TREX Guy Considering the 550

[BryMeister]

Hey there. This is my first post on this forum. I have been flying TREX 450's for about a year now and I want to build a bigger Heli. I have been considering the TREX 500, but then started researching the Outrage 550. It seems like an awesome Heli.

Is there anyone out there that has experience with both who would like to share an objective opinion?

Also, if I decide to go for the O 550, is it a good idea to go with one of the combo deals from Helidirect.com? I know I could probably find a good deal on a used 550, but I want to build this from scratch.

TIA :)

[beeflyer2]

The 550 is impressive and a good bit larger than the T-Rex 500, but battery cost is double.

[BryMeister]

The 550 is impressive and a good bit larger than the T-Rex 500, but battery cost is double.
Really? I had not noticed that fact. Why would this be? It seems most people who have either the Outrage 550 or the TREX 500 are running on 6S packs, so why the big difference?

[DominicD]

T500 runs 425mm blades, Outrage 550 runs 550m blades are pretty good difference. The T500 uses 6S 2500mah packs, the outrage uses 6S 5000mah.

[ckoelliker]

It is a great helicopter. It is bigger than the trex 500, but it flies bigger as well. Shop around you can get some good deals if you buy everything at one time. I am really happy with http://www.rremodels.com/ Bobby Smith is a great guy, plus he fies all of this stuff, so he can really give you sound advice.

[LITHIUMSTATIC]

Even though the packs are a little more it's well worth it. You could run two 6s 2500 packs in parallel so later when you do get a heli that swings 425 blades, you will already have packs for it.

[BryMeister]

Thanks for the advice so far!

You are right in that the blades are much bigger on the O 550. I can see what you mean now. The blades are a bit pricier than I'm used to as well. :shock:

I must admit that I am wondering about the flight times you get on the Outrage 550 with a 6S 5000 mAH pack. I've been reading that it's only about 5 minutes. Is that true?

Either way I go, I'm going to have to invest in a high-capability charger. I like what I have now, but it only charges up to 5S packs.

[DominicD]

Flight times will vary depending on your setup. Other than the blades and lipos the 550 crashes are cheap, parts costs are on par with the T500 even though the heli is on par with the 600 size. When Charley is happy with the 560mm blades Outrage will be selling them and if they are like the 360mm blades for the G5 they will be very well priced and only the lipo price will higher than running a T500.

[LITHIUMSTATIC]

I've tested 515mm blades for sport flying and get 7 minutes. You could even use 6s 4200 Lipos if you use the shorter 515mm blades. This would be great for sport flying, but not all that good for 3D.

If you are simply hovering, you could get 8 or even 9 minutes of that running a lower headspeed.

[BryMeister]

I've tested 515mm blades for sport flying and get 7 minutes. You could even use 6s 4200 Lipos if you use the shorter 515mm blades. This would be great for sport flying, but not all that good for 3D.

If you are simply hovering, you could get 8 or even 9 minutes of that running a lower headspeed.
Good tidbit there, thanks! I am past the stage of hovering and was working circuits and figure 8's before the snow started flying last year. This year, I'll be working some acrobatics into my routine.

So... no hardcore 3D 'yet'. However, I want to buy a Heli that is capable of 3D up front. With the many mechanical programming features on the 550 head, I think I can buy what could be a nice 3D setup and then tame it down mechanically and through the radio as necessary.

[str8huckin]

Dude get the zippy packs if your worried about the battery cost. They are nice batterys but a little heavy. If your not flying 3d then the added weight will probobly benefit you. I think the zippy 6s1p 5000 is only 140$.

I have not flown my outrage yet, but I just finished building the head and frames and all I can say is WOW. I can't wait to get this thing done. I love my 500 but I am stoked about the 550. It is so precise and well thought out. Really you can't go wrong with either one.

[BryMeister]

Thanks for the tip. Is there a commercial source for zip packs (A123) yet, or do you still have to rip them out of a battery pack for a drill?

Are they heavy enough to throw off the COG?

[DominicD]

zippy is a brand, they are still lipos.

[BryMeister]

Oh, um, sorry. :oops: I've been away from the entire Heli world for the last few months. Now, I am itching for spring and getting out with my 450's and. hopefully, a 550! :lol:

[damyxz]

The zippy's are a good value. I 've been using them for about 2 years now and I'm still using my original packs. They still currently packs punch and the longetivity has been longer than the TP extreme V2's. I just tested a pair of maverick Cf pro widechord 550 blades( buy 1, 50% off the 2nd one at heliproz.) and these blades has great bite and pop for 3D maneuvers. These blades actually made the heli approx. 1.5-2X more reactive.

[str8huckin]

Which blades were you flying before you switched to the WC's??

[Scotty T]

Bry, you are talking to a guy who fell in love with his Trex 500. I still love it to this day.

Now, the 550, all I can say is Holy Sheit!

I own a Trex 600 NSP as well and I've seen other guys at the field with the 700's, 90 sizes, etc...

The Outrage 550 is in a class of it's own. It's sick, raw power, and programmable so that you can go from beginner to advanced settings. You'll never out grow it.

The Trex 500 will always have a place in my heart but I think the 550 is going to become my new love.

[vikas]

i have yet to see an electric that can match the punchout power and precision of the o550

[Scotty T]

i have yet to see an electric that can match the punchout power and precision of the o550

I couldn't agree more. When I did my first punch out on 8s setup. I didn't think it was possible for a model heli to punch out that fast.

[LITHIUMSTATIC]

I couldn't agree more. When I did my first punch out on 8s setup. I didn't think it was possible for a model heli to punch out that fast.

It does have a very high power to weight ratio.:YeaBaby:

[BryMeister]

Okay, you guys have sold me on the Outrage 550! :thumbup:

Now, I want to get an electronics setup that will eventually be good for 3D, but it will start out much less aggressive. I don't want to go "budget" on the setup, but I don't want to throw the bank at it as well. I've read the threads about setups, but honestly, this is a totally different class of Heli than the TREX 450 V2. I'm not as familiar with the best mid-range picks for cyclic servos, tail servo & gyro, ESC and whether or not an external BEC is needed. If so, I have a Parkflyer BEC from dimension engineering.com. Would that work? What about motors? Most of the combo configurations I've seen have Scorpion motors listed.

My apologies to the Mod if you think that I should post this follow-on question in another thread, I will do so.

[DominicD]

Take a look at the recommended setups

http://outragerc.com/home/detail.php?module=product&type=product&iPro=255

[LITHIUMSTATIC]

Okay, you guys have sold me on the Outrage 550! :thumbup:

Now, I want to get an electronics setup that will eventually be good for 3D, but it will start out much less aggressive. I don't want to go "budget" on the setup, but I don't want to throw the bank at it as well. I've read the threads about setups, but honestly, this is a totally different class of Heli than the TREX 450 V2. I'm not as familiar with the best mid-range picks for cyclic servos, tail servo & gyro, ESC and whether or not an external BEC is needed. If so, I have a Parkflyer BEC from dimension engineering.com. Would that work? What about motors? Most of the combo configurations I've seen have Scorpion motors listed.

My apologies to the Mod if you think that I should post this follow-on question in another thread, I will do so.

There is a 1000 ways to answer that question and many opinions will be presented.

The best way to tackle it is to tell us what your budget is and how do you plan on flying 6 months from now. Is flight time more important or raw power?

[BryMeister]

At this point. I am more concerned with flight time. As my skills grow, I will naturally progress into doing some basic 3D maneuvers.

As far as budget, I definitely have to stay < $2K and would prefer something that was closer to $1.5K. The problem is that on top of the price for the combo kits I have been seeing, I am still going to need to purchase at least one extra LiPo, if not two, and I am going to have to invest in a charger / balancer that can handle a 6S LiPo. If I'm going to do that, I may as well get one that can handle an 8S setup as well. So, I am looking at the total picture here when I give you my budget.

[Scotty T]

well, when you are budgeting, keep in mind that the Lipos are really going to kill you.

Be prepared for that.

8s packs range from $260 - $350

6s packs about the same cause you up the mAh

You are surely want 2 packs at min so you are looking in the neighborhood of $600 bucks.