What to buy

[MikeWz]

I've been snooping around, looking to get a Nitro bird. I had a T-rex 450 a few months back, that I never got past FF with. I was able to hover fairly comfortably in all orientations, and start into FF.
I've read that most of you seem to prefer the SE over the Titan because of the head. Heliproz has their "Hyper Raptor" with a full metal head, tail assembly and CF fins..along with all the stock parts in the box (plus CF main/tail blades). I was considering picking that up, for $850 with a 50 hyper. That way, I can run all the stock parts, and when I crash all I really would need to buy would be (probably) main/feather shaft and tail boom because I could just throw on all the metal stuff.
Then, I saw their "Velociraptor" 90 HPSE kit. That comes with all the stock parts, along with the Carbon Extreme CF frames, OS .91, Carbon Blades, along with a full Top-Dragon head. Again, along with all the other parts. Basically, for their $1290 tag, you get two helicopters. Would it be worth just going big to start because I'm going to assume that I'm gonna need/want to go to a big .90 eventually anyway. And for that price I'm, for all intensive purposes, getting two helicopters. The only real price difference for a crash seems to be main blades. Even that, at $80 for the maverick 700mms, is the same price as getting a set of 600mm radix (and only $20 more than their 600mm blades anyway).

Would it be a bad idea to just get the 90?

[chris696]

my thoughts are go with a 50 size first as a 90 is gonna be way too hard to learn on.. its a big step from a 450 to a 90 as i went to a 30 first and then onto a 60 and from 30 to 60 it frightened the life out of me the first time i flew it lol.
just my thoughts

[Rodan]

The 50 is a nice size to fly. The 90's are cool, but your fuel consumption will be a LOT higher... and I go through a lot of fuel with the 50... :lol:

[MikeWz]

Yeah, they say you only get about 9-10 flights out of a gallon for a 90. Not a huge deal though. I mix my own fuel for my trucks, so I'd probably do the same for the birds once I found out what I liked. Winds up being cheaper that way

[BarracudaHockey]

Lots of people that have 90s have a 50 to beat on, its hard to get over that flying dollar signs when you want to try something new.

[cbailey]

FYI - A 90 (O.S hyper) gets about 6 flights out of a gallon, and a 50 will get about 9-10.

[MikeWz]

Well, aside from fuel, if I were to buy the 90, what would the cost difference be for an average crash...and also take into consideration I wouldn't be flying $100 blades because I wouldn't notice a difference between those and the $60 maverick blades at my flying level.

[BarracudaHockey]

In most cases I would say the crash cost could be double.

For example with the torque tube tail on the 90s you usually break a tube or strip gears in any contact with a planet, stuff that wont generally bother the belt drive on a 50.

[aevans692]

Hi guys..

I think that the 50 size would be best, I think that you will find it much better to learn with than the trex450se, and It wont brake the bank to fix after a crash, plus you will have more air time with a galon of fuel,,, and that is what counts time in the air....

I would recommend to go with the 50 and as you progress then invest in a 90.. :mrgreen:

[MikeWz]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've decided to go with the 600N when it comes out.

[Seeker]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've decided to go with the 600N when it comes out.

Probably a good choice. If I were you I would look at the MinAir Razor Nitro that should be out soon also.

[MikeWz]

I'm sure the Minair is going to be an exceptional bird...I'm just not sure they're prices are going to be quite as exceptional. That's where the Align really gets ahead in my book.

[powermalex]

I've got the same dilema! I have a TREX 450SE and would like a gas heli.
I to have been thinking about a Raptor 90 HPSE. I was at the flying field yesterday and saw one in flight. The pilot said he graduated from a Trex450.
The 90HPSE looks great also from what I saw flew smooth. I think if your planning from going Trex450SE > gas may as well get the 90HPSE. You only buy it once and it come with all the upgrades. As for a crashed I think the crash would be less times since your flying a bigger heli. Also fuel with mileage being less. Makes you increase maintances time if you like to tinker at night like me. (Money used to go to strip bars) I think a good once over for every gallon is a good time to check mechanics on the heli.

Come Monday I will be ordering mine!

[Pinecone]

Trex 600N flyer is out and posting in a thread in that section.

PRO kit will list at $599, CF frame, torque tube tail, fiberglass canopy. Out May 5 supposedly.

Standard kit will be $409 with G10 frames, belt drive tail, plastic canopy. Out in June.

Combos out later, no info.

[MikeWz]

Yeah, I'll stick with the 600N for now....and when I start flying better I'll go with a 90. Something probably more along the lines of an Aurora.