New XCell Gas Model

[big dee]

hi Carey
any idea of the price yet :?: :D :D

[carey shurley]

As of this morning, he wasn't ready to release the price, if I don't talk to him tonight it won't be until he returns from the Jamboree before I have that.

I will post the current brochure to the website tonight

[vaporlock]

Am I looking at the brochure picture right? The power switch is located on the bottom facing down? What happens on a hard landing? I'll bet there's a good chance the switch will be moved. I hope there's a guard on that.

chuck

[bigrcr]

The switch location works out quite well. I have a good bit of time on mine with no issues whatsoever.

Later,

[vaporlock]

yes, but have you planted it? I know the canopy is over it but that is flexible. If I bought one (wish I could right now :) ) I would put a guard on the switch.

just my 2c It looks great other wise.

chuck

[carey shurley]

actually the frame at that point is very thick. Unless you have a very tall switch, it will not protrude out of the frames. The h/d futaba one pictured is actually flush with the frames.

I suppose its possible that if you hit at just the right place on a stick or something its possible to move or damage it, but I think it would have to be pretty lucky.

If you damage that frame bad enough to hurt the switch, you've got far bigger problems than that switch. The frame at that point is nearly 1/4" graphite.

[vaporlock]

OK, sounds good. Please don't take my comments as any more then constructive critisism. I love what MA has done with this thing. Especially the flexible engine placement. If my skills advance to the point where I need a Fury, this will be the one. I love my gasser.

chuck

[DavidH]

The Pro series of MA helis had the switch on the bottom of the heli under the servo tray. I flew those helis for 6 years and never had a problem with the switch location. I really prefer to reach under the bottom of the canopy and switch the electronics off or on.

David

[big dee]

i agree its one less hole you have to gut in the side of the canopy
Carey is the canopy the same as the tempest :?: because i have quiet a colection for my other tempests :!:

[carey shurley]

Yes, its the same canopy. You will need to do some modifications however, and the modifications differ as to whether you're running engine forwards or backwards.

Basically you have to allow clearance for the carburetor and exhaust system. You also have to cut a slot in the bottom front, for the forward frame ladder support to slide into it. You don't need the switch hole in the side though.

This model just has so many possible configurations at some point it may need a different canopy to support them all without making changes.

[carey shurley]

I do have pricing information for the Spectra-G now:

These are RETAIL prices:

Spectra-G 3D kit - no engine - $1409.95
Spectra-G 3D kit with optional Tempest 3D rotor head - $1529.95

I don't know what the street prices are going to be.

[Red]

Spectra-G 3D kit - no engine - $1409.95

Ouch! :wow2:

[angelob]

Spectra-G 3D kit - no engine - $1409.95
Spectra-G 3D kit with optional Tempest 3D rotor head - $1529.95


These are the retail prices listed on miniature's website:

1023-7 Fury Tempest 3-D with 8.45:1 gear ratio 1 kit $1,549.95
1020-5 FURY CCPM EXTREME .90 ( 8.18:1 Ratio ) 1 kit $1,159.95


Looks like the Spectra comes in $20 cheaper than the tempest. I would then assume that Spectra street price will be around the tempest street price - not too bad.

Angelo

[Red]

Looks like the Spectra comes in $20 cheaper than the tempest. I would then assume that Spectra street price will be around the tempest street price - not too bad.

Angelo

Many like myself were hoping it would be priced in the area of the P-Gasser, perhaps a little higher.

It'll be good for Century though... I have my answer and just ordered my P-Gasser.

[fitenfyr]

I agree shocking to look at so let's just hope street price will be in the 1100.00 range.
Now the big question when can we get a conversion kit and how much? :D
I don't want another whole airframe this time. :D

[Red]

It may hit $1100 if lucky, I think more like $1225-$1275; and you'll still need to add $300 for an engine... :arggg:

So, you're pretty dang close to the same price as 2 P-Gassers! Or $600 in your pocket for future parts... :(

Even the well proven Bergen is less expensive...

[big dee]

i think if its going be around the same price as the tempest it should have metal bellcranks and antirotation guide to me it is an extreme with carbon frames and a new tail box which i think would be cheaper to produce than the old one otherwise they wouldnt be changing it lets face it there not going to replace a part with a more expenive part if they dont have to .ive never had any problems with the current box and in the conditions we have downunder iam not sure an open is going cut it .we have a drout he at the moment so not much grass around
away talk to you guys later :)

[Waller]

Well one thing for sure... It's a lot tougher and tighter market now, which is good for us the customer.

[fitenfyr]

I agree that for the price. I will wait to convert one of my Extremes.
There is not enough "new" technology on there to warrent the price IMO.
Guess it is time to go for my electric conversion and do the gasser later. :mrgreen:

[DavidH]

Jason,
I seriously doubt there will be any kind of conversion kit. The Spectra is CCPM same as the Fury line, but that is where the it ends as far as being similiar. The frame layout on the Spectra is different than the other Fury's.
Street price on the Spectra is going to be in the $1050-$1100 range same as the Tempest 3D. Spectra will come with the new open gear box as will any other new heli that MA introduces in the future. Frames are carbon fiber plate.
The demo of the Spectra at IRCHA seemed to impress most of the pilots there. I know there was always a line at the MA booth looking and inspecting MA's newest heli in the line up.

David

[fitenfyr]

David,
That is too bad. I guess a gas Fury is not in my future.
IMO if I am going to spend that kind of money on a new heli it is going to be electron powered. Even if the inital cost is more the longevity of the ship is greater.

On the flip side. I don't see how a conversion for the Extreme to the ION is any different than the Extreme to the Spectra?
Looks like you re-use the head, tail, canopy, landing gear and maybe some bell cranks. I mean the one shown in this post is a converted Extreme?
That should be a reasonably priced conversion just like the ION-X.
I have no problems with my tailbox on my Extreme so the open box is not a selling point to me.
Some food for thought to MA here.
They are pricing this kit about 300+ more than the competition since the Predator Gasser comes with a G26 for 1000.00.
I love my Fury, but the Predator Gasser flies just a well for my applications for less money, but again I love my MA products and the quality of the kit so I was willing to wait for the Spectra.
If they want to market this to the scale, helicam crowd they need to do some massaging on that price or come up with a reasonable conversion kit.

[DavidH]

Yeah I guess if you wanted to use the rotor head and tail boom and existing gear box you could have a conversion. I am not sure if MA is going to offer it or not. I looked at the finished product closely this weekend at IRCHA. I have been watching the prototyping of the Spectra for the last year. But I had not seen the finished product till this last week. Tim really did a good job putting this kit together. It does have some nice options that I have not seen on any other helis at this time.

David

[bigrcr]

The machine in this post was converted from a Fury Extreme. The head down through the swash plate, main shaft, auto hub,landing gear, bell cranks and tail box was used for convenience. The frames are totally different in design since this machine is not a Fury in any way. The new Spectra is an X-Cell line all of it's own with a completely different design. The Fury Ion is a Fury. Converting machines in the same line will be more easily done (less uncommon parts) than across product line designs.

The machine was designed from the beginning with the power plant in mind so it does not exhibit the traits of a converted glow machine. I have dealt with conversions for a while now and am very familiar with what problems and/or design deficiencies come from a conversion. Each phase of the Spectra's design kept the motor and it's handling characteristics in focus to design the best machine possible to make the best possible use of the gas motor, not to just hang a gas motor on.

I actually was shocked to find the price as low as it is considering the quality and engineering in the design. I have been along for the ride in some of the design and have followed this project from it's inception and fully expected the machine to be in the $1600-$1700 dollar range.

Later! :cheers

[carey shurley]

The great thing about this hobby is that you can fly something that fits your particular needs no matter what they are.

From its inception two years ago, the Spectra-G has been targeted to be the industry leader for gasoline powered model helicopters.

The final version has met all its original goals plus added some versatility not seen before. The Vari-Mount chassis will be very popular with photographic operators, autonomous control designers and those folks that want to experiment with different sizes/types of engines.

The basic chassis will support gear ratios from 6.21:1 to 9.5:1 (sold separately) and allows you to decide what configuration you want for the the engine installation and where you want the fuel tanks. Whether you want to turn giant heavy lift blades or run one of the high performance 17K RPM racing motors, no other gasoline model on the market has adaptability of the Spectra-G.

As to the cost of the model, when you do comparisons, you have to make sure the you compare all the features and what if any upgrades may be needed for the model to meet YOUR requirements. Although there will be some optional upgrades available for the Spectra-G they will add to its precision control, not be a requirement for high end performance.

[WillJames]

I would bet anyone who has actually seen the machine would think 20.00 less than a Tempest is a great price. I figured it would be even more expensive than it is. I would bet with all the different configureation options and power plant options, the Spectra mechanics would work great in scale ships as well.

Seeing is believing with this machine everybody. I have been there with John through about 8 or so flights now and the thing just keeps getting better!!