Chris Bott Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 Since it's release, the Spektrum DX8 has been criticised for the lack of options for programming gliders. There have been rumours lately of new glider software. Looking at this link, it seems it may be coming to fruition. It looks to me like it will be a "pay for" option. SPMSP8800 DX8 Gliding add on software Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 Maybe they need it for this drool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete B Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 That is very nice - but at what price?? Not quite the same colour scheme as the E-Flite but this video is well worth watching.......... I don't think I'll bother with the DX8 upgrade if it's a 'pay for' option, not having anything that needs full-house, but it'll probably disappoint those who were expecting a software upgrade to extend the programming. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Houghton 1 Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 This was why I didn't upgrade my DX6i to the DX8, because of the lack of glider functions. Instead I went for the Hitec Eclipse 7 Pro which has everything I could possibly require to fly a mouldie glider at a more than reasonable price. Steve A470Soaring.blogspot.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bott Posted February 15, 2013 Author Share Posted February 15, 2013 It looks like Horizon have decided to give us the glider functions for free. It seems to have won some sort of award too. translated German Horizon website Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Thats excellent news - thanks for finding that Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete B Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Indeed, we are anointed........ better upgrade these Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmarTmartY Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Still no sign of the DX8 software add-on Maybe it'll arrive on April Fool's Day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Littleton Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 HI , DX8 glider program is on the Spektrum site. You need to log into your account then go to community and from there into model presets, look down the list and you will find the download for sailplanes. Hope this helps. cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bott Posted March 30, 2013 Author Share Posted March 30, 2013 Hi Les I think you're referring to glider settings for the DX8 Aeroplane software setting. What we're waiting for is a whole new software in the Tx dedicated to Gliders. Unless I'm still missing something on the Spektrum website? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete B Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 We'll probably get an email from the Community side to announce its availability, although they seem to be a bit random in their distribution if previous releases are anything to go by. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmarTmartY Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Posted by Pete B - Moderator on 30/03/2013 09:56:13: We'll probably get an email from the Community side to announce its availability, although they seem to be a bit random in their distribution if previous releases are anything to go by. Pete Seems that way Pete. Funny how I've only seen a reference to it on the German site, and even the yanks aren't mentioning it Patiently waiting, waiting patiently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bott Posted April 8, 2013 Author Share Posted April 8, 2013 It's there guys, Sailplane is part of the Airware V3.00 upgrade, available now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmarTmartY Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 Thanks Chris All installed, and I've had a peek at the new menus, and I might just be able to get my head around setting up Willow F3F now. Fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Littleton Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 Got it Chris,cheers. Looks ok,and i think this puts my radio on a par with other mid range units that already have sailplane menus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete B Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 Here is the contents of the PDF from the site. As ever, they seem to have overlooked some guidance for non-nuclear physicists.... Version 3.00 8 April 2013 Software Features • Added full function support for sailplanes (Model Type Sailplane) Sailplane features include: • 4 Flight Modes- can be assigned to any 2 switches Launch Cruise Speed Thermal • Sailplane Types- 4 wing types available Normal 1 servo aileron- RES and basic sailplanes 2 servo ailerons- Discuss Launch and Slopes Soaring sailplanes 2 ailerons 1 flaps- Sailplanes with one flap servo 2 ailerons 2 flaps- Full Function Competition and Scale sailplanes • Tail Types- 3 tail types available Normal V-Tail A V-Tail B • Motor Supports motor function on throttle stick, push button or programmable switches including flight mode • Camber System Full trailing edge camber can be adjusted in flight via throttle stick or knob. Different camber values are available in each flight mode (4). Brake/ Crow is available per flight mode. • Camber Preset 4 camber presets available (1 for each flight mode) for flaps, ailerons and elevator • Flap to Elevator Curve mix A flap to elevator curve mix can be assigned to a flight mode or switch. Four curves are available. • Aileron to Flap Mix Aileron to Flap mix allows up to four mix values that can be selected via flight modes or switches • Aileron to Rudder Mix • Aileron to Rudder mix allows up to four mix values that can be selected via flight modes or switches • Elevator to Flap Mix Includes offset for snap flap mixing. Four mix values are available • Six Free Programmable Mixes • Four Aileron Differential Settings Selectable in each flight mode or via a programmable switch • Four Flap Differential Settings selectable in each flight mode or via a programmable switch • Elevator Trim Per Flight Mode Allows active independent elevator trimming per flight mode Software Corrections • No changes to Airplane or Helicopter modes Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Yup, this is a great upgrade and looks to have pretty much all I wanted and even retains 6 free mixes also - nice one Spekky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete B Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Here's a link to the sailplane programming instructions, effectively an addendum for the DX8 manual. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeS Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 Great to see this add on for sailplanes. So this update is not a system update as such then so unless you need it for these aircraft is there much point me updating yet?. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete B Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 No, Mike, there are no updates for the Acro or Heli settings, it just adds the Sailplane programming. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeS Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 Thanks Pete that's what I thought. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bott Posted April 13, 2013 Author Share Posted April 13, 2013 OK so who's had a play? The instructions that Pete linked to are very helpful indeed. I'm sure most folk have worked things out, but maybe someone is struggling a bit. So here's a few hints. If anyone else has some others, please post. In Sailplane mode the throttle stick is now called Spoiler, no matter what you use it for. The whole thing revolves around Flight Modes. This is like having three of four different model memories for the same model, which can be switched to in flight. We can have completely different stick and switch setups in each. Camber Presets can set up different flap and aileron positions in each mode, although I haven't used that yet. Camber Settings is an area to set what the ailerons and flaps do, (apart from being ailerons) and which switch/knob/stick operates all four. Obviously all this can be different in each flight mode. Using my Phoenix 200 to practice on I've done the following so far:- GLIDE MODE has all four wing surfaces going up and down together using the knob. This changes the Camber of the whole wing. For more lift, all 4 slightly down, for hanging around in thermals. Or for more speed, all 4 slightly up, for getting out of sink and penetrating into wind. CRUISE MODE is actually my landing mode. Here the spoiler stick moves the flaps down and the ailerons up for maximum drag. Called crow braking. This effectively means the nose can be put down without speed building up, so spot landings become easier. This is still a Camber setting, its just that the ailerons do the opposite of flaps this time, and don't go both ways. LAUNCH MODE. I have this set up with motor on the spoiler (throttle) stick and I also have a throttle cut switch set up for safety. (So I can switch between modes while setting up, and not have motor start up by accident). I also have the flaps acting as ailerons in this mode to improve aeros. That's done in the mixing menu, while most of the rest is done in Camber Settings. In Launch mode I also have snap flap activated. I'm sure there will be a better way to do things, and it would be inteesting to know how experienced glider guys would set things up. Edited By Chris Bott - Moderator on 13/04/2013 10:35:46 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bott Posted April 19, 2013 Author Share Posted April 19, 2013 I flew this (Phoenix 2000), this evening. Hmm well, it's certainly different. Many things were better than before but it's going to take some getting used to. For a start It's like flying three different models, and they all needed trimming separately. They all also needed different amounts of elevator compensation, whcih too a few tests and landings to tweak and try again. But now I think I'm close. What's better is that the Launch mode really is set up nicely for aerobatics. It will now roll much better than it would, because of the full span ailerons. Consecutive rolls are now possible holding a constant height. The Snap falp is interesting, dropping flaps a little after 70% up elevator has been reached. This really tightened loops. In fact care had to be taken not to add too much temporary dihedral! The landing mode was good too, I liked having variable crow brakes on the throttle stick, except when I wanted to "go around", then theres a switch to find. so theres a little downside. Having said that, with practice I could leave the throttle stick at haf way and switch from half crow to half throttle, have all the brakes pyut away and trims changed to those needed for a climb out, just by flicking said switch. So maybe it's just a case of getting used to it? Thermal mode was good too, I'd like the full span camber control to be more accessible, but at least with the knob there's an obvious centre. So turning it one way and everything slows up and the most can be made of any lift. Turn the other way, and the glider gets a shift on so it can speed out of sink and accross the sky to the next lift patch. What I need to do is remember that while each mode really suits what it's meant for, at the same time, some features of other modes are not available. The most noticeable being no motor in landing or thermal.. I recorded a flight as the light was starting to go, you can see when th emotor was on, gliding down after the first burst, holding height for a while after the second, then a fast loss of height with the brakes out, some aeros and then a landing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Kearney Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 Chris, that is a very interesting read, thank you. Ive got a couple of questions, I assume the flap servos have to be in different receiver ports and not via a y cable as I have at the moment, is this correct? Regarding the throttle stick, does that mean the throttle of the motor (rather than the stick) is simply assigned to a on/off switch? Or does it mean a switch changes the throttle stick between throttle and spoiler? I'm a bit confused around this bit! r. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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