hi i have been flying fixed pitch and co axle Helli's for a year or so now and would like to get into a really decent collective pitch 3d Helli.does anybody have comments on this one from ebay i was thinking of getting http://cgi.ebay.ca/HeliMax-MX400-3D-...QQcmdZViewItem

You're going to end up having the same amount of money tied up in that as you would a .30 size nitro bird. Why not consider getting a combo deal from Century Heli? You can get the Hawk Pro Kit, Futaba 6EXH, digital servos, gyro and OS 32 engine for about the same price as you are gettting ready to pay for the Helimax. Not to mention, supposedly, the larger birds are easier to fly as well. Just a thought. Here's the link to what I am referring to.

http://www.heli-world.com/Merchant2/...de=CN1000CMFS3

Derek

do not buy a helimax iv flown rc heli 15 yrs thought this would be a good one to start my dad out on out of the box ball links fall off swashplate falls in two and head cracked helimax tech told me you get what you pay for sorry???? great service tech also told me rotofly was good for about 20 -30 flights then it will be worn out find a different brand name with some quality control

Most people I know would suggest the electric TREX.

I have a shogun but they are virtually the same flying characteristics as the TREX

They are all built around the same sort of size zoom 400 , walkera, Trex, Shogun. So if this is the size I would find out where your local parts store is. No joke. If your closest dealer is hobbypeople get shogun if its a TRex dealer get the Trex.

if they were about the same I think I would get the Trex because I hear they're about the same as the shogun but have cheaper repair parts.

Jd

If your not going up smooth and straight go back down!

I have the MX400 and am very pleased with it. Not sure about that motor or esc. The lipo is a little undersized also.
Regardless of what brand heli you choose, if it is pre-built, I would suggest going over entire heli with a fine tooth comb. Don't assume the individual assembling your bird tightened and applied loctite where needed. Make sure yourself.

I have the outrunner 400DH on my Shogun, real nice, with a phoenix 35 Esc.

My shogun flew out of the box real nice, of course I changed the motor and had to install the esc, servos, receiver and gyro.

I use the thunderpower 2100 mah Lipo. I like the setup, and the battery fits snuggly but nicely in the heli. Just glad I got the platic blades, x400 they are bullet proof.

JD

Spare parts = future repairs

the MX400 isnt even made by helimax, it's made by ARK (x400) and designed by the same person as the Trex under the helimax brand. It will fly as stable as a trex out of the box, it will do 3d like a trex with lighter paddles and some larger blades. if you crash it, some of the ARK parts are cheaper than Align parts. If not, Trex parts are directly interchangable (everything except the maingear and frame).

the X400 can be found for under 90 shipped. Trex is a better heli though if you spend the extra $70 for an XL or Benjamins for the SE.

I have both and IMO the TRex is the better all around buy. The X 400 is fine, once you replace the weak head and figure out how to get rid of the elevator slop.

My 400 flies very well but I have gone with an aluminum head, aluminum swash, bling tail rotor grips and two sets of landing gear.

Also not all parts from Align will work on the 400 and vice versa. The main motor gear set is not the same, nor is the landing gear.

The 400 is attractive because if the price and because it's an ARF but the TRex is not hard to build and has a better all around control system.

IMO..

I have the aluminum swash also, guess that means my original broke on the Shogun.

JD

It never breaks when I don't fly it!