Review: HobbyKing 950mm DLG

The HobbyKing 950mm DLG looks to be a great way to get started in the Discus Launch Glider aspect of the hobby for a relatively small amount of money.
In the end, I used 2S 180mAH lipo and a tiny SBEC from RCTimer. This, combined with the FrSky 4-channel receiver put the CG in exactly the right place and provided flawless control.
Here are the pro's and cons:
Pluses:
- very quick build time, less than 5 minutes requiring only a single screwdriver
- very compact and easy to transport (wing can be removed and re-fitted in just a minute)
- nice construction quality, warp-free
Cons:
- elevator pushrod on mine was a little too long and had to be "kinked" to shorten it
- plastic "pod" up front may crack/fracture in a crash
- no spare nylon wing bolts included in case of crash
Flight characteristics: The model launches well, although its light weight and basic flat-bottomed wing section mean it doesn't reach as much altitude as a larger and more sophisticated model will. Despite performing the flight test in the rain, the hang time was remarkably good for such a basic model. Rudder and elevator are more than powerful enough to provide excellent control.
Summary:
Yes, I would buy this model again and so long as you have a suitable receiver and battery (or battery/UBEC) setup it's a super-simple way to get into DLG.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 in all area.
Notes:
The wife is trying hard but still has some way to go on camera.
Flight tests filmed at secret locations :-)

[@alistairsutherland3006]

Hi Bruce, Great video and great Wife-cam! I saw your video a few days back and ordered one of these. Mine had warped wings which I squared up with hot iron and had to add some ballast to right wing, this little model flies remarkably well and is well worth the cash!! Recommended!

[@jgroetsema]

Well done Bruce! This might get me into DLG glider flying as well. Bonus points for getting the wife involved.

[@ThomasHarvey1945]

Bruce, tell your wife, she did very well with the video under difficult conditions, grey skies. I'm sure she would have had an easier time under blue skies. Good job!

[@ScottGinn]

Very cool small DLG! You hit the nail on the head on all the downfalls of the smaller DLG's. But the fun is no less!

[@MrColerilla]

Great to see you flying again Bruce!

[@didactylos4diddy474]

I do like the look of that. For such a small bird it was doing rather well in those conditions. The videographer is far better than I am and should be proud that she got the plane in frame so much. I rarely do unless I use a wide angle lens. And even then I often miss :(

[@1320fastback]

Good to see you behind the sticks again!

[@sputniksam]

I must admit that's the first time I've seen a "DLG" in operation and it really does look really challenging, in a good way, tho alas due to my disability it's not going to fly here. Really glad to hear your voice has all but returned to normal. Oh and Mrs S. did a great job with the camera (Sorry Barry). My wife also says hi to the guy who says "Sivin" (Seven) but what does she know as she's from LA. All the best = Nidge in Otley.

[@timatworksg]

Great Review Bruce! I have one and it's served me well for many months. So far I have rebuilt the Vert Stab from to many draggy end landings and working on more hand catches. Best I got was near 4mins in a little thermal it bumped into. Most glides are generally in the 30-50s range. With decent weather it can hang for 1-1:30s. I have her stock (apart from the vert stab) with a orange 4chnl Rx, 1s 250lipo and voltage Booster. A little blue tack in the nose for added nose weight as it gets windy here. Some mods were a layer of Glass around the wing mount post as some tears occur in the CF over time. I love it for its cost and makes a great entry into DLG

[@solodare06]

great video. saved by the best camera person I have ever seen on KZbin! You better keep that one happy Bruce!

[@SomeGuyInSandy]

That looks like a lot of fun! No muss, no fuss - just flying :)

[@dave1135]

Great video, Bruce. Tell the missus she did a fine job videoing the flight

[@stevegauth30]

Nice to see you getting a bit of stick time there Bruce.

[@kjenkin53]

Good review thanks Bruce. Love your relaxed looking throw technique. Your dear wife did a great job behind the lens. Keith.

[@mountaindewdude76]

That looks like a great little glider, Bruce! I'm glad that you got out for a bit of a fly. Do tell the wife that she did well with the camera.

[@VonTagner]

Thanks for the review. Building a scratch Alula like DLG and watching your review! Congratulations

[@ChrisBlackburn]

Bruce, any chance you could do a video on how to setup a transmitter for DLGs please?

[@ChrisBlackburn]

***** Thanks for the reply, that's OK then, I just heard about people having fancy mixes set up for the launch, Thanks

[@Fallingz]

Chris Blackburn Ask flitetest to make a episode like that. David is a big fan of DLG gliders and I know he have some ''advanced'' mixes for his planes,

[@esoteric651]

Have a look at flitetests DLG video, they show how david has his set up, its just a switch that he holds to give a little extra pitch to maximise lift during launch I think

[@peterpaul100]

Hi Bruce nice to see you again in the great white open. You could do with some sunlight!

[@dphotos007]

Your wife did a fine job on the camera. You should team up more with her on projects. Do a road trip with her and bring some of your planes. Hope to see the Taft Viper Jet when you are able to fly it.

[@spocktra50]

Really enjoyed that Bruce,looked at that dlg myself,for something a little different. Tell your good lady wife,not to worry about filming wibbly wobbly as Barry is far wobblier.

[@iantunstall4079]

Good review Bruce enjoyed watching

[@mikbacitube]

Try to program a tad of down elevator on a switch for a "Launch "mode, so it does not go on a steep climb and almost stalls when you launch it and it will allow you to execute more powerful Discus Launches which will result is better height. With DLG I had a lot of fun and it is somehow relaxing.

[@wordreet]

Please let us know what weight battery you end up using Bruce, so I can order up a couple of something similar when I buy the glider. And tell the missus that her camera work is a good average and better than many.

[@LWJCarroll]

Great to see it flying so well.......I was wondering how it would go early in the review....Thanks...Laurie

[@royramdeen8864]

Bruce, great review and as Chris requested, please do a set up video.. just ordered one.

[@philipkingsnorth]

I got the umx whipit as I was unsure if I'd like dlg flight. Needless to say I've just ordered this little dlg looking forward to flying it soon

[@bjtster]

Fantastic more more more Bruce !

[@lifeofmattmel]

I have one of these had issues with the canopy flying off during dlg and the electrics all disconnect and the plane falls to the ground. Nose smashed but everything else was good. The tail fin is also a bit weak.

[@mej6519]

will be ordering mine very soon :) great intro into dlg's thansk mate.

[@gyrowanabe]

I think your wife did quite well on the video considering the plane was not flying as predictably as it could have :) Thanks for the review.

[@swingbladez8062]

Brilliant review Bruce!

[@Ghostrider03Z]

Tell your wife that she did a good job! It wasn't a speck in the sky and she followed the plane very well!

[@jimmyd2129]

Wife-cam was hilarious! Thanks for review, I am looking into either this model or the slightly more expensive composite DLG (green + black wings)... I heard it suggested on another video to not get the PNF version of this plane but the ARF, I think I heard that from you bruce. I have a rather noobish question: I am returning to gliding as a hobby some 15 years after being into it with my Dad. I have a 2 channel Futaba remote, could I just use it and its frequency with a new glider such as this DLG? I know it seems obviously yes, but I was unsure if there have been any fundamental changes to transmitter/receiver RC technology in all these years that would mean I'd need a new remote. Thanks

[@tobysilhavy6103]

Tell your wife I think she did a good job on the camera. It's not easy to follow planes on video. Thumbs up

[@edmundgerber7662]

Yep - not too shabby for a rookie. She is miles better than Barry for sure!

[@mick7sp]

Looks clean. Might be fun in lite slope lift, like an Alula. You forgot the Official Notice: No babies were killed or otherwise injured in the making of this video.

[@cup_and_cone]

Nice video. I think I'd have to buy two, as my first DLG launch would probably result in catastrophic results, LOL.

[@carlosss931]

Hello, great video, I bought that DLG glider a few months, tried to flew it once but it kept going by itself to the left even if I was giving right direction with the Rc, hope you can help me out, thank you

[@steverider1849]

Nice video. Could set and listen to the wife narrate all day. The accent I guess. ;) real good job both of you

[@Juary70]

Bruce you should have you Mrs teach Barry how to shoot some video :) Nice video. Thanks

[@rc3drc]

HI did the single cell lipo work out can you tell me if the 7ch futaba receiver will fit and work from 1 cell lipo, if not can you suggest a cheap one Cheers

[@20051778]

hi, I enjoed your video! i have one question for you. just I bought a mini DLG PRO and i have the RC FS T4B. I dont know if I can set up with this plane. if I can what I have to do? I need the driver?

[@andrewjackson7476]

Hi Bruce, Can you use these for slope soaring?

[@kingflynxi9420]

Probably

[@reezlaw]

Wife-cam AND wife-voice! Is that a first? Still, a dream if compared with Barry-cam (love Barry though).

[@Eiooeek]

Hohoho, what a glider!

[@ThatRoadCyclistUHate]

***** how were you able to fly it I thought your council changed there regs so you could not fly at parks without wings I should probably look into the regs in tauranga

[@ThatRoadCyclistUHate]

***** Ha ha OK good luck on getting you wings back our new zealand govt are bloddy muppets you can't fly but yet people can have drones to fly round there farm to herd there sheep and do other stuff :(

[@eroticmasterbaker]

***** I was expecting the FAA to show up and handcuff you and send the attack dogs after you playing with your toy! Love your videos sir.

[@ferret1337]

You Sir inspire me!

[@GG7clips]

Most amusing cameraperson :)

[@cartertomasko8686]

nice video, could I use a normal sized rx and a 2s lipo in this?

[@JaredReabow]

I seem to recall that a non powered model has different regulations which is why he is allowed to fly

[@nishbrown]

That's nice of them to think of the wrong-handed people too. ;)

[@tiiams]

good show.

[@Masongoh]

thumbs up for wife cam!

[@roddy222]

Looks like a little ripper. Cheers.

[@FransMelissa]

Tip for the wife: Don't touch the zoom button. All RC clips are ruined by the use of the zoom buttons on a cam. Nice review!!

[@TheRogerx3]

Wife Cam review.. not as bad as you think, like every thing practice and you'll be better than barry : ).

[@sufyanbs]

Bruce, tell your wife she's NOT a terrible camera person ! ;) :D

[@Stephane1995]

love it!

[@Fallingz]

It ain't no Barry cam but I guess it works.

[@winstonsmith478]

Not a big deal, but your lighting is a bit weak. Have you painted the walls white? The one behind you looks a bit grey.

[@GeneSokolov]

I got the same chip as chips scale :-)

[@Silicondoc]

Tell the wife to stay zoomed out until the plane is near the ground then she has a backround reference to track it, an can zoom in for a tighter shot.

[@Legacylout]

Wife-Cam or Barry-Cam its a close call :D

[@Soldier53flyer]

Not to bad.

[@Kampala69]

Oooh look - no body's thumbs downed this video yet. Think I'll do it, just to see if I get a buzz out of it. Nope didn't feel a thing!!!!

[@oliverg98]

Hahahaha Paul McCartney

[@travisk5589]

Lol Wife cam!!

[@Arthur_C]

Wife cam is better than Barry cam...

[@tveten82]

i have follower you for a long time. and it`s a long time your got your wings cut... is it possible for us supporters to help? make a subscriber support somthing?

[@SVELFARO]

Oh I for got to mention Bruce ur all wet mate. :)

[@touka32able]

thw wife-cam was really enoying

[@Side85Winder]

+toukasz i think you mean annoying You are better off getting a camera and straping it to your head to self record as i seen other youtubers do. If the wife-cam must be used please disable the zoom function as it makes it even harder to track objects if you zoom in.

[@touka32able]

Side85Winder Sorry, I meant annoying xD Also, why are you tell me this?...

[@thejason51873]

"why are you tell me this" Because your grammar is bad...

[@alexyt4434]

toukasz Enjoy and Annoy together

[@steverider1849]

Nice video. Could set and listen to the wife narrate all day. The accent I guess. ;) real good job both of you

[@fpvFlyingMonkey]

Awesome! I've been wanting one of these for a LONG time! Good to hear a positive review, and if it came from you, then I know I can trust it. Glad you're getting some stick time, your wife did a great job! "WifeCam" rofl!

[@walley2uk]

Hi Bruce, Great reviews, pity Google+ is messing up KZbin. Keep up the good work

[@SVELFARO]

Mrs. Xjet you did a fine job, better than Barry! Sorry Barry :)

[@Fallingz]

I got a Vladimir models ELF and its just amazing both how it fly's (1min dead air time) and the quality you should take a look at one Bruce!

[@TheMoritzHoffmann]

And one of the biggest advantages is the flying weight of 96 grams. The ELF is really amazing.

[@rcjoseb]

Nice DLG and what a nice plan to be a rebel/outlaw pilot. Tell you're wife she did a great job with the camera. I love her accent. "...a little bit jerky".

[@RCPlanesAndTravels]

Good afternoon. Tell me, please, do you have drawings of the wing consoles of these gliders? Interested in the balsa wings of this white glider.

[@RC_Sky]

The canopy is not strong, if you will do full dlg launch it may broke, I hardened mine with epoxy and carbon strands.

[@FPVREVIEWS]

what a nice little model. tell the wife that she did a great job filming!

[@stevengrey1948]

I was really surprised how much altitude you can get from the disc style launch.

[@topxe.]

That doesn't look like the Taranis, what radio you flying with?

[@rahkopad]

Bruce; How does this match to your Mountain Model DLC ?

[@wordreet]

A great review Bruce! I was thinking about getting one of these, and when I saw how well it climbed from your full spin launch, I was convinced! Hmm, I'll have to convert my Tx to Mode2 and learn to fly gliders like that as I'm a right hander. I even won the "Throwing The Cricket Ball" comp at school. (49 years ago)

[@bertrc2569]

You must learn to fly where the camera is pointing!

[@johanredander6360]

You have the CG 90 mm from the leading edge of the wing ?

[@iowadrone]

Show us your voltage boost circuit

[@LarryMMackey]

I think your wife did quite well!

[@SundayShi]

Great review! I love the close-up shots. Looks like a lot fun to fly a glider like this :D

[@saxonlight]

Wife-Cam > Barry-Cam :op

[@28noch]

Please speak more slow.

[@AusHobbies]

Better than berrycam!

what a sweet fly

[@SundayShi]

Bruce, please post more videos more frequently!

[@rljhr]

Hi Bruce, I got one of these to get my 12 Year old into RC. He took to this model very fast. My two nephews also got one each to get into the hobby. We put one of the HK altimeters in ours to record the flights. We normally get 30m+ height and flights of 40s typical. Many over 1 minute. The best was 2:30. I am left handed he is right handed so we have a peg on both sides. The wing is a bit fragile I dented the balsa on a catch. The problem we had was with the wing bolts coming out. On one launch a bolt popped and the force ripped the canopy off. The logger recorded it alone reaching 15 meters :) I had to rebuild the canopy and replace the servos but it flew great again. My dog also bit a hole in the wing but thats not the plane's fault!

[@Onei1y]

Great stuff... Feeling a little nauseous after the flight video but I'm quite impressed... A fair departure from my 50cc gasses but I'm tempted to give it a go.. Always looking for something to stick in the back of the car... many thanks Bruce...

[@anthonysteventon1518]

Hi Bruce you got me into DLG, watched your video along with other dlg vids, very helpful, not much videos on Radio set up, as well as thermals ,what they are and how I find them. Any ways waiting for HK versus (Topsky I think) to arrive, just throwing ideas, Thinking this is the new Trend, LOL!!

[@vazza69]

I want one :)

[@bryanteverett8421]

You really know your stuff. Very informative. You never leave me wongering more.

[@canadianhoser]

Nice ! Ive been looking at this model to be my first cheap dlg .. Now to explain how good a deal it is to the wife :)

[@GeorgeStephen1959]

Great Review and flight Video ***** looks like its a keeper for sure