3DR approves using Tower with Solo

NYG · Jul 8, 2015

Just don't crash from parameter updates..

From the Facebook Group:

SOLO IS COMPATIBLE WITH TOWER

Hi—Roger here from 3DR. We’ve heard a lot of users wondering if Tower’s advanced functionality—waypoints, flight modes, autonomy, parameters, etc.—would be accessible via Solo.

We’re happy to officially say YES: Tower is available to advanced users interested in advanced mission planning, but novice and experienced pilots alike will find the assisted flight features in the Solo app more than suitable for their needs. Solo is compatible with Tower due to the fact that it runs on the same autopilot system (the Pixhawk 2 and APM) as many other 3DR legacy products.

We don’t recommend beginners use Tower, Mission Planner or APM Planner with Solo. Instead, these users should use the Solo app. But due to the fact that Solo runs APM, advanced users can use any of the MAVLink-based desktop ground station programs (Mission Planner on Windows, APM Planner on Mac OSX) to do more sophisticated mission planning, including autonomous missions. Please be aware that these apps are designed for expert users who want to explore some of the more advanced and experimental applications of our platform.

Remember: Always fly safely within your skill level. Only advanced users should adjust parameters using Tower. Adjusting parameters and attempting experimental flight techniques may change vehicle stabilization and result in a crash – read these suggestions before flying with Tower:http://3drobotics.com/kb/tower-best-practices/. Any crash or damage caused by user-adjusted parameters will be considered user error and may not be covered by Solo’s warranty.

We hope this clears any confusion about Tower’s compatibility with Solo. Thanks, and happy flying!

rrmccabe · Jul 8, 2015

Cool !

Jubalr · Jul 8, 2015

rrmccabe said:
Cool !

Yep.. Glad they put it in writing! But like we thought, no warranty void unless your parameter change is something that causes the crash..

locutus · Jul 8, 2015

i0s compatible yet? Where can I download this?

Rich · Jul 8, 2015

I saw the same posts at DIYDrones... glad they say it's ok.

But they clarified, if a change in parameters caused a crash, it's pilot error and not their fault, so no crash warranty.

Lonewulph · Jul 8, 2015

Good news, just need ios

erikgraham · Jul 8, 2015

This is pretty great news. I'm surprised the free replacement covers Tower at all. For those of you who are gonna use Tower... take 3DRs advice and be careful. Research what each parameter does before you change it. There are a few in there that are counter intuitive. Others are very sensitive. So probably best to change one thing at a time and test a lot.

Lonewulph · Jul 8, 2015

Hopefully we'll see a tutorial video 'Using Tower with Solo, tweaks and tips' soon

RyanG · Jul 8, 2015

This is pretty awesome... I will say I wish they would just put in the software or app to fly to 200' before returning home. 49 ft is just not high enough. IF it's over 98' it is supposed to stay at however high it is and return, but if it's 97 it will fly to 49' and then come home. I think that has a potential for disaster.

Ryan G

Jubalr · Jul 8, 2015

RyanG said:
This is pretty awesome... I will say I wish they would just put in the software or app to fly to 200' before returning home. 49 ft is just not high enough. IF it's over 98' it is supposed to stay at however high it is and return, but if it's 97 it will fly to 49' and then come home. I think that has a potential for disaster.

Ryan G

You can change it in Tower. I have mine at 150'

RyanG · Jul 8, 2015

See THIS is what I mean.

Love this forum.

Thanks Jubalr.

Ryan G

Matj2ix88 · Jul 8, 2015

Is there a tutorial on tower? I would like to be able to change settings like this.

erikgraham · Jul 8, 2015

Matj2ix88 said:
Is there a tutorial on tower? I would like to be able to change settings like this.

http://3drobotics.com/kb/tower-support/

So all this 3DR stuff is ardu*copter* based. So you can find a ton of info there. For example, here is a complete list of all parameters: http://copter.ardupilot.com/wiki/configuration/arducopter-parameters/

I suggest checking out the Way Point Nav parameters as a good place to dive in. Just search that page for "WPNAV_". Then later just search for "WP_YAW" because that can be useful. Also, I think the geofence parameters start with "FENCE_".

Not all parameters apply to all quadcopters. Different number of sensors, etc.

Also, when you are using Tower, make sure you enable the drone share account. It auto logs your flights to the cloud, and you can even go back and do a 3D fly through of your missions in a Google Earth type viewer.

Other links:
http://copter.ardupilot.com
http://www.droneshare.com