Spartan Vortex Test Results

[Jamin_00]

Well I feel I can now give my views after having enough flights on it to be able to give a valid view.

I've had the unit a few weeks now but as the weather has been pants I not been out much and have forced myself for the last 2 weeks to go out purely to test this unit as I very excited by it on and off for ages. The set up caused me a few issues but this was purely due to me NOT reading the guide. If I had infact read the guide I would have had no issues as after I had set it up I read the manual properly and it is very straight forward and easy to do. Just read the manual and follow it properly. I dont like reading manuals lol (see my Futaba thread lol)

Once set up I couldnt wait to get out.

So I forced myself to go out last weekend as it was windy as hell and FREEZING! but I just had to get out to play with it and my new radio. I was very anxious on the maiden as I have not flown anything other than Vbar on my heli's for ages and these just rock as we know. When I finally lifted off (its on my new TDR btw) it was solid, stable as anything even in the wind. Obviously it was being buffeted around but it was very stable and instantly gave me confidence which was good so I gently started moving around then straight into idle up for some flying
Straight away it was obvious I was having a tiny bit of pitching up when I increased pitch/throttle. So when I was doing a climb out it was like a little ele was being added but it was not. This turned out to be my CoG being quite a bit off. I used my smaller lighter packs and put them where I put my normal bigger heavier packs and also I had no elevator pre comp added.
Adding this and setting the correct CoG when placing the packs has solved this instantly and its rocking. Out today on my own so back to back flights and Im loving it. I have made it softer as this suits my fast style of flying. I have tweaked the flybar ratio, ele and ail denounce along with the ele pre comp and its singing. I have not even played with some of the other bits that are there but Im really looking forward to as I feel it will be able to be tweaked to suit my style to the T, even more so than the Vabr and yet it is all very easy to do with the Datapod. The Datapod is also much better than what I thought it would be. Im not sure what I thought it would be like but its very easy to use and navigate around the different options that are there. Its clear on the display and not too small, infact its a perfect little unit. Its small so can be left in the tool box or in the car door side pocket, whatever but its no hassle like having a laptop. Which I never had an issue with but it so convenient as you just plug it in and do what you wanna do. It makes taking the laptop to me now seem like a hassle lol.

I am already pretty much 100% sure Im changing all my Vbars for this as I only want one unit running on all my helis and I feel that with the tweaks that can be done and the simpleness of it all, this is going to be one awesome unit.

A contender to take on the Vbar??

Not only that but imo a contender to take the Vbars crown away but lets see how I get on with it as its still very early days but so far Im loving it and thinking I will be ordering enough to kit the rest of my heli's out so expect in the next few weeks some Vbars up for sale


Updating the unit was also a breeze, download the files and away you go. I have updated all 3, the Datapod, the VX1 and the sensor and all went without a hitch albeit on a Windows machine lol

[milly0812]

Spartan Vortex Test Results

I haven't read the whole thread Ben but what was it that you were unhappy with the vbar ? I've tried a few fbl units because there was something that I felt could be better, then I tried a vbar and for me it ticks every box especially the tail which was the problem with the others. I just wonder what the vortex brings to the table that has made you want to kit your whole fleet with them ? ;-)

[Jamin_00]

Only wanting to use 1 unit and loving this.

Nothing has made me unhappy with the Vbar but if ever I was going to try another unit it was this.

I guess its also newer and I would like to think like all things when newer models come out etc they are an improvement over older units. Not always the case with FBL units but I think this has got the potential without a doubt and so far mate, Im liking the unit a lot.

Did I mention its the latest out

[waveydavey]

The V Bar works very well and I like the way it flys but the real downside for me is the bloody laptop thing. Yes I know once setup you shouldn't need to use it again but I found it a real chore. Other people don't though and I suppose it's whatever works for you, I've watched Andy Kirby fly the Vortex for quite some time now and if he says its good and it's better than the V Bar then it is, simples. I really liked the 700 with the BeastX on it but I had to try the V bar for myself just to satisfy my curiosity. The tail performance and piro compensation is better than the BeastX thats a definite but thats about it I'm afraid. So for me add the same performance on the tail to the BeastX and you've got the best in my opinion. Can't wait to try the Vortex

[Jamin_00]

See I have always loved the Vbar and people know it. But I just could not resist the opportunity of the Vortex. I have been hot and cold on this unit for ages now but when it came down to it, the name Spartan just does it for m as the gyros where and are legendary in performance so I just could not help myself and Im so glad I did.

The whole lappy issue has never really been an issue at all for me but it is what prompted my move to android so I could use the app and not have to take my MBP no more but the Datapod is really good. It is just spot on imo. Works very well and the potential of the unit is very good as well. I read a post on HF that it can be used for a variety of different things, even a servo tester I think I saw???

[milly0812]

Spartan Vortex Test Results

The V Bar works very well and I like the way it flys but the real downside for me is the bloody laptop thing. Yes I know once setup you shouldn't need to use it again but I found it a real chore. Other people don't though and I suppose it's whatever works for you, I've watched Andy Kirby fly the Vortex for quite some time now and if he says its good and it's better than the V Bar then it is, simples. I really liked the 700 with the BeastX on it but I had to try the V bar for myself just to satisfy my curiosity. The tail performance and piro compensation is better than the BeastX thats a definite but thats about it I'm afraid. So for me add the same performance on the tail to the BeastX and you've got the best in my opinion. Can't wait to try the Vortex

Interesting Dave as it was only the tail that I could never get right with the beast, I never had an issue with the cyclic and as u said the laptop thing can get wearing but I got a bt module on mine now and the lack of cabling is great, just leave it connected permanently and I can make any changes in seconds.
I'm guessing the spartan is similar in that respect but the beast def has the ease of field adj once you memorise the parameters lol ;-)

[Angelos]

[...]I read a post on HF that it can be used for a variety of different things, even a servo tester I think I saw???

Yes it's possible to make lots of things with it. Unfortunately time has not allowed me to write any other apps but there are a few cool little tools I would like to make using the DataPod even for my own use.

Cheers,
Angelos

[raptorheli2]

nice review Ben, it is only when people who know how good a vbar is will appreciate just how much better "high end" fbl systems are and i have no doubts the VX1 is going to be right up there.

Angelos has been a friend for a long time and i can't emphasis enough how passionately he takes his work. competing is not an option, only being the best will be good enough for him.

get ordering your VX1's folks, it HAS been worth the wait.

cheers

[waveydavey]

Interesting Dave as it was only the tail that I could never get right with the beast, I never had an issue with the cyclic and as u said the laptop thing can get wearing but I got a bt module on mine now and the lack of cabling is great, just leave it connected permanently and I can make any changes in seconds.
I'm guessing the spartan is similar in that respect but the beast def has the ease of field adj once you memorise the parameters lol ;-)

Sorry Don what I meant was if Freakware could match the tail on the V Bar then the BeastX would be my choice over anything. I carry a little card wiht the parameter settings on so it just works for me. Hopefully the Vortex will give me the same performance as the V Bar if not better, we will see.

[r4nd0m]

The V Bar works very well and I like the way it flys but the real downside for me is the bloody laptop thing. Yes I know once setup you shouldn't need to use it again but I found it a real chore. Other people don't though and I suppose it's whatever works for you, I've watched Andy Kirby fly the Vortex for quite some time now and if he says its good and it's better than the V Bar then it is, simples. I really liked the 700 with the BeastX on it but I had to try the V bar for myself just to satisfy my curiosity. The tail performance and piro compensation is better than the BeastX thats a definite but thats about it I'm afraid. So for me add the same performance on the tail to the BeastX and you've got the best in my opinion. Can't wait to try the Vortex

I was very interested in the unit myself when seeing Andy K playing with it but due to the "market conditions" (no availability when I was upgrading my hangar - still looks a bit low on supplies) I then bought the vbar which was available everywhere - however I chose Andy K to set it up on my 700 and 550 and havent changed a single bit since ... I wil give him some more time with it and if I cross a barrier with the vbar - I will get back to him on this ...

in regards of laptop - thats what bugs me with the 3gx actually, as I think the 3gx feels a bit more direct than the vbar - at least to me - hence I went for the bluetooth vbar option ...

but I do agree Dave, what I see from Andy K and his comments on the unit - it seems that the next big thing has landed ...

[anjki]

Sev,
its interesting that you can feel the directness of the 3gx over the vbar.It was that "directness" that i noticed in the vortex cyclics which was one of the main reasons i decided to ditch the vbar.
As you no i have a 3gx aswell so i fully understand what your saying.I must admitt that the vbar felt as though it was working too well sometimes and can make some manouvers harder to do.

cheers
andy k

[WildWake]

Well I've decided to give the Vortex a go, listening to a few early adopters saying how easy to program has got me interested & judging by past views on the Quark & how good it was has got me pre-ordering one

Has it arrived yet Dan?

[danch]

Re: Spartan Vortex Test Results

Has it arrived yet Dan?

Nope, only paid it this morning so should be here tomorrow

[waveydavey]

So will mine be

[Jamin_00]

Gonna be a few maidens this weekend