I am ordering a T-Rex 450XL HDE and I wanted to order a motor and esc but I dont really know what would be a good choice. I'm not really interested in doing alot of 3D moves mainly just doing loops and regular flying and hovering. What kind of power would i need and what would be a good choice? Any help on those two things would be great. The other quesiton I had is I can get a nice used Futaba GY401 from a friend, the little i read on here that seems to be a good choice is that true? Also what would be a differnt gyro that was not quiet as exspensive?

Thanks for the help,

I'm sure you'd be fine with a regular Align 430L Outrunner motor paired with an Align 25A ESC. This setup will be slightly more powerful than you would need for basic flying. Everyone starts flying normally, but then when they get really good and flying, and regular flying starts to bore them, they move one to some more complex acrobatics. This motor/ESC combo should work pretty well for you in that eventuality too. ;-)

If you can afford the 401, I would snatch it up! I've got 2 GY401s, but I've used a Telebee gyro with heading hold, and an align gyro....which were pretty much the same gyro. There's no comparison between those and the 401.....it's in a league of it's own. My 401s hold steady as rock, without even having to mess with rudder trim like you would with the cheaper ones. I really wouldn't cheap-out on the gyro if I were you.

Ok so here is what I am thinking i am going to order. If anyone has any opinion please say since this is the first heli i am personally putting togeather my other was a RTR.

450XL HDE
Align 430L with Align 35amp esc
GY401 Gyro
I already have a JR XP6102 & R610UL recv.
3 Blue Bird BMS-306 Servos and 1 HS-50
Already have a few 3 cell lipos w/ charger

My only other quesitons are the blue bird servos are ok? Or should i go with the HS-56? And does it matter that the gyro is a futaba and my radio is JR? If anyone else has any other suggestion could you let me know.

Thanks guys your time is a great help!

Sounds like a great setup, except for the servos. The blue bird servos, won't offer much torque, and they might not last very long either. The HS-65 servos would be MUCH better. The HS-50 is fine for the tail though.

The GY401 works just fine with the JR receiver.....you may have to snip off the little tab on the conector for the gyro though, so that it'll fit into the JR Rx. Don't forget that when you oder your servos, to make sure to get the ones with the univeral connector, or your have to snip off the tab on those too. The HS-50 won't matter, because it plugs into the gyro, which accepts a standard Futaba J connector.

a couple of extras that are a really good idea to purchase with the setup, that you will thank me for later:

1. Aluminum battery bracket. Srews onto the front end, and supports the battery MUCH better than the stock setup ($5).
2. Aluminum Swash plate. The stock ones are known to come apart in flight, which they say Align has now fixed, but It's one of the fastest rotating parts, and should be metal IMO ($40).
3. Base load (whip) antenna. Until today I was having problems successfully routing my long antenna wire. The simple solution appears to be a short whip antenna ($10).
4. Steel ball set for the heli. The aluminum balls that come with the kit are way to soft ($12).
5. Motor heat sink. The motor gets really hot, and this helps a lot! ($5)

Have fun!

OK thanks for the info I am pretty excitted to get it ordered!

Sweet, let us know how it goes! :-)

Just to make sure i get the right one which Aluminum Swash plate do I need to get for the XL HDE

The Swash for the HDE has four balls all around it at the four compass points.

the battery holder where did you get this from?
and can you post a picture of this.

Regards
Lazy