Looking for some Gyro suggestions
#1

I've noticed a lot of discussion about gyros recently and have decided I'm going to give one a try on my Art-Tech P51D. I've waded through the plethora of posts but it seems to generate more questions then answers so I thought I'd ask a few directly.
As I posted I'm looking at a gyro system for my Art-Tech P51D. This is the first lower wing I will attempt to fly since getting back in to RC over 20 years ago. I'm thinking the gyro might ease my pain into low wing flying, and possibly save me some crashes at the same time.
I want a 3 axis system simple to install and can help transition from strong control to no control. I.E. almost hands free to virtually no help. Of course cost is a factor but I have no problem paying good money for a good product. In fact I'd rather pay for a good job rather than save on a cheap one.
Thanks
As I posted I'm looking at a gyro system for my Art-Tech P51D. This is the first lower wing I will attempt to fly since getting back in to RC over 20 years ago. I'm thinking the gyro might ease my pain into low wing flying, and possibly save me some crashes at the same time.
I want a 3 axis system simple to install and can help transition from strong control to no control. I.E. almost hands free to virtually no help. Of course cost is a factor but I have no problem paying good money for a good product. In fact I'd rather pay for a good job rather than save on a cheap one.
Thanks
#2
Super Contributor
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Ex UK Brit now in Latvia west coast - Ventspils
Posts: 12,594

Gyros on their own are a pain to set-up as I know ... I fly Fixed and Heli's.
The best way is the Stabiliser boards sold specifically for fixed wing machines.
Here's the one I want - but Hobby King is sold out still ... :
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbycity/s...rol_Board.html
Check out that page ... you may find what you want. There are of course other products similar .. Eagle Tree do a stab board ... contact "Dahawk" - he has details of a guy in Far East who makes them etc.
FYI - I returned to the hobby after a period away - took about 3 flights for me start feeling easier .... like riding a bike ! It's the hands and fingers control ... as we remember what everything does ... just need to get "in the groove again".
Nigel
The best way is the Stabiliser boards sold specifically for fixed wing machines.
Here's the one I want - but Hobby King is sold out still ... :
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbycity/s...rol_Board.html
Check out that page ... you may find what you want. There are of course other products similar .. Eagle Tree do a stab board ... contact "Dahawk" - he has details of a guy in Far East who makes them etc.
FYI - I returned to the hobby after a period away - took about 3 flights for me start feeling easier .... like riding a bike ! It's the hands and fingers control ... as we remember what everything does ... just need to get "in the groove again".
Nigel
#3

DC,
My post on another thread:
I actually met Mark Massel on LinkedIn. He's an ex British Aerospace engineer living in Thailand that has started Bluelight. My boss ordered one-$56.00 and as a master scratchbuilder and old friend of Carl Goldberg he's totally impressed. Here are the specs:
Blue Light Technologies Flight Stabilizer BL-3G 2D 3D Quad
http://www.bluelight-tech.com/BL-3GMod.htm
BL-3GMod Priced at only $56.00
User Manual: http://www.bluelight-tech.com/Downlo...UserManual.pdf
PC Tool overview with 11 pages of settings:
http://www.bluelight-tech.com/BL-3GPCTool.htm
Gyro range
x 7 RC transmitter inputs (Pitch, roll, yaw + 4 real time switches
x 6 RC aircraft outputs (Aircraft servos / ESC motor speed controllers)
- Applications: RC airplane, heli, multi-copter, gyro evaluation, platform
..stability, general robotics, teaching aid
- In-built full speed mini USB for set up and testing (incl firmware upgrade)
- Supports all RC transmitters, servos and controllers (Independent I/O)
- Multiple input curve options, incl x4 user defined (11 pts)
- x 3 PID contollers (programmable)
- Special anti-crash and cross wind take off features for novice teaching
I actually met Mark Massel on LinkedIn. He's an ex British Aerospace engineer living in Thailand that has started Bluelight. My boss ordered one-$56.00 and as a master scratchbuilder and old friend of Carl Goldberg he's totally impressed. I opened the package for him while in Bowling Green last week. Nicely done. Comesa with everything you need including a PC interface and CD-rom.
Here are the specs:
Blue Light Technologies Flight Stabilizer BL-3G 2D 3D Quad
http://www.bluelight-tech.com/BL-3GMod.htm
BL-3GMod Priced at only $56.00
User Manual: http://www.bluelight-tech.com/Downlo...UserManual.pdf
PC Tool overview with 11 pages of settings:
http://www.bluelight-tech.com/BL-3GPCTool.htm
Gyro range
x 7 RC transmitter inputs (Pitch, roll, yaw + 4 real time switches
x 6 RC aircraft outputs (Aircraft servos / ESC motor speed controllers)
- Applications: RC airplane, heli, multi-copter, gyro evaluation, platform
..stability, general robotics, teaching aid
- In-built full speed mini USB for set up and testing (incl firmware upgrade)
- Supports all RC transmitters, servos and controllers (Independent I/O)
- Multiple input curve options, incl x4 user defined (11 pts)
- x 3 PID contollers (programmable)
- Special anti-crash and cross wind take off features for novice teaching
My post on another thread:
I actually met Mark Massel on LinkedIn. He's an ex British Aerospace engineer living in Thailand that has started Bluelight. My boss ordered one-$56.00 and as a master scratchbuilder and old friend of Carl Goldberg he's totally impressed. Here are the specs:
Blue Light Technologies Flight Stabilizer BL-3G 2D 3D Quad
http://www.bluelight-tech.com/BL-3GMod.htm
BL-3GMod Priced at only $56.00
User Manual: http://www.bluelight-tech.com/Downlo...UserManual.pdf
PC Tool overview with 11 pages of settings:
http://www.bluelight-tech.com/BL-3GPCTool.htm
Gyro range
x 7 RC transmitter inputs (Pitch, roll, yaw + 4 real time switches
x 6 RC aircraft outputs (Aircraft servos / ESC motor speed controllers)
- Applications: RC airplane, heli, multi-copter, gyro evaluation, platform
..stability, general robotics, teaching aid
- In-built full speed mini USB for set up and testing (incl firmware upgrade)
- Supports all RC transmitters, servos and controllers (Independent I/O)
- Multiple input curve options, incl x4 user defined (11 pts)
- x 3 PID contollers (programmable)
- Special anti-crash and cross wind take off features for novice teaching
I actually met Mark Massel on LinkedIn. He's an ex British Aerospace engineer living in Thailand that has started Bluelight. My boss ordered one-$56.00 and as a master scratchbuilder and old friend of Carl Goldberg he's totally impressed. I opened the package for him while in Bowling Green last week. Nicely done. Comesa with everything you need including a PC interface and CD-rom.
Here are the specs:
Blue Light Technologies Flight Stabilizer BL-3G 2D 3D Quad
http://www.bluelight-tech.com/BL-3GMod.htm
BL-3GMod Priced at only $56.00
User Manual: http://www.bluelight-tech.com/Downlo...UserManual.pdf
PC Tool overview with 11 pages of settings:
http://www.bluelight-tech.com/BL-3GPCTool.htm
Gyro range
x 7 RC transmitter inputs (Pitch, roll, yaw + 4 real time switches
x 6 RC aircraft outputs (Aircraft servos / ESC motor speed controllers)
- Applications: RC airplane, heli, multi-copter, gyro evaluation, platform
..stability, general robotics, teaching aid
- In-built full speed mini USB for set up and testing (incl firmware upgrade)
- Supports all RC transmitters, servos and controllers (Independent I/O)
- Multiple input curve options, incl x4 user defined (11 pts)
- x 3 PID contollers (programmable)
- Special anti-crash and cross wind take off features for novice teaching
#5

I work at Bluelight the company who designed the BL-3GRC ICE-MAN Gyro. Hope you enjoy using it. FYI I let you know of an updated software and firmware. We've been working on V2.0 which is just about done now, you can get the beta version now. Improvements include the following:
- Quick start page with various aircraft configurations incl. aircraft "drag 'n drop box"
- Mixing page for flying wing (delta) / V-tail and 3 different flap modes (4 with pass through mode)
- Input signal inversion and gyro function inversion options
- Quick up-side-down mounting option
- And throttle safety lock feature
I'll give you a link to the V2.0 beta release soon (can't do now since I haven't made any posts on this forum before), however, there's a link to it on our website from the FAQ section.
- Quick start page with various aircraft configurations incl. aircraft "drag 'n drop box"
- Mixing page for flying wing (delta) / V-tail and 3 different flap modes (4 with pass through mode)
- Input signal inversion and gyro function inversion options
- Quick up-side-down mounting option
- And throttle safety lock feature
I'll give you a link to the V2.0 beta release soon (can't do now since I haven't made any posts on this forum before), however, there's a link to it on our website from the FAQ section.
#6

DC,
My post on another thread:
I actually met Mark Massel on LinkedIn. He's an ex British Aerospace engineer living in Thailand that has started Bluelight. My boss ordered one-$56.00 and as a master scratchbuilder and old friend of Carl Goldberg he's totally impressed. Here are the specs:
Blue Light Technologies Flight Stabilizer BL-3G 2D 3D Quad
http://www.bluelight-tech.com/BL-3GMod.htm
BL-3GMod Priced at only $56.00
User Manual: http://www.bluelight-tech.com/Downlo...UserManual.pdf
PC Tool overview with 11 pages of settings:
http://www.bluelight-tech.com/BL-3GPCTool.htm
Gyro range
x 7 RC transmitter inputs (Pitch, roll, yaw + 4 real time switches
x 6 RC aircraft outputs (Aircraft servos / ESC motor speed controllers)
- Applications: RC airplane, heli, multi-copter, gyro evaluation, platform
..stability, general robotics, teaching aid
- In-built full speed mini USB for set up and testing (incl firmware upgrade)
- Supports all RC transmitters, servos and controllers (Independent I/O)
- Multiple input curve options, incl x4 user defined (11 pts)
- x 3 PID contollers (programmable)
- Special anti-crash and cross wind take off features for novice teaching
I actually met Mark Massel on LinkedIn. He's an ex British Aerospace engineer living in Thailand that has started Bluelight. My boss ordered one-$56.00 and as a master scratchbuilder and old friend of Carl Goldberg he's totally impressed. I opened the package for him while in Bowling Green last week. Nicely done. Comesa with everything you need including a PC interface and CD-rom.
Here are the specs:
Blue Light Technologies Flight Stabilizer BL-3G 2D 3D Quad
http://www.bluelight-tech.com/BL-3GMod.htm
BL-3GMod Priced at only $56.00
User Manual: http://www.bluelight-tech.com/Downlo...UserManual.pdf
PC Tool overview with 11 pages of settings:
http://www.bluelight-tech.com/BL-3GPCTool.htm
Gyro range
x 7 RC transmitter inputs (Pitch, roll, yaw + 4 real time switches
x 6 RC aircraft outputs (Aircraft servos / ESC motor speed controllers)
- Applications: RC airplane, heli, multi-copter, gyro evaluation, platform
..stability, general robotics, teaching aid
- In-built full speed mini USB for set up and testing (incl firmware upgrade)
- Supports all RC transmitters, servos and controllers (Independent I/O)
- Multiple input curve options, incl x4 user defined (11 pts)
- x 3 PID contollers (programmable)
- Special anti-crash and cross wind take off features for novice teaching
My post on another thread:
I actually met Mark Massel on LinkedIn. He's an ex British Aerospace engineer living in Thailand that has started Bluelight. My boss ordered one-$56.00 and as a master scratchbuilder and old friend of Carl Goldberg he's totally impressed. Here are the specs:
Blue Light Technologies Flight Stabilizer BL-3G 2D 3D Quad
http://www.bluelight-tech.com/BL-3GMod.htm
BL-3GMod Priced at only $56.00
User Manual: http://www.bluelight-tech.com/Downlo...UserManual.pdf
PC Tool overview with 11 pages of settings:
http://www.bluelight-tech.com/BL-3GPCTool.htm
Gyro range
x 7 RC transmitter inputs (Pitch, roll, yaw + 4 real time switches
x 6 RC aircraft outputs (Aircraft servos / ESC motor speed controllers)
- Applications: RC airplane, heli, multi-copter, gyro evaluation, platform
..stability, general robotics, teaching aid
- In-built full speed mini USB for set up and testing (incl firmware upgrade)
- Supports all RC transmitters, servos and controllers (Independent I/O)
- Multiple input curve options, incl x4 user defined (11 pts)
- x 3 PID contollers (programmable)
- Special anti-crash and cross wind take off features for novice teaching
I actually met Mark Massel on LinkedIn. He's an ex British Aerospace engineer living in Thailand that has started Bluelight. My boss ordered one-$56.00 and as a master scratchbuilder and old friend of Carl Goldberg he's totally impressed. I opened the package for him while in Bowling Green last week. Nicely done. Comesa with everything you need including a PC interface and CD-rom.
Here are the specs:
Blue Light Technologies Flight Stabilizer BL-3G 2D 3D Quad
http://www.bluelight-tech.com/BL-3GMod.htm
BL-3GMod Priced at only $56.00
User Manual: http://www.bluelight-tech.com/Downlo...UserManual.pdf
PC Tool overview with 11 pages of settings:
http://www.bluelight-tech.com/BL-3GPCTool.htm
Gyro range
x 7 RC transmitter inputs (Pitch, roll, yaw + 4 real time switches
x 6 RC aircraft outputs (Aircraft servos / ESC motor speed controllers)
- Applications: RC airplane, heli, multi-copter, gyro evaluation, platform
..stability, general robotics, teaching aid
- In-built full speed mini USB for set up and testing (incl firmware upgrade)
- Supports all RC transmitters, servos and controllers (Independent I/O)
- Multiple input curve options, incl x4 user defined (11 pts)
- x 3 PID contollers (programmable)
- Special anti-crash and cross wind take off features for novice teaching
Just to say the Mod version is a module with exactly the same h/w and s/w as the one in the nice white box, but for RC flying I recommend the RC version ie BL-3GRC with the nice box, and cables etc. As you have above the spec for this one is here
#7

I got my Bluelight BL-3GRC Gyro today and am trying to get it connected. I understand the connections with the exception of the power. I'm not sure how it would hook to my RX in my P51. Here is some pictures that might help. I'm just not getting how I need to connect my current(ESC) connection to the gyro to give it power? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
New BL-GRC

Contents

The connection on my RX and BL-3GRC.

Port 1. on the gyro goes to the Elevator/Pitch in on the RX
Port 3. on the gyro goes to the Ailerons/Roll in on the RX
Port 5. on the gyro goes to the Rudder/Yaw in on the RX
So where does the power/ESC connect?
New BL-GRC

Contents

The connection on my RX and BL-3GRC.

Port 1. on the gyro goes to the Elevator/Pitch in on the RX
Port 3. on the gyro goes to the Ailerons/Roll in on the RX
Port 5. on the gyro goes to the Rudder/Yaw in on the RX
So where does the power/ESC connect?
#10

Hope you get your rates and "expo" set-up comfortably.......over time, you'll find the gyro to only be a "fail safe"...that is until you keep needing to adjust your settings to compensate for environmental conditions and your lack of the "real time " feel you'd get from flying the craft as it was designed and intended.....lol
Look forward to videos of the flights in windy condititions....seems you have skills.....you'll need them!
Look forward to videos of the flights in windy condititions....seems you have skills.....you'll need them!
#11

Hope you get your rates and "expo" set-up comfortably.......over time, you'll find the gyro to only be a "fail safe"...that is until you keep needing to adjust your settings to compensate for environmental conditions and your lack of the "real time " feel you'd get from flying the craft as it was designed and intended.....lol
Look forward to videos of the flights in windy condititions....seems you have skills.....you'll need them!
Look forward to videos of the flights in windy condititions....seems you have skills.....you'll need them!
#12

Make sure the control surfaces all move in the right direction to correct when the aircraft gets a jolt. (I see you did looking at your vid) Different set ups may need gyro operation to be changed. This can be done with our V2.0 s/w (also on current versions by inverting input signals and connecting to alternative outputs), so I encourage people to check and always be up-to-date with the s/w and f/w versions which you can get from our website..
#14

You will need to send the parameters to the BL-3GRC again with the 'send' button. (Chatter is based on the PWM period required for your servos - the updated V2.0 s/w has analogue servos as default at 15ms period)
#15

Did send to the BL-3GRC. I'm still not seeing much movement on the elevator and rudder. Nothing like on the ailerons anyway. The elevator moves so little I'm having a hard time making sure the movement is in the right direction. I tried setting the Pitch & Yaw to HIGH gain but didn't see any change.
#17

Took the Mustang out for a flight with the BL-3GRC gyro to test and make sure all was good. Flew very well both flights smooth and flat much like a bigger plane. Now I just need to wait for the wind to pick up and give it another flight. Very happy with what I've seen so far.
This is the shorter video of a takeoff and landing. The landing was a bit late of the flare.
This is the shorter video of a takeoff and landing. The landing was a bit late of the flare.
#21

Here is a video of the BL-3GRC gyro in stiff wind. Sorry the video doesn't show much, I've got to find a better way of shooting video, but I can say it flew well but I did notice a good amount of wing flutter as it flew by. The wings were moving rapidly up & down/flutter?
#22

Here is a video of the BL-3GRC gyro in stiff wind. Sorry the video doesn't show much, I've got to find a better way of shooting video, but I can say it flew well but I did notice a good amount of wing flutter as it flew by. The wings were moving rapidly up & down/flutter?
#23

BL-3GRC ICE-MAN Gyro V2.0 s/w now out..
I fly fast and want fast gyro response but my RC Tx only outputs pulses at 15ms. Would be good to increase to say 6ms to support my fast digital servos
-with the BL-3GRC YOU CAN
Would be good to fly my delta wing slowly on landing to save on runway length
- With the BL-3GRC YOU CAN add flaperon function even for delta wing
I have a big aircraft which needs lots of runway to land. Some sort of speed brake would be good
- with the BL-3GRC YOU CAN with two stage flaps, third stage ailerons up for air-brake / 'crow' function
I have a big beast of a plane with dual wing servos, even two opposing servos for the rudder. Would be good to have just one controller
- With the BL-3GRC YOU CAN with two configurable outputs per axis
I like to teach my novice friend how to fly but he has a habit of veering off to the side of the runway on take-off. Would be good to have very large gyro rudder gain just at take off
- with the BL-3GRC YOU CAN
Would be good not to have to re-trim my aircraft after a long time or remember which RC Tx has the trim saved. Great if the gyro can automatically save the trim settings
- with the BL-3GRC YOU CAN just pick up any RC transmitter and set all trims to zero
I like to fly fast but want good stability during slow landings with flaps or flaperons
- with the BL-3GRC YOU CAN set real time two gain switch for fast / slow flying
I am a bit of a novice and only have a small area to fly in, would be good to find a way to keep the turns tight and stop flying away so far. I'm still a bit nervous about using the rudder myself, would be good if some rudder could be applied during my turns
- with the BL-3GRC YOU CAN
I have a foamie flying wing aircraft would be good to hide a controller inside the wing
- with the BL-3GMod YOU CAN. The MOD version is a small 35mm square, thin PCB, you can cut off or de-solder the pins, connect (solder) only the inputs and outputs you want, and have a flying wing with controller/flaperon function/gyro buried inside.
Such a low price too, talk about a game changer! I work for Bluelight so don't take my word for it, check out the user manual and PC set up s/w before you buy. http://www.bluelight-tech.com/Downloads.htm
V2.0 press release here
I fly fast and want fast gyro response but my RC Tx only outputs pulses at 15ms. Would be good to increase to say 6ms to support my fast digital servos
-with the BL-3GRC YOU CAN
Would be good to fly my delta wing slowly on landing to save on runway length
- With the BL-3GRC YOU CAN add flaperon function even for delta wing
I have a big aircraft which needs lots of runway to land. Some sort of speed brake would be good
- with the BL-3GRC YOU CAN with two stage flaps, third stage ailerons up for air-brake / 'crow' function
I have a big beast of a plane with dual wing servos, even two opposing servos for the rudder. Would be good to have just one controller
- With the BL-3GRC YOU CAN with two configurable outputs per axis
I like to teach my novice friend how to fly but he has a habit of veering off to the side of the runway on take-off. Would be good to have very large gyro rudder gain just at take off
- with the BL-3GRC YOU CAN
Would be good not to have to re-trim my aircraft after a long time or remember which RC Tx has the trim saved. Great if the gyro can automatically save the trim settings
- with the BL-3GRC YOU CAN just pick up any RC transmitter and set all trims to zero
I like to fly fast but want good stability during slow landings with flaps or flaperons
- with the BL-3GRC YOU CAN set real time two gain switch for fast / slow flying
I am a bit of a novice and only have a small area to fly in, would be good to find a way to keep the turns tight and stop flying away so far. I'm still a bit nervous about using the rudder myself, would be good if some rudder could be applied during my turns
- with the BL-3GRC YOU CAN
I have a foamie flying wing aircraft would be good to hide a controller inside the wing
- with the BL-3GMod YOU CAN. The MOD version is a small 35mm square, thin PCB, you can cut off or de-solder the pins, connect (solder) only the inputs and outputs you want, and have a flying wing with controller/flaperon function/gyro buried inside.
Such a low price too, talk about a game changer! I work for Bluelight so don't take my word for it, check out the user manual and PC set up s/w before you buy. http://www.bluelight-tech.com/Downloads.htm
V2.0 press release here