SpartanRC DS760 Gyro Review and Setup Vids

[Finless]

OK Angelos from SpartanRC.com sent me their new DS760 gyro to test and share with you folks how to setup!

Vids are in progress and I plan to use this on my Trex600N and later on a Trex450.

So here we go!

Overview and whats in the box!
Video Link ->DS760 Gyro Overview (43 Megs) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/spartanrc&filename=ds760_overview.wmv)

Flashing New Firmware in the Gyro
Video Link ->DS760 Firmware Flashing Process (25 Megs) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/spartanrc&filename=ds760_flashing.wmv)

Gyro Setup using the Radio
Video Link ->DS760 Setup Process (65 Megs) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/spartanrc&filename=ds760_setup.wmv)

PC Configuration Software Overview
Video Link ->DS760 PC Configuration Software (15 Megs) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/spartanrc&filename=ds760_software.wmv)

In a few weeks the gyro PC software should be available and I will show how to use that. This weekend I should be able to shoot some flying and testing of the gyro.
In the mean time here is the Trex600 enigne break in and tuning video I shot last weekend. I am using the gyro in this video. There is a little flying at the end of this video:
http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/trex600_nitro&filename=breakin.wmv

Here is Bert Kammerer's notes on setup of this gyro for several Trex helis! This is worth a look!
http://www.helifreak.com/showpost.php?p=543304&postcount=333

Bob

[Angelos]

Thanks Bob, the videos are great. I am also here ready to chat to people if any questions arise.

-Angelos

[mporlier]

Hi Bob,

Looking at the manual and the list of servos compatible, how can I tell what servo type mine is? 1520uSec or 760uSec, what does that mean? I have a HS6965 for tail and need to replace my gyro for a T-Rex 600N.

Marc

[Finless]

As far as I know only the Futaba 9251 and 9256 support 760uSec. These are the servos that come with a 601/611 Futaba gyro. I personally dont know of any other servos out there that support that frame rate.

The Hitec HS6965 does not thus you would set for 1520uSec servo type.

Bob

[mporlier]

I am anxiously waiting for the next step. I want to know what you think about this gyro.

I am holding on buying my next gyro for my 600N. I hesitate, since I am no 3D king, between the JR 770 3d, the Spartan (more $$). I would get the Logictech 6100T but I already have a servo. What about the Curtis Youngblood Solid G ?

I have a Logictech 2100 and I may try it even if it is rated for electric heli.

[Angelos]

I am sure Bob's test flights will turn out great. Meanwhile... have you noticed what gyro Henry Caldwell is flying at the Phazor 600 promo videos! ;)

http://www.gohbee.com/Merchant2/video/Phazor_600_Proto_Promo_hi.wmv
http://www.gohbee.com/Merchant2/video/DSTD_Phazor_600.wmv

-Angelos

[BarnOwl]

Are you guys telling me this small gyro could be a competition to established systems as the Futaba 911 or the Logictech 6100?

[Finless]

It might be!

I am compressing the setup video now and plan to have it up in a few minutes. Today I go fly it BUT I am testing on a brand new heli (600n) and thus I am not sure how much I can test it as I also have to do engine break in. THus it may be a week or 2 before I can know the real performance.

After that I am going to put it on a 450 and see how it does there.

Bob

[scottc]

were can you buy this gyro at.

[Angelos]

http://www.spartan-rc.com/distributors.htm

-Angelos

[scottc]

can we get a updated servo use for the new gyro

[Angelos]

Pretty much every digital tail servo works. The only exceptions at the moment are:

1. The older JR super-servos 2700G and 8700G which are not true digital servos. They employ a mixture of digital and analogue electronics which unfortunately is limited to 250Hz. The ds760 works at 333Hz and thus these JR servos are unsuitable.

2. The Futaba S3154 is not recommended because I have seen numerous reports on helicopter forums that it overheats and may stop functioning until it cools down even when used with mid-range gyros like the GY401. For that reason alone I have not even tried to use it in flight with the ds760. I did however a bench test where I got it to continuously move left/right and just as I read on the forums it got worryingly hot. So it went to our “Not Suitable” list. EDIT: Addition info on this can be found here: http://www.trextuning.com/futaba3154.php

3. I was recently told but have not confirmed it myself that the HDS-577 and HDS-877 mini servos don’t work at 333Hz either.

Other than that you should be ok with pretty much any other digital servo. The ds760 is not picky but you will of course get the best performance when using a fast servo with sufficient torque. At the moment my personal favourites are the JR 8900G for large helis and S3153 or S9257 for small electrics. Also the Futaba S9256 works very well too but it is more pricy that the 8900G without offering better spec.

-Angelos

[helirulz]

How about the Hitec 6965?

[Angelos]

I have not tested the 6965 but all digital Hitec servos that I have seen worked fine at 333Hz. The same applies for all Futaba digital servos.

-Angelos

[mporlier]

Hi Bob,

Any idea when your comments will be posted?

[Finless]

I completed the setup video Friday but couldn't get it uploaded. Should be up today. Since I put this on my Trex600 nitro AND testing it and breaking in the OS motor this weekend I didn't really get a chance to push it. I will also have up the Saturday break in flights in the Trex600 nitro build vids later today too. It wont show much in relation to the gyro but you will see it flying.

But so far just doing basic easy flight breaking in the OS motor I really like the feel of it. There is NO DRIFT what so ever and I like the way it stops coming out of piro's with no bounce. So far so good... I need to do some back wards stuff to really see the holding power though. This weekend I should know more.

Bob

[mporlier]

Darn, Ok Ok I will wait one more day! My build is almost done and the only thing missing is the Gyro. I have a Logictech 2100 doing nothing, I might use it for engine breaking in and replace it latter.

Thank you Bob.

Marc

[Ade_Law]

i have run mine with a 9251 and test flew the 8900 today.

im dead impressed with mine.massive rippers into piro loops show only a small whip certainly nowhere near letting go. tail hold in tail slides and the "feel" of the stick are impressive to say the least!

anti clockwise upright funnels are just silly. i cannot get this thing to let go. full pitch bogging the hell out of it and the tail will only swing about 20degs and that only comes right at the limit.

ontop of this its seems very tollerant. i have tried different horn lengths which shows only small changes in the gyro performance once the gain had been adjusted..

Ade

[Finless]

Just posted the Gyro Setup video! Also a link to the Trex600 Nitro engine break in video and at the end of that video is some flying using this gyro. Next weekend I will get more aggressive flying and use of the gyro.

Enjoy,
Bob

[mporlier]

Looks pretty straight forward. I have a question for Angelo, are the gyros now shipping with V1.2? Otherwise why make the cable an option, it is pretty expensive and if it is needed to get full potential of the device it should be included. It is like advertising the specs of a turbo car but the turbo is optional. Doesn't make sense.

Marc

[coolbreeze8]

man I really like the way you adjust the end points on that gyro, and the size that's good stuff there :thumbup:


Dewey :smokin:

[Angelos]

The firmware that Bob is talking about is actually 1.02; not 1.2. When the gyros leave our hands they will always have the latest code. In fact if a firmware update is planned to be available with the next week or two I will inform the customer in case he wishes to wait.

The USB lead it not a simple cable. Inside the plug there is a small circuit board with a USB controller and therefore the cable isn't cheap enough to include one with each gyro sold. Also that would be wastage as a customer may have more than one gyro or other Spartan RC product but he only needs one cable.

Without the lead the ds760 will let you set up everything you need just like the JR G770 does, but also gives you separate endpoints for left/right and allows you to select 1520uSec or 760uSec servo which the JR G770 does not support.

The extra parameters you can edit via USB are a bonus and will let you customise the gyro for your personal liking. Perhaps you prefer the stops a bit softer or the gyro a bit more responsive, etc.

-Angelos

[MarkWebber]

When making the car analogy, you've got the turbo:wink:. The USB's for those guys that want to tweak the way the turbo responds. For most of us...just stomp on it!:) It works great.

[mporlier]

Hi Bob,

For the 8 deg pitch on the tail rotor why not use a micro heli pitch gauge and use the tail boom as a reference?

[Finless]

Sure you can! I didn't have one myself. Angelos said this didn't have to be super accurate but just close. it worked for me!
Also remember how much pitch in the tail will also be in relation to head speed so if you want to be TOTALLY accurate, set it up to hover with about 30% gain in rate mode. Then you know your perfect. But so far my "eye ball" of the tail pitch shows it is working super with no drift at all.

Bob