Tarot T-2D DJI Phantom Tutorial

[David Behrens]

Hello,

I recently fitted a Tarot T-2D Gimbal to my DJI Phantom (V1.1.1) and hooked up the gimbal control, it took me a lot of research and thinking to get the gimbal control set up and working correctly and I also fabricated my own quick release mount for the gimbal.

I was considering creating a tutorial to take the confusion out for people who also want to fit this gimbal, I thought I would just see if anyone was interested first though.

So would anyone be interested in a tutorial on fitting the Tarot T-2D?
Thanks
Dave Behrens

[Nate Haustein]

I would definitely be interested in whatever you have to share. I don't have a phantom, but I do have the Tarot gimbal waking to be installed on a different hexacopter. Slowly but surely researching and learning about how all the systems work before I take her up on a maiden flight.

[Bruce Dempsey]

I'm In
I've grounded my phantom and have it in it's hanger whilst I find and install a gimbal. the tarrot looks good and is half the price or even less than the zenmuse
Yes please

[David Behrens]

Originally Posted by Bruce Dempsey

I'm In
I've grounded my phantom and have it in it's hanger whilst I find and install a gimbal. the tarrot looks good and is half the price or even less than the zenmuse
Yes please

Yeah I looked at the zenmuse, then looked at the price and quickly moved on hah, I believe the Tarot is a good compromise of value/quality if you have the skills to fit it. It pretty much matches the performance of the zenmuse and the build quality is excellent.

See my test footage here:

DJI Phantom GImbal Test - YouTube

Hopefully I can find some time to put a tut together, busy the next two weekends, but i'll see how i go.

[Tim Lewis]

Yep, that sure looks like Maryborough. I was trying to work out which part!

Maybe you could replace the audio with some nice music... That looks like a pretty impressive setup. How high did you get it to go?

[Bruce Dempsey]

Hi Dave
Will your tutorial apply to this gimbal from HobbyK: Tarot T-2D V2 GoPRO 3 Brushless Camera Gimbal and ZYX22 Controller?
My phantom is original vintage which I gather is similar to yours.
Think I might order it tomorrow shortly
On a side note, I had a sony rx100 slung under my phantom and was able to produce 1/2 decent (or less) results but too heavy overall.
So it's back to the gopro3Black and a tarot gimbal for me
Any encouragement I can offer for the tutorial?
tks
Bruce

[David Behrens]

Originally Posted by Bruce Dempsey

Hi Dave
Will your tutorial apply to this gimbal from HobbyK: Tarot T-2D V2 GoPRO 3 Brushless Camera Gimbal and ZYX22 Controller?
My phantom is original vintage which I gather is similar to yours.
Think I might order it tomorrow shortly
On a side note, I had a sony rx100 slung under my phantom and was able to produce 1/2 decent (or less) results but too heavy overall.
So it's back to the gopro3Black and a tarot gimbal for me
Any encouragement I can offer for the tutorial?
tks
Bruce

Thanks Bruce, sure you are offering encouragement!

Does your phantom controller have gimbal control on the back? (little white lever)
It is almost essential to have some sort of control otherwise you cannot change the pitch of the gimbal.

[Bruce Dempsey]

Drat..it does not
I'll hunt around for an upgraded tx with the gimbal pitch lever on the back , I don't want to replace the whole quad.

[Bill Sherren]

Bruce:
If you don't mind opening up your TX you can buy the DJI gimbal lever and fit it yourself. If you do buy another TX it would be worth seeing if any dealers offer a TX with a knob fitted to the front of the TX. I brought another TX with just such a control fitted on the front. And it offers a much better control and range for adjusting the gimbal angle. Many people also have fitted this type of control to the front- but my DIY skills are poor so went for one already fitted!

bill

[Fred Lampart]

Originally Posted by David Behrens

Hello,

I recently fitted a Tarot T-2D Gimbal to my DJI Phantom (V1.1.1) and hooked up the gimbal control, it took me a lot of research and thinking to get the gimbal control set up and working correctly and I also fabricated my own quick release mount for the gimbal.

I was considering creating a tutorial to take the confusion out for people who also want to fit this gimbal, I thought I would just see if anyone was interested first though.

So would anyone be interested in a tutorial on fitting the Tarot T-2D?
Thanks
Dave Behrens

Dave,

I too own a Phantom V1.1.1 and am checking out 2-D gimbals. I'd be very interested in both your tutorial regarding the Tarot T-2D setup as well as your quick release design.

Do you have any pictures showing all the interfaces?

Any idea how well the T-2D supports cameras other than the GoPro (i.e. Sony HDR-AS30V and Mobius)?

Fred L.

[Bruce Dempsey]

Originally Posted by Bill Sherren

Bruce:
If you don't mind opening up your TX you can buy the DJI gimbal lever and fit it yourself. If you do buy another TX it would be worth seeing if any dealers offer a TX with a knob fitted to the front of the TX. I brought another TX with just such a control fitted on the front. And it offers a much better control and range for adjusting the gimbal angle. Many people also have fitted this type of control to the front- but my DIY skills are poor so went for one already fitted!
bill

Hi Bill
Yes and all that precision soldering of 8 leads to replace the tx board with the new one has me worried a bit I must say.
I probably should find an tx which has been upgraded by a skilled tech. (not my area although I most likely could accomplish the task albeit untidily and of questionable reliability.)
btw did you find a dji unit or was it another and if so a model number would be welcome

[David Behrens]

Originally Posted by Fred Lampart

Do you have any pictures showing all the interfaces?

Any idea how well the T-2D supports cameras other than the GoPro (i.e. Sony HDR-AS30V and Mobius)?

Thanks for your response Fred,
Yes i do have some pictures, I was unsure where to host them so i just put them on imgur.
Here is an image side on with the gimbal stabiliser fitted into the quick release, you can see how the polished aluminum mount hooks under the gimbal and the other mount coming up from the gimbal(very left of pic) has a screw which screws directly into the phantom.

Here are some images on the mount itself, it is very simple, the other mounting hole was drilled out to fit in the front screw hole of the phantom mount system. Works like a charm.

Originally Posted by Bruce Dempsey

Hi Bill
Yes and all that precision soldering of 8 leads to replace the tx board with the new one has me worried a bit I must say.
I probably should find an tx which has been upgraded by a skilled tech. (not my area although I most likely could accomplish the task albeit untidily and of questionable reliability.)
btw did you find a dji unit or was it another and if so a model number would be welcome

Bruce,
After using my standard V1.1.1 Phantom with the gimbal control I would highly suggest a controller with some form of knob etc if it is a resonable solution for your situation, as the phantom stock control has a large amount of play in the movement and it is also exceptionally hard to find the middle position so the tilt stops moving.

[Bruce Dempsey]

the futaba t8j model LXBWGR has a nice big knob a bit pricey but I'm going to get it