Favorite FBL choice for year 2015

[CZorzella]

I really don’t get the point of this conversation.

Someone says that the very best FBL unit is VBar. Other says that IKON is the best. So, what does it really mean?

From time to time I read new threads asking the same question over and over again: which FBL system is best? and I always wonder if there really is a "one-size-fits-all" in this matter.

My flying style is sport, very light 3d and I reckon that my requirements for a FBL system are different from someone who fly hard 3D style; what would be the requirements of those who flies scale, not even sport?

So the real question would be: Which FBL system works for you, for which helicopter? for which size? for which setup, for which flying style and WHY.

Carlos

[newbheliusr]

Strictly speaking, the thread is titled fbl choice of the year 2015. So how many fbl units were released this year? I'm not sure about the Neuron, but the vbar neo takes the prize as far as I am concerned. But not sure what other units may have been released this year.

[mkovalcson]

Originally Posted by CZorzella

So the real question would be: Which FBL system works for you, for which helicopter? for which size? for which setup, for which flying style and WHY.

Carlos

Most people don't like fiddling with their FBL units and hope that once they get the tail gain adjusted that their FBL unit flies well with no other modification.

How many times do you hear, I put it right in and and it flew great out of the box!

As you learn to fly better you get more demanding and you care how your FBL unit behaves in more ways.

You can also learn to compensate for the control loop of a given FBL controller such that another feels different to you.

The firmware on these units changes periodically and sometimes that has a dramatic impact on how the helis fly. So even someone who has tried out a number of FBL controllers may not have a good reference point for the latest firmware on one they tested earlier.

The other big divide is over price. Lot's of people will say this is the best based on the price point because they consider another too expensive.

All I'm saying is that this is very subjective.

I only have experience with one FBL controller which I'm comfortable with, but I'm in no position to make any comparative statements.

[newbheliusr]

Very well said dude. Very good points.

Originally Posted by mkovalcson

Most people don't like fiddling with their FBL units and hope that once they get the tail gain adjusted that their FBL unit flies well with no other modification.

How many times do you hear, I put it right in and and it flew great out of the box!

As you learn to fly better you get more demanding and you care how your FBL unit behaves in more ways.

You can also learn to compensate for the control loop of a given FBL controller such that another feels different to you.

The firmware on these units changes periodically and sometimes that has a dramatic impact on how the helis fly. So even someone who has tried out a number of FBL controllers may not have a good reference point for the latest firmware on one they tested earlier.

The other big divide is over price. Lot's of people will say this is the best based on the price point because they consider another too expensive.

All I'm saying is that this is very subjective.

I only have experience with one FBL controller which I'm comfortable with, but I'm in no position to make any comparative statements.

[oliver1071]

Originally Posted by mkovalcson

Most people don't like fiddling with their FBL units and hope that once they get the tail gain adjusted that their FBL unit flies well with no other modification.

How many times do you hear, I put it right in and and it flew great out of the box!

As you learn to fly better you get more demanding and you care how your FBL unit behaves in more ways.

You can also learn to compensate for the control loop of a given FBL controller such that another feels different to you.

The firmware on these units changes periodically and sometimes that has a dramatic impact on how the helis fly. So even someone who has tried out a number of FBL controllers may not have a good reference point for the latest firmware on one they tested earlier.

The other big divide is over price. Lot's of people will say this is the best based on the price point because they consider another too expensive.

All I'm saying is that this is very subjective.

I only have experience with one FBL controller which I'm comfortable with, but I'm in no position to make any comparative statements.

Can't wait to hear your opinion once you get your Neo in the air.

At my skill level I can't tell the difference between the Gpro and Neo in flight. They both setup with a great flying machine out of the box. And the Align software is almost identical to Mikado so there's no difference there.

Feature set paired with the VControl is what made me switch to all Neo.

[CZorzella]

Originally Posted by mkovalcson

Most people don't like fiddling with their FBL units and hope that once they get the tail gain adjusted that their FBL unit flies well with no other modification.

How many times do you hear, I put it right in and and it flew great out of the box!

As you learn to fly better you get more demanding and you care how your FBL unit behaves in more ways.

You can also learn to compensate for the control loop of a given FBL controller such that another feels different to you.

The firmware on these units changes periodically and sometimes that has a dramatic impact on how the helis fly. So even someone who has tried out a number of FBL controllers may not have a good reference point for the latest firmware on one they tested earlier.

The other big divide is over price. Lot's of people will say this is the best based on the price point because they consider another too expensive.

All I'm saying is that this is very subjective.

I only have experience with one FBL controller which I'm comfortable with, but I'm in no position to make any comparative statements.

Exactly Mark. Very well said!

And that is the point; everything is very subjective!

Carlos

[Xfreak3D]

Originally Posted by newbheliusr

Strictly speaking, the thread is titled fbl choice of the year 2015. So how many fbl units were released this year? I'm not sure about the Neuron, but the vbar neo takes the prize as far as I am concerned. But not sure what other units may have been released this year.

sorry if misunderstand, what i mean is favourite FBL system for year 2015 .. can be also 3GX align if have pilots who enjoyed it.

still looking for spartan vortex users..any good comments ?

[seefest]

Originally Posted by CZorzella

I really don’t get the point of this conversation.

Someone says that the very best FBL unit is VBar. Other says that IKON is the best. So, what does it really mean?

From time to time I read new threads asking the same question over and over again: which FBL system is best? and I always wonder if there really is a "one-size-fits-all" in this matter.

My flying style is sport, very light 3d and I reckon that my requirements for a FBL system are different from someone who fly hard 3D style; what would be the requirements of those who flies scale, not even sport?

So the real question would be: Which FBL system works for you, for which helicopter? for which size? for which setup, for which flying style and WHY.

Carlos

There is no best FBL unit for everyone.

BUT, these threads always devolve into a pissing match about this VS that.
I usually try to avoid reading these threads as they're all the same and always BS. (couldn't help myself this time!)

[Xfreak3D]

No need butthurt.its good to put in reviews .. so other can use some guide to choose their fbl systems.
Dont need your reply if you aint helping dude

[oliver1071]

Originally Posted by Krea

My spirit direct from Spirit was 195 with latest exhange rate. Pretty sweet deal.

Some scary stuff with spirit https://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=710551

I'd rather have rescue not work then shoot off in the wrong direction.

[newbheliusr]

Originally Posted by oliver1071

Some scary stuff with spirit https://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=710551

I'd rather have rescue not work then shoot off in the wrong direction.

This is but another reason in which you get what you pay for.

[oliver1071]

Originally Posted by newbheliusr

This is but another reason in which you get what you pay for.

Yeah the neo is a simple as assigning the switch you want to use. Nothing to mess up. I've seen a bunch of threads of people messing self level/rescue up on other systems and sending their heli in to the ground when they test it.

hmm I wonder if I could tweak a bank on the neo to be more of a self level then rescue? I fly a lot out back and have way to many trees to hit rescue because I'm usually flying under the canopy of the 100ft oaks.
I'll have to play with it so I can have a home and away bank on my helis.

[Raptorapture]

Originally Posted by oliver1071

Some scary stuff with spirit https://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=710551

I'd rather have rescue not work then shoot off in the wrong direction.

I've also had mine, another brand of FBL also go wrong direction on rescue. Was testing so recovery was no issue. Was repeatable same flight. A bit of a shocker when it speeds towards Mother Earth!

[seefest]

Originally Posted by Xfreak3D

No need butthurt.its good to put in reviews .. so other can use some guide to choose their fbl systems.
Dont need your reply if you aint helping dude

You prove my point. Reviews mean nothing. Each individual has their own preferences and likes about a system(some are even fanboys)

And I'm entitled to my opinion as are you, please respect it(as I do yours).

[gunny_jeeves]

Hmm... MSH / Ikon has long fixed this... Probably Mikado will not miss something like this, but I'd say its not a safe bet to use or rely on a V1 rescue. (If it was NOT there in a product, then is put there all of a sudden, even if software is V6, rescue is V1...)

They could hit the "Trigonometry PID Loop Lottery" and get it exactly right the first time, but then you could go to the gas station buy a $1 Lotto ticket and next week buy all the helis you ever dreamed of too...

Good luck in any event... I'd expect Spirit, Spartan, Eznov and yes even Mikado to fail in the right set of circumstances... Unexpected vibrations AFTER start, unexpected / improper initialization, etc.

They can test all they like. Mikado arguably has the MOST experience, and Spartan has potentially the BEST test pilot (Bert) so they are stacking the deck where they can, but we don't all fly like Bert, and sometimes helis get a little vibration in flight... That's when you really want the rescue to work and NEED the rescue to work... otherwise you're just making a charitable donation...

[hamishmorley]

Spartan vx1e everyday😀😀😀😀

[jbobb1]

In the end, it's going to boil down to what works the best for each of us. Most of the controllers mentioned are awesome!

[newbheliusr]

As with almost everything in this hobby, it comes down to personal preference. What you like. I may not.

[907Heli]

Which one is best?

Which one can you tune?

That one is probably the best.

[Krea]

Originally Posted by oliver1071

Some scary stuff with spirit https://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=710551

I'd rather have rescue not work then shoot off in the wrong direction.

Interesting. I've seen these accounts for ALL brand of FBLs so I take them with a grain of salt. I have had over 20 recoveries with Spirit no issue so I trust it, also if it ever were to misbehave the second I take off momentary it stops recovery.

I'm not saying others are not great I just like the spirit feature set for the price and the integration with other radios. Also, they continue to improve it rapidly.