(maybe stupid) beginner question

[Tyrell63]

Hi

I am new in this area....pls forgive me.
But I have a question, about gyro systems
Often their are built in into these cheap beginner planes (from Aliexpress or Banggood)

My question is....when I want to add a gyro system for "learning" pruposes (to hold this plane easier under control)
like the Arrows Piper J3, the Dynam PT-17 or the Hookll Pt-17 (or maybe this one here: HAWK KING EPO 928mm Wingspan Seaplane Trainer RC Airplane KIT/PNP)
can these gyro help to fly (to learn to fly) these models?
If yes (what I hope :-) )...I have a DX8 transmitter from Spektrum...which system is recommended?
Is there a lot of programming to do? Or how a gyro will "know" how he has to react is a specified plane?
Which systems are connected usually? Elevator, aerlerons and rudder? (Is this a 3-axis gyro?)

Sorry again for these beginner questions.
If there is a good helpful articel, I would read it too

Best,
Lutz

[xviper]

What you want is a 3-axis/6-axis type gyro. The 3-axis part of it will give you stability control for things like cross-winds, wind gusts and other "outside" forces at work. The 6-axis gyro is what can give you things called "auto leveling", "recovery mode". The current cheap examples of these, like the Lemon stabilized receivers or the HobbyEagle stabilizers have had issues with "auto-level" functions. They can be tricky to set up correctly and have been known to make the plane take a dirt nap, even though the stability part of them work very well. These require a bit of programming but not too complicated.
I'm about to try something a little different and I think these look promising. It's meant for beginners and seasoned flyers alike. This is the Aura 5 Lite. It's a flight controller that you must add a remote satellite receiver. It was designed by Flite Test and made and sold by Flex Innovations. It has self leveling, simple programming and once set up, is good for the life of the plane, however long or short that may be. Don't know if you can get them easily where you live. They are based in the USA. Here's a link with some great tutorials and demos in video.

https://store.flitetest.com/flite-test-aura-5-lite-gyro-system-flt-8050/p1152604

[Coconut]

Or, since you have a DX8 get a Spektrum AR630, AR631 or AR637T. It's easy to set-up with forward programming. And there's alot of informational videos about them on YouTube.

[Tyrell63]

Thank you both
The DX receivers, I have to check, if this works with a DX8 Gen1....or is a Gen2 requiered. My (I think) is Gen1...the "silver" ones.
But good to know, that this is possible

Thank you

Best,
Lutz

[xviper]

Thank you both
The DX receivers, I have to check, if this works with a DX8 Gen1....or is a Gen2 requiered. My (I think) is Gen1...the "silver" ones.
But good to know, that this is possible

Thank you

Best,
Lutz

The DX8 Gen 1 will NOT do forward programming. The "SAFE select" RXs from Spektrum is a terrific option, but you already said you didn't want to deal with figuring out programming and such, so this may be something that you evolve into. For now, if you really want to get into "SAFE select", you best get a BNF plane that has it already installed.

[Tyrell63]

for a "Beginner" plane by FMS they provide a system like this here:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001845862971.html

This will need a PPM oder SBUS connection. Does Spektrum receivers have this?
Especially the AR8000? (cause this one I already have here.....and before he's doing nothing....)
Or which one I would need?

Thank you

Lutz

[SanExup]

Lutz, to boil it down a little. Spektrum stuff has all the capability you want in an easier to "program" package. The other options are just as good, and maybe better, but may require more programming or a more ' complicated ' process to achieve the same result. With the Spektrum you pay for that maybe a little easier to use package.

That reflex gyro, is a gyro without a built in receiver. You can purchase other gyros without receivers. And then you can purchase receivers with built in gyros. Spektrum, Lemonrx, are compatible with each other. So you don't have to buy a Spektrum rx for your Dx8, you can get a Lemonrx. And some of the Lemonrx have built in gyros, and are more inexpensive than Spektrum.

There is a lot of information to process starting out. And then there are the number of products available. And then there's building and setting up a plane. And then flying it. It can be confusing and daunting but it seems like you are making the steps towards good purchases.

[Tyrell63]

Hi

Thank you
But its just interesting for me, if the AR8000 will have a PPM or SBUS connector
The gyro from FMS is still in the Piper J3 I am interested in.
It is configured for this plane :-)
must just connected to a receiver, thats all
My QS is simple....which rx (Spektrum compatible) has a PPM or SBUS connector?

maybe e.g. this? https://sea.banggood.com/CM703-2_4G-...RoC3UUQAvD_BwE

[xviper]

"SBUS" is an indication of a "serial" interface. The AR8000 does not have SBUS capability. As a warning: The AR8000 has been known to be flawed. I've had 6 of them over the years. 2 were dead to start with, 2 failed during use and caused crashes. I just took one out of a plane because the throttle channel was so intermittent that it may as well have been dead. One is still working in a plane today but I plane to change it out before something bad happens.
You don't need to use SBUS for the Reflex system. You can just plug each individual lead from the Reflex into the RX.
PS. Spektrum satellite receivers (DSMX) are serial RXs.

[mshagg]

I would recommend against using the FMS reflex gyro. They are pre-programmed and are not adjustable by the consumer. This is problematic, as you are hoping that the gyro is configured correctly for the direction of all your servos. You might get lucky - 50% chance I guess - but if you are unlucky it will destroy your plane if you attempt to fly it.

Motion (and other retailers) carry a range of gyros from hobbyeagle. They are simple and effective. More imporantly, they are easy to adjust to make sure the configuration is suitable for your choice of plane.

That said, and I mean this with the utmost of respect - based on your pattern of posting I am assuming you are beginner looking for a plane with self-levelling features? If this is the case i would strongly recommend buying a plane with a pre-configured gyro/self levelling system installed. Configuring a gyro to behave correctly - particularly if you are relying on self-levelling functionality - requires a bit of experience. Ideally you would have an experienced pilot train you, but appreciate that not everyone has access to this.

If the eflite planes are a bit expensive, FMS offer some high wing trainers with the reflex system pre-installed.

[Tyrell63]

Thank you
But in this case its NOT only a FMS gyro and a different plane, its a "combo"

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32912824354.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.45fd3c002sDnKx&mp=1

Based on their description this FMS gyro is pre configured for this plane (correct?)

Im just hardly thinking of this,,,,cause
1.) its around 25% cheaper then the Hobbyzone Carbon Cub S2
2.) floats (for later use) are included
3.) its much !!!! nicer 😂
4.) a bit bigger

against (not sure)
1.) smaller landing gear (mauybe cannot use on grass?)
2.) no optional flaps (easier to start from water?)
3.) no landing assistance module (I dont want)
4.) a bit bigger

So I would buy this receiver too https://sea.banggood.com/2_4G-6CH-S6...ytogether-auto
to have a proper connection to the FMS gyro modul

or I am wrong?

[Gilatrout]

Thank you
But in this case its NOT only a FMS gyro and a different plane, its a "combo"

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32912824354.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.45fd3c002sDnKx&mp=1

Based on their description this FMS gyro is pre configured for this plane (correct?)

Im just hardly thinking of this,,,,cause
1.) its around 25% cheaper then the Hobbyzone Carbon Cub S2
2.) floats (for later use) are included
3.) its much !!!! nicer 😂
4.) a bit bigger

against (not sure)
1.) smaller landing gear (mauybe cannot use on grass?)
2.) no optional flaps (easier to start from water?)
3.) no landing assistance module (I dont want)
4.) a bit bigger

So I would buy this receiver too https://sea.banggood.com/2_4G-6CH-S6...ytogether-auto
to have a proper connection to the FMS gyro modul

or I am wrong?

$91 shipping to the US makes this model significantly more expensive than the eflite cub with the receiver included.

[mshagg]

Thank you
But in this case its NOT only a FMS gyro and a different plane, its a "combo"
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3291...c002sDnKx&mp=1
Based on their description this FMS gyro is pre configured for this plane (correct?)

Im just hardly thinking of this,,,,cause
1.) its around 25% cheaper then the Hobbyzone Carbon Cub S2
2.) floats (for later use) are included
3.) its much !!!! nicer 😂
4.) a bit bigger

against (not sure)
1.) smaller landing gear (mauybe cannot use on grass?)
2.) no optional flaps (easier to start from water?)
3.) no landing assistance module (I dont want)
4.) a bit bigger

So I would buy this receiver too https://sea.banggood.com/2_4G-6CH-S6...ytogether-auto
to have a proper connection to the FMS gyro modul

or I am wrong?

My apologies, you are correct. With an appropriate receiver that would be a good training plane.

$91 shipping to the US makes this model significantly more expensive than the eflite cub with the receiver included.

Not everyone lives in the US...

[Gilatrout]

My apologies, you are correct. With an appropriate receiver that would be a good training plane.




Not everyone lives in the US...

Of course, but not everyone checks shipping costs when evaluating getting a model.

Tower hobby has same plane with free shipping to US.

[Tyrell63]

My shipping costs are S$42....around 31USD. From China to Singapore its not sooooooo far away :-)

[Tyrell63]

Of course, but not everyone checks shipping costs when evaluating getting a model.

Tower hobby has same plane with free shipping to US.

Tower Hobby only ships to US and Canada
This is one of my problems...... :-)

I have ordered the "set" from Aliexpress...incl batteries, charger, receiver..........

[xviper]

Thank you
But in this case its NOT only a FMS gyro and a different plane, its a "combo"

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32912824354.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.45fd3c002sDnKx&mp=1

Based on their description this FMS gyro is pre configured for this plane (correct?)


2.) no optional flaps (easier to start from water?)

So I would buy this receiver too https://sea.banggood.com/2_4G-6CH-S6...ytogether-auto
to have a proper connection to the FMS gyro modul

The FMS Reflex device is pre-configured for a specific plane, so if it comes installed in a plane, that's the plane it's for. As far as I know, you CANNOT buy a Reflex that is blank. You buy them programmed for a specific plane. If you buy one by itself and put it into a plane that it is NOT meant for, bad things are likely to happen.

You are looking at a fairly slow flying "beginner" plane. Such planes will not benefit from flaps, even for water operations. Flaps will only add to the confusion and may cause unnecessary problems, especially for a beginner. Water take offs and landings require a certain level of skill, flaps or no flaps. Not all planes with floats will take off well from grass. Sliding a float plane on grass can cause abnormal drag that likely will tip the plane over.

If you buy that RX, hook up the leads from the Reflex and any other leads that don't go through the Reflex according to the instructions and labels printed on the tags of those leads. There may be leads that do not go through the Reflex.