Hi, new member here. I have just finished my first build (jpg attached) (Betaflight Matek F405 CTR, Frysky R-XSR) and took it out for a hover test yesterday. All went well, but I notice that the controls are rather sensitive in the middle. If I understand Rates correctly, adjusting them will allow me to adjust my signal response to stick movements at various points in the range. However, I also see that in my Taranis I can create input curves for my stick controls.

I have two questions regarding this:
- Do the Taranis Curves and the Betaflight Rates accomplish the same thing?
- If they are equivalent in function, are they additive, or does one take precedence?

As a sidebar; I notice that when connected to the Betaflight Configurator Receiver Tab that my control values tend to jump when moving a stick, rather than move smoothly. Is there any way I can smooth that out?

All systems have been flashed to the most up to date firmware.

I look forward to discussing things with you guys as I learn.

Thanks, Peter
   

Taranis curve and Betaflight rates are additive. On a very basic level, they do the same things. Why would you have two things that does the same things you asked? Remember that a radio is not always for something that has a flight controller. Most planes, you are controlling servos. To adjust stick sensitive, you need to use the curves. So that brings you which one you should use. I suggest that you make your adjustments through Betaflight only.

With BF 4.x, you can limit your throttle. You can make the middle stick movements less sensitive by decreasing the rates and increasing expo.

Thanks Voodoo614. Is there any reason you prefer using the controller to adjust the curves? I tried both ways and there seems to take less effort using BF, once you figure it out.

The only real reason is if you have a lot of quads and want to use the same curves for all your quads. This way you don't have to setup BF for each. But most people I know that flies quad leave the radio alone and set through BF. It is pretty easy to copy your rates and paste to new quads.

If I were you I would go down to 3S batteries. This will slow the motors down and give you "softer" sticks.

I have changed the rates and the sticks are really smooth now, and the throttle control is perfect. I will probably be changing them again once I get more experience.
Thanks for all the help.