Hpi D-box... Whats The Deal?

[Kyle 2.5RS]

Hey,

I just watched a video demonstrating HPI's D-box Drift assist system.

Is there anyone who can testify that this thing makes people drift better for real? or did they just get a crappy driver to do the before video, and a skilled driver to do the "with D-box" video.

Link to description.

I'm just curious about how good this thing actually is... it's a lot of coin to shell out for some skill in a box

Thanks,

Kyle

[mb230c]

Hi It is basically a Gyro. It helps me who's new to have a feel of drifting .

It is arguable if this device helps. Because with it, almost anyone could drift (to a certain extend).

Just point into the direction, and with a proper 'delay' the device induce a counter - steering to stabilize the car.

Once you got a feel of it, then there seems to be no point of having this device.

[terry.sc]

The point of it is to make it easy to get used to drifting. It can be tricky to get used to drifting, by using the D-box once you throw the car sideways the D-box will countersteer to stop you just spinning out and yes the video shows the difference for a beginner with and without the D-box.

Used properly it is a great driver aid and you reduce the effect the better you get until you are good enough to do without it. They are banned from competition use as they are a driver aid, but the D-box certainly helps you get the required skills faster. Then again you can save your money and just practice more.

[RichieRich]

This is just a relabeled gyro as previously stated. If you don't want to pay HPI's price, you can find the same exact gyro made by another manufacturer for cheaper. (The other manufacturer's name escapes me right now.)

[Lemming]

This is just a relabeled gyro as previously stated. If you don't want to pay HPI's price, you can find the same exact gyro made by another manufacturer for cheaper. (The other manufacturer's name escapes me right now.)

This one? Alpha X-Drift (AXD)

At $44 it seems a bit better priced than the HPI one...

Or if you want a known make: Futaba G190, which should do the same thing, but only with Micro Servo's maybe

[ryanbored]

watched the vid, and am i right in thinking that it would override your steering inputs to a certain extent?

Or would you just jam on an armfull of lock to start the drift and then let it sort you out?

[terry.sc]

Yep, the gyro senses when the car is spinning out and opposite locks the steering to counteract it. 10 years ago we were using helicopter gyros in F1s to stop them spinning out when accelerating.

The idea is to tune the amount of correction so you get nice controlled drifts. Jamming on lots of lock, then braking to start the drift will get the car sideways. The D-box then cuts in and dials in opposite lock to stop it spinning out, but you still control the drift. Once you get used to what you are supposed to do these tend to be more of a hindrance as it tries to counteract the corrections you put in yourself, so you can turn them down, then when you know what you are doing you disable it.

[RichieRich]

That's it! The Futaba G190 is the exact same thing as the HPI D-box. Plus you save at least $33.

[yamita]

dunno. this thing is lame in my book...

[Butler]

Can you by a similar device to help you car go straight?

Sometimes I run my M03 missile up my badly cambered street in the dark between 2 rows of parked cars, its tricky to get it to go dead striaght. If I run loads of toe in it helps, but it hampers the steering.

[Disco]

Hi, Pictures of my drift car wuth Futaba G190 gryo

[Lonestar]

I'm completely missing the point... the fun of drifting is to correcly apply opposite lock, and that's the challenging aspect of it that's making it interesting... why not even just watch a pro drifing video then?

Paul

[Wireless]

Having played around with gyros in r/c many moons ago before drifting was cool (OK, I admit, I am old), they can be very effective. What is very important to get the best from them is that you have abolutely minimal play in the steering and a fast steering servo else you are wasting your time. The concept is exactly the same as the gyros used in model helicopters, but whereas a heli gyro is there because many modern helis are unflyable without one, set up a car right and you can drift well with practice.

It's not as if the d-box is going to stop you having a crash and destroying your car (like a heli gyro or one of those co-pilot things) so I'd save the cash, spend it on more batteries and drift tyres so you can practice longer...

[Wireless]

Can you by a similar device to help you car go straight?

Sometimes I run my M03 missile up my badly cambered street in the dark between 2 rows of parked cars, its tricky to get it to go dead striaght. If I run loads of toe in it helps, but it hampers the steering.

As noted in my post above. Minimise any slop in the steering, use a good fast servo and try a gyro. Perhaps even a helicopter one with heading hold...??? There's only so much you can do though. If the car is bucking all over the place, a gyro isn't going to help. I'd be inclined to find a smoother, wider road...!!!

[Disco]

quote name='Lonestar' date='Jan 25 2008, 04:00 PM' post='251372']

I'm completely missing the point... the fun of drifting is to correcly apply opposite lock, and that's the challenging aspect of it that's making it interesting... why not even just watch a pro drifing video then?

Paul

I agree with your comments ... that was until i tried it in the car , its not taking all the skill away but makes for some spectacular slides, i can't explain it in words you just have to try it in a car.

Also i have a 0.10 sec 60 deg fast servo and no play in the steering as Wireless said, the gyro cost 19 plus postage so was not a great amount of cash to try something out.

I have a small video but can't post it as its 80meg.. i have attached pic of finished car.

Dave

[Lonestar]

I have a small video but can't post it as its 80meg.. i have attached pic of finished car.

Dave

yeeeaaaah... GT350 Who makes that shell btw? gorgeous... but why no stripes?

Paul

[Disco]

yeeeaaaah... GT350 Who makes that shell btw? gorgeous... but why no stripes?

Paul

The shell is an HPI 200mm one and i have not put the stripes on yet, i ran the new OS cv18 motor in at the weekend , the gyro is backed of to 40% gain as this makes it a bit of a handfull but is great fun....

I tried with my 3pk Pcm system and the gyro does something to the system that caused limited range and the PCM cutting in, so now it has a standard acoms 27Mhz set and runs fine.

I have ordered a set of vintage HPi wheels and drift tyres 31mm rear 26mm widths as they look like the original mag wheels from the seventies.

Dave