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Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Helicopters / April 2008Bigger heli recommendations
I've still done nothing more than hover the T-Rex 450SE V2 in the tiny back yard, but at least I'm building up my sim time. I just switched over to the Synergy N9 on the Phoenix sim, and it's so much better to fly than the little T-Rex, so I'm considering the idea of selling the T-Rex and going for something proper sized. Do you reckon that's a good idea? One of the attractions of the T-Rex was the cheap parts prices. I live about half a mile from Revolution Models as well, and they stock all the parts. Last time around I had a Sceadu 30 which they didn't stock anything for, and the parts weren't so cheap for that one when I could get them. So, firstly is this a stupid idea? and secondly what's a good big heli that has cheap parts? Would that be a Raptor 90? or Raptor 50? My eyes are rubbish so there's another benefit of a bigger heli. This Synergy N9 thing on the sim was so easy to fly, it just stayed on its side when doing circuits, where I would generally have dropped the T-Rex into the ground sideways. >selling the T-Rex and going for something proper sized. I started with a small cheap heli, the Falcon 3D. Never could do much with that bird. It broke on its own more often than I crashed it. Then I went to a Trex 500 which was a dream to hover compared to the Falcon 3D. I also picked up a Thunder Tiger Mini Titan, in low to no wind this heli is as stable as the Trex 500 for me. >Do you reckon that's a good idea? I think it is a good idea. As long as you are willing to accept the bigger cost of repairing and flying a bigger heli. Cheap blades on a 50 size glow or my Trex 500 electric are a minimum of $30.00. I said cheap blades. Good blades are $75 or so and up. >So, firstly is this a stupid idea? and secondly what's a good big heli >that has cheap parts? Would that be a Raptor 90? or Raptor 50? Both of those Raptors are good helis. If you want bigger you might as well go with a 90 size, you will end up there anyway. Bob >I've still done nothing more than hover the T-Rex 450SE V2 in the tiny >back yard, but at least I'm building up my sim time. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >Sceadu 30 which they didn't stock anything for, and the parts weren't so >cheap for that one when I could get them. Bigger birds are mopre stable and easier to fly. The increased size certainly helps with maintaining orientation as well. >So, firstly is this a stupid idea? and secondly what's a good big heli >that has cheap parts? Would that be a Raptor 90? or Raptor 50? The Trex600 parts are pretty inexpensive. The big ticket items are blades. You're looing at $75 for a set of decent blades. Good blades will run you over $100. However, occasionally you can get Radix (Curtis Youngblood's brand) blades with cosmetic flaws for $80. NICE blades (my personal favorites ATM) and the flaws are imperceptible when they're spinning. The downside to a larger electric heli is the battery costs. $300/pack is about the average for good packs. A Trex 500 would be a good compromise - sits between the 450 and 600 as far as physical size. If you want to go Nitro, the Trex 600 nitro flies nice too. Raptors are ok, but are "older" technology. I don't even fly my Raptor 50 anymore 'cuz my 600's fly better and are cheaper to crash. >I've still done nothing more than hover the T-Rex 450SE V2 in the tiny >back yard, but at least I'm building up my sim time. If you can hover the 450, you've learned quite a bit. Although it is an excellent little machine, the small size sure makes it responsive. >I just switched over to the Synergy N9 on the Phoenix sim, and it's so >much better to fly than the little T-Rex, so I'm considering the idea of >selling the T-Rex and going for something proper sized. I have both a 450 and a Raptor 50. To me, they are different enough to be worth keeping them both. >Do you reckon that's a good idea? One of the attractions of the T-Rex >was the cheap parts prices. I live about half a mile from Revolution >Models as well, and they stock all the parts. If they stock parts for the 450, they probably also stock the T-Rex 600. That is a 50-size machine of the same great quality as the 450. It is available in both glow and electric. >Last time around I had a >Sceadu 30 which they didn't stock anything for, and the parts weren't so >cheap for that one when I could get them. Yes, good parts availability and prices are very important. Having to wait a week for mail order is no fun at all. >So, firstly is this a stupid idea? Not at all. Unless the cost is a problem to you. >and secondly what's a good big heli >that has cheap parts? Thunder Tiger set a new standard when they introduced the Raptor range. A combination of well designed machines and cheap parts sent them up the sales charts like a rocket. Align have, as far as I know, never made any attempt at denying they "stole" that concept. As far as I can tell, they have made a great job of it. >Would that be a Raptor 90? or Raptor 50? I have flown both, and they both fly very well. The major difference is cost. A crash with the 90 will cost you the same as a complete 50 kit. When you compare prices, don't forget the servos. Since you have an Align dealer near you, I recommend you take a look at the T-Rex 600. If you want 90 size, Align have promised a T-Rex 700 very soon. All the Raptors are mechanical CCPM, while the T-rexes are electronic CCPM. Personally, I prefer the electronic type quite strongly. When I buy my next heli, that's probably going to be a major point. >My eyes are rubbish so there's another benefit of a bigger heli. Definitely. I consider my eyes to be in good shape, but I have already crashed my 450 because I lost orientation. >This Synergy N9 thing on the sim was so easy to fly, it just stayed on >its side when doing circuits, where I would generally have dropped the >T-Rex into the ground sideways. Don't trust the simulators too blindly. I have tried the 450 on the Aerofly Pro Deluxe sim, and it is nothing at all like the real thing.  SignatureRoRo Thanks guys. I certainly would be thinking of a nitro machine as the big lipo battery packs are too expensive. Nitro is cool anyway. Just a pain to have all that starting gear.. Parts cost would be a concern, so I guess a 60 sized machine would be a good trade off. I don't fancy mechanical CCPM when my radio does it electronically so I guess everything's pointing to a T-Rex 600 nitro at the moment. The only thing that concerns me, is that having a 450 SE V2, I can see that the machining tolerances at Align are pretty poor. If they made an engine to the same tolerances as they made my swashplate and other head parts, it'd be a pretty crap engine. I'll read some reviews and see what the quality is like. I could probably stomach the cost of a decent heli, and would stretch to one of those Synergy N9 things, but the parts prices are way too high on that one. I'm happy to pay more for a heli but it has to have reasonably priced spares for when I'm feeling poor. > Thanks guys. I certainly would be thinking of a nitro machine as the big > lipo battery packs are too expensive. Nitro is cool anyway. Just a pain to [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > that one. I'm happy to pay more for a heli but it has to have reasonably > priced spares for when I'm feeling poor. Problem is Carl, expensive heli's are usually made up from expensive parts. SignatureBeav VN 750 Zed 1000 OMF# 19 >> Thanks guys. I certainly would be thinking of a nitro machine as the big >> lipo battery packs are too expensive. Nitro is cool anyway. Just a pain to [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > Problem is Carl, expensive heli's are usually made up from expensive parts. That did cross my mind.. :( > I've still done nothing more than hover the T-Rex 450SE V2 in the tiny > back yard, but at least I'm building up my sim time. [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > side when doing circuits, where I would generally have dropped the T-Rex > into the ground sideways. I have 3 t-rex 450 and 1 t-rex 600e and 2 t-rex 600 nitros Its the nirtros I fly most but you realy need to be in a club as you cant just take them to the local park as thay are a bit noisey :-) |
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