HPI D-Box 2

HPI D-Box2 is fun but may be challenging to set up – I have had a HPI D-Box2 for years, first using it in a nitro vehicle and then migrated it over to through a couple of electric vehicles. I also have a newer gyro unit from SkyRC, the GC301. HPI D-Box2 is 80% more expensive than this SkyRC GC301 gyro at about $90 at my local hobby store, compared with listed price of $49 for the SkyRC GC301. It must be mounted on the narrow side making it heaps less stable unless you can tape it to side of chassis like in the case of HPI Savage cage chassis. The HPI D-Box2 is really sensitive. While it provides sensitivity mode 0-3, I have always had it at level 3 - the least sensitive mode. Still I have the gyro sensitivity knob set to less than 40%. The knob is adjusted by a small flat screw driver / supplied gyro set up tool and it is pretty loose although I have never found it lose itself setting while bashing the vehicle.

The unit is 33% larger than the SkyRC GC301 gyro at 26.5mm x 27mm x 10mm and 65% heavier at 9.5g. If you like to add a bit of light or colour, its clear orange casing and bright red LED is great. It is waterproof with rubber cover over the sensitivity dip switch and knob. When turned on, it takes about 3-4 seconds before it is ready.

Sensitivity must be set on the unit rather than via radio like you can with the SkyRC GC301. There is no reverse switch although it can be reversed by mounting the unit upside down. Pretty elegant design which also explains whey the unit must be mounted on the narrow side.

Despite nitro vehicle introduces much more vibrations than electric vehicles do and therefore two layers of double sided tape is supposedly required, I had really good luck with it mounted in the radio box with the receiver. Not so lucky when I tried to mount it to my electric vehicles, partly because my electric vehicles are markedly faster. I have now mounted it to an electric Tamiya vehicle, outside on the side. It is a much slower vehicle and the magic has returned. It does lean a little after a while but it is more than bearable. I am loving the ability to drift with it. And I also love the red LED which adds some interest to this vehicle for which I have also added a full lighting kit.