AutoQuad Forum

Ok what osd can we use best maybe arrdupilot minim osd?

I've been trying a MinimOSD, mainly because I have one and it understands MAVlink 1.0
So far the pitch/roll bars, VBatt and GPS data seems to work OK. Heading needs some thought and coding - the direction the camera is pointing or the direction the copter is moving towards? I would also like for it to display the current flight mode.
I have not tried to parallel connect with telemetry radio yet.

which one to buy

http://www.goodluckbuy.com/index.php?ta ... q=minimosd

Wow, that's cheap. They even copied the diagrams from DIY Drones

Yep - and the cheaper one should work - though I didn't try so far.
You should also be able to connect it in parallel to the ground station.

I have both the glb and 3dr versions and the work identically in every way. Also, nothing wrong with copying stuff from DIYDrones. All the stuff there is open source and maintained by volunteers. Despite the somewhat dubious relationship between the Ardupilot Dev team, DIYDrones, 3dr, and Chris Andersen(who owns DIYDrones website, is a partner in 3dr, and controls the Ardupilot Dev team) all the stuff on the DIYDrones google code sites is open source. I myself have contributed there and it's odd that 3dr must sign off on anything you do there but the license says its open and free for the taking as long as you conform to the license.

Ron

The bottom one is the same one 3DR sells for $70 the top one (CAPM) appears to be a redesigned version of the original. It also says something about color but as far as I know the chip they are using only is capable of b/w. I'll have to order the CAPM unit and check it out - looks interesting. Anyway, the $24 one is identical to 3DR's.

Ron

Word of warning, GLB MinimOSD clone has linear power regulator that overheats easily. OSDs that are made by jDrones and DIYD both have switching DC/DC regulator that does not overheat.

Yes they copied diagrams and also they copied typing errors on silk. Note it's v0.1

But about software, me and Sandro (creators of that OSD and it's software) are working more on it's software. Later there will be better support for AutoQuad MAVLink. As every flight controller have a bit of their own MAVLink implementations so not all messages are passed properly.

GLB and others are good on copying but really bad on support and design/development. When getting parts from original sources, whole community benefits on it as you are supporting hard development processes.

jD MiniOSD can be found from here http://store.jdrones.com/jD_MiniOSD_p/jdminiosd10.htm

Best of all, when ordering use discount coupon: AQOSD10

And you will get -10% discount for jD-MiniOSD. This way we can get enough OSDs for AutoQuad users and feedback for software development will be a lot better.

-jani

Jani,
I subscribe to your philosphy and try to support original designers but Diydrones/3dr leverages code and designs from a lot of places and the money doesn't necessarily flow back to those devs - aeroquad, ardupirates, etc. As well I've bought thousands of dollars of stuff from DIYDrone/3dr and have also contributed code and wrote documentation for them so I think I've payed my dues to them. .

On the OSD I've got three of the 3DR and two of the glb with no problems. Unless you are part of the DIYDrones/3dr team any reasonable person would agree that $60 for a board that should probably be $30-40 at most is a bit much. 3dr is rakin in the bucks (witness their big manufacturing expansion and hiring) therefore why shouldn't they be subject to competition just like anyone else. Just sayin!

Anyway, most cases Id full agree with you but not this one. 3dr is a commercial entity leveraging the open source community and doing VERY well with high prices. I don't have much sympathy for them. On the other hand, I wouldn't buy a autoquad or Aeroquad clone for instance. In any case, let's not waste effort debating this and move on. I fundamentally agree with you.

All the best
Ron