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MARS

QUADCOPTER OPERATOR’S MANUAL

The Mars is Idea-Fly’s next-generation easy-to-use GPS-equipped 350mm quadcopter. The Mars features an 

all-new high-power motor system with quick disconnect self-locking propellers. The battery compartment is large 

and fits 3S LiPo batteries up to 6400mAh capacity (sold separately) for long flight times. Available in both Standard 

and FPV (First Person View) versions, both versions include an MC6 2.4GHz 6-channel DSS transmitter and a 2-axis 

brushless camera gimbal. In addition, the FPV version includes a 5.8GHz video transmitter and a color 4.3” LCD FPV 

monitor with receiver and antenna. Just add an Idea-Fly WiFi Sports Cam 1080P, a GoPro HERO 3, a Boscam HD19 

or other similar action camera, and you’re ready to shoot smooth high-quality video or enjoy First Person View flying 

fun! After familiarizing yourself with the basics of your new Mars series quadcopter, you’ll be ready to use the Mars’ 

high-tech functions, like the GPS Flight Mode and the Return to Home function, in addition to programming your 

quadcopter to ensure the best flight performance for the current flight conditions.

It’s very important that you read through all of the information included with your quadcopter and fully 

understand not only how to operate your quadcopter, but also to fully understand the responsibility you have 

for its proper use - both for your safety and the safety of others.

Operator’s Manual

MARS

Next-Generation GPS Quadcopter

If you have any questions about setting up or flying your quadcopter after you’ve read this Operator’s Manual and 

viewed the included How-To videos, please contact the Authorized Hobby People/Affiliates service department 

using the information in the Service and Support section on page 3 before trying to fly your new quadcopter.

*Camera Not Included

Summary of Contents for MARS

Page 1: ...iew flying fun After familiarizing yourself with the basics of your new Mars series quadcopter you ll be ready to use the Mars high tech functions like the GPS Flight Mode and the Return to Home function in addition to programming your quadcopter to ensure the best flight performance for the current flight conditions It s very important that you read through all of the information included with yo...

Page 2: ...n to Home Function 22 Autopilot Configuration Programming 23 Installing the Autopilot Configuration Program 23 Connecting Your Quadcopter 23 Changing Programming Values 23 Saving Programming Values 24 Programming Value Definitions 24 Failsafe Function 26 Checking the Failsafe Function 26 Maximum Altitude and Distance Limits 27 Using the Brushless Camera Gimbal 27 Installing the Camera Gimbal 27 Co...

Page 3: ...ough Hobby People Global Hobby Distributors or one of its affiliate authorized dealers To contact the Authorized Hobby People Affiliates service department or to purchase replacement parts or option parts SERviCE AND SUPPORT Periodically updates to the flight controller firmware may be released that provide enhancements and fixes that improve flight performance and user functions For information a...

Page 4: ...activate For more information see the Failsafe section on pages 26 and 27 If you don t push the throttle control stick forward within 5 seconds of arming the motors or if you re flying and pull the throttle control stick all the way back to turn the motors OFF after landing you will need to re arm the motors if you don t push the throttle forward again within 5 seconds This is a safety feature to ...

Page 5: ...ance and what s included depending on version and are subject to change at any time without notice kiT CONTENTS fEATURES AND SPECifiCATiONS fEATURES SPECifiCATiONS Requires Mini USB cable Factory Assembled Mars Series Quadcopter MC6 2 4GHz 6 Channel Digital Transmitter 2 Axis Brushless Camera Gimbal with M3 x 6mm Mounting Screws QTY 4 Propellers Clockwise Rotation Black Hub QTY 2 and Counter Clock...

Page 6: ... Standard Version Required for FPV Version Hobby People Micro USB FPV Video Cable P N 163452 Included with 116380 Required for Others FPV Version Only Hobby People XT60 Battery Adapter for Charger 4mm Bullet to XT60 Female P N 118542 Ultra Last 8 AA Alkaline Batteries for Transmitter P N 849440 Hobby People LiPo Battery Low Voltage Alarm P N 118531 Hobby People Mini USB Cable P N 163452 for Progra...

Page 7: ...verge of exploding or is starting to show signs of exploding Do Not Handle Directly The material spitting out if it comes to that is spitting out at as much as 2000ºF Try to Contain the Fire We recommend always charging your LiPo battery using a LiPo safety bag available separately If you don t use a LiPo safety bag we recommend a fire proof container with a lid be kept near the proximity of any b...

Page 8: ... without first reading about and understanding how to use these features In addition we don t recommend installing the camera gimbal or using the FPV system until after you ve flown the quadcopter a couple of times This will allow you to learn the steps required for flight and allow you to become familiar with the quadcopter s flight characteristics before using these features We suggest using an ...

Page 9: ...ulled all the way back Yaw Trim Switch Used to make fine tuned adjustments to the yaw axis to keep the quadcopter from spinning right or left during flight If it s ever necessary to pair the transmitter and receiver again see the Binding the Transmitter and Receiver section on pages 31 and 32 Pitch Roll Control Stick Throttle Yaw Control Stick On Off Switch Yaw Trim Switch Throttle Trim Switch Pit...

Page 10: ...er is sitting on the ground place a piece of white paper white cardboard or a CD turned upside down below the quadcopter The LED will reflect off this surface making it easier for you to see the color and flashing pattern Make sure to remove before flight Front Back Right Left Clockwise Rotation Black Hub Counter Clockwise Rotation Silver Hub Clockwise Rotation Black Hub Counter Clockwise Rotation...

Page 11: ... holder double checking to make sure that the polarity is correct then reinstall the battery holder and the battery cover Do not mix old and new batteries and do not mix battery types The transmitter is designed to use Alkaline batteries only Using NiCd NiMH or Lithium batteries will result in an error due to incorrect voltage and the transmitter will not function properly iNSTALLiNG ThE PROPELLER...

Page 12: ...You should perform the compass calibration process in the location that you will be flying the quadcopter at The LED Condition Indicator should illuminate solid Green while you re rotating the quadcopter If the LED goes out stop rotating the quadcopter and hold it level either horizontal or vertical depending on the calibration axis wait for the LED to illuminate solid Green again then continue ro...

Page 13: ...e same position you started in then cycle the Flight Mode Switch from the Manual Mode 1 position to the Return to Home 3 position and back to the Manual Mode 1 position three times quickly in a row The LED Condition Indicator will go out x3 PREPARiNG fOR fLiGhT CALibRATiNG ThE COMPASS CONTiNUED Vertical Calibration The quadcopter should be sitting on a flat level surface with the front of the quad...

Page 14: ... bottom of the quadcopter should be facing toward you like when you started PREPARiNG fOR fLiGhT CALibRATiNG ThE COMPASS CONTiNUED After calibrating the compass your quadcopter is now ready for flight Follow the steps in this section to arm the motors and fly your quadcopter in the Manual Flight Mode We strongly recommend flying your quadcopter in the Manual Flight Mode for at least the first few ...

Page 15: ...Y wILL RESULT fLyiNG yOUR MARS SERiES QUADCOPTER This section details how to control your quadcopter Each diagram displays what the quadcopter will do when a control stick is moved either up or down or right or left Left Control Stick Move the left control stick left and right to spin the quadcopter left and right Spin Right Spin Left TOP VIEw fLiGhT CONTROLS Left Control Stick Move the left contr...

Page 16: ...fore moving the quadcopter Calibrate the compass This only needs to be done before your first flight or under any of the circumstances described in the Calibrating the Compass section on pages 12 through 14 Verify the LED Condition Indicator is flashing Red and Green no GPS lock or Green GPS lock then arm the motors 1 With the front of the quadcopter facing away from you slowly push the throttle f...

Page 17: ...ible tone will sound Re arm the motors and continue flying b Land and let the quadcopter s center points reset on their own automatically by landing on a flat level surface and holding there without any movement for at least 10 seconds Re arm the motors and continue flying c It s possible that the compass is out of calibration or was not calibrated correctly Perform the compass calibration process...

Page 18: ...Trim Switch FORWARD several times until the quadcopter stops moving backward If the quadcopter moves forward push the Pitch Trim Switch BACKWARD several times until the quadcopter stops moving forward The Throttle Trim Switch should be left centered at all times In addition if for any reason the motors will not arm after you ve adjusted the Trim Switches center the Trim Switches on the transmitter...

Page 19: ...ltitude Hold Auto Hover Throttle Greater Than 50 Climb Throttle Less Than 50 Descend Right and Left Control Sticks Control Pitch Roll and Yaw Limited Control Head Lock Head Free GPS Set Altitude Head Lock Provides both Altitude Hold and Position Hold with Head Lock With the throttle control stick at 50 half throttle the quadcopter will hover at the current altitude and hold its current position Yo...

Page 20: ...he GPS Flight Mode section on the next page Before switching to the GPS Flight Mode you must manually fly the quadcopter using the Manual Flight Mode to the desired altitude and position and place it in a stable hover Only after the quadcopter is stable should you switch to the GPS Flight Mode When flying in the GPS Flight Mode the throttle control stick must be at the 50 half throttle position to...

Page 21: ...he direction the camera is pointing by spinning the quadcopter right and left around its yaw axis using the left control stick Refer to the GPS Flight Mode Flying Tips section on the previous page about controlling your quadcopter while in the GPS Flight Mode 4 The quadcopter can be moved up and down and right and left etc while in the GPS Flight Mode but control stick sensitivity will be reduced ...

Page 22: ...the Return to Home function to close to you or spectators or if there are any objects such as trees buildings etc between the Home Point and the quadcopter Your Mars series quadcopter features a Return to Home function that when activated commands the quadcopter to automatically return to its Home Point and land all automatically RESETTiNG ThE hOME POiNT fUNCTiON 1 After using the Return to Home f...

Page 23: ...TALLiNG ThE AUTOPiLOT CONfiGURATiON PROGRAM CONNECTiNG yOUR QUADCOPTER 1 Pull throttle control stick all the way back verify that the Flight Mode Switch is in the Manual Mode 1 position then turn the transmitter ON The Autopilot Configuration program does not install onto your PC or laptop like a conventional program You simply copy the application to your PC or laptop and run it We suggest making...

Page 24: ...y all that is required Adjust the ROLL STAB PITCH STAB and SHAKE COMPENS values in 5 point increments to start then fine tune in 2 point increments when you re closer to the desired flight characteristics ALTITUDE LIMIT Default Value 100 Meters 328 Feet This value allows you to adjust the maximum altitude from the transmitter during flight that the quadcopter s Failsafe function will activate at D...

Page 25: ...ection on page 22 RETURN RISE Default Value Rise This option allows you to choose what the quadcopter will do when the Return to Home function is activated when the quadcopter is at an altitude of less than 65 feet 20 meters When Rise is selected the quadcopter will first rise above 65 feet 20 meters then execute the Return to Home maneuver If No Rise is selected the quadcopter will execute the Re...

Page 26: ...d select Mode 2 prior to checking the calibration settings This function only changes the Stick Layout screen It does not change the actual transmitter Mode AUTOPiLOT CONfiGURATiON PROGRAMMiNG PROGRAMMiNG vALUE DEfiNiTiONS CONTiNUED fAiLSAfE fUNCTiON Your Mars series quadcopter features a Failsafe function that when activated commands the quadcopter to return to its Home Point and land Return to H...

Page 27: ...iMbAL bOTh vERSiONS Your Mars series quadcopter includes a 2 axis brushless auto stabilization camera gimbal that can be used with an Idea Fly WiFi Sports Cam 1080P a GoPro HERO 3 a Boscam HD19 or other similar action camera not included Using the GPS Flight Mode the quadcopter will Auto Hover at the current altitude and hold its current position on it s own You can then control the camera gimbal ...

Page 28: ...ze about 5 seconds after the final single audible tone sounds 3 Carefully push any excess wiring and connectors into the back of the body then close the battery door making sure it latches securely closed 4 While the gyros and flight controller initialize the camera gimbal will begin to automatically move to the level position in the roll axis and the Camera Gimbal Condition LED should flash Green...

Page 29: ... On Off Switch Used to power the FPV monitor ON and OFF FPV Monitor Specifications Screen Size Type 4 3 TFT Long Life LCD Resolution 480x272 Aspect Ratio 16 9 Brightness 500cd m2 Video Format NTSC Input Signal A V Working Voltage 5V Power Consumption 500mA Battery 2200mAh Lithium Internal On Off Switch Channel Select Scan Antenna Mount Charge Port Charge LED A V In Band Select Menu Decrease Increa...

Page 30: ...s Cam 1080P you will need to enable the Analog Video Output by pressing and HOLDING the UP Arrow button on the right side of the camera for 2 seconds using a narrow tool like a hex wrench see inset photo A short audible tone will sound an the display on the back of the camera will go black indicating the Analog Video Output is active If there is still no picture displayed on the FPV monitor press ...

Page 31: ...f any damage It s also a good idea to check your LiPo battery each time you charge it for any signs of damage or swelling If you have the FPV version periodically clean the FPV monitor LCD screen using a soft cloth and non abrasive screen cleaner Do not attempt to fly the quadcopter if one or more of the propellers is damaged Flying with damaged propellers is not safe and can make the quadcopter f...

Page 32: ... section of the Mars series quadcopter s product page at www hobbypeople net Both the standard and FPV versions use the same firmware 3 Place the quadcopter right side up on a flat level surface then plug your LiPo battery into the matching power connector Three quick audible tones will sound followed by a single audible tone Do not move the quadcopter for 10 seconds after plugging your LiPo batte...

Page 33: ... 2 Motor ESC 3 Motor ESC 4 Gimbal Roll Gimbal Pitch GPS Black Plug GPS Red Plug Aileron to RX CH1 Elevator to RX CH2 Throttle to RX CH3 Rudder to RX CH4 Flight Mode to RX CH5 Gimbal Pitch to RX CH6 BEC Power Adapter LED Controller COM Adapter Lead USB Connector To Front of Quadcopter S S Signal White Positive Red Negative Black RECEIVER Bind Port CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4 CH5 CH6 If you should ever need to ...

Page 34: ... the calibration process 6 Move the control sticks and observe the indicators When both control sticks are centered the indicators should be Green Move the control sticks to their end points The indicators should move to the end points and turn Red when at any point other than neutral The throttle indicator may turn Yellow to indicate the low throttle position If all indicators are Red after perfo...

Page 35: ...www hobbypeople net you can skip steps 1 and 2 Simply unzip the downloaded folder to your desktop The Gimbal Tools Configuration program is compatible with XP Vista 7 8 x and 10 x86 and x64 Windows platforms Installing the Gimbal Tools Configuration Program Connecting the Brushless Camera Gimbal 1 Power ON the transmitter and the quadcopter then wait to allow the gyros and flight controller to ini...

Page 36: ...celerometer An electronic device integrated into the flight controller that works in conjunction with the gyros to help stabilize the quadcopter during flight Altitude Limit The maximum altitude 328 feet the quadcopter can fly from the Home Point before the Failsafe function activates Antenna Transmits the RF signal from the transmitter to the receiver in the quadcopter Audible Trim Switch Tone An...

Page 37: ...ements and fixes that improve flight performance and user functions First Person View FPV A method of flight often used to describe a camera mounted on a model which lets the pilot see what the model sees in real time This is done by way of video goggles or video screens which display the output of the on board camera Flight Controller An electronic device that comprises the gyros and acceleromete...

Page 38: ...l be very dangerous Quadcopter An unmanned remote controlled aerial vehicle that is powered by four motors Receiver An electronic device that receives the RF signals from the transmitter and decodes them to command the quadcopter to move in the direction you input with the control sticks or to perform the function you activated with a switch Return to Home A function of the GPS that commands the q...

Page 39: ..._____________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________...

Page 40: ...ubject to Change Without Notice Revision 1B 11 18 2015 Made in China Shenzhen Idea Fly Technology Co Ltd 6th Floor A3 Building China Rich Crown Industrial Park Longhua New District Shenzhen China Phone 008 755 61267080 Fax 008 755 61267081 Email ifly idea fly com www idea fly com ...

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