soneebee

After a month since I got the CX500 heli
I finally started my CX500 build.

The CX500 heli is well identical or similar to the Trex 500 heli. The size, dimensions and looks seems to be identical.
But the CX500 has all the upgrade parts needed for the Trex500.

The heli came in a brown box. The parts are partially built, the head, tail and frame are all build.



The main frame is Carbon Fiber.



The CF frame is around 2.0mm thick, its around 0.4mm thicker than the one I have on my T500.
its more of an upgraded frame for the Trex.



The inserts are all metal, which is an upgrade for the ALign heli but it comes standard for the CX500







The nice thing with the heli is the tail boom case. Its also made up of metal. so its more sturdy and is better than the plastic that comes with the rex



The head and tail assemble are all metal too. The head seems to be almost identical to the T500 head with the only difference of color. As for the T500 upgrade links are two toned the one that came with the CX500 is all black





The tail case is somewhat of different shape, but its made up of metal all anodized black. I guess CX has been doing a lot of dark coloring for this heli. They should have made some silver outlines to make it more presentable but black makes it more manly.



The Canopy is fiberglass but already pre-painted and gelcoated finish, kinda well made but in comparison with the T500 canopy the CP500 seem to be a little thinner.




well after checking at the parts of the CX500 and getting hold of the lacking parts to complete the kit
its time to start the build.

I was given some Hitec servos from the local plant. These were the HS5085mgs Digital programables. On my T500 I was only using the HS82Mg's but these new digitals seems to be a good choice to test with the CX500 as it will be more precise and has better torque..



The first thing I did was to remove the screws from the frame and add some liquid thread lock. The one I had did not have any on it so its best to check it just to make sure for safety.

After adding the locktite on the screws on the frame and the head and tail cases
I started with the tail case and inserted it to the tail boom. The build was quite simple and straight forward.
I used some twistee to pull in the belt with ease.

After getting the tail case and boom built I removed the tail boom holder from the frame.
This part is kinda tricky. unlike the one from align that you can easily plug in the belt. On the CX500 you will need to split the two sides of the block to get the belt in. Its kinda hard at first but as you get the hang of it, it will be easier.

make sure that you get the belt on the correct orientation so that the rotation on the tail blade should be counter clockwise when looking at it at its front side







as the belt is inserted there is a pin on the tail boom case where the boom slit will have to rest. Make sure it rests correctly so not to damage the boom nor the tail boom holder



After this I started to build the servos on the frame. The kit comes with the inserts used for these kind of servos. If you are to use the futaba 9650/9257 for cyclics or the Hitec HS5245 you wont be needing the inserts included. But for the inserts. Wow CX has included metal ones. The one I have on my TREX were plastic and can easily strip when tighten incorrectly.






so far the build is easy and does not give any problems. One thing is Copter X did not include the servo horns that will fit correctly with these servos. Unlike Align, they included servos horns specific for the HS82/81 and HS85's were in it fill have to fit the link arms slightly bent rearward for correct positioning.

But luckily I got hold of the Hitec Aluminum servos horns used for the HS5085 series. It fits correctly as in specification for servo length.

After 3 hours of building and finishing. The CX500 came to life. The 1600KV motor and 70A ESC are quite big.
although its similar in size with the Align BL500 motor the ESC is a little bigger. It kinda covers 1/4 of the side frame.





on the other side of the heli I added a HV UBEC to power up all my electrics. I have always used a UBEC on all my helis. But for the CX500 it will be a no exemption deal as for 500 class helis tend to have more ESD and lockouts compared to the 450 class. For my T500 I used the Medusa 5 - 7.5A UBEC and for this heli .. its a requirement. Its best to be sure than sorry in the future.



for the other parts well it will be standard. I am using a GY401 /9257 Combo to get the tail hold solid.

Well all comes in standard. I'll have to test it out tomorrow and see if this heli will hold well or can match the T500.
I have a little things to check out as the CX500 seems to be promising but nothing can be sure until its in the air flying.


Got them all ready for test tomorrow.

choppersrule

Soneebee,

Excellent write up on the build of your CX500. Pictures say a lot and it looks like one good looking heli. The head assembly looks awesome. Thanks for taking the time to share your latest project with us.

Let us know how the build goes and her maiden flight.

Dave

Wolfpackin

Dang!
I haven't even had my maiden flight with the CopterX 450 and I'm reading this thread.[:@]

Thanks Soneebee & Hey Dave.

soneebee

Thanks guys.. the heli well flies like the T500.. its stable than the 450.. But I had to replace the blades with better ones.. the stock GF blades kinda made the tracking irregular. I had a hard time getting the tracking spot on.. so I am using some CF blades. It made the heli more stable. better in 3D..

the stock motor is good. it has good power.. I little stronger than the 500L motor of the T500. and it ran cooler.. but still as usual the flight time of this heli is kinda short.

Wolfpackin

Thanks for the update, I'm surprised we haven't seen more people reviewing these.

If the quality on the CX500 is as good as the CX450 then this will be a winner.

Keep the updates coming.
I'd love to see some video, too.

broggyr

Looks like an excellent build. Only one question: Is it my imagination, or is your belt inside-out in the pic below?

soneebee

ah on that photo the belt is not on the correct position.. But when I bolt the tail case on the heli I did the correct the belt...

Heli is a little too powerful.. i am having some problems with the GY401 holding the heli... unlike the T500 this heli seems to have a much stronger motor.. When i was punching the heli it did had good power... the collective responses were quite fast... but the tail kinda slips....

I am still at the point were i want to maintain the strong power of the heli.. but to fix the gyro hold problem...

soneebee

Got My CX500 painted at last.. hehehe.... here it is now

ninja-rhyno

video video please ive ordered one and cant wait

soneebee

ill try to get some once I get the heli up and running...

ninja-rhyno

no video yet soneebee mine still hasnt arrived

ps..... in the second pic of the newly painted canopy are some shoes they're not yours are they

ninja-rhyno

woohoo mine arrived today nice bit of kit, already built just waiting to pick up my 9257 for the tail.
i dont have a seperate bec if i get one (stupid question time) on a 6200 do i just plug the bec into the bat/bind connection

JOHNS3D

My Feedback: (5)

it looks really nice!!! so what do you think about the copter x brand quality, i just ordered the copter x 450 to replace my trex 450X, i cant see my self spending 550 bucks for an heli when i can have it for 162 shipped. I have already the electronics so it will be a great option, i think so...maybe other poeple can think different.

soneebee

have not taken one yet sorry.... I am having problems with my tail. The servo seems to lack authority.. it was slipping.. cannot get the gyro to hold.. and the servo is a 9257 paired with a GY401. Have already replace the gyro and still have the same reactions.. so I guess its the 9257 that having a problem..

hehehe.. the shoes are my wifes... dont think it will fit my big feet..hehehe..

soneebee

wow.. that is good that you got the heli.. its time for the build... hope you get it up and running in no time..
for the UBEC power should be coming from the lipo.. and you will have to plug it the RX to power up the system.. just make sure that you remove the coming from the ESC's bec.. this is the red line. so it will no react with the external UBEC you will be adding

soneebee

well for the past 2 years that I have been testing this heli. Its been doing okay, I have had almost all the small models they came out with.. from the first SE, XL up to the later models and its been getting better as time progress.....

you will have tons of fun with the heli and the quality.. well its more likely to be favorable as it a cheaper upgrade from the one that you have initially

ninja-rhyno

hi soneebee any updates mate, i like this heli ive only had chance to test hover it cos of weather here in uk but its rock solid, (better than a curtern t*** 600 esp with a defective shaft and bearings)

soneebee

hello Ninja...

well I have tried to get the heli in the air. The new set of blades arrived. The new set of blades are the CF blades for the heli. I have replace the tail servo with a 9650 to get more torque for it as my S9257 seems to be lacking the power to push/pull the rudder as I was getting really bad hold.

Well It did lift okay. I had one of my co fliers to get a short video but He still has the copy. Ill try to ask him for a copy. It was really a first good flight but there was a problem that I encountered with the tail pitch slider.. the ball link popped out.. actually the screw holding the ball got cut in flight so the heli went into a fast piro... went into a piro auto.. it was really hard to get the heli to land clean.. as there was no control on the tail..

had most of the parts intact.. but a lot of parts need to be replaced...

dude7422

soneebee dont hold out on us post a link as to where to buy this x500 copter

soneebee

dude you can get the copterX500 from ehirobo.

[link]http://www.ehirobo.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=173_174&products_id=6193[/link]

noobflyer01

how much compatibilty does the copterx 500 have with trex500?

ninja-rhyno

from what i can see its %100 compatable, i stripped the main gear and just fitted the rex 500.
i dont reccomend the copterx esc mine failed after first flight.

noobflyer01

how much does it cost to ship from ehirobo(hong kong?) to united states (florida) for a kit like this?

ninja-rhyno

just go through the order process and it will tell you before you finalise

dude7422

43.01 for the shipping what a rip off imo the heli is 249.00 << good price
some places have free shipping