3G Vs FB

[kungpo]

Looking at my next heli - definitely a T-Rex 500 - the price difference (£150 or so) between the 3G and the Fly Bar version is tempting me to consider 3G.

I'm strictly early beginner, but it looks cool - looks like less mechanical stuff to break and I'm guessing it will fly much the same as the flybar version.

Thoughts?

[sacko]

Get a Flybar version.

Get the RJX 500 head and BeastX combo. (£190)

..and if you dont like FBL, you can stick the FB head back on

[ChrisB]

Flybar version save your money

[kungpo]

Sounds like the Align 3G system is not that good then?

And perhaps FBL not worth it at all?

[Paulo uk]

I found the 500 already quick and adding a 3g IMO just made the heli feel too light in the air.

Paul

[kungpo]

I chose the 500 as it seems a good size and I wanted an electric as the Nitro's do seem a bit of a faff at times, plus the Lipo prices for the 500 seems a bit less obscene than the 550/600/700.

But I'm hearing FBL not worth it - perhaps I'll wait and convert one of my 600Ns later then.

[acwman]

Sounds like the Align 3G system is not that good then?

And perhaps FBL not worth it at all?

Depends what you want.. As a first FBL it does its job pretty good and I've found it fine. It's also going to be alot more stable than the fly barred version which I'm sure you will find a positive.

Coupled to the fact that as you say you are an early beginner, you will most definately not find it a disappointment. Should you want to change the unit at a later stage, you could just keep the head and sell the 3g control unit on to finance another unit you may want to try.

[kungpo]

Well....

I want an elecrtic heli with *reasonable* Lipo costs. Part of the reason I don't fly much is the faff of Nitro and my Blade is a bit too small for windier conditions. So the 500 seems a good compromise in terms of kit cost and lipo cost as well as size.

So whilst I'm not *very* price sensitive to the cost of the Heli kit (hence why the Align 3G kit seems attractive), I don't want to spunk money unncessarily.

[GravityKills]

>> And perhaps FBL not worth it at all?

let me put it like this: I just returned from test-flying a flybar heli I built for conversion as as night flyer, cheap and cheerful.
So, will flybars make a comeback in my fleet? The answer is, it is very unlikely. Very very very very very unlikely. In fact, this one will get converted to FBL at the first opportunity

As a beginner, you don't need a flybar. It will be really difficult to test-fly it, unless you have help from a confident flyer. You will spend extra time, that's for sure: The 500 isn't the most FBL-friendly heli because of the weird servo geometry (please correct me if that is now a problem of the past).
In that sense, the proposal above "get a FB heli and convert it maybe later" sounds like a good plan.

[ChrisB]

Sounds like the Align 3G system is not that good then?

And perhaps FBL not worth it at all?

The 3g is fine but paying 150 quid extra for less head parts and a 3g instead of an align gyro is not worth it

[rceccleston]

Personally, I would recommend purchasing the flybarless kit and replacing the 3G unit with a Skookum 720.

While at first this may look a more expensive alternative, the Skookum 720 will grow with you since it can be configured for a beginner with built-in auto-levelling like a coaxial heli, intermediate with bail-out auto-levelling from any position to extreme 3D on any heli from 250-700 size.

As a proud owner of four Skookum 720 units on 450-700e heli's, with all the included features, I'd say these are the best flybarless system on the market.

SK-720 Flybarless System

The SK-720 replaces the tail gyro, mechanical flybar, and receiver on your R/C Helicopter. Other features include flight logging with playback, optional-self leveling, and more to come! This unit is ideal for pilots from beginner to 3D expert. Go flybarless!

Overview
The SK-720 can greatly simplify your heli’s setup, by eliminating the flybar mechanics, tail gyro, and with the use of satellite receivers (not included), the receiver core and associated wiring as well.
But more than just a flybarless system, the SK-720 is a complete 6-degree of freedom inertial flight control system. So what does that mean for you?

Fast Performance
For 3D pilots, the SK-720 integrates the yaw and cyclic gyros, giving rock-solid piro maneuvers and tail control that benefit from knowing what the collective stick is doing. Flybarless flight gives you more power with less bogging, and a locked-in control feel that is far superior to traditional flybar flight.

Improved Stability
For beginners or those learning 3D, the SK-720’s built-in 3-axis accelerometer means you can set it to self-level, like a coaxial heli. This feature can be turned on full time, dialed down as your skills improve, or set to bail you out at the flick of a switch. Plus, a flybarless heli has greater stability than a heli with a flybar, and with fewer parts, is easier to repair. Small 450 size helis become as stable as 90-size helis. The SK-720 will allow every new pilot's first R/C helicopter to be flybarless.

Flight Logging
For all pilots, the SK720’s built-in flight logging lets you record and play back your flights in a simulator-like display on your PC (like a black-box recorder). Both the heli’s motion and the stick positions are displayed, letting you learn exactly where you can improve your skills – or why you crashed. The playback software can also be used as a diagnostic tool, warning you of voltage dropouts and high vibration, while marking where in the flight they occurred.

Helis Big & Small
For pilots flying micro-helis, the SK-720 will greatly simplify and lighten your machine. It also has a special small-heli tail gyro mode to give good holding power even on 250-size helis.





If you fly larger helis, the SK-720 includes a heavy-duty external power bus that’s good for 25 continuous amps, and helps to isolate vibration from the gyro itself. The bus allows for high voltage servos, low voltage servos, or a combination of both, and includes 16 gauge cabling to connect directly to a 2-cell lipo battery.

Easy Setup
The PC setup software has wizards to guide you through setting up your first flybarless heli in just minutes – making it easier to set up an SK-720 machine than a heli with a traditional flybar!
The setup software or optional SK-LCD terminal lets more advanced users fully tune their heli for max performance. And it's easy to upgrade the firmware at home so you'll benefit from any future product improvements with just a click of your mouse.
Future upgrades will include a GPS accessory for more precise xyz positions in the flight logs, as well as abilities entirely new to the hobby.

Features

• Easy set up for first-time users
• Flybarless stabilization with piro-compensation
• Built-in tail gyro, supporting most all tail servos by name in the setup software
• Supports use as a 9-channel receiver core when used with 2.4 GHz
  satellite receivers (two dedicated Sat-RX ports)
• Works with Digital or Analog swash servos
• Suitable for 120, 135/140, and 90 degree eCCPM, as well as mCCPM swashplates
• Works with 2,3,4, or 5 blades, with phase trim adjustable to +-90°
• Swash Ring anti-binding algorithm
• Internal swash mixing, for accurate control
• Supports radios with either 1024 or 2048 servo steps, and 22ms or 11ms frame rates
• Can also be used with traditional R/C receivers
• Expansion port for future accessories such as GPS
• 38 x 30 x 14 mm, 17 grams
• 8.5 volt capable
• Optional 20 amp external power bus (included) for larger than 50-size and nitro helis (15 grams). Make brownouts a thing of the past!
• 3-axis accelerometer + 3 gyros, allowing self-leveling
• High-power 32 bit processor (for future upgradeability)
• Expansion port for GPS or a third sat-receiver
• Up to 10 servos (one tail servo, 4 digital swash servos, Throttle, and 4 Aux channels)
• Port for a remote indicator LED , which you can mount outside of the canopy
• Data logging of vibration level, RPM, servo bus voltage, control positions, and error states
• Built in micro-SD card (2 GB flight-data logging)
• Built in USB mass storage device - Connect the unit to your computer without having to install drivers
• Flight data logs can be played back on your PC with analysis of tuning and heli health
• Compatible with the Skookum SK-LCD terminal
• Existing SK360 setup files can be easily up-converted for the new unit

Looking at my next heli - definitely a T-Rex 500 - the price difference (£150 or so) between the 3G and the Fly Bar version is tempting me to consider 3G.

I'm strictly early beginner, but it looks cool - looks like less mechanical stuff to break and I'm guessing it will fly much the same as the flybar version.

Thoughts?

[LipolyGone]

Flybarless isnt for everybody guys.
I bought a 3g 550 helicopter kit and hated it.
Just far to vague in the feed back I was getting from it.
If you have time and lots of money feel free and go
be an inovator in this hobby. If you have little time
and dont like faffing about stick to flybarred helicopters
and you wont go far wrong.

[kungpo]

I'm sold. Gonna stick with Flybar and just keep it simple. And save a few quid too.

[rceccleston]

Flybarless isnt for everybody guys.
I bought a 3g 550 helicopter kit and hated it.
Just far to vague in the feed back I was getting from it.

Your statement is based upon your single poor experience of the budget Align 3G unit, with limited features, which can not be compared to other high end and advanced flybarless systems

If you have time and lots of money feel free and go be an inovator in this hobby.

Again this statement is based upon your personal limited experience of flybarless systems.

As we all know, you get the features you pay for, so budget flybarless systems are not going to work as well as more advanced high end flybarless systems.

If you have little time and dont like faffing about stick to flybarred helicopters and you wont go far wrong.

It is true flybarless systems require a little more time to setup, however, the results are far superior to flybarred heads.

[LipolyGone]

Your statement is based upon your single poor experience of the budget Align 3G unit, with limited features, which can not be compared to other high end and advanced flybarless systems



Again this statement is based upon your personal limited experience of flybarless systems.

As we all know, you get the features you pay for, so budget flybarless systems are not going to work as well as more advanced high end flybarless systems.



It is true flybarless systems require a little more time to setup, however, the results are far superior to flybarred heads.

Erm take another more closer look at the thread title I'm sure it said 3G versus flybarred
My opinions stand, they were developed through a very bad purchasing decision & at much expense over the standard kit.
why over complicate things if your not likely to get a bennefit?
A freinds also had a night mare & serious cost acrued in spares for a very expensive kassama helicopter with a Beast X unit on it.
I'm sorry but like I said feel free if you want to inovate, I aplaud you for it,
but I personaly couldnt swallow the pound of bullshit it seems that is packaged with every 3G unit via this very forum.
It's a very flawed system that still isnt right.
I'm not saying mikado or skookum havent got it right they may well have but that wasnt what the OP asked now was it.
Slopes