Predator for the first time

[Matthew]

I'm thinking of a second heli and was wondering how the predator would work out. what if any are the problems with it. How much are parts and how easy are they to get. I don't have a LHS around here that carries heli stuff so it would be all mail order. My one and only ship right now is a blinged out Raptor 70 V2. That is the only thing I have to go off from for part cost.

Thanks
Matthew

[pepper]

i. like you , don't have a LHS so everything i order is mail order.. some people really complain about it but i haven't had a problem ordering.... but no one is perfect.. parts cost is good. i have personally had a R90 and prefer the predator. i have the carbon max, which i recomend!!!! i love mine. if you have any more questions on the predator please let me know.. go to century and download the manual and see how it's put together..

pepper

[megarckid]

good QQQQ i would also like to know. im looking at the pmax 90 lets see what the guy's here at helifreak has to say :hug:

[bighands3d]

It's not to bad if you have someone else around you that fly's Century you can combine your orders and split shipping makes mail orders a little easy on the pocket book. As far as the, Pmax 90 is a good machine or the SE 60/70 is what I have now but moving up to the carbon max. The build up is a little more than you might be acustom to but if you run into any problems just shout out on HF we can help out. Both pepper and myself are reps and can short cut any problems. You may incounter. Not sure what level your at or what you expence account can handle I know that the bigger machines have shorter flight times 8-10mins.

My saying is fly what you can afford. Not what everyone else flys.

[pepper]

that is what me and bighands3d are here for. i love answering qustions!!

ask away...

pepper

[Matthew]

Thanks guys I'm trying to work a deal out now for a standard. Will 710 blades fit on one. Also I've never had a ccpm heli. I think that is what it is. How hard is it to set up with a 9c saying he takes my offer.

[WillJames]

Tons of people are using 9C's with the Predator, so it could not be that hard Matthew. I'm sure you can figure it out. The setup videos that Shannon did on his Fury will also be applicable since the P-MAX is CCPM also. Hopefully J will take your offer. :) Once you get a super quick and nice machine like the P-MAX your blinged R90 is going to start collecting dust, but it will be lucky dust to hang with bling. :D

[Ray Fernandez]

The 710s are great for the Pred MAX. I'd go with the 700s for the Standard Pred. Regarding the CCPM set-up, it looks difficult at first but is really simple to get used to. The 9C is a very good choice.

Good luck :D

[Aaron L]

There's no way you can go wrong with a predator, they fly really, really well. As for the standard, i wouldn't run more than 700mm blades, the 710's are to long for the boom. You'll deffinately be happy with a century, and if you have any q's at all, just shoot 'em out here!
Aaron

[bighands3d]

I would get the SE so you have constant tail for autos and the MAH 700's is what I'm using now. You can use the V's they load to hard on the smaller engines.
like the 61/70 engines

The CCPM set is not hard. I found a great tool to use for setting up the swash it's the MA swash tool it does require some modification to the inner part to fit the swash correctly on the pred. But it will let you get the mixes right so there is no inneraction Just shout out for help when get your kit or one of us can help you there is a century rep up in va. Zak Johns is there.

[bighands3d]

Hey matt,

I do have one for sale but it's a complete set up. minus radio and reciever.
Pred SE with the rotortech 700's and 95mm tail blades
New OS .70, a KSJ pipe60-90 , 4 JR 8231 digitals, GY401 w/9253, header tank, and some crash parts for you if your intrested. Parts are one boom, 2 Carbon TTube, one main shaft and a head axle, 2 sets of the stock solid carbon fins one new set of plastic 3d fins

the best part is it's already built and set up so you can get in the air quick.

asking $950.00

[pepper]

i am actually useing MAH 690's on my carbon max with os 91. and 105 on the tail. it performs really well

pepper

[Matthew]

Thanks Big hands but I've got a OS70 With MP II and everything else I just need the heli. Trying to get one right now waiting for the reply. I have a set of V's (came in the mail today thanks Will) 690's will they work? Also what size bolt is it for the mains. 5mm or 4mm? Oh Big hands if you want to strip it and just sell the airframe we might could work something out.

Thanks all
Matthew

[pepper]

the mah blades are for a 4mm and the predator has a 5mm. i use a drill.. very carefully though..

pepper

[WillJames]

Those V's you just got from me have 5mm holes Matthew. Just bolt them on and go fly. :) MAH's are easy to drill if you go slow and use a good bit and some lube.

Take care and good luck!!

[Matthew]

Well I need help. Well not yet but soon. I got the standard from a guy on RR (ronaldc) for $400.00 shipped. Not bad right. First question what do I have to do to get it up to a SE.

Matthew

[pepper]

did he say that any upgrades were on it?

pepper

[Matthew]

Pepper I never asked I didn't really think I was even going to get it for that price. Lets go with just the standard and I'll wait till I get it. I'm pretty sure there are none on it. I know one is to make it a constant drive tail. I don't think I need the CF side frames Yet (Although they look SWEET) . Is there that big a difference in the two?

[pepper]

to me personally their is.. i have crashed both frames.. ! put it this way the carbon crash was HORRRRRIBLE but not even a scratch on the frame!! the other one, i bent the battery tray, and one of the side frames..

the only upgrade that i would strongly recomend would be the
1) Sprague gear- (hi6064c)
2) metal A arm - (hi6032a)

their are a couple of other things like, triple ball bearing for the main shaft, metal flybar control arm, new bell mixers, etc , etc..


pepper

[Matthew]

Keep going Pepper don't forget the part numbers. I'm writing this down as we go making a shopping list. Maybe dumb question but the sprague gear is that for the tail drive.

[pepper]

the sprague is the auto rotation hub, their has been some problem with them going out.

here is ya a shopping list;
triple bearing--cn2292-34bucks
bell mixer--hi6189a-28bucks
flybar arms--hw6176p, either purple or metal-33bucks
CNC seesaw- cn2297-16bucks
fan hub puller- cn2293-12bucks
push pull elevator set-cn2294-33bucks

carbon frame set- hc6001-199.95 bucks
front mounted rudder set-- hc6002-44bucks

prices subject to change :lol: :lol:

that schould get you started.. if you get the carbon set, the push pull elevator is already a part of the carbon set.

pepper

[bighands3d]

You could have bought mine cheaper than that list is with some spare parts but
O-well. Half of that stuff is not needed. I've been flying the stock SE with .70 for over 7 months only thing that is not original is the auto hub has the new sprage unit. The only thing I can recomend getting is two gear sets for each servo on the controls. Because when it goes in it takes out the gears almost every time. :( One of the side effects of CCPM on this machine being a PP system. The metal seesaw is deffinetly the cheapest way to go I would get one for a back up. The stock ones usually don't hold up to well in crashes and to replace all the pieces is just alittle less than the CNC one.

If your going to buy anything a crash kit would be one thing so you have parts availible to keep you flying in the event of.... So you wont have to wait 4 days for parts. there a few items I keep in my crash box.

blade grips and 8x16x5 bearings get a 4 pack boca.
10x19x5 4 pack main shaft bearings
You will need a tourch to get these out of the blocks.(main shaft )
flybar yoke set
bell mixers and 3x7x3F ---4
rod kit
fuel tank
bell crank set.
plastic 3d fin set cheaper than carbon ones
Fan Hub puller a Must.

Tip on fan use oil on the collets and don't get carried away with the tightening of the engine nut. on the smaller engines I haven't had a problem with the nuts coming lose if you use some RED LOCTITE and a crank locking tool.

upper and lower frames A. or spring for a set of carbons frames. ck it both ways first. the aluminum frames to get all the pieces is only a little difference in price.

I'd give part numbers but I don't have my manual at the moment.
This is good start the upgrades aren't need unless you want them the machine flys fine just as is.

[Matthew]

Now that is what I like to hear. I was starting to think there was something wrong with the heli. Bearings, Can I put them in the oven and get them out?

Thanks

Bighands

[pepper]

yes you can.

i just got through replaceing all of mine. on the bigger ones, i just got a socket that was just the right size and taped them out. in doing that, the only thing you have to worry about is if the bearing starts to catch some of the plastic and pulled some of it out to. i didn't have a problem with that though..

pepper

[Matthew]

Sweet that's a good idea