I’ve just bought and flown a Cortex gyro, in which the “rate” and “hold” modes are mutually exclusive, at least out of the box. So at present I’m flying it in my Nano using the “rate” mode. Cortex warn against using “hold” mode for landing and general flying, suggesting that “hold” is only suitable for hovering and harrier-style manoeuvres.
OTOH, the iGyro3E’s “hold” mode appears to be a combination of “rate” and “hold” modes. In “hold” mode, rudder remains on “rate” mode throughout, but if the aileron and/or elevator and sticks are released to centre, those channels go into “hold” mode, and if you then move a stick, its channel returns to “rate” mode.
Is this correct?
If so, are the rate and hold gains both the same when in “hold” mode? I presume that out of the box they would be, but if you download the computer software, you can vary these rates individually.
Finally, is the iGyro3’s “hold” mode safe to have engaged during a whole flight including take-off and landing with a jet flown in a scale manner (including normal jet aeros)?
If not, when would you use that mode in a jet? Hovering and 3-D with vectored thrust, perhaps?
I need another 3-axis gyro (or two
)and am wondering whether to plump for the iGyro3 this time as it’s cheaper (though a tad heavier) than the Cortex and can still be flown in “rate only” mode in the same way that I’m using my Cortex. Another plus for the iGyro3 is that it'll take 20A compared with only 10A for the Cortex, and the servo current is shared between all 5 channels and not just two as in the Cortex.