If your helicopter isn’t flying right—wobbling at low RPMs, flipping unevenly, or just feeling off—don’t blame the servos or the motor. Nine times out of ten, it’s your flybarless system. Pick the wrong one, or tune it poorly, and you’re stuck with a bird that’s more frustration than fun. I’ve been flying, competing, and wrenching on helicopters for years, running everything from iKON to Futaba to Mikado. I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. Today, I’m breaking down two systems I’ve spent real time with: Mikado’s VBar and Rotorflight. This isn’t a spec-sheet dump—it’s what I’ve learned from putting them through their paces.
My take? Tuning is everything. You can have the best gear money can buy, but if your flybarless unit isn’t dialed in, you’re wasting your time. Let’s get into it.
Setup: How Fast Can You Fly?
First up, getting your helicopter off the ground.
- Mikado’s VBar: This thing’s built for people who want to fly, not fiddle. The setup wizard walks you through it like a checklist—plug it in, follow the steps, and you’re airborne. It’s perfect if you’re new or just don’t have the patience for endless tweaking. I’ve seen guys go from unboxing to hovering in under an hour.
- Rotorflight: This one’s not handing you a shortcut. It’s open-source, which means you’ve got options—lots of them—but you’ll need to know what you’re doing. The initial setup takes longer, and you might end up on a forum or two figuring it out. For me, that’s not a downside; it’s a trade-off for control.
Verdict: VBar wins if you want fast and simple. Rotorflight’s for those who don’t mind earning their wings.
Tuning: Can You Make It Perfect?
Here’s where the rubber meets the road. Tuning separates a decent flight from a great one.
- Mikado’s VBar: Tuning VBar is like trying to fix a car with half the tools missing. They mash pitch and roll into one “cyclic” setting, which sounds slick until you realize you can’t fine-tune them separately. Want even roll and flip rates? Good luck—close is the best you’ll get. Low-RPM wobbles? You’re stuck sliding an “optimizer” bar and hoping it works. I’ve spent hours chasing perfection with VBar and walked away annoyed more than once.
- Rotorflight: This is the opposite. Every knob’s yours to turn—feed forward, D gains, you name it. Better yet, it spits out flight logs and data so you’re not guessing. I’ve used it to kill low-RPM wobbles and match my roll and flip rates dead-on. It’s not just control; it’s control with proof. That’s why I switched.
Verdict: VBar’s fine for casual flying but falls short when you care about details. Rotorflight’s a tuning nerd’s dream—data-driven and precise.
My Rotorflight Journey: From Frustration to Fine-Tuning
Switching to Rotorflight wasn’t instant magic—it took effort, but the payoff was undeniable. I spent about a week getting comfortable with EdgeTX and Rotorflight, starting with my Goblin RAW 700, which was easily my worst-flying helicopter on VBar. That thing had issues—especially at low RPMs, where it felt sloppy and unpredictable. My first flight on Rotorflight wasn’t perfect; I’ll admit I was still figuring things out. But even then, I could see improvements. The low-RPM tendencies that drove me nuts on VBar started to fade, and that hooked me.
I didn’t rush it. I took my time establishing a solid baseline on the RAW 700, tweaking and testing until it flew the way I wanted. My plan was to use those settings as a template for my other helicopters, and that process filled out the week. Once I had it dialed in, I moved to my next problem child: the Tron DNAMIC. This heli had its own VBar headaches—wobbly stops that made it look drunk and odd behavior at low RPMs. I braced myself for a fight, but here’s the kicker: with settings almost identical to the RAW 700, Rotorflight fixed it all. I was shocked. These are two totally different birds—one’s a heavy hitter, the other’s lighter and more agile—but Rotorflight made them both behave like they were born for it.
The rest of my fleet went pretty smoothly after that, with those baseline settings carrying me far. That is, until I decided to tune for F3C blades. That threw me a curveball. The precision those blades demand exposed gaps in my tuning skills, and I hit a wall. Frustrated, I reached out to Tommy Elder. He dove into my flight logs and spotted the issues in minutes—stuff I’d have missed for weeks. Huge thanks to him for breaking down PID tuning and showing me what to watch for. That wasn’t just a fix; it was a lesson that leveled up my whole approach.
This week of trial and error wasn’t just about getting a couple of helis flying right—it was about discovering how Rotorflight’s data and flexibility turn guesswork into results. That’s what sets it apart.
Real-World Conversions: Why Rotorflight Wins for Tinkerers
Let me give you two examples from my own bench—projects that show why Rotorflight’s flexibility is a game-changer when you’re going off the beaten path.
- Logo 200 Conversion: I switched my Logo 200 to Rotorflight for one reason: tail torque assist. The stock VBar setup was decent, but I wanted more precision in tail control. Rotorflight’s open-source nature let me dive into the tail gains and use flight logs to fine-tune it. Now, the tail holds like it’s bolted to the sky, even when I’m pushing it hard. VBar couldn’t touch that level of customization.
- Blade Eclipse 360 Conversion: This one was a revelation. The stock system was okay for Sunday flying, but I wanted more—smoother hovers and the option to go aggressive when the mood struck. Rotorflight delivered. I dialed in the PID loops, used the data to kill the mid-stick bounce, and now it’s butter in a hover and a beast when I crank it up. It’s like having two helis in one—easy when I want it chill, aggressive when I’m feeling it.
These projects aren’t just about bragging rights—they’re proof that Rotorflight lets you push beyond the limits of plug-and-play systems. If you’re the kind of pilot who likes to experiment, this is your playground.
Flexibility: Can It Keep Up?
The hobby’s evolving. New setups—like motorized tail helicopters—push systems to adapt. How do these two handle it?
- Mikado’s VBar: It’s a closed box. Want to try something offbeat? You’re either rigging a workaround or buying extra gear. I’ve seen pilots jury-rig motorized tails with VBar, but it’s a hassle. Mikado’s not big on change—they stick to their lane.
- Rotorflight: Open-source means it moves fast. The community’s already got configs for motorized tails and more. Updates come when users need them, not when a company feels like it. I’ve run setups with Rotorflight I couldn’t dream of touching with VBar.
Verdict: VBar’s stuck in its ways. Rotorflight’s built for the future—and the tinkerers.
Community: Who’s Got Your Back?
When you’re stuck, the people around the system matter.
- Mikado’s VBar: Mikado’s fans are ride-or-die. Say anything critical online, and they’ll swarm you like you insulted their family. It’s tough to get honest talk going. Plus, Mikado’s slow to fix issues—feedback feels like it goes into a black hole.
- Rotorflight: The open-source crowd’s different. They want your input, and they act on it. Problems get solved fast, and the community’s a goldmine of know-how. I’ve had better luck troubleshooting Rotorflight in a day than VBar in a month.
Verdict: Mikado’s community is loyal but closed-off. Rotorflight’s is open and gets stuff done.
Cost: What’s It Worth?
Let’s talk money—because this hobby isn’t cheap.
- Mikado’s VBar: You’re paying a premium. It’s not outrageous, but it adds up if you’re running multiple birds. You’re buying the name and the polish.
- Rotorflight: Cheaper hardware options, same performance. Open-source keeps the price down, and you’re not locked into one vendor. I’ve saved cash without losing quality.
Verdict: VBar’s a splurge. Rotorflight’s a steal.
Community Chatter: The Rumors You’ve Heard
Now, let’s address some whispers floating around about VBar. These are conspiracy theories—rumors from the community, not my opinions or accusations. I’m just reporting what’s out there, so take them with a grain of salt.
- Gimbal-gate: When RadioMaster dropped their AG01-V gimbals, some pilots slapped them onto VBar Control Touch and EVO units. Everything was smooth—until a Mikado software update hit. Suddenly, red screens popped up, flagging the gimbals as faulty. The timing’s got people talking: did Mikado code a check to detect aftermarket gimbals and disable the radio? Mikado says it’s a safety feature—part of their startup and pre-flight checks to ensure the gimbals are healthy. Here’s the kicker: they’re rolling out their own premium gimbals in 2025. Coincidence? Maybe. The truth’s locked in a black box—we’ll never know for sure.
- Lost packet-gate: Another rumor making the rounds is that Mikado EVO units started dropping packets, causing signal losses and crashes. Mikado hasn’t officially owned up to it, but a firmware update dropped, and some pilots swear it quietly patched the issue. There’s no smoking gun—just chatter and a few cryptic notes from a Mikado video hinting at a fix.
These are stories pilots tell, not proven facts. I’m not here to sling mud—just to nod at what’s being said in the forums and fields.
My Story: Why I Picked a Side
I’ve flown the gamut—iKON, Futaba, Mikado, you name it. Competing taught me what I can live with and what I can’t. VBar frustrated me to no end—uneven rates, wobbles I couldn’t fix, a system that fought me. Once I saw the gaps, I couldn’t unsee them. Rotorflight flipped the script. Data in my hands, total control, and a community that doesn’t mess around. It’s not just better—it’s what I wish I’d had years ago.
The Bottom Line: Pick Your Poison
Here’s how it shakes out:
- Mikado’s VBar: Newbies, casual flyers—this is your ticket. It’s easy, it works, it’s done. But if you’re picky or ambitious, it’ll let you down.
- Rotorflight: This is for the obsessed—pilots who tune until it’s perfect, who’d rather crash chasing greatness than settle for “good enough.” It’s work, but it pays off.
VBar’s fine if you want plug-and-play. Rotorflight’s my pick because I don’t half-step—I want it right, and I want it mine.
Parting Shot
Your flybarless system isn’t just gear—it’s the soul of your helicopter. VBar and Rotorflight both deliver, but they’re not equal. I’ve flown enough to know Rotorflight’s where it’s at for anyone serious about this game. That said, you do you. Just don’t skimp on the tuning—get it wrong, and none of this matters.
Fly hard, tune harder.