I've been running my CX2 with Xtreme 180 motors (carbon bushes and stock batteries) for about 2 months and I'm happy with them - not a huge power increase but enough to improve flight characteristics – seems smoother!

I’ve also fitted the Extreme core a week ago and I must say it’s the best upgrade I’ve done – my heli is now quieter, more responsive and I haven’t come close to a blade strike. The blades are also pretty tough - I clipped the coffee table last night and the blade took a chunk out of the table!

I chose the Extreme core over aluminium blade grips for a couple of reasons – firstly value, the Extreme core worked out cheaper than the aluminium blade grips plus you also get longer inner and outer shafts, bearings, and a bunch of other stuff. Secondly, (I’m not sure if this is right but) to keep the weight down – correct me if I’m wrong.

I’ve heard allot of bad things about Extreme products but in my experience with the extreme core I’m very happy. Ok, it maybe made-up of components that I could have sourced cheaper if I shopped around and bought each individually but how much would you really save?! Personally I’m willing to pay a little extra for the convenience and the peace of mind that you are getting all the correct bits in one package.

I’m not defending Extreme or saying what they are doing is right and I have no experience with other extreme products so I can’t pass judgment. But I would say half the business in the world work on the same principle – Car manufactures, supermarkets, clothing retailers, even RC manufactures will buy products and sell them under there own name at a marked-up prices.

Take the Blade CX2 from E-flite for example; it comes with a Spektrum transmitter. Even if they are sister/parent companies, E-flite will still have to buy the transmitters in and I would be very surprised if E-flite doesn’t take the opportunity to add a little something before selling it on! – That’s just business.

Sorry for the rant!

This is just my opinion – please correct me if I am wrong!