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Table of Contents
Related Manuals for 3DR X8+
Summary of Contents for 3DR X8+
- Page 1 IMPORTANT Read before flying! Operation Manual...
- Page 2 Thank you for purchasing an X8 The X8 is a powerful octocopter platform for aerial video. Review this manual in its entirety before your first flight. Additional instructions can be found in the X8 information portal at 3DR.com/X8/info. Happy flying!
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
Contents Parts Flight Procedures Takeoff Setup Landing Assembly Monitoring Ground Station Missions Power Management Planning Charging Saving Safety Initiating Controller Battery Ending Powering the X8 Connecting to a Ground Station Appendix Troubleshooting Flight Basics Maintenance Safety Specs Operating Limits Resources Controls Modes Return to Launch... -
Page 4: Parts
Parts RC Controller Propellers Battery Kit Ground Station Radio Tool Kit Flight Checklist R e t u r n t o L a u n c h R e t u r n t o L a u n c h F u l l A u t o n o m y F u l l A u t o n o m y Flight Checklist... - Page 5 GPS mast Pixhawk autopilot Front arms (blue) Rear arms (black) Antenna Safety button Status LED Micro-USB port (not pictured, side of Pixhawk)
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Page 6: Setup
Setup: Assembly The X8 arrives in travel configuration. Complete these steps to prepare the X8 for flight. 1 Unfold Arms Remove the bolts and thumbnuts near the two folded black arms (1). Unfold the black arms, re-insert the bolts, and secure with the thumbnuts (2). X8 Assembly: Unfold Arms... - Page 7 2 Unfold Legs 3 Attach Propellers Remove the bolts and nuts to the inside of the folded legs (1), The X8 uses SF and SFP propellers. Labels are found on the individual unfold the legs, re-insert the bolts, and secure with the nuts (2). propeller packages and on the propellers themselves.
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Page 8: Ground Station
In the field, a ground station helps you monitor the X8 during flight, plan missions, and trouble- shoot issues. We recommend using a ground station at all times with the X8. To set up a ground station, choose a platform below and visit 3DR.com/download_software to install the application. -
Page 9: Power Management
Power Management The X8 is powered by a rechargeable lithium polymer (LiPo) battery. When fully charged, the battery provides up to 15 minutes of flight time depending on payload, environmental conditions, and flying style. Flying with a gimbal, GoPro, and FPV system can reduce flight time by up to 5 minutes. -
Page 10: Charging
Charging Safety Charge the battery before your first flight! Connect the charger to the power adapter cable Set the charger to LiPo and 3A. and plug the adapter cable into a wall outlet. Flying with a low battery is a safety Connect the red cable to the + port and the black risk and can render the battery cable to the - port. -
Page 11: Controller Battery
Controller Battery The controller is powered by 8 AA batteries (included). The controller’s flight data display allows you to monitor the voltage of the controller. When fully charged, the controller displays 12 V; when completely out of charge, the controller displays 9 V. Replace the batteries when the Press and hold the DN controller displays 9.1 V. -
Page 12: Powering The X8
F u l l A u t o n o m y F u l l A u t o n o m y F u l l A u t o n o m y Powering the X8 Follow these steps to power the X8. Turn on the controller. -
Page 13: Connecting To A Ground Station
Connecting to a Ground Station To connect the X8 to a ground station, connect the ground station radio to your laptop or tablet and power the X8. Laptop (Mission Planner/APM Planner) Connect the ground station radio to your Select AUTO and 57600, then select CONNECT. laptop using the USB adapter. -
Page 14: Flight Basics
visual line 400 ft of sight (120 m) Flight Basics: Safety To ensure safe and successful flying, always fly in accordance Always fly at least 100 feet (30 m) with your location regulations and these best operating practices. away from people, vehicles, and visual line 400 ft buildings. -
Page 15: Operating Limits
Operating Limits Always fly within the X8’s operating limits. X8+ Operating Limits Maximum altitude* 100 m (328 ft) Range* 300 m (984 ft) from launch point GPS lock GPS lock required at all times Maximum estimated flight time 15 min Payload capacity 800 g (1.7 lbs) *While geofence enabled (default) -
Page 16: Controls
Controls left stick: right stick: throttle pitch & yaw & roll Maneuver the X8 in flight using the Left Stick Left Stick controller’s two joysticks. Left Stick Throttle Move the left stick vertically to control altitude. left stick To take off and to Left Stick gain altitude, push the throttle stick slightly... - Page 17 ver + Land ver + Land wer just slightly wer just slightly hover Left Move the left stick horizontally to rotate the X8 and change orientation. Left Stick Left Stick hover Left For a slow rotation, move the stick slightly away from the center in either direction.
- Page 18 Pitch and Roll The right stick allows you to control the X8’s position in the air. Move the right stick to tell the X8 to move in that direction: forward (toward the blue arms), back (toward the black arms), left (toward the left arms), or right (towards the right arms). How far you move the stick from the center before releasing it tells the X8 how fast to move.
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Page 19: Modes
Modes mode switch F u l l A u t o n o m y The X8 includes three flight modes: manual flight (STD-altitude hold), hover mode (LTR-loiter), and mission flight (AUTO). Use the switch on the right side of the controller to select a flight mode. R e t u r n t o L a u n c h L o i t e r Standard (altitude hold mode) - Page 20 Connect a Tarot Gimbal (sold separately), and use the TILT knob to control the Stabalize Return to Launch angle of the camera in flight. Visit 3DR.com/X8/info for instructions. Land Altitude Hold CH 7 land at the current position Set the CH 7 switch to ON to end your flight and land at the current position.
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Page 21: Return To Launch
Return to Launch Altitude Hold land at the launch point Set the RTL switch to ON to end your flight and return the X8 to the launch point automatically. Once you activate RTL, set the throttle stick fully down, and the X8 automatically disarms after landing. -
Page 22: Failsafes
Failsafes The X8 is programmed with a set of failsafe behaviors to prevent a crash in the event of a loss of one of the data or communication channels required for flight. Although certain failsafes have assigned LED indicators and tones, it is unlikely that you will be able to see these at a distance. - Page 23 Always be prepared to regain manual control at any time while flying and choose an unobstructed flying area to improve GPS signal strength. When flying a mission, we recommended changing the GPS failsafe behavior to land. (Visit 3DR.com/X8/info for more information about configuring the GPS failsafe.) manual...
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Page 24: Status Indicators
The Pixhawk LED indicates the status of the X8. During flight, the LED won’t be visible; instead, use a ground station to view the status of the X8. Visit 3DR.com/X8/info to listen to Pixhawk’s status tones. Status LED X8 Status LED... - Page 25 Safety Button The safety button indicates the status of the motors to allow you to arm and disarm the X8 safely. Safety button X8 Safety Button Motors inactive, safe to handle Motors active, deactivate before handling...
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Page 26: Flight Procedures
Flight Procedures: Takeoff Follow these steps to take off. Checklist » Propellers are attached tightly to the motors in the correct order and the GPS mast is oriented vertically. » The X8 is powered with the battery secured to the underside of the vehicle. - Page 27 After completing the checklist, you’re ready to fly! Arming and disarming are important steps that must be completed before takeoff and after landing. Use the safety button and the controller to arm the X8. Press and hold the safety button until it displays solid red.
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Page 28: Landing
Landing If you end your flight using the Ch 7 land command or RTL, the X8 disarms automatically; wait for the motors to stop, and proceed to powering off. Attempting to disarm the X8 in either land mode or RTL mode can cause the cause the copter to flip. -
Page 29: Monitoring
Monitoring Monitor the X8 in flight using the controller’s flight data screens. Press and hold the DN button to access the flight data screens. Press DN again to toggle between screens. Controller GPS status connection strength current flight mode GPS signal strength in # of satellites altitude in meters speed in m/s flight battery level (14-16.8 V) -
Page 30: Missions
Remember the X8 cannot avoid obstacles during a mission; it completes the autonomous missions, we recommend re-configuring the failsafe settings mission as planned. Select altitudes that avoid any obstacles, such as trees, for your flying location. For instructions, visit 3DR.com/X8/info. and comply with the safety information in this manual. Speed... -
Page 31: Planning
Planning To plan a mission, power the X8 and connect to your ground station. Ground station applications require an Internet connection to access maps. Tablet (DroidPlanner) Laptop (Mission Planner, APM Planner) Select the DroidPlanner icon, select Editor. Tap to add Select Flight Plan, and click to add waypoints. -
Page 32: Saving
Saving After planning the mission, save the mission to the X8. The Pixhawk autopilot can store one mission at a time. When you initiate the mission, the X8 starts the mission stored to the autopilot at the time. Tablet (DroidPlanner) Laptop (Mission Planner, APM Planner) Select the option menu in the top-right corner, and On the Flight Plan screen, select Write WPs to save the mission to the X8. -
Page 33: Initiating
Initiating Ending Once you’ve saved the mission to the X8, follow these steps to fly the mission. End the mission according to the type of landing configured in the mission. Left Stick 1 Perform a pre-mission test flight. 3 Switch to auto mode. Automatic Landing Follow the standard takeoff procedure, and fly a For automatic takeoff, arm the X8 in standard... -
Page 34: Appendix
Wait for improved GPS signal or move to a more open area (most common failure) Video tutorials for performing calibrations are available at 3DR.com/X8/info. Maintenance Replacement parts for the X8 are available for purchase at store.3DR.com. Instructions for replacing the wiring, plates, motors, and legs of the X8 are available at 3DR.com/X8/info. -
Page 35: Specs
803 g Autopilot Hardware: Pixhawk v2.4.5 Autopilot Firmware: ArduCopter 3.2 GPS: 3DR u-blox GPS with Compass (LEA-6H module, 5 Hz update) Ground Station Radio: 3DR Radio v2 (915 MHz or 433 MHz) Motors: SunnySky V2216-12 KV800 II Frame Type: Propellers: APC Propeller 11x4.7 SF (4) -
Page 36: Resources
Thank you for being a responsible drone operator. For more information about the X8, visit the pages below. Online information portal: 3DR.com/X8/info Terms and Conditions: 3DR.com/terms Contact 3DR Support at help@3DR.com Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm PST. Happy flying! 3D Robotics 1608 4th Street, Suite 410 Berkeley, CA 94710 3DR.com...