Logo 500 3D with V-Stabi by Mikado

The energy gained can be converted into flight time or flight performance. A V-stabilizer means slightly less weight and a more aerodynamically efficient rotor head.

To find out more, I went to see Hugo Markes at Hobby Modellsport (www.modellsport.ch) in 8330 Pfäffikon. As was to be expected, I left the store with a Logo 500 3D with a V-Stabi from Mikado.

Quite a lot of plastic and an assembly manual that looks good and clear at first glance but doesn’t hold up very well in practice. The approximately A3 size is cumbersome in a workshop with limited space. In addition, the assembly instructions cover all four types of logos. This can lead to misunderstandings and confusion. However, everything fits together, and the build progresses quickly. The chassis and tail boom form a solid and very rigid unit. The rotor head is assembled in no time. Personally, I really like the canopy. It’s lightweight, and the included decals are very appealing.

Installing the servos is very easy; standard-size servos fit like a glove. Mounting the motor and ESC is quick and easy. The helical teeth on the main gear and motor pinion look spectacular.

The assembly instructions provide a detailed description of the installation process, so there should be no confusion here. When programming, it’s best to follow the instructions exactly. The configuration options are so complex that it’s impossible to figure them out without reading the manual. To be on the safe side, I had a colleague experienced with the V-Stabi check my settings before the first flight. (Many thanks, Erich.) Since the V-Stabi functions like a tail gyro on all axes, extra caution is required. If the roll or pitch function is programmed incorrectly, the helicopter will flip upside down immediately upon takeoff. All V-Stabi settings can be adjusted via a computer or a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone. A special input device is now also available, which, in conjunction with the

new software is designed to make adjustments even easier. Mixers are no longer needed on the transmitter. Settings such as Expo and dual rate can be programmed on the transmitter as usual.

My Logo 500 is for 3D training. The swashplate is controlled by three fast Futaba BLS 451 servos, and the tail is controlled by a tried-and-true Futaba S9254. The motor is a Plettenberg Orbit 25-8 Heli Expert, powered by a Kontronik Jazz 18-6-80 ESC using six LiPo batteries.

I'm very nervous and check the settings and responses of the high-tech system several times, following the instructions. Can I really trust this thing? Doubts are gnawing at my confidence. Despite everything, I take a chance and start the engine. Since, in theory, you can use the V-Stabi via the transmitter to

Since it only specifies a roll rate, it’s impossible to creep along the ground. If the helicopter gets stuck, the system will steer all the way to the limit because the specified roll rate isn’t being reached. Long story short, always create some clearance between the ground and the skids right away with a sharp pitch input. I’m absolutely thrilled. The Logo is really docile, and the settings are

. The rotor spins at 1,950 rpm. And the climb rate is impressive. The helical gearing runs very quietly. The pitch and roll rates still need to be adjusted, the trim needs to be fine-tuned a bit more, and the gyro settings need to be checked again as well. After about 10 flights, my Logo is set up so that I can take full advantage of the V-stabilizer. The performance is simply amazing! The maneuverability is incredible! The helicopter is just begging for extreme 3D maneuvers. For me, the effort was definitely worth it.

The V-Stabi is cool. In 3D flying, the agility it offers

and the increase in performance are a major advantage. It’s hard to say whether the performance gain is in the range of 20%, since I’ve never flown the Logo with paddles. But the climb rate is incredible and the maneuverability is phenomenal. The V-Stabi can be customized very precisely to suit your preferred characteristics and skills. Roll and rollover rates can be set so high that the average pilot simply can’t keep up. The Logo 500 3D with V-Stabi is a hassle-free machine for daily 3D fun. I’m sure my Logo will make some more paddle-less friends.

Have fun!
René Stoll