Warning about co-ax heli design limitation - Megatech skirts the issue

Warning about co-ax heli design limitation - Megatech skirts the issue
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >> RC Helicopters >> Electric RC Helis >> Warning about co-ax heli design limitation - Megatech skirts the issue

Page: [1] 2 3 next > >>

Login

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

Warning about co-ax heli design limitation - Megatech s... - 1/18/2006 9:44:43 PM

combatman

Posts: 213
Joined: 12/23/2002
From: Palmyra, NJ, USA
Status: offline

Hey guys,

A short while ago, I had posted my positive experiences with the Megatech Horsefly. It helped me learn to hover in all orientations very quickly. One calm day, I decided to take it outside for some less restricted flying. I attempted fast forward flight. Well, the blades and flybar all collided with one another, causing the blades to shatter, the flybar to break off and disappear, and the heli to crash. The crash cracked the canopy and broke the landing gear/battery box in 7 places.

I called Megatech to complain about what happened. When I told Felix Santana of Megatech about this, he replied "Yeah, that will happen. This is a hover only machine". I told him that there is no warning in the instructions about this happening, and he replied again with "This is a hover only machine". I told him that I felt that Megatech should be responsible for providing the replacement parts, since there was no mention of this potentially destructive design limitation anywhere. Felix said he would only help me get the parts, but that I would have to pay for them.

I then wrote an e-mail reiterating my contention, which is that since Megatech was aware of this problem, they should provide the parts to me, free of charge. I further suggested that they add a warning, either to the instructions, or include a slip of paper in the box, stating that fast forward flight could cause the blades and flybar to collide, and result in a crash. After all, there are warnings about using only their battery, and their charger, and there IS a slip of paper in the box showing proper blade replacement. Why not something about fast forward flight??

This was their response to my e-mail:

"Read the current review in Model airplane news! It
states that this is on of the best Helis to teach
hovering and improve hovewring skills."

Clearly, Megatech skirted the issue I raised. I never implied that the heli was a bad hovering ship. I consider that response to be pathetic, and unacceptable. I'd be embarassed to write something so brief, and irrelevant to the issue at hand.

Why couldn't they warn the consumer of this problem too? Are we supposed to know that fast forward flight is not possible with a coax heli? Of course not.

While many people charged that the Horsefly is a piece of crap, I disagree. I enjoyed flying it, and found it to be a good product. But, I now support the notion that Megatech is a piece of crap company by ignoring my complaints/suggestions.

Shame on them!

Post #: 1

RE: Warning about co-ax heli design limitation - Megat... - 1/18/2006 9:53:52 PM

exeter_acres

Posts: 6067
Joined: 9/22/2004
From: Johns Creek, GA, USA
Status: offline

a tiny bit of research would find that Megatech is refered to by many other names... Megaflop being one of the few that I can actually type here....

_____________________________

I would like to earn your vote for IMAC Southeast Regional Director

(in reply to combatman)

Post #: 2

RE: Warning about co-ax heli design limitation - Megat... - 1/18/2006 10:36:38 PM

hellomynameisdookie

Posts: 737
Joined: 5/11/2004
From: Charlotte, NC, USA
Status: offline

MEGACRAP.

I was once given a gift that was made my Megaripoff, I'm sure glad I didn't have to pay for it.

Megajunk makes cheap toys, I'll never buy anything from that company.

(in reply to exeter_acres)

Post #: 3

RE: Warning about co-ax heli design limitation - Megat... - 1/18/2006 11:07:41 PM

Dave ESPI

Posts: 1556
Joined: 11/30/2005
From: Latham, NY, USA
Status: offline

yeah I saw that Heli int he store. I recognised said issues with it, and passed on getting one since it was just a hover craft.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz B O R E - I N G !

You should consult the Board of Consumer affairs or the "B.B.B." with a complaint. I'm sure some stink like this is BAD of public image of them.

Becides, what the hell is 4.00 in parts to them versus a happy customer or a bunch of sour grapes ?

MESSAGE TO MEGASUCK COMPANY: HEY ARSE MAN !.... GIVE HIM AN EXTRA PICKLE ON HIS PLATE ! !

< Message edited by Dave ESPI -- 1/18/2006 11:08:41 PM >

_____________________________

HIROBO SRB QUARK = Heli of the year. Seriously; if you hate always fixing your helicopters, you will LOVE this one !

(in reply to hellomynameisdookie)

Post #: 4

RE: Warning about co-ax heli design limitation - Megat... - 1/19/2006 1:16:45 AM

exeter_acres

Posts: 6067
Joined: 9/22/2004
From: Johns Creek, GA, USA
Status: offline

remember though...that none of the Co-axials are designed for barely anything more than tame flying....

if you take a Hirobo Lama and give it quick inputs, you can easily get the upper and lower blades to hit.....

they are just not made for it...

_____________________________

I would like to earn your vote for IMAC Southeast Regional Director

(in reply to Dave ESPI)

Post #: 5

RE: Warning about co-ax heli design limitation - Megat... - 1/19/2006 1:29:39 AM

hellomynameisdookie

Posts: 737
Joined: 5/11/2004
From: Charlotte, NC, USA
Status: offline

I run the piss out of my CX and my blades NEVER touch, but they aren't foam either. The CX handles hard cyclic changes well. It's extremely stable (as it's supposed to be).

(in reply to exeter_acres)

Post #: 6

RE: Warning about co-ax heli design limitation - Megat... - 1/19/2006 1:53:05 AM

WhtBronco

Posts: 2084
Joined: 10/3/2002
From: Winchester, VA, USA
Status: offline

hellomynameisdookie I beg to differ. I bought a Blade CX to play with in the office after flying my buddies and havin a lot of fun with it inside. The other night I was doing backwards figure 8's, quick and tight. I noticed that it appeared the 2 sets of main blades almost touched. So I landed and found nothing. I ot back to doing htem again a few minutes later and wham! the blades hit, launching the flybar and causing the heli to do the funky chicken in the air. It was really quite funny to watch. The good news is it only broke the upper main blades, only 1 of them at that, and the inner main shaft. Of course I had to straighten the flybar as well.

I have done full speed, which is not fast, forward sideways and backward flight outside with no problems. However, I think what happened was that as you near the corner of the Tx gimble the blades get too close. You can push the CX to the limit, but ony on 1 of the cyclic controls at a time.

The LHS has sold hundreds of CX's and has not heard of this before and they regularly fly their's backwards so who knows, but I don't think mine is special. My buddy said I could not try to duplicate it on his, go figure.

_____________________________

Chris
Wish I was flyin'!

(in reply to hellomynameisdookie)

Post #: 7

RE: Warning about co-ax heli design limitation - Megat... - 1/19/2006 1:57:21 AM

hellomynameisdookie

Posts: 737
Joined: 5/11/2004
From: Charlotte, NC, USA
Status: offline

Wow, I've never heard of that either. I bet that was a sight to see!

I've intentionally tried to push the CX's limits on hard control inputs but have never had that happen. Anything is possible!

(in reply to WhtBronco)

Post #: 8

RE: Warning about co-ax heli design limitation - Megat... - 1/19/2006 4:21:01 AM

combatman

Posts: 213
Joined: 12/23/2002
From: Palmyra, NJ, USA
Status: offline

Exeter-acres,

Remember that the coax helis are designed for tame flying? Can you tell me where this is stated in the manual? Megatech made the same ridiculous claim. Are the consumers supposed to know this intuitively? For example, are we all supposed to know that Li-poly batteries can explode if not properly charged? No, that is why there are warnings included with batteries, and aircraft that are provided with them.

Manufacturers should not make assumptions that consumers are aware of all potential hazards/design limitations. The fact that Megatech new of this problem, yet chose not to disclose it, indicates they perceived a potential money maker in that they figured people would crash attempting fast flight and need to purchase repair parts.

Shame on Megatech! I will consult with the Better Business Bureau and/or the Board of Consumer Affairs to see if I can change things a bit, and frustrate Megatech as they did me.

(in reply to exeter_acres)

Post #: 9

RE: Warning about co-ax heli design limitation - Megat... - 1/19/2006 5:30:23 AM

blairg

Posts: 22
Joined: 12/14/2005
From: ALBANY, GA, USA
Status: offline

i just sold a hirobo skyrobo and it had foam blades and didnt mess up going fast forward i think it is a megatech problem im glad i read this however my son was just flying his blade cx and it done the same thing as described the flybar flew off and it fell like a rock broke the body and blades

(in reply to combatman)

Post #: 10

RE: Warning about co-ax heli design limitation - Megat... - 1/19/2006 12:36:52 PM

WhtBronco

Posts: 2084
Joined: 10/3/2002
From: Winchester, VA, USA
Status: offline

I have seen the Blade CX launch the flybar several times, but this was the first time I had seen the blade sets contact each other.

FWIW, both the time I saw them close and the time they hit I was just about all the way through the turn of the figure 8 in BF and about to enter the straight leg. I have flown it backwards a lot and it looks like it only happens when I pull a really tight turn, for the CX it's tight, and hold it for a bit.

_____________________________

Chris
Wish I was flyin'!

(in reply to blairg)

Post #: 11

RE: Warning about co-ax heli design limitation - Megat... - 1/19/2006 12:56:20 PM

exeter_acres

Posts: 6067
Joined: 9/22/2004
From: Johns Creek, GA, USA
Status: offline

and we wonder why things are so freaking expensive.... noone is ever responsible for there own actions...

I just looked at the package of some Robart Pin hinges... nowhere did it tell me that I an't put them up my nose...
I'm going to demand new ones.....

_____________________________

I would like to earn your vote for IMAC Southeast Regional Director

(in reply to WhtBronco)

Post #: 12

RE: Warning about co-ax heli design limitation - Megat... - 1/19/2006 3:10:35 PM

combatman

Posts: 213
Joined: 12/23/2002
From: Palmyra, NJ, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: exeter_acres

and we wonder why things are so freaking expensive.... noone is ever responsible for there own actions...

I just looked at the package of some Robart Pin hinges... nowhere did it tell me that I an't put them up my nose...
I'm going to demand new ones.....

I think most people would know not to put Robart pin hinges up their nose. But would most people know not to attempt fast forward flight with a coax heli? Just see the above posts. Several people have attempted it, but not necessarily out of reckless abandon. Such a thing is not intuitively obvious (whereas avoiding snorting Robarts is).

Exeteracres, since you seem to know something about coax helis, why don't you explain why fast forward flight with a coax results with the blades touching, or colliding? I really would like to know, and perhaps others would too. The manufacturers won't say.

(in reply to exeter_acres)

Post #: 13

RE: Warning about co-ax heli design limitation - Megat... - 1/19/2006 3:32:42 PM

OttoNP

Posts: 142
Joined: 1/9/2006
From: , MI, USA
Status: offline

I agree that people need to take more responsibility....if you push anything past its design limits, bad things will happen. I know it feels horrible to damage your stuff and you want to blame others, but do you really expect a detailed outline of all the maneuvers? At some point they have to trust pilots to realize the limitiation of the design. If consumers keep pushing the issue, what we'll get is a list like:

If you fly into a wall it may damage your heli
If you fly with enough g force, gamage may occur
If you dog bites the heli, damage will occur...
....
...

Which no one would read anyhow, since a lot of people don't read manuals.

Also, this is a problem with co-ax heli's because the cyclic usually only effects one blade while the other isn't. If both blades pitch the same, it wouldn't be a problem (or if they have enough separation).

_____________________________

Colorado Rocks Test Pilot - http://bladecp.corocks.com/

(in reply to combatman)

Post #: 14

RE: Warning about co-ax heli design limitation - Megat... - 1/19/2006 3:42:10 PM

exeter_acres

Posts: 6067
Joined: 9/22/2004
From: Johns Creek, GA, USA
Status: offline