RCUniverse.com Review of the HeliMax Axe 100 CP Tx-R
Available
in RTF and Tx-R versions
No
Assembly
Flybarless
CP head
Ships
with Two batteries
Nice
wrap around canopy
Durable
Would
benefit from a more powerful motor.
Its
no secret that flybarless helis have almost but taken over the flying
fields in the recent years. The Axe 100 CP is a new entry from Heli-Max
which offers a flybarless collective pitch head and promises 3D capable
performance in a small package.
The
Axe 100 CP is available as an RTF (including transmitter) or Tx-R
versions. The Tx-R version utilizes the AnyLink system which has been
very popular recently allowing for the modeler to use their favorite
transmitter to control the Axe 100 CP.
The Flybarless head on
the Axe 100 CP is controlled by an integrated triple-axis gyro
system which promises stability and performance in varying conditions
that range from indoor flight to outdoor conditions in light winds. So
lets take a quick look at a Tx-R version of the Axe 100 CP and see how
it performs,
The Tx-R
version of the AXE 100 CP arrives in a very small and nicely decorated
box.
What
you get with the Tx-R version, is the Axe 100 CP heli, two batteries, a
charger, some spare parts (blades, linkages) and a small screw driver.
I really
like the yellow color scheme with the nice wrap around style canopy.
Heli-Max Axe 100 CP
Price: $159.98 (Tx-R) $199.98 (RTF)
Key
Features
TAGS
(Triple Axis Gyro Stabilization)
Installed
receiver, motor, ESC & Servos
(2)
3.7V 200mAh LiPo Batteries
AC
LiPo Charger
Spare
main blades, linkages and tail rotor plus
screwdriver.
Overview
The
features that make the Axe 100 CP a superior
aerobat are also the ones that make it one
of the most innovative helis available.
A flybarless, collective pitch head gives
it a wide performance range, making it easy
to maneuver and control in the smallest
of spaces. The triple-axis gyro system offers
pilots protection from outside forces and
adds confidence-boosting stability.
Both
the RTF and Tx-R versions also feature SLT
compatibility, as well as two LiPo flight
packs, a charger and other extras.
Specs
Rotor
Diameter:
9.5
in (241 mm)
RTF
Weight w/bat:
1.6
oz (46 g)
Length:
9.5
in (241 mm)
Included
in the spare parts bag is a set of blades, two flybar linkages and a
tail rotor. A small screw driver is provided as most of the bolts on
the Axe 100 CP are Philips head type. A wall charger and two
batteries are provided. An adapter is provided to connect the battery
leads to the JST connector that is available on the charger. The canopy
is held in place with two very small grommets. A touch of CA on these
grommets will make sure you do not have to search for them fi they ever
come off as you remove the canopy.
The triple-axis
gyro system along with they AnyLink?
receiver are all integrated in a small circuit
board placed in the nose of the helicopter. The
motor sits off to one side and has a direct connection
to the main gear. One of the main features of
the Axe 100 CP is that it has actual servos in
to drive the swash plate. The connections from
the servos to the swash are direct links. The
swash plate is connected to the main grips with
two linkages which resemble direct flight control
systems that are popular in larger helis. The
swash plate has two settings for adjusting the
sensitivity of the Axe 100 CP. I tried both and
seemed to like the shorter arms better for outdoor
flying. The battery is inserted in a small slot
in the nose of the heli and held in place with
friction. I did not have any issues with the battery
sliding out during flight which was pleasing.
Tactic
AnyLink Adapter
A
transmitter alone can only
do so much. But a transmitter
with AnyLink? can do
wonders. It's so revolutionary
that a patent is already pending,
and so simple to use that
it takes only seconds to add.
Yet, once it?s installed,
your transmitter will be able
to fly:
All
Tx-R? (Transmitter-Ready?)
airplanes;
Most
electric aircraft equipped
with a 2.4GHz SLT?
receiver.
But
that?s not the only amazing
thing about AnyLink. Here are
three more:
AnyLink
works with virtually any
transmitter, regardless
of brand, band or modulation.
AnyLink
enables your transmitter
to send out a true, 2.4GHz
signal ? and operate
with all of the interference-free
dependability of a frequency-hopping,
spread-spectrum system.
AnyLink
offers all of the convenience,
versatility and benefits
listed above for far less
than the cost of a new 2.4GHz
radio system.
The
Axe 100 CP Tx-R will require an AnyLink?
enabled Transmitter. I used my Futaba 8FGS
transmitter with the module neatly secured
to the back.
The
Axe 100 CP requires a single servo swash type.
I setup the recommended ranges in the manual
and had to reverse the throttle channel.
Getting
the Axe 100 CP ready for flight is very easy. Using a Futaba 8FGS, I
selected a new heli model with single servo setup. I followed the
manual to set the endpoints for the AIL and ELE channels and the gyro
sensitivity. After charging the batteries I was ready for my first
hover which I can say went without a hitch.
Installing
the battery and spooling up the main blades in normal mode, I was
easily able to lift the Axe 100 CP in a stable hover. I played around
with the Axe 100 CP a bit to get familiar with the cyclic
responsiveness and was pleased to find that the Axe 100 CP is quite
quick on the cyclic. If this is your first CP heli, you may want to
turn down your endpoints till you get adjusted to the cyclic controls.
I flew some simple upright maneuvers like pirouettes, tail in circles
and simple funnels to find that the tail control was on spot and did
not let go at all. The Axe 100 CP felt like a larger machine and did
not exhibit the small twitchy characteristics of a smaller heli.
After
getting a bit more comfortable with the reaction of the Axe 100 CP in
normal mode, I switched to IDLE1 mode and attempted my first
roll
to an inverted hover which went quite well. I noticed that the Axe 100
CP is quick on the cyclic but could benefit from some additional power.
As you increase the collective to start a roll or a flip, the head
speed does drop and requires some collective management to complete the
maneuver in an acceptable fashion. More power demanding maneuvers such
as tic-tocs are unfortunately possible as the head speed is
simply not there. Having said that rolls,flips, funnels and
piro-flips are all possible with some careful inputs to the collective
to prevent bogging.
Two of
my favorite moves that I could perform with the Axe 100 CP are where you roll the Axe 100 CP inverted and land on the
ceiling and scraping the blades on the ground while inverted. The Axe
100 CP is so light that when you start scraping the blades on smooth
surfaces like tile, you can get away without going any damage to the
blades and even land inverted.
When
it comes to durability, the Axe 100 CP would rank very high amongst any
of the smaller helis that I have had the opportunity to test. On more
than one occasion, I have made contact with walls, tables, lamps, and
the ground and in most cases, I was able to pick the Axe 100 CP back up
and continue flying without any damage. On harder crashes, I broke the
tail boom and one of the flybar connecting rods but nothing
that
could not be fixed easily with the availability of replacement parts.
Flight
time is about 3:30 minutes with the majority of the power being
available in the first few minutes. Having two batteries helps but I
would recommend getting a few more batteries and parallel charging them
to keep the fun going.
Heli-Max
Axe 100 CP
The
Axe 100 CP is a solid micro heli that can be enjoyed both indoors and
outdoors. The level of performance that is provided with the flybarless
head and the T.A.G.S. will allow for a wide range of sport and 3D
maneuvers to be performed comfortably. While I am not crazy about motor
driven tail systems on any of my helicopters, I did not have any issues
with the tail of the Axe 100 CP failing to provide a locked in feel
through the range of maneuvers such as funnels, mini hurricanes and
piro-flips that I was able to throw at it.
The
flight time of the Axe 100 CP with the provided battery is a bit on the
low side but approaching the average of 4 minute flights that are
available in other offerings of this size. However, the Axe 100 CP does
ship with two batteries which will help keep you in the air longer. I
was pleased to find that the Axe 100 CP ships with actual servos and
that replacement parts were inexpensive and in stock.
The
durability of the Axe 100 CP should make it a great candidate
for advancing pilots as their first CP heli while the
performance that the flybarless head and T.A.G.S. provides
should satisfy
the demands of more advanced pilots. If you are looking for a micro
heli, make sure the Axe 100 CP is on your list.
Distributed
by:
Great Planes Model Distributors
P.O. Box 9021
Champaign, IL 61826-9021 www.helimax-rc.com
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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