone’s angle, making it complicated and tough to regulate. Moreover, for long-range flights, gimbals may not be best when you’re utilizing directional antennas in your goggles. Shifting your head would misalign the antenna, probably inflicting sign loss. Hopefully this could possibly be mitigated through the use of a floor station with the Walksnail VRX on a tripod, however I’m not positive if the VRX could be made suitable sooner or later.
Compatibility
Sadly, the 6-axis head tracker within the Walksnail Goggles X isn’t suitable with Caddx Digicam Gimbals. A 9-axis head tracker, just like the one in Goggles L, is required. Nevertheless, Caddx has introduced plans to launch a brand new head tracker board for Goggles X, which ought to resolve this concern. I’ll get one and present you guys the right way to exchange it within the Goggles X when it’s accessible.
The GM1, GM2, and GM3 gimbals are suitable with most Walksnail VTX fashions, however there are exceptions. For example, these gimbals can’t be used with the V1 VTX, Mini 1S, Nano V3, or the GT VTX. Nevertheless they’re suitable with the V2 VTX, V2 VTX Twin, and Moonlight VTX.
Specs
GM1:
- Digicam Compatibility: 19mm FPV Digicam
- Picture Stabilization: ±0.005°
- Max Controllable Velocity: ±1500°/s
- Max Managed Rotational Vary: Pitch ±120°
- Dimension: 32.2×38.1×20.5mm
- Weight: 16g
- Management Mode: PWM / UART
- Head Monitoring Management: Supported
- Voltage: 7~26V
- Static Energy Dissipation: 1.0W
GM2:
- Digicam Compatibility: 19mm FPV Digicam
- Picture Stabilization: ±0.005°
- Max Controllable Velocity: ±1500°/s
- Max Managed Rotational Vary: Pitch ±120°, Roll ±60°
- Dimension: 46.7×46.5×26.2mm
- Weight: 30g
- Management Mode: PWM / UART
- Head Monitoring Management: Supported
- Voltage: 7~26V
- Static Energy Dissipation: 1.2W
GM3:
- Digicam Compatibility: 19mm FPV Digicam
- Picture Stabilization: ±0.005°
- Max Controllable Velocity: ±1500°/s
- Max Managed Rotational Vary: Pitch ±120°, Roll ±60°, Yaw ±160°
- Dimension: 50×46.5x53mm
- Weight: 46g
- Management Mode: PWM / UART
- Head Monitoring Management: Supported
- Voltage: 7~26V
- Static Energy Dissipation: 1.5W
Learn how to Setup Caddx Gimbals
The GM3 gimbal could be managed in two methods:
- Utilizing UART: When you plan to make use of the Walksnail Goggles’ head monitoring function, UART is the way in which to go. Join the 4-wire cable (black, white, crimson, and grey wires) to the gimbal for this setup.
- Utilizing PWM: If you wish to management the gimbal by third get together {hardware}, like a swap in your radio, you should use PWM indicators. For this, use the 8-wire cable on the gimbal.
Notice: UART and PWM can’t be used concurrently.
Firmware Replace
Earlier than establishing the gimbal, make sure that your suitable Walksnail VTX and Goggles have firmware model 38.43.4 or newer.
Set up Course of
- Put together the Digicam: Begin by eradicating the 4 screws on the again of the digital camera and gently detach the coaxial cable utilizing tweezers or your fingernail.
- Connect the Gimbal: Join the GM3 gimbal’s coaxial cable to the digital camera, making certain it’s safe. Mount the digital camera onto the gimbal and screw it in, being cautious to not pinch or bend the coaxial cable.
- Join the VTX: Take away the quilt plate on the VTX unit, exchange the unique coaxial cable with the gimbal’s cable.
- Wire the Setup:
- For head monitoring, use the 4-wire cable (black, white, crimson, and grey wires) between the gimbal and the VTX.
- For PWM management, use the 8-wire cable.
Powering On
- Energy on each the GM3 gimbal and the Walksnail VTX concurrently.
- Flip in your Walksnail Goggles L.
- Within the Goggles L settings, allow head monitoring and set the mode to “PTZ” (Pan-Tilt-Zoom).
- The gimbal ought to now comply with the actions of your head. If the gimbal is off-center, press the again button on the goggles thrice to recalibrate. Additionally you may simply re-center the gimbal by urgent the again button on the goggles thrice—useful for correcting orientation mid-flight.
Gimbal Firmware Replace
The gimbal itself runs by itself firmware, which you would possibly wish to replace commonly. Nevertheless, the gimbals don’t include the required cable and FTDI adapter (USB to serial adapter) for updating the firmware, which i discover somewhat inconvenient.
Obtain Firmware Replace Program
To maintain your gimbal performing optimally, it’s vital to replace its firmware. Nevertheless, Caddx doesn’t present the required cable and FTDI adapter (USB to serial adapter), so you will have to amass one.
- Obtain Firmware: Use the improve cable to attach the improve port, join the opposite finish to the PC, and go to https://caddxfpv.com/pages/download-center/ to obtain the Gimbal Config.exe software program.
- Extract the Information: As soon as downloaded, extract the information to your most popular vacation spot folder in your pc. Contained in the extracted folder, you’ll discover subfolders and information, together with a “gimbal config” folder.
Join the Gimbal to the Programming Gadget
You will have a USB TTL (or FTDI) adapter to interface your pc with the gimbal. Right here’s the way you do it:
- Wiring the Connections:
- GND: Join the bottom pin from the gimbal to the bottom on the USB TTL module.
- TX: Join the transmit pin (TX) from the gimbal to the obtain pin (RX) on the USB TTL module.
- RX: Join the obtain pin (RX) from the gimbal to the transmit pin (TX) on the USB TTL module.
- Present Exterior Energy: The gimbal wants exterior energy in the course of the replace course of.
Updating the Firmware
- Begin the Firmware Replace Course of:
- Plug the USB TTL module into your pc’s USB port.
- Restart the
gimbal_config.exesoftware program to make sure it detects the proper COM port. - Click on on the “Open Port” button. You must see real-time sensor information from the gimbal, confirming that it’s correctly linked.
- Start the Firmware Improve:
- Click on on the “Open Firmware” button and navigate to the folder the place you downloaded the firmware.
- Choose the firmware file and click on “Begin Improve.”
- A progress bar will seem, indicating the standing of the improve. The replace course of is fast, taking only a few seconds to finish.
- Full the Improve:
- As soon as the replace is completed, the standing will show “Firmware improve full.”
- Disconnect the USB TTL module out of your pc and the gimbal.
Conclusion
The CaddxFPV Gimbals carry a brand new dimension to FPV flying and RC crawling, notably when used with the Walksnail Avatar HD system. Though there are some limitations, akin to the dearth of compatibility with the Walksnail Goggles X, and the necessity for added cables for firmware updates, the general efficiency and ease of use make the Caddx Gimbals a compelling possibility for FPV pilots trying so as to add head monitoring to their flights.
You should purchase the CaddxFPV Gimbals from: