What's the difference between an X/Z and an X/Y 2-axis gyro?

[Randy Forgaard]

Hi, Eric. Sorry about the broken link to the IXZ-500 X/Z 2-axis gyro on the SparkFun site and even on the manufacturer's site. Here is the correct link to the IXZ-500 datasheet.

Thanks so much for mentioning Page 5 of the IDG-500 X/Y gyro datasheet. I looked at that page, and I now see the little diagram in the lower-right corner of that page that shows what they mean by X-axis and Y-axis. Their X-axis is what I would call "pitch," and their Y-axis is what I would call "roll." I just now compared that to the corresponding diagram on Page 5 of the IXZ-500 X/Z gyro datasheet, their Z-axis is what I would call "yaw."

Since, for our robot, we are looking for "yaw" and "pitch" measurements, we want the IXZ-500 X/Z gyro. And rotating that IXZ-500 X/Z gyro circuit board 90 degrees would NOT be the same as an X/Y gyro. That is why they needed to make separate chips.

Your question back to me helped me answer my own question. Much appreciated! It all came down to a misunderstanding on my part -- I thought X/Y/Z was yaw/roll/pitch, but (at least as far these gyros is concerned) X/Y/Z is pitch/roll/yaw.

I'm all set. Thanks again!