ZOHD Dart 250G Kopilot Lite VC400

ZOHD Dart 250G with Kopilot Lite Autopilot system and VC400 FPV. Weighing in at 243g using a 1300 2S. Kopilot gives Return to Home or Fence mode, Launch Assist, stabilisation, and mixing for V-Tail, Flying wing or T-Tail planes. VC400 All in One camera and Video transmitter with OSD and power levels 0.1, 25, 200, 400mW.
Current draw at Max throttle:
3x5x3 prop 3S - 7A
5x5 prop 2S - 8A
5x5 prop 3S - 11A
ZOHD - www.zohd.net
ZOHD Dart 250G - bit.ly/2N8B9Ke
ZOHD Kopilot Lite - bit.ly/34ul8nP
ZOHD VC400 AIO FPV - bit.ly/2C7GbjL
Subscribe & Ding the 🔔
bit.ly/ANsubscribe
🎥 Video Recording Gear 🎤
In the Field
► Onboard camera Mobius C2 - bit.ly/2RLNLLg
► Hatcam Firefly 8S 90º with external mic - bit.ly/2DwAP2V
► External Microphone - bit.ly/30SwvDB
In the Workshop
► Wide workbench cam - GoPro HERO7 Black and Firefly 8S 170º - bit.ly/FF8S170
► Close up workbench cam - Panasonic Lumix LX10 1080 60fps
► Audio recording - Rode smartLav+ mic in Samsung A8 - bit.ly/2ZK6GGy
► Video Editing in Final Cut Pro X on 27" iMac
► All the Action cameras I have reviewed - newtonairlines....
🔎 More information 🔍
► Newton Airlines Uncut - bit.ly/NewtonAi...
► Newton Airlines blog - newtonairlines....
► Andrew Newton KZbin - / andrewnewtonaustralia
► My portal - anewton.net
► What HD cameras do I use - newtonairlines....
► What FPV cameras do I use - newtonairlines....
► What FPV gear do I use - newtonairlines...
► Depron Armin Wing build - • Depron wing build
►Favourite iNav gear
Matek F405 Wing FCB - bit.ly/2SI3bAv
iNav GPS - bit.ly/2ERre6w
Beitian BN-880 GPS - bit.ly/2K7hdHc
👌🏽Affiliate links 👌🏽
I’m not a fan of the Patreon concept, but you can support this channel by using these links
► BANGGOOD RC - bit.ly/2R7LMgg
► BANGGOOD Website - bit.ly/2OYahv4
If you use these links to make a purchase I may receive a commission, which helps to fund this channel, at no extra cost to you.
👀 Use your common sense, watch other reviews and shop around before making any purchase.
#AndrewNewton #zohddart250g #kopilotlite

[@keithnerison1017]

Thanks Andrew, the Kopilot actually worked better than I expected, especially with the winds, and the VC400 was quite impressive at 25mw as well and thank you for running it on 2s lipo an Li-ion was nice to see the power it still had running the smaller battery and larger prop, I think I am going to like this little guy. I would probably keep it grounded on days as windy as yours was there, but it is nice to know it is capable. Cheers from the still cold rainy, snowy, and now icy Midwest USA.

[@AndrewNewton]

Icy already? I'll send some warmth in future videos.

[@Barbaric_Iron]

Love the setup, better yet, I love everything you do in this hobby...very informative info. Thank. You for sharing!

[@AndrewNewton]

Many thanks, just sharing the fun

[@beach-time]

Thank you, You sir have relieved so much of the interpretation of my first flight in my first plane.

[@AndrewNewton]

Good luck GG. You're jumping the deep end. Not really a beginners setup.

[@leemaples1806]

I like the launch assist feature. That can save you on the cost of bandages.

[@warmiceUT]

Great information on both of your video, this one and the earlier one on setup to the Ranger Glider. I just both 2 units of Kopilot from Banggood during the group buy special offer. With your setup video and test flights, is an excellent source for me with confident for my plane. Thank you.

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks and good luck, it works nicely

[@leeiberry]

Looks like one great little package , great vid as always

[@julianhumphrey4843]

awesome just great, i see painless has tried to steal your thunder on the launch feature

[@AndrewNewton]

Ha yes, I think he missed that initially

[@kaseytipper]

hi Andrew I'm thinking about buying this plane. but does it come with everything I need/. like the goggles that you can put on and the controller

[@AndrewNewton]

No. Have to buy radio, receiver, battery, charger and goggles

[@EnglishTurbines]

Nice little setup Andrew...Good to see you discovering the benefits of linear antennas, it's all I use, even on 5.8g..

[@AndrewNewton]

Remarkably good, better than my 200mW CPs

[@EnglishTurbines]

@@AndrewNewton A Rubber Duck and a directional works best for me close in, or if I'm flying out a bit, a pair of directionals work really well.

[@reefer2917]

Great view, enjoyable ride, thanks for the ride :-D

[@KenKneknaneek]

Good job looking great. My instructions didn't even say what voltage to run only 2s or 3s and the print is so small I have to use a magnifying glass lol.. Your instructions are very helpful and thank you for that. I will also be changing the connector to an xt60 connector also. Happy Flying

[@edwardlove4300]

Very cool on a stormy day!

[@MrVasmikey]

Ominous clouds Andrew! I thought it was summer there! Thx for the vc400 install.

[@AndrewNewton]

Stormy start to our summer

[@RGCbaseace]

Fantastic job andrew was wondering about that sleeved dipole but it seemed to worked great The cir pol can only be better

[@martinkingBlue]

My Nano Dart arrived an hour ago, already put together and ready to fly in the morning if the weather stays like it is now...

[@AndrewNewton]

Good luck, throw hard and 3/4 throttle

[@martinkingBlue]

@@AndrewNewton I would have thrown it hard if I could have gotten to my airfield which is situated about a mile from the main road. I have to travel a third of way on tarmac then the road changes to chalk, so far so good, and the final third is dirt which after some heavy rain recently turned to mud. The flying field is situated on top of a hill of about 100ft high. Unfortunately today, I got stuck 5 times in the mud and only got half way up the hill when i decided to give up and go home, my little Citroen C1 is not designed to be a 4x4... It will now have to wait till we have a long dry spell for the dirt road and field to dry out before i attempt to get there. Just have to build some more models instead...

[@BryonGaskin]

Mine keeps ending in tears. My Dart 250G keeps nose diving when using the KOPILOT. On the bench everything seems set up correct. Control surfaces rise to meet the sticks with pitch and roll. Put it in stabilized mode, roll right, and the left aileron rises, roll left, and the right aileron rises, pitch down and both ailerons rise, pitch up and both ailerons fall. I have the KOPILOT set for WING, and did the level calibration. I've set the KOPILOT up in the Drift, no issues.

[@AndrewNewton]

Which mode does it misbehave in? Is manual ok?

[@BryonGaskin]

@@AndrewNewton stabilized mode. I have not tried to launch it in manual.

[@AndrewNewton]

Have to have it flying well in manual before trying any flight control board. All the forward swept wing designs dip on launch so you need high throttle and a strong throw slightly above level.

[@BryonGaskin]

@@AndrewNewton The Dart is / was my first plane. After about 10 crashes after launch I went and bought a Drift with the Kopilot. One crash on the initial maiden, then I started getting the hang of it. I'll stick with the Drift for a while until I get comfortable flying in manual mode. As someone who is new just getting into fixed wing, one doesn't know what to expect after the throw.

[@wad5uk]

Thanks Andrew for the informative video, as usual very well presented easy to understand. I hope you can help me with a problem I am having with my new Kopilot Lite autopilot system. I have it installed in a flying wing and set up via sbus from my RX. I am unable to set up the Neutral Calibration by the sticks on my mode 2 Taranis TX. Nothing happens with the LED lights. No flashing. I was in stabilised mode as per the manual. The radio calibration was successful though. All other functions and set up is correct and working. Many thanks Mike

[@nielssb]

This happened to me as well. I had not realized that I needed to reverse the elevator. Check controls move as expected when moving the sticks on your radio.

[@gerardmazz]

Can you use a 7.4v 2s lipo with a 2200mah in the dart 250g?

[@zohdofficial6484]

Great video Andrew! Thanks so much! It's a good idea to keep the adjustment board in your toolbox when out to the field. If weather conditions (wind specially) differs too much from what you had setup, you can always dial down or up the gains to get a smoother ride. Remember to lower the gain is going closer to 12 o'clock on the dials (passing 12, you reverse the servos).

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks Sir ZOHD. In the upcoming video I did exactly that and the wiggles were greatly reduced.

[@zohdofficial6484]

@@AndrewNewton Thanks Andrew! BTW we loved the Box Dart! lol :D

[@jcfpv3454]

Hey andrew in the kopilot manual they talk about balance mode as self leveling and climbs to 35 meters is that activated in angle mode automatically my wing seams climb to around that height then level off just wondering if that's the reason thanks any help is greatly appreciated thanks

[@AndrewNewton]

In Launch Assist mode that is the expected behaviour

[@SighKick]

@Andrew Newton - do you have a BG link to the Combo Kopilot and VC400 as there is a $20 saving going that way. Thanks Dave [NZ]

[@jujucattys156]

is there time limit on rtl or wood just curcle till ready take bk over as think using rtl as over head loiter

[@AndrewNewton]

No time limit

[@RichardFAdams-kt9ux]

Andrew have you tried launching in Stabilize Mode by any chance. I flew mine for the first time yesterday in Manual Mode and didn't get very far I put the CG on the CG Marks it just wanted to nose down before I could do anything it happened so fast. Minor damage I torn the top half of one of the stabilizers off i had some tap put back on and tried again. This time instead of trying the Manual Mode again I did the Auto Launch / Return to Home combo and that went a lot better until it made its climb to the preset altitude it banked over to head back home and then it started wobbling out of control it made it's turn put it in Manual Mode then dove straight towards the ground I dropped the throttle and pulled back on the stick and flew it around one more time in Manual Mode. My gains were WAY to HIGH made the adjustments and took off again in the Auto Launch / Return to Home switch in Stabilize Mode and it was GREAT flying around in Stabilize Mode so smooth and stabilized but as soon as I switch into Manual Mode it nose dives. Do you fly with Reflex and if so how much. Sorry this was so long. Thanks for all the GREAT Videos!!!!

[@AndrewNewton]

I have and it skimmed the grass every time. I tend to launch in Manual with an upward trajectory. But I have also reduced the rates in the Manual switch position kzbin.infoUgwVA5kr4XkxnLg78kd4AaABCQ and turned the gains right down for stabilised mode.

[@RichardFAdams-kt9ux]

@@AndrewNewton Thank you!!!

[@mountaindewdude76]

Looks like an awesome little wing. Can you tell me what the measurement is from the nose to the tail, not including the motor?

[@AndrewNewton]

345mm nose to tail

[@mountaindewdude76]

@@AndrewNewton thank you!

[@upperechelon3456]

Great video Andrew. Question. On mine the input voltage is showing 4.08V on a 3s 2200 battery. Any ideas? Thanks

[@AndrewNewton]

Powered from one cell of the 3S?

[@tonycatalfamo9706]

Are you using a separate battery for the camera

[@AndrewNewton]

Just the flight battery. ESC has a power cable for the FPV gear

[@bleeksbentbits3150]

Ive been wondering how this new Dart compares to the original 635 version? Seems to fly a lot easier without the older ones bad habbits? Also, being designed to run on 2S Li-Ion as well as Li-Po, would it be possible to run on the Eachine 2S Li-Ion packs intended for use with goggles??? If so, would the barrel connector hold up? I'd imagine that this li'l sucker would be drawing too much for that type of connector? Thank you again

[@AndrewNewton]

Good question. I suspect the thin wires would heat up

[@tommuhlemanjr.3871]

Andrew, just wondering, on this models website and all the other Zohd models, the verticals appear to be reversed from the way you did it -- they all lean out toward the tip of the wing. Do you need to reverse yours and mr. iforce2d as well? Or do you know something we don’t, and this really is the way to run them?? My vote would be to switch them, you’d get better performance I think! Anyway, thanks for all the new cool video’s. Cheers buddy!!

[@AndrewNewton]

Nope, they are meant to be pointing in according to the model's webpage - www.zohd.net/zohd-dart-250g But they fit both ways and logically I think pointing out would give more stability. How much? That will have to be tested, maybe a future video.

[@andreas7923]

Hey @andrew newton would zohd dart 250g work whit flysky fs-ia10b reciver or fs-i6x?

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes, using sbus

[@rsilk2969]

How do you secure the fc board, esc, gps and receiver to epp? I tried 3m double sided tape but found everything came loose after a crash on my first flight! What is the best method to launch? Angle, throttle, flight mode, etc.? I am also using a 1300 2S LiPo with the 2 blade prop.

[@AndrewNewton]

Just the tough outside double sided tape, GPS is held in with blenderm tape. I use manual to launch to make sure I have the elevator authority, with a lusty upward angled throw

[@btbplanevids]

Cute little thing! I'd be tempted to swap the AIO for a Runcam Split 3 Nano plus TBS Unify Nano VTx ... you'd then have HD recording as well as FPV. Should only add about 4 grams so ought to be possible under 250g, provided you can fit the 20x20 board in somewhere.

[@AndrewNewton]

Sounds good. This setup is at least 8g under

[@jibbajabba4597]

Mine arrived this afternoon but the wife immediately confiscated it and won't let me have it until Xmas (it's my present). Can I ask what prop / KV motor combo you are using please? I only got the kit so need to buy more bits. Thx.

[@AndrewNewton]

Stock motor (check the review video) and 5x5 prop on 2s or 3s

[@boosmoogames]

Hello Andrew, What gains/expo should I use on this model with a taranis x7 thank you Love your videos

[@AndrewNewton]

Without the Kopilot you need to reduce the rates to maybe 30 Aileron and 30 Elevator Elevon mix with 30% Expo

[@boosmoogames]

@@AndrewNewton and with kopilot in manual mode?

[@AndrewNewton]

@@boosmoogames Same

[@blackskorpion71]

Калибровка стиками возможна тока если на аппаратуре расходы стоят 100%. А уже после калибровки выставляешь скоко надо. У меня первый канал 35, второй 38. На блоке настройки первый меньше пол четверти а второй пол четверти.

[@michelrinaldi5458]

Hi, witch is the better to start, this model or Wings z84? Thanks

[@AndrewNewton]

Good question, hard to pick between them. Both are fast and nimble. Z84 is bigger so it might be easier to begin with.

[@rudyhermanto9057]

Hi Andrew, what's your best setting position for aileron and elevator? At 9 O'Clock?

[@AndrewNewton]

No, they are both reduced. One is 11 o'clock and the other 1 o'clock (cant remember which is which)

[@rudyhermanto9057]

@@AndrewNewton thanks a lot. The point is mimimal gain 👍

[@MikeMcCarty6453]

Are you using sbus or pwm? I can't get the flight controller to work properly with pwm on my wing and my fc didn't come with an sbus cable

[@AndrewNewton]

SBUS

[@MikeMcCarty6453]

@@AndrewNewton did it come with an sbus cable?

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

@@MikeMcCarty6453 No. But the Sbus input on the Kopilot lite is a standard servo connector.

[@matthewherridge9430]

Out of curiosity what did you set the gains at?

[@AndrewNewton]

Minimal gains, as low as possible

[@matthewherridge9430]

@@AndrewNewton I'm running about 10 degrees from mid 90 degree mark. Not sure if that's enough or not

[@MrVasmikey]

Lower the gain to stop the wiggle?

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes correct. In the next video I lowered the gains even further and it reduced the wiggles more.

[@MrVasmikey]

I gotta try that rth launch with the throttle up

[@lasersbee]

3:28.. You could remove the Heat Shrink and lightly re-tape the li-ion battery with clear 2" packing tape and reduce the length of the Battery wires to keep you under 250 grams.

[@AndrewNewton]

Definitely, for super long flight time

[@claydellacava1673]

Does this zohd autopilot failsafe to RTH?

[@AndrewNewton]

No, you have to program your receiver to failsafe to the RTH switch position

[@cobra4829]

what about FAILSAFE ? what is gonna happen when you lose the radio link

[@AndrewNewton]

You have to set your custom failsafe in the receiver so that the AUX channel value for RTH is active

[@nadeemimran6295]

Hard to see satellite fly by remote control ! No wonder there is a return to home button.

[@MrZhivachka]

VC400 camera 16:9 ?

[@AndrewNewton]

4:3 only

[@SheepyandSebastian1]

Andrew: I don't understand why you didn't use the max 400wW option, I flew 2 KM range with no problem at all.

[@AndrewNewton]

Didn't need it and I wanted to test the minimum power range.

[@grumpyjohntxredneckrc6346]

Right On, Butt Wouldn't Vertical Wing Tiplets Stop Them Butt Twerks!? That Video Is Like A Rolly Coaster At Six Flags!!! LOL Thanks Mate

[@alanreid250]

Some of us are novices at this ...3 videos of 250g dart with kopilot and then set up video on ranger....why no continuity...cant find any video of complete dart 250g and kopilot..setup from scratch....frustrating

[@AndrewNewton]

The Dart250 is not for novices. Best to learn how to use the Kopilot on a more docile plane like the G2, learn how to fly the Dart250 by itself, and only then put the two together.

[@alanreid250]

Started of with a Bixler 3 which as a novice seemed huge to me...have 2 nano talons..an orbit and 2 darts one now sub 250....my point is that i am still not comfortable with open tx and when you reviewed the dart 250g with kopilot i was hoping that you would put a video of the complete setup with the dart 250 rather than switching to another model...I work for the NHS ambulance service on 12 hour shifts so you may appreciate that at the moment i don't have a lot of spare time to chase around youtube trying to find setups..so why can't you just concentrate on one model with a complete guide start to finish...I am sure that i am not the only one that would appreciate it....this guy does it the way it should be....kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2ekoH2nf9h5iJo

[@gamaxgbg]

If this had at least one more flight mode it would be definitely worth it. But without stabilizer for rate mode it actually does not do that much besides rescuing the plane, which is great, but too much money for just that.

[@TakeItToTheGround]

I agree. I'd prefer three modes - manual / rate mode with stabiliser for the wind (no angle limiting) / RTH. It only needs angle mode when it is RTH mode not for normal flying.

[@AndrewNewton]

Rate mode, Altitude hold, Manual and RTH then it would be a killer.

[@ror-ys3qp]

CAUTION: RTH height is fixed at 70m at pos 3

[@matthewherridge9430]

pos 3 is to initiate rth manually right? in that case pos 1 is auto level if it loses signal it should go to rth automatically right?

[@ror-ys3qp]

Matthew Herridge NO, RTH on loss of signal has to be setup in the Rx you are using.

[@matthewherridge9430]

@@ror-ys3qp i know the failsafe has to be set on rx but what i mean is does the fc go to failsafe on lack of pulses or do you manually have to set rx to switch to pos 3 itself on tx loss

[@ror-ys3qp]

Matthew Herridge yes the Rx has to set ch5 to RTH mode. I think you are getting confused...the pos 3 I am referring to is pos 3 of the pot for setting RTH...look at the manual...they show picture of pot with pos 1,2,3

[@matthewherridge9430]

@@ror-ys3qp yes i have 3 position switch setup already so p1 is auto level p2 is manual p3 rth. IN inav you see its the fc that initiates the rth when it detects no pulses. So i set rx to no pulses on loss of signal. But you are saying that instead of no pulses it should be set to manual setting of move channel 5 (pos3) on loss of signal instead. sorry just wanted to be sure. Means ive been flying long range on an xm+ with failsafe not technically set lol

[@alasdair4161]

If you use XT30 connectors you save 5 grams over XT60's, so you could still do liiion's. Cheers.

[@AndrewNewton]

Excellent tip thanks

[@pokiou]

you can use circular which would be way better so when banking your still with in the antenna range. So far looks good, i dont know about the price of the GPS unit.. seems alot at 70 bucks... needs to be about the 40-50 Aus to make it worth while. Also, get a folding prop and see if that helps at all.

[@bobfin4291]

Your manual mode bad news

[@wad5uk]

Problem solved, my stick throws were not enough. Never thought of that.

[@AndrewNewton]

Oh yes! Thanks for the update. I had a similar problem now that you mention it.

[@wad5uk]

@@AndrewNewton I can't take credit for it. Painless 360 pointed me in the right direction.

[@rhatcher5]

This unstable flying is hard to watch and seems like loss of signal comes pretty quickly

[@MrStevegibb]

its a small plane and its windy and he was running 25mw.

[@kermets]

The 250gr limit is Rubbish......No room for repairs......So dont even bother......

[@AndrewNewton]

You could add 8g of hot glue and still be under

[@kermets]

Tell them to go back to the drawing board how about 120 grs extra for repairs kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWLUYXh6nr2IrNU