E-flite Draco X 2.0m

[xviper]

I have a couple of those reversing ESCs myself and on those, it’s easy to activate reverse by assigning a switch. The Avian ESC as provided with the Draco is a slightly different animal. It “talks” to the receiver with special programming. It has something to do with using a serial link to the RX, which has some sort of special mix between throttle and AUX2, even thought the receiver doesn’t have a 7th channel. It’s discussed in more detail in the thread in the other forum. I don’t fully understand it. I’ll know more if and when I get my Draco - maybe next week.
Then there’s the lights, which is pushed through the gear channel but in order to get all the features, the gear channel need to be controlled by the rotary knob or a slider.

[xviper]

An update to the manual was just released. The only change that I could see was the inclusion of the use of a slider for the lights and the use of AUX3. The included AR637T is a 6-ch RX and there is no connection between the ESC and the RX for throttle reverse. It's done internally between the smart ESC and smart RX. Also, since AUX2 (ch.7) and AUX3 (ch.8) can be used on the TX and with no such ports on the RX, something is going on internally, which is likely to be very difficult (if not impossible) with "non-smart" Spektrum compatible RXs. Even if you had a blank 637T, it may be required to download the receiver file for this plane to get these features to work the way you want or it could simply be that this smart RX can talk to the smart ESC via ch. 7/8 without having any direct wired connection.

[bartje]

Dang it, was looking into pre-ordering one of those, but I'm standardized on JETI.
I've asked HH's helpdesk what functionality you loose when using non-spektrum equipment.
I'll post the answer when it comes in as I assume many people will be in this position.

I could live with the thrust reversing and ESC telemetry, but I want to be able to select the light pattern. 😁

[xviper]

Dang it, was looking into pre-ordering one of those, but I'm standardized on JETI.
I've asked HH's helpdesk what functionality you loose when using non-spektrum equipment.
I'll post the answer when it comes in as I assume many people will be in this position.

I could live with the thrust reversing and ESC telemetry, but I want to be able to select the light pattern. 😁

The light module gets plugged into the gear channel (ch.5) or other open channel and you can then assign any rotary or slider to control the lights. The throttle reverse, however, is still a mystery to me as there is no direct wired connection in the stock provided RX. However, it may be possible to hook up one of the ESC leads to one of your open ports and control it that way, assuming you have a 7ch. RX and assuming this particular smart ESC has such a lead on it. I'd be interested to hear what response you get from HH on this.

[bartje]

Well,

No reply so far. But I did learn a few things from digging through the RCG threads.
The lights appear to be on a separate controller. Given the behavior (3 programs on a 3 way switch) and all of them on a proportional slider or rotary knob, it shouldn't be an issue to operate those on non-spektrum equipment. Primary requirement has been met. 😁

The reversing is pretty neat. You're right that there's no direct wired connection. They're using the power of modern day digital technology. They simply create a virtual additional switch channel in the transmitter that you can control with a real switch. The smart receivers in turn can have, for example only 4 real outputs, but they listen to 8 or 9 channels.
When they detect a switch being toggled on that virtual channel it communicates digitally with the ESC to reverse the direction of rotation.
So for now that means no thrust reversing for us non-spektrum flyers. Bummer! But I can live with that.

Although, if they really wanted to, they could use one of the additional leads on the ESC and use that as in additional input channel to control the direction of rotation. But apparently they want to keep it as spektrum only gimmick, so don't get your hopes up.
As for the telemetry, also spektrum only. But if they wanted to, they could easily extend to other brands.
Many turbine controllers do so already as are the Unisens-E telemetry modules.

[xviper]

The reversing is pretty neat. You're right that there's no direct wired connection. They're using the power of modern day digital technology. They simply create a virtual additional switch channel in the transmitter that you can control with a real switch. The smart receivers in turn can have, for example only 4 real outputs, but they listen to 8 or 9 channels.
When they detect a switch being toggled on that virtual channel it communicates digitally with the ESC to reverse the direction of rotation.
So for now that means no thrust reversing for us non-spektrum flyers.

That was sorta the way I understood it but you put it into words in a way that I couldn't. That's why you can't just assign a switch to make it work if you don't have a smart Spektrum RX. This is not like any other reversing ESC.
In one of the later posts by Jason M. (product manager for HH), he talked slightly about those 2 ESC leads that just hang there and go nowhere. He didn't go into too much detail and he skirted the topic but I think one of those leads could be something that could be used in an open channel on a non-smart RX to do the reversing. Only time and trial and error will tell. I wonder if it would be too risky to put that lead on a servo tester to see if the motor can be reversed. I wouldn't want to burn up an expensive ESC.

[Wild Man]

Just received mine today. WOW very impressive plane, and the first thing I noticed is the new EPO foam used in this bird, and the way it is packed is also great. I am going to get it out later and have it ready to fly by tomorrow weather permitting, but the way it looks we are going to have rain all day tomorrow.

[Wild Man]

WOW !!! it is 1 am I just finished assembling, and setting up my Draco I have the throttle reverse set up the my left slider the AS3X and Safe set up on switch A and the 7 different light modes set up on the R knob. All I need to do now is balance it and the Draco is ready for the Test flight I took a couple pictures of the instrument panel lights. This will make a great Night flying Plane. I have been flying at night for years, since 1996. I can tell you with all the lights this one has flying at night will be as easy as flying during the day.

[Wild Man]

this is the 7 modes for the lights That I set up on the R knob. This will be fun to fly in the dark of night

[Bajora]

Our club enjoyed watching Michael Troy maiden his Draco yesterday:

[bartje]

That was sorta the way I understood it but you put it into words in a way that I couldn't. That's why you can't just assign a switch to make it work if you don't have a smart Spektrum RX. This is not like any other reversing ESC.
In one of the later posts by Jason M. (product manager for HH), he talked slightly about those 2 ESC leads that just hang there and go nowhere. He didn't go into too much detail and he skirted the topic but I think one of those leads could be something that could be used in an open channel on a non-smart RX to do the reversing. Only time and trial and error will tell. I wonder if it would be too risky to put that lead on a servo tester to see if the motor can be reversed. I wouldn't want to burn up an expensive ESC.

XViper,

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?3853409-The-ALL-NEW-E-flite-DRACO-2-0m-–-The-Ultimate-Bush-Plane/page107

"They don't go anywhere, it's a secondary (unused) lead from the ESC. Redundant power, and program/governor (single lead)."
If they really wanted, they could use the governer lead indeed, they just have to reprogram the ESC that way. 😁
Maybe somebody with more programming skills can make that a reality some day!

[bartje]

Wild Man, Bajora,

Now I'm envious. 😳
I've put in my order yesterday, but I wonder when I will get it. I've contacted my regular hobby shops. Each of them ordered +30 planes and they were all sold out already.
Oh well, patience is a virtue and there are a few other projects still waiting to be completed and started, so I won't get bored soon! 😁
Had originally planned to get the Nexa P-38 this year, but that will have to wait until later. It hurts to choose sometimes...

[xviper]

Wild Man, Bajora,

Now I'm envious. 😳
I've put in my order yesterday, but I wonder when I will get it. I've contacted my regular hobby shops. Each of them ordered +30 planes and they were all sold out already.
Oh well, patience is a virtue and there are a few other projects still waiting to be completed and started, so I won't get bored soon! 😁
Had originally planned to get the Nexa P-38 this year, but that will have to wait until later. It hurts to choose sometimes...

If you're just putting in your order now and all your hobby shops are sold out, reading what Jason said, your wait could be 3 to 6 months. Your only hope is to find a hobby shop near you that put their order in when ordering for them first opened up and they haven't sold out yet. I'm chasing one down right now. My order was on the very first day of orders opening up but my hobby shop didn't put the order in till 2 days later. I think they are now waiting for the second or third shipment. I have found a store a couple hrs away and they will be getting a couple in a week or so. They may have caught the tail end of the first batch. Those who were ahead of the game, got theirs on or close to release day (Apr. 23).

[Bajora]

Here is a quick little bit of some of Michael Troy's Draco B-roll footage that I shot, edited and strrrrettttccchhhed into a short. Please pardon my admittably newbie grade FPV chase skills. I have only recently jumped back into FPV drones but I am loving trying to chase other aircraft around in Acro mode!

[Wild Man]

While I was setting the throws for this plane. I noticed the Elevator was not centering when going back to neutral every time when doing the settings. I found that the Elevator linkage was moving the Horizontal stab back and forth in the mounting set up So I made a couple 1/16" shims to help with the slop at the leading edge of the horizontal stab where it should be tight against the fuselage sides. Now when setting elevator throws, up and down it centers with the throw meter. Nothing major but the Horizontal mounting is a little sloppy and moves around to much for what I like You can see the gaps at the leading edge where the horizontal stab should be tight against the fuselage. I was going to test fly it today but had to fix it, OH well maybe tomorrow

[Wild Man]

Test flew the Draco tonight right at dusk then made two more flights the video is on the second flight and the third flight I did in the dark. The one big reason I wanted a Draco was to make it my night flyer, and the Draco has not disappointed me. The Draco is going to make one Awesome Night Flyer he is the video I made of the second flight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-vxOZQYhas

[Gecko 17]

xviper

Throttle reversing is built into the ESC. A switched is assigned in the transmitter to activate it.

Yes... a digital channel is used. Very simple to setup. Works great.
Amazing plane. I've had mine for a week now and getting 12+ mins on a 6s 6000. Flies very docile when you want. Horizon has stepped up their game!

[Wild Man]

yesterday I put the first three flights on mine. The first two just after sunset and the third one hour after that. One of the main reasons I got one was to make it a night flyer, and with all the light I am very pleased on how easy it is to keep oriented in the dark with all the lights on. I made 6 more dlights with it starting about 7:00 pm two flights with smart batteries one G1 6 cell 5000mah 30c, one 6 cell G2 5000 mah 50c. two Admiral 6 cell 6000 mah pro 50c, two Roaring top 6 cell 4500 mah 70c and two Admiral 4000 amh pro 60c I just got home 4 of the flights were in the dark all I have to say is WOW. This Draco will do every ting you want it to and more I was even hovering it and doing torque rolls with it I put well over an Hour flying time on it tonight

[Aros]

A buddy of a buddy of mine lost his yesterday. A low altitude loop ended predictably. Ouch.

[xviper]

A buddy of a buddy of mine lost his yesterday. A low altitude loop ended predictably. Ouch.

So that was someone you know. It was posted on the other forum. I've done that, too. Doing a loop too close to the ground never ends well. I did it with my Tigercat. Luckily (or not), I only ground (pun) down the bottom of the plane. It got fixed and is flying again.