HOW TO: Install tablet mount on a Phantom 3 Standard remote controller

msinger

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HOW TO: Install tablet mount on a Phantom 3 Standard remote controller


Overview

The Phantom 3 Standard comes with a remote controller clip that is only large enough to hold the average mobile phone. If you'd like to use a tablet instead, you'll need to install some kind of tablet mount on the remote controller. The Inspire 1 tablet mount is the most stable mount available and a great choice to ensure your tablet is safely and securely attached to the remote controller.



Materials Needed
  • Inspire 1 Tablet Mount (get one from Amazon, eBay, or DJI)
  • 3/8" Threaded Nut Insert (get one from Phantom Help)
  • Sheet of notebook paper


Tools Needed
  • Drill
  • Drill bits (5/64", 11/64", 5/16", 3/8")
  • Pliers
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Pencil


Step 1: Remove the mobile phone clip

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws from the base of the remote controller phone clip.

P3S-0004s.jpg


Gently bend the base of the clip down and away from the top of the remote controller -- and, it'll pop off.

P3S-0014s.jpg




Step 2: Remove screws from the remote controller

Place the remote controller face down on a sturdy surface and use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four screws on the back of the remote controller.

Note: The remote controller sticks will dig into your work area, so you should lay down a towel or other protective material if you'd like to prevent the sticks from damaging your work area.

P3S-0016s.jpg




Step 3: Open the remote controller

Gently pry open the bottom of the remote controller and raise it up to about a 45 degree angle. The top of the remote controller will remain attached to the antenna as you're doing this.

P3S-0018s.jpg


Gently slide the base of the remote controller away from the antenna. The base should slide out and away from the antenna and allow you to reveal the contents of the remote controller.

Note: The base and top of the remote controller are connected with three cables, so be careful as you lift the base away.

P3S-0019s.jpg


The cables should have enough slack to allow you to lay the base of the remote controller to the side.

P3S-0021s.jpg




Step 4: Disconnect the remote controller cables

Disconnect the three cables connecting the top and bottom of the remote controller.

P3S-0026s.jpg


The cables can be easily removed by inserting a flat head screwdriver at the base of the cable and twisting the screwdriver at a 90 degree angle.

P3S-0023s.jpg




Step 5: Mark the location to drill

A 3/8" hole needs to be drilled into the remote controller so the threaded nut insert can be attached. Use a pencil to make a horizontal mark near the center of the remote controller where the mount arm meets the remote controller.

Note: Draw the line at the bottom of the remote controller arm. If you draw the line in the dead center, your hole will be too far toward the top of the remote controller.

P3S-0032s.jpg


Use the straight edge of a sheet of notebook paper to find the center of the remote controller. Line up the paper with the center of the antenna and center of the remote controller strap hook. Then, draw a vertical line across your horizontal line.

P3S-0034s.jpg


P3S-0033s.jpg




Step 6: Drill the hole for the threaded nut insert

The hole must be 3/8". It'll be easiest to start with a smaller pilot hole (5/64"). And, then inrease the size of the hole by gradually increasing the size of the drill bit (try 11/64", 5/16", and 3/8").

Note: Before drilling the pilot hole, make sure all of the wires have been moved away from the area where the drill bit will enter the remote controller. If you do not move the wires, they will wrap around the drill bit and most likely be ripped from the remote controller.

P3S-0035s.jpg


P3S-0036s.jpg


Use pliers or another sharp tool to cut away the plastic around the hole. You'll need enough room to fit the nut from the threaded nut insert.

P3S-0039s.jpg


After cutting the sides of the plastic, you can bend them back and forth until they break off.

P3S-0040s.jpg




Step 7: Insert and secure the threaded nut insert

Insert the threaded section of the threaded nut insert into the top of the remote controller.

P3S-0037s.jpg


Hand-tighten the nut and use pliers to ensure the nut is threaded the whole way on.

P3S-0041s.jpg




Step 8: Reattach the remote controller cables

Reattach the three cables that connect the top and bottom of the remote controller.

P3S-0043s.jpg




Step 9: Close the remote controller

Close the remote controller by reversing the steps used to open it. And, reinstall the four screws on the back of the remote controller.



Step 10: Attach the tablet mount to the remote controller

Slide the top of the tablet mount into the threaded nut insert and insert the screw into the bottom of the tablet mount to secure it.

P3S-0044s.jpg
 
Last edited:
Personally... I'll try this first

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That looks interesting. I'm not taking any chances with my $500 iPad Mini 4 though ;)
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the extensive how-to! It definitely confirmed that I am going to do this to my TX as well :)

Just ordered the insert from PhantomHelp.com. How long will it take to ship it to me in The Netherlands?
 
cas_per_m, I ship via USPS first class mail. I haven't shipped anything to The Netherlands yet. I'm assuming it'll take about 7 days since that's what it normally takes when I ship to Germany.
 
Extremely helpful step-by-step with pictures. Doesn't get any better than that. Definite confidence boost to show how it's done. Thank you.
 
Nice write up!
 
I've got a 5 year old full sized ipad with gps that is in the drawer at home. Is it going to be too big to work. My iphone 6 works but is pretty small.
 
cas_per_m, I ship via USPS first class mail. I haven't shipped anything to The Netherlands yet. I'm assuming it'll take about 7 days since that's what it normally takes when I ship to Germany.

Thanks Mike!
I'm looking forward to receiving the nutsel, meanwhile I'll prepare the rest of the parts :)

As I'm using my iPad Air in conjunction with a Lifeproof Nüüd case I will need an extension of the tablet holder. Thanks to LuvMyTJ this will be possible using the following part: Extended Mount

Happy Modding!
 
I've got a 5 year old full sized ipad with gps that is in the drawer at home.
Yes. It'll also be too slow. All iPads are too slow to run DJI GO. You'll need an iPad Mini 2/4 or an iPad Air. Check out all of the commonly used devices here.
 
To everyone who did the upgrade:

How solid does it feel when an iPad Air/similar is mounted? It seems very solid (and I'm building it anyway), but I am curious how much flex/movement there is.

Does it feel like you are putting a lot of stress on the plastic case of the TX?
 
The only thing you're going to feel is that the remote controller is top-heavy. The remote controller plastic does not give and the Inspire 1 mount does not flex/move since it's on a metal mount.
 
excellent writeup, im a new owner, ordered a tablet holder and found it would not fit.(i-pad) mini. And the normal mount looks like the tablet would be heavy to one side. The above is what I am going to attempt. Does any of the inpire 1 (metal) mount holders work ? I have been reading and people are saying the hold won't match up?? does the fact that the hole that's being drilled (in the rc) will correct this ? Also once this is done what tablet holder will work with this set up for ipad mini ? 7.9 x 5.3
 
I have been reading and people are saying the hold won't match up?
I haven't heard of that. The above steps show what I did to upgrade my P3S remote controller. If you follow those steps exactly, the same will work for you too.
 
msinger. Thank you terrific instructions. I spent ages searching for this never found it, shows you have to word it right. Mine shipped without small nut ( only small screw ). don't suppose you know size and what thread ? Not too important I'll try to find one to match.
Thanks again
 
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This is what mine looks like.Lower pin, small area above thread, above that small barrel thing spins ( don't know what it does/or is for ) I assumed a nut goes on thread part from inside controller.Cheers
 

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You need to insert that end into the nutsert (as seen in step #10 above).
 

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