Trex SE or Mini Titan?

[Buzzkill]

I'm getting one of the two wednesday. For those of you that ave both please advise.

[Ah Clem]

I have both.

To me, the Mini-Titan flies slightly better-a little more stable, a little easier to fly, a little lighter on the controls.

On the other hand, TREX parts are everywhere and cheap. Mini-Titan parts are not easily available, yet. I expect this to change in the near future (I have no inside information on this).

The only problem I have had with the Mini is the tracking issue which several people have mentioned. This is due to the softness of the plastic head block (it wears or stretches egg-shaped) where the main shaft enters it, allowing the head block to teeter on the main shaft bolt. This can be easily cured by epoxying the head block to the shaft (would that the metal parts would arrive). Not everyone has had the problem.

Both machines are well made, fly very well, and are easy to fly, neither will disappoint you.

[Buzzkill]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm leaning towards the Titan. The Trex scene is super crowed. Plus I always go for the under dog.

[Dflyer]

Hi Buzzkill,

I just switched from the TREX 450S "alu" version (not the SE, i know, but i've put every available upgrade on my TREX 450S) to the Mini Titan. And i can only say that i like my Mini-T much better than the TREX.

The Mini-T flies much better right out of the box than the TREX. If i were you i would choose the Mini-T. The only thing i will be changing on my Mini-T is a metal head block as soon as it comes out !

Just my 2 cents ! :smokin:

Grtz,
Dirk

[Buzzkill]

Great,thanks for the feedback. Any suggestions for the ESC and motor?

[comeflywithme]

The stock Motor and ESC availlable from TT are great. I was a bit apprehensive as I normally go by you get what you pay for, which in this case shouldnt have been much - but fortunately I was wrong.

I think there are some better motors out there (Medusa, AON) but the stock setup is more than capable of just about everything you could throw at it.
The extra money is probably better spent on an Aluminium Head Block.

[Buzzkill]

Thanks for the info. One more day and I get to order the kit!!

[ngkimlong]

Im gonna get the KIT tomorrow! Will use the Align 430XL motor and Align ESC...

[kdii02]

I have both helis. IMHO you can't go wrong with either one. Right now the Align parts are easier to get but I have found a few sites that have lots of Mini Titan parts and I'm sure there will be a better availibility of parts and upgrades shortly.

I love my T-rex450se and I just got the Mini titan yesterday so I haven't got to fly it yet, but from what everyone is saying the Mini is more stable and flies better overall.

[Buzzkill]

I have to put off the Titan another week :arggg: Ain't life grand?

[zeus_zosma]

i have a trex 450 cde that i upgraded to the max except for the se frame. i have a hobby shop too might i add a friend and client optet for the titan and atfirst i was very excited. as its a thunder tiger product which i have a lot of respect for. i have a raptor 50 v2 aswell (awesome heli). so in great anticpation the titan arrived semi assembled with std esc and mot. at first glance it seemed flimsier that the trex. after all is said and done we have installed hites hs 65 servos and na csm 420 gyro. 25c 3cell lipos. done the setup as i would with a trex alot of that as per finless videos. and i must say ill keep my trex anyday through sunday. the only thing that still roots for the mini titan is that its perhaps a slightly bigger heli. the motor getting hot does not suit me at all. the 5 - 6 min flight time does not suit me either. the exact same battery in the trex and i get 13min hard flying not 3d but alot of full sticks and cyclic agressive flying. and afterwards the battery is only a little warm not even hot or worse. with the ali upgrades i loose the shafts and maybe a boom, a link here and there and servo gears. this is hard crashes coming out of flips at 50m plus and banging straight into the ground. cheap easy and an awesome flyer. the titan has yet to prove that to me. im not convinced

[comeflywithme]

I have been having a problem with the stock motor getting hot too but I'm starting to wonder if its normal due to the motor not having a casing (a casing would probably be much cooler as its not in direct contact with the outrunner).

My Lipo (also a 25C) only gets to about 40degC (about 100F) after 5 min moderate constant 3D.

I wish there was an onboard power monitor (maybe there is...) so that we would compare the stock motor, align motors and others such as the medusa to get a better idea of whats happening - which one are the most powerful and efficient.

[kgfly]

Lots of onboard power monitors, look for DPR100 or EagleTree. FOr example:

http://www.modelflight.com.au/bnb_products.htm
http://www.eagletreesystems.com/MicroPower/micro.htm

[torkboy]

I have been having a problem with the stock motor getting hot too but I'm starting to wonder if its normal due to the motor not having a casing (a casing would probably be much cooler as its not in direct contact with the outrunner).

My Lipo (also a 25C) only gets to about 40degC (about 100F) after 5 min moderate constant 3D.

I wish there was an onboard power monitor (maybe there is...) so that we would compare the stock motor, align motors and others such as the medusa to get a better idea of whats happening - which one are the most powerful and efficient.

Your gonna need to cut the hole out in the windshield BIGGER than indicated by the lines, it will help!

I am in love with this helicopter, as everyone has stated its a touch better than a SE Trex.

There are a couple build threads:
http://www.teamheliraptor.com/viewtopic.php?t=230
http://www.rchelipit.com/viewtopic.php?t=536

[comeflywithme]

Excellent. Thanks, I'll try that.

[Funky]

The mini runs great with the Align 430XL motor. I ran my Mini with the stock motor/ESC for a while, but the 430XL really made it come alive.

[kdii02]

Cut a large hole in the windshield . I first cut out just the stock hole, but as Torkboy mentioned that doesnt cut it. I made a large teardrop opening in the top of the winshield and my battery is now running at a normal temp even flying in the heat over the weekend. Also make sure to get your ESC some cooling. I had to flip mine over and trim out the bottom frame a little bit so that the heatsink on the esc almost protrudes out of the hole in the bottom of the canopy. That will get you some good esc cooling. I switched to a 12t pinion, and low timing on my esc too. My Medusa motor gets a little hotter than I would like but its ok if I get some FF and don't stay in a hover for 10 minutes. Prior to these changes I made I was only getting 5-6 minute flight times and everything was overheating. Now I get between 10-13 minute times and only the motor is heating up depending on my flying style.

I was a bit dissapointed at first that the mini wasn't up to par as my Rex450se right out of the box, but now it's a fine helicopter just needs a bit of creativity and TLC..

[henrik04]

Great,thanks for the feedback. Any suggestions for the ESC and motor?

Longest flying time:
Evo 25 3S1P and Z-Power 450 TH

If you are in hard 3D:
Evo 25 3S1P and Medusa 28 40 2500 or Medusa 28 40 3400

If you are adventurous:
Evo 25 4S1P and NEU 1107/2Y :!:
In this case even Gorilla gear unbreakable landing skids won't save your bird if you make a mistake on the stick :mrgreen:

[kdii02]

As far as Motor, Batt, and Esc: I can attest to the 3s Evo25, Medusa motor 28-32-3400 and Align 35x Esc. I'm running that setup in both my mini T and Rex450se and they are working very well for me. I'm not doing 3D yet, I just started some circuit flying and I'm loving the Medusa. Lots of other choices though like Neu, Aon, etc..

[peter84]

Which one should I get? Looking for something to try out basic aerobatics and simple 3D (as I prefer not to risk the Raptor 50 or Bergen Intrepid). The Trex SE looks to be good value when considering all the metal parts, however I am thinking that for my type of flying it will not be necessary.
Thoughts and opinions appreciated.
Safe flying, Peter

[kgfly]

Peter,

There is no right answer. Both are good. The TRex is available across a range of prices with various mixes of plastic/CF/metal. I believe some after-market metal parts have begun to appear for the miniTitan. It's hard to beat Align for parts availability and price but from what I read the situation is improving for the miniTitan. The miniTitan has some issues with tracking (with the plastic head) and overheating, these early design issues have all been worked out on the TRex.

Maybe in a year they will be even closer together but for me the TRex is more mature and if the price differences are acceptable, that would tip me towards it.

BTW - The metal parts on the TRexSE have a huge advantage in robustness and crash survival compared to plastic. That saves time and frustration and over the long term, money too.

So choose based on price or brand or aesthetics or a coin toss :wink:

[flybarless]

I put my first flights on the Mini Titan today, stock mechanics, TT motor and speed controller, with a set of SAB 325's.

Impresive to say the least, flies much "bigger" than it's size. Very comfortable right away.

Parts availability will be no problem, my shop, RC Hobbies and More in Winsted CT will be stocking plenty of kits, parts and upgrades. Align needs to look over thier shoulder a little.

[henrik04]

I have been having a problem with the stock motor getting hot too but I'm starting to wonder if its normal due to the motor not having a casing (a casing would probably be much cooler as its not in direct contact with the outrunner).

My Lipo (also a 25C) only gets to about 40degC (about 100F) after 5 min moderate constant 3D.

.

As Torkboy mention a larger opening help (At least for the battery). Another trick is to use a 12T pinion instead of the stock 13T. Still plenty of speed available but far less heat. What is your head speed?

I did made a cutout on the stock ESC and placed a TO220 heat sink. That solved the ESC high temperature.

At the end I had enough and switch for a 450TH motor and different ESC. (But you aren't forced to do this :wink: )

[heliaddict22]

GAH! ok, now im really confused, as im going to go replace my stolen B400 (i have no idea whod want to steal it lol) and its like splitting hairs, i cant seem to decide on trex or mini titan, OR the Dragonus... any suggestions?

[Wurger]

Definately go with the Mini Titan SE. Comes with the CNC parts already.
It is SUPER easy to build and has a lot of innovative things in its design.

I have a Trex SEv2 and a Mini Titan SE

1. The motor is on a hinge so it is very easy to get the gear mesh just right.
2. The tail shaft is very module. You do not need to take most the frame apart like the belt pulley.
3. Its instructions are very easy to follow.

The only complaint I have about the mini titan is the stock skids. If you land on them hard (possible in idle up mode with a sharp pitch curve), they tend to crack. Unlike most helis, the skids are all 1 big piece as opposed to two struts and two skids.

Satsuma, a guy from over the pond made a thread on heliguy.com that detailed his build process:
http://www.heliguy.com/Forum/mini-titan-se-build-thread-t24721.html