Gyro

[Jonathan]

I was flying on Monday evening on the common and it was a bit windy and always tends to be there for my lightweight diamond demon 48" it was buffeting all over the place,  a chap turned up with a small foam ready built and he had a very stable flight,  that's when I learnt about gyros,  had a look on line and the Reflex gyro keeps coming up. My flying style is none acrobatic just circles and figure of 8 , don't laugh 😒 

Are they helpful. 

[payneib]

I have an "Eagle V2" (or similar named unit - just google, it's called a "Hobby Eagle A3 V2) in a foamy Bixler that I use for buddy boxing with my sons, it costs about £25. 

 

It's flipping magic. For my boys (and other beginners) it guarantees a nice solid flight, well out of the normal wind envelope. It makes it very much like flying a significantly larger "proper" model in wind, but still with the floaty, slow, its-a-foamy-no-one-cares-if-it-dies attributes they need. For me, as a fully aerobatic, moderately competent toy aeroplane flyer, I can sling that thing round like an absolute mad head and it doesn't even twitch. 

 

The only downsides are, that being an incredibly budget unit I have to check the working orientation of the gyro every flight (it's switched the rudder response twice), and I don't know how well it would work in a 3ch model. 

 

I'll be getting another one to go in a foamy Acrowot too. 

Edited August 7 by payneib

[Chris Walby]

Well it depends!

 

I tested a gyro out on a delta shaped wing (EPP so quite high wing loading which could be used for slope soaring with lead/no motor) mine was pusher 3S2200 and the servos were slow and control surfaces quite small so it did not make much difference until it was at the point of stall and then its down to the stall characteristics anyway.

 

I have used gyros on other models with good results + a despicable model that will only really fly (avoid the ground) with a gyro.

 

Helps if the gyro is on elevator. ailerons and rudder and makes flying in blustery conditions more pleasurable on the right model. There are some very small models HK Sky Raider IIRC that are very very good in all weather conditions, but they come with the RX/gyro all set up.

[John Lee]

They tend to be divisive some think they are magic, some would not touch them.

 

My advice is to try one and see how you like it.

 

I like them, I have 4 Reflex/Vectors, about 8 Jeti Assist & 3 AS3X plus a couple of dozen without gyros. I selectively use the gyro depending on the model & the conditions.

 

The generation of gyros I refer to are a world away from earlier gyros which gave an unnatural feel to the model. Modern devices are almost imperceptible in use when properly set up other than magically taking away the effects of turbulence &/or keeping the model straight & level when hand launching.

 

I was flying my Multiplex Racewulf this afternoon hand launching & flying in 15 gusting 25 knots wind without any difficulty.

[Jonathan]

Would a Reflex be compatible with my basic Spektrum DXS transmitter and AR410 receiver.

My rudder is a bit of a barn door 

Elevator only on one side of tailplane 

Edited August 7 by Jonathan

[John Lee]

Yes, as long as you get the V3 which is configurable: https://www.fmshobby.com/products/fms-reflex-v3-stable-flight-controller

 

Earlier versions & the Vector (same gyro, different label) are all (I think, but not absolutely sure) pre-configured for various FMS & Arrows aircraft.

 

Here's a scan of a Vector instruction leaflet from an Arrows EDF to give you the idea of the capabilities:

 

20240616_Vector.pdf

 

 

[Brian Cooper]

Nope. . I won't have a gyro in any model. 

They slow or delay stick inputs with their "Nanny knows best" technology interfering with a flight. .

A meddlesome, onboard Nanny does NOT ruddy well know best.

 

If being polite, let's just say they are "disappointing".  

 

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

I reckon it's a question you can only answer yourself, unless in a multi/heli or such, for me It's a big No.

[Paul De Tourtoulon]

I was given a HK orange one, I put it in my 2 channel piper cub all balsa origanally Diesel powered to do some FPV flying, they can be a headache to

get right, but you can always turn it off.

 

 A couple of club members have them in Multiplex acro planes, they love dancing around with them prop hanging, and knife edge.

 

Flybarless helis have to have them, I have a Micro Beast X, they are called 'Beast' because they are a real beast to get right !🤢

 

Ps, some helicopter flyers swear by them, and a few swear now and again because of them, I can't hear all the swear words as normally they are bending down over what is left after the 'malfunctioning' gyro.

Edited August 7 by Paul De Tourtoulon
PS