Detrum Z3 Lite Autopilot First Look - Add GPS Based Return to Home to Any RC Plane

This is the RC Video Reviews first look at the Detrum Z3 Lite Autopilot. The Z3 is a standalone autopilot with stabilization, acro-mode, safe mode, and return to home capabilities that can be added to any RC plane with an S.BUS, CPPM, or DSM receiver.
The video is sponsored by Bitgo Hobby who provided the Z3 Autopilot for review.
UPDATE: Enable RTH by placing a 2 position switch on Channel 6.
Visit Bitgo Hobby at bitgohobby.com
The Z3 Autopilot can be found here:
www.bitgohobby...
The Z3 with 3-in-1 Programmer showm in the video is available here:
www.bitgohobby...

[@RCVideoReviews]

I received confirmation about calibrating for level pitch from Detrum engineers: Set fuselage level pitch (prop up the back for tail draggers) Switch on-off the mode switch 3 times, LED will fast flash, meaning calibration in process. Once LED turn in solid, calibration is done.

[@agsrc72]

Not working on mine .. switch on- off mode 3x

[@RCVideoReviews]

Is it armed when you try to calibrate?

[@rondidden233]

What a great Video about at wonderful Autopilot !! Thank You!

[@RCVideoReviews]

You're welcome Don! Thanks for watching :) Glad you liked it.

[@alainrac56]

thank you for your videos, I got a Detrum Z3 but can't use it with Spektrum DSMX receiver with PWM, it is said to connect dsm port or the Z3 to the DSM of the receiver, but where is exactly the dsm port on it? I only have a xbus (4 pins), SRXL2 and Bind/Prog/SRXL2 3pins port?

[@enriquech4041]

John, where do you connect the GPS unit? It is also interesting the cable you have from the battery to the auto pilot unit, how is it made?

[@RCVideoReviews]

The GPS connection is labeled on the Z3. It's the bottom corner. There is no direct cable from the battery to the Z3. The battery connects to the ESC. The ESC 3 wire connection is also a BEC lead and that powers the Z3.

[@JosueRamirezBarraza]

Will this work with an ar631 spektrum reciever

[@RCVideoReviews]

It has a DSM port but I don't use Spektrum so not sure if that's compatible. It probably is though.

[@carlitoxbro10]

Hello , nice video, I am looking for something that keeps flying your airplane around just in case of losing signal, like a RTH but will be triggered when you lose signal, I am planning to get into giant planes , will this works? Thank you

[@RCVideoReviews]

Yes it will. Most of the RTH FCs out there will return home on lost signal. So make sure in your radio to set no pulses during failsafe. You also might want to check out ZOHD Kopilot.

[@fidelgrillo4808]

Thank you for your videos. They are really absolutely clear and very well structured. I haven't found it like this yet. I have a question about the Z3. Can I also use it with twin motors? Could I use differential thrust with it? By the way, is that Benny Green on piano?

[@RCVideoReviews]

Not sure who the artist is on the piano. It's an uncredited piece from one of my editing packages. The Z3 has 6 pwm outputs so yes, it will support differential thrust, but you'll mix that in your radio.

[@fidelgrillo4808]

@@RCVideoReviews Many Thanks. Isn't it a problem if I mix the rudder to the throttle on the differential thrust? I'm afraid that the gyro will not work properly because it also controls the rudder

[@RCVideoReviews]

@@fidelgrillo4808 You can mix the differential thrust on the radio. The controller doesn't have to know about your mix. Just let the gyro deal with rudder corrections and use your mix to adjust motors with rudder movement. The Z3 doesn't need to know you're also commanding the motors.

[@sandeepdatar]

Nice video. Thanks. I have a question. Will the expo set up on the TX work in the manual and stabilized mode? I tried the kopilot flight controller and it messed up ask the settings in the manual mode and would not even remember the last saved trims

[@RCVideoReviews]

Expo is applied before signal leaves the radio. The rx and downstream elements don’t get a vote.

[@sandeepdatar]

@@RCVideoReviews thank you. That makes sense.

[@TrueBlueYou]

Nice post…Does this have a Landing Assist component to it?

[@RCVideoReviews]

No help on landing. This just returns to home and circles.

[@TrueBlueYou]

@@RCVideoReviews thx!!

[@52griz]

Need help! Tried plugging in my ESC into ch. 3 of the Z3 lite but motor just beeps. Motor is ok when plugged into the receiver. Detrum kv650 motor, Skylord 50A ESC, Jumper T18 radio, R900 receiver using S.bus.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Are you arming the Z3?

[@52griz]

@@RCVideoReviews explain. This is for an airplane don't know what you mean by "arming". I plugged a sbec into the PPM ports like your video. How do you plug the ESC in? Ch.3 ?

[@RCVideoReviews]

It flashes red until you arm it by holding the sticks in and down.

[@52griz]

@@RCVideoReviews yes I did that and it works. "Arming" is more a drone/quad term and not generally used with airplanes (all I've known) only way I can get the motor to run is to remove the red and brown wires from the ESC connector and leave the signal wire connected to ch. 3 of the Z3 Lite. But then when closing the throttle the motor continues to run slowly for 10 secs before stopping.

[@52griz]

Fixed it! Had to recalibrate the throttle while connected to the receiver by giving it full up trim in addition to full up throttle. Then plugged 3 pin ESC connector into ch.3 of the Z3 lite. And it works well. Don't need a separate BEC as I thought your video implied.

[@starfox597]

Does it work with spektrum tx

[@alliancegaming8486]

How would this go being installed on a gas rc plane being there is no bec? Plug throttle Servo in instead? Awesome vids btw, Subbed

[@RCVideoReviews]

Your Rx powers it. Source -> Rx -> Z3 -> Servos Make sure you isolate it in an IC plane. Vibrations wreak havoc on gyros.

[@RCVideoReviews]

And thanks for subbing :) Glad you like the videos.

[@alliancegaming8486]

@@RCVideoReviews How would i go about cushioning the vibrations? zip tie to some medium density foam tape perhaps?

[@micahwilliams5611]

So I can attach this to my volantex asw28 gilder?

[@RCVideoReviews]

Sure.

[@52griz]

Next question: how do you know if the Z3 Lite has acquired any satellites? There is no video out. And no confirmation that the GPS compass is working.

[@RCVideoReviews]

I don't think there is a visual indicator. I just power them up, arm, fly, and test RTH. It's always just worked.

[@52griz]

@@RCVideoReviews need a colored LED to indicate satellite connection or better yet a voice prompt stating "GPS signal acquired" and "GPS signal lost". I'm connected via s.bus. I'm not a programmer but it seems to me that would be possible.

[@52griz]

@@RCVideoReviews ok Chase Chew over at Dynam says there is an indicator. And yes I verified. With xmtr on and GPS plugged in, power up the Z3 Lite. You will see a series of colored lights starting with a solid blue-green then flashing red then flashing green then solid red. When satellite is acquired you will then see flashing blue-green followed by solid red. This works faster outdoors but works inside near a window as well. This is before you arm it. I'm about ready to drop it in a airplane.

[@52griz]

Will the return to home RTH work in any mode? Or just in auto-recovery (safe) mode? I have seperate switch assigned to ch.6 for RTH. On my OTX T18 radio it is set to -65% 1168us low (off) and 65% 1832us high (on) as per instruction sheet.

[@walterszempruch4960]

The added GPS feature is nice, but really, out of all the technology you showed, the use of the Lua script installed on the FrSky transmitter is by far the easiest and simplest to use being device free with no cables no pc hook-ups and no need for ancillary interface devices to hunt for in your shop. Think about it. Detrum only adds a GPS "Home" feature and a statement that their "Nitro" version has an algorithm that supports gas and nitro planes beyond the customary electric planes. That is a bold statement because the worry over swamping the accelerometer with vibration is real. IF (and I emphasize IF) the S8R has a good gas or nitro algorithm, Detrum may only be a strong # 2. Sorry, but that is truth.

[@RCVideoReviews]

If all you need is stabilization, the SxR series is tough to beat because they just work. Whether they work or not on Nitro is beyond me as I don't fly Nitro. Regarding GPS: That's more than a "nice" feature for some people. In plenty of use cases it's a requirement. Think of rookies who have no help training for example. RTH can save their planes. People have different needs. This product addresses a gap.

[@52griz]

What is "angle" gain? Adjusting that doesn't seem to do anything. Rate gain adjust how far the servos throw when the gyro FC is moved.

[@RCVideoReviews]

It should limit how many degrees the craft moves on a given axis.

[@52griz]

@@RCVideoReviews the default is 20 for all those settings. Is that a good starting point? If not what do you recommend?

[@RCVideoReviews]

@@52griz I recommend not changing things unless you know exactly why you need to change it. Default values are normally set for a reason. So unless you see a reason to change them, leave them.

[@52griz]

@@RCVideoReviews Not exactly a rank beginner at this. We'll see how it goes. And adjust as required. Thanks.

[@52griz]

@@RCVideoReviews what do you mean "how many degrees the "craft" moves. I'm an old airplane guy. Am used to the v1 Orange and NX3 stabs. I've never seen more than one gain control per axis. So seeing two strikes me as strange. And in bench testing only one seems to work.

[@mohammedmostafamamun7112]

Hello sir... Can Detrum Z3 work on Radiolink AT9S Tx & Rx...?

[@RCVideoReviews]

Your receiver has to support S.BUS, CPPM, or DSM.

[@mohammedmostafamamun7112]

@@RCVideoReviews sbus

[@RCVideoReviews]

Then it will work.

[@notsuretwo]

What would i need to add return to home to this unit?

[@RCVideoReviews]

It comes with gps and software in the stabilizer to provide return to home.

[@notsuretwo]

@@RCVideoReviews I guess my real question would be, can you get return to home with a momentary (not auto balance) stabilizer. Thanks.

[@JasonPerrineTiwes1978MauBri]

DO you know the supplier I the UK.please?

[@RCVideoReviews]

I do not. But if you send me your email address, I can forward it to my contact here and he can probably help you out. john [at] rcvideoreviews {dot} com

[@aguila413]

Can I use.my spectrum receiver and transmitter?

[@RCVideoReviews]

The Z3 does support dsm input from spektrum rx.

[@aguila413]

Can you pls. Config Z3 into spectrum Dx8 tx? I bought Detrum Z3 a week ago but still not config yet.

[@RCVideoReviews]

@@aguila413 I don't have any Spektrum gear. So I have no way of doing this. Did you connect your Spektrum RX to the DSM input of the Z3? Do you have the 3in1 programming card?

[@aguila413]

@@RCVideoReviews yes sir. I have 3n1 program card.

[@myvideointube]

FY 41 AP and ONLY FY 41AP!!!! And no problems..

[@RCVideoReviews]

I've wanted to try one of those for a long time. May have to break down and give it a go. What do you love about them?

[@fpvtrucker129]

This review is great but all the programing crap you have to do with all the new auto pilots. That is why I am still flying with cyclops tornado I have been flying with that for over 10 years. But a lot of the US companies are horrible where you have to do all these down load you have to buy three thing different pieces and the on screen is sad the cyclops has ever thing in one. I am very interested in the Z3 but where do you buy it.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Check out the ZOHD Kopilot. It doesn't do OSD, but RTH and Stabilization on those are awesome.