Airwolf MCT + HeliBoard = Ultimate Airwolf! Full Review Inside

It's great to see that you can finally unlock the true potential of an electronically controlled solenoid hammer system. This is how I thought the factory system should have operated. 

I bet that if you were prepared to spend an afternoon dedicated to tuning it, you could probably all but eliminate the curve and / or extend the range to get more shots per fill. 

In a way it's like an automated version of how some people (myself included) use the power wheel on a Career 707 or a Sumatra. Instead of starting at full power for 90-100 fpe, I start with the wheel at just under half power (for 50fpe) and then I adjust it up every few shots. Once a pattern is learnt, the power wheel can be set based on the gauge reading in the reservoir to deliver a very flat and consistent power level. I love the idea of an automated version with even greater granularity in the settings.

The other great thing about the user having the ability to adjust the power based on the air pressure remaining is that you could combine the set-up with a regulator. I think you would be able to get an extreme spread of less than 3fps over 80 shots with a little patience. 

If you think about it, the Airwolf and a regulated system each solve half the problem in delivering total consistency. A regulator allows consistency in the output air pressure but it doesn't allow the hammer strike to be varied to make it optimal for each shot so there is still a small extreme spread. The Airwolf allows the hammer strike force to be optimal for each pressure level but it still has to deal with a wide variance in reservoir pressure. The idea of the two together..... well... you know....

"zebra"

The other great thing about the user having the ability to adjust the power based on the air pressure remaining is that you could combine the set-up with a regulator. I think you would be able to get an extreme spread of less than 3fps over 80 shots with a little patience. 

Click to expand...

is that theoretical 3fps with unweighted pellets?

Sharroff,

Jack is mailing my board out either Monday or Tuesday. Must be gone this weekend.

He asked me what color I wanted and I told him what ever you have-he said blue. What is he referring to?

I am excited.

This board has to make this and its sister airguns the most sophisticated in the world.

Is there a good explanation on how changing the 20 data points effect each specific power setting? I have read his instructions.

Like regmeeton, I would get in trouble if I told my wife, which I haven't. I selling 13 shotguns to pay for this, my new hobby.

Like regmeeton said "darn you Sharroff". But its going to be fun and I appreciate all you have done.

Thanks again for the continuing great info.

For those of you thinking about buying this board the seller is going to create a step by step video on how to install the board.

Wow, that's amazing.

I take it you do it for each power level you use and always use the same pellet?

How many power levels have you adjusted?

"fe7565"

"zebra"

The other great thing about the user having the ability to adjust the power based on the air pressure remaining is that you could combine the set-up with a regulator. I think you would be able to get an extreme spread of less than 3fps over 80 shots with a little patience. 

Click to expand...

is that theoretical 3fps with unweighted pellets?

Click to expand...

No, it's a guess based on what I am able to achieve with my regulated guns if I adjust the HST as the pressure drops. A regulated output would free up more of the available adjustments for fine tuning. 

The only way to know for sure would be to try it. I haven't heard of anyone attempting it yet. 

"sharroff"BogBen11.

I have not yet tweaked the 20 point or the percentage + or - for the 12 individual power levels. From the factory, they are pretty much spot on for having a flat shooting curve. When I have time, I may add or remove a bit from them based on what I can do to improve accuracy. I can see myself tweaking level 11 or 12 for hunting and the 12 and 20 ft lb curve for BR or FT.

Click to expand...

Are electric guns allowed in 20fpe benchrest?

I remember reading on the American Airgun benchrest site something in the rules that said electronically actuated air rifles were not allowed in one of the two pcp classes it listed. If I remember right, there was another pcp class with less restrictive rules that allowed electric air rifles, digital scopes, 30fpe (or maybe it was 35fpe) power levels in 22 and below. It's been a while since I checked though. Have things changed?

I haven't tried air gun benchrest yet so I don't know much except what I read on that site. I remember thinking that I thought the rules sounded odd. I can understand not allowing digital scopes with info being streamed to the shooters devices etc but electronic firing systems didn't seem like they could cause an unfair advantage severe enough to spoil a match. 

Here is the install video for those that are interested.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blYJ9OO2YRM

I don't have an Air Wolf (yet) and I don't know if I'd need or want all the adjustments this board permits, but this video is sure nice explaining how to make the switch.
Thanks!

This thread is fantastic. I understand why Daystate do not provide access to programming, because this could lead to violation of FAC regulations in UK, but for the rest of us, this board is the way to go.

Its great to see this installation being done in the video, but I'm puzzled about a few things.

1) It looks like the battery was not removed until 1:00 in the movie. Is this a mistake? 

2) What are you supposed to do with the three single pin plugs that are 'hanging in the breeze' at about 5:30 in the movie. Should these be individually wrapped in insulating tape before putting the action back in the stock? I'd be concerned about a short if these accidentally contacted a component on the board. Where do these three wires come from? Were they connected to the daughter board?

3) Should the new board have insulation on the rear face like the original?

Thanks for sharing all this information. I'm almost certainly going to order a board.

Reagl_US, probably the best to address these questions to the board maker on Ebay. He is good at replying.

As far as your #2 question: he has an MVT Airwolf in the video which has a built-in chrono inside the shroud. Those three wires are coming from the chrono and plugged in the factory board originally. The new board has an option for that chrono-input also. I also have an MVT in .22 and waiting for the board maker to make some revisions before I pull the trigger because the velocity display with the new board were off by 10% at times (he says). So if you have an MCT, this feature does not apply.

I still believe though that the velocity to a decent accuracy can be derived and displayed even with the MCT (without the built-in chrono) because the pellet weight (give or take 0.2-0.4gr pellet weight variations), and the FPE are already known after setting up the individual power-level curves.

As far as board insulation, I was wondering if such liquid sealer could work to provide similar water-proofing like the factory board has.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Star-Brite-4-oz-Liquid-Electrical-Tape-Black-084104N/206513456

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Gardner-Bender-4-oz-Liquid-Electrical-Tape-Red-LTR-400/100179027

Reagl_US,
I posted your excellent questions to the inventor and here was his response."1. By mistake i forgot to unplug the battery first, so i wrote it in a message.2.MCT;s does not have those 3 cables, only mvts..3. I wouldn't place anything in the back of the board. If you use it on rainy days you can use a thin line of insulation tape for preventing water entering where board is located."

Sharroff,

How do you lube your pellets and what do you use?

Has anyone used felt pellets to clean their Airwolf? If not what do you use?

I use a straw and bore snake. Can't use felt pellets with the internal chrono on the MVT.