760 to 720

[robgt]

I have persevered with an odd tail issue on my Aurora (and Trex450 Pro) for quite some time.
As has been reported on here a few times in the past, in manoeuvres such as a Piro Wall Of Death I have had the tail stop pirouetting on me which is a severe brown trouser moment as I'm sure you can imagine

The really bizarre thing for me is that the gyro (Spartan DS760) would hold a fast sideways loop which is pretty hard on the tail - and then in the same flight, it would lock up (stop pirouetting) in a softer piro manoeuvre. I do a fair amount of pirouetting manoeuvres and occasionally the tail will do something odd...

I have tried setting the gyro up in several ways having received help and tips from a few people who know about the Spartan gyro - and at one point I thought it was resolved, but the problem I was having was still there in more thorough testing.

I have tried 3 different servos too - not that this explains the same problem I'm having on my 450 pro of course... (I can fly the same manoeuvre on a Furion 450 with a GP750 gyro fitted and aside from a bit of whippyness, the heli does what it should... not so on my 450 pro currently - back to back flight tests!)

I'm not one to give up easily, and I think my flying has suffered a little as a result of not being able to trust the tail on my heli - knowing it will do what you tell it and nothing more (or less) is what you need, and was missing for me for a while.

I've had other people look over the mechanical and electrical setup too - in case I was being a muppet (still quite possible ).

So this Saturday I had my first flight of the day and had the same issue with the tail once again, so I just decided to spend half an hour fitting a CSM 720 to the heli instead. I went through the quick setup procedure, and then into flight and went through the quick trim procedure and that was that.

My tail issue has gone!
The 720 is staying on my Aurora!

It doesn't answer the niggling question in my head though, which is WHY are both MY Spartan gyro's doing what they're doing?
It has been an incredibly frustrating (long) time for me and I currently don't have the answer. I know for a FACT that this gyro is very capable and some of the best pilots in the world use it to great effect. I just seem to have had no luck whatsoever with it, which is a real shame.

Cheers,
Rob

[mattie-lodge]

Hi Rob,

I had similar niggling issue when I used to run Spartan gyro's. Then I changed over to the CSM 720 and have never looked back once.

The Spartan has lots going for it (ie size, so called easy setup, amazing pilots fly it (good marketing)) but to be perfectly honest with you I really cant see anything it has over the CSM my self. Thats why I fly the 720. I find it easy to setup and you superb flying results from it. Oh and nice people to talk to as well

****Please note here and I have always said this and I flew them long before I was sponsored by CSM****

[DT39]

Rob

Is it worth sending them back to Spartan/Angelo's as that can't be right surely!
Just a thought have they got the latest firmware in them or if so maybe the latest firmware is the problem.

[robgt]

Yeah, I'll send them in for inspection once they are both out of helicopters (I'm still flying around the tail on the 450 pro (limiting myself). I know the heli will do what I'm asking of it because I have flown another 450 pro (with a 720 on it, as it happens) and it was spot on.

Hopefully something "wrong" will be found with both of them - if not... WTF?

Yes, latest firmware on both.
Cheers,
Rob

[trvo]

I flew CSM's before the Spartan's arrived on the scene, I've flown a few on different models and they aren't a low end gyro by all means but I always felt that it wasn't as great as it was being made out to be.

****Please note here and I have always said this and I flew them long before I was sponsored by CSM****

As have I, since the 720 was released I've never looked back, didn't really get on with the 560 though...

Glad your tail is sorted Rob, was rather scarey when I tried your Aurora!

Trev

[Rotorhead]

Like I've said many times, the 720 is just one of the best gyros out there, the only thing odd is how few people seem to fly them, looking at local flyers, I think I'm the only one.

Pleanty of spartans, pleanty of 401's, at least one 520, but no 720's, which is a pitty.

[Tom Burgess]

I've said this before but IMO the V2 release was a step backwards.

[kevinh]

Could this be a software issue or a components failure within the unit itself, how many others are having similar symptons, personnally my flying couldnt tell the difference if it come up and slapped round the face with a wet packet of fish


have they brought out a different version now say a version 2 with slighly different componets or diferent supplies of the componants

[moonmanflyer]

I have exactly the same probs with both my spartans, they seem fine when the wind is low but if it is a bit windy the piro almost stops at some points, was noticable at stainburn on my aurora and my 700 was doing it also at the weekend but not to bad as the wind was low, i am running diff versions of the firmware on both to see if there was a diff but no, both do the same thing, think it is about time that spartan took a look at this to see what the issue is

[raptorheli2]

rob, sorry to hear you still have the problem with your aurora. i've personally never came across something like this with it just stopping. if it was whipping that is a different thing entirely. if you feel the need please raise a ticket with spartan and it will be addressed.

if you prefer the 720 that is fair enough but you may aswell get the 760's fixed (if required) so you can atleast use them again or sell on if they are not for you.

like others here, i also have had every gyro going and imho the 760 is the best out there. i also said that before i got sponsorship btw! lol... GYRO FIGHT! (kidding)

cheers

[robgt]

Thanks James - you don't know how relieved I am to have someone else report _exactly_ the issue I've got!

I thought I was alone here!

Paul, I will send them back in for inspection when I have replaced the one on my 450 pro. I'm hoping that a problem is found somewhere - it's just really weird!
Whipping I can handle (I've flown a lot of Futaba gyro's ) but stopping while pirouetting... I've almost ruined my magic shorts a few times
Cheers,
Rob

[moonmanflyer]

Thanks James - you don't know how relieved I am to have someone else report _exactly_ the issue I've got!

I thought I was alone here!

Paul, I will send them back in for inspection when I have replaced the one on my 450 pro. I'm hoping that a problem is found somewhere - it's just really weird!
Whipping I can handle (I've flown a lot of Futaba gyro's ) but stopping while pirouetting... I've almost ruined my magic shorts a few times
Cheers,
Rob

I have found when the heli is vertical, mid chaos it just stops almost, you just can't do it in wind, or at least i can't anyway, on say a piro tail slide it is like it locks up for a split second and then goes again, brown trouser stuff sometimes, worst case i have found is if you are traveling piros, take this as an example, doing a high speed inverted flyby, then pulling out and doing a piro'ing wall at speed, just suddenly stops and then goes again.

[Tolly]

Hi

I have also had problems with the spartan on my aurora, I found that in fast backwards flight then roll inverted and start a backwards inverted left turn the tail just lets go. I realise that fast backwards moves like this are demanding on the gyro but I have put on a GY611 I had sitting on the shelf and this gyro holds perfect.

I not 100% sure but I think this problem only started after I updated the spartans firmware to V2, is it possable to put the firmware back to say V1.07? then I can try it again and see the difference.

Cheers
John

[richieclarkie]

OK, well I have been considering changing over to CSM for quite a while now. I've flown all of Mattie Lodges models with 720s on then and the tail is always perfect.

However trying to be constructive here I also like the Spartan, the hold is very good, especially when pushing it hard like sideways stuff as Rob pointed out. The piro consistency is OK, but can also be a little variable.

However: I was out today practicing 2.5 autos with the knight and the tail was really struggling during the chaos part and blew out numerous times. Interestingly I don't remember having as much trouble before when I last few the knight a few months ago. Now I appreciate this may be a big ask of any gyro because the headspeed is much lower but I'm sure it's got worse with the newer version of the software.

I had recently upped the gain a bit on the rudder and I'm wondering now whether that had an effect.

[robgt]

I found the overall flight characteristics of the Spartan very good. Tail hold is solid and while the piro consistency isn't as good as the 720 IMO, it isn't as whippy as a 611 can be either.

I guess with some tweaking it is likely that any whippyness can be removed too.

I honestly don't recall if I had this issue prior to the firmware update to the latest version, but I need to fly now, not mess around with gyros... just for now
That said, the latest firmware _should_ be the best, otherwise whats the point of updating it
Cheers,
Rob