onewasp

Anthony-RCU

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A123 are neat but really just too heavy for pattern planes and the imported lipos are cheaper.

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I cannot address the Brio set up but as I have been flying A123 5S in the Diamante 25e for two years and I don't think you can begin to compare the price of A123's with LiPos, particularly on a cost/flight basis.
A123's retail @$16.00/cell and it takes but a short time to solder them up 5S including balancing leads..
I recharge in 15 minutes or less, FMA 10S, and with two packs I can stay airborne for most of the day.
A 5S x 2300mah A123 pack is 14oz. AUW.

I usually fly 6 flights (sometimes more) per outing and to date I.E. two years the pack(s) show no measurable decrease in capacity.

I realize the Brio is smaller but the Diamante is a Pattern style airplane with 485 squares. AUW ready to fly is 60 Ozs.
I have also flown the E-flite Extra with 4S A123 x 2300 and it performs very well.
Diamante flight times are from a low of 6 minutes to a high of 8+ depending on style.

The Extra is an easy 8 minutes and you could get to 10 if you try.
Do not forget that you can flatten the A123's with no negative effect on life cycles.
Can't do that with LiPos.

I use CC Phoenix 60's for my ESC with LVC set at 10.0v. soft.

With the LARGE difference in life cycles (favoring the A123's) it is hard to see where LiPos are even close in terms of dollars and cents. I.E. 1000 cycles vs. <200.

I have found the optimal plane size to be 500 to 700 sq. in. for the A123 x 2300 5S packs.

In terms of larger airplanes and *****g on power density the odds shift to LiPos for performance. Witness F3A.
Should A123 introduce larger capacity cells in the near future the size limitation may change.