What gyro for Spectra-G?

[Dash]

This is my first helicopter so I won't be doing any extreme aerobatics or 3d. I more interested in scale type flying and FAI maneuvers. Do I need to get the Futaba 601 or will the Futaba 401 meet my needs?

[Laurens]

both, but for FAI I'd buy the 601/9151 so you won't need to upgrade later.

[bigrcr]

I would not use the GY-401, it cannot really handle the gas models too well. The GY-601 or the JR 500T both will handle the model very well and are my recommendations.

Later,

[patet]

Hi Dash,

If you plan to fly like a scale than the 401 is ok, but with the spectra after few flying you will for sure want to do more. Like John I recommend the 601.
I have put a 601 in mine :)

[hyflyr]

John,

Can you expand on why the 401 does not handle the gassers very well. I would think the 601 would suffer as well. They use similar sensors. I will be working with a SpectraG very soon.

Dash,
Another excellent gyro is the CSM SL560. I set one up on a Tempests FAI and I was very impressed. It has some settings for high vibration environments and this should allow operation in a gasser with good results. I set it up in a Tempest FAI and it performs very similar to the 601 in my Tempest 3D.

Scott

[Dash]

I have a JR 9303 radio. Would using a JR Gyro make it easier to setup since I'm using a JR Radio or dose it not matter? Any other opinions on the JR 500T?

[patet]

I use now the 401 on my x-cell gaz for nearly 2 years. And it works very well.
I fly like a scale with that model and also making some reverse fly, loops and so on without any problems. Depend's how you want to fly when chose the gyro.
The Spectra is bigger than the X-Cell gaz and for sure need a good gyro.

[hyflyr]

Dash,
I have setup a couple JR500 gyros. They would be my last resort in terms of performance and setup ease. The 401, 601, and CSM560 are way better gyros in terms of setup and performance. I have setup all of the above with JR transmitters and there is no hassle. The CSM gyro is very easy and comes with very detailed instructions for a JR radio. If price is an issue the 401/9254 combo is a great deal and really easy to setup.

Scott

[bigrcr]

The GY-401 cannot handle the torque of the gas machines doing 3-D (especially using the 9253, the 9254 may be another story). The GY-401 will hold well enough to fly around and fly "sport" maneuvers. When pushed into backward maneuvers and ones that use a great deal of power, the GY-401 has never held for me or anyone else I know on the gas model. The JR 500T handles these flight conditions better than any other gyro tried including the CSM 560 except for the GY-601 (it's the best at it). Of course, these are MY experiences and opinions, at best.

BTW- the reason that the gyros do or do not work as well has nothing to do with vibration, but the power that the model has in flight. The gas model has several times the torque than any glow model and it's the torque that makes the gyros hold/not hold as well.
Later,

[Dash]

I guess my decision is between the following:

JR 500T w/8700G Servo $270.00
Futaba 601 w/9251 Servo $390.00

The JR is about $100.00 less then the 601, but I have read allot of complaints about the difficulty in getting it setup correctly.

Decisions, decisions, decisions.... :?

[WillJames]

You should be able to find the 601(605??) for around 320-340.

You can use the 9254 with teh 500T and save a few bucks over the 8700G.

My 2cents worth..take it with a grain of salt and get a reality check. ;)

[bigrcr]

I have been informed that the GY-401 is "the same" as the GY-601 with different software so the GY-401 combo with a suitably decent servo (the 9254) should work fine. The problem must have been with the 9253 servos I (we) were using that could not even touch the torque output of the gas model (just short of being unusable). So the GY-401 should be fine with the 9254 servo in the gasser!

Later,

[carey shurley]

I'd recommend you use either the gy502 or gy601 combination. As John mentioned, although the physical sensor element itself at least used to be the same across the products, the software behind it and especially the update rate to the servo is definitely not.

The 601 is considered by most to be the industry standard gyro and is pretty much a drop in installation. The 502 can be made to perform almost as well, however you'll need to spend some time twiddling with the parameters to get the t/r stops to not bounce. Its about $80 cheaper than the 601

[dorfmann]

What are the diffeences between the 502 & 601? Don't mean to hijack, but dash may be interested, as well.

[DavidH]

The main difference as far as I know between the GY 502 and the GY 601 is the servo it supports

The GY 502 can use any good tail servo. The 9254 is specifically designed to maximize the performance of the gyro. The gyro update rate to the 9254 servo is 270 Hz. 9254 servo 47.2 ozs of torque at .06 speed. Only Futaba digital servos can be used with the GY 502 and the gyro set for digital servos. If other brand digital servos are used , put the GY 502 in standard servo mode. The instructions say you can have the gyro in high frame for digital servos. I would caution against this as some other brand digital servos might operate on a different pulse rate.

The GY 601 uses a proprietary servo. The 9251 can only be used the GY 601 and the GY 601 will only work the 9251 servo. 9251 servo has 51 ozs torque at .07 speed. Now the big difference is the communication between the gyro and the tail servo. The GY 601 supplies a super narrow pulse to the 9251 of 760us. This is what makes the GY601/9251 a great combo.

David

[Dash]

OK. You convinced me. I'm going to get the 601. Thanks for all the info.

[r/c_outlaw]

not sure if you are an ebay user.....me and my friend both fly pro2K modles and found 601 NIB for 300 us dallors..hope this may help u find a good price! :hug:

[DavidH]

Rick's R/C has the GY 601

FUTG601 GYRO FUTABA 601 HEADING HOLD W/9251 $320.00

Yes it is $20 more. But if something happens to the gyro or servo that would be covered under warranty. It can be sent to Hobby Services in Champaign, IL instead of having to send it to Japan or back to where it was purchased.

David

[Joe Ubaldo]

David is right... the $20 extra spent at Rick's is well worth it. Besides the US warranty and great service, Ron Lund is a just an all around good guy. :D