ORIGINAL: alfredbmor
It looks to me that the Blade 400 has not filled the needs of the Heli fliers, let's start with those who think that this bird needs some upgrades.
Stock price around 480 dlls.
1.- Stripped servos in a mild crash, you may want to upgrade to hitec (100 dlls for 4 servos)
2.- Needs Better blades (You will need to upgrade to align blades at 16.00 dlls.
3.- Some want to upgrade to a Better gyro (Futaba gyro for 139.00 dlls)
4.- Some want to upgrade to a better Radio (DX7) (Around 350 dlls)
How much money do you have to invest to perform all those upgrades?
total investment: $1,085.00 dlls and still you have a plastic made mini helicopter.
Isn't it much easier if you buy a Trex SA (240 dlls at Horizon Hobby or less at ebay)
Buy Hitec servos 100 dlls aprox.
Futaba 401 Gyro (140 dlls) and a DX7 (around 350 dlls)
and a 2170 Flight Power battery (75.00 dlls)
Total invested $905.00
You do not need more upgrades and flies much better and stable than the E-flite blade 400.
Well that is just for thinking.
No, this is not meant to be a T-rex. Most people are going to buy the Blade 400 and fly it for a long while stock and get their money's worth out of it. It is a RTF helicopter for darn's sake. It isn't meant to be the best performing helicopter out there. Ya know what as a T-rex owner and a Blade 400 owner I have to say that each is aimed to do a different task. It is hands down good value I sure as hell know I could not put together a T-rex with a 2.4 radio for 500 bucks (less if you shop around)