I got a T-Rex Today!

I was not expecting to get it yet, but I had a deal come through and wound up with some extra cash.

So I went to my favorite Hobby and they had the exact T-Rex model I wanted.

The best part is that they (the owners) gave me a nice discount on it all, Now that was totally unexpected.

Which version did you get? I just got the SE in Silver Carbon Edition. Haven't got all the electronics in it yet but should be flying it this weekend.

I got the T-Rex 450xl SE in Black Carbon fiber and the Blue aluminum parts

I need to order up the electronics as well, I'm planning on installing:

3 Hitec 65 Servos,

Futaba 401 Gyro and a 9650 Digital servo for the tail.

Specktrum Receiver (already have the TX).

That's the exact same electronics I went with other then the radio. I use the JR9303. I can't wait tofly it, should be a huge difference over the CP Pro. Good luck and keep us posted.

You dawg! (nice avatar to go w/ the beast) I ended up 'only ' w/ an XL HDE, though it will have a few new metal bits in the head, thanks to my ham fisted assembly.

I'm gonna run the same setup as yours.

It looks massive compared to the Blade.

I think I'm going to be really afraid of crashing this one with all the assembly time, not to mention the money involved.

Thank you, I just had to get that pic for the T-Rex.

Yes it is a lot of $$$ to drop but I really wanted to do one up right.

I was surprised to find that the replacement parts really are not much more money than they are for the blade.


By the way, Look for the Finless videos on helifreak I was watching them last night and he has some great tips.

The one on the canopy cutting taught me a new way of doing it.

Was easy to do and it came out really nice.

Harry, I think I've filled up my hard drive w/ 'Finess' build vids.! Even w/ his help I managed to screw up a couple of things in the head assembly.

Yeah.....I liked the canopy one.

The purchase of the Rex made realize what a great bargain the BCP represents. Sure it has it's flaws, and is a squirrelly little beast, but is a lot of heli for $200 complete. The much loathed dual motor design is really a pretty ingenious solution to keep down cost and complexity.


The people at Align should cheer everytime someone buys an Eflite machine, because the one's who stick it out will go looking for the ultimate upgrade.

The 'gateway drug' theory at work.

Yes I agree the BCP/BCPP are a great deal for what they are and the price.

I'm keeping my BCPP as my backup & lets try this Heli.


Thy sure are addicting.

Heli Harry...Addictive is an under statement. I have one HB FP, one HB CP2, two Shogun V2 and one JR Venture 30 CP.

drphoto, i like your analogy to the gateway drug theory. i was thinking about that, and anything rc can be considered a gateway for anything else in rc. for me the cp2 was a gateway to a 9C, a pair of brushless motors, and a hh gyro (which are now the gateway to a trex). airplanes were a gateway to helis, and cars were a gateway into airplanes. my first "hit" was in 1st grade, pushing the reverse/turn button on my forward/backward only cheapo rc audi my dad bought at radio shack. now my life is ruined by rc. thanks dad j/k

when i first saw a trex 450, it was much smaller than i thought it would be. i was amazed at how small the thing is, yet it is still very precise. i'd love to see in action the machine that mills those delicate head pieces to the 1/1000th.

Hi Fellas,

I think we all have the same addiction, but the helis are just to much fun and I enjoy fixing them too. I've only been into this for about 10 months. I'd hate to see how much $$$$$ I've spend on helis and parts. Holy Moly! I'm sure I could have bought a BOAT!

HeliTB,
You're crazy like me, lots of helis. I have 1 Blade CP, 1 Blade CP Pro, 1 Falcon 3D, 1 Raptor G2 and my newest member a T-Rex. I had two Blade CX's but sold them awhile back.

Heli_Harry,
Congrats on your new T-Rex, I also purchased one about a month ago. You'll just be overwhelmed.

I love my CP and CP Pro, still fly them a lot. When the weather is bad, I know I can still practice with them in the basement or garage.
I just have itchy fingers and need to relax them with the sticks.

DrPhoto,
Yep me too, seen several of the Finless videos, this guy could build one in his sleep, without instructions. Just add another hard drive to your PC.

Just keep having a good time,

Dave / Choppersrule

choppersrule,

I'm really impressed with this T-Rex it is really is well designed and the head is smooth as silk.

I'm taking my time doing the build, going over the screws making sure there all locked in.

Those finless videos are a real help, as they help clear things up a bit.

I'm keeping my CP Pro (I just flew it a little while ago), but my CX may go away as I rarely fly it any more.

Heli Harry,

My first heli was the CX, got it last January. Sold it a few months ago. It's getting to be winter here in Indianapolis, so outdoor flying in a few weeks will be out of the question. Keep the CX, I kinda miss mine, with the weather getting nasty. I remember flying it in my computer room and landing on one table , take off and then landing on another. Sometimes in my hand. I see that the CX2 will be out pretty soon, end of the month or so. I'll be the first on the block to get one, the TX and RX are a little better I understand.

Well, off to fix my CP, broke a boom last night. Never ending.

Take Care,
Dave / Choppersrule

Well I got it all put together less electronics.

I still need to order them up (need a few more $$$).

It actually went together quick, even though on the frame I pulled the screws, put thread lock on them, and reinstalled them all.

The head and tail were thread locked pretty well.

Fun, Fun, Fun!

Heli_Harry,

Glad to hear you got it all together. Understand the $$$$ for the electronics. Thread-lock is a blessing in disquise. Just make sure that everything works smooothly.

Best to ya,

Dave / Choppersrule

Yep, me too. I'm hooked too, and just like HeliHarry I'm moving up quickly from my CPPro and have decided to get a TRex next payday. Or maybe the MX450, I'm not sure which.
Are you going to use the DX6 rx and servos in the TRex? I see align and horizon are recommending that radio for the trex 450 line.

I'm going to use the DX6 but not the servos as I have heard they really are to weak for the T-Rex

I'm planing to use Hitec 65s and a Futaba 9650 for the tail along with a 401 Gyro

heli harry, thanks for your advice on the dx6 setup on the cp pro. after a few mistakes on setup, my mistakes! your setup and advice got me in the air. Will you be posting setups for the t-rex as you did with the cppro? I know several people in this area who used the setup as a base setting and had good luck as well as myself! I'm pushing for a t-rex se, several friends have them and claim they are not as twitchy as the cp, although their t-rex is set up on jr or futaba. I'd like to introduce the spectrum to them with no glitches and interference!

Yea I could post my settings for the T-Rex and the DX6.

Though I think some others may have beat me to it already.

I'm glad to hear my settings helped, I try to keep the one on my profile blog up to date, as I do tweak it a little at times.

I'm saving my pennies to get the electronics for the T-Rex now, so it may be a while until I post them.

If you can go for the SE as it is really nice.

yeah i hear ya on the $$ but i've got the hi-tech 65's already and the 401 w/ included futaba servo. so all i need is the aircraft and directions for spectrum. I guess if i'm investing this much in the hobby i should learn the setup instead of copieng yours.

I don't even want to admit how much $$$ I've invested in this so far.

It gets expensive quick.

Chargers, Batteries, Helis, Radios, More Batteries, Gyros, Special tools, etc, etc, etc.

But hey it's all fun

Heli Harry,

Oh the Rex flies so very nice. It is powerful and very smooth. I have the 450SE with 65's for servos and just a Telebee gyro. Although the Telebee works great, I would like to fly one with a 401 gyro.

It is amazing how much better it flies than the CP or CP Pro. It is worth every penny spent. First time I fired it up, I was taken back by the sound it made and how much headspeed was there. It flies great in breezy conditions that would have you chasing the CP down the block. I have flown my CP and Pro numerous times but when my dad saw the Rexy fly, he wanted one. Must be all that bling and how solid it looks flying.

Of course if money is no issue, TP batteries are great for the Rex. I bought two DN Power 2150's 15C about a month ago and I love them ($80.00 for both). They stay cool and have great power throughout the flight. IMHO these are a great budget battery pack. Now they have a 20C formula out, but I think it added some weight. I had one tail belt snap at 47 flights. Now every 15 flights or so, I put a little silicone oil on the tail belt.

I have the CP Pro for indoor flight and the Rex for outdoors. I wish Align or Horizon would come out with a CP sized tail belt heli as solid as the 450SE. I just don't trust the HDX300, due to all the people having building issues.

bpd, so you lube the belt w/ silicone? I put up a post about this issue in the Trex forum, but got no replies. I was thinking graphite, but I suppose you'd end up w/ it all over the place. I'm worried about the friction of the belt rubbing in the boom.

I agree w/ you about a 300 size Rex. The HDX does look cool, but lot's of negative reports. With the reported head speed of the 450 I'd be afraid to fly it in a confined space. Seems like if you nicked an object w/ the rotor, you might be dodging shrapnel.

Jellyson,

Between the Trex 450 and the Mx 450. It really depends on what type of flying you plan on doing. But think long term, If you never plan on any radical aerobatics or 3D. Then get the MX450, it's a little tamer than the T-Rex. But, if 3D is for you, T-Rex is the one.

Dave / Choppersrule

Heli_Harry,

I hear you loud and clear on the $$$ issue. Most of ya know I've got five helis currently, inital cost and maintenance, repair parts, spare parts, and like Heli_Harry said, Chargers, batteries, radios, gyro's the list goes on forever. Oh, my head hurts, thinking of all the stuff I've got. If I could only stop buying things I'd be okay.. Heli_Harry, I'll admit my investment, creeping up on 4 grand.
Man, oh man. I gotta stop somewhere, don't I.

And I stll need some 65 servos, what's next.

It's a ton of fun and relaxing for me, and actually less expensive than a lot of othe hobbys.

Dave / Choppersrule