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gboulton -> RE: Blade 400 vs Trex (3/26/2008 2:32:30 PM)
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I have flown both quite a bit, and own the Blade 400.
IMO, the answer to your question lies in "What are your skills, and why will you be flying?"
If you are an "new/beginner" pilot, no question at all, the Blade is the way to go. You simply can NOT get a T-Rex flying (and a DX6i to fly it) for the $500 price tag of the Blade. And, to be honest, even a casual "average flyer...one who is able to perform forward flight and limited aerobatics...will simply, ime, not be able to tell the difference between a Blade 400 and an "inexpensively" built T-Rex. Sure as HECK if you're just learning to hover and transition to nose in, you won't.
Now...having said all of that, there's NO QUESTION that, as your skills improve, you'll begin being able to see some differences between a WELL BUILT (and, thus, pricier) T-Rex and a 400. Find yourself an $800+ T-Rex, and you'll note that it's a bit more 'solid' in all types of flight. You, however, will need to be skilled enough to take advantage of that, or the difference will never be notable.
It's absolutely true that SOME components of the stock Blade 400 are of less quality than those typically used by T-Rex builders. You will, however, find that IN A CORRECTLY SET UP HELI, these will make little/no difference to the beginner pilot, and can, of course, be upgraded for what is, essentially, a wash in price. (Figure you'll pay the same cost for Gyro XYZ as a T-Rex owner would)
The inclusion of the DX6i radio is also a factor. Do you own other aircraft on 72mhz? if so, the Blade 400 is an excellent choice, since you can convert a majority (if not all) of your "fleet" to 2.4ghz now (presuming, of course, you wish to move away from 72mhz. If not, the radio is a wash) It's quite a capable system, and I've seen it flying anything from large gas powered aerobats to other blades to a few T-Rex's even. :)
One final thing to consider:
There's almost no doubt that, at SOME point, "hop ups" or upgraded components (CNC parts for the head assembly, more CF stuff, etc) will become available for the Blade 400. My own personal opinion is that, with such equipment, you'll be able to build the 2 helicopters so as to be indistinguishable from one another in the air. Of course, the "negative" here (from the Blade's point of view) is that A) They're not available yet (at least in any real quantities) and there's not much knowing when they will be and B) At that point, your price difference will have shrunk considerably.
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So, bottom line. If you'd like a heli IDEAL for growing your fleet and your skills...and one that can do anything you can NOW, and will be able to down the road...buy the Blade.
If, on the other hand, your skills are ready, and you want a high dollar precision heli that can reward a gifted pilot, and has parts/support/community available now, buy a T-Rex.
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