Bobby Smith over at RRE models is submitted to us his very detailed review and opinion of the Align 3G Flybarless Gyro with a flight video as well.
This week with the recent release of the new Align FL760 Flybarless conversion we have spent an excessive amount of time testing at the field over the past 72 hours. We have been comparing it to one of our Vbar equipped Trex 700’s to make a fair comparison, in as broad of a spectrum of flying styles as possible ranging from basic FFF and sport aerobatics, FAI type maneuvers all the way to on the deck 3D.
Machine setup:
Both machines are pretty much identical twins.
At the time of testing we did not have an Align head available, all testing was done with a RJX head set up with zero delta offset
- Align DS 610 servos on 8 volts
- JR 8900g Tail Servo
- Align 91 / Os 91HZ non pumped
- SB20 Tuned Muffler, with stock Hatori
- Spektrum AR7100R
- 1950 Head speed
- Switchglo Pro
- Pretty much your standard Trex700 setup
Install:
The install of the align unit was very very simple. One feature we especially like was the locking connectors on the sensor cable. No use of goop required to keep the connector from working its way loose. Two lengths of cable are included with helps to make a clean install. Another very nice feature was labeled servo leads. The Align unit also has two separate power buses, so no need to make up an adaptor for the tail servo like is necessary with the Vbar when utilizing a 7100R
Align 3G Setup:
- Included Gyro tape
- Included horns set on the inner holes
- Gains set at roughly
- Elevator: 10 O’clock
- Aileron: 11 O’ clock
VBAR Setup:
- Zeal tape (Strapped down tight)
- Vbar file available upon request
Flight Testing:
Now on to what I’m sure you’ve all been patiently waiting for how does it really fly?
Well the answer is very good. Overall it feels like flying a well set up FB equipped model but with the power increase that comes from a FBL setup.
In comparison to the Vbar model they both fly terrific but noticeably different.
On to a broken down flight review:
Fast Forward flight, sport flying (Big Sky, FAI type maneuvers)
The Align 3G and the Vbar are fairly similar in this regards. When you watch the model in flight it is apparent which one has the Vbar. The vbar model looks to fly more locked in, in all reality they both track very very similar in flying big fast flowing maneuvers, the Align unit shows the corrections a bit more than the vbar Similar to a flybar. From a distance the Vbar looks to fly more electronic, as compared to the 3g which looks to fly more mechanical. Which is the same as they feel to fly.
Two of the biggest differences in these two units that were apparent during testing in these types of flying were.
Lack of Piro Comp on the Align unit. It won’t just sit in one spot hands off during pirouettes like the Vbar will
Exiting stall turns / tail slides, during the straight vertical descents the Align unit felt like it “wandered less” in comparison to the Vbar.
Hard 3d flying:
Here is where the two units seem to fly a bit differently. Across the board the Align unit flys similar to a flybar equipped model.
For someone used to flying a flybar machine there will be less of an adjustment in flying style in switching to the align unit as opposed to the vbar unit. The Vbar requires you to “fly” it through transitions more than the align seems to flow through like a flybar does.
Like any machine tail set up is crucial at first ours wasn’t set up quite right and the tail felt quite notchy it didn’t have a real consistent piro rate. After a bit of tuning and going through the setup again the tail started to feel real nice. Here is an area where we give the slight nod to the Vbar for a smoother more consistent tail.
When pushed really hard the Align unit would sometimes (bobble) during hard abrupt starts and stops, this problem was made worse if there was an accompanying droop in head speed
This is where the current lack of tuning of the align is a bit of a hindrance as it’s a bit more difficult to tune out. Due to a lack of options
The align unit seems to fly better with higher head speeds (less bobble). It should work really well when used with an electric setup running high head speeds
Blade choice The align unit is very picky in regards to blade choice
We found that the Edge 693 Flybarless mains flew by far the best: we had tested all of the following blades
- EDGE 693 FB and FBL
- Align 690D
- Zigsaw 700 GP4D
- SAB 690
- Rotor Tech 710
On the Vbar machine the Edge blades flew the best followed by Rotortech 710SG blades
They flew very neutral and stable without being overly aggressive
The Vbar machine wasn’t near as picky in regards to blade choice
Conclusion:
The Align unit flys very well across the board especially in its first release version. The only slight issues with the align unit are only apparent when it is pushed very hard which in all actuality is harder that 80% of the people out there are going to fly it. Flying big wide open fast maneuvers the unit tracks great and has extra power to boot. We do highly recommend the Edge Blades to go with the align system.
It’s kind of like having the best of both worlds the increase of power associated with FBL setups and a very direct mechanical feel of the machine similar to the flybar. It’s hard to put into words how the machines react differently you really have to fly them to feel the differences. Some of the guys who flew both preferred the Align unit over the Vbar while others preferred the Vbar over the align for the very smooth feel it can provide. It’s not that one unit flys better than the other, they just fly a bit different.
Video:
That’s what we’ve come up with during our testing with both similar machines. We hope you found this comparison helpful.
Time to get back out the field and turn some fuel into fun.
Source: RRE Models
Nice write up Bobby, I can't wait to try ours