A beginner's point of view

[dan52575]

OK guys i will agree the trex is a way more stable machine but if you go in hard with all the plastic parts its very expensive to fix the trex not counting the time it takes to redo it thirs flight new macine 450x and the tail started spinning and i wasnt fast enough and it went in and its going to be 130 to fix it or 160 to buy a new one BUT ill will do before ever getting another cp ill just go se upgrades so i have bling this time on the trex.

[kgfly]

If you get the SE and use HS65MG you will find that a lot less breaks in a crash than on a 450X/XL. Usually just blades, feathering shaft, main gear and main shaft = about $25. Sometimes other bits (fins, lg or baseplate, boom supports) in a really nasty crash. If you are at the stage where you crash rarely then the plastic birds are great value, if you are likely to crash a fair few times then the all metal head and all metal tail pay for themselves in parts and time saved.

[dan52575]

Ok paused sim : Has anyone heard of copter x stuff and is it good for the price i would love some help on this cause i need whole new head for the x and any donations of old stock parts would be really nice i wont have money to try the rebuild for at least a month or two it will be sim sim sim till i can get all the parts up prob mor like 3 months the way things are going.
:arggg:

[triniheli]

ok guys...I finally got my Trex 450SEv2. It's awesome !! :lol: . I've also have the Blade CPP and I was concerned about not getting a bird of the same size. Was glad to see that the rex is bigger. Aside from it being bigger, it's way cooler. Ok ok, I got the HS65mg's the gy401, phoenix esc and a bunch other great stuff.

I also got the G2 sim. I think this is a VERY important tool in the learning process. I think i'm expecting too much from the sim though. I probably spent a total of 2 bours at most on the sim and I thought my rate of learning would be faster. Guess I'm too excited and anxious.

I know the trex is more stable than the BCPP but i think i'm going to continue practising on the sim and with the BCPP. Really don't want to crash the rex.

Will keep you all updated.

[beneauteau411]

Okay, okay! So here it is. First of all, I had no idea there were so many people around the country so interested in this hobby. I've become totally immersed, having watched vid after vid. So, after reading the many posts to my questions / statements, here's what I"ve come up with.

The CPP is an excercise in frustration. The sensitivity, instability, rickety tail rotor, easily snapped parts, just isn't for me. Although I bought one a week or so ago at the Phoenix Fun Fly, I didn't like it. I never actually flew the one I bought, as it didn't come with the charging adapter, but a flew a friends instead. I was pretty disappointed. Thankfully I've developed a great relationship with George out at D & D Hobbies in Mesa, AZ (no charge, George! Free plug!) and I've taken the plunge.

You are now reading the ramblings of a 450 SE ARF owner and although my time flying is short, everything I've read says the 450 is a great flyer - easier, in fact, than the CPP (although I didn't invert, I've got the basics pretty well down). I bought the chassis (a work of art!), stabilization gyro, and the 4 pack of servos. As these are the first steps in assembling my new 450, I figured I'd slowly build, slowly invest, and while doing so hit the local hobby shop for some more training time on the G3.

My question is this............ I'm not sure which radio I need to buy. The box my heli came in recommends the Spektrum 6500 (?) which I believe comes with servos, but the servos I bought this weekend were smaller, lighter, and way more expensive than those that would come with the radio. Any advice on radios? Your input is more valuable than many of you know! And thanks again for the warm welcome.

Jack

[octotus]

since you do not have a decent radio yet, invest in a DX7. wont regret it at all.
and it can work with the AR6000 reciever.

k

[skunkworx]

Jack, If you can swing the 350 price tag, the Spektrum DX7 is nice. The 'DX6' is probably what they were talking about. this is the older model but it will work ok as well.
The servos will fit, but they aren't that good. They should work fine until you start getting into harder 3D stuff, no need to upgrade unless you find them stripping out like crazy, and hey, why not use 'em? They are already included in the kit.
The DX7 is another story. Because this radio can do virtually any aircraft (micro-full size scale helis and airplanes), it comes with full sized servos that can't be used on the Trex. This radio was my 'select' radio because it has a 20 model memory, meaning you'll never have to get a different radio, just more birds! :D

My 2 cents here!

[beneauteau411]

Thanks, everyone...........your input is appreciated. I won't be doing ANYTHING at all for the next few weeks regardless, as the cost on this little "hobby" has just gone way way up. Can't wait to supply vid when I do get her in the air. Which I WILL do, I assure everyone here!! We'll keep you posted. :smokin:

Jack

[kgfly]

Jack,

Definitely save up for the DX7. While the DX6 was great, you should always get the most Tx you can afford, saves buying twice. The DX7 has a number of really wortwhile improvements over the DX6 and can be safely used with larger helis (eg T600) down the track. The features, usability and perfomance of the DX7 together with the safety and reliability benefits of the 2.4GHz spread spectrum technology are making it pretty much the only smart choice for a 6 or 7 channel radio.

The standard DX7 pkg comes with the Tx, AR7000 Rx, 4 digital servos, Rx NiCd pack and charger. For a T450 the AR7000 will fit and work well but is overkill, the servos won't fit and you don't need the Rx pack. However:

* you can use the AR7000 if you like, keep it for your T600 down the track :wink: or sell it (there is strong demand and they are easy to sell)

* you can keep servos for later or again, they are easy to sell

* the Rx pack is very useful for bench testing and setup but it too can be sold

So plan on getting a DX7 even if it means taking a bit longer to save up for it.

[beneauteau411]

Thanks guys. Quick question..........

What's the difference in performance of the 500X and it's upgraded counterpart, the AR????? (not even sure if that's what it's called)........but it's a similar gyro, but way more expensive......??

[octotus]

am not sure if u r talking abt AR6000 / AR7000. if so they are recievers.

for gyro - GY401 is the best bet though personally i know GY240 will work well for a beginner.

k

[djtedatlanta]

I understand that the trex is a much better Helli than the cpp, hb, cp......but the reason that the redi fly heli's are squirrely, is mostly because of squirrely pilots. I have a cpp and soon will have a honey bee king. I cant fly a battery pack out before a crash, but I am learning. i have no one to teach me and as twisted as it may be. I enjoy fixing my broken cpp. I do get a little embareassed going to the LHS EVERY day, but its fun. I have most recently added a substantial amount of weight to my cpp and it seems much more stable. When the hbk gets in i will add even more weight to it becauseit has a brushless motor and a cnc head. I got it on ebay for $90 and will use my e-flight controller with it for now.

[DebianDog]

Dont feel bad I flew a BCP pro the other day and crashed it. First crash that was "pilot error" in a loooong time. It is a handful for sure.

[beneauteau411]

Okay, now that i've learned a little more since my initial postings, i'm just a bit embarassed at my ignorance! :oops: I've actually completed my 450 build, and the difference in stability between the cpp and the trex is amazing. I highly recommend upgrading!

I, too, enjoy the repairs, though the costs I could do without! I'd much rather spend money on upgrading, than replacing.......but........oh well.

Oh yeah, the AR7000 receiver is glitch free, the DX7 I use was a piece of cake to set up (thanks to finless bob's tech room), and the 500x gyro I'm using holds the tail just fine. The GY401? At twice the cost, I'm not sure I need it yet, but someday maybe I will.

After "SIM"ing for the last few months, and getting the hang of inverted flight, I rolled my bird last weekend for the first time. Set her into an inverted hover, rolled her back over and set her down. I then took 14 valium (just kidding) as the excitement was over the top. I'm sure I'm not alone in this, as there are SO many that have been bitten.

Thanks for all your help.

Jack