RE: axe cp thread
 

So you think charging through the discharge lead is fine?
I don't have a balance charger, just doing the charge through the main discharge leads.

Also I crashed last night and putting on the new main gear. The new one is almost impossible to get on (very tight), I'm thinking
I might break something forcing it on. Should I try to sandpaper out some of the plastic inside the gear so it slides on smooth or what?

Thanks for all the great info! I am finding out that this is the place to talk to people about problems. The guys at the LHS are not that helpful.
Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RE: axe cp thread
 

Yes, you can charge through the discharge leads with that charger. However, you should get a balancer and make sure the pack stays balanced. I find mine are out every 3rd flight or so. It depends on how low you let the battery get.

Main gear requires a little convincing. I had to brace the heli and gear and use a small hammer to tap it onto the main shaft. Try sanding a little, it might make it fit better. I'm sure you can see there is a "D" shaped hole, so it only goes in one way.

RE: axe cp thread
 

Hi.

Another method for getting any gear/wheel onto a shaft is to freeze the shaft and it will shrink. If the gear/wheel is metalic, it can be gently warmed at the same time. Care must be taken to get the two together before they get to room temp. They will cool/warm quickly as small parts.

As far as flying from gravel, remember that the dust is rock. I think you might expect to have a shorter life span on gravel. It might be insignificant but you choose.

Congrats on your long hovering. You are now officially hooked. (Fish with hook in mouth loving every minute of it):D:D:):);)

RE: axe cp thread
 

Yea I got it together now. I used the sanding idea and it worked like a charm!
I flew it and it flies great.
Thanks.

RE: axe cp thread
 

Acadwheel, I usually just polish the mainshaft before installing it and everything goes together fine. The reason I don't want to sand the shaft is I want to maintain the clearances between the shaft and lower bearing.

Also there's no way to tell if the Li-Po is still good, but it's definitely damaged. It may fail slowly and just puff and swell or it may fail quickly and combust. Usually they only catch fire when they are shorted, but I'm not sure how a physically damaged cell affects the equation. It also brings up another point. I almost never fly without the canopy on the heli to protect the Li-Po.

RE: axe cp thread
 

No I didn't sand/grind the shaft as I saw the bearing at the bottom. The bearing as you know need to stay true.
I took off a little of the plastic on the gear, those are only 6 bucks and if I screw that up it's not a bid thing.

Thanks Heliko!
Man, your all over this site.
I guess your a good one to trust.

RE: axe cp thread
 

I want to try and setup my AXE CP in my Hitec 7 Eclipse 7 radio has anyone tried this before? and what might be some good basic setting if anyone has tried thanks in advance.

RE: axe cp thread
 

Update!

For anyone trying to fly the AXE CP with a 401 gyro and a brushless tail motor.
Speed controllers do make a difference.
I better also add that I am using a DX7 Tx.
After trying a couple of different speed controllers, I had no success until
I wired up the Castle Creations Phoenix 10 brushless esc.
I had lag problems with the other controllers.
This is not to say that the 240 gyro or others will need this esc to operate properly.

And Heliko if you see this I want to let you know that I had to abandon the trimmed down
tail rotor blade because it would not generate enough leverage to offset the throttle curve and torque.
I think you know what I mean.

I now have a great esc that is adjustable and I finally have the perfect tail that I have been looking for
since febuary.

By the way Heliko, I know that eventually I will want to go brushless with the main rotor motor.
Have you decided wheather or not you are satisfied with your selection?

Thanks

FJ

RE: axe cp thread
 

This seems like way too much to invest in the AXE. I really hate the AXE. My Blade CP Pro was soooo much better out of the box. And no upgrades needed. Jusy my 2 cents after having and flown both. I am happy to sell the AXE if anyone is interested.

RE: axe cp thread
 

Why would it be too much to invest in? Anyone who is even moderately commited to the hobby would quickly realize that buying the gyro would be an investment anyway and esc's are a dime a dozen figuratively speaking. Being able to move your gyro to pretty much any heli you want sounds like a good move to me.;)

RE: axe cp thread
 

Look at their website (meaning Tower Hobby). This heli is "supposed" to be able to do 3D out of the box. At my altitude this is not the case. I am just saying that there are better heli's out there in an "Out of the Box" configuration than the AXE. Hey anybody can spend their money any which way they want. Just not me. I own a Blade PC Pro and an AXE CP. The Blade is much better for me. QC is so much better that I can't reccomend an AXE anymore. If you are going to add all the after market upgrades you should just purchase a Trex instead. I am done with the AXE, I really think that it is a P.O.S. My opinion only. It is a good hovering heli but not ready for advanced flight. If this heli was $149.99 it would be ok. I know that I am going to take alot of flack for these staetments, but I wish that I never would of wasted my $ on the AXE.

RE: axe cp thread
 

JZ, you'll get no flack from me. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. The Trex 450 is in a different league than the Axe no question. It's known to be easier to fly, but at this point I'm not that good a pilot and the Axe is easier to fix.

Your right the Axe has problems. The battery for one. I'm sorry your Axe has been so problematic for you. Many people compare it to the Blade and some may think it's a step up because it's bigger or whatever. I think if anything it's a lateral step.

The Axe has worked great for me in that I've learned alot about RC heli flight, but if I had owned a Blade I would've never bought an Axe. Not because the Blade is better, but because neither seems better. After owning the Axe I'm already realizing the limits of tail motors and I'm wanting a CP T/R.



Having said all that here's some reasons I like the Axe.

It's tough, it takes alot of punishment. I took it out the other day and in my perpetual rush to learn forward flight crashed it about four times. The only thing I broke was a skid support. I have plenty of spares.

It's Hiller head. This makes repairs on the head simpler. When I do break a head part not only is replacing it easier, but it's also easier to trim.

It's easy to upgrade. I don't expect to much from anything that is RTF, RTR or whatever. It's just a starting point. It works well with Li-Po's and they can be gotten at a reasonable price. The HH gyro mod is easy as well. It may be an expensive component, but as said it can be transplated to the next heli. A BL main motor is also reasonable. A motor and ESC from United Hobbies is about $50 bucks.

It's small. I like flying in the backyard and hovering in the house. I can't do that with a Trex 450. It just wouldn't be safe.

I'm looking to upgrade as well. I'd like to to stay with around a 20" rotor diameter, but have a CP tail. Right now the HB King V2 is the only one that'll work, but it's part support is sketchy.

I've heard that someone is working on a belt tail conv. and when it comes out if I'm still flying the Axe I'll try that too. I think I've also figured out how to hook up the Blade's Bell/Hiller upgrade to the Axe when the time comes. Should it be on me to try and make all this stuff work probably not, but I enjoy improvising as much as flying.

RE: axe cp thread
 

Hate to say it, but you're pretty much right on this one. I have given up on mine too. Just can't get it right. I flew it a few times, but it was just so unstable, prolonged flight was impossible. With the price of their replacement parts being so high, it's justs not worth it. The wooden blades for my T-Rex 600 are less than those for the Axe CP. So is just about everything else! Now, when it comes to smooooth, you can't beat the T-Rex 600. Wish I had just bought that to start with.

RE: axe cp thread
 

Well I installed the DX6 in mine, used the same esc,gyro that came with the axe. It is alot better to control. the Radio has features that allow you to fine tune the axe more. Pitch curve thot curve, and rev mixing that really helps alot with the tail ALOT! Add thorttle tail stays stright decrease throttle same thing.

I like it alot better

Chaseman81[8D]

RE: axe cp thread
 

Im sorry that you guys have had such a bad experiences with your Axes... My experience with it has been nothing short of wonderful!!! I seriously doubt that there is another RTF heli out there than can take the kind of abuse that the Axe can take. I remeber looking at the Blade CP before buying the Axe and thinking "this looks like my old Piccolo, a bunch of sticks glued to a basic frame...". When I had the Piccolo, one hard landing always meant a broken skid, cracked tail boom, or some other bent/broken part. The Axe not only looks like it can take a beating but it will take a beating!!! I have flown mine into my house and only suffered a pair of broken blade grips and main rotor blades.

RE: axe cp thread
 

just my two cents, I do not read manuals or directions because I am man, which means nothing more than I learn my lessons the hard way. I have owned multiple brands of helis and have rebuilt each after a good concrete melt or furniture restoration by rotor blade, and I say with no hesitation or second thought that esky honeybees have been by far the best for the money as far as flight charateristics and options are concerned. Blade cp - $199 average price, heli max - $189 average, honeybee cp2 - $125 average. No brainer, the esky comes with lipo and balance charger and essentially is a xerox of the blade cp. I just recieved my king v2 delivered to my door for $170 ready to fly, same thing with the lipos and charger. The king came with belt driven tail, almost an identical frame to the axe, superior head design (in my opinion) and superior electronics (once again, opinion). I have yet to set up the heli and it flies perfect, stability unmatced in its class, optioned better than helis that cost $100 dollars more. My best friend picked up his axe and it has been the biggest headache. It reminds me of my blade when i first started flying, all over the place and simply unstable. I have heard the parts availability concerns but blade cp parts work in almost every capacity and I have yet to find it difficult to replace a part due to availability. parts are cheap and abundant if you know where to look, just cause hoizon doesn't carry them does not mean they are second class. I still own my blade cp and after many rebuilds and minor mods (lipo, hiller) I still enjoy flying it a great deal, but my bee will fly circles around it out of the box and for less money. I plan to do a falcon or superex next and for $50 bucks more than an axe and the same price as the cp pro both of these helis appear to be heavier duty and optioned far better than either of the afore mentioned. Once again, it is all just my opinion and counts for little, but I do feel strongly that everyone should be aware of their options and if someone does it better for cheaper, count me in.


anyone and everyone is enouraged to their own research and come to their own conclusion. the advice on this forum with you good people and fellow hobbiest is the best place to start.

RE: axe cp thread
 

In a couple months you will probably see the price of the Axe gradually drop. Thats what happened to the rotofly, ok it is worse than the axe in many ways but in the begging it was good but after two - three minor crashes it was crap in flight. The axe isn't that bat but for 200 it is. If it came with a better gyro or electronics it would be worth 200 or a little more.

RE: axe cp thread
 

my CP was a stepping stone I guess... I thought it would make me happy, and it does, but not happy enough. I figured by going to a larger bird with the breezes I could probably double my flying time. So, I've upgraded to the MX400, but, my Axe is sitting on the shelf, in the next day or so (maybe tonight) I'll get it back up and running and then I'm going to give it a shot of Futaba 6EXH transmitter to see how it does with that, I'm suspecting that I'll be very satisfied and the new radio will allow me to make adjustments that I could've lived without, but will make flying a lot nicer.

speaking of.. for those of you upgrading radios, can someone share some pitch curve/throttle curves for the 6EXH? thanks!

RE: axe cp thread
 

The axe has been a love / hate experience.
Can't blame anyone for wanting to sell it. Its a rough one and can be extremely frustrating.
It was my 2nd heli after flying a blade cx2 coaxial.
They said not to move up to a single blade so fast but I did anyway so it was shame on me.
I also plan on upgrading someday but not until I can fly this one.
The upgrades I have made like the gyro and TX will work on practically any heli I choose to go to.
These will be a must anyway for a arf heli.
I also saw the video of a 15 year old kid (eeeeky) make the axe fly like it was on auto pilot.
What a great show 3d and all for this class heli.
I'm not going to be beat out that badly by a kid 1/3 my age.
If he can do it then I'm going to do it at least half as well.
This is the link if if you want to see it.
http://videos.myrctoys.com/electric/axecp_1.wmv

I have had a lot of the same troubles others have, its one heck of a challenge.
What I have learned while trying to figure out this crazy bird has been
priceless considering I never knew anything about r/c cars, planes, or helis before this.
The guy at the lhs has 16 years experience with helis and can fly the axe out of the box quite well.
I couldn't belive it. Thats when I knew how much skill and how much practice was involved here.
He told me he could have me flying a $1000.00 9 pound nitro in one day but one good crash and it could take
as much as $600.00 to fix it. I want to fly one someday but thats a lot of money to learn the hard way.
I'll take my lumps now and maybe it will save me money in the long run. If not then lesson learned.
They said if you can fly this thing then you can fly anything and I believe it.
One way or another I'm hooked on r/c heli's now and do not plan on giving up anytime soon.
I will spend my summer with this bird and graduate to something bigger next year.
No more moving to fast for me. When the axe has seen its days I will retire it and keep it in a safe place
as a reminder of what got me to the next level or what drove me insane.

FJ

RE: axe cp thread
 

hey man, we may be old, but with our combined brains we can take him and make sure he don't fly and make us look bad anymore :D

RE: axe cp thread
 

Well today my new blades came in. I haven't been a fan of plastic blades in the past, but I'm pretty rough on my Axe and though the wood part of the blades last a while the monokote doesn't so I thought I'd give the JCS' a shot after all the praises I've heard about them.

I'm glad I did. They work pretty well. I even got some revenge on my nemesis the heli-eating tree in my backyard. It's a red maple that grows where the yard narrows and has been the culprit in a couple of crashes. I swear it just jumps out there and grabs the heli. I think it's part womping willow. :)

Today I went into the tree too (wind :eek:) however the blades just cut though it. The heli didn't even slow down. It was cool and yes I know I'm not exactly...sane. [sm=spinnyeyes.gif] Anyway I was curious so I proceeded to trim the maple too.:D I have to take video next time. I can't believe the way the heli cut through it. The blades are turning from yellow to green, but that's OK.

You can say alot of things about the Axe, but it is stable.

RE: axe cp thread
 

FJ, I'm not sure if this will help. I came across this post while looking for info on a new Tx and saved it as a word file. I believe it was posted originally by Quickster47, but I'm not sure.

6EXH set-up


Here is the basic setup I am using right now.

Setup for the Helimax Axe CP

PARAMETER Menu:
Swash Type setting: HELICOPTER(HR-3)
MODUL: PPM

CCPM servo channel mapping:
CH1: Right rear CCPM servo
CH2: Front CCPM servo
CH6: Left rear CCPM servo

Servo Reversing:
CH1 = Aileron Normal
CH2 = Elevator Reverse
CH3 = Throttle Reverse
CH4 = Rudder Normal
CH5 = Gyro Normal
CH6 = Pitch Reverse

Swash AFR:
AIL-> +65%
ELE-> -65%
PIT-> -37%

Throttle curves:
Normal: 0.0%, 36.0%, 72.0%, 83.5%, 100%
Idle1: 100.0%, 83.5%, 72.0%, 83.5%, 100%
Idle2: 100.0%, 83.5%, 72.0%, 83.5%, 100%

Pitch curves:
Normal: 40.0%, 45.0%, 50.0%, 72.5%, 100.0%
Idle1: 0.0%, 27.5%, 50.0%, 72.5%, 100.0%
Idle2: 0.0%, 27.5%, 50.0%, 72.5%, 100.0%

PROG - MIX1:
ELEV->THRO (Ch2 -> Ch3)
Down -20%, Up +20%

PROG - MIX2:
AILE->THRO (Ch1 -> Ch3)
Left +20%, Up -20%

Why mix throttle and aileron/elevator?

Cyclic movements take additional throttle to keep head-speed up, this is something I learned a while back from suggestions for the Hornet from Eric Larsen's home page.

Easiest way to test for yourself is to hover and just run the helicopter through some quick rocking motions, you'll be able to hear the head-speed drop.

The two mixes add throttle during cyclic simply to keep the maneuverability up, the stock radio doesn't do this, and it's why you hear so many people complain about a stock Axe losing head-speed in their first loops.

RE: axe cp thread
 

my axe sure as hell isn't stable. I have gone hrough every part on the heli, nothings broken bent or twisted. It still wables in high temps. it dives to the rear right, trim doesn't do anything. I am going to give tower a call

RE: axe cp thread
 

New Axe Owner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Battery is on the charger as I type. I am planning on buying a bunch of spare parts to replace when I have my first crash. What parts are most common to break when you do crash?

RE: axe cp thread
 

Buy a lipo battery 1st!!!!!!! 11.1volt 1320mah Thunder power is the best about $57.00 . Trust me on this one. spare blades and blade grips. Then we will chat again

Chaseman81

P.S Go slow!!! We don't need another hero. [X(]

somboby give him the address to R.A.D.D.S:D

This will help you