With the Spektrum DX8i, I found it easier to setup as acro (airplane).
I have several memory setups in the radio, some heli, some acro, but as I've fine-tuned the settings & setup, I think that Acro is the easiest/best for the NAZA.
While it makes sense for normal airplane and heli use, I think it is kind of odd that there are some features & functions that are unique to each mode, and that there isn't a 3rd mode which would allow total total customization.
With the rapid growth and growing popularity of multirotors, I'm hoping that transmitters will soon have a 'multirotor' mode, or at least a mode that lets the user assign any switch to any function.
Since you are asking about modes, sounds like you haven't set yours up yet. Here is how my radio is currently setup. I've tried several different configurations and like this best:
I use the GEAR switch to toggle between ATTI & Manual.
I use a mix on the HOLD switch to activate the NAZA's failsafe.
I use the F-MODE (flight mode) 3-position switch to switch between 3 different expo & D/R settings.
I use the left trim to adjust manual gains.
I use the right trim to adjust the atti gains.
I would really, really, really like to find a way to setup an "OH S#!T" switch to kill the motors instantly, kind of like a throttle cut. I can do that through mixing, but the results aren't consistent across my different F-MODES. If anyone has any suggestions on that, I'm all ears!
I'm a bit new to all of this and only recently figured out (read!) how the DX8i's internal failsafe works. I had previously thought that my system was setup so that the NAZA would go into failsafe if radio transmission was lost - but it wasn't. I shut off my transmitter while testing (with the props off), and the NAZA did not go into failsafe.
I read the DX8i manual once again, this time knowing what I was looking for, and found the answer. I followed the procedure to enable "Preset Failsafe" and bound the receiver to the transmitter with the throttle at 0, the sticks otherwise centered, and all of the switches off EXCEPT for the HOLD switch which was flipped up (on). As I mentioned above, I assigned a mix to the hold switch that puts the NAZA into failsafe. (which I have assigned to make the NAZA go into its failsafe mode). This works perfectly.
At any time, regardless of ATTI or Manual mode, and regardless of F-Mode, and regardless of whatever I'm doing with the sticks or other switches, the NAZA goes into failsafe as soon as the HOLD switch is flipped.
Likewise, regardless of ATTI or Manual mode, and regardless of F-Mode or anything else, if the receiver loses connection (ie: I turn the transmitter off), the NAZA goes into failsafe.
Take your time setting up your transmitter, and do it while the NAZA is connectted to the Assistant software, and with your props off. Once you've got it dialed in, disconnect from the Assistant software and test the functions with the props off.
Sorry for the long post and for being a bit off-topic, but I've read too many confusing threads about how the failsafe works and fly-away multi-copters.
Cheers,
Will
