Senior Heliman - Location: Maryland, USA, MHA Member -
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Special Thanks to Chuckie and inkspot1967 for all the help setting up this now killer Trex 500.
EDIT: Added Chuckie's review of this configuration / system
Please see/read Chuckie's flight review proceeding the pictures posted in this post below.
************************************* The mods: - Mikado VBar - Mikado TRex 500 Vbar Rotor Head Upgrade - Rdlohr Battery Mount - KDE Direct Aluminum bottom plate - Fireup frame repair / reinforcement plates - Scorpion 1600 - Western Digital Hercules BEC - Custom Heli Parts Tail Servo Mounting Plate - Microheli Tail Servor Aluminum clamps - Microheli Canopy mounts - Unknown brand Aluminum / carbon tail boom brace - Kasama Tail Rotor assembly - Align Metal Main shaft mounts - Align Carbon tail Blades - K&B Head Dampers - Align Torque Tube - Align Carbon Tail Boom
Test Flight Video
Pics
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You'll have to let us know what you come up with. I really want to do this to my 500 but I'm a little hesitant.
I flew a v-barred logo 600 at a local ff and didn't like how it handled. Way to twitchy and it just felt like it was always about to lose control.
Perhaps if I flew it more I would get use to it, or maybe it was just setup improperly but nevertheless, I'm going to give it a bit more time before this technology matures.
-blbills
Chuckie Flight Review / Comment(9/16/2008)
With regard to the last sentence I think you (others) need to look at the vbar system a little differently. The technology is there NOW, the question is do you mind tweaking your setup? With the vbar you now have the flexibility to change parameters with your computer or control panel to make the heli fly anyway you want, where as before you had to purchase flybar paddles to make the heli fly differently or change settings in the radio. The vbar has the most complexity but it also has the most flexibility. You will have to learn how to adjust your setup. I’m still learning what all the different parameters mean but they seem logical. Now if some company produces a system with only 3 or 4 user settings then the general rc heli public may be ready for mass produced FBL helis.
I don’t have much time on the flybared 500 but in comparing my 600N that I just converted to flybarless the difference is amazing. I have a totally different heli, ie flys better. I assume the differences would be somewhat the same for the 500 but it is a lighter heli so it moves fast with the flybar. After helping Ron setup his 500 I made the decision to convert my 600N. The reason being how well the 500 flew compared to all the other helis I’ve flown.
Yes the weight savings is nice and you do have more power and longer flight times but the big reason for me was the control. It takes a bit of time to get used to the speed and we slowed down the settings for the 500 at first. Now after a dozen flights we’re talking about turning up the speed (in idle 2) even more. With the speed the heli becomes a little twitchy but we fixed that some what. We use a combination of expo and rc deadband to slow down the heli when I move the sticks too fast. We’re also getting used to the speed but it takes time. I think I'm reprogramming my brain.
I see why people like the flybarless helis so much. To sum it up I see 2 or more advantages, I’m able to finesse the maneuvers more and I have more control than with a flybared heli. I can while doing simple flips vary the speed of the flip at any time and the heli responds instantly, or how ever fast you program the system. Because of the HH gyro like holding on the head I’m able to stop the heli more precisely or correct more accurately, and I need to correct much less than before. This is where I'm slow at learing. I'm now starting to correct only when needed versus anticipating.
With the vbar the rotor disk responds to pilot rate of command, just like a tail gyro. If I want the heli to flip forward I just hold the stick in one position and the vbar flips the heli at a specific rate. Move the stick more forward and the heli flips faster. There is no need to compensate for wind or the forces on or from the rotor disk. The flybarless helis track better and while doing maneuvers. Sometimes no pilot correction is needed. Doing vertical figure 8’s for example requires you change the roll angle and rudder direction when you go from the top of the first loop into the second. Then when the heli is at the top and you start the downward S you need to continue to change roll and rudder. With vbar you just pull and push elevator and make the circles round with throttle. Correct only when needed or if you entered the maneuver with the disk not level or with a bit of angle due to rudder position. So I guess that’s 3 or 4 advantages, I lost count. The more I fly the more advantages I’m detecting.
Finally, I said above 'move the sticks too fast'. Now I think you know what I mean. I used to poke or jeck the sticks when I fly but you can't do that with the vbar, especially when landing at the end of an auto. Now when I fly I'm more in control and the heli stays in syc how ever fast or slow I move the sticks.
I don’t have my 600N flying like Ron’s 500 yet. I’m dealing with a few problems then I’m hoping to get my heli flying better..... than Ron’s.
Charles
09-04-2008 08:13 PM
THX1138 Elite Veteran Location: Plainfield, IN
Very nice my man!
Lou
Bowstrings, Banjo's, and Birkenstocks.
09-04-2008 08:56 PM
Ted U Heliman Location: Virginia Beach, Va
Very nice. Anybody Stateside stocking the Mikado Head conversion for the T500?
Trex 500 Vbar Logo400 Vbar G5 Sk360
09-05-2008 01:21 AM
Zaaaguy72 Veteran Location: Grand Rapids, MN
I see you used the standard 10mm swash locking unit but where did you get the blade grip standoffs at? Also, where did you get the tail shaft drive kit at?
eggmcmuffinplz Key Veteran Location: Los Angeles, CA
Dude that is one sick heli
Scott DX7-*Logo 500 3D* Lightning Power batteries Plz.
09-05-2008 03:08 AM
puma1824 Senior Heliman Location: Maryland, USA, MHA Member
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I see you used the standard 10mm swash locking unit but where did you get the blade grip standoffs at? Also, where did you get the tail shaft drive kit at?
The locking thing and standoffs are included in the T-REX 500 Vbar Rotor head upgrade kit (Mikado part #04167). I purchased them from a shop in Germany and had it imported to the USA.
09-05-2008 03:20 AM
Corwin Heliman Location: North America
What was the shop in Germany where you got the pieces from, have a T-Rex with a self modded Flybar head but sure not as nice or proper as this.
T-Rex 500 V-Bar Flybarless T-Rex 250 Beam E4
09-05-2008 05:28 AM
inkspot1967 rrProfessor Location: cranston ri.
no problem bud anytime you need anything you know where im at....lol
Trex700e Ray N e- kit & "Fueled By Hate" Head Next-D Rave Flybarless Outrage Battery
09-05-2008 11:38 AM
puma1824 Senior Heliman Location: Maryland, USA, MHA Member
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What was the shop in Germany where you got the pieces from, have a T-Rex with a self modded Flybar head but sure not as nice or proper as this.
BTW I have no affiliation with the shop....any shop for that matter.
09-05-2008 12:21 PM
Zaaaguy72 Veteran Location: Grand Rapids, MN
Thank you for the info.
Fly, Fly, and Fly some more!!!
09-05-2008 02:39 PM
Fillmoe Slim Senior Heliman Location: Santa Rosa
Mikado Vbar rotorheads for Trexes can be ordered at ReadyHeli. The grips that come with the kit are the Mikado ones. Did the ball standoffs thread into your stock grips with no mods?
09-05-2008 04:42 PM
puma1824 Senior Heliman Location: Maryland, USA, MHA Member
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Mikado Vbar rotorheads for Trexes can be ordered at ReadyHeli. The grips that come with the kit are the Mikado ones. Did the ball standoffs thread into your stock grips with no mods?
No mods to the stock grips were required BUT I did have to remove the guide pins from the stock Main Rotor Housing.
inkspot1967 How would you track the main blade? since you dont have the fly bar for reference, Would you have to use some thing else for reference to measure pitch angle?
09-07-2008 04:18 PM
inkspot1967 rrProfessor Location: cranston ri.
i made a flybar that i attach to the top of the head where my head button was.
Trex700e Ray N e- kit & "Fueled By Hate" Head Next-D Rave Flybarless Outrage Battery
I ll get V bar and Mikado mod kit for T500 as soon as they have them in stock.
Is there instruction in the kit or V bar to guide me to set it up?
I have 9254 but it is kind of heavy for t500. I will use 9257 on the tail. I am wondering how well the tail will hold compare to 401?
Is there any where else I can mount the Vbar sensor beside mounting it as puma1824 ? blade will strike the sensor as crashing
Can I mount the "V" letter point to rotor head and push it in alittle?
Thanks
09-07-2008 06:34 PM
maj Senior Heliman Location: united Kingdom
For pitch. I just put heli on a levelled service and check a window frame etc with a spirit level and there you have it your reference for pitch setting.
