Hi
I have been away from my helicopter for the past few years. Tryed to fly my X cell 32 and noticed the tail is oscillating back and forth at high RPM. I am suspecting the gyro (Futaba 134 I think?).
This thing has been in the unit for a long a time. I like to upgrade. Any suggestions of what is (new) available on the market for my little copter?
Thanks
Orson

I highly recommend the Futaba 401 GYRO with 9253 digital Servo. Im new to heli flying but it is absoulutly rock soild, reliable and easy to set up. I fly in strong winds (the pleasure of living in New Zealand) and the tail doesnt move abit. Most of the other guys at the field fly the same gyro and was recommended by them.

Cheye

Thanks cheye. Appreciate your info. Happy flying.
Orson

Orson,

I'll second the 401/9253, but depending on how fast the tail wag is you may not really need a new gyro. If it's wagging back and forth about once a second (give or take) you may have the gain set too high. You might also have some binding in the tail linkage, or maybe the linkage isn't mechanically centered (a rate gyro will not automatically set the center position at startup like a HH).

I'm not saying that you shouldn't get a new gyro (the 401 is a definite leap forward), just that you may be able to get yours working. But hey, how many of us really wait til we need something to go get it

Welcome back, I'm sure your heli has missed you!

Ben

Hi Ben
Thanks for your time and suggestion. Before I boxed this thing couple of years ago, it was flying fine with a steady heading. I have S3001 servos and FP-G154 gyro. The gain was always set at 7. For few seconds the tail is steady and then it goes back to it's wicked ways. At any rate, I will do a servo switcheroo and see what happens. If not corrected, Iam following your suggestions and replace both gyro and servo.
It's good to be back
Thanks again and happy landings.
Orson

That 401 gyro is so good it actually works well with the cheapy standard servos. I just switched from the digital to a standard JR 537, holds fine even in backwards flight.

Hi Spaceman
Thanks for your info too. Any idea who carries this gyro and what price range are they. Are the outside dimensions the same as the G 154? Do you know?
Is it getting warmer in your neck the woods yet? S. Cal. is getting up there. Sunshine and no rain in sight.
Thanks again
Orson

Hi Orson,

The Futaba GY401 is sold with nice Digital for about 220$ (?) or you can get it by itself for around 120$ (?) it is the most popular gyro out these days. you can find them on the cheapest heli as well as the 10,000$ Jetcopters. it is just under 1 inch square 3/4 inch high.

I don't know anything about the G 154. it would be a good idea to ask around or search on it. it may be that it is a perfectly good gyro and you just have the gain turned up too high. as good as the GY401 is, it will oscilate somthing fierce if the gain is set too high. i would hate to see someone toss good gear and good money if it doesn't need it.

Its warm but real cloudy and windy. I went flying but the wind was messing up most of my tricks and the clouds were messing with vision, i kept thinking i was about to loose orientation.

Hi Spaceman
Thanks for your time in responding. I am getting Gyro and servo today.
It is gratifying to know that people you don't even know come to your rescue. The American way.
Thanks again
Orson

The 401 gyro is tiny in comparison. I guess it is about the same plan size as the 154 sensor unit and 2/3 the height.

However as it is an 'all in one' unit it will fit almost anywhere!

HeliProz has the GY401/9253 combo for around $190.

Hi Hot Shot
Very reasonable price for the Gyo/Servo combo at Heliproz. I ordered it. Thanks for the tip.
Happy landings
Orson

Charlie,

Where do you see $190.00? The lowest package deal I see is $220.00