GAUI 500X

I decided on the GAUI 500X as my first Quadcopter, it arrived today. Even though I ordered a OpenPilot Copter Control board a while back it is still unclear when that will arrive so the GAUI 500X kit I got has their GU-344 in the box. I also wanted the version with the Scorpion motors since I've had a good experience with the brand in my Beam E4 helicopter.

Here are some GAUI 500X unboxing photos:

All the components for the kit came packed inside the neat carrying case.  Everything was nicely packaged.  I am looking forward to building this kit.

Looking forward to seeing this fly, sooooo what camera and Tx have you picked out for it? Hint Hint......... ;D

Way to go Yoda, I'm envious. 

You are going to post lots of photos right?

@Pelagic Pilot - Initially I don't plan to install any FPV gear.  First I want to learn to fly it.  I will certainly want to install either my GoPro or my ContourHD camera soon after I am confident with my flying.  Then we'll see what's available FPV wise.

I am interested in trying to get flight times longer than 12 minutes, so that is a priority for me before a FPV investment.

@Bill - I intend to make photos of my build.  I waited to post until I had nearly everything, I just need a receiver now so I will start the build soon.  Looking at the manual I can't imaging the mechanics taking more than a evening or two.  The hardest part looks like it will be trying to decipher the manual in regards to the electrical hookups and ESC configuration setup.

Here are the bulk of the mechanical components.

LOL, I got me one of those "FREE" Screw Drivers w/ my GAUI ep255 and the damn thing (the Phillips Head) didn't FIT any of the screws on the heli it came with

Keep the PICS coming bud, as always I can't have enough

... and I know you said Scorpion but which, how much power are you going to put into those blades 

Also I forget what size blades that puppy spins

I have the main chassis mostly assembled and also assembled the motor mount pods. The motor mount pods are a very clever design. They cover most of the motor and also have cool clip on panels on the bottom that lend themselves to great LED lighting positions.



Somewhere on YouTube I saw a great video of what looked to me like clear panels instead of the opaque black ones that are part of the kit, but as you can see modifying the stock parts would be really easy to do. Here are a couple examples:

The motors are 960 kv units.  I don't know the Scorpion part number just the GAUI part number which is: GM412S.
The blades are 10 inch.

This is the kit I have:
Model No.:222003

http://www.gaui.com.tw/html/shopping_view.asp?sn=1364

It looks like the lights are a great help in low light situations or even overcast days.

Yes, not to mention orientation assistance.  I saw Ricks Tricopter and really liked his idea to connect a brushed motor ESC on a empty channel to use as a LED dimmer control.  His radio has a slider but I think I could do something like that with trims on my DX7se.

Motors and ESCs installed in the arms and arms fixed to the main chassis. The boom arms are quite beefy.

What are the booms made of, aluminum or fiberglass?

The booms are aluminum. The outside diameter is 19mm.

I found out that GAUI makes a light kit for the 500X part number 222180. It includes two white LEDs and two red LEDs plus the clear covers:
http://www.heliproz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G-222180

They also make a FPV platform part number 222201:
http://www.heliproz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G-222201

A raised set of landing poles are available for carrying camera or other gear under the vehicle:
Part number 210910 is the landing poles:
http://www.heliproz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G-210910
and the boom mounts to attach the landing poles to the boom arms are part number 222231:
http://www.heliproz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G-222231

Looks like a few more part may be in order.  ;D

Definitely.  I plan to get the light kit at least for the clear motor pod covers, that way I can make my own LED lights in case theirs are not as bright as I want.  There is tons of room down the booms for additional wires.
I will probable also get the FPV platform even though I don't plan to but FPV electronics for a while.  OK, I've said that before. 

Almost done. Just need to make a adapter from GAUI bullet plugs to EC3 for my batteries. I will also clean up the wiring a bit. I just didn't want to make it all nice and tidy only to have to undo it for troubleshooting any problems.

w00d - You would be proud of me. I did a test in the kitchen which is certainly not enough room for this thing. I also didn't have the battery fixed to the airframe, just attached by alligator clips, battery sitting on the floor.

Do you remember those toys that have a shaft with a twist in it and a propeller and a pusher? You basically pushed the propeller up the shaft with the pusher and the propeller took off after it got off the end of the shaft? That's what happened to me because I didn't have one of those prop holders tight enough.

The good news is nothing broken and all my settings seem to work. I can tilt the quadcopter in all axis from the transmitter and switching the gear switch on the transmitter changed the controller from "Cruise" mode to "Hover" mode.

I have not applied any of the stickers yet but this is how she looks at this point:

Wow, that was a quick build. Come on up and help me get this heli off the ground.  ;D

So... Are we going to see that fly at Redwood next Sunday?

...Tiger