HEQ Swan K1 Pro VTOL Wing - full range and endurance testing!!

[@ArxangelRC]

Pre-order for HEQ Voyager 4k gimbal and 1080p video link: swan-voyager-vtol-drone-plane.kckb.st/3c96dd70

[@AerialWaviator]

Great aerial coverage. Have not seen much of the Swan VTOL from air-to-air perspective. Looking very steady (3:00) doing nice turn and holding course very well, however at 4:20 it seems to be zigzag some. It's not clear if this the Swan VTOL, or camera drone? Wondering if the poor propeller balance (6:28) is impacting motor efficiency? Also are you able to control cruise speed. Wondering if default speed is for maximum "range" (which would be faster) than maximum "endurance" (time). If there isn't a way to select, this may be a good feedback item for the manufacture to provide an option for pilots to switch between "range" and "endurance" flight modes.

[@ArxangelRC]

At 4:20 that was actually a combination of my GF trying to get the plane into proper track and me trying to keep it in the centre of the frame and systematically overshooting due to too sensitive controls on the Air 2! I would assume balanced propellers would help a bit with efficiency! As for the speed, it is around 40km/h and you can't slow down much more than this!

[@yaroslavsadovy5719]

​ @ArxangelRC As I know H12 range depends on Camera quality settings. 5 km it's for good quality full HD. Second level is 10-15 km. And there is very low quality that should bring up to 30 (according to ad* )

[@ArxangelRC]

Well HEQ have told me that those cannot be adjusted by their app, so it is fixed at some setting. Even though there are controls to change the settings in the app, they said those don't work! So it would seem it may have been modded in this case!

[@georgesinadinov8667]

So far the most interesting UAV. Tinkering it seems worthwhile.

[@ArxangelRC]

Yes! I think if I manage to balance the props somehow it will make a world of difference for the vibrations!

[@beefybeef1326]

Oh yeeeeahh!... just what ive been waiting for 😆 This is very impressive! 11km +.... but there are some issues that they need to iron out

[@ArxangelRC]

Yeah, there are! We will see how the Voyager is going to perform!

[@beefybeef1326]

@@ArxangelRC look forward to seeing the voyager. Also... thanks for the awesome review and content

[@ArxangelRC]

@@beefybeef1326 Thank you!

[@ptaylor5014]

Great video as always, my fixed wings are grounded at the moment while i play with my new DJI Mini 2 😁

[@ArxangelRC]

Haha, how much playing would the Mini 2 require? I usually get bored with DJI copters within two flights, hence why I use them not for recreation pretty much 99% of the time! :)

[@ptaylor5014]

@@ArxangelRC Well as i got the mini 2 very cheap and can't afford other FPV gear, i have been doing lots of flights with the mini 2, in the 2 weeks i have had it done nearly 9 hours of flight time and over 30 kilometres, haven't got board yet lol, only downside is it is limited to max 500m height from any point, i have a hill near me that is 226m above sea level so i flew 726m from that point, i want to go much higher 😁😁

[@ArxangelRC]

@@ptaylor5014 I see! Have you looked into those paid apps that sort of "hack" the copter to remove the limits?

[@PaunFD]

Pin the plane to the ground ... and with zip-ties try to balance motor + prop ensemble ... If there is any way of spinning each motor without any other, it would be better. I'm thinking something like "motor test" function on arducopter ...

[@ArxangelRC]

Hmmmm, well perhaps that could work, one motor/prop group at a time. Sadly I was not able to connect to Android Mission Planner as it crashes, have no experience with QGC, but if I have one module disconnected only 2 motors will spin at a time, so I guess thats better! But then I will have to make sure I tighten the props to the exact same spot every time... hence why it would be better to balance the props on their own as the motors feel pretty good! :)

[@FreeDroneGR]

Since you have the Voyager in your hands, can you tell me what type of GPS it uses (Brand, model)? This one locks GPS satellites much faster than the Swan K1 Pro and I was thinking of changing the GPS on my Swan K1 Pro. Thank you very much in advance.

[@ArxangelRC]

Sorry for the delay, I will have to open it up to check that! HEQ claim it is the same unit... but for some reason it works better here...

[@carmatic]

they make prop balancing tools, like jigs and rigs, for you to test the props on , and you could then shave off the heavier side as needed... ideally you would sand along the length of the blade but its more known amongst 'serious' RC hobbyists who seek to maximize every aspect and performance, rather than 'consumers' for which modern drones seem to be catered for and it would make a difference in efficiency and thus endurance

[@ArxangelRC]

I know, I have a few of those balancers INCLUDING one specifically designed for phantom-style, self-tightening props, but these are just too heavy and the magnets can't hold them! Perhaps I may need stronger magnets...

[@carmatic]

@@ArxangelRC they make balancing rods which you screw the prop onto, then after you have done that you put the rod on something which it can roll freely... An example I found on KZbin was putting the rod on the rim of an aluminum drink can

[@ArxangelRC]

@@carmatic I have a similar DuBro balancer, but it doesn't have a threaded end for these props, will have to see where I can find those.

[@pascalfust1035]

Nice intro... Who was wearing that shirt? Oh, and thanks for the follow-up video with more information on the flight performance 🙂

[@ArxangelRC]

Well... my girlfriend was! 🙂

[@ddegn]

Thanks for adding Buy Me a Coffee as an option to say thanks.

[@ArxangelRC]

You are welcome mate! And a BIG thanks for the coffees! 🙂

[@Wastelessplague]

could also test different props other than the phantom 3 ones

[@ArxangelRC]

Problem is... there aren't many self tightening props around, will need to look, but apparently prop stiffness may play a role here, and it doesn't like them softer than his!

[@quadrigaemmeline4269]

is it dji hd camera and transmitter inside ?

[@ArxangelRC]

Mine is not, but they have this option on their website, you can order it with the DJI system instead, or you can swap out the stock system if you already have the DJI system!

[@HEQUAV]

Hi bro, it can still fly more than 10 mins when 29% energy left.

[@ArxangelRC]

Right... will there be enough battery left to land then, and not fall out of the sky? Because at 30% when it transitions to hover voltage under load goes down to 14v, which is 3.5v per cell, which is voltage that you need to be landing at! I am affraid that if it goes much lower than this under load it may lose power during the descend and fall down!

[@z506fpv5]

Love the black label joke

[@ArxangelRC]

Haha, glad you do! 😝

[@BrainDeadEngineering]

where did this flight take place?

[@ArxangelRC]

Not in the US. Chill! 😝

[@BrainDeadEngineering]

@@ArxangelRC Thanks..i know I quit smoking crack years ago but I thought SELF DANG! Texas sure looks different today !

[@ArxangelRC]

@@BrainDeadEngineering Hahahahahaha, quite far from there! :)

[@robinvanlooy294]

I think Hungary or Bulgaria

[@ArxangelRC]

@@robinvanlooy294 Bulgaria! :)

[@MrSiciro]

How the hell do you not know how to balance props?

[@ArxangelRC]

Please, by all means, educate me!

[@michaelstephens625]

OMG 209 Girlfriend problems ... great video

[@ArxangelRC]

@@michaelstephens625 Not sure I understand the bit about the girlfriend problems, but thanks! :P

[@ArxangelRC]

OK, watched the video again to remind myself, and yeah... now I get the 'problems'! :P Haha

[@julianhumphrey4843]

good video Nikola, but not a plane for me

[@ArxangelRC]

Fair enough! But in terms of simplicity... this actually does seem like the perfect plane for you that would also solve your FPV doubts! :)

[@Rcschim]

The concept is nice, but i would hate jello on my flight cam. Range is plenty but Video sucks compared to DJI vid. I need good video while flying or else I wouldn't enjoy the flight. Appreciate the honest review, greets Mario

[@ArxangelRC]

Well, the jello can be fixed with balanced props. With the DJI props there was no jello! Also, you can order it with a DJI system actually, or if you already have it you can swap out the Skydroid camera for thr DJI module and use your goggles, it is compatible! :)

[@Rcschim]

@@ArxangelRC ok, that's nice then. if with DJI - do you still have some OSD (like battery, distance?) I guess it would use some own flightcontroller and no inav.... anyhows, thanks for your review - especially the mavic shots looked cool!

[@ArxangelRC]

@@Rcschim Mavic shots could have been way better with a more predictable trajectory for the Swan and more practice or settings adjustments for the Mavic... or both! As for the OSD, you will not see an OSD in the goggles, but the info will still be available on the radio in the HEQ app...

[@Guide504]

Man you are funny!

[@ArxangelRC]

Yeah... it has been a problem all my life... sucks! :P

[@typxxilps]

I had seen an early offer back in 2020 I guess when Andrew Newton had gotten one of these and was struggling. Back then they had far, far better offers about half the price or so. Still not what I would wanna get, too bulky, too poor quality and too many issues among the reviewers and far too poor endurance. I would even build one on my own like Tom Stanton did this week on his channel with his version 5 in 9 years . He tilts the motors and that looks nicer and more reliable and affordable than the SWAN. VTOL yes, but only with serious plane or glider capabilities. Till then I can wait. But great overall review and test flights.

[@ArxangelRC]

Thanks mate! I think back in 2020 it was not the Pro yet...! Not sure... but I think there may be a difference between the two! As for swinging mechanisms, personally I prefer fixed stuff that doesn't require added complexity and mechanics, does feel more reliable to me! But that's just me! :)

[@WX4CB]

one thing i noticed that you're still launching at 90 percent battery - 14.6 volts - im assuming it's a 4s pack... also not to mention that framerate is REALLY BAD

[@ArxangelRC]

90% battery is not 14.6v! 14.6v is where it generally shows 29-30% battery! These LiPos are High voltage, so they charge to 17.4v. Frame rate does leave something to be desired indeed, but still, not bad for an all in one package!

[@szczery_fpv]

Nice plane bro :) the video is terrible

[@ArxangelRC]

Haha, yeah, it leaves a bit to be desired! :)

[@matejbludsky8410]

This plane is just such a bad design .. completely useless and that price tag lol

[@ArxangelRC]

Well, I wouldn't call it useless, and I do like the design and the simplicity of it!

[@LaBamba690]

I bought the Swan K1 Pro about a year ago and it's been nothing but trouble. It's certainly not worth the exorbitant price HEQ charges for it. If the hardware and software was well designed, it would be worth it but I think it's mostly junk after flying it. HEQ is definitely lying about the 1 hour flight time. Even with the "black label" batteries, you'll be lucky to get 30 minutes even with the emergency landing voltage set to the minimum. Maybe I need to spend more time re-balancing their crap props again. Geez, they charge more than enough for them so why the heck can't they do right by their customers and balance them properly themselves?

[@ArxangelRC]

Indeed! It does require more work, especially on the props with the K1! Other areas need to be revisited as well!

[@jozip]

Hello mr Arxangel, i bought a matek 765 wse for a dolphin and as it being the first thing i ever welded ofcourse i destroyed the fc somehow, although not knowing why. Now i ordered the matek 405 wte or something. Any reccomendations? Can i send you this one so you can weld it for me? Or can i have a skype call so you can teach me what is what? Ill be willing to pay xd Anyways congratulations on your whole career with these aircraft. I got bored with DJI drones and tried to get something better but i underestimated the price per mistake in this hobby 🤣

[@ArxangelRC]

Hey, well, I hope I can help! Drop me a message on Facebook and we can take it from there!