Kasama or TREX 600

[Jeff0r3]

Aight just need a poll here for best advice for going to a new head on my Raptor 50...I am considering going with:
the TREX 600 Head as listed here http://www.grandrc.com/inc/sdetail/73611

or

the Kasama Head which is listed here http://www.grandrc.com/inc/sdetail/59287

I'd just like the Pro's and Con's and mebbe hash out which is better. I'm a relatively n00b pilot in that I am just getting the courage to do more than the average Heli Pilot. I would just like to know what you guys think. Cost is definitely an issue....Initially and over the long haul with replacement parts and such... But I'm willing to make the initial investment if its really worthy.

Also would like to know about the issue of the initial setup and whether or not its a difficult transition going from a standard head to a Align 600 Head. Will I have to do any Dremeling here or put extra washers there, and such and so forth. And how much of a pain is it! Thanks in Advance.


Jeff

[DebianDog]

From the people I have seen online or spoken to they could not tell the difference between a Kasama Head or a 600 Head (at least on a 600).

The Kasama has some sweet features but you have to love the Align price.

[Gscott]

Personally I would go with the Kasama minus the blade grips. Maybe it's me but the Kasama head looks like a work of art and IMHO works better on a Raptor than the 600 head.

[Jeff0r3]

Anyone know why this got moved to the TREX Section...? I guess it should have probably gone to the Raptor section if anything. I just put it in Main Forum because of a Larger response. But this is definitely the wrong spot for it...

Jeff

[DebianDog]

Yep.. to the Raptor section

[Ticidytoc]

The Kasama head sure looks like a work of art i will agree there. Personally I would go with the Align head for the raptor if your thinking of swapping.

There was a post with a video of the kasama on a t600 you can check it out here on the Freak.
There are also some other limitations to the design if I recall, something about getting pitch limits or cyclic pitch. I think OICU812 played with one and really didnt have much luck but I'm sure he can clarify what I'm referring to.

Parts availability and cost are other things to consider.

[Funky]

Why not the G-Force head? I really like how mine flies... but I guess its not as pretty as the rest :roll:

[Jeff0r3]

G-Force?

Haven't heard of this one...I'm new to this heli-game still....I'll check on it...I'm just wondering about the performance difference of a Raptor 50 with a different Head. Wondering if it'll make a big difference performance wise. Is there a big difference in the performance from a metal upgraded head from say Mavirikk(thats what mine is)? Or is there a big difference in the way say the underslung Align 600 head performs on the Raptor. Seems that most 50 sized helis that are coming out these days are underslung. Even Raptor, doesn't some of the E series Raptor helis have underslung heads. I know a guy that had a Stinger 50 and a Raptor 50, and he almost always flew his Stinger. (I ended up buying his Raptor for a steal :mrgreen: ...But I asked him why he always flew his Stinger and he said that it just performed a lot better for him...He seemed convinced it was the head of the Heli because his stinger was originally a Raptor, he just bought the conversioned Head.


I'd definitely like to get the Align head, but I'm kinda scared of there not being a guideline for the head setup, or a review of what works and what is needed to be changed for it to be effective. Thats what leads me towards the Kasama Head. Heck I was almost about to buy the Top Dragon head, but was told it was terrible, so I went with the Mavirik type upgraded head.


My point is this. I don't want to get a Kasama head because it is a WORK OF ART...I'm looking for a head that performs better than the stock or upgraded aluminum head from Mavirikk. I want to get the heli flying like "Its On Rails".... :badair:

Just curious...I've had these quesitons for a while now, but never had sense enough to ask...

Jeff

[Funky]

Here is a pic of the G-Force head. It flies really nice. They only make the head block, mixer arms and flybar cage. You can use the TT metal grips and washout if you want the entire head metal, but according to the company nothing else is needed besides the parts they replaced to get the performance increase. It has adjustable dampening with o-rings and you can get as much pitch as you want. I had to lower my endpoints after installing the head. I was easily getting 14 degrees of pitch. The flybar cage and mixing arms have multiple mounting locations for your links to adjust the cyclic feel and total pitch range.

http://www.helifreak.com/album_mod/upload/b9780bb389d51544545cf903a6ad930d.jpg

[jschief]

Is it just me or does it seem wrong to put Align parts on your Raptor heli. :flamesuit

[DavidH]

My point is this. I don't want to get a Kasama head because it is a WORK OF ART...I'm looking for a head that performs better than the stock or upgraded aluminum head from Mavirikk. I want to get the heli flying like "Its On Rails"....


The stock head will do that if it is setup correctly. Going have to set up any head no matter what it is to get a heli flying like it is on rails. Lots of other varibles determine it will do that also. Such as blades, fly bar paddles, dampening.
Just my opinion, but I would save the money and spend the time learning how to make the stock head work.

David

[DebianDog]

Well Quick UK paddle, hard damping, along with BIG cyclic throws did speed up the head on my Raptor 60 but it is still slow IMO.

You will have to "learn me" next time I see you David. :D

[Jeff0r3]

So if I'm running Green paddles, Gohbee white dampners Mavirikk G4's and I'm running +/-10 and +/- 7, that all I'm gonna get? I feel kinda bad dogging out my Heli, but I want the "burst" that the Compass Knight 50 has(I saw one fly for about a minute and I know it is gonna be Hella Nice), without buying the kit. Or even half of the "burst" of the TREX 600. The Stinger 50 seemed to Aileron roll tighter than I've ever Aileron rolled mine.. Granted the Pilot has everything to do with it. But I'm flying a helicopter that was probably designed 5 years ago. I figured that people were flying upgrades because the technology got more advanced and more efficient. I guess I thought that putting a Kasama head or a Align head would make my heli fly more like the videos of the TREX 600....I thought...I thought...

So what you guys are telling me is the Kasama or Align 600 head is not gonna make mmy Heli fly any better...That I should upgrade to a TREX 600 Nitro when its available???That what you fellas are sayin?...


Jeff

[DebianDog]

No the Kasama or 600 head will make it fly "better" but just be sure you maxed out all you options with your current head.

Did you do the Green paddles, Gohbee white dampeners Mavirikk G4's and I'm running +/-12 and +/- 7 already???

[Kinger]

Hey Jeff,

"Granted the Pilot has everything to do with it." This answers your question right there............ How hard are you flying with the stock head? Mastered all orientations? All flight variations? (Forward flight, backward flight, inverted forward flight, inverted backward flight.) What type of 3D are you flying? Already got piro loops, piro funnels, piro snakes, piro tic-tocs, forward and backward rolling circles and the rest down? If not, then the stock head configuration will get you there just as well as these other heads will. Take a look at Jason Krause flying a R50 at IRCHA a couple seasons ago and you'll see what I mean. Trust me when I tell you that an average pilot (like me) is going to look pretty much the same whether he's flying a stock Raptor or the newest latest and greatest machine on the market. Everyone is always after the latest and the greatest, but what you'll find over time is that the guys who were good pilots with one machine continue to be good pilots with another.

Now I'm not saying technology has not advanced since the Raptor was originally introduced, but what I am saying is that the stock head will still allow you to do these things just as a new machine will. If you want to get a new machine because it looks more sexy than yours, it costs less or you just get a bigger rush because you own it then by all means get a new machine. Just don't be shocked when your flying looks pretty darn close to what it did on the old machine at the end of the day :)

[DavidH]

Kinger,
Nicely said and to the point. Most of the time it is just bling and is not going to make anyone as good as the Pros that have put 1000's of flights in to get to that level.

David

[aevans692]

Hi guys

Think you hit the nail on the head... but I was going to fit the quick uk head to my rappy as I think it looks good.. lol

[Jeff0r3]

I see what you mean definitely Kinger. I'm just preparing early I guess. I kinda lost focus on what I actually created this post for.. I am going to upgrade the head on my Raptor 50. I saw a video of Justin Chi that his Dad posted recently and he was flying a Raptor 50. He uses the Mavirikk upgraded head. And it does fly great. So it kinda put me in my place again. Actually looking at another post where the Kasama head is problematic in the pitches you are supposed to be able to achieve due to binding issues. Thanks for all your help guys....Guess I'm just gonna wait....Do a little more research..


Jeff

[DebianDog]

I flew Clays Raptor with a Kasama head on it and it was both smooth and fast. I have been unable to achieve the same level of both speed and agility on my R60 head :dontknow

[Kinger]

Remember Dan, you are comparing two different airframes and powerplants. Flip a 90 in that 60 and you'll get a greater sense of speed.

[DebianDog]

Like I told David... funny how no one ever talks about updating an Evo, Century, or MA head.... it is always the Raptor head. :wink:

[Jingshirap]

Jeff0r3,

Don't waste on Trex 600 head. Go for Kasama or other's which fit to Raptor. I've try Trex 600 head and not satisfied :arggg:

[aevans692]

Hi guys

After long research I think that you cant go wrong with the Kasama head. I have been looking at the most popular heads and after I e-mailed the guys who supply the kasama head I was most impressd with the looks, and spec along with the ajustabilty of the head.

The binding issues which was mentioned has only occured in the most extreme setup , trying to acheive +- 14 .

I think I am going to go with the kasama head with the fan and tail holders combo, I works out much cheaper than the quick uk one.

[Jeff0r3]

I am pretty much just going to fly this one for a few more months like it is, with its upgraded Mavirikk type head. And then I'm either gonna get a Compass Knight 50 or if it proves to be that good, the Align TREX 600 Nitro.

I just feel like Raptor is behind on thier helis, and its probably time for them to come out with a V3. Don't get me wrong I love my Raptor, it is really nice to fly, but watching a Knight 50 3D this weekend really put my helicopter in perspective. And it already comes with a Super nice head setup...It seems to have everything upgraded at purchace time of 450 bucks that you need to fly nice 3D with...I think its ready right out of the box. I was very impressed with it...

And then you look at the replacement parts of a TREX vs. TT Raptor.. I mean you start with the thrust bearings, blade grips and compare prices down to the skids of the two, and you can figure to save probably 30 bucks each crash on a TREX (Thanks Mike)... And with the parts being so interchangeable with the 600E, availability is not going to be a issue.

So, I'm moving on...

Jeff

[aevans692]

I am a great fan of the trex as I own a 450se , I would like the new nitro 600, but I do really like th raptor, I dont know if to just up grade of go the whole way and go for the 600...