Bayangtoys X16: Inexpensive, durable, hackable GPS drone

If you&#x27;re interested in a quad loaded with open source software right out of the box, take a look at the Sky Viper v2450 GPS. It runs about $150.<p>It runs full ardupilot code, has a ublox gps chip, a taoglas gps antenna, and the video board and transmitter software is open source.<p>It runs a tiny webserver that allows you to configure any of the ardupilot variables, and is compatible with most of the ardupilot ground control software.<p><a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;sky-viper.com&#x2F;product&#x2F;info&#x2F;V2450GPS-sd" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;sky-viper.com&#x2F;product&#x2F;info&#x2F;V2450GPS-sd</a><p><a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;ardupilot.org&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;ardupilot.org&#x2F;</a><p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;github.com&#x2F;SkyRocketToys" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;github.com&#x2F;SkyRocketToys</a>

There is a surprising amount of open source code in RC multirotors in general, I&#x27;ve only played around a bit and I&#x27;ve used:<p><pre><code> Cleanflight[1] &amp; Betaflight[2] flight controller firmware Deviation[3] firmware for Walkera Devo transmitters RX5808 Pro Diversity[4] video receiver firmware 1: https:&#x2F;&#x2F;github.com&#x2F;cleanflight&#x2F;cleanflight 2: https:&#x2F;&#x2F;github.com&#x2F;betaflight&#x2F;betaflight 3: https:&#x2F;&#x2F;github.com&#x2F;DeviationTX&#x2F;deviation 4: https:&#x2F;&#x2F;github.com&#x2F;sheaivey&#x2F;rx5808-pro-diversity&#x2F;</code></pre>

After my last drone flew off never to be seen again I started looking into open source flight controllers. The open source platform has come a long way. I consider DJI to be the most advanced at FC firmware. But they intentionally limit you so much.<p>My next drones will most likely be a Spark for the interior and an easily upgradable OSS DIY rig for aerial photography. Running Betaflight or iNav.

This is why I don&#x27;t understand why companies lock down their hardware! You&#x27;re getting free software enhancements and support; unlock that thing! Why waste people&#x27;s time in reverse engineering your crap, when they could be spending that time building new functionality.<p>For example, Canon and the whole CHDK thing. Canon makes money from selling the hardware; so why lock down the software?

So what exactly was done to the drone and how? As far as i understood the article lists a few methods which could be used to mod the drone but not what he really did and how.<p>Or am I just bad at fast reading a webpage?

Has anyone managed to add automated&#x2F;wireless charging to an inexpensive drone? It looks like there are a few commercial solutions out there, but nothing for less than $500.

I did a similar mod: fly my Phantom 1 with a CC3D board inside. It works perfectly fine and now i can fly acro mode at insane speeds.

Its sad that the FAA has rules that don&#x27;t allow any commercial use of a drone in populated suburbs. With real time insurance starting to take off. These rules ought to be revisited, at least for light weight drones &lt; 5 pounds.

Why are there no robotic airships available? They&#x27;d solve most payload and airtime issues that drons currently have. Also great for video since they&#x27;re not as noisy as a quad and you could also turn off the engine.

Does the X16 stream video?!

Looks like the price has raised since the article. Due to popularity maybe?