That stabilizer is more for looks i think...I have flown my King2 without the stab more than with it. I can not tell the difference. i certainly would not keep it grounded because of that. If on the other hand, the bracket that holds the rods(knight-head arms)to the heli are also busted, I would probably wait till it was fixed.....On a real heli, some of those stabilizers actually have controls to move them up and down like an elevator. The down-wash from the main blades pushes on the stab to help steer the tail vertically....

Z

I have to say that all my experiences with Xheli have been great... On my first order, an EXI 450 I too had ordered a crash kit with it. Got the heli but no crash kit in the box. I emailed them right away and they sent me the crash kit right away and I received it in a couple days.. Couldn't ask for better service.

Also I had just ordered two more EXI's from them this last 'Black Friday' sale and I've got them today. I've checked them over and all is there and in good condition. Xheli has me as a loyal customer for sure. I've had nothing but great service and some awesome prices in heli's and parts... I'll be shopping with them more often for sure...

Thx Xheli guyz...

happy fly'n

Just got my EXI 450 from Xheli, no problems here!

same here, i recieved my second EXI yesterday...all good

I also ordered a lot of stuff from them. I read a lot of older bad posts, and then some newer ones that sounded like they were cleaning up their act. I got my Falcon 40 there, and lots of repair parts. Probably close to a dozen orders. Then I had an issue come up. Could not get through on the phone. Sent an email and the reply was “We shall have you someone contact you on the issue in 1-2 business days�. I kind of forgot about it, and a month later I was cleaning out my inbox, saw the reply, and realized no one had contacted me. I went to their support web page and saw someone else had the same complaint posted so I added my issue there. Was told there we would have a reply by end of day. 3 days later, I pointed out that I had received an email promising a response in 2 days that never happened and was told in the forums I’d get a response by end of that day that never happened. All of my posts were deleted. I didn’t use any foul language, mention any competitors, make any threats, or do anything that I think would justify my posts being deleted. I have to assume they just didn’t like a failure to respond twice to the same issue being there for all to see.

They are capable of doing things right, and you may be one of the many who don’t have an issue. It’s when they do screw up that they just drop the ball and don’t seem to know how to deal with problems, imho.

How long ago was this??? I had an issue with them last year when I bought my first K2 from them.. they were hard to get thru on the phone but I did get thru... They did address my issue and go the problem resolved... They can't erase threads unless its on their site.. If its on rcuniverse then they can't erase them...

On my second heli I bought from them about 6 months ago I bought my first EXI 450 from them.. I ordered a crash kit along with the 450.. When I got the box there was no crash kit which wasn't a big deal as I don't really need it... but I paid for it so I decided I'll either get my money back or have them send me one... I emailed them and the reply was we will have someone contact you... I waited forgot about it and a week later a crash kit showed up at my door... Looked into my email box and no reply.. they just sent the missing parts...

I personally believe their services have picked up a LOT as they've found out customer service brings them much more customers than crappy services... I will certainly continue to buy and recommend them...

Happy fly'n

Oct this year, and yes it was their support forums. I wouldn't have been upset if they had only deleted my last entry where I pointed out they dropped the ball twice and didn't respond as promised and then addressed my issue. But they deleted all three of my posts.

Seems rather odd... guess it happens tho... Even with 'reputable' companies... I got the royal treatment from Hobby Lobby and another company that did a number on me... So its not just limited to just questionable companies...

oh well...

happy fly'n

Thanks for the input guys!

I placed an order with Xheli on Sunday for a Blue Ray 450 PE fully loaded heli and one for a friend without the radio and other stuff. Needless to say, the order was over $600. So they sent me an e-mail yesterday (Monday) saying that I needed to verify my information by sending them a fax or e-mail of my credit card and picture ID. They said that I could cover the first 12 numers of my credit card number and they would verify with the last 4. This e-mail triggered an immediate alarm for me because I had never had or heard of a company who would request this kind of information for verification. I called them today to ask what it was all about and they said that they customarily did this for orders over $200 to prevent fraud. Still i wasn't convinced so I called my credit card company and they told me it would be best not to do business with them. At the same time, I'm left wondering if providing such information would be enough to commit fraud/Identity Theft, etc., if in fact that is what they were trying to do. Any thoughts on this anybody?

I also checked with BBB a couple of hours ago and Xheli had a "B" rating.

I then decided to check the forum here looking for more information on them. I definitely found some!

At this point, and given the mixed reviews and experiences, I feel I should give them a chance and see. I was thinking of canceling my initial order and then just order the Blue Ray 450 PE fully loaded package and nothing else. If that goes well then maybe order the other one for my friend that way it would be less money to fight for or loose. At $329 for the Blue Ray with all the options, it sounds like a really sweet deal. What do you guys think? Or should I go with a different company and different heli, i.e. Trex 450 SE package for over $500? Keep in mind this would be my first heli and most of the training I've had has been through the Real Flight G4 simulator for about 3 months.

I was contemplating going with the Trex 500 but I figured the 450 would be cheaper to repair in case of a crash. Not to mention, around $500 bucks cheaper than the 500 with all of the necessary gear.

Your thoughts and advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time.

hydrosurf

Yes on the credit card numbers. I have delt with a few companies lately that are doing that as I shop online a lot. Reason is because someone could have picked up your credit card number from anywhere else, like your garbage, another store you shopped in. By sending you a picture of the card it shows you have the card in your possession which is a lot diff then just haveing the numbers which they could have got someplace questionable. Some credit card companys actually have your picture on your credit card. It used to be a mail order house would only ask for the security number (3 digits) on the back to verify the card was yours but anyone that ever handles your card could have those numbers. They would like it even more if you sent them a pic id and a pic of your card with a photo on it also. Credit card fraud is big business now and they probably have already been down the road with someone using someone elses card a few times. Remember if you bought by credit card they would have the number of the card anyway os really it's no big deal that they asked for a picture of it to make sure you have the card itself.
Well now you know that they belong to or did belong to the BBB as the BBB does not want to get into legal litigation making a statement about a business that has never been a memeber. BBB will only give out info on a member or past member of the BBB. They say anything at all about a non member and they can and have been sued. Bad side is if a business ever belonged to the BBB in the past and left that them for ANY reason the BBB seems to think they reserve the right to continue to grade your business and usually as your not a dues paying member your not exactly on there Christmas list, also they don't usually offer the info that your no longer a member or the info they are giving out on a past member is several years old. Once your become a member of the BBB your business is hooked for life with them or so they think.

I agree with FF, the credit card validation FAX that Xheli is asking for is no threat to your card account - if you cover the first 12 numbers (that they have anyway). My one order with them was about $225 last Spring, and they never did this validation - but it's not a bad idea for an amount like $600. It is nice to know that they are doing this, to protect your card account from being mis-used.

My local BBB will tell you when a company joined and if they are still a current member. Most companies that I've ever researched have a "satisfactory" rating - never run across one that had anything less than perfect, but Xheli probably does do business with a ton of people and may have had problems under earlier management? No horror stories about them recently...

I would think you'd be safe dealing with them for this order, especially at those prices!

Cheers,
Dave

I agree with Funflier and warpnine, Fax them the picture and card. I haven't had problems with Xheli, but I never ordered over $200. And if your not comfortable with it, just cancel the order and try again with one blue ray, and then order the second later.

just my two cents.

Ditto with all the other guyz... they already have ur numbers and its a way of covering their butts too so that they don't get caught sending stuff to a fake then getting a chargeback later... When I order ammunition I have to fax a drivers license, firearms permit and credit card to the store... But when I make an order I request that they destroy the fax paper afterwards and not just toss it into the garbage or other type of disposal...

As for buying a 450 heli there are cheaper better methods to go...

I don't trust BBB for one as I've been burned severely on two occations from companies that I've relied on the BBB recommendations... Never again... their recommendations don't mean a thing to me....

happy fly'n

i wouldn't hesitate at spending $600 at Xheli , wish i had an extra $600 to spend there

Cool! Thanks for the replies all!

DumbDawg, you said: "As for buying a 450 heli there are cheaper better methods to go..."

Can you tell me more about this? Which heli are you talking about or what cheaper better method? Thanks.

He's talking about the EXI-Hobby 450( I think). A clone of the Trex SE V2. Bare-bones they are $99 compared to $199 for a Rex. During holidays they blow them at the door for much less. Many of us bought EXI's on Black Friday for $55...Can't be beat as far as i have ever seen. My EXI fly's great and parts are easy to find since they are 99.9% compatible with the T-rex....Last time I looked they were $89...Free shipping is available with the code CJFREE2 for orders over $50. Great thing about buying bare-bones is being able to mix and match all the components to your tastes, likes and bank account...

Here's a pic of mine....

Z

Thanks Z! That's a nice heli you got there. Looks simple but I'm sure it's fully capable of many 3D maneuvers.

So when you say bare-bones, you mean it comes with just frame, canopy and engine maybe?
At this point and with my very limited to none experience I was hoping to find a fully loaded kit for a good price so I can get in the air without having to learn what parts to get, how to put it all together and how to set it all correctly. I figured I can learn more about all of that as I go and maybe eventually get enough experience to build my own.

Which websites do you recommend that I can go to find cheap but decent heli kits? That EXI looks nice but can I find a kit in RTF with everything or almost everything for a good price?

Thanks for your time and advice!

Hey.....If you went the Trex or EXI Bare-bones route, you always have the free videos from the heli-god himself. Bob "Finless" White. [link=http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=11373]Check these videos out first[/link]. He has every step you would need to build one yourself. If you have the time, he's got the lesson. After you check some of those videos out [link=http://helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=41692]Look at all the extra help you have for general Heli maintenance[/link]...Buying RTF can be good for a beginner but everyone sooner or later wants/needs better parts. It sucks to have to look at all those substandard parts that came off the RTF, never to be used again!!! haha

I started with the King2 and it is only about 5% stock as it sits now. The radio is junk and you have to upgrade the brushed motor and ESC pretty much before you fly it(I am not talking King3). You could go for the King 3, Belt CP or Belt CP 2. All have brushless motors and some have 2.4Ghz radios. They are all kinda expensive though for what you get. In my opinion you will become a heli mechanic faster if you buy Esky because they require a ton of work to keep flying. Especially if you crash alot (this is a good thing if you want to learn with a cheap heli). If you bought something else like a T-rex or EXI you will become a heli pilot faster. Once you set them up, if you are not crashing them, they stay flyable much longer with very little maintenance(My experience anyway). I still to this day have to work on my King 10 times as much as the EXI. It never seems to lose it's "set-up"...She purrs like a kitten...At this time, I would like to give Kudos to the HS65HB servos. These are the best investment I have made in servos thus far....

Hopefully others will give an opinion since I am spoiled now with the EXI and getting out of the Esky scene(I will keep the King but not buy anymore). Haha

Z

I agree with Z! If I was starting over again, I'd buy a bare bones kit and put the parts I really wanted on it myself! I also started with a $130 HBK2 (still my only "real" copter - the Air Hogs don't count! ), that has about $600 of upgrades on it - including a 2100T HH gyro and Dx6i radio system. All much better than anything I could have gotten "off the shelf", unless I got Michael or Rusty to build a custom copter for me... It has taught me a lot so far, and still has more to teach me - like how to fly without landing in a heap (I also still have some upgrades like the CF frame and CNC head and tail components that I haven't even put on yet - pending some more crashes and "learning" with these stock parts) - before I move on to something a little bigger (that hopefully will be easier to fly)!

I'm not a fan of the HBK3 of Belt CPv3 because you still don't get to pick the best parts and upgrades available - as you can do with a real bare bones kit for near the same money.

There is plenty of free advice and help for putting together any bare bones kit - including advice from just about everyone out here! Talk to Michael (U.S. Hobby Supply) or Rusty (Castle Rock Hobbies) and they can probably help you pick the parts you'll need too - so you can get all or most of what you'd need in one or two orders! Neither of these guys will sell you junk, and will support you before and after any sales.

I wish I could start over again, so I could get to the pretty nice bird I have now a lot cheaper and faster!

Have fun!
Dave

I agree with Z and W. Up front the blue ray cost less then the EXI, In the long run the Blue ray will cost you as much or more then the EXI will now.

So what it comes down to is: Are you going to stick with it through all of the crashes? and how much can you spend now?

If you don't have the cash now, or not sure if you will stick with it, buy the Blue ray.

If you think your going to stick with it for the long run and cash up front (twice $ of the blue ray) is not an issue then go with the EXI.

Better throw in my two cents here too... IF I was to do things over again... being a little wizer now.. emphasis on little eh Zim... lol... I'd have started with an EXI 450... for the following reasons...

First off ANY heli thats RTF... isn't.... They may fly sort of out of he box but you cannot get away from setting up the heli yourself... just doesn't happen... secondly a collective heli like a Trex, Guai, K2\K3, belt or whatever, can't be flown out of the box by a beginner... Thats another just aint gonna happen scenario...

I personally would NOT be buying the overpriced Trex and K3 heli's... period and especially as a beginner... Align's line of heli's are very expensive and still require setup and parts unless ur buying a very overpriced RTF... The K3 is a slightly smaller and 'fixed' up King 2 but again for much more money than its worth... Its cheaper to get a discounted K2 and bling it out and still be cheaper than a K3...

Zim and warpnine gave you the correct and probably the best way to go about this habit... err hobby... You will NOT be able to fly right away even with a FP heli, IMO... and a ccpm is even harder yet... This is a slow and difficult hobby to learn in... there's a steep learning curve in fly'n but the mechanics are much simpler than you can imagine... Once you get over the intimidation factor of looking at this complicated whirl'n mass of plastic, metal and carbon fibre you'll see just what a B E A U tiful piece of work heli's are... They're great... Te one thing I'm very greatful to the K2 is teaching me to be a heli mechanic because its as Zim say's... ur ALWAYS set'n it up...

If you want to learn how to fly on a relative easy and smooth heli to fly I'd have to say the EXI is by far the nicest... There is one known weakspot with it but its a $E20 fix and thats the tailbox... Other than that it will fly nicely when ur ready to go... You will need a radio, motor\esc and servos. for the EXI... but you can buy all these AND the heli AND be fly'n cheaper than you would be by buy'n an RTF Trex or similar heli... Like mentioned there are LOTS of vids on setting up the heli and TONS of great people here to help make learning a pleasure and help you along as best they can... I wouldn't plan on taking short cuts with this heli... IMO you'd be having a hard time doing it and\or it would be much more costly... You have plenty of time to learn both and by learning both at the same time each will tell you LOTS about whats happening WHEN you are fly'n... For example if ur birds tail is twitch'n or wag'n hello to you... you'd know theres a problem and its the gyro.. needs the gain adjusted... Or a funny click or noise when spooling up... then the tailbox shears off... lol YOU ARE going to crash Right Out Of The Box so becoming a heli mechanic is necessary Right Out Of The Box too... lol

Sorry for the long winded explanation but I didn't see how I could Readers Digest the info you needed down to 25 words or less... Other than... BUY EXI...

Welcome to the habit and happy ly'n

Thanks again guys! A lot of good information and insight from experienced flyers, I appreciate it. Now I just have to make up my mind and decide which one would be the best one for me at this time.[sm=72_72.gif]

Well guys it's been 3 weeks since I got my heli from Xheli and they sent me an email saying my spare battery was now backordered. Still have yet to hear from them or know when this battery will be in stock and shipped. I fell 3 weeks is way to long to go with out even an email saying what is happening or an update. Not like there's a shortage of them out there. So today I will be making a call trying to get my money back.. Other then this I had no problem with them but this does make me think twice before I order or deal with them again..

Over a battery?? Or the time it took for notice?? If you get your money back pronto it wouldn't stop me from shopping there... Especially for a couple more heli's when they come on sale again... lol And we know we all could use at least a couple more...

BTW which batteries and how much were they... I'm asking cause a place I was buy'n batteries from off fleabay just opened up a website rather than going thru fleabay anymore and they still have their 2200-30C batteries for about $25.00 delivered I believe... Didn't really get to scope it out thoroughly but if you want the link let me know...

happy fly'n

It was another stock batt my wife added to the order for 27$. It's the fact that its been 3 weeks and we havent heard anything on it but they do have my money for it. Not like theres a short supply for these batteries. I just feel that 3 weeks is along time for any company to take to not even send you an update.
Hook us up with the link. Always looking for good deals..