Centuri Predator Carbon vs. Miniature Aircraft Spectra-G

[Yellow Spectra]

What are the advantages the Spectra-G has over the Predator? Quality? I visited Century Heli which I didn't know was based in my town of San Jose and saw their Predator Carbon Gasser with optional Hanson Zenoah. Well, with the delay of the Spectra, it fueled my curiosity for the Century and I almost bought one. Can anyone offer me their two cents on this subject? Thanks.

[DavidH]

Spectra will start shipping end of next week. The last piece of the puzzle should arrive early next week. Kits are packed except for the last piece, so soon as it arrives we are ready to send them out. Sorry it has not been sooner, but Mother Nature had a different plan between mid August and first of October.

David

[Yellow Spectra]

Not a problem, David. I totally understand the delay. I was just feeling desperate and needed to have a gasser :) Don't worry, I hesitated but didn't buy the Century partly because the parts are manufactured in China which I am not a big fan of. I believe (correct me if I am wrong) that MA kits are made here in America (at least I know for sure that the kits are packaged here). Plus, I like the canopy :) and the variable layout the Spectra G has to offer.

[whirlyspud]

"Spectra will start shipping end of next week."

I like the sound of that much better than "two weeks". :mrgreen:

Mike

[Tom Fiddler]

I will probably get a Spectra-G when the rush is over (or when Carey trades me one for some Stator Gator's :D )
I have flown a Predator gasser (my own conversion) and it is a very fine heli.
But you have to get the Carbon version to save on crash costs....sounds funky , but it's true
Bill Meador has done alot for the final package and the Gasser heli scene in general.
I have flown Vario's , Bergen's, Century's and NEED to fly the latest offering from MA to really get a feel for what's best.
Plus I have some new Gov. test coming up and need a Gasser.

As I have said before ...You can't buy a bad Gasser right now

[mevigavant]

What is the expected run time of a 3d gasser? Is there anything different that I would need or have to do compared to a nitro heli?

[DavidH]

Run time= On a tank of fuel you will get in the 20-25 min range depending on type of flying. Not sure what size tank is coming in the Spectra, but the above time is based on about 10 ozs.

You will need nothing different compared to a nitro heli. The Spectra will be able to be started with an electric starter, or the removable pull starter can be used.
No glow igniter will be needed.

You will need a fuel jug that will handle gasoline.

David

[Racer38]

I am getting a Spectra G for X-Mas. My lovely wife of 22 years has Oked the purchase :lol: ..

Couple of questions ??

I want to use it as a Camera ship as well as a Fun Flyer with some mild 3D which is all I can do right now.

Do you think it will work as a camera ship in stock configuration ? I plan to put a 60 pro camera mount and fly a small Sony video cam with downlink.

Since we are only looking at about 3 1/2 to 4 pounds of added weight will I need any special gearing?

Should I use the Toxic motor or a Hanson. I know Will loves his Toxic but I havent seen many posts about the Hanson.

I can hardly wait for Santa to come :banana

[bigrcr]

The Spectra-G comes with an 8 ounce tank, enough for 18-24 minutes of hard 3-D..plenty. You can put in a larger tank or two if you wish there's room.

The Spectra-G will handle the added weight with no problem on the stock gearing. The gearing is just configured to keep the motor in the higher RPM for 3-D. A lower ratio will allow for the motor to be run at a lower speed for general app's, even though you can just lower the head speed a bit as well, the motor will pull it. I haven't flown the newest Hanson creations either, the older ones did well on the old G-23's. The choice will be yours, of course.

Later,

[Racer38]

Thanks John

I'll probably just do the Toxic motor as you and Will seem to be having Great luck with them, I'll probably just use the stock gearing and set a slower head speed, from the way you guys talk these gasser motors are like tractors (TORQUE) so I'm not worried about it carrying the load ! :wink:

[whirlyspud]

8 oz seems small. Even for a gasser.

Mike

[DavidH]

0648 10 oz Dubro Tank is what came with the 1005 Gasser.
I would think that is what is going to come with the Spectra

David

[rcheliflyer]

You guy's are stirrring up my interest ;)
I once had an Xcell gas from 1995 and enjoyed flying it, maybe the Spectra with the right setup would be fun to have.
What gear ratio is standard on the Spectra G ?, could not find it in the brochure.
Also what headspeeds , gear ratios are you running with the Toxic motor ?
Is the Toxic motor readily available and in what sizes ?
How do you start it ?, does it come with the pull starter?

Thanks,

[bigrcr]

The Spectra-G does come with a new fuel bottle. It is a Nalgene type just as the SE and Fury, but is a 8 ounce bottle. This one fits the front area perfectly and can actually hold a bit more than 8 ounces, just as the other Nalgene bottles do. 20-24 minutes is plenty of time, especially when the .80-.91's get less than that on much more fuel. :wink:

So far, I cannot post the gear ratio. The head speed is running at 1800 RPM. Several of the Toxic motors have been delivered to Minair so far so yes they are available. The motor is best started by top spin starting as this is easiest, just like the glow machines, but it comes with a pull starter and can be pull started as well.


For those wanting a bigger tank, that's not a problem either. Any tank you want to use can be used dependant on location, just use the correct fuel tubing and the special clunk that comes with the kit.
Later,

[Laurens]

If I had the money I would take the Spectra G.

[whirlyspud]

Ok, I know the gear ratio is still oh so super secret at this point. I even find some humor in that. I don't need to know the ratio, just tell me how many rpm's your motor is turning to give you the 1800 HS. :mrgreen:

<edit> I don't even care what the ratio is. I just hope it works with a hanson 260. I'd hate like hell to have to wait another two weeks for the right ratio. <LOL>

Mike