Bavarian Demon Cortex

YellowJacketsRC said:

My Buddy, Chris Watkins picked one up from me at Nall. He has had extensive experience with the "other" gyros and has been putting this purchase off for a while now due to the cost.

I can't wait to get his feedback after he tries a "real" gyroopcorn:opcorn:opcorn:

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Yeah, [MENTION=13]C_Watkins[/MENTION], it's about time! Let us know what you think!

Flew my 48" Laser with the Cortex in it today. I have my gyro set up to remove the "hold" feature by copying bank 1 to bank 2. I set my bank one up at 30% to begin with and then found that was a little too much for me. At 30% I felt like my KE spins were flattening out on me. Ended up settling on 17% gain on bank 1. I used the Aux3 knob on my DX8 TX and then transferred it to the Flap/Gyro switch once I was happy with the bank1 gain. Today was not that windy here in Indiana so I have bank 2 set up at 30% but will test it out on a windy day and see what I think.

I am super happy with the purchase of the Cortex. It took a plane that was a handful for me (skill level, not the airframe) and calmed it down enough to be confidence inspiring. I am not trying to say that the gyro flies the plane for you, because it doesn't; the plane just seemed less twitchy to me. The wind didn't bounce the plane around and if you set the plane on a line, it followed the line for the most part. I REALLY noticed a difference on landings. I was able to land the plane better than I ever have in the past. Hovers also seemed easier for me. It was like someone else said, you don't need as many control inputs so you can stay ahead of the airplane.

It was really cool just to fly straight and level and see the airplane bouncing around a bit, and then flip on the gyro and see it track on the path you set it on with very little adjustment. Today was by far the most fun I have had with this airframe, I am definitely drinking the Kool-Aid on this one.

Once more people try flying planes with gyros I think that they will just keep getting more and more popular until they are almost standard equipment. Similar to how everyone used to use FM/AM radios and now we use spread spectrum. I can already tell that I am going to have more fun with the Cortex and that is what it is all about for me.

YellowJacketsRC said:

My Buddy, Chris Watkins picked one up from me at Nall. He has had extensive experience with the "other" gyros and has been putting this purchase off for a while now due to the cost.

I can't wait to get his feedback after he tries a "real" gyroopcorn:opcorn:opcorn:

Click to expand...

GYRO said:

Yeah, [MENTION=13]C_Watkins[/MENTION], it's about time! Let us know what you think!

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LOL!
Ok, but I don't know about having 'extensive' experience with the other ones
The vast majority of my models haven't had gyros, but they have always interested me.
I've just played around with them on a couple models, mainly with the included receiver one, but also one of the standalones.
I had also played around previously with some single-axis rate gyros.

I believe the Demon Cortex is in a league of its own, though.
I'm pretty excited about trying the Cortex in 'something' but haven't decided yet what that will be.
It will probably be put into my 60" Laser, first... since I know how that one handles already, and I like it plenty well as it is.
After I've had time to get to know and love the Cortex, I'll probably put it into either my 91" Extra or the new 76/85" MXS.

I hooked it up to the PC yesterday just to look at the interface, check for updates, set to digital mode, etc.
Will probably give it a test by next weekend if the weather is nice. I'll definitely report back

[MENTION=2]SnowDog[/MENTION], [MENTION=2470]RedwingRC[/MENTION],

you guys both got a fair amount of flight time on my Extra with the Cortex. What did you guys think?

GYRO said:

@SnowDog, @RedwingRC,

you guys both got a fair amount of flight time on my Extra with the Cortex. What did you guys think?

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To be honest, I spent most of my time just getting used to your radio and your expo settings, so I don't think I could fairly rate the Demon Cortex on it's own merit.

On principle, it seems there are two schools of thought on gyro-assisted flight...those that believe it helps you and allows you to fly in conditions that might otherwise prevent you from flying (such as high winds) and allows you to practice more difficult maneuvers because of the stability the gyro provides. Then there is the other group that believes gyros are not necessary and that we've been flying planes for many years without them.

I'm still not sure where I stand, but I'm an older, conservative minded guy, so I think I'm leaning towards the "I'll fly without gyros in my planes" camp.

I've certainly seen the Demon Cortex gyro augment peoples flying styles, so I've seen clearly the benefits that it provides.

The larger question for me is "do I want to have that kind of assist and will it hurt me or help me in the long run?" and I don't have an answer for that yet. A side question of course, is "do I want to spend the limited funds that I have for this hobby on a Demon Cortex or spend that money to get better quality servos?" (for example). Right now, my answer to that question is "better servos are a smarter choice for me than a gyro".

Hope that helps

Wonderful answer.

Let's just say I'm VERY interested. It really helps smooth things out in moderate wind for a small plane. I think when you get used to it you would be able to do all the manuevers you normally do as easily with a cleaner overall appearance. Definitely a cool product!

I'm in this hobby to have fun, I have no desire to compete in competitions, the cortex makes flying far more enjoyable, I can fly after everyone else goes home, it makes low and slow more predictable so it allows me to learn new moves quicker, I can turn it off anytime I want, but I don't want. It makes not such great airframes fly better than they should, it makes great airframes fly amazing, it can be moved from airplane to airplane with little effort

Sure there is the purists that will look down on flying with a gyro, but those are usually the guys that never have a smile on their face

Im always in the mood for a delicious Greek wrap

i completely understand the cost issue, getting better servos vs. getting a cortex. but the argument that it will hurt you in the long run doesnt jive right with me. If you arent in it for competition and are just looking for maximum enjoyment factor, why does it matter if you get used to the cortex and only want to fly planes with it in? its a personal choice and i understand if someone doesnt want to fly with a stabilization system in their plane, but i just dont quite get that argument unless you are looking to be a competition pilot.