Please post any tips, tricks, or modifications that have improved the Blade 400.

Note: Please reserve general questions for the [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6817732/tm.htm]Blade 400 Questions[/link] thread.

Tail Servo

Upgrade the tail servo to the digital JR DSP75 to take full advantage of the heading hold gyro. Be sure to carefully setup and test this new gyro/servo combo before attempting real flight. When I upgrade mine I will post details and more information (unless someone beats me to it)

Modify the 400 to a T-Rex 450, best advice I can give.

Probably true, but not everyone can afford a full Trex 450 setup. Let's try not to make this a knocking thread so beginners and the less fortunate can gain some valuable experience.

Thanks,
Mark M

I flew one a few weeks ago, it is definitely set up for beginners so it's got that going for it. Unfortunately the the Tx is still at Horizon's standards.[&o]

Got an MX400 and many of the parts are interchangeable with T-rex450. How much of the blade 400 is align compatible?

It's highly unlikely that any core parts are interchangeable. The frame design is completely different and it's an Eflite product in the "400" size range. I'm sure there will be mods out there in a few months. However, I believe its wiser to just bite the bullet and get a Trex if you're planning on modding the B400 too much.

just what I didn't want to hear....

ok, last time - the blade 400 is not a trex or even a trex clone, it cannot swap parts with any trex or can it use trex mods - if you want a trex, buy a trex (or a trex clone), and if you want a blade 400 (with a dx6i radio) buy a blade 400

the 400 is 2 inches shorter than a trex 450 and is plastic, not cnc

enough already about it not being a trex - i don't expect my 400, or even my king2, to be a trex


edge

Try not to take this stuff personal. The information here is meant to inform those that just don't know. I'm sure the comparison will come up often because the B400 is being talked about as "similar to a Trex 450." Call it marketing, advertising, buzz, whatever...the truth is that it's its own animal. That being said...

The Blade 4003D is a good little flyer that carries exceptional value with its Spektrum equipment. But it's nothing like, nor will it ever be like, a Trex 450. It stands on its own merit as a worthy little bird that's great for beginner to intermediate pilots; or those that just want a low-cost everyday flyer.

It gets me everytime.....
The people that answer don't have one or haven't even seen a B-400 fly.

oh well, i'm not worried about it - too much bad weather for flyin my 400 anyway so i'm working on my hdx450 - it might just break freezing today and the wind's down to 5 knots or so

yep, stupid marketing from the same folks that announced then delayed and delayed and delayed some more the 400's ship date - i hope horizon doesn't get disappointed with the results of their intentional misdirection about it being compatible to the trex 450

i'm still waiting for the rtf version without the radio to come out just to see how they price it to see if i paid too much for the dx6i


edge

Thanks for the negative input kevntri. I've seen one fly and have surveyed input from many that own them...experienced pilots and new pilots. I'm an experienced RC guy (car, truck, buggy racer) with the wisdom to speak in truths and encourage people to make up their own minds rather than being swayed by buzz and strong opinions.

I'll unsubscribe and go away now. This thread can also stand on its own merit. Smart*****es like you will be happier. CYA

hey, i'm supposed to be the chief smart***** round here lol

the truth is i'm a heli pilot who flies both (when its not blowing gale warnings and frozen solid lol) - its all about sharing info and not misdirecting anybody nor bashing certain heli's cause they're not a certain brand - i'm also a firm believer of talking only about what you've actually flown - i'm very lucky in that i have a pretty good sized fleet of all kinds of helis (maintaining all of them is a drain lemme tell you!!!) and i fly every day (and yes i still crash every now and then, at least its not as often or bad as i use to)

"oooh, its not a gaui so it must be no good" would be a good sig about right now with all the trex trash talk about the 400


edge

I haven't got my preordered Blade 400 yet, but maybe an experienced pilot can tell me if this will work, as I planned to do it to mine as soon as I get it.

Step#1, copy factory settings to another model, as backup.
Step#2, modify original Blade 400 pitch curve settings in radio to be identical in normal and idle up. I won't be flying 3d for some time, and that way there are no suprises if accidental switch flip. Besides I have the backup settings, for when I'm ready.
Step#3, set in minimal negative pitch at full down throttle (enough to allow autorotation) but not so much that I stuff it, by lower my throttle a bit to much.
(Any suggestions on good overall normal flying pitch settings?)

Baracw--

I did the same as you are going to do when you get that 400 in your hands...! I don't have a 400, as I already have a DX-7, but went the Trex route. If I didn't already have the DX-7, I would have then purchased the 400. I'am still fairly new also, so I also don't plan on doing any 3-D stuff for awhile, if ever...lol.. I have my idle up set identical to my normal mode, but yet one thing I did change for the idle-up was I boosted my throttle curve up a little bit, so that if I need some extra headspeed for windy conditions, It will be available by me flicking the switch. I love it...! I have a CX2 and two CP-Pro's, and I'll tell ya it takes everything in my power to do forward flight in the CPP, and with the Trex I can actually fly it around the yard with little struggle. Very stable, as I'am sure the 400 will be the same for you. Belt driven is the only way to go !

If this is your first heli, you will enjoy it.... I started on the CPP, and that's crazy...! At least your getting into something that has hope and potential, and not wasting time and money on a lower class heli. You can learn with it and move up from it. I set my own curve and pitch settings to my personal liking, after lots of experimenting. Good luck with your new heli...

Take care,


-- Jeff

Thanks Jeff,
I actually started with a Silverlit Havoc (what a joke) and then got a Blade CX. I then got used too (read:bored) with that and then traded it for an Axe CP. I then traded a RTF plane for a Blade CP pro. I had both for a short while, and actually liked the way the Blade CPP flew, over the Axe CP. I could do basic tail in hover, but descided to sell both in order to get the Blade 400. Unfortunately, it took a week to sell both them and well, I'm still waiting going on 4 months for my Blade 400. Got the Clearview simulator to practice a little while I wait, but, I am anxious to get on the real thing. Its funny, I fly the TRex 450 on Clearview and I find it difficult to control, but I go to my LHS and play with RealFlight 3.5 and I can do 3d maneuvers without crashing (much). I'm sure it's a lot to do with the sim quality differences. I dare not do it for real, though! Scale like flying me.

At least I know my plans will work. Thanks again.
BaracW

i did raise the pitch one turn on each side, but on the heli, not in the radio - bout squashed the skids off on the first flight - its set that way for going inverted i guess

edge

The 400 was designed with Eflite specific parts. Nothing on it is interchangeble with any other heli on the market. Eflite in there infinite wisdom did this so that you can only buy parts from them.

I've seen it fly, I have flown one at great length. That is why I don't own one.

you should have expected the blade thrashing session. I own one and I modded it up pretty good from the start. I also put TREX PARTS ON IT!!! So are the trex police gonna come and get me now? You guys buy a trex and mod the hell out of it from the start, so why can't we mod a b400? Yall act like a bunch of little girls when it comes to this subject. Don't worry, no one's gonna make you switch to the blade. I hobby with some of the best trex pilots in texas, some even sponsered, and they are helpful and always willing to help do whatever we need done on our blades and not one of them has trashed the bird, they all say that its good for the money. Yes, it comes ready to fly, but if they make better parts, and you want them, get them...anyways, heres some pics of mods that I put on my b400, all with the assistance of trex guys.
Hitec hs56 servos
JR Tail Servo
Trex Blue Landing Struts
Trex Carbon Stabling fins
Align Blades
Trex Tail Servo Mount
Trex Tail Blades
401 Gyro coming soon

Wow....
Sorry to hurt your feelings[]
I thought I was backing you....?
I am an expirenced heli pilot and I do have a B400 and have had Trex's, MX400's, Raptors, Minature Aircraft and so on.
My point was...........
Most the people answering in this thread (tips and tricks for the Blade 400) are Trex pilots saying to get a Rex instead.
The Blade is a decent heli for what it is and can be modded and fly very well. Mine flies pretty good as is.

Mines flies like a dream after modding it a bit. It isn't as snappy and accurate as a trex, but its not a trex. They did take the demo out and 3d the hell out of it straight out of the box. Pretty solid bird after you change those crap azz servos.

Where ? I see one.... And my post in no way was reflecting that. If you notice, I actually congratulated the gent for his purchase of the 400.



It's this wreckless behavior that attracts the debate between the two...Who's talking about modding ? Why can't you mod your 400 ? I would. Hek, I modded my CX2 to the kilt and it's just a little twinkie. Whatever keeps the individual happy in the hobby go for it. Who cares what others think...! Just be careful where you direct your questions, as I in no way was I being negative. If someone was, direct it to them not to the general "Trex guys" that you seem to have created and just causing riff.

My two cents,


-- Jeff

Sorry guy, wasn't tryna offend you. I just see so much bashing and this was just supposed to be a tip thread. I'm tottally against thread negativity, makes us look like kids. Oh yeah, add a couple of motor shims in between the step washer and the blade grips, makes it alot more stable and reactive.