BTCat
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Post by BTCat on Jul 11, 2009 19:54:30 GMT -6
I finally broke down and shifted some money toward a high(er) end gyro. I was formerly running the XMHobbies G401 for $31.00. I was running in combination with a HiTec HS-5065MG. The Futaba GY401 is retailing around $150.00 right now (7/11/09). A good used GY401 will sell on Ebay for $75.00 to $110.00. If you have fast enough fingers, sometimes you can catch a new one on Ebay for around $117.00. Here are some of the things I noted about the two:First, for the money, the G401 does a great job, especially considering its price is 20% of the price of a new Futaba GY401. It would hold the tail on the EXI 450 relatively steady with a little drift and a continual bit of minor stick input. After the Honeybee Fixed Pitch, I had plenty of instinct for continual tail correction and control. The G401 reduced that significantly. However, the G401 is somewhat inconsistent from day-to-day and even from battery-to-battery. Often, at the beginning of a flying session, I would have to tweak the gyro gain, trim, power the heli down and back up a few times during the first battery. Then it would usually behave relatively well for the rest of the time. Before each flight, I also gave it a few minutes to acclimate to any temperature difference between the heli’s home (hot garage) and the field (hot park). Generally, on my Futaba 6EX Transmitter, I had my Heading Hold gain set from +10% to +18% (according to Finless, that would be about 14% to 26% on a Spectrum). The G401 from XMHobbies will also get bullied by crosswinds while hovering. I didn’t realize how much so until I flew the Futaba GY401 and felt the difference. With a cross wind, the G401 requires continual stick input. Now for the Futaba GY401: WOW, what a difference a little more tail control makes. Originally, for comparison sake, I set the GY401 with the same gain and delay as with the G401. Even without proper setup, the Futaba was much more consistent holding the tail in either normal or Heading Hold. The servo didn’t seem to be working as hard, either. After going through the setup much like on the G401 and after reviewing a setup video or two, I flew the GY401 through a couple of minutes of battery to set my gain and gave it a good crosswind test. My gain ended up being +24 (about 34% on a Spectrum). The outside temperature was a comfortable 105* which is only about 8 degrees below the max recommended operating temperature for the gyro. The wind was varying anywhere from East to Southwest with gusts around 15 mph. While in Heading Hold, I hovered the EXI 450 with its side into the wind. The altitude changed, but the tail stayed pointed in the original direction (see the video below). I was very impressed. I could take my left hand completely off the TX and let it hover without any tail drift. The only reason I needed my left thumb was for throttle control. I took the heli out again in the evening when winds were actually steady at ~10 mph with gusts of 17 to 20 mph. SUPER holding power even in a crosswind. What a difference! Never knew this heli could be so smooth. In fact, without the wind issue, I believe I could fly this thing hands free for several seconds. I’ll test that theory someday soon. BOTTOM LINE: If you are on a budget or just want a gyro to get you by on the cheap and still allow you acceptable control, the XMHobbies G401 is a great choice. Without inexpensive clones and copies, I would never have been able to venture into this hobby. If you have the money to invest, the Futaba GY401 is the way to go! SUMMARY: XMHOBBIES G401: GOOD: Inexpensive. Adequate performance. Good Clone for starters. BAD: Minor irritants with adjustment of gain and consistentcy of operation. Futaba GY401: GOOD: Holds tail rock solid. Relatively easy to setup if you use some of the online guides. BAD: High price compared to the G401. Futaba manual is too complex and somewhat confusing. RATE:
XMHobbies G401
Price – 5 of 5 Setup – 3 of 5* Performance – 3 of 5 Overall – 3.5 of 5 Great for the price but it isn’t a Futaba *Manual in ChiEnglish in some places. Typos and some misleading information.[/blockquote][/size] Futaba GY401 Price – 3 of 5
Setup – 4 of 5**
Performance – 5 of 5
Overall – 4.5 of 5 The Real Deal, and it shows!
** Using Online guides such as Finless Bob’s. Manual is overly complex and redundant in places. |
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BTCat
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Post by BTCat on Jul 11, 2009 19:54:49 GMT -6
Sample of the XMHobbies G401 on my official test bucket:
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BTCat
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Post by BTCat on Jul 11, 2009 19:55:06 GMT -6
Futaba GY401 Bucket Test:
"PIRO" On A Bucket ;D ;D
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BTCat
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Post by BTCat on Jul 11, 2009 21:23:59 GMT -6
Flying in a little crosswind:
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Post by elkmaster01 on Jul 12, 2009 15:18:42 GMT -6
THX BT!!! I have the g401b on my Flasher and I agree with everything you said,,,I get the same results.
And,,,thx for reviewing the GY401,,,I feel very good about putting that on my Trex 500. I'm starting the build this week. Maybe next weekend I'll put it to the test!!
Thx!!
Randy
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BTCat
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Post by BTCat on Jul 13, 2009 19:13:23 GMT -6
I took it for another test today with wind swirling around my neighborhood with enough speed that I could barely fly (and that is saying a lot considering my HBFP thumbs. Nothing much more than hovering attempts. The tail held great within a few degrees of its original position even when the wind was bullying the 450 around pretty badly. I couldn't hold altitude. It was anywhere from 30 ft to touching the ground and the heli was being blown from side to side, but the tail was still pointing almost exactly where I set it. ;D Love this gyro. Now I just need to learn to fly better  |
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akent
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Post by akent on Jul 14, 2009 20:16:43 GMT -6
Great stuff, BT!!
The only thing I might caution on is without main blades, you can overrev the system.
You were turning some serious rpm's with the 'bucket' tests! But hey, they were awesome and proved a very interesting point!
I love it! Your stuff here is what this forum is all about!!
Kent
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akent
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Post by akent on Jul 14, 2009 20:37:22 GMT -6
THX BT!!! I have the g401b on my Flasher and I agree with everything you said,,,I get the same results. And,,,thx for reviewing the GY401,,,I feel very good about putting that on my Trex 500. I'm starting the build this week. Maybe next weekend I'll put it to the test!! Thx!! Randy Man, do you move fast, Elk! Already have a 500 to build up!! Dayum!!!!! Me thinks you will end up with the opinion that the 500 has the best power to weight ratio and the best pucker factor, and more. Well, that's without my ever flying a 600. My 500 is incredibly more powerful and has amazingly more of a pucker factor than my Scorpion powered 450! By maybe a factor of 2 or more! By pucker factor, I mean, RAW POWER and SPEED! At least my Exi 500 with the Scorpion 1600/13t/6s/3000rpm is stupid fast. I have toned it down with a 12t pinion. That resulted in 2600 at 100%. Nope. I'm going back to 13t as soon as possible. I am not doing radical 3d, but I can tell you that the minimal stuff I do is not the same with the 12t. Anyway, me likey stupid fast!!! Kent |
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Post by elkmaster01 on Jul 15, 2009 20:38:06 GMT -6
I'll let you know Kent,,,,,,I can't imagine a more rush than I get with the 600. Alls I have to do is pick it up to put it in the truck and my heart starts thumping. After about 70 flights, I still get the shakes,,LOL.
But the 600 is just too big for close-in flying,,,,thats what I want. The 500 should do the trick. I'm putting the Scorpion 3026 1400 with a 15T pinion on it. Futuba S9257s all around and the Futuba GY401 gyro. This should be whicked fast. I hope to have it airbourne by this time next week, I'm still waiting on the servos. I'll video the maiden voyage. ;D
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McKrackin
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Post by McKrackin on Jul 16, 2009 16:13:48 GMT -6
I'll let you know Kent,,,,,,I can't imagine a more rush than I get with the 600. Alls I have to do is pick it up to put it in the truck and my heart starts thumping. After about 70 flights, I still get the shakes,,LOL. But the 600 is just too big for close-in flying,,,,thats what I want. The 500 should do the trick. I'm putting the Scorpion 3026 1400 with a 15T pinion on it. Futuba S9257s all around and the Futuba GY401 gyro. This should be whicked fast. I hope to have it airbourne by this time next week, I'm still waiting on the servos. I'll video the maiden voyage. ;D Scorp 1400 w/15T...Yup.Perfect ;D You'll love it.I miss the hell outta mine. It would perform better in my yard than the 600. Alot lower and tighter flying and gets forward speed going way faster and slows and stops faster too. |
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McKrackin
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Post by McKrackin on Jul 16, 2009 16:15:01 GMT -6
Sorry for the hijack BT ;D
Carry on....
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Post by r/c basher on Jul 16, 2009 17:12:14 GMT -6
 Sorry i couldnt resist. ;D |
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Post by elkmaster01 on Jul 16, 2009 18:05:47 GMT -6
I'll let you know Kent,,,,,,I can't imagine a more rush than I get with the 600. Alls I have to do is pick it up to put it in the truck and my heart starts thumping. After about 70 flights, I still get the shakes,,LOL. But the 600 is just too big for close-in flying,,,,thats what I want. The 500 should do the trick. I'm putting the Scorpion 3026 1400 with a 15T pinion on it. Futuba S9257s all around and the Futuba GY401 gyro. This should be whicked fast. I hope to have it airbourne by this time next week, I'm still waiting on the servos. I'll video the maiden voyage. ;D Scorp 1400 w/15T...Yup.Perfect ;D You'll love it.I miss the hell outta mine. It would perform better in my yard than the 600. Alot lower and tighter flying and gets forward speed going way faster and slows and stops faster too. Speaking of,,,,,,,yesterday I wanted to really see the 600 climb,,,,as in verticle climb. My intent was to get it going very fast and put the nose straight up and see how high it could go fast. I came SCREAMING by me and yanked the elevator,,,,,well I over did it and Moat-Gator just flipped on his back and came to an INSTANT stop,,,,LOL. Talk about brakes!! :oWOW  !! I was laughing so hard I almost forgot I had to fly it back to me!! |
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BTCat
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Post by BTCat on Jul 16, 2009 19:20:51 GMT -6
Sorry for the hijack BT ;D Carry on.... No problem. I like reading it |
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!! I was laughing so hard I almost forgot I had to fly it back to me!!