T-Rex or Blade CP for a noob??

[carlo_the_wonder_frog]

Hello, I am new to the heli scene. I currently have a Blade CX, but its just not very capable, good for learning on though. The main problem is that my home doesn't have enough room to really do much but hover, pirouettes and some small circles. Its usually windy where I live so going outdoors usually leads to a broken CX. I have Realflight G3 and also fly planks and electric sport planes, plus nitro and electric cars and trucks. I want to really get out and do some 3D, at least start learning and the CX just isn't going to cut it.

For learning 3D do you think I would be better off in the long run getting the T-rex or the Blade CP. I don't have gobs of money either, so until my skills have improved enough I won't be going to Nitro. I am leaning towards the T-Rex as it is bigger and I figured would be a little more stable in the wind, I already have a Futaba 7CHP TX and a Castle Creations Pheonix 35 ESC ( From My combat fighter), and figured I could use them. On the other hand the CP is available as a ARF so i could get that and the electronics and use my own TX. Which way would you suggest I go. If i go the T-Rex route, which model would you suggest? I'm no fan of bling, but want CCPM so I figured the 450xl CDE kit would be the best and its quite a bit cheaper than the SE. Is my thinking fairly logical, or am i just a know nothing noobie?

[Motions]

If your looking to get into 3D, then you should go with the Trex. If you get a Blade CP, your just going to have to get a Trex later because the Blade won't do 3D.

[Celsian]

If your looking to get into 3D, then you should go with the Trex. If you get a Blade CP, your just going to have to get a Trex later because the Blade won't do 3D.


... O Rely?

http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/reviews/585/145.jpg

I have never used a TREX, so I can't speak from experience in that area, however, I own a Blade CP and I think it's a great heli. I've had no problems with it and it comes RTF factory tested so you can be in the air in 10 minutes. I love the machine and it has everything I'd expect in an electric heli. She's small, she can be squirely, but if you know what you're doing she flies like a dream.

[Motions]

Yes, it will hover inverted but that's not 3D. Do you have any video of it doing a chaos?

The BCP is a great training heli and it's what I used to learn on. Very rugged and stable. However, if you go that route, I recommend getting the HoneyBee CP2. It comes stock with parts that are considered upgrades on the BCP like Bell/Hiller head and lipos.

[Celsian]

True, true. I'm not experienced enough to know it's capabilities with regards to those kind of manuevers.

I'm curious though, is there a TREX that comes RTF? Including controller ect. I was looking around at the different packages as I think I may be interested in one of these for myself!

[Motions]

I don't think I've ever seen one RTF. You might be able to find one someone is selling that's already built. I would recommend building the kit yourself though. It's a great learning experience and your going to need it when you start replacing parts.

[Steve Rogers]

I don't think I've ever seen one RTF. You might be able to find one someone is selling that's already built. I would recommend building the kit yourself though. It's a great learning experience and your going to need it when you start replacing parts.

I did find a site once that offered the Rex RTF complete with Tx of your choice allready set up, test flown & shipped. Dont remember the site but I did the price & it was WAY up there!

Motions is right though, buy the kit & build it yourself. That will become very valuable knowledge. I started on the Blade & I still have fun with it when the wind isnt howling but after hovering a buddys Rex theres no comparrison - Rex wins! I've got 2 now, an XL and an SE. The SE I bought used so no building there but I'm almost done building the XL & it looks like a big chore when you first look at all the parts but this will be my 3rd evening of building & I'll have it ready to go by tomorrow. Follow the inst. & its a breeze.

Since I have both Rex & Blade & like I said I still have fun with the Blade, for me it was really a waste. I should have went straight for the Rex to start with! For what the Blade cost I could have had anothe Trex kit for a spare.

Just my opinion though & no pun towards the Blade or those who love it.

What ever you choose good luck & enjoy the Heli Hobby

Steve

[Celsian]

So how much will I have to put down all together for a TREX? And what are the different levels / capabilities? (I.E. What can you do with an XL that you can't do with an SE or vice versus?)

[Steve Rogers]

If you have to start from scratch buying Tx, receiver, servos & battery's your looking in the $700 range depending on the quality of the radio gear you get. FACT is electric is not any cheaper than nitro (unless you do go with something like the blade).

The SE & the XL are basically the same machine just the SE is the Superior Edition that comes with all the bling that you can add to the XL. Both are CCPM just one costs alot more. There is an HD version that is not CCPM , similar to a Raptor, that will let you get by with a cheaper non ccpm capable Tx. As far as capability there all 3 3D capable. For a true beginner I personally recommend the HD version for the simple fact crashes are not as hard on servos. Ive got lucky & not had to rebuild any - YET!

Good Luck,
Steve

P.S. Good Trexes can be found at the various sites with classifieds for good prices. For instance the SE kit W/ motor & speed control is average $499. I gave $575 for my SE which included 3 HS65 servos & 1 HS81 ($120) An Align Carrying case for the heli ($80) 2 Apogee 2480 battery's ($150) A Celectra lipo charger ($40 ?) Tons of spare parts (at least $50 worth) 3 sets of blades and a money back guarantee if it didn't look brand new w/ no problems when I received it. The landing gear was broke (which I planed on replacing w/ Gorilla gear anyway) & was reimbursed the cost of a new landing gear. The best part was I didn't have to build it. After installing a Rx & Gyro & a good once over its ready to go.
Be patient & look religiously for the good deals!

[chad_skidmore]

I have a Blade CP and while it was ok to learn with, if I had it to do over again I'd go with the Trex. I'm giving some serious thought now to selling the Blade and picking up a Trex.

From a learning perspective, if you can fly the Blade then it will make a larger nitro seem really easy. I moved from the Blade to a Raptor 50V2 and it was incredibly easy compared to the Blade.

good luck,
chad

[Bayou Talker]

The blade is a fun "toy" but if you are serious about flying, the trex is the way to go. I have both and there is no comparison between the two. As for price, I bought my Trex SE at a fun fly for $420 including the motor and speed control and two sets of blades. Just add a battery, servos and receiver to finish the package. Look around, there are some deals out there on new kits and there are always a couple for sale used and RTF.

Good luck

[WillJames]

TREX hands down.

[carlo_the_wonder_frog]

Thanks to everyone who replied, its very appreciated. I will be buying the Trex just as soon as I stop spending my money on the planes and trucks. I have a good TX and RX, brushless ESC and motor, lots of servos, LiPo batteries and spare time. I guess when I look at it, all I really need to get going is a Kit and a Gyro. Would everyone agree that the Futaba gy401 Gyro would be a good purchase?

[Bayou Talker]

Definitely a good choice. You won't be disappointed.

[Steve Rogers]

Definatly the 401!

[MikeEast]

Someone asked where to get one ready to fly, I bought mine from Ready Heli built and ready to go. I think the biuld cost me $50. I bought a cheap 6EXA TX from them that came programmed and ready to go. With the hard case that carries everything you need to fly and a little more I paid right at $1200. That was tricked out to the max. 2 battery packs, Futaba 9650 in the tail, GY401, 3103's up front (bad choice on my part),,CF and aluminum everything. The swash mod was done for me. Everything was upgraded to the max It came to me and all I had to do was plug in a battery pack and start flying. It was my 1st heli and I hovered it on the 1st day. It was that well setup.
I must say it was somewhat of a disadvantage. I still have a lot to learn about setup because it was RTF. But for what I wanted it was perfect.