rm25x

So gf got me a Blade CX2 for christmas, I like it and have been flying it a lot, but want something 3D capible next. For Valentines day, she is getting me Real Flight 4 so I can practice on that. The LHS carries the E-Flite stuff mostly and have a Blade 400 in stock, but in the back corner he has a T-REX 450SA ARF combo with the esc/motor for $269. Am I better off going that route? Looking at all the different T-Rex 450 models, it gets confusing. I am not sure what version is best for a beginner. I don't plan on actually flying it for a few months, just want to start getting everything together for it. Thanks in advance.

condair

Here's my story
I bought my dad a Blade CP plus for Christmas. We are both real pilots and he has always wanted is roto rating. I thought this would light some fire in him. We fired it up and began to learn. I noticed that with the electric motor for rudder control it was lazy. never really flew good, but we also never flew a heli before.

SO! I looked into it and i bought a Blade 400 and learned to fly, (hover and not crash) still learning to move it around though. I have always liked the TREX 450 series so i bought the 450 SA ARF kit with the motor and ESC. I added DS285 servos, GY401 gyro and asked many questions here. I flew it for the first time 2 days ago and it isnt even fair to compare it to the Blade 400. The 450 is so stable and smooth it is scary. I wish i had gone this route in the first place and parts for the TREX are everywhere. I did get a pretty good radio out of the blade and i still fly it but the 450 is a machine and the 400 is a good toy.

Make sense.

rm25x

Thanks thats what I wanted to hear.

lookyj

go with the TREX 450SA I think you will be much happier in the long run.


I love the TREX! but be carefull all TREX's are NOT CREATED EQUAL. There are also several different ways to set up the heli.

dooleyje

I have a SA and love it. Shop around. you can get for about $199 with motor and ESC. $269 is a little high now. Don't get at EBay though. Main Hobbies, My Hobbies are a couple to check
out.

Jim

rm25x

Hmm, $239 is the cheapest I can find it with the motor and esc. Everything I find for $199 doesn't include those.

Georges Payne

You won't regret the 450SA. I have one and love it.

n3m3515

rm25x
Check out myrcsupply.com I got a 450sa from them awhile back for $189 and it included motor and esc..

N3M3515

quattro1975

interesting comments. i'm looking at the se v2...but i'm having a hard time justifying the $1000 for the whole kit with tx. i'm selling my first heli(blade cx) and saving funds for the next one. should i hold out for the se v2 or can i get away with sa ? btw...when can i meet you gf?LOL.
quattro

rm25x

Wow yeah still have it for that price, and $16 shipping. Its ordered.

Now, what would you set it up with for electronics for a beginner?

goldslinger

Well, a DX-7 is a one time purchase You can program 20 Different models of Your choosing.

The SEV2 is all aluminum and C.F. that You might want to upgrade to anyway in the future for strength, etc.
so I guess if You look at it both ways.

The individual upgrades may cost more than just biting the bullet and go to the top, IMO

That's what I did, anyway.

Gary

dooleyje

See we saved you some money so you can get some HS65 servoes and may be a 9257 tail servo to use with the 5V 35g ESC. That's my set up works great. Get a 401 gyro or Log tech 2100. Also a 2.4 radio such as the dX7 or Futaba or JR 2.4.

Jim

n3m3515

I have the SA with HS65HB (karbonite gears) and haven't had a problem yet. And yes, I've had some crashes.. Nothing over 10ft, but some during FF at that height.
As far as tail, I use a TeleBee gyro (Align 500x knockoff) and a GWS Naro HP/STD servo.
Gyro is a HeadHolding Dual Rate one. Haven't had a problem with my tail yet, but I'm not doing 3D. I'm more of a sport flyer.

My radio is an old JR X347 radio with CCPM enabled in the service menu.
Kinda nice when I bought a top of the line 16 years ago and it still supports today's helis.
It not a 2.4 gHz setup, but it is PCM. Personally, I don't see the big deal with 2.4gig other than the frequency issue when flying with others
but most if not all of the modern FM based (FM/PPM/PCM) all have selectable channels.
So long as you don't put the antenna near the motor and ESC, you shouldn't have any glitching problems, even with a base loaded.

Guess I'm just old school..

N3M3515

rm25x

Thanks for the help. Yeah that was a good deal, gives me $80 to spend on other things over the LHS. Good thing is that it will be months before I will be able to fly it, so lots of time to get the rest of the electronics. Going to pick up Real Flight 4 tomorrow. to practice.
Reading on gyros, and now my head is spinning. Is it worth spending the extra for a 401 over say a Align Head Lock Gyro RCE-550?
I plan on going with a 2.4 radio, just torn between which one. Haven't even thought of servos yet.

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

Dx7
HS65mg servos
401/9650 gyro

I use Flight Power 2500 Evo Lite batteries

Skarn

Bingo...that's the standard.

Also, you might want to check out the Phoenix Sim. I haven't tried it yet personally, but a ton of the veterans recommend it over Real Flight when it comes to Heli's.

Skarn

rm25x

Well Real Flight 4 is in route, $168 from tower to my door.

The DX7 I am kinda gun shy on, I have had bad luck with their 3 channel car stuff. What about the Futaba 2.4 stuff?

Hitec servos are fine, I see in the mags now, they offer a package with a gyro and 4 servos now, both a sport and pro version. What about their gyros?

Thanks again for all the advise. Also my wallet thanks you lol.

rm25x

Well I am like a kid at christmas, both my Real Flight G4 and the T-Rex arrived today.

n3m3515

rm25x,
a few hints...
1) Check your tail belt.. mine was too tight and broke the shaft on the tail drive gear (the one connected to the main gear).
The deflection test they show in the manual should be with LITTLE pressure. I use the 1.5mm to test it and it should not take too much pressure.
Some, yes, but not enough to flex the metal of the allen wrench.
2) Replace the existing drive gear (mentioned above) with the replacement one that has the small metal pinion.
The plastic one is made of two pieces and the top came off within 10 flights and threw the belt off, resulting in a "puckering" emergency landing
and a destroyed tail belt.
The align part# is HS1216-84. I also changed out my tail rotor shaft (tail end) with HS1203 (metal gear pinion, not plastic).
3) If your putting together a parts order, HS1200 is a good investment.
4) Don't be tempted to replace plastic head parts with metal until you can fly around without training gear. The plastic will break, but will save other parts.

Good luck and congrats on the new toy..er machine..

N3M3515

rm25x

Thanks for the tips, will be a few months out before I am ready to fly it, so I will have plenty of time to get it all set up.

Your talking about...

[link=http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=AGNH1273B]Tail Drive Gear/Metal Pulley Assembly[/link]

and

[link=http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=AGNH1240]Tail Rotor Shaft (3) and Metal Drive Pulley [/link]

right?

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

Did you read this ... http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=923

condair

I have been flying my 450 ARF kit for a few weeks now. i upgraded the tail assembly to all metal. i could feel a difference and its stronger. I also upgraded the washout control arms to metal. i left the blade grips as plastic.

The only thing i would recommend from the get go are the bump proof landing skids or the gorilla gear skids. its only in the 60's here but 2 slightly hard landings and they broke. actually i have broke 2 sets and the landings really werent hard at all.

rm25x

No I didn't, thanks for the link.

rm25x

Thanks, will look into those.

[email protected]

i upgraded the Tail Drive Gear/ Metal Pulley Assembly but how do you fix the metal gear to the shaft it has no slots for a set screw what is up with that