RE: What did I screw up on my axe?
That's too bad your willing to give up on the heli-hobby, there are alternatives to the $90 Helimax 3in1. You could go separates (3 individual componets, Main ESC, Tail ESC & HH Gyro).
I did this upgrade on my buddy's BCCP, cause he fried his 3in1, the main ESC was $21 bucks & the tail ESC was $14 thru Tower Hobbies. The HH Gyro was a Telebee-Zoom Head Lock gyro for $60 buck thru Helidirect, or the BCCP 3in1 is cheaper than the helimax unit and works just as well, if you can stand the Rate Gyro.
Shadow