Turnigy V-bar 600

[ScoobyDoo]

I have just ordered one of these today to try out on my Jet Ranger.

http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=11733

Having used the Mikado V-bar on the 222 (which worked very well but lacked proper documentation) I thought I would give it a try. It promises MEMS sensors and has a lot of user settable variables that the Align 3G seems to lack, at a price that is a third of the Mikado product. It may be a real bargain and it may also be a load of **@p so I will report back when it arrives. Fingers crossed it is the former rather than the latter.

[jamin_00]

It will be interesting to hear how well it performs

[ScoobyDoo]

This will be for scale use so will not be assessed for 3D at all. I am particularly interested to see how the set up and menu functions work. The instructions can be found here and look promising. It has it's own control box which I like, laptops at the field are never very satisfactory.
Click on this and look under the files tab.
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=11733

[leapfrog]

Awesome, Jonathan!  I've been too busy of late to keep playing with all of the new stuff that is hitting the market...  Glad to see others are posting the experiences they have with the stuff...  Keep us informed!

[mikef]

Jonathan, when are we going to see some more information on this???

Michael

[ScoobyDoo]

I have it working on the bench but I had a mishap with my turbine Hawk and need to repair that first. It is the next project in line.

[mikef]

Looking forward to the results.

[ScoobyDoo]

Hi Guys. Sorry to have taken so long to post but life and other projects just got in the way. I had real trouble understanding the Chinglish instructions so decided to sell it rather than put a lot of time into it. Just as it was sold someone very kindly sent some English instructions that make sense, but it is too late for me. I have placed them with this post so others can find them and uploaded it to Hobbycity as well.
Folks out there seem to be very positive about this device but I have no experience to offer.

[leapfrog]

Hey Jonathan...  well, at least we have the benefit of the manual now!  *smile*

[jamin_00]

So are you going to get a different FBL unit to use?

[ScoobyDoo]

Yes I am. I am considering another Mikado Vbar. Their V5 software is a huge improvement on previous efforts. In my opinion though they still have a lot of trouble communicating with their users. Below is a video that demonstrates this very well. Comments such as "oh I forgot to translate that, TS means swash plate". Then later he comes to the PID tail settings and mumbles that he didn't think they should be there any more maybe they should just read zero. MAYBE!! Give me a break. There is no documentation for pro mode or at least I can't find any. If you click on the link that says Pro mode it takes you to Express mode so the instructional video should not be a voyage of discovery for the author. Mmmm.... I am having a rant again. I have only just seen this video today and it explains why the PID tail settings are having no effect on my Bell 222, they are not connected! Knowing that would have solved a mystery.
Because of these shortcomings I feel reluctant to give them any more of my money though once the mysteries are solved it is a good product with some advantages over the main competition. My message to Mikado is that after five attempts at getting the software right GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER. NO MORE SILLY ERRORS PLEASE.

I am also considering the Beast X. The documentation is excellent and watching others it seems to do the job very well and costs virtually half the price. So why is this not a no brainer?

Well the Beast will only support one satellite receiver rather than two on the MIikado so it will need a proper receiver with it. To make any adjustments to it you need access to the unit itself as there is no remote panel which is not great for scale installation, so I am undecided. Any comments would be appreciated to help make the decision. There are lots of others out there but from what I have read it boils down to these two for price/performance. The Gyrobot sounds great but is fantasy money so out the question. Interestingly it is hard to get a Beast X because they are all sold out.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/ExbJ_-avp-4&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/ExbJ_-avp-4&rel=1</a>

[ScoobyDoo]

Symon, will you tidy this for me please. I seem to have the video twice.

[ScoobyDoo]

Decision made. Another Mikado Vbar, despite the above, they are in stock. The Beast isn't and hasn't been for a couple of months. They keep saying next week and the Jet Ranger is spread all over the bench so I need it now.

[jamin_00]

All tidy

Right I had the Beastx then the Vbar Blueline on my Srimok.

I also have the control panel as in the vid and have had no issues.

IMHO you have made the right choice