Extreme or Tempest Head for Spectra-G Helicam Setup

[CitationX]

I am in the process of procuring all the necessities for building up a Spectra-G. It is high time that I take the gasoline plunge. I currently have an OS-91 SZ powered Extreme with the stock Extreme head. I can do very mild 3D so that sort of flying style is not going to expand too much for me. Anyway, I would really like to do a Spectra-G camera set up someday and would like to know what head is best for this. I know the Tempest (especially the FAI version) would be very good. The Extreme head is proven and cheap. I would like to run Radix 710 blades but not sure I can with a Tempest head and 105 tail blades.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Xcellgasman101]

Well I know that the the Tempest head is longer than the Extreme, I was running 720 with 105 tail on a Spectra G with a Extreme head, I think you will be ok, but it will be close,, tic toc's might create a problem,, Good luck.. XGM

[rbort]

I have the tempest head with SAB 710s and 105 SAB tails. No problem whatsoever and with the blade clearance with the tempest head and its a high quality head that tracks on rails.

I 3D it all that time with this head and no tail to main blade touching with this config.

-=>Raja.

[CitationX]

rbort,

I have to assume you have the Tempest 3D head and not the FAI version correct? I wouldn't think that either head would have the blade touch problem so that shouldn't be a concern. I saw an earlier post that said the FAI version is not a 3D capable head like the Tempest 3D head is. Or at least it is not for aggressive 3D. I would like to find a good used or a new FAI head for sale.

Thanks

[rbort]

When I bought my Spectra, the options were either an extreme head or a tempest head. I bought the tempest head as I already had the extreme head on my 1005 and wanted to try something different. I was not aware that there were/are two versions of the tempest head, fai and 3d. I thought that the tempest head was more for fai style maneuvers, and the extreme head was better suited for 3d. Nevertheless, I 3d my tempest head and the heli flies great and like its on rails -- I think that is a tempest head trait. May not be as quick as it would have been with the extreme head, but its pretty damn quick for me and I like that head.

I would say if you are trying to do AP work the tempest head will probably be "smoother" than the extreme head. My friend does camera work on his 1005 gasser and he found that there were less vibrations in the camera with the all metal head (99se version not tempest) rather than the extreme head.

Hey bu the way if you want a generator system to power your heli let me know. Also I can provide you with a duel setup with 11.4v out as well as 5.4v to run a video system down the road should you decide to go that route.

-=>Raja.

[CitationX]

rbort,

Here is some info I found by bigrcr in a previous Spectra-G post regarding the various heads:

The Extreme head is the head you want to use. There are actually 3 possibilities for the head choice:

-Extreme Head with plastic grips- what most pilots use and the most user friendly. The plastic parts are much better to use for 3D service; you won't see the all metal heads used for 3D by many pilots as it costs much more after a crash and will perform what you want to do. The plastic stuff does not break as easily as some would have you believe.

-Tempest 3D Head- This is a wonderful work of art based on the Tempest FAI head designed by Cliff Hiatt. This head work super for 3D, but will cost more after a crash to fix. If you want the ultimate in set-up ability and cool bling for 3D, you want this one. It is still a bit softer and less aggressive than the Extreme Head.

-Tempest FAI Head- This is the "full blown- do anything you want to do in set-up" head and is truly a marvel. This head is definitely NOT for 3D use as it is way too stable even when set-up aggressively.

I aso saw where someone put together a 3D-to-FAI conversion parts list for about $100. I really wish I could find some pictures of both heads and compare them side-by-side. I will keep looking.

As far as the on-board generator goes I recently purchased a Spectra-G and should receive it next week. They guy had one of your generators and I told him to hang on to it in case I decided to purchase it. He briefly used it on a different gasser so I would need to purchased just the Spectra-G mounting hardware from you. How much would that be by chance? Likewise, I would need to purchase a pull-start arrangement for the Zenoah 231TRM. I haven't priced that yet either.

Thanks for the response.

Nick

[rbort]

The Spectra-g mounts are $40. You get the replacement side doubler plates, the corner blocks, and the top motor mount plate all drilled and ready to go with all the necessary hardware. Makes for an easy installation. You may need a coupler depending on what shaft size the other fellow had (Predator = 5mm, Xcell = 6mm). Or you can just drill it out to 6mm to fit if you like as well.

Zenoah engines all come with the pull starts. Nothing extra to buy. In the Spectra kit they give you hardware to make the pull start removable (goes on from the bottom and hangs on the bottom plate spacer (twist on/twist off). Takes 2 pulls to start a cold motor if you use the stock airbox with choke. Without choke, it will be more difficult.

-=>Raja.

[CitationX]

Sounds good. I have not received my Spectra-G just yet. It should be here mid next week. Therefore, I am not sure if the previous owner has all of the pull start hardware. That would sure make things nice! And thanks for the generator mount info.