Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods
01-07-2008, 09:26 AM
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RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods
ORIGINAL: fw190
Why would they? My Trex 500 is on its way to my LHS.
The canopy is $9.99 it fits better as I have struggled putting the original canopy on because the battery leads get in the way. No major mods on that Trex canopy just opened the top for motor cooling and relocated the mounting holes. Does not affect the CG much still can fine tune by moving the battery.
Why would they? My Trex 500 is on its way to my LHS.
The canopy is $9.99 it fits better as I have struggled putting the original canopy on because the battery leads get in the way. No major mods on that Trex canopy just opened the top for motor cooling and relocated the mounting holes. Does not affect the CG much still can fine tune by moving the battery.
01-07-2008, 12:59 PM
#52
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RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods
Auto, I was just driving around town and happened to be at a LHS and this was the only one they had in stock [
]. I to wish it was brighter and the fake carbon is just.... fake. Too much work to sand and paint, will look for another.
]. I to wish it was brighter and the fake carbon is just.... fake. Too much work to sand and paint, will look for another.
01-07-2008, 01:04 PM
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RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods
ORIGINAL: fw190
Auto, I was just driving around town and happened to be at a LHS and this was the only one they had in stock []. I to wish it was brighter and the fake carbon is just.... fake. Too much work to sand and paint, will look for another.
Auto, I was just driving around town and happened to be at a LHS and this was the only one they had in stock [
]. I to wish it was brighter and the fake carbon is just.... fake. Too much work to sand and paint, will look for another.
I have that aftermarket e-flite canopy since I think it klooks better than the stock one, I think it looks pretty neat.
01-07-2008, 05:00 PM
#54
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RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods
ORIGINAL: Torquestar
I just don't get why Trex owners and others go out of their way to come into an E-flite subforum and tell people to avoid buying the Blade 400. I've seen videos of the stock unit flying and it looks fine to me! Is it perfect? No. Is it adequate for someone new getting into the hobby? I think so. I spent a fair amount of time on a CX and it got pretty boring. I was about to get a CP Pro when I was told to hold off and wait for the B400. I'm glad I was given that advice.
I just started out, and I decided that the Blade 400 was a good choice because as an RTF, I'd see exactly how one was put together, and learn about it (my background is mechanical and electrical engineering, and an electric RC heli is a fascinating machine). I would have been lost buying a Trex and having to figure out how to put it together.
What you say in theory, though, is partially true if you take it to an extreme. But some people are forgetting that the Blade 400 flies ok for what it is, and requires no additional cost. Several people (mostly Trex owners I think) seem to skip to the end, where B400 owners have flown them and want to start making it better. However, that's the thing... They don't HAVE to buy better servos right away, as the gears for the servos cost $3 bucks. They don't HAVE to buy better blades, as the stock ones are "ok". You can get a Spektrum DSP75 digital servo for the tail for 20 bucks, and apparently that works just fine. And the DX6i seems like an ok radio for a beginner/intermediate user.
I'll admit, the "upgrade" bug has me... But I can spend money at my own pace to upgrade, and still be able to fly it immedately. I'm not laying out over $1000.00 dollar number that people seem to love to throw around to prove their point. I spend half that, and can fly right now.
I have no doubt that once I get better at this, that I'll wind up getting a Trex, since I like the idea of having a solid base to work with... but for now, I got in at a good price and it added another person to the pool of RC heli guys in this hobby. The more people spending money on mainstream products, the more 3rd party support there is. So people should be welcoming the new blood instead of potentially scaring them off, telling them they'd be better off spending twice as much immediately.
I just don't get why Trex owners and others go out of their way to come into an E-flite subforum and tell people to avoid buying the Blade 400. I've seen videos of the stock unit flying and it looks fine to me! Is it perfect? No. Is it adequate for someone new getting into the hobby? I think so. I spent a fair amount of time on a CX and it got pretty boring. I was about to get a CP Pro when I was told to hold off and wait for the B400. I'm glad I was given that advice.
I just started out, and I decided that the Blade 400 was a good choice because as an RTF, I'd see exactly how one was put together, and learn about it (my background is mechanical and electrical engineering, and an electric RC heli is a fascinating machine). I would have been lost buying a Trex and having to figure out how to put it together.
What you say in theory, though, is partially true if you take it to an extreme. But some people are forgetting that the Blade 400 flies ok for what it is, and requires no additional cost. Several people (mostly Trex owners I think) seem to skip to the end, where B400 owners have flown them and want to start making it better. However, that's the thing... They don't HAVE to buy better servos right away, as the gears for the servos cost $3 bucks. They don't HAVE to buy better blades, as the stock ones are "ok". You can get a Spektrum DSP75 digital servo for the tail for 20 bucks, and apparently that works just fine. And the DX6i seems like an ok radio for a beginner/intermediate user.
I'll admit, the "upgrade" bug has me... But I can spend money at my own pace to upgrade, and still be able to fly it immedately. I'm not laying out over $1000.00 dollar number that people seem to love to throw around to prove their point. I spend half that, and can fly right now.
I have no doubt that once I get better at this, that I'll wind up getting a Trex, since I like the idea of having a solid base to work with... but for now, I got in at a good price and it added another person to the pool of RC heli guys in this hobby. The more people spending money on mainstream products, the more 3rd party support there is. So people should be welcoming the new blood instead of potentially scaring them off, telling them they'd be better off spending twice as much immediately.
ORIGINAL: alfredbmor
It looks to me that the Blade 400 has not filled the needs of the Heli fliers, let's start with those who think that this bird needs some upgrades.
Stock price around 480 dlls.
1.- Stripped servos in a mild crash, you may want to upgrade to hitec (100 dlls for 4 servos)
2.- Needs Better blades (You will need to upgrade to align blades at 16.00 dlls.
3.- Some want to upgrade to a Better gyro (Futaba gyro for 139.00 dlls)
4.- Some want to upgrade to a better Radio (DX7) (Around 350 dlls)
How much money do you have to invest to perform all those upgrades?
total investment: $1,085.00 dlls and still you have a plastic made mini helicopter.
Isn't it much easier if you buy a Trex SA (240 dlls at Horizon Hobby or less at ebay)
Buy Hitec servos 100 dlls aprox.
Futaba 401 Gyro (140 dlls) and a DX7 (around 350 dlls)
and a 2170 Flight Power battery (75.00 dlls)
Total invested $905.00
You do not need more upgrades and flies much better and stable than the E-flite blade 400.
Well that is just for thinking.
It looks to me that the Blade 400 has not filled the needs of the Heli fliers, let's start with those who think that this bird needs some upgrades.
Stock price around 480 dlls.
1.- Stripped servos in a mild crash, you may want to upgrade to hitec (100 dlls for 4 servos)
2.- Needs Better blades (You will need to upgrade to align blades at 16.00 dlls.
3.- Some want to upgrade to a Better gyro (Futaba gyro for 139.00 dlls)
4.- Some want to upgrade to a better Radio (DX7) (Around 350 dlls)
How much money do you have to invest to perform all those upgrades?
total investment: $1,085.00 dlls and still you have a plastic made mini helicopter.
Isn't it much easier if you buy a Trex SA (240 dlls at Horizon Hobby or less at ebay)
Buy Hitec servos 100 dlls aprox.
Futaba 401 Gyro (140 dlls) and a DX7 (around 350 dlls)
and a 2170 Flight Power battery (75.00 dlls)
Total invested $905.00
You do not need more upgrades and flies much better and stable than the E-flite blade 400.
Well that is just for thinking.
I own the CP Pro in the stock way (No upgrades) but I have invested more on it than in my Trex (Which could be cheaper with e-flite gyro and servos), The point here is that you can have a really good machine (with out upgrading) with the Trex SA 450, I am not a seller, I am just an owner and flier.
As an E-flite user I can tell you that I have visited my LHS much more frequently than an Align user. As someone said maybe we are not comparing apples with apples but for sure we are spending money and I can tell you that you can have a very stable and safer hover with a T-rex than any other mini helicopter (Except the mini titan according with the Barrucahockey’s review).
I respect your position I just wanted to post my point of view and there is not intention to offend to anybody.
Best Regards,
Alfred.
01-07-2008, 06:35 PM
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RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods
I am new to the setup of heli's. I have the B400 and stripped 2 of my eflite servos, so i bought 4 hitec hs55 servos. My ? is when i put 1 of the hitec servos on, when i add throttle, the swashplate should move down to give the blades pitch. the hs 55 makes the one side of the swashplate go up, is there a setting in the dx6i to reverse the way the servo turns??? thanks in advance. total noob ????
01-07-2008, 06:41 PM
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RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods
I'm pretty new to this too, but from the past few weeks I've learned a few things:
Different servos act differently, so I believe if you're replacing one of the cyclic servos with a different manufacturer, you should replace them all. The DX6i does mixing and stick inputs to one servo may give unpredictble results to another of a different brand. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.
Secondly, I believe the DX6i has a place for you to reverse a specific channel/servo. You'll want to consult the large DX6i manual for that one.
Lastly, the Spektrum DSP75 servo uses the exact same gear set as the E-Flite DS75. The Spektrum gear sets are available right now. I ordered about a dozen sets, because I know I'll be crashing a lot...
In the near future, I'll probably look into getting the HiTech metal gear servos or the JR digital metal gear servos.
Different servos act differently, so I believe if you're replacing one of the cyclic servos with a different manufacturer, you should replace them all. The DX6i does mixing and stick inputs to one servo may give unpredictble results to another of a different brand. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.
Secondly, I believe the DX6i has a place for you to reverse a specific channel/servo. You'll want to consult the large DX6i manual for that one.
Lastly, the Spektrum DSP75 servo uses the exact same gear set as the E-Flite DS75. The Spektrum gear sets are available right now. I ordered about a dozen sets, because I know I'll be crashing a lot...
In the near future, I'll probably look into getting the HiTech metal gear servos or the JR digital metal gear servos.
ORIGINAL: hitman102766
I am new to the setup of heli's. I have the B400 and stripped 2 of my eflite servos, so i bought 4 hitec hs55 servos. My ? is when i put 1 of the hitec servos on, when i add throttle, the swashplate should move down to give the blades pitch. the hs 55 makes the one side of the swashplate go up, is there a setting in the dx6i to reverse the way the servo turns??? thanks in advance. total noob ????
I am new to the setup of heli's. I have the B400 and stripped 2 of my eflite servos, so i bought 4 hitec hs55 servos. My ? is when i put 1 of the hitec servos on, when i add throttle, the swashplate should move down to give the blades pitch. the hs 55 makes the one side of the swashplate go up, is there a setting in the dx6i to reverse the way the servo turns??? thanks in advance. total noob ????
01-07-2008, 07:31 PM
#57
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RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods
ORIGINAL: hitman102766
I am new to the setup of heli's. I have the B400 and stripped 2 of my eflite servos, so i bought 4 hitec hs55 servos. My ? is when i put 1 of the hitec servos on, when i add throttle, the swashplate should move down to give the blades pitch. the hs 55 makes the one side of the swashplate go up, is there a setting in the dx6i to reverse the way the servo turns??? thanks in advance. total noob ????
I am new to the setup of heli's. I have the B400 and stripped 2 of my eflite servos, so i bought 4 hitec hs55 servos. My ? is when i put 1 of the hitec servos on, when i add throttle, the swashplate should move down to give the blades pitch. the hs 55 makes the one side of the swashplate go up, is there a setting in the dx6i to reverse the way the servo turns??? thanks in advance. total noob ????
Change the positive or negative numbers on the swash menu, take care of remain the same numbers just go all the way till the number changed is positive or negative, and make one number at a time to see how it changes.
I have read many posts about this problem with the B400, hopefully you will solve this issue with Hitec servos (Or metal geared metal servos like the HS65MG).
I hope this can help.
01-08-2008, 12:11 AM
#58
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RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods
In response to what some are saying about comparing the Blade 400 to T-rex; I don't think it is really fair or even the point.
Did e-flite develop the Blade 400 to compete with the T-rex? From where I'm standing, The Blade is for people like me, who want to get into a CP, 400 sized machine at under $500.... Parts are definitely available and low cost.
By the way, I WANT that black carbon canopy, where can I get it??
-Damon
Did e-flite develop the Blade 400 to compete with the T-rex? From where I'm standing, The Blade is for people like me, who want to get into a CP, 400 sized machine at under $500.... Parts are definitely available and low cost.
By the way, I WANT that black carbon canopy, where can I get it??
-Damon
01-08-2008, 02:39 AM
#59
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RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods
I got the canopy from Hobby People, they carry very few Trex parts in fact I don't trust them carry many parts of anything. I was there looking for Deans male connector to make a battery adaptor because I wasn't about to cut all my Deans battery connectors to make them the blue Eflite connectors. What I did was purchase a male Deans connector and female Eflite blue connector. Dean plug into battery and the other to ESC, and if I need to use the Eflite pack I just remove the adapter. Maybe I should have just got rid of the Eflite connectors altogether but I though it was easier this way in case something needs to be returned. I am running 2200 packs and getting plenty of hover time with 6 batteries, hopefully i don't get bored and do something fun and crash it.
01-08-2008, 08:24 PM
#63
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RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods
Your welcome!
I been flying my 400 and yup its hard seeing it all black! I dont even see the carbon detail on the canopy [:@], time for some bright green spray can!. Still managed to put 6 batteries through it today and not getting it too far from view. I am learning how to use idle up. Kind of scary as it has some punch for a noob like myself, so I set the throttle curve of Idle1 to 90 percent max and Idle2 to 100, using a DX7. I am sure I will need that 100 percent power some day. Kind of fun seeing just how fast it can jump when you have the left stick way up . I am sure my Trex 500 will be much more powerfull [X(]. ooooh m skuuuuurd!
I been flying my 400 and yup its hard seeing it all black! I dont even see the carbon detail on the canopy [:@], time for some bright green spray can!. Still managed to put 6 batteries through it today and not getting it too far from view. I am learning how to use idle up. Kind of scary as it has some punch for a noob like myself, so I set the throttle curve of Idle1 to 90 percent max and Idle2 to 100, using a DX7. I am sure I will need that 100 percent power some day. Kind of fun seeing just how fast it can jump when you have the left stick way up . I am sure my Trex 500 will be much more powerfull [X(]. ooooh m skuuuuurd!
01-09-2008, 11:00 AM
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RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods
ORIGINAL: fw190
I wish i can do something about the fish tailing! tried all kinds of HH setting and lowering the gryo value made the wag even longer in between. I have mine set at 55 on the gyro, anyone find a good setting?
I wish i can do something about the fish tailing! tried all kinds of HH setting and lowering the gryo value made the wag even longer in between. I have mine set at 55 on the gyro, anyone find a good setting?
01-09-2008, 12:13 PM
#67
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RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods
I am using stock servos. I thought it was using HH mode, its just not using the digital signal from the receiver. I kept the switch standard on the gryo switch because the manual says to keep it there unless I get a servo that can operate at 275hz.
01-10-2008, 03:11 PM
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RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods
It is a HH gyro, but again, from what I understand, that stock servo is not fast enought to accept the needed signal for spot on tail hold. If you are willing to spend a little, I've read that the Spektrum DSP75 is a direct replacement for the stock in the tail. You only need to reverse servo direction on gyro and radio, and then change mode to digitial and you will have rock steady tail. This servo is available for $18-20, and accepts the 275hz for HH capability. Also, you may want to buy a few extra gear sets, because it's not a matter of if, but when on stripping the gears out of the stocks. They are cross compatable with the above servo.
01-11-2008, 04:00 AM
#69
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RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods
I ordered the dsp75 servo. However the 400 is hovering really nice and nearly hands off, I have about 30 flights through it. I just want the tail to stay in the same direction when I apply quick burst of power. One day, if I can get fester enough courage I will try that loop and hoping the tail will stay straight. 
01-12-2008, 02:31 AM
#70
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RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods
For your eyes only! I taken these picks, sorry it was from my phone camera, the fully bling bling Blade 400 with cnc metal head rotor, tail and carbonizzle Blade 400 at the Horizon Hobby booth in Ontario AMA show. I picked it up and it almost hovered, seems even lighter weight than the stock Blade 400, with more metal!
I also got to see my future baby a Trex 500, but the stork haven't been to my LHS.
I also got to see my future baby a Trex 500, but the stork haven't been to my LHS.
01-16-2008, 06:40 PM
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RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods
I went to the lhs and they only had align 315 blades. I purchased the baldes made a spacer for them to fit the grips and hovered a bit everything seems fine. I was thinking about head speed and I don't have a tach but can tell that it has increased. I was wondering if anyone had experience with the 315 blades on the 400 or had an idea of what the difference would be. I changed the pitch curve in attempt to lower the rpm's slightly but do not think that it made much of a difference. thanks in advance....
sorry moving post to the general q's one
sorry moving post to the general q's one
01-16-2008, 10:26 PM
#72
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RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods
Did you get a chance to talk to the people at the HH booth about when they may be releasing the aluminum head upgrades for the Blade 400? Or was this done just for the show?
ORIGINAL: fw190
For your eyes only! I taken these picks, sorry it was from my phone camera, the fully bling bling Blade 400 with cnc metal head rotor, tail and carbonizzle Blade 400 at the Horizon Hobby booth in Ontario AMA show. I picked it up and it almost hovered, seems even lighter weight than the stock Blade 400, with more metal!
I also got to see my future baby a Trex 500, but the stork haven't been to my LHS.
For your eyes only! I taken these picks, sorry it was from my phone camera, the fully bling bling Blade 400 with cnc metal head rotor, tail and carbonizzle Blade 400 at the Horizon Hobby booth in Ontario AMA show. I picked it up and it almost hovered, seems even lighter weight than the stock Blade 400, with more metal!
I also got to see my future baby a Trex 500, but the stork haven't been to my LHS.
01-17-2008, 07:35 AM
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RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods
ORIGINAL: ERN1
Thinking abuot getting new HELI is this a good step after flyin Axe cp AFTER 1 YEAR?
Thinking abuot getting new HELI is this a good step after flyin Axe cp AFTER 1 YEAR?
01-17-2008, 12:15 PM
#75
My Feedback: (37)
RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods
If you do not already have a a good programmable heli radio this is a good start. You can spend more on a better heli like a Trex, Logo or Raptor, believe me you will spend more. At under $500 it includes everything you need to get in the air. The radio is a full 2.4 Spektrum transmitter, no channels to deal with.
Talked to the reps at Horizon Hobby and they a have no clue! [] when it will be out, the carbon blades, fins and tail rotors should be out by the end of the month. No dates on the metal rotors and tail. I picked up the heli that was all updated and it is extremely light, may not be as stable in windy condition but a solid 3D machine.
The first thing, when I get better is to change out what I think is important... these are cnc swash plate, main rotor head, blade grips and all metal tail. I really need that CNC tail because it will help with CG when using 2200mah battery. The current plastic rotor head is a bit mushy.
I am still wonder how I was able to fly my blade cp as it manages to crash on its own
went through a dozen blades, have over 40 flights on the B400 and have not hurt it once. Well the cp's and axe's are great crash heli trainers 
Talked to the reps at Horizon Hobby and they a have no clue! [
] when it will be out, the carbon blades, fins and tail rotors should be out by the end of the month. No dates on the metal rotors and tail. I picked up the heli that was all updated and it is extremely light, may not be as stable in windy condition but a solid 3D machine.The first thing, when I get better is to change out what I think is important... these are cnc swash plate, main rotor head, blade grips and all metal tail. I really need that CNC tail because it will help with CG when using 2200mah battery. The current plastic rotor head is a bit mushy.
I am still wonder how I was able to fly my blade cp as it manages to crash on its own
went through a dozen blades, have over 40 flights on the B400 and have not hurt it once. Well the cp's and axe's are great crash heli trainers