Aside from the $200 plus price difference , I'm interested in opinions from those out there who can attest ( from personal experience ) to the workmanship, hardware, and flight characteristics of one versus the other.

Focus II, is a better quality ARF kit....only no hardware.... but, the workmanship is better, covering etc.

Flying: Depending on flying style probably. I prefer the looks and flying characteristics of the Arresti III .... (it is a very solid, tough and large airplane that tracks and presents extremely well.) I really fell in love hard with the Arresti after I flew it. You should also be aware that the Focus II flies great and the weight tends to be about a pound less.

My opinion is that you really can't go wrong either way.... Primarily, looks and budget are going to be your determining factors.

Chris White

We were just talking about this at the field tonight. FOCUS II comes with all the hardware, pushrods, control arms, clevis links, and wheel axles.

For a data point I used all the stock hardware very successfully in the FOCUS II ARF- Even down to the phillips head screws for the cowling and control arms.

If you had to choose beteen the two (having enough resources for that choice)...I've flown both the FOCUS and Quest - both are excellent pattern planes to start with; but the FOCUS II is competitive also in upper classes, and quite good at rolling circles and one roll loops in the FAI sequences. Where you feel the advantage in the entry classes-- Rudder during point rolls and stall turns (and rudder at the top of loops and vertical lines). The FOCUS has an advantage in that regard.

Best of luck,

Don

Don - he's asking about the Arresti III, that I'm (and cd3217) is flying (pictured in my avatar)....I haven't flown the Focus, so don't feel I can comment. BUt as to completeness, the Arresti's have everything, but some of it one might want to replace (for example, the alum tube and alum gear - using CF replacements can reduce a LOT of weight)

I do believe that the Arresti has slightly more wing, if that's an important interest area.

You are right! I was reading another e-mail I had about the Quest and thought for some reason the Aresti was a re-creation of the Quest design. Sorry for the cross-link. I have not flown the Aresti so there goes my comments! Looks like a fine plane.

See ya,

Don

The Icepoint is the design you where thinking of re: Quest.
The Icepoint is a viable option but the one piece wing may be a deal breaker. (And it comes under the 11lb mark with stock parts.)

Frank,

Read my lips. "Focus II w/ Bolly Landing Gear" <vbg>