Official RotorScale 470 Size MD-500D Magnum PI Super Scale GPS Stabilized Helicopter RTF Discussion Thread

[xviper]

There is one other difference. In the first picture, there is a 2 wire lead coming out of the ESC with a small white connector that plugs into the FC. In the other version of the ESC, there is a 4 wire lead going into the FC. I don't know the significance of that. My ESC has the 4 wire lead.

I think it might be a pixelated picture. Do you have both ESCs to look at? In my eye, both pictures show the same lead ending up in that white mini plug. It's a 2-wire red/black twin. The other 4-wire lead is all black, ending up in a 3 wire and a single wire connectors. If you're looking at your Magnum heli and you see an actual 4-wire lead ending up in that white mini plug, then it must be a change from the MD500 ESC. I would find that to be very unusual and surprising as I'm assuming the flight controller for both helis are the same, thus having the same slots for those connectors.

[Helifly]

I think it might be a pixelated picture. Do you have both ESCs to look at? In my eye, both pictures show the same lead ending up in that white mini plug. It's a 2-wire red/black twin. The other 4-wire lead is all black, ending up in a 3 wire and a single wire connectors. If you're looking at your Magnum heli and you see an actual 4-wire lead ending up in that white mini plug, then it must be a change from the MD500 ESC. I would find that to be very unusual and surprising as I'm assuming the flight controller for both helis are the same, thus having the same slots for those connectors.

I have a 4 wire lead to a white mini-plug on the FC. 2 red wires and 2 black wires. There is also an empty socket for a smaller 2 wire connector right next to it.

[Helifly]

For anyone needing to know the parts and order inside the 5 Blade grip:

(2) MR84ZZ bearings (unknown size)
(1) F4-8G bearing and race (unknown size)
(1) JX-48-88007-4B washer

The thinnest washer on the outside of the bearing stack in my picture is not shown in the exploded parts diagram. It goes under the allen bolt that screws into the feathering shaft.

One more thing. All of my outer feathering shaft bolts were too tight. They were so tight, the blade grip bearings were binding slightly during rotation. I confirmed it by removing the DFC arms from the grips and checking each of them individually. Much smoother now.

[xviper]

I have a 4 wire lead to a white mini-plug on the FC. 2 red wires and 2 black wires. There is also an empty socket for a smaller 2 wire connector right next to it.

I see that now. I think my FC is a V1, as it doesn't look quite like yours. I see that the current FC for the MD500 has the same FC as in your Magnum PI, which must be a V2 version of the FC. As I previously mentioned, my 5-blade kit did not come with a manual. It would appear that the kits now come with a manual that depicts the current FC.

[Helifly]

I see that now. I think my FC is a V1, as it doesn't look quite like yours. I see that the current FC for the MD500 has the same FC as in your Magnum PI, which must be a V2 version of the FC. As I previously mentioned, my 5-blade kit did not come with a manual. It would appear that the kits now come with a manual that depicts the current FC.

It seems that way. Version Control/Change logging not a strong point with any of these helicopters. It would be a nice feature to have.

BTW, I did read somewhere that a change was made to the 470 MD500D FC that eliminates (or minimizes) the sudden drop when switching from GPS to Angle mode in mid-flight. I don't know if that is implemented in the hardware or programming or both. I have not tried it yet.

[xviper]

It seems that way. Version Control/Change logging not a strong point with any of these helicopters. It would be a nice feature to have.

BTW, I did read somewhere that a change was made to the 470 MD500D FC that eliminates (or minimizes) the sudden drop when switching from GPS to Angle mode in mid-flight. I don't know if that is implemented in the hardware or programming or both. I have not tried it yet.

Wes (Motion RC) demonstrated with the Magnum PI heli, that there is no longer a drop when switching out of GPS mode. I can't say if the V2 FC on the MD500 has incorporated this change. Mine DOES drop but I automatically adjust the left stick so as to eliminate the drop. It's not a "thing" unless the pilot is a complete novice when flying these types of helis. I started with the Flywing GPS helis and most of those have the "drop". It's something that is easily managed without going into the programming.

[WDivCV61]

Wanting to make sure, but does anyone here know for sure if there are any locknuts internally? Found an "extra" loose in the box. Is exact same style and size as the 2 for the bolts holding the vert stab on which are also the same for the bolts holding the rotor blades on. The parts diagrams provided and parts list is pretty vague in regard to locknuts and that's putting it mildly. Would love to see an actual IPB listing exactly how many, location, etc. "Hardware Set" don't quite cut it. Hopefully Roban answers me but ain't holdin' me breath since didn't buy from them directly, but I reckon never know. Just hate to disassemble this thing if don't have to. Is what miss most about the old days, a detailed illustrated parts breakdown for just about anything you bought right there in the instruction manual, how many, locations, & price each if available. Good times, good times.👴

[WDivCV61]

Impressed that got a response from Roban pretty quick. "Check the manual". Next on the list is to figure out what that funny looking white box with the screen and two funny sticks is for.

[3D-Seth]

Wes (Motion RC) demonstrated with the Magnum PI heli, that there is no longer a drop when switching out of GPS mode. I can't say if the V2 FC on the MD500 has incorporated this change. Mine DOES drop but I automatically adjust the left stick so as to eliminate the drop. It's not a "thing" unless the pilot is a complete novice when flying these types of helis. I started with the Flywing GPS helis and most of those have the "drop". It's something that is easily managed without going into the programming.

We are updating the middle flight mode, starting with the Magnum MD-500, where it uses the baro sensor to hold altitude. Doesn't use GPS for position, so it'll still drift and such with the wind, but will help manage the altitude for you. Makes it a little less of a step up from the GPS mode than before. The change will be rolled in to all of the 450/470's as new inventory replaces older stock. The older controllers can also be updated with this flight mode if you're fairly tech savvy. Happy to explain how, just shoot me a PM if you want to do something like that.

The updated flight controller just has some basic improvements over the original, and will eventually make its way into all of the 470/450's as stock is sold and replenished over time. There is some internal stuff that doesn't matter much for customers, like chip space. The biggest one most will notice is the power connector from the ESC to the FC is now redundant with 4 wires instead of the original two. This is just for better reliability with with the power supply to the FC. The new FC is backwards compatible - it has the 4 pin plug and the 2 pin plug on it.

Regarding the 5-blade main blades - the Sheriff upgrade kit is the same exact blades as the Magnum, just painted differently. They are also technically the same blade as the 450 EC-135 and BO-105 as well, though for the 5-blade setup, its much more important for the blades to be matched, so we offer the different paint choices to be more scale, but also so they are sold in an appropriately matched set.

Theres no issue with storing the blades on the helicopter in the grips. The only thing I would be concerned with that would be if storing them in a hot car or something where you could soften the epoxy, but that would also render issues to the fiberglass fuselage, among other things 😅. As long as your storage space isn't in a hot box, you'll be fine. 👌

[xviper]

The older controllers can also be updated with this flight mode if you're fairly tech savvy. Happy to explain how, just shoot me a PM if you want to do something like that.

Very kind of you to offer. I'm a bit UNtech savy, so I'll leave it alone. Like I said before, I'm getting more confident manually doing the throttle stick (pitch) adjustment on the fly as I switch to "angle" mode, which I now do mostly while flying with some forward speed. Even when hovering in one spot, I can do the adjustment manually to avoid the "drop". As it is with the 5-blade mod, the MD500 is my favorite heli.

[bkp1300]

Just bought this heli and been having a blast. I fly all my fixed wing models with FR Sky X20 pro transmitter. Have a multiprotocol adapter slotted in for my bind and fly spektrum planes. Anybody bound this heli to their own transmitter sucessfully, is there any setup magic in the RTF transmitter?

[3D-Seth]

Very kind of you to offer. I'm a bit UNtech savy, so I'll leave it alone. Like I said before, I'm getting more confident manually doing the throttle stick (pitch) adjustment on the fly as I switch to "angle" mode, which I now do mostly while flying with some forward speed. Even when hovering in one spot, I can do the adjustment manually to avoid the "drop". As it is with the 5-blade mod, the MD500 is my favorite heli.

Its not a big ordeal to update, but does require a software/program download and going through the menus to find the right setting to adjust. Not too bad, but everyone should know their own limits of course!

One of the tricks I use when switching is just to simply initiate a 1/4 or 1/3 stick climb in GPS mode, and while climbing, switch to angle mode. It usually works out pretty close to maintaining altitude in angle mode. To be fair though, I've flown a fair bit of 'normal' helis in my time, so I buzz around in 'Manual' all the time and its not too big of a deal for me. The spring loaded throttle is the most weird thing for me when flying in Manual like a normal heli.

[xviper]

Its not a big ordeal to update, but does require a software/program download and going through the menus to find the right setting to adjust. Not too bad, but everyone should know their own limits of course!

One of the tricks I use when switching is just to simply initiate a 1/4 or 1/3 stick climb in GPS mode, and while climbing, switch to angle mode. It usually works out pretty close to maintaining altitude in angle mode. To be fair though, I've flown a fair bit of 'normal' helis in my time, so I buzz around in 'Manual' all the time and its not too big of a deal for me. The spring loaded throttle is the most weird thing for me when flying in Manual like a normal heli.

I'd be worried I'd screw something up. Would hate to ruin a perfectly great heli.

That's more or less what I do when switching GPS to Angle. I'm a thumb flyer and I can flip the switch with the closest finger. I've never been any good at flying helis manually. That's a crash just waiting to happen. I can manage manual mode for a few seconds before the marble rolls off the platter.