What blades 500 or 550mm first steps towards 3D

[Astennu]

I know there where topic on this subject. Bit in those threads there where people that where starting with this hobby.

I'm thinking of buying a EP550 for my early 3D attempts. My Trex500 and Trex600 are to expensive. And My 450 is a bit to small.

My setup will be a Scorpion 1210 kv motor 75a ESC. Its will be a plastic version with the needed mods:
-Anti rotation bracket
-Flybar cage
-Raptor Tail
(are there more needed upgrades for higher rpm ?)

But now blade choice. I understand the heli should be able to run from 475 to 550mm. I will be doing sport flying mostly. And my attempts for a looping and flips and rolls. No hard 3D yet. But possible in the future.

What would be the best blades ?

I think i will take the CF blades. I know it will cause more damage when crashing. But i also will have a pair of woodies for the first experiments. But i like the stability of the CF blades.

But now the size. 500mm will make it more agile. 550 more stable. But what would be better in my case ? And also looking into the future for a bit more sporty 3D flying.I have also seen 515mm bot those are 90 dollars. And i would like to keep it around 50-60 dollars for a set. i think 515-530 would be the best option for me but those are expensive.

I hope someone can help me and tell me what and why 500,515,530 or 550 would be the best option.

[chrise2]

Stability doesn't mean crappy performing. The longer blades will give the heli more cyclic / collective power due to the increased blade area. The downsides of longer blades are that they produce more drag in forward flight (or so I've read). They will also use more power if you're doing more than hovering.

You should also look at getting the performance kit. It includes metal blade grips, lightweight paddles, and thrust bearing tail grips. Also look at upgrading the frame when you start getting into 3D. Or at least search on some mods to stiffen up the plastic frame.

You may also want to look at the Gaui 425. Same size as theTrex 500 so you could probably share batteries, blades and such.

[mysticmead]

ok... if you buy a brand new plastic framed Hurri, it'll come with the long boom and 550 woodies. 550 blades will give you more pop and a snappier heli. Just what ever you get, do NOT try to run a head speed like a 450 or 500. the Hurri does NOT need a head speed above 2300. the longer the blade, the lower the head speed. that's why you don't see a .90 sized heli cranking out 2500 RPM... they run in the 1600-1900 range.

as far as blades for the 550. you have just discovered that bigger blades cost more. get used to it. and be prepared to pay $60+ for CF blades from now on for the good blades.

here is a link to a nice set of 530 CF blades that won't break the bank... but these are NOT the norm when it comes to blade prices http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJPH9&P=0

Another thng to remember, 500-550 blades are hard to find... if you find a set you like, buy as many sets as you can afford.

[chrise2]

My plastic kit came with 500mm blades and the long boom (aka boom in Gaui speak, don't look for long boom on parts sites).

[mysticmead]

My plastic kit came with 500mm blades and the long boom (aka boom in Gaui speak, don't look for long boom on parts sites).


that's because you're in NY... but you at least got the long boom...better to get the long boom and shorter blades than the other way around.

my personal recomendation for the OP... if he plans on doing 3D in the future... even mild to moderate 3D... get teh CF framed Hurri right from the start. it's MUCH stiffer than the plastic framed hurri.,.and we'll be less likely to hear him complain that he stripped his gears due to bumping that head speed up just a bit and doing tic tocs...

[Astennu]

ok... if you buy a brand new plastic framed Hurri, it'll come with the long boom and 550 woodies. 550 blades will give you more pop and a snappier heli. Just what ever you get, do NOT try to run a head speed like a 450 or 500. the Hurri does NOT need a head speed above 2300. the longer the blade, the lower the head speed. that's why you don't see a .90 sized heli cranking out 2500 RPM... they run in the 1600-1900 range.

as far as blades for the 550. you have just discovered that bigger blades cost more. get used to it. and be prepared to pay $60+ for CF blades from now on for the good blades.

here is a link to a nice set of 530 CF blades that won't break the bank... but these are NOT the norm when it comes to blade prices http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJPH9&P=0

Another thng to remember, 500-550 blades are hard to find... if you find a set you like, buy as many sets as you can afford.

I might buy one second hand. I have seen on that only had 8 flights. And it had a nice price. So it will be cheap if i crash. (i hope i will not but it has to happen once).

I know its will not run high head speads. I have a T450, T500 and T600. Running 3200, 2500,2200. And a friend had has a hurricane. He runs his setup around 2300-2400 with 500 blades i know thats a bit high. And i know the stock setup wont like anything above 2000. So i will have to look in to that and mod it to be get up to 2000-2200. (depening on the blades. I think i would run arround 2100-2200 with the 500 and 2000 for the 550mm).

And i knew bigger blades cost more :) (not totaly true because flying hobby had 550mm CF blades for 10$ cheaper then the 500 but there must be a difference :) ) Anyway i know what my T600 blades cost. (got radix on that bird) And i know good CF blades cost quite a lot. But i also know there are cheaper CF blades that will do fine for a training heli.

Thats why i want to keep it cheap but not to cheap. It needs to be a good stable heli. But not with the most expensive parts just in case i do make a mistake and crash.

And i did found out its harder to find 500-550 blades. T500 blades are easy. But ok still enough choices.

Now i only need to find out if i want 500 - 550 or anything in between.

[Astennu]

that's because you're in NY... but you at least got the long boom...better to get the long boom and shorter blades than the other way around.

my personal recomendation for the OP... if he plans on doing 3D in the future... even mild to moderate 3D... get teh CF framed Hurri right from the start. it's MUCH stiffer than the plastic framed hurri.,.and we'll be less likely to hear him complain that he stripped his gears due to bumping that head speed up just a bit and doing tic tocs...

Yeah i know CF is better i have it for my 450 and 500 (600 has a G10 frame). But its a second hand. A new one will be to expensive and i might just take my chances then and use the T500 or my practice. Its more expensive to crash but i can repair it 4-7x compared to buying a new EP550 CF. And in the case of the second had it would be 2-3.

A friend of my is doing tic tocs and stuff with his EP550 and i was under the impression he also had the plastic frame. Maybe he reinforced it. Or maybe not. I will ask him about that one.

And a new EP425 is not so good for me. To expensive. I could better buy a second T500 then because i have quite some spare parts for that machine.

[chrise2]

I just got the Rotorworkz G10 frame for my Hurri. Cost $125 from Helidirect. Its awesome.

[mjdee14]

I wouldn't go with anything less than 500's...I fly 500's on my plastic frame and either 530 or 550 on my Cf frame.....

If you haven't purchased the motor yet....maybe check inot getting the Z20 for a plastic frame and a Z30 for the Cf frame....

Have heard both good and bad about the scorpion in the 550.....the Z motors seem to work the best.

The plastic frame just doesn't take the power the cf will....and when doing 3d you'll get some bogging on the blades....but the 500's would be much better....where as 550's would put a real strain on the motor.

[Astennu]

The heli i can buy already has a 1210kv scorpion on it. And i will be doing light 3D at first. I think i will take quite some time before i'm really whacking it around. (already flying 2 years now and no 3D yet so i'm very slow)

[Flinto]

Search for SWE 530's...good blades for the money

[Astennu]

Those look really nice. Have not found a shop yet but they are 71$ on ebay so i guess they will be 80 in shops.

[mysticmead]

helidirect.com carries the SWE 530's. http://www.helidirect.com/product_info.php?cPath=117_120_572&products_id=7498

since you are buying a used heli. before attaching blades biger than 500mm, check to make sure you have the long boom. easy way to check is looking at the numbers on teh belt. is it says 522XL, that's the short belt and boom, if it says 572XL, that's the long boom and 530-550mm blades are safe to use.

there have been a few that used 530 or 550mm blades with a short boom.. BUT, anything other than hover is asking for a tail blade strike and a hurri crashing to the ground.

[Astennu]

Thanks.

I already knew i should have the version with the long boom but not how i can easily see it so thanks for the number info.

The dude wants 350 dollars for the heli.

Ands its not well equipt:
-Standard Plastic version
-Scorpion 1210KV
-Align 75a ESC
-Savox servo's 4x
-LT2100 Gyro
-Bec + 1000 mah lipo

No Battery's included. So i'm still thinking about a new T500 ESP because i have a lot of T500 spares. And that would cost me 550-600 dollar because i already have a gyro for it.

If i want the EP550 running well i need to invest 150 dollar in blades and upgrades.

[mysticmead]

Thanks.

I already knew i should have the version with the long boom but not how i can easily see it so thanks for the number info.

The dude wants 350 dollars for the heli.

Ands its not well equipt:
-Standard Plastic version
-Scorpion 1210KV
-Align 75a ESC
-Savox servo's 4x
-LT2100 Gyro
-Bec + 1000 mah lipo

No Battery's included. So i'm still thinking about a new T500 ESP because i have a lot of T500 spares. And that would cost me 550-600 dollar because i already have a gyro for it.

If i want the EP550 running well i need to invest 150 dollar in blades and upgrades.


but you'll have a MUCH bigger heli..that flies very very smooth...

[Mikej]

Thanks.

I already knew i should have the version with the long boom but not how i can easily see it so thanks for the number info.

The dude wants 350 dollars for the heli.

Ands its not well equipt:
-Standard Plastic version
-Scorpion 1210KV
-Align 75a ESC
-Savox servo's 4x
-LT2100 Gyro
-Bec + 1000 mah lipo

No Battery's included. So i'm still thinking about a new T500 ESP because i have a lot of T500 spares. And that would cost me 550-600 dollar because i already have a gyro for it.

If i want the EP550 running well i need to invest 150 dollar in blades and upgrades.

That sounds very much like one of Fung's (www.flying-hobby.com) combos with some additions look at this for $399

Combo Included:
1.Hurricane EP550 Basic Kit
2.Gaui Brushless Motor
3.Gaui 50A Speed Control
4.Gaui External BEC
5.Gaui Wood Blades
6.AP1000mAh BEC 7.4v Receiver Battery
7.SAVOX SC-0254 Digital Metal Gear Servo
8.SAVOX SC-0254 Digital Metal Gear Servo
9.SAVOX SC-0254 Digital Metal Gear Servo
10.SAVOX SC-0254 Digital Metal Gear Servo
11.Gaui Digital Heading Hold Gyro GU210
12.APLUS 2200 3S1P 25C XP LiPo Battery
13.APLUS 2200 3S1P 25C XP LiPo Battery

I bought this for my 2nd Hurri and swapped out the servos for DS821's, the motor for a Z20 980, and left out the BEC and 2S lipo but got the rest - all for $399, shipping to the UK was $30 or $40

[bobbybe]

i would also look into the mavrikk g5 pro wide chords. i have them for my hurri in the 550mm size and they are poppy as hell. they really do increase the cyclic enough to do some decent 3d but they are still very very stable. i love them!!! they do consume more power tho so i would make sure that your lipos and motor are up to it (i run the z30 with zippy 3300 6s) good luck!!

[dolbydarma]

ok... if you buy a brand new plastic framed Hurri, it'll come with the long boom and 550 woodies. 550 blades will give you more pop and a snappier heli. Just what ever you get, do NOT try to run a head speed like a 450 or 500. the Hurri does NOT need a head speed above 2300. the longer the blade, the lower the head speed. that's why you don't see a .90 sized heli cranking out 2500 RPM... they run in the 1600-1900 range.

as far as blades for the 550. you have just discovered that bigger blades cost more. get used to it. and be prepared to pay $60+ for CF blades from now on for the good blades.

here is a link to a nice set of 530 CF blades that won't break the bank... but these are NOT the norm when it comes to blade prices http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJPH9&P=0

Another thng to remember, 500-550 blades are hard to find... if you find a set you like, buy as many sets as you can afford.

Will those 530 blades fit on a short boom Hurricane 550???? Sounds like a nice option if they fit?

Never mind - just saw the answer - my bad!

[mysticmead]

Will those 530 blades fit on a short boom Hurricane 550???? Sounds like a nice option if they fit?

Never mind - just saw the answer - my bad!

lol... yeah... short boom... 500-515mm... long boom... 500-550mm

[Astennu]

That sounds very much like one of Fung's (www.flying-hobby.com (http://www.flying-hobby.com)) combos with some additions look at this for $399

Combo Included:
1.Hurricane EP550 Basic Kit
2.Gaui Brushless Motor
3.Gaui 50A Speed Control
4.Gaui External BEC
5.Gaui Wood Blades
6.AP1000mAh BEC 7.4v Receiver Battery
7.SAVOX SC-0254 Digital Metal Gear Servo
8.SAVOX SC-0254 Digital Metal Gear Servo
9.SAVOX SC-0254 Digital Metal Gear Servo
10.SAVOX SC-0254 Digital Metal Gear Servo
11.Gaui Digital Heading Hold Gyro GU210
12.APLUS 2200 3S1P 25C XP LiPo Battery
13.APLUS 2200 3S1P 25C XP LiPo Battery

I bought this for my 2nd Hurri and swapped out the servos for DS821's, the motor for a Z20 980, and left out the BEC and 2S lipo but got the rest - all for $399, shipping to the UK was $30 or $40

Yeah it seems almost the same to me. The combo you linked with the savox servo's costs 450$ new. Only he has a other Motor + ESC + Gyro. That would kick the price up quite a bit. If i calculated that setup it would cost around 530 dollars. But if i would buy a new one i could better buy the EP550 CF of the T500 ESP.

i would also look into the mavrikk g5 pro wide chords. i have them for my hurri in the 550mm size and they are poppy as hell. they really do increase the cyclic enough to do some decent 3d but they are still very very stable. i love them!!! they do consume more power tho so i would make sure that your lipos and motor are up to it (i run the z30 with zippy 3300 6s) good luck!!

Thanks i will also look into this.

An friend of mine told me that i should take a T600 flybar rod because its a bit longer the heli will respond better.

[jujiro]

Thanks.

I already knew i should have the version with the long boom but not how i can easily see it so thanks for the number info.

The dude wants 350 dollars for the heli.

Ands its not well equipt:
-Standard Plastic version
-Scorpion 1210KV
-Align 75a ESC
-Savox servo's 4x
-LT2100 Gyro
-Bec + 1000 mah lipo

No Battery's included. So i'm still thinking about a new T500 ESP because i have a lot of T500 spares. And that would cost me 550-600 dollar because i already have a gyro for it.

If i want the EP550 running well i need to invest 150 dollar in blades and upgrades.


If you go with the Hurricane 550 you'll be very limited on your choice of blades, especially since you want to keep the price per set around 50-60 dollars , unless you buy blades from hobbycity. Other than hobbycity the next cheapest I think are the Gaui 500 mm's for 59 $ I used to get but I haven't been able to find them lately although most quality blades in the 500-550 range are around 70-89.

My opinion is stay with what you have and save the extra money for spare parts , since no matter what heli you buy next , you will crash a lot until you get your bearings straight on a new manuever. That's what I've been doing at least, been wanting an Outrage 550 ever since it came out but I've just been saving for crashes instead and focusing on my 250/500 .

If you really want another heli and like your rex 500 ,then I'd say go with another T-rex 500, merely for the reason that having a 2nd identical helis can help a lot with learning 3d since after a crash you can pop the other one out and not have to adjust your flying to a different size/brand heli.