best size?

[gladish]

I'm coming voer from the electrics. I'm currently flying an align 450, and would like to try out a nitro model. I'm pretty set on a raptor, but am confused about which size would be best suited. I'm not interested in the 90, and there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of difference between the 50 and 60. Is the 30 too small? What criteria do you use to select?

[BarracudaHockey]

There's two main classes.
30 and 60

A 50 is a 30 frame with a bigger engine, boom and blades. Same goes for a 90, its a stretched out and over powered 60.

The 50 is the best bang for the buck, performance nearly of the larger one with crash and parts cost of the 30 size.

[gladish]

There's two main classes.
30 and 60

A 50 is a 30 frame with a bigger engine, boom and blades. Same goes for a 90, its a stretched out and over powered 60.

The 50 is the best bang for the buck, performance nearly of the larger one with crash and parts cost of the 30 size.

One thing I couldn't find too much info on was the servo size. I have a DX, and want to reuse the transmitter. It came with 4 servos, which I'm sure aren't the best quality, but I was curious if they where the proper size for a 30 size.

[Rodan]

Don't skimp on servos... that will cost you a lot of $$...

A friend recently had a $250 crash due to a failed elevator servo that wasn't up to the task...

A 50 seems to be the best compromise of cost v. performance...

[ferincr]

I have a 60 and a new 90 (or at least the left overs of it).
I would suggest to go for the 50, since the only reason to get a 60 nowadays is if you think to upgrade it to a 90 eventually.
Other wise I think is a bit underpowered, the reason I got it is because bigger is more stable to learn on, but if you already fly a Trex 450 that wouldn't be an issue for you and with the 50 you get cheaper parts and much better weight to power ratio.
My idea now is try to sell the 60 and get a 50 to replace it.
Just a newbie point of view.

[gladish]

I have a 60 and a new 90 (or at least the left overs of it).
I would suggest to go for the 50, since the only reason to get a 60 nowadays is if you think to upgrade it to a 90 eventually.
Other wise I think is a bit underpowered, the reason I got it is because bigger is more stable to learn on, but if you already fly a Trex 450 that wouldn't be an issue for you and with the 50 you get cheaper parts and much better weight to power ratio.
My idea now is try to sell the 60 and get a 50 to replace it.
Just a newbie point of view.

What about the 30? Is that underpowered. What size servos does the 30 or 50 take. I'm assuming same size in both?

[BarracudaHockey]

Same size physical servos but the 50 requires more torque. The 821s that come with the dx7 are OK for a 30 but no more. Lots of people use 9252's on a 50.

Most people that start with a 30 upgrade to a 50 and complain that they didnt get it in the first place, they just limit you as far as power and autorotation capability. They are fun little helis, dont get me wrong but people get bored with them more quickly though its a solid option if you are on a budget, just get the OS37 engine if you do.

[ferincr]

I never flown a 30 but my guess is that you'll find the same limitations that the 60 has. I guess it all depends what kind of flying you are planning to do, but as the other (more experienced) people said the 50 is the best bang for the buck.
As for the servos, my idea is always to go for the best I can afford, even if it is a 30 you'll never know if in the future you want to upgrade it to a 50 and then you already have the servos.
When I asked the same question some time ago, the answer to that was don't go lower than the S3151's better yet S9252's, I guess in the last year there are quite a few new servos in the market, but I think those still work as a parameter.

[gladish]

Same size physical servos but the 50 requires more torque. The 821s that come with the dx7 are OK for a 30 but no more. Lots of people use 9252's on a 50.

Most people that start with a 30 upgrade to a 50 and complain that they didnt get it in the first place, they just limit you as far as power and autorotation capability. They are fun little helis, dont get me wrong but people get bored with them more quickly though its a solid option if you are on a budget, just get the OS37 engine if you do.

Funny... I already had this type of experience with the align. I thought, "Why would I spend almost twice as much for an SE.. I'll get the the S". Everyone told me that I'd just end up replacing all the plastic with metal anyway. It actually worked out o.k. As I crashed and broke plastic, I replaced with upgraded metal parts.

I think I'll price out both and see where I wind up.