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08-23-2009, 08:02 PM | #1 (permalink) |
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Join Date: Oct 2008
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Which One? FMA Co-Pilot II or KDS FlyMentor?
Guys,
I'm looking for some help here. I want to get some sort of flight stabilization for my helis. At first I will be installing it on my T-Rex 450, but if I like it, I will probably buy another one for my Raptor 30. Here are the other factors I'm considering while trying to decide what to get: About me: 1) I don't want to spend more than around $200. 2) I don't care about doing 3D. 3) I might decide to do scale at some point in the future, but that's probably still a few years off. About where I fly: 4) I fly my T-rex mainly in my back yard which is about 100' x 100', lined with trees on three sides and my house on the fourth. 5) If you stand in my back yard with your back to the house, the ground at the left side of my yard is 10' higher than the ground at the right side. 6) I am also a member of a local club which has about a 20 acre flying field. I would love to by a helicommand, but they are way too expensive. I am leaning towards the co-pilot 2 but am wondering how it would handle the steep slope of my yard and if the tree line is too close. The FlyMentor definitely sounds promissing, but like many of you I too am leary of spending $200 on a very new product... Thanks in advance, John |
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08-23-2009, 08:35 PM | #2 (permalink) | |
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Quote:
Going by what you said, your backyard area... you will have some issues with the CPII with the tree line and ground slope. In a wide open area CPII performs quite well, but as you say most of your flying is in your yard. Another thing to consider ..if you do go scale. it will be tough with the CPII because the sensors need to be able to see all around with little or no obstruction in other words they need to be mounted outside the fuselage I understand the cost of a Helicommand the 3A even though the price has dropped.....$480.00 is still a lot. I was planning to purchase a HC3D for my 600 when this new KDS popped on the scene, I'd never heard of it till 5 days ago, and for the price which is less than 1/2 a Helicommand 3A, I figured it was worth a shot and I find out it also works on 3D, so from costing $550.00 + I picked up a FlyMentor for $206.99 to my hand. And now testing it out on my 600, and believe me I won't risk a $3,500.00 copter on a piece of junk... Just my opinion nightflyr
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MSR x1 / mCPX x2 / 450 x4 / Chaos600 test bed / Chaos600 Air-Wolf / American WereWolf 800 / KFrame800/900/1000 / Assorted Fixed Wing JR9303 / JR9503 / Futaba10CHP |
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08-24-2009, 07:40 AM | #3 (permalink) |
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
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Thanks for the feedback nightflyr,
I figured that the slope of my yard and the proximity of the trees would be an issue for the Co-Pilot. I also figured that the co-pilot isn't really the device of choice for scale since it requires a clear line of site on all three axises (sp?). Looks like I'm getting the Flymentor.... I just hope there's not much to the "issues" people are seeing when using it with a DX7. |
08-24-2009, 08:27 AM | #4 (permalink) | |
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Quote:
__________________
MSR x1 / mCPX x2 / 450 x4 / Chaos600 test bed / Chaos600 Air-Wolf / American WereWolf 800 / KFrame800/900/1000 / Assorted Fixed Wing JR9303 / JR9503 / Futaba10CHP |
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08-31-2009, 02:17 PM | #5 (permalink) |
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
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I took the plunge.
After trading emails w/ Howard @FMA, and further tempted by their 10% discount code, I decided on the co-pilot II. Howard indicated that the layout of my yard shouldn't be too much of an issue but might result in some gentle "sliding" of the heli. To me, it's worth the risk because of the following: 1) The KDS might be a little more ideal, but the support/backing isn't there when compared to FMA (I've seen Howard's presence on this forum and others.) 2) The co-pilot seems like it might be a little more mature of a product (for now). 3) If the co-pilot doesn't work well in my back yard, I'll migrate it to my Raptor which I don't fly in my backyard anyways, then ask Santa for a Flymentor Now, perhaps the hardest part begins: Waiting for the package to arrive! Wish me luck! John |
08-31-2009, 02:34 PM | #6 (permalink) |
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The CPII is a very good system...hopefully it will work for you under the conditions you said.... Best of luck with it and if you have any questions feel free to ask....
nightflyr
__________________
MSR x1 / mCPX x2 / 450 x4 / Chaos600 test bed / Chaos600 Air-Wolf / American WereWolf 800 / KFrame800/900/1000 / Assorted Fixed Wing JR9303 / JR9503 / Futaba10CHP |
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