**Excerpt:**

When evaluating an IMU, many engineers focus on a single specification: update rate. A 2000Hz IMU must be better than a 200Hz IMU – right? Not necessarily. In real stabilization, tracking, and navigation systems, performance depends on much more than output frequency alone. This article explains the critical differences between Bandwidth, Output Rate, and Baud Rate, and shows why an IMU that sends data faster is not always the one that delivers better system performance. Through practical examples from EO/IR gimbals and UAVs, we explore how understanding these three parameters can prevent costly design mistakes and lead to more effective sensor selection.