Superstar or ALPHA
 

Both with the .40 engine. What are the differences. I can get either the alpha new rtf for $270 shipped, or the superstar new $275 shipped with field kit. Doesnt the superstar have better acrobatics?

RE: Superstar or ALPHA
 

Don't underestimate the value of the field kit.

Both will fly plenty well enough to get your wings, and more. Aerobatic (not acrobatic) capabilities of either plane will exceed your abilities for long enoungh that you will be well into your "second" plane before you reach the limits of the trainer.

gus

RE: Superstar or ALPHA
 

WOW, ok, so which one is better LOL?

The alpha comes with "Evolution Trainer Power System" how strong is that compared to the superstar's OS LA .40??

RE: Superstar or ALPHA
 

Which is better: Airbus or Boeing?

They will get you from A to B equally well. If it were me, I would go purely price based, and the field kit is worth something (I presume it is electric starter, 12V battery, and Glow Plug igniter - combined is at least $50US value - but I am Canadian, so not sure)!

gus

RE: Superstar or ALPHA
 

BONUS!!! I have included a field kit! This kit includes fuel pump, tools, fuel line, extra glow plugs, extra prop, HotShot glow starter and other goodies! You need these items to get the plane up and going when it's time to fly. A $40 value! All you need to buy is the fuel and your ready to go!

RE: Superstar or ALPHA
 

Which one is faster, the evolution trainer engine or the OS .40la??

RE: Superstar or ALPHA
 

I have never flown the superstar,but have some experience with the Alpha. It is a great flying plane and I think you would be very happy with it. The evolution is a really good engine that is perfect for people who are just starting out. The evolution is a .46 compared to the .40 la and after you graduate from the 3 blade prop on the evolution you can replace it with a 10x6 and get more performance out of the evolution engine. The evolution will go well with any plane you might want to put it on later. I have had a couple of Alphas and a Nexstar. I like the Alpha much more it is so smooth and easy to fly I cant say enough good about them. I have seen Alpha trainers on Ebay for as low as $250 buy it now, so maybe you could use the savings to get a start up kit for the same amount as the Superstar. The Alpha comes with a seven channel RX I'm not sure what the Superstar comes with. This is just another rookies opinion,but, I would go with the Alpha.

RE: Superstar or ALPHA
 

I think you are trying hard to miss my point... you really should not be interested in speed and aerobatics untill you can do the basics....

.. but, since you insist, the evo has a better rep for performance. Then again, I would also bet that a careful prop choice on the .40la will give better speed than an average evo.

On the whole though, as a beginner, you will not notice any real difference between the two.

Since the "BONUS" does not list an electric starter and 12V battery, I am less impressed with it, but it would still probably win my vote...

My real recommendation is that you just pick one, and go fly. They are both respectable trainers. That will give you far more information than anyone on this group can, and all you really want is the correct learning curve to make the choice on your second plane. Either of these deals will do.

Trust me, the differences between the planes are not significant enough to warrant a comparison war. It is what comes included with the deals that is the deal maker.

gus

RE: Superstar or ALPHA
 

God... i am frustrated. Ive been looking for airplanes with $300 on hand for like 2 weeks now. No one in the club is selling any, on ebay i won a used alpha with kit for $200, the lady told me to give her a week, she just emailed me saying the shipping would be:

" packaging the plan at mailboxes ect. cost me $33.50 (and I have already
done and payed for that.
1box ground ups 11 lbs 47x21x13 $59.85
the other 1 box ground ups 10lbs 20x16x16 $14.10
ups insures everything up to $100 at there cost and then it is $0 .35 for
every $100 more after that.
So I come up with a total of $107.45 for shipping.
I think it is more than the other plan because my son has extra things
that the other plans did not come with therefore we are shipping more.
well let me know asap so I know what to do with this boxed plan and ect. "

God... Now i have to start all over, and i have like 4 choices now.

RE: Superstar or ALPHA
 

Man, i really like the arrow...

RE: Superstar or ALPHA
 

Calm down, is it in the original box? If it can be disassembled and put in to the original box you can ship it USPS priority mail for around 30.00. I do it all the time to Alaska and we are some of the most $ to ship to/from. You are being scammed the lady is obviosly not using all of her options to get it to you for the least money. UPS/Fed EX are some of the most outrageous prices that I have seen for shipping items this large. I would love to help you with this process this is one area or R/C flying that I do have some knowledge of. Keep me posted I willl try to help you through this. Shoot me an Email with your phone number and I will call you if you like, Keith.

RE: Superstar or ALPHA
 

Thanks northriver. I emailed her your opinion :)
She supposedly did disassemble it completely. On another email she stated "i think it is more than others because im including the kit". But notice, the shipping for the kit is only like $14. Ive tried to explain to her. Lets see what she replies.

EDIT: here is the auction number: 3174948765 , she is in oregon.

RE: Superstar or ALPHA
 

Give me some more info. I have the box dimensions and weight I just need to know shipping zip and recieving zip. I will research this and get back to you with the price I come up with. Are you locked in to this deal? give me the ebay item number and I will check it out and tell you what I think its all worth + shipping, Keith.

RE: Superstar or ALPHA
 

Hello, I have some prices for you but I would rather talk to you than do all of this typing. Click on my user name and send me an email with a contact number if you want. I think your shipping would be more like 51.50 USPS, but there are more details you might be able to save even more$$ . Let me know, Keith.

RE: Superstar or ALPHA
 

GTac01,

If at all possible get out of the ebay deal and buy new from a company like tower 59.00 or more for shipping is CRAZY...

I can't remember the store name but they offer free shippin on orders over 150.00 maybe someone else will remember the name call tower and find out what shipping would cost. They have coupons and run specials all the time... :D

BTW I'll let you in on a little secret Its not the plane that will teach you to fly, rather it's the instructor. Therefore your choice of which plane to pick can be easily made on the basis of cost or looks etc.. since the performance characterics of most are nearly identical;)

RE: Superstar or ALPHA
 

Tell that lady to "GET BENT"!!!! Order an Alpha from a mail order company and shipping will be next to nothing compared to her. One thing I didn't see mentioned about the differences between the two engines is this: The Evo is a bearing motor, and the LA is a bushing motor. Your choice in getting the Alpha is a smart one. The LA's are cheaply made. They have plastic remote needle brackets and plastic backplates. The Evo is a good engine. I just flew mine today in fact. But this lady is obviously bending you over! I would cancel the bid and let her give you neg feedback if she so inclines. You can always fire back with the outrageous shipping costs. Don't you have a LHS that deals in H9 stuff? By the way Tower doesn't sell the Alpha, but then there is the Nexstar!!!

RE: Superstar or ALPHA
 

I gave her bad feedback like a week ago when she sent me an invoice of $327 . If she doesnt lower the shipping, im going with an arrow, used or new...

RE: Superstar or ALPHA
 

I took an Alpha up yesterday for its maiden flight, it had the new evolution engine on it. I ran a tank of fuel through it on the ground, refilled it and hit the skies. The motor was flawless(still running rich) and the plane flew very nice. I would reccomend one of these if they all ran and flew like this one. The owner and I put 3 flights on it yesterday with no deadsticks.

RE: Superstar or ALPHA
 

I just when throught the checkout process at Horizon to find out the shipping charges. Their rate is $6.95 with an oversize charge of $8.50 for UPS ground. I've always found HH to be very quick on their shipping.

As for the engine, I've got an LA46 that I've been running on a Brightstar. It runs ok and is reliable, but it's rattly (you can hear it when the plane is flying) and not particularly powerful. I'd go for the Evolution if I had the choice, it's an engine you'd want to use on your next 40 sized plane. If you had a 40LA knocking around, you'd be hard pressed to find another plane you'd want to put it on.

Don't forget the radio, the JR that comes with the Alpha IMO is probably of a better quality and feel than the Futaba that would come with the Superstar....