How is it now?

[Ross Northcott]

No it flies very well the only thing i had to change from the initial set up was the gain, it was a bit high but after this adjustment it seems perfect.
So are you saying that all trex 500e should have came with the latest software already installed?

[ChrisB]

From what i was led to believe the v2 firmware was released just prior to the 700E and 550E coming out so i would assume that all the 550`s have the V2 upgrade,all the ones i have seen or heard about have and it should say so on your unit.

Maybe someone else could confirm this?

[Ross Northcott]

just checked mine and it dont say anywhere about what version it is?

[coolice]

Hi Ross.

On the main mixer unit there is a unique serial number laser etched into the plastic, it's not glaringly obvious but just after this number there should be a V2.

My own experience was that V2.1 is much better than V2 on the 550, mind you a decent BEC which I fitted last weekend and is currently set to 6.2 volt output has also made a big improvement. I think it's due to the better current supply to the gyro's and servos.
.

[trillian]

So has anyone taken two of the same heli with similar servos, gyro etc. and had them both flying really well with flybars and then converted one to FBL and then what's the difference in the way they fly?

What's the deal with moving the sticks when the heli is on the ground? Do you still have to make sure you don't touch the cyclics until you get it off the deck ?

My thing about FBL is that I am quite happy with the way my helis fly with flybars so the reason I find it attractive is mostly the simplicity it gives the mechanical rotorhead parts, the clean uncluttered look (more scale look as well for something like a Jet Ranger or Robinson). And in a practical sense the heli would be a bit more durable when I'm carrying them around because the flybar is the most vulnerable part.

[GravityKills]

>> Do you still have to make sure you don't touch the cyclics until you get it off the deck ?

No, that is and has always been a myth. Some people may do it, but they don't have to.
One needs to handle cyclic like a heading hold gyro. When there is no immediate response, the heli is still held by the ground, so don't give any more input. Simple as that.

[Geek]

So has anyone taken two of the same heli with similar servos, gyro etc. and had them both flying really well with flybars and then converted one to FBL and then what's the difference in the way they fly?

What's the deal with moving the sticks when the heli is on the ground? Do you still have to make sure you don't touch the cyclics until you get it off the deck ?

I did two trex 600's glad I have
I can say it took about 20 flights to like the flybarless
Now I wish that they was both flybarless.
I can see why it's not for every one but it's going to be.
The nicer roll rates,more power and the looks.

I am with gravitykills if your model was rolling the right on take off you do just put a little left in. It's not very bad as poeple say.

version 2.1 seems to have sorted alot of small things.

it is the marmite of the hobby ( you love it or hate it )
have fun

[trillian]

I heard from somewhere that when spooling up on the ground or after landing if you move the sticks it can cause the heli to tip over because the FBL system reacts strangely when it sees an input but the heli doesn't physically move. So you have to get used to lifting it off before touching the cyclics (and similarly when landing)

>> Do you still have to make sure you don't touch the cyclics until you get it off the deck ?

No, that is and has always been a myth. Some people may do it, but they don't have to.
One needs to handle cyclic like a heading hold gyro. When there is no immediate response, the heli is still held by the ground, so don't give any more input. Simple as that.

[GravityKills]

yes, if you give too much input it can tip over. Just in the same way that something weird will happen, if I give continuous rudder input to a HH gyro, while the tail fin is still locked on the ground.
One has to be a bit careful, it requires only very small corrections.

[coolice]

Hey.

From experience you do have to be wary of cyclic inputs while the models skids are in contact with the ground, the reason why is that as the gyros receive an input to provoke a movement, if the model cannot move then more cyclic is added to initiate a change.

While it is not as bad as some may say it is there, more so in certain models than others I feel but can also be made worse or better by altering the servo delay speed using the 3G software. The latter though can effect other areas of the flight envelope so a compromise is made between performance In the air and stability while on the ground.
Having said the above Ive found small sharp corrective cyclic inputs while taking off to be ok, bit I am aware of what to expect from the 3G stabilization of the rotor head.

Landing is another area where care is needed, especially if one skid touches down first after an auto. The latter can also be made worse with a decaying main rotor rpm as the FBL gains do not take into account a slowing rotor RPM.

The bottom line is that once setup the Align 3G system works great, I do feel that a good bench setup is more important with FBL setups than say a stock flybarred model but the rewards for taking the extra time in the early stages soon pays off.
.