Hi All.

I had the privlidge of visiting Esprit Models in Mass. yesterday. I spent a couple hours with ZB, the owner and a very nice guy.

I did not have a lot of experience with his models, other than what I've read on the internet. Though I have never read any really negative comments, I did see some comments that these models were on the expensive side. Well here was my opportunity to see for myself what the buzz is about.

ZB took the time to show me several new models right out of the boxes. I was completely impressed with the quality and detail of the construction that goes into every model, like a high-end piece of furniture.

One model, the Lambada, had the most detailed open framework construction that I have ever seen. The ailerons alone were a work of art.

I have built many ARF's by many manufacturers and I must say that the quality of these supercedes many of the ones that I have worked on. The covering was flawless, the wood quality was top notch, and the hardware was also of a higher quality. Many kits come with carbon fiber components and Ball links. These are two things you hardly find in many of today's models.

Most of the models were available in electric and glow versions. ZB explained that he prefers to fly electric. Many times when I think of electrics, I think of Park Flyers and small 1/2a size planes. Personally, I have never seen an electric swing a 20 x 10 APC prop.

ZB took me to the field down the street from him where he gave me a demo of a couple planes, both electric. Totally Awesome! I have never seen a 60 size aircraft perform 3D maneuvers in what seemed like complete silence. The vertical performance was incredible, hovering at less than 1/2 throttle with plenty of power for climbout. I think I am going to take a good hard look at one of these planes in the near future. I am a big glow fan, mostly because the asumption was lack of performance with electric...Not the case here. Most of the models are available in both glow and electric versions so no matter what your taste, you can enjoy one of these machines.

With regards to the posts on the cost of the aircraft. True they may be a few dollars more than other comparable planes. This is one case where the saying, "you get what you pay for" really applies. These models are of the highest quality.

When comparing the UCANDO for instance with a Diablotin, the plane is a few dollars more, but to acheive maximum performance the Diablotin can run on half the engine making the two planes pretty close in price when all is said and done. Don't get me wrong, the UCANDO is a very nice plane as well, but the ESPRIT Models are a rank above.

Note: I do not work for Esprit, nor am I affiliated. I was just blown away by these models and I thought I would share with the rest of the RCU "Family"

Thanks
Kspin

I believe the website for these models is at www.espritmodels.com

I've purchased two complete models from them. The Flubber and the Lark 3D. The Flubber is small and a blast to fly. I'm building the Lark 3D for a magazine review I am writing. I have been very satisfied with Esprit.

I've seen the U-Can-Do 3D fly and it is a great plane. I am considering the 46 myself and intend to outfit it with an electic motor. The long tail moment make it very stable. The only other 40 size planes I have seen with a tail moment that long (that I am considering) are the Goldberg Matrix 40 and the Widebody 40 (an imported kit).

I know when I'm out with my Fubber it makes about as much noise as a glider. I'm using a Hacker B20 18L with a planetary gear box. I think the planetary gearbox is the reason for the lack of noise.

I'm using a Hacker B50 13S with the 6.7:1 planetary gearbox for the Lark 3D. I'm going to re-use the motor in the other planes I'm considering.

Let me know if you got one yet.

-Michael

my dealings with them was a complete disaster. I purchased a Jumping Jack,Mega 16/15/4,TP2100 pack, I was supposed to get everything to get the plane flying. After a week went by I called. he said it was shipped that day so I waited another 4 days and he said it waas just shipped out the day before.(VERY BAD ENGLISH TOO CANT UNDERSTAND ME I CANT UNDER STAND HIM). So I finally got my plane about 2 weeks after ordering. I proceeded putting it together but when i got to the motor mounting i noticed he send me a hacker mount. so i called him. waited another 4 days. he sent me a mega mount. keep in mind this was my first experience with Li-Pos and mega motors so. I put the mount on. It was a direct drive mount and he sent me a direct drive prop adapter and a APC 12x6 (can you see where this is headed). well after getting everything straightened out on the plane I proceded to fly it. and after about 1 min. the plane quit like the battery was dead HMM. I went to the plane noticing that the battery was starting to vent and balloning due to the 40 or so amps i was trying to pull..So I called him the next day and he said you cant run that combo direct drive. I said SO why did you send me all direct drive stuff.Also he refused to believe that the ESC didnt shut it off. Which it probably would have exept for the fact that he sent me a phenix 35 instead of a 25.so i sent the battery back and he sent me another Supposed brand new battery and a junk astro flight gearbox that looked used after another week. I went to put the new battery on my triton. it would not charge and I noticed that it had that infamus vented smell the second i pulled it out of the box. So this time i called TP and told them i was sending a battery.In the meantime ordering a new one from Atlanta hobby. well after a week i get a call from TP and they say that the battery was so old it didnt even have a manufacture date and they cant cover it. so i filed a complaint with them about ESPRIT sending a new battery that was bad and old. after about 2 weeks a battery showed up in the mail and i have never called that *&(^*( again and never will. I deal with Atlanta hobby. cliff even offered to send me a new battery at half price if TP or ESPRIT didnt come through. I give ESPRIT and That guy a -120 out of a 10. I should have trusted my instincts when they told me to hang up when the guy answered I got a bad feeling.. I thought i called a 7-11

ZB was most patient with me and my Credit Card company!! LOL... He actually prevented me from making a mistake!! I have not gotten my order yet, but if it works out well, I will be sure to tell everyone about my success with ESPRIT... if it is bad,... well... you know!! LOL

http://espritmodel.com/

This is what he sold me batteries and a ESC for

http://www.aero-model.com/ProductDet...?productID=428

ZB is geat flier. Although my club has had some problems with him. He tried to come without an ama card. he didnt even have one. He also is pro electric.
when i was getting my first plane i was annoyed with his persistence for electrics. It wasnt to bad but it gave me a bad impression. I sure he as a great store but i personely dont like his lack of respect and constant breaking of rules.

OMG Pro-electric!!! What is the world coming to?? I mean, what better way to turn off a newcomer to the hobby than by selling him a noisy slime pump that most likely will not run consistantly enough or long enough so you can actually try to learn how to fly instead of practicing deadstick crashes...

Never knew they had an esprit models in Mass. I always thought they were only out of Fla.

I'm very happy with my slim covered plane. I just wasnt happy with his attitude. I felt as though he was puting down something that i already made my mind about. I plane on getting a electric and i love the very knoledgable guys who fly them. I just think he should give both pilots the same respect. Comments like yours i think is would be rude to a new pilot. But my main reason for the negitive attitude is the persistant breaking of the rules and showing off.

Dood, this thead was started in Oh-2!

I purchased my DPM Super Cub off them. They have fantastic service and had it shipped and delivered to Sydney, Australia within a week; keeping me up-to-date through the whole process. I was very impressed. In my books, Esprit get a 11/10.

Esprit model is all fine and dandy when they're taking your order and your money. But when you have a problem with a defective product or service they turn into complete A$@holes. I can promise you that no matter what the problem.... It was somehow your fault and they are not going to cover it.

There are too many other places to buy electric equipment for the same price or less with less hassle and much more respect for the customer. I did fine without esprit model before and I'll do fine without esprit model now and in the future.

Thanks but no thanks, these guys suck.

Mike

I tried to order some wheels from them. Got an email a week later saying they were not in stock. No backorder capability apparently. I guess they expected me to just try and order later when I thought they might have them. So far, 14 months later, I still have not envisioned them in stock.

Yak