Scout Mission Planner & APM

I have now abandoned my Scout and support for it and have built a DJI Flame Wheel F550 ARF kit.
This pages will still be hosted for your reference only, comments have been closed.
For further support, please join the new Facebook Walkera Scout X4 and Tali H500 Support Group and ask your questions there.

______________________________________

Credit to beta tester Matt Kim for the majority of these settings and information.
Download Mission Planner Do not update, use version 1.3.5 on Windows PC – I run it on a cheap 10″ Atom Netbook out in the field.
Install and restart.

Remove the Scout’s battery and your propellers for safety.
Connect USB cable – USB driver should automatically install, if not, download here.

For Windows 8 Users, disable driver signature:
Open Run – [Windows] + [R]     type    shutdown.exe /r /o /f /t 00       Click [OK]
PC will restart – to ‘Choose an Option’ – Select: Troubleshoot / Advanced options / Windows Startup Settings then restart the PC.
PC will restart – to  “Advanced Boot Options” – Select: Disable Driver Signature Enforcement
Restart PC, install the Arduino drivers normally as follows:

Open Device Manager – right click on unknown device
Update Driver Software
Browse to the location of your Arduino software installation and select the drivers folder. (Don’t select the FTDI folder inside)   [OK] then  [Next]
The USB driver should now be installed.

Open Windows Device Manager – Ports (COM & LPT)  /  Arduino Mega (COM#) – note the port#
Launch Mission Planner – at top right use the left pull down menu to match the port#, the next box should read 57600, then click the connect icon at top right.
The Scout will connect and upload it’s stored parameters into Mission Planner.

 SAVE YOUR DEFAULT SETTINGS!!!!
CONFIG /TUNING (at top of page)    >  Standard Params (left menu)   >  Tick “Advanced Menu View”
Now in the left menu you’ll see  – Advanced Params  and  Full Parameter List – open Full Parameter List
Green buttons on the far right – Click Save.
_______________________________

Below are the Mission Planner parameters I use for my Scout X4 and they work for me, but they might not for you! Change settings at your own risk!!
I have posted my complete Full Parameter List below for you to compare. Some settings are automatically set.
Do not change a setting unless you understand it’s function. Wrong settings may cause a crash!!
Learn more about Mission Planner and APM HERE, be aware Walkera have made some changes!
AGAIN! SAVE YOUR DEFAULT SETTINGS FIRST!!!

Scout X4 MissionPlanner Full Paramiter List1

ANGLE_MAX – default 4500 (45 degrees tilt) change to 3500 or 3000. Lower setting will make Scout easier to handle.
Leave BATT_AMP_PERVOLT at your default setting!
NOTE: Do not change BATT_CAPACITY from 3300 mAh or it will screw things up!

Scout X4 MissionPlanner Full Paramiter List2

CIRCLE_RADIUS  – sets the radius around a fixed point in circle mode
CIRCLE-RATE  – sets the speed in circle mode
COMPASS_LEARN  – should be set to 1

Scout X4 MissionPlanner Full Paramiter List3

FS_BATT_ENABLE  – default 1 – change to 0  (Scout may land in a tree or water on low battery! Monitor battery levels manually!! Use a timer for longer distance flights.)
FS_GCS_ENABLE  -default 0  change to 1 before using GCS Bluetooth ground station! On default, if your Scout loses connection it may fly away or disarm!
FS_GPS_ENABLE  – If  Scout won’t arm due to no GPS (eg: testing indoors with props off) disable Geo Fence  = 0.   Re-enable = 1 is recommended before flight if required or another option if you prefer.

Scout X4 MissionPlanner Full Paramiter List4

GPS_HDOP_GOOD  – change to 250 if Geo Fence is enabled to help with arming dificulties.

Scout X4 MissionPlanner Full Paramiter List5

.

Scout X4 MissionPlanner Full Paramiter List6

RC_SPEED – default 400, change to 490 to improve motor timing at startup (this setting hasn’t really worked for me).

Scout X4 MissionPlanner Full Paramiter List7

.

Scout X4 MissionPlanner Full Paramiter List8

.

Scout X4 MissionPlanner Full Paramiter List9

RTL_ALT – default 1500 (15m) change height to clear obstacles (trees etc.) in your flight area! eg: 3000 = 30m
RTL_ALT_FINAL – default 0 – change to 200. On 0 it has been known for the motors to stop during RTL decent. At 200 it will hover at 2m instead of landing and can be landed in GPS or “manual” or caught.
USE EXTREME CAUTION WITH SPINNING PROPS – NOT RECOMMENDED UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY!! If you’re short reduce this setting to 180 etc.

Scout X4 MissionPlanner Full Paramiter List10

.

Scout X4 MissionPlanner Full Paramiter List11

THR_MID, default 500, change to 600 – Gives more power when throttle is at 50% hover – Quad may rise on a fresh battery but improves safety on a low battery when switching GPS/Manual (loiter) modes with camera or extra weight attached.

After making changes you should SAVE your settings using a different name to your PC.

 

Config/Tuning – Extended Tuning:

PID: A proportional-integral-derivative controller (PID controller) is a control loop feedback mechanism (controller) widely used in industrial control systems. A PID controller calculates an error value as the difference between a measured process variable and a desired setpoint. You can change PID settings below fine tune your aircraft. These are my settings which seem to be working for me – I’m still currently testing –  use at your own risk!

Tone’s PID configuration

Changed above: Stabilize Roll, Rate Roll P & I, Stabilize Pitch, Rate Pitch P & I and Loiter Speed.

Lower settings will tighten up your aircraft, but reduce by small amounts! If you go to far the craft will fight it’s self and may become unstable or hard to control.
Turn down Loiter Speed in mission planner will improve stability in gps – the Scout will stop faster when releasing controls but I think this is really only because it moves slower.
I tried changes with Stabilize yaw and Rate Yaw but had problems, my craft flew in circles.

The DEFAULT settings are below for reference:

PIDs Default

You can learn about the APM controller and Mission Control programming HERE but beware, Walkera have made some changes!

 

 

 

 

 

Learn about PIDs  – 4 minute videoSome people have reported the following setting incorrect when shipped from the factory, it may fly sideways or the controls may be wrong.   The Frame Type should be set to X – it may be worth checking before you fly:

Frame type set to X

When you have changed your settings, press [Write] to the right to update settings on the Scout.
You should also SAVE your updated settings to your PC with a new name as a backup.
Click DISCONNECT, gently unplug your USB cord.

Always test your Scout in a large clear grassy area clear of obstacles and people after changing settings! Stay low and close with gentle movements until you are sure Scout is operating correctly.
Remember, BACKUP!!! You change any of the settings above at your own risk!! They work for me, but may not for you! I will not be held liable for any consequences if you follow my suggestions.
If you have any problems use Load Params to roll back to your previously saved and known stable settings.
You may need to do recalibrate your compass remembering to use manual mode for 10 mins and 4 or so batteries for the GPS and Compass to settle again.

 

Original source: pinned FB post by Matt Kim (may be more up-to-date) –  above settings edited by Tone to suit his Scout but full credit to Matt, posted here at a visitors request.

*If you appreciate the time, effort and research gone into this website or if you feel it’s helped you avoid a crash, please give tasview.com a mention in groups and forums or help us answer questions in the comments below 🙂
Thanks for visiting.

 

______________________________________

I have now abandoned my Scout and support for it and have built a DJI Flame Wheel F550 ARF kit.
This pages will still be hosted for your reference only, comments have been closed.
For further support, please join the new Facebook Walkera Scout X4 and Tali H500 Support Group and ask your questions there.

This page was last updated 19th March, 2015.