It took me only six days, mostly due to waiting for parts, to get my crashed DJI Phantom back up and running.  I scavenged some parts of my new gimbal from my big bird (broken screws) and ordered a new Phantom compass which ran me $15 plus shipping.

Phantom Approaching Waterfall

I did break my 3D printed Phantom landing gear extensions and have not replaced them. I’m simply launching with the bird elevated by some batteries to give the gimbal enough clearance to move. Then I’m landing as normal. The gimbal has about 1/8″ of clearance. Yes, this may now be optimal for grassy areas or dirt, but it works for now.

I’ve been adjusting gains on the Phantom and the gimbal like mad, trying to find the sweet spot vibration wise. I think I’m getting closer, but hard to tell unless there’s a little wind.  Last night I did some evening test flights in NO wind.  None.  Flying in those conditions is great, but very uncommon.

A couple of posts ago in Bird Down I described my terrible carelessness and pilot error, resulting in the horrific crash and damage to my DJI Phantom 1.2 quadcopter.

Many have requested video of the crash and I finally dumped it from the GoPro.  Here it is.

I’m now waiting for parts.

One of the casualties of my recent crash was my set of 3D printed clip on feet for the DJI Phantom.  I needed them because my Arris CM3000 gimbal was too big and didn’t want it touching the ground.

Now that my Phantom landing gear extensions are broken I’m trying to decide how to replace them with something light, easy to carry , and easy to put on and take off.  I may have found the solution at Home Depot.  The clips you see in the photo are 37 cents each.  That brings the whole landing gear cost to $1.48.

These clips extend the height of the Phantom a little bit more than one inch, more than enough for my needs.  My only concern is if the metal in the clips with affect the compass.  I won’t know that until I get a replacement compass (another casualty from the crash).

I hope these work.  They’re quite solid, more so than the 3D printed clip-ons.