Mikado VBAR NEO Quick Start Manual

VBAR NEO

Quick Start Guide
Express-Firmware

Welcome to VBar NEO!

VBar NEO is an innovative product setting new standards

for model helicopters in terms of ight performance and pro­gramming capacity.

Features:

• Easy setup using either VBar Control or a Win­dows/Macintosh computer.

• Programming Assistant (Setup Wizard):

gets you ready for ight in 13 steps.

• Fine adjustments can be done at the eld using
VBar Control or other radios (e.g. Dual Rate/Expo).

• Ready for online updates as they become available.

• Contains governor for electric model helicopters

(IC powered models require the Pro rmware).

• Fully compatible with VBar Control. For setup
using VBar Control, please refer to your VBar
Control manual.

Safety Instructions

An R/C controlled helicopter is not a toy! While moving,

the rotor blades pose a serious danger to persons and things.
You must obey all safety instructions of the manufacturer for
operation of your helicopter.

VBar is not an autopilot! VBar may be installed in model

helicopters which are suitable for ying without ybar. During

installation and operation you must follow all instructions given
in the software and in this manual. VBar may not be operated
in wet conditions (high humidity or rain). If the helicopter shows

vibrating behavior during ight, operation of the helicopter is to
be stopped immediately. Do not continue ying until the cause

for vibration has been eliminated.

• Since the ESC is connected directly to the VBar,

disconnect the motor wires or remove the pinion gear
to avoid accidental spooling up of the helicopter while
setting up the speed controller (ESC) functions. The
same applies when loading unknown setup or preset-

les, as they may transport other receiver and speed

controller settings as you have on your heli!

• The external gyro sensor (set with sensor included)
must not be connected to a different connector than
Sensor, else it will be destroyed beyond repair imme­diately.

• Make sure you use a sufcient power supply.

• Set and check fail safe. Refer to the manual of your ra-

dio. The motor must turn off when the radio is switched
off or when the receiver is disconnected from the VBar.

1. Items needed for rst installation

On rst installation, you will need:

• VBar NEO with an external VBar Control Satellite
and a VBar Control radio, or a radio system with a
digital or bus output-receiver or Spektrum satelli­tes. Analog receiver output (standard hookup with

patch wires, analog single-line PPM like Jeti (old),
HoTT SUM(O), RASST) are not supported.

• For updates and extensions, and to set up VBar
NEO using a computer, you need the VBar Control
Manager and the PC Software for VBar NEO which
you can download conveniently from www.vstabi.
info in one single software download.

• To perform updates, you need a Boot Plug

(connects to the Sensor connector at the time
of updating only).

• To use the VBar Control Manager and the PC
software, you need a Windows PC or a Macintosh
computer with access to the world wide web (for
Registration, Updates, Downloads, but not for the
actual setup) and a Mini USB wire to connect.

• Power supply (BEC or receiver battery).

• Helicopter with servos installed, but not yet

connected! Only digital servos allowed!

• Pitch Gauge (swash plate levelling tool).

Contents

VBar NEO, USB wire, Boot Plug, Gyro Pad, external gyro
sensor with certain sets, patch wire, this manual.

Registration, Update, Key File

Use VBar Control Manager to register your VBar at our App
Store (click Applications). It will be updated automatically. Con­nect the Boot-Plug to Sensor, power up the VBar, and connect
it to the PC using the USB wire. Every time you use a new/yet
unknown VBar NEO with your PC Software, you will be asked to
download a Key File (copy protection). It is required that the VBar

in question is registered to your MikadoID. You will nd more
information about using key les behind the link provided in the

PC Software whenever you connect a new/yet unknown VBar.

2. Preparing the Helicopter

First you need to assemble the helicopter in accordance with

manufacturer’s instructions. The heli must have a ybarless

rotor head and a swash plate driver. It is very important that
you assemble the helicopter mechanically correct with exact
symmetry and geometry. This is to ensure that you do not run
into problems resulting from mechanical inconsistencies later.