Flybarless Controller Question, what's the difference.

[fingers_crossed]

I have searched online for days, weeks actually (alright months, I have a problem with researching things too much) trying to find an answer to this question but as of yet I haven't found what I am after.

I have a second hand 450 pro dfc with align 3g and have only really started to hover. I have been flying with a bent main shaft and other vibration inducing issues for a while just through lack of knowledge. Now the bird is all straight and flying properly I want to know what the next steps are.

I have seen some cheap unboxed align 3gx controllers for sale and have been wondering what differences they actually make. I'm not talking align 3g vs 3gx vs beastx but physically if I changed what would I notice. If you flew the same heli with different controllers what differences would you pick up. I know that the 3g isn't seen as being that good but why not, what am I missing that everyone with an ar7200bx is enjoying?

Any help would greatly appreciated

Dan.

[trillian]

The differences would be a better behaved helicopter in general. The later FBL controllers have more evolved firmware, better user interfaces and in some cases better hardware sensors as well.

At the stage of just hovering you may not notice too much difference but anything beyond that and you'll benefit.

[Slobberdog]

if you want the enjoyment that you think AR7200bx people are having avoid the 3Gx and get a Spartan Vx1e, its easy to set up and a dream to fly.

[SaneAdam]

if you want the enjoyment that you think AR7200bx people are having, avoid the 3gx, Spartan Vortex and get an AR7200bx. They are excellent units

[fingers_crossed]

Thank you for the replies.

Trillian, I guess what I mean is what is a well behaved heli? Will a good system hands off hover for longer than a poor system. Or is that more down to set up with blade balancing and vibration reduction? My heli doesnt feel very stable, like it is constantly wanting to wander around and requires constant stick movements (right up until the point it hits the floor) Should a FBL heli be fairly stable?


I started out thinking this hobby was fairly cheap compared to my RC touring car, parts for that thing cost a fortune compared to the align parts. However, the shear number of parts that seem to explode when a blade hits the floor is making this thing very expensive so spending a large sum on an FBL unit is not too high up on my priority list. Unless of course a new one would make the heli less wandery.

Should have listened to everyone on these forums and started off with a flybar heli.

Dan.

[PaulJC]

A good system will hands off hover slightly longer than a rubbish one, but still not for long... Without constant corrections it'll still be in the ground in a very short space of time, every helicopter needs constant stick movements, it's part of the challenge

I think at your current stage of just hovering a new FBL controller wont help you as much as practice time will, if you want to spend money on something maybe some more batteries?

The difference between flybar and FBL makes no odds when learning IMO, learn with what you have, practice practice practice, learn to run before you can walk...

[kroozing]

My Experiences are not that long ago and i have found that a fly barred heli is much harder to set up perfectly but you do have the benefit of a sluggish feel. Once i went to flybarless things just changed for me, the heli felt like i was controlling it not steering it and the adding built in stability means there will be no turning back. As for the controllers, there are many and some people say some are bad, some people say that others are the best.
What i have found is that even the ones that people say are not great are still very much flyable with good results for the level that you are at and even beyond to sport flying. After that you will will want to take note of the "better controllers" as you find that you want more from the current controller. I personally like Vbar but love Spartan VX1 and VX1n.

[fingers_crossed]

Thanks Paul, good shout on the batteries. They are definitely on the list.

I have a new main shaft, swash plate (as it was graunchy and rough) torque tube and new blades which i will actually balance this time, to fit over the weekend and i am hoping the lack of vibration will transform the heli. I imagine the maim shaft has been bent since day one so i probably have never actually flown it properly set up.

[trillian]

'Well behaved' in a really general sense is that the heli does exactly what you tell it and in a predictable way and does not make any uncommanded movements or want to tip over on the ground etc. But in a hover these things may not be readily apparent. Having everything balanced and not bent is a very good starting point!

It would probably be helpful to have an experienced heli flyer check it out and hover it a bit to make sure everything is definitely working as it should and you have a reasonable response on the sticks, not too sensitive and not too mushy, a linear feel with no surprises. After that it's just putting in the practice as much as possible and doing some sim time etc.

[PaulJC]

Being out of balance will certainly make life harder for any FBL controller, once in balance then spend the time getting your hover in orientations dialled in, it's never going to be perfect unless you make it your mission to get it just so, and that will be with constant corrections, it's a skill that will be built up over time with practice, if you can keep it within a 2m circle then you are doing well

[TheDarkPassenger]

+1 for the Spartan units (I'll move all my helis to it eventually), the BeastX units work well too.

The 3GX works, but is IMO a PITA to set up.

I've not used/experience the VBar so cannot comment, however in answer to your original question, changing the unit wouldn't make much (if any) difference if the unit you've already got is working OK.

In short, you're not missing anything and the good shout above on more batteries = more practice

[Si Goodchild]

I fly 2x 3Gx units and 2x AR7200 units all on 90-size helis and I consider them both to be very good. I also had a 3Gx on a 250 and that behaved well too. Seriously, at about £45 or even less the 3Gx is a steal. Pop on a sat rx and get going (often available second hand for about £11).

Si G