I am looking for a 50 size nitro heli.............I would prefer an ARF, but I don't understand the pricing differences.....seems like some ARFs are less than kits...why? I am learning on a small elec. and want to move up to a larger, stable, easy to fly.....any thoughts, etc,...help? Thanks WC

Considering even in the 450 electric size there are a LOT of RTRs that cost less than the Trex 450SE V2 kit I don't understand your question.

In any RC whether cars, trucks, helis, planes...etc. you're going to find high end kits that cost more than an ARF or even RTF.

If you want some help maybe you could give us a budget? Do you already have a radio?

I wonder why an ARF or RTF in the same brand, such as Align, is less than the kit of the same size...I assume it relates to quality? My main objective to find a quality ARF 500-600 size Nitro that is a good second heli....3D is not a concern.......Thanks for the help WC

If 3D is not a conecrn.
If you wanna go cheap,
I was looking for a G-Smart for months and they got discontinued, but still cheap.

Check out the marketplace in the forum.
Lots of Nitro helis either ARF, RTF or receiver ready at awsome price.

I think what you're asking is
why ARF's are
cheaper than the Kit?

I can answer
1. Probably cause the ARF's are used likely,
2. ARF may have cheap i mean really cheap electronics. and the heli also may have cheaper parts
3. Watch out for the clones and the knock-off's. Clones are fair in price but knockoffs needs to go straight into the trashcan.

I would say go for a kit.

Then at least you know that every screw is nice and tight with loktite. You also learn exactly how the whole thing goes together because one day you are going to crash and rebuilld. You also have a better appreciation for the complexity and the bauty of 300 small parts all rotating and moving as a unit to make something fly where the wings travel faster than the fuselage ...

And with a kit you can choose exactly what components to use. As opposed to end up throwing half away and upgrading/replacing stuff like blades, muffler etc.

I'm totally with RAPPY on this one!

Remember, All kits become Helicopters that you can fix yourself...................sooner or later an ARF will return to kit form and it will end up on the glass counter top at your LHS who will happily repair it for far more $$$$$$$$ than what you originally saved with the cheaper ARF you purchased.

Kit builders rock!

I build...........therefore, I am!

Blue: There is nothing wrong with an arf heli because you will still go through it to make sure everything is thread locked and working smoothe. Some purest will say different but that is what they like. The quality is probably no different and the price differences are spometimes just special sales vendor put on. With an Arf you still have to install the main assemblies and electronics cut out the canopies. I have them both in various brands and have over the years. Back when you had to build everything there were no Arf. What heli are you thinking of buying? We can help you with that if you want. Not to confuse the posters but ARF heli do not come with electronics, motors, mufflers in most cases. A RTF would and trust me none are Ready to Fly. The TT Rapter offers some packages. Be sure the model are the same example TT Titan and not one A Titan and the other a V2. Trex you have some differences such as glass fiber frames and carbon frames or Pro Vs standard some come with blades and some do not. That could also be the reason of the price difference. Just check apples to apples to see some of the price differences

Jim

Thanks to everyone for suggestions, etc...........I found what I wanted right here in the RCU classifieds.....a used Hirobo Freya RTF less gyro, servo and receiver, it should be a stable machine to learn forward flight, etc......Thanks WC

Blue: that is a super nice machine your gonna love it. congrats!!!

Jim