Parrot Disco: Adding Manual Mode

[@retrodudefpv]

Wow. I bought and flew this as my first fixed wing because of your previous video. Now I can progress to more advanced flight using my qx7, without buying another wing. Thank you :)

[@Painless360]

You’re very welcome. Sorry it took so long to get this video out, but the information on how to do this was really hard to find so I ended up just having to figure out the old-fashioned way. Trial and error!

[@SkyBandit45]

So if I add a micro crossfire tran to my t12 Pro ishould be able to go further.

[@maddustfpv9509]

I converted a disco recently to an regular fpv setup with inav with 4s (stock motor) and I must say this is the most efficient model I have flown in my life 85 mAh/km carrying a 6000mah Li ion battery . Easyly 90 min of flight time . Did a 25 mile total flight recently and consumed 2500 mAh.

[@beefybeef1326]

Hiya, could you please send me a link to buy the li ion battery pack?.... I want to increase my flight time! Cheers

[@lukaszwegrzyn7018]

Have you conected 4s battery straight to the CHUCK? You have not burn it?

[@Blenderrend]

@@lukaszwegrzyn7018 clearly he removed chuck and installed inav compatible FC

[@MCsCreations]

That's really nice, Lee! Great to know! 😃

[@Crottorfer]

I'm using a Jeti DS16. This morning I selected the quadcopter from the setup menu and it's working fine! :)

[@CurryKitten]

I can see a lot of potential in that model - now the price has dropped, and you can add in a "normal" TX... but I suppose the price dropped because they've been discontinued. Shame they didn't launch it at a more reasonable price to begin with.

[@alphatangofpv2512]

With a good community of developpers, this model will continue to have a life :)

[@KalterKrieger]

Parrot is neary bankrupt. They wont support the Disco anymore. I had long discusions with their german support. The software is closed software inside and they wont give out a configuration kit for the CHUCK.

[@alphatangofpv2512]

I don't have the same feedback. The company is healthy (ok, not as good as DJI), and the code is Linux open source based. Maybe no more official software update, but an active community does exist creating new stuffs like Li-ion or 4G tweaks.

[@n1vca]

I am a newbie and still a bit confused on this manual flight setup. When you say emergency - do you mean loiter? Because there is no loiter in the FreeFlight Pro app and what is Emergency supposed to be? maybe Landing? When I had a motor or servo die in flight, it goes into glide to ground mode anyway ... it stops camera stabilization but you still have some control over it. Can you manually enter that "Emergency" mode? Another issue is the elevator as described, it works the other way around. Since the app offers inversion, I thought great - easy fix, so this way you don't run it into the ground when flying freestyle and having trained that on a simulator, since I only have flown the self controlling Disco models. But even though the app shows you a perfect inversion, the plane does't - glad I figured that out before take off. Now if I invert the elevator in my TX16S, what happens when I fly via the TX but CHUCK controlled? Isn't that then again upside down? Sorry for all these questions, but I am wondering if my Disco is weird or what is going on. I am surprised it didn't happen to you or forgot to mention it. I am glad I have 2 more modified Discos, so I can see if they behave differently. And thanks for the advice on the failsafe setup with RTH - should save my life. I am using Crossfire on 868MHz, to avoid having two 2.4GHz modules operate so close to another, which is never a good idea, because it limits you range enormously. When I fly I even turn off every nearby WiFI and Bluetooth device and I am always getting at least 2km range with the HD video link when flying on the country side. For some strange reason my SkyController always thinks it is in the US - don't know why, since it has GPS :-). Thanks for any useful answer/help on that.

[@Painless360]

I've not used the manual mode after making this video. I have orher wings I have for that. See my builds. Best of luck

[@n1vca]

@@Painless360 Thanks for the quick reply - will soon also get something else, but I thought I wanted to give it a try.

[@ruisimoes3638]

Thanks. Great vid. How does chuck handle the missing sky controller gps? Does fence still work? Does RTH take the initial turn on location as home? Tia.

[@Painless360]

It's basically an ardupilot flight controller so works in a similar way. Happy flying

[@Underfluked]

Legend! Thanks mate 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Painless360]

You're welcome ;) sorry it took me so long to get it done, the documentation on this is rubbish so a bit of trial and error was needed!

[@JakeBullit123]

Great.Had mine for around a month now,but they are hard to find as Parrot have discontinued them.I have done the 4G mod,but not flown it yet.May add a Taranis setup at some point.

[@beefybeef1326]

Hi Painless, thanks for this great video. I have a dji fpv system radio, and wanted to hook it up to my disco. The dji system ( radio and air unit) has long range up to 4km, which is why I wish to use it. Do you know if the dji radio and air unit can be paired with the disco? If I wish to fly in manual mode, can I still record video using the chuck? How do I set this up on the radio so the chuck camera can be operated using my own radio ( not sky controller)?

[@Painless360]

See my video on the Disco about adding a traditional radio to it. I'd guess you can use the same process to add the DJI system? Best of luck!

[@beefybeef1326]

@@Painless360 thanks, I will. Is it this video? Or is there another video?

[@Painless360]

Google something like 'Disco Manual Mode Painless360' to find it :D (kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqjHYZRvj8egj9k)

[@beefybeef1326]

@@Painless360 many thanks. The questions I've been asking have been in the comments section for that exact video. Thanks again for your help. Hope you are keeping well, stay safe

[@jfslaats]

Does in manual RC mode return to home kick in when RC signal is lost? Thanks for the tutorial, i used an old crossfire receiver. Great stuff!

[@Painless360]

I've never tried but I'd expect so. Happy flying!

[@jfslaats]

@@Painless360 Just turn of taranis I would say! 🙈

[@beefybeef1326]

Hi Painless . Great video. Can I ask , Does the camera still work using manual mode for both fpv and recording video and pictures?

[@Painless360]

Yep. Such a shame that this product was discontinued..

[@beefybeef1326]

@@Painless360 I picked one up on ebay. Sorry to badger you again with another question, but do I need to set the camera record to a switch on my radio?

[@rsilk2969]

For the takeoff / landing switch, can we use the training switch (spring loaded)? I have a 9XR Pro radio.

[@Painless360]

I've not tried - it seems to detect the channel change so it should work.. let me know how you get on. Best of luck!

[@marcohamberg3283]

Nice video, I have a parrot disco, I follow up your video, but I can't get connection between receiver and chunk, in the flight controller app it says no joystick connected, do you have a tip, do I have to connect also my phone with the turning 9xr pro controller?

[@Painless360]

This is an older video and I don't fly mine anymore. All I figured out is in the video itself.. Best of luck

[@31Solvap]

Thank you!

[@RFChris15]

What does the emergency mode do?

[@darrenharley6150]

i have followed your video for setting up manual mode but having problems with it. i have a Taranis X9D plus. i have downloaded the setup to my tx and the freeflight pro shows the tx is connected and when i go into calibration i am able to see the switches and sticks move in the calibration screen so i guess its calibrated ok. it says i have a cppm connected. when i get the green gps light on i am able to arm the parrot motor with the tx but i am not able to move any of the control surfaces.

[@palankaizs]

Thanks for the great help. There is only one thing what I don't understand. How can I use the video link (FPV) when I use RC instead of Skycontroller?

[@Painless360]

You'll still need it to see the FPV image.. if I find that’s not the case, I’ll make a video. Thanks for the question, happy flying!

[@kenmeyers382]

You can connect to Disco with a phone or tablet to view video. But video range will be shorter without the sky controller.

[@christianblinde]

Is there a way to use it with an ELRS Modules? Would be nice since frysky seems pretty outdated. Thanks in advance.

[@Painless360]

Yes, but only using the SBUS output option. I'd look at how CH5 is used too as ELRS still needs CH5 'high' to fly...

[@manulucky85]

Does ch5 need to be F Mode or can I use another channel? The problem is with Erls. In a previous comment you said that erls need ch5 for arming.

[@Painless360]

It does. I've not played with ELRS on it. You'd need to see if you can change the mode channel... Best of luck

[@Nebul3r]

sir how will the video feed come to the phone/tab using a taranis, with the sc2 it receives the video and send it to the phone/tab via usb

[@didactylos4diddy474]

It's a good video showing an interesting alternative. What are the real benefits though?

[@maddustfpv9509]

Smooth videos

[@kenmeyers382]

More enjoyable to fly for an experienced pilot. One thing that is annoying about Disco is that you do not have full control of the throttle because Disco tries to maintain altitude at any speed. Spot landing will be much easier with this alternative.

[@scottwells7797]

Can i ask if the disco losses connection with transmitter will it go into auto Rth like it does with the skycontroller 2 and then reconnect when in range

[@rsilk2969]

Is it possible to get telemetry values on the radio using Frsky rx/tx? I am only getting RSSI with a setup which does work with other flight controllers.

[@Painless360]

I never tried. Best of luck

[@alexmh6131]

Not sure if this is really simple or really complex!? I had a nightmare coming to grips with my horizon hobby delta wing and setting up the TX. I really wish Parrot would have just included an acro mode for the Disco, i think so many people would have not bought it for the lack of this feature, wich is a shame because telemetry is the hardest thing to set up properly and with parrot they basically give you the best you can get out of the box, but then take away your flight capability at the same time. Consumers want all features out of the box with minimum to zero set up. Ok you can do it BUT i think switching between flight controllers whilst mid flight is pretty confusing and potentially dangerous

[@adibbins]

Interesting video, I'll probably try this, just one comment, would a FrSky XMR+ make sense, it's full range, weigh 2g so won't upset the CofG?

[@Painless360]

Yep, any S-Bus Rx should be perfect..

[@Nothinglefttosay]

AWESOME VIDEO... cheers..!

[@Crottorfer]

I miss an information: which model setup do I choose in the transmitter: plane (with mixers) or a quadcopter (without any mixer)?

[@Painless360]

The radio configuration needed it’s covered in quite a bit of detail in this video. How you get that on your radio will depend on the particular radio that you are using. If you’re using an Frsky radio then the model is available to download in the description. Best of luck

[@malcolmbelbin9812]

Just watched your video. My sky controller is RS. Can I set up spectrum to fly the disco with out a sky controller.

[@Painless360]

I don't see why not as long as the reciever support one of the supported single wire protocols as described in the video and you can get the channel order to match too..

[@malcolmbelbin9812]

Thanks for that. Great channel for us first timers by the way

[@constantinbarca3339]

Can anyone help me with some information? I have a Parrot Disco and I would like to know where the center of gravity is located. Thank you and I wish you great success in your activity.

[@alexlucyrep9948]

Hi m8 thanks for doing this one question when i switch to man mode all works but when i switch to auto correct and help like the parrot controller. it does not do any thing motor stops or is this because this is not in the air trying in my bedroom ....

[@Painless360]

Possibly. I’d try it outside..

[@alexlucyrep9948]

@@Painless360 you know when you put the switch to the middle mode in your room could you control any thing or dis it just not ie motor run and ele move if you rock the parrot

[@Ibabthekebab]

👋 hi! I am new to this and I naught this drone however I cannot for some reason make the motors spin when I pull the throttle on my tx??? Pls can someone help?

[@Painless360]

What troubleshooting have you already tried?

[@Ibabthekebab]

Painless360 hi 👋! I have checked the channels, and on the FreeFlight pro app I set the throttle for “gaz” but when I try to fly it, it just doesn’t fly? I have taken the props off since I am testing indoors, so would that stop the drone from letting the motor spin? Thanks

[@RichardHaydenuk]

Hi I'm using an Orange RX TX6i with an ORX R618XL cPPM. I can not get the Disco to register the inputs, even though its being powered by the Disco, any advice?

[@Painless360]

I’ve only got it working with SBus... best of luck! ..

[@mauriciotorresfree]

hello, I'm putting together a drone with the following components a pdb matek, a fc sp racing f3, esc hobywins. I have everything connected and configured in betaflight, but the motor 4, when I arm and I give gas to the stick to raise this one heats up and esc also. change engine and esc connect and the same thing keeps happening. I need your help that may be happening ...?

[@Painless360]

I'd check that you've not accidentality touched one of the windings in the motor with a slightly too long mounting screw. Easy to do..

[@51im]

Hi Lee Will the qx7 model memory also work on an x9d. Or should I copy from my qx7 over to the x9d in companion.

[@Painless360]

Yes you can. See my video on model memory management..

[@tanawater1]

The gyros is working?

[@jhroof2]

Thanks for the video. Will this work with the 4G mod? Sometimes the Disco will lose the 4G connection and auto lands before I can get the wifi connection back. I would like to set this up so I can take RC control and land manually. How would I configure RTH? If I still have a good 4G connection, I don't want it returning to home when I go out of RC range.

[@Painless360]

No idea, I haven't use that mod here. Best of luck

[@HallyFPV]

Was wondering if you can install TBs crossfire receiver in this model? Would you be able to get increased range or is it limited by the FPV feed? Im guessing you will still need to use the skycontroller as it has the fpv receiver part build in to it?

[@Painless360]

You could but most seem to prefer to do the 4G mod.. Happy flying!

[@HallyFPV]

@@Painless360 is it possible to tap in to the attached camera to feed a vtx though?

[@Painless360]

No idea. It’s all very closed in there..you could add another mini FPV camera...

[@bg563195]

Im getting a bit confused doing this as you dont show how to do the inputs, or am i being totally thick and missed something. Also whats the difference between rth and emergency?

[@scottwells7797]

tried to use a crossfire nano rx but even though it has bound to the transmitter with a green light it does not show on freeflight pro app and have no control on ailerons.....can anyone help

[@Painless360]

You'll need the output on the Nano set to sbus.. Best of luck

[@scottwells7797]

​@@Painless360 Thank you... Got that sorted... I mapped the buttons and they all show working in the free flight pro app now but the only switch that seems to work on the Disco is the 3 position flight mode... Im using a tx16 and put the switches in mixes.. Does it matter if the are 3 position switches

[@Painless360]

Shouldn't do. The way I got it working is in the video... best of luck

[@KalterKrieger]

Ok, but what about the camera controls? Can you record your flights?

[@Painless360]

No controls for the camera that I can see. you'll need the Skycontroller for the video controls..

[@alphatangofpv2512]

Where do you place the antennas ?

[@Painless360]

Out the side of the canopy. Best of luck

[@hcannon98]

Is there a downloadable link for the Taranis X9D plus

[@Painless360]

Link in the description, Companion will change the settings to the radio profile you have selected..

[@wa2tqi]

I don't have an X7 only the Taranis +. the current latest Champion 2.2 isn't available for the Plus so I can't convert the X7 file to Plus. Is there any way that you could send the screen shots for all the set up screens so that I can program the Plus manually?

[@wa2tqi]

The other suggestion would be to just send the model .bin only not the profile.

[@Painless360]

@@wa2tqi Screenshots at 2:12, or download it and look at it in Companion.. best of luck!

[@KalterKrieger]

Hi, at 1:50 I see the same Eagle freighter from Space 1999 like i have :-)))))

[@Painless360]

Well spotted! :D All kinds of things on these shelves from classic 70's shows, games, movies and theme parks..

[@KalterKrieger]

@@Painless360 I am 50 years old, so I know these things. And the Eagle is real fascinating piece of hardware from the view of an engineer. Concerning the Disco: I lost two Discos with Fly Away, because there is a bug in the software 1.7.1.