Complete
BNF Package
Authentic scale looks
Superb Flying Performance
No Assembly Needed
Easy Battery Access
Protective Carry Box
No Bad Habits
Wing
Loading is Not for Beginners
E-flite
BEAST BNF
The
Ultra
Micro eXtreme (UMX) Beast® is a small-scale recreation
of one of the most awe inspiring airplanes on the airshow circuit
today. Designed by aerobatic world champion Quique Somenzini,
it delivers high-powered aerobatic excitement that will put a
grin on the face of any intermediate to experienced RC pilot.
At
the heart of its phenomenal performance is a brushless motor,
propeller and battery combination that delivers a spine-tingling
thrust-to-weight ratio. This incredible power output, combined
with its well-balanced controls and carbon reinforced wing, allow
the UMX™ Beast to achieve a level of precision and performance
that has more in common with its giant-scale Hangar 9® twin
than any other ultra micro.
The
UMX Beast BNF comes completely assembled with a BL180 brushless
outrunner motor and Spektrum AR6400LBL Ultra Micro DSM2 Receiver/BL
ESC installed. Built-in long-throw servos on the AR6400LBL drive
the elevator and rudder while two independent Spektrum AS2000L
long-throw ultra micro servos drive the ailerons. A 2-cell, 7.4V,
120mAh, 20C Li-Po battery and DC Li-Po charger are also included.
The
only component needed to complete this BNF package is a 4-channel
DSM2 transmitter with dual rates and exponential programming.
Specifications:
Wingspan: 14.7 in (374mm)
Overall
Length: 15.7 in (400mm)
Wing
Area: 83.8 sq in (5.40 sq dm)
Flying
Weight: 2.36 oz (67g)
Motor
Size: 180BL Brushless Outrunner, 2300Kv (included)
Charger:
Celectra 2S 7.4V DC Li-Po Charger (included)
Key
Features:
Flies with the feeling of a larger scale aerobatic plane
Completely
built and flight ready – just bind to any DSM2 aircraft
transmitter with dual rates and expo
Equipped
with a brushless 180 outrunner motor
Small
enough for experienced pilots to fly in the backyard
Includes
2S Li-Po flight battery and DC Li-Po charger
In
the Box:
The
UMX Beast comes fully assembled and well protected in its box. The box
can be used to store the plane in for travel or safe keeping. I didn't
see any manual so the only other items were the Celectra 2-cell Balancing
Charger, DC supply clip leads and a 2s 120mAh LiPo flight battery. The
manual is on-line at Horizon Hobby here.
The
biplane is beautifully designed and finished. The flying wires, tail
surfaces, and control wires were all assembled perfectly. A key area
that makes this design different from previous E-flite and ParkZone
micro BNF models is the brushless motor that runs on a 2-cell LiPo pack.
The
Spektrum AR6400LBL
6-channel ultra micro receiver comes with two integrated linear long
throw servos and a programmable brushless speed control. It also features
X-Port™ and DSM2 technology. The AR6400LBL is compatible with all
Spektrum, JR, E-flite and ParkZone 2.4GHz DSM2 technology transmitters.
A
few shots from underneath the plane reveal how the linkages work. The
E-flite UMX Beast even has a steerable tailwheel!
The
top portion of the cowl is held in place by several magnets and conveniently
removes to access the battery bay.
I
didn't have an adapter for the JST-SHR (1.0mm) battery connector so
I used the supplied Celectra 2S 7.4V DC Li-Po Charger. It connects to
any 12v DC supply and charges the 2-cell LiPo pack with a single button
press.
The
LED lights act as follows:
Green Blinking - Power and battery are
connected
Red Blinking - Charging
Red and Green Blinking - Balancing
Solid Green - Full charge
Both LEDs Flashing Rapidly - Error
Test Flying
/ Summary
After
binding the model to my JR 9505 transmitter, I set all the control
surfaces to 100% throw and 50% exponential. I then tested the
UMX Beast over grass, for safety, in the school soccer field.
After giving it a light toss, it needed no trim adjustments
to allow it to perform aerobatics or hover in place. My first
impressions were that it had awesome power and agility!
The
video of the UMX Beast shows just how versatile this little
micro aerobat really is. It can be flown in small spaces even
with some wind. Although the wing loading requires intermediate
to advanced piloting skills, it is truly an impressive micro-flyer!
When
landing in grass, it was a bit hot so I broke one of the wheel
pants. I didn't have any foam-safe CA with me so I repaired
it with a small piece of servo tape. The second flight was off
pavement in a school parking lot. The steerable tailwheel worked
very well and added scale functionality to its realistic looks.
For
more docile flying, the recommended low rates in the manual
are probably best used by intermediate skilled pilots. The UMX
Beast is not meant for the beginner pilot so I have skipped
over the basic maneuvers. That being said, the control surfaces
offer excellent authority even when the plane is flying slower
or as a sport flyer. Further, just about every sub-part is available
separately.
Although
I didn't find any bad characteristics when flying the UMX Beast,
and it did feel like flying a larger plane, I felt the wing
loading was a bit high so I would not recommend it for small
indoor areas. The power system was so awesome that perhaps the
model could have been a little larger without losing any of
its maneuvering capability. It is also more durable than it
looks so intermediate pilots should be successful when flying
over grass. The construction quality, appearance, and performance
of the model is top-notch so it deserves a thumbs up for experienced
pilots!
E-flite
Models
Distributed Exclusively in the U.S.A. by:
Horizon Hobby, Inc
4105 Fieldstone Road
Champaign, IL 61822
Ph: (800) 338-4639
Toll Free: (800) 338-4639
Fax: (217) 352-6799
Website: www.horizonhobby.com
Comments on RCU Review: E-Flite Ultra Micro eXtreme (UMX) Beast®
The comments, observations and conclusions made in this review are solely with respect to the particular item the editor reviewed and may not apply generally to similar products by the manufacturer. We cannot be responsible for any manufacturer defects in workmanship or other deficiencies in products like the one featured in the review.
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