SpartanRC DS760 Gyro Review and Setup Vids

[BruceW]

Just went back and realized that there is no need to run the 'detect' mode after everything is configured for the proper COM port. It just works to read from/write to the gyro after the USB cable is plugged in. I guess the only thing WM_DEVICECHANGE would be good for is change of state status of the USB link being connected.

[BruceW]

Bruce -

http://www.spartan-rc.com/products/ds760/ds760_configuration_editor_r2.zip

Oh, I meant to say that I got the new R2 version last night while updating firmware but was wondering if there will be an even newer one coming out that shows information from the event logging or 'wait on low gain'.

[Angelos]

BruceW,
you only need to do the Detect once to find which COM port to use. The program then stores it in the INI file and will use the same COM port it knows next time you run it. Yes we could automate one of the detection steps so you don't have to click the button when the cable is plugged back in. We have actually done this on another application we have to test the cables. The computer auto detects the last COM port to appear and runs the test on that.

The "wait on low gain" is an alternative to biding with left rudder on the DX7. Now you can bind with neutral rudder and low gain (less than 15% as seen by the gyro). When the gyro sees the low gain it will wait until the receiver links with the DX7 and when the gain comes up over 15% it will start initializing.

The event logging is supported via the new (R2) PC software. If the gyro records anything "interesting" it will ask you if you would like to submit the data to us via the internet. At the moment this is for internal use only to see how our babies doing after they leave home. However you are given the option to submit your email address if you want to find out more.

-Angelos

[mporlier]

I flew today using my newly installed R921. I had no problems with the gyro geting into setup mode by itself.

I can only guess it is something related to my AR7000?

Any way, I am happy I had a good day.

[BruceW]

Thanks for the update Angelos. Yep, figured out that I don't need to 'detect' once everything is configured.

On another note, is there any difference with the way the DS760 sees the new AR7000 with 'QuickConnect' when compared to the older one in terms of timing during startup? I'm guessing the new "wait on low gain" makes this a moot issue now.

[raptorheli2]

mporlier, one of my 5 spartan gyros uses the 7000rx and i have never seen what you described once. it is a strange problem that, i would be inclined to keep the rx for a "cheap model" or send it back for checking. even more so if your replacement doesn't have the same issue.

cheers

[Gscott]

Just a quick update. I've changed to a different AR7000 RX but the problem still exists. I've had several others check the radio programming and everything is correct. I've also upgraded to the new firmware with no luck. Here's a quick overview.

1.) The gyro will not initialize in HH mode unless the RX is bound in HH mode. Even with the new firmware if I bind in rate mode the gyro will not initialize in HH.

2.) The gyro will not enter setup mode like it's supposed to. It doesn't matter how fast I flip the switch it will never go into setup unless I toggle the switch, wait for intialization, move the stick the left and then cycle the gyro modes. EDIT...this appears to be normal behavior according to the manual.

Here's a video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pjrPv_wexA

[Finless]

Wierd.... I see you are using the X9303. What channel do you have the gain lead plugged into? I couldn't see the screen on the X9303 and if you are using the gyro menu or end point to adjust gain?

So just to check as I saw something funny.
You cannot use the gear channel (5) and the gyro menu on the X9303. The gyro menu only works on AUX2.
I notice when you switch the idle up switch THAT put the gyro into setup. The ONLY way that can happen is you have gain plugged into AUX 2 AND you have enabled the gyro menu which ties it to the idle up switch. In which case the gear switch WILL DO NOTHING unless you setup a mix

Now if you have the gain plugged in GEAR channel and you have set gear to GOV (for governor) then the idle up switch WILL toggle gear.

Seriously something looked not right with the switches you were toggling and what was happening.
Please let me know what channel you have the gain plugged into and then in the power up FUNCTION menu for that model I want to know what you have the gear channel and aux 2 channel set to at the bottom ov that menu.

What a reccomend is to use GEAR channel and make sure gear is set to ACT not GOV. When set to ACT the idle up switch will do nothing and ONLY the gear switch will toggle the gain lead to the gyro. Now try it.

Bob

[Gscott]

Using gear (channel 5) for governor and Aux2 (channel 7) for gyro gain. After reading the manual again it appears moving the stick to the left is normal as it sets the gyro direction (yes, I'm an idiot). The only other issue is the binding. Does anyone else need to bind in HH to get it to initialize in HH?

I think the reason it looked wierd in the video is because my gyro gain is tied to the idle up switch so it was going between normal (-3 is lowest pitch) and idle 1 (-11 is lowest pitch) and the swash was moving up and down.

[Finless]

OK great I get it....
I have not actually tried to bind in rate mode but it make sense as when you bind that is your power on servo position until the RX inits. It could be that is the case.

Now as far as getting into setup and such. Man your toggling the switch FAST and remember when using the gyro menu tied to the idle up switch, in order for the gyro to SEE both ends of the aux2 channel (which IS a must) you have to set up gains in the gyro menu for the switch positions. Also remember that the idle switch is 3 position. If you must do setup that way you have to make sure you have the gyro menu set up correctly so the gyro see the full range

Set the gyro menu
Pos 0 = 100
Pos 1 = 50
Pos 2 = 0

Now over on the right of the gyro menu set
NORM to POS 0
ST-1 to POS 1
ST-2 to POS 2

If you dont do it this way the gyro will not see the toggle range of AUX 2 and thus wont enter setup. You can test this in the servo test menu and watch the AUX 2 channel move to the ends on the graph when you toggle the idle up switch. Also again because this is a 3 position switch dont stall at center position on the idle up switch. Heck just to make sure you might also try setting POS 1 to 0 instead of 50. This way norm mode is 100 and both idle 1 and idle 2 are 0.

In the end what I would do is change the AUX 2 back from GOV to the aux 2 switch and TEST and see if you can go into setup every time AND that you can switch between HH and rate using just that 2 position switch.

Bob

[Angelos]

2.) The gyro will not enter setup mode like it's supposed to. It doesn't matter how fast I flip the switch it will never go into setup unless I toggle the switch, wait for intialization, move the stick the left and then cycle the gyro modes. EDIT...this appears to be normal behavior according to the manual. Here's a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pjrPv_wexA

Gscott,
absolutely nothing wrong with your video. All normal behavior!

00:43 Watch the round servo horn. The ds760 zips the servo left and right a couple of times to indicate start of setup mode while you still toggle the switch.

00:53 Move stick to the left. Exactly what the user guide says to set the ds760 direction reversing.

00:55 "Flip it... Boom!" You just completed the first step of setup (direction reversing) just as the user guide explains. The ds760 zips the servo once to acknowledge.

00:58 You toggled the gain switch skipping the first endpoint adjustment. The ds760 zips the servo once to acknowledge.

01:01 You toggled the gain switch skipping the second endpoint adjustment. The gyro confirms completion of setup modes with a couple of zips of the servo while you toggle the switch once more which was not needed.

Exactly the same sequence happens at your second attempt.

-Angelos

[Angelos]

1.) The gyro will not initialize in HH mode unless the RX is bound in HH mode. Even with the new firmware if I bind in rate mode the gyro will not initialize in HH.

The gyro does not see nor care how you bind the RX. All it knows is what the RX is sending out on the rudder and gain channels at any moment in time. Assuming you run the latest firmware the ds760 will start initialising (or will pause initialisation) if:

i. You are in AVCS mode but the rudder is not centered. Check your servo monitor screen and make sure the rudder output of the receiver is at the middle.

ii. The gain is too low (less than 15% as interpreted by the gyro). Your radio settings may vary a bit between brands. Again check your servo monitor screen and make sure the gain isn't too low.

Both of the above methods are purposefully designed to pause the initialisation while the Spektrum receivers have not yet linked with the transmitter. To achieve this either bind the receiver while the gain is very low (new preferred method) or while holding the rudder off center in AVCS mode (old method).

-Angelos

[scottc]

Hay folks when is the 650 gyro coming out.

[MarkWebber]

Once the demand for the ds760 lets up(if, I should say:)). They use the same boards so all current production is going into the ds760's.

I can't wait for them to come out, myself.

[darke]

i brought one from skyline models the other day along with a 600 sport.i am using a jr x2720 synthesised radio and a futaba bls251 hopefully it won't be any problem setting up.if not bob at skyline is gonna be busy....

[speedpass]

I got my ds760 in today. I found a pices of "stainless steel plate" included with the package. It seems like we need to mount that 14grams steel plate under the gyro, even the gyro itself weights only 16grams. Do we really need to mount that steel plate?

[MarkWebber]

Most find they do not need the plate, especially electrics. As it's a "vibration attenuation plate", if you're not experiencing vibration, you don't need the plate.:)

[speedpass]

Thanks Mark.

I ready full all the posts & watched Bob's vids. I found an interesting topic regarding the 8 degree setting when rudder arm is at 90 degree position. I setup my 600N at 0 tail pitch when the rudder arm is at 90 degree position on my Jr770 (never try to fly on rate mode nor accidentally flip the switch during flight). My Jr770 has no problem at all on holding at strong wind nor tail wagging during flight. I can able to do pretty fast pirouette on both directions.

My question is: What the ds760 will behave, if I don't follow Bob's 8 degree setting and leave it at 0 tail pitch when the rudder arm is at 90 (again, I won't bother the rate mode).

[leeph]

Thanks Mark.My question is: What the ds760 will behave, if I don't follow Bob's 8 degree setting and leave it at 0 tail pitch when the rudder arm is at 90 (again, I won't bother the rate mode).

I consulted with Angelos from Spartan on this precise question. The simple fact of the matter is that the 8 degree pitch is NOT REQUIRED when flying solely in AVCS (heading hold).

I have had the odd occasion where I've taken off in rate mode, having forgotten to switch it to AVCS after playing around with pitch linkages/throws etc while on the ground. It had tail drift somewhere in the region of 1 turn every 8 seconds, which is completely controllable if you do happen to forget like I did :)

[mporlier]

I have NEVER flown in rate mode. What would be a good value to start with if I want to test it out? I have a T-rex 600N?

[Finless]

As a test I also tried centering the slider and servo arm at 90. In AVCS I did not notice any difference! So I think you can go that route if you like.

But the fact that this gyro as separate end point settings there is nothing wrong with following the directions and setting for about 8 degrees.

Bob

[CompuFoil]

I'm having trouble with my tail breaking loose. I've had six crashes in the last two weeks from this and I can't figure out what is causing it. I have the DS760, Jazz40 on gov mode, 75% throttle curve, 3400G servo, Fireup mod, Neu 1107H motor on 3s pack, and Stiffies on a 450V2, I'm at the point of doing flips and rolls comfortably, and can hold inverted high up for around five seconds before I lose my nerve or control.
The scenario goes like this. I a do a back flip and hold inverted. I see myself start to lose it, so I forward flip upright again. At this point, it is often starting to streak sideways. I give it positive collective as it gets upright, and the tail breaks loose, and it spins down to the ground. I thought perhaps I was bogging it. but doubted it because that Neu motor is pretty powerful. My neighbor was watching this last time and he didn't notice any substantial bog either.
Did I stumble on combination of things that the DS760 isn't prepared for?
Eric

[Finless]

I doubt its the gyro but I haven't tried one on a 450 yet. Was waiting for the DS690. Is your drive belt pulley possibly slipping on the drive shaft? That is a common problem as it is only glued onto the shaft?

Bob

[Angelos]

The gyro will not let the tail loose like that. What Bob suggested is a possibility as on your full negative collective the tail will also get loaded and if the pulley slips it probably wont lock again even if you ease the collective. Also check that the servo and tail linkages are moving freely for the entire travel. Particularly tail bearing which they may appear ok on then bench but can get stiff/lock when under load (rotor spinning). Remove tail blades, make two rope loops and put them through the bolts and get someone to pull hard while you check that the linkages move with minimal load. Finally, if you want to make sure that your ds760 is ok you can send it to us for a free checkup and we will update it to the latest firmware too if you don't have the USB cable. It will only cost you the return postage.

-Angelos

[CompuFoil]

I doubt its the gyro but I haven't tried one on a 450 yet. Was waiting for the DS690. Is your drive belt pulley possibly slipping on the drive shaft? That is a common problem as it is only glued onto the shaft?

Bob

I have the metal tail drive gear so I know it's not slipping there. I'm not running my belt as loose as I normally would either in case that was slipping. I have full travel of the pitch slider and it's running smooth.
Eric