Dominator vs. Vortex

[steve5248]

The Dominator has long spindly legs to accommodate it's low mounted engine, prop, rudder, and drop keel. The Vortex doesn't seem to need this. It has only a slightly dropped keel which gives it a more "Benson style" low-rider look. What are the differences in design philosophy that account for this radical difference in stance.

Steve

[BUD ONEAL]

The dominator was designed to use rough cow pasture for a landing field.None better!

[MrGrey]

The Dominator was designed to do everything better IMHO.

[feedpro]

The Vortex is designed for off airport operations, which I subject it to most days. Don't know anything about the other, but I do not see any heavy shocks and it looks like that spindly nose gear would break off with my use. I have lit in some very rough pastures with no ill effects on the Vortex....yet. Jim Vanek would cringe if he saw how I have been testing it. But then, that is the reason that I picked the Vortex. I fly off grass and I will be using it to visit all my former rancher customers. My research on gyroplanes indicated that only the Vortex and the Butterfly gyros were capable of off airport operations.

[BEN S]

Your asking a ford vs chevy question to the peanut gallery, but the Vortex is a tougher machine hands down in my opinion. Not knocking the Dominator, but the Sportcopters build quality is without peer and the comfort of the seat, well.....you won't see the Dom guys bragging about theirs! Also the fuel is in a separate tank and the shocks are incredibly tough, I know cause I've regularly put them to the test in the desert here....not just rough terrain runways, but NO runways...Also the Doms I have seen have a LOT of side to side sway even on bumpy paved runways, I'm not sure I would feel to comfy with that. The safety of having the front castering nose wheel (I believe on both machines) can't be overstated for rough terrain. and although the Dom guys are always saying how tough their machines nose gear is, I know of at least two that have broke, never have run across a Vortex with a broken nose gear story!!!
But that's just one guys opinion....I did however buy the Sportcopter and have NEVER regretted my decision. I'm quite sure the Dom guys feel just as strongly about theirs.
NOW if you were thinking about the new 912 Vortex, then there is NO comparison, none, nada,zero and zip...it is the single best rough terrain use gyro on the planet that doesn't have a jump takeoff.

[BUD ONEAL]

From the "peanut gallery" Never flew the vortex and will not knock it.However I have flew my dominator for almost 17 years now and can attest to the strength of the front gear.If anyone could punish a machine on the ground it is me! They are one tough machine!

[phantom]

here is the truth about dominator vs other gyros. You can build any other gyro you want and wish you had a dominator or you can build your dominator now and enjoy flying the best handling, best performing stable and forgiving gyro that has ever been built. I think my dom is gyro # 17 for me, could be 16 or 18 but I love the way it flys.

Norm

[Ronnie328]

I'm neither considering a Dominator or a Vortex, but this thread actually does have me curious as to which is better. Now all i need is some unbiased opinions from non-dominator and non-vortex guys, heh.

[BEN S]

Unbiased opinions?
Where you gonna find one of those?

[scottessex]

They are BOTH "different" to achieve the same means. The Vortex cost about $10k more, and thus has different features such as a separate fuel tank behind the seat, among many other differences. Both the sportcopter and dominator are good at what they do. Dominator uses a cruciform tail to eliminate P factor, plus the Dom is low thrustline, no pitch issues, no pio. The sportcopter and dom are just different machines, is one better than the other?? No just different. They both fly great and will give many years of happy flying.
Sportcopter is on the West coast of the US, and Dominator is on the southeast coast, so factory support, parts etc, may be more convenient to where you live,
As stated before, is Ford or Chevy better?

[steve5248]

When I asked this question I didn't mean to ask "Which is better ?" Clearly they're both excellent, well proven machines. But, it seems to me that design imperatives have driven the shape of both gyros. If I'm reading you guys right, the design imperative for the Dom was to be safe, forgiving, and easy to fly. The Vortex was designed for higher performance, off field use, I've even seen one doing loops. I suppose any flying machine of any type is a collection of mechanical compromises. Am I understanding this right ?

[Master Roda]

I don't know which is better (for you), I don't know what the dominator was designed for. I can't make a fair comparison in that respect.

I DO know that the Australians are buying 2 Sport Copter Vortex M912's at a time (pre-built) for harsh environments and Mustering (cattle herding) operations. It is proving to be the Hummer in off-field ops. Why?......

It was designed to FALL from great heights and be able to take-off again without a stutter. The 912 powerplant is great for a single seat machine that will outperform the 2-strokes (in fuel burn and power). The rotors are irrefutably the best on the market providing thousands of hours of operations and high lift (sizes from 7x22-9x32). Couple that with the mains suspension AND the nosewheel suspension and you have an unbeatable combination. Crosswinds aren't a problem with the castering nosewheel and differential braking. Amatuers can land this thing with little training. We constantly make improvments and implement them to offer our customers.

And now that I feel like a sleezy salesman, go look at both models in person. If you can, fly both. If you havent flown a gyroplane, seek out the training facility in Utah (your area). They are great people who can get you going.
Link: http://www.airgyro.com/contactlocation.htm

Michael Burton is one of the best CFI's (in your area) I know and can give you direction on which machine is right for you. Maybe you want a 2 seater?

Good luck,
Jon

EDIT: Forgot the negatives....Sport Copter isnt FAST (delivery, not aircraft speed ). Sport Copter isnt CHEAP. If you're cheap and in a hurry, go to wal-mart, otherwise, how may I help you?

[BEN S]

Just an addendum to clarify Jon's post I think when he said Sportcopter isn't fast....he is referring to them building stuff, not the aircraft speed.

[All_In]

This is like asking which wife is better?

Selecting the correct gyroplane is different for each individual and where and how you wish to fly her.

I could own a Dominator, Sportcopter, Butterfly, or Genesis and actually selected all four one at a time until I decided that the Genesis G1sa was the best choice for how and where I wish to fly.

I've written a presentation that came from posts on this forum from the experts answering questions and it should help you be able to understand how to make your own decision as this forum did for me.

You can check it out here: http://www.aviomaniausa.com/How2SelectGyro.aspx ... Download is at the bottom of the page!

[Master Roda]

Originally Posted by BEN S

Just an addendum to clarify Jon's post I think when he said Sportcopter isn't fast....he is referring to them building stuff, not the aircraft speed.

Thanks Ben. Post amended.