Spektrum DX8

So what is the deal with the gyro? I had all kinds of problems trying to switch from the DX6i controlling the tail to having the co pilot II control it. The numbers made no sense.

Spectrum GYRO Gain setting and what the numbers actually (approximately) represent

• For setting in RATE mode we go backward, starting at 50
  49=2% gain, 40=20% gain, 25=50% gain, and 0=100% gain

• For setting in HEADING HOLD (HH) mode we go forward, starting at 50
  51=2% gain, 60=20% gain, 75=50% gain, 100=100% gain

Because the Spektrum GYRO Gain settings start from 50 (again we SET forward for HH and backwards for RATE) this cannot equal the "True Gain" value
as this value must start at zero (0)

FINLESS does a darn good job in a VID explaining "True Gain" and what the "numbers" mean but I canceled {LMAO} my account over at HeliFreak so I cannot use their search function, I can't find this VID now! But for those w/ accounts if we enter into Helifreak's search "True Gain" it shouldn't take too long to find this video. In this VID and noted in many posts after there's a "calculation" that can be used to calculate Spektrum's "True Gain" value

Hope this helps as it maybe too simplified and/or too vague but this is how I make the numbers work in my head ...

  [shadow=Orange,left]w00d[/shadow]

Ah, thanks wood. That makes sense now. I do understand the difference between rate and HH modes, but fail to see a practical use for rate mode? Is that a scale flyers fun thing to do or what?

Yup SCALE fliers use RATE mode the most as this gives a "scale" feeling to the flight. Flying is more like an airplane and like a "REAL" helicopter as this mode allows teh "weather vane" affect. Heading Hold is the favorite of the 3D crowd, for them it gives a more precise and accurate feel to the flight ... But I'm certainly not a 3D pilot so that would be just the way I understand it. For FUN and if the words fail play around with Heading Hold and RATE in your Rc Flight Simulator (assuming one has a SIM) and you'll KNOW right away what the modes are doing or better, see what the two modes can do for us 

[size=1.25em]EDIT:[/size][size=1.25em] I needed to ADD something I just read about flying in RATE Mode[/size]
Specifically flying backwards in RATE Mode is MORE challenging! Apparently because of the same
"Weather Vane" affect it's very hard for a RATE Gyro to HOLD a backwards flight. Although (w/ practice)
it can be DONE but nevertheless flying a reverse course is a challenge, obviously MORE SO if this
flight involves any reverse acrobatics ...

Ah, thats it. I got a real helicopter pilot flying rc this summer and he was disappointed with having to use tail rotor input to turn the helo instead of pure cyclic aileron input. I now know what he needs to be setup at. And i need to try rate for fpv as well.

{haha} I have talked to real helicopter pilots also and they have an easier time understanding the benefit of flying in RATE, 3D flyer's not so much ... I'm sure you've been around long enough to be weary of the "3D BIOS" that seems to be prevalent in allot of the "advice" given. Although for beginners learning to fly is easier when learned in Heading Hold, RATE is best saved as a more advanced lesson. Personally I think even if one is strictly a Heading Hold fanboy learning the RATE setup is still a valuable lesson if only for or at least for academic reasons. IMO neither one is "better" than teh other, both are simply valued tools and a choice ...

I've often wondered about gyro rate and heading hold.  Thank you guys for this thread, I learned a lot.

At one time teh RATE Gyro was the only kind one could buy. The Heading Hold Gyro came next then the 3-Axis Gyro. The older boys whose been into rc Heli's the longest will know the RATE gyro the best. As I intimated at one time there was none then RATE and RATE is still going strong. Well "strong enough" Heading Hold is the current KING of Gyro's but I see 3-Axis Gyro's which is really a Heading Hold variant taking over as they become cheaper and more popular.  ...

Well bless their little hearts
Look at what I found just over the Horizon ... an Heading Hold GYRO Setup but simplified

We should {IMO} ALWAYS follow the manufactures setup guide ...

... but this will do for the most common Gyro out, teh Futaba GY401. Never mind they are talking about the JR270
in the VID as it's the same setup for the GY401. Out of the many tutorials out there I find this the simplest and
easiest to follow. Pssst, "they" only HINT about adjusting the GAIN {LMAO} Yeah that puzzled Smea but OK it's
Horizon so what the diddle-dee do I know. This guide is probably best for our budding NOOB or ANY whose got a
wee bit of teh wobbly knee ...

I'm still looking for a good tutorial that teaches how to setup the helicopter in RATE Mode
    [shadow=Orange,left]w00d[/shadow]


QUOTE: Setting Up the Heading Hold GYRO in your Heli is Easy

First I’ll assume you have your main controls setup in your Transmitter


In the transmitter:[list type=decimal]
[*]Make sure you have the rudder trim tab and sub trim functions set to “0”
[*]Set the TX rudder travel to 100%
[*]If you use the Retract Switch or Aux 2 lever to switch Gyro modes set the Headlock position to about +60%  (nothing
critical here we will fine tune later) and rate mode to -30% (not critical)
[*]At this point set the TX gyro lever in the Rate Mode position (for setup only!)
[/list]
In the helicopter:[list type=decimal]
[*]Fix the servo output arm such that it is at 90 degrees to the servo
[*]I assume you have mounted the gyro and checked the servo response direction (left and right commands from the TX)
as well as the Gyro response direction (it should go left when the nose goes right)
[*]With your tail rotor servo connected make mechanical adjustments such that the tail slider is in the center of its travel
(equal movement left and right)
[*]Using the gyro “Limit” function, adjust the travel of the servo such that full left rudder does not bottom out, then go over
and see that the full right does not bottom out. Change the Gyro limit until you have the setting correct
[/list]
Believe it or not you are done. When you are ready to fly set the Gyro switch to the Head Lock position and turn on the
TX then power up the helicopter. Allow the gyro and heli to sit perfectly still during the initialization process. When everything is
ready to go you can lift off


              [youtube]OlJ5TLhFA9k[/youtube]


EDIT:

Rate Mode Setup: Although this linkage talks about Heading Hold and RATE I have the URL jump directly to the RATE setup.
Generally speaking I don't know this GUIDE that well so have a look and you tell me what y'all think

• http://www.rcheliwiki.com/Tail_setup#Rate_gyro_electronic_setup

... and for anyone who knows how to SETUP in RATE or in the least understands the setup here's a RATE Mode Setup Trick

Caveat Emptor: I would only ADD we be careful we don't suffer the dreaded Tail SPIN of Death. I would setup the Mechanical
RATE as close has we can get before we apply the following TRICK. Use the "TRICK" as a method of FINE tuning. Do NOT
Take-Off or FLY too HIGH then simply FLIP into RATE. If we do and the RATE Mode setup is NOT close to what is needed we
will get ourselves the "Death SPIN" and/or what I call a "Death WAG" which WILL in all probability lead to a very nasty crash!
Just a little common sense here would be best, yeah!


Rate Mode Setup Trick --- check it out  --->[list type=decimal]
[*]Take-off as normal in Heading Hold
[*]Flip into RATE Mode {Caveat Emptor}
[*]Use Rudder TRIM until Tail holds without drifting. For example: 10 clicks LEFT
[*]Land
[*]Tape the Tail Bell-Crank so it can't move, locking the Tail Pitch
Slider in the trimmed position
[*]Loosen the Tail Servo Mount so it can slide along the Boom
[*]Re-center the TRIM (10 clicks RIGHT in this example). This will
move the Tail Servo along the Boom, since the slider can't move
[*]Re-tighten Tail Servo Mount
[*]Set up GYRO Limits/End-Points as per usual
[*]http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1313760
[/list]

Easy as 1 ---> 2 ---> 3 --->

Thanks for that wOOd.
I'll be using my old 401 in the 500E. This will be my 5th or 6th gyro set up, and I still have to go the the Finless videos to get it done.  :
I'll give this method a go this time. 
I have to agree with the fella, the more I read and tried to understand the instructions provided with these units the more confused I became.

Agreed and there's NONE worse than Futaba's instructions or should I say "Hieroglyphics"

[size=1.25em].: Happy NEW Year :. [/size]

Hey now were getting to teh meat and potatoes, we can talk about settings all day long but how this bad-boy fly's is what matters most eh ...
How are the Gimbals compared to your old DX6i
I would have to assume better but nevertheless looking for bit of a user review ...

    [shadow=Orange,left]w00d[/shadow]

{hehe} My "helicopter" BIOS is showing the muck ...
... Although I do understand the NEED or the benefit of Mixing for Airplanes in general but mixing is still a bit of
a mystery. Ummmmm I'm thinking maybe mixes could be put to use on my helicopters

Meh, forget that ... Would ya SAY your new Radio is helping or making you a better flyer, are you flying better

Certainly the answer I (or anyone looking to buy this Tx) would be looking to get

... and thanks, yes I will be looking forward to your thoughts after you've setup and flown a heli w/ this radio

Hey GC in POST #53 you said ---> The left stick somehow comes with limited throw (pics below)

... Sorry Bud but I see no pictures ... Also curious about the limited throw ?