AtomRC Dolphin: Update, tips and flying report

[@funkynerd_com]

Been racing quads for a while now, flying them for 8 years for photography, and just bought one of these as my first wing. Excited and yet also nervous for when I go to get it in the air. Your vids have been incredibly helpful in achieving that. Thank you!

[@Painless360]

You are welcome, thanks for the comment. Flying fixed wing FPV is wonderful and a very different vibe from quads. Best of luck!

[@jamesemery1]

looking forward to the I-nav 3 tutorial, stay safe Lee

[@SeekingTheVerdants]

Nice job packing all the gear. I absolutely love good cable management!

[@johhny303]

finally bit the bullet and flew mine today. it's my first wing, i've been flying quads and heli's for years. everything thing went great, it's going to take a bit of getting used to i think lol much thanks to you Sir for your Dolphin and INAV videos.

[@glenharto9699]

Great video! I just literally received mine today from RDQ, thanks for the Tips Lee! I truly look forward to the maiden.

[@Painless360]

This is still my No.1 plane/wing that I fly here. I hope you like it as much too... Best of luck with the maiden!

[@glenharto9699]

@Painless360 ok Lee I got it 99% ready for maiden, I purchased the RTH version stock motor instructions say 2307-1700 kv it was sent with 2306 1800 Kv. (not sure!) Anyhow For the maiden to keep it lite, they recommend 4S 1300 to 2200 mAh (Lipo) I'm going with the 1300 mAh (5mins flight time?) assuming. Or would you recommend the Li-on packs, mate?

[@Painless360]

I'd go with LIPO until you know the current the setup will pull. Better safe than sorry for that initial flight! :D

[@glenharto9699]

@@Painless360 Will do Lee, Thanks!

[@stevebarrett8544]

Great update Lee and fantastic looking model

[@mdh2006]

looks really nice..lots of room, and stable.

[@beefybeef1326]

Thanks for the info Lee. I really like the look of this wing but didnt expect it to fly as well as you described. You may have just convinced me to get it!. Look forward to the upcoming videos on inav 3.0. Take care

[@MCsCreations]

Amazing flying, Lee! 😃 That's a fantastic model indeed! Thanks for all the tips! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@michalp.4975]

Great review Lee.

[@rougeneon1997]

I already have more planes than I fly BUT this may be my next model! Nice, informative video. 💙🛫✈🛩

[@catfish828]

Hi Lee could you supply me with a link for the prop you are using. Great channel 👍

[@Painless360]

Mine came with the model... Happy flying

[@npcfpv9542]

Thanks for sharing! Love its look!

[@jamesceastep8874]

Lee: Your Dolphin seems to be an all-round winner, and these tips and update make me look forward to the infrared combat accessories. Questions: 1) How would you compare flight characteristics of the ZOHD Dart 250g, Drift, and Orbit with the AtomRC Dolphin? 2) Are you using 18650 or have you tried 21700 Li Ion battery packs? I'm wondering if my new LiitoKala 5000mah 21700 cells would have enough punch to comfortably launch and cruise for long distance with only 2S 2P packs. 3) Do you expect to change from the Matek F411 WSE flight controller to something else when you reach your final configuration? 4) Do you have specific suggestions for FPV cameras on the Dolphin, both for the make/models and desired FOV to get optimum view for orientation without too much fisheye effects? I can't wait for your next update covering everything we need to know about INAV 3.0 and infrared combat!! - Jim

[@Painless360]

1) Worlds apart those '250g' models can only handle the lightest of winds. The Orbit is a lovely wing but limited to slower flying without lots of upgrades. 2) Nope not yet. 3) Not while it is suppored by INAV.. 4) You'll see the same cameras being used again and again in the builds. I like the RunCam Racer and Eagle and Foxeer Falkor and Predator... Happy flying!

[@jamesceastep8874]

Thanks Lee. What is your preferred FPV camera Field of View in degrees?

[@Painless360]

I like about 120-140. Depends on what the model is and how I want to fly. Happy to have more for 16:9 modes (I prefer that on fixed wing)..

[@kjkareemslim]

I hear you mention something about a fpv combat where can you find that at and are you going to do a review on

[@Painless360]

I see you left a comment on one of the videos on FPV Combat on the channel after this one. Nicely done. Happy flying

[@michaelmccarroll4202]

I noticed you have the vtx antenna mounted in the bottom of your plane. Did you do any real world testing to see if you really get better video ?

[@Painless360]

Yes, lots of flying with it ;) See the Antenna Lab series..

[@michaelmccarroll4202]

@@Painless360 Thanks, I will

[@nickboul3328]

Hello. Once again a great video. Would it be possible to share a dump file of inav?

[@Painless360]

I don't for fixed wing as you need everything to be identical (radio, linkages, control geometry, versions, cabling etc.) for it to work... Happy flying

[@pilotmiami1]

thenks

[@upperechelon3456]

Great video [as usual] Lee. Question. Do you use any expo in your set up? Thanks

[@Painless360]

Yes, some is added via the INAV or I add it to the radio if not using inav.. Happy flying

[@anarpearls9785]

Which aircraft is the design of atomrc dolphin based on? Can't find anything online

[@Painless360]

Lots of models have had similar design choices... See my reviews playlist for the ones I have flown here... Happy flying

[@davidhomewood3315]

HI LEE - LOVE TO SEE POLICEMAN'S RESPONSE WHEN HE STOPS YOU - AND YOU SAY I HAVE A DOLPHIN IN THE FRONT SEAT !!! - HE HE HE

[@IanMorris-so3vr]

Hi your atom rc dolphin build looks incredible, I have just sent off for one after crashing and snapping my tbs caipirinha in two, would you consider the dolphin to be easier to fly than the caipirinha as I'm not very experienced, I did manage to fly the caipirinha a little but it just seemed to fast for me, what is the slowest speed the dolphin can be flown at, cheers, Ian.

[@Painless360]

Dolphin is a lot easier.. Best of luck!

[@IanMorris-so3vr]

Many thanks for the reply Lee, I've now also bought a nice slow cheap trainer plane to practice with first to get the hang of the controls before I try the dolphin. I've been flying racing quads for a while and am OK but fixed wing seems a lot harder to me.

[@Painless360]

I have a few videos that may help. See kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnqtZKSQabCChbM best of luck

[@IanMorris-so3vr]

Many thanks Lee I'll check them out. 👍

[@IanMorris-so3vr]

Hi Lee, the fixed wing tutorial video is great thank you, do you mind me asking you, when I configure the dolphin on inav, is it OK to use inav 6.0, I can't seem to download any older inav versions on my windows pc, I'll be using a matek h 743 wlite wing flight controller, thanks, ian

[@bigbluechopper24]

Great video as always. Would be fantastic if you could do a video detailing the finer points of gear installation in models. E.g. It looks like you have cut slits for the RX antenna to slide into for correct orientation, that is such a nice simple solution!

[@Painless360]

Thanks for the idea. I can add this to the list!

[@Painless360]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWfbY2qJrrmUmZY - preview for you! :D

[@bigbluechopper24]

@@Painless360 Fantastic, thank you so much Lee. Very helpful video. You now have a new Patreon :)

[@Painless360]

Welcome to the inner circle - you will find lots of insider details and extra benefits that only Patreons see! :D

[@dismaldunc]

Thanks for this Lee, have you tried it with autolaunch?

[@Painless360]

Yep, works a treat!

[@dismaldunc]

@@Painless360 fabbo! thanks again

[@danemartin5288]

Wonderful video

[@fpvwing]

is that an extra camera or lidar between the skids?

[@Painless360]

Not on mine. Happy flying!

[@aaronsmith3160]

I am seriously considering getting one of these and want to put FPV combat in it also :) A couple of things I want to do with it though is a head tracker which I think would work but also like the idea of having a rudder. Have you used the ruddervator or are they not worth using?

[@rickster-fpv1818]

I'm almost done with my Dolphin build. Not using a FC. I intentional bought the Foxeer toothless 2 nano, with 2.1 lense to avoid the the nose in the camera view, and to give me vbat in the camera. Don't you have a 3D printer? I printed a different nose for mine. Off of Thingiverse.

[@Painless360]

I doo but I'm happy with my setup. Best of luck with yours, I am having a lot of fun with mine. Happy flying!

[@rickster-fpv1818]

@@Painless360 So you appear to have a 2 blade prop now. what size and why did you change it?. Also , you mention Combat flying? The only combat flying I have ever done involves cutting streamers or actually trying to hit another plane. I certainly would not be trying to fly my Dolphin into other planes. And With prop in the back, it doesn't seem to be the best for cutting streamers. SO can you explain the type of Combat Flying you do? thanks

[@mysticguido1]

would 4s1p li-ion 18650 3500mah work?

[@Painless360]

If it can provide the current the model needs and is heavy enough to get the CG in the right spot.. Yes.

[@pioupiou1098]

Beautiffull and interesting ! This is a sweet bird

[@fpvwing]

Would you recommend a motor size for 6s please, got lots of 1300 from quads.

[@Painless360]

Depends on the speed and characteristics you want. See my selecting motors and props mini series for the tricks to use. Best of luck!

[@fpvjules3557]

On inav you setup this as a vtail or as elevons?

[@Painless360]

Wing. No servos in the vertical stabilisers.. best of luck

[@brezovprut4431]

Would you suggest it over AR wing pro for long range? Dolphin is beginner friendly too?

[@Painless360]

Both are lovely models to make and fly. Both can carry huge batteries and have tons of room for modern electronics. Both can carry a GoPro but the AR wing needs a lot of weight in the nose with a huge battery and/or a GoPro to get the CG right. The Dolphin can be flown with lots of batteries without CG issues..

[@jaysrcworld852]

Hi I'm setting up inav on my dolphin.. I have the f411wse in same place as yours. I've added the 8 degrees pitch level trim. Do I also need the 4 degree ofset on the flight controller?

[@Painless360]

I only add the it via the fixed wing offset as shown in the INAV 3.0 and 4.0 setup videos... Happy flying

[@jaysrcworld852]

Thanks for the reply hoping to maiden the dolphin on Tuesday when its calm weather.. I've set it up same as you like I did my dart 250 and that flights great so fingers crossed for similar experience.. thanks for all the helpful videos

[@shawncruise2030]

Great video. Been wanting one for a while. Do you notice any flight difference between the blunt and pointy nose? That blunt nose doesn’t look very aerodynamic.

[@Painless360]

There must be some effect but not enough for me to notice anything.. Happy flying

[@poporbit2432]

Painless, I'm setting up a quad with props out rotation instead of the standard props in rotation. Beta flight has a single variable that addresses this change. Is there a single variable in mission planner standard or advanced parameters that addresses this?

[@poporbit2432]

I may have found the solution to this. It looks like I need to change the frame type from X to H. Is that correct?

[@Painless360]

Probably one of the simplest ways to do it. This isn't something that is well covered in Ardupilot.

[@avsaase]

Hi Lee, how does the Dolphin compare to the AR Wing Pro? Ther are of comparable size I think. I went with the AR Pro for the long-range capabilities but I think the Dophin is a much cooler-looking wing.

[@Painless360]

It depends on the setup of motor and prop ;) Both have lots of room but the PRO has more space for stuff and huge batteries with simpler layouts.. Both are great choices for exploring and having fun.

[@avsaase]

@@Painless360 and in terms of flight stability?

[@Painless360]

If anything I would say the Dolphin is slightly better in full manual but it depends on how you have it setup and if you use an FC or stabiliser...

[@fiannn77]

thank you useful

[@julianhumphrey4843]

I would like to get this but as said BG price with shipping is to high, but would be nice with inav 3.0

[@Painless360]

Stay tuned for INAV 3.0 content ;)

[@wattage2007]

A hard landing and at least one wingtip will smash off. A few more bad landings and the thing will become unflyable. Mine flew beautifully the first half dozen flights but after a few sub-optimal landings and repairs, the plane developed horrible flight characteristics and now I've had to give up on it because it just won't launch without crashing.

[@Painless360]

Shame to hear that yours gave up. Mine has been crashed, snapped and glued a dozen times and still flies great.... Happy flying

[@86mld]

I'm running stock set up same as you and 1300mah and I only get about 5 mins if that. And that's with 40% throttle. And don't belive no where near the speed ur getting cranked up. All I did different is I used a 40a esc thay comes with the the ar pro. Maybe I need to put the stock esc back on ??

[@Painless360]

Is your prop on backwards? That sounds unusually short and slow...

[@86mld]

@@Painless360 nope not at all everything is correct

[@Miniellipse]

You mention lithium ion batteries. Are they18650s? if so, please do a real test and let us know what you think. I tried some Samsung INR18650-25R 2500mAh - 20A current capability and found them to be unreliable compared to Lipos.

[@Painless360]

18650. There are many types of cells and only a few types will work in the hobby for powering models. See my video on it.. Happy flying

[@WinstonSmith1984]

I recommend giving ExpressLRS 2.4Ghz a try.

[@Painless360]

Thanks for the idea, as a Crossfire pilot I have that part of hobby covered. Maybe for the future..

[@typxxilps]

The prices have a increased since the series began ... 3 months or so they were much cheaper but I can wait for chrismas sale when chinese dealers have to get rid of their inventory.

[@khylmcmullan4097]

Looks awesome but it's a shame about UK availability, can't justify how expensive it is even from banggood Edit: *looking at UK retailers* 🙏

[@camk2552]

seems to fly a bit fast for a beginner

[@Painless360]

It has a huge speed envelope with. It will do a gentle cruise too. This is not what I'd recommend for a beginner... Happy flying

[@DronePlayground]

👍👀🇭🇷

[@jimmynoname4089]

It was designed with a porpoise.

[@Painless360]

Boom boom! :D :D