Larger heli that can use Trex batteries?

[Torq]

Hello all,
I have a Trex 450XL, and am really enjoying it.
Still at the stage of just hovering, and forward flight which is enough to get the adrenilin flowing!

Birthday coming up, and I was considering getting a second heli with the idea that I would always have something to fly in the event of catastrophe.

I may just get a 450SE(V2?), but I would like to investigate a bigger electric heli that can use Trex packs, possibly in a 3S2P configuration.
I have TP 15C, and TP Extreme 25C 2100 packs.

Any suggestions on what good bigger Heli's would work with those batteries?

Thanks!

[kgfly]

I have TP 15C, and TP Extreme 25C 2100 packs.

Any suggestions on what good bigger Heli's would work with those batteries?
Best candidates are the HDX500 (500-class, 430mm blades) and Hurricane550 (30-size, 475-550mm blades). The 15c packs would be struggling to do more than hover. The 25C packs will fly both helis (3s2p 4200 or 6s1p 2100 for the HDX500, 6s1p2100 for the H550). However most folk with the H550 are finding when the progress past FF they need bigger packs.

Other 500-class helis are expect by the end of this year (eg TRex500, RCT-500, GL-500, SJM-500, Dragonus-500) and could probably also be flown using two T450 packs, only time will tell.

[Torq]

Thanks for the advice, the Hurricane looks like just the ticket!
Looks to be big enough to actually see when you run it down the field, versus my 450 :)

It sounds like it's not as aerobatic as a Trex600, but has enough pizzazz to take me through learning Intermediate flying.


Torq

[kgfly]

The H550 is certainly capable of aggressive 3D (check out the recent video posted today on helifreak) but not on 6s 2100, at least not for long and not without toasting the packs. Most folks are moving up to at least 6s 2500 or as in today's video, FP EVOlite 5s 4250 18c which gave about 5 or 6 minutes of hard 3D. Since you are in the US I would recommend you buy your H550 from ReadyHeli. They have great service and will ensure your kit contains all the latest replacement parts (eg elevator arm, main gears, one-way collar and bearing) and probably even the new 1100kv motor. The stock H550 will fly just fine for learning. AFAIK you won't need metal this-and-that or the T600 thrusted tail until you are pushing the headspeed up over 2500rpm. With 6s 2100 best to run the 500mm blades rather than 550. Or even consider the shrink kit (475mm blades, shorter tail boom).

Enjoy.

[Heli Joe]

Hi Torq !!

I would prefer the HDX500 - I have one and a friend of me has the H550 and i think that there are big differences. The Hdx is complete Aluminium and a little bit smaller than the Hurricane. I also fly my HDX with 2 3S2P Lipos ( 2200 mAh and 15 C ) as a 3S 4400 mAh and it is going very well. I am not sure if the H550 is working also very good with 3S. All i know fly them with 4 and 5 S Lipo.
You can take a look on my personal Pix and there you will find some pix from the HDX !!!

Greetings from Austria

Heli Joe

[Torq]

Thanks for all the great info!

I did look at, and like the HDX500.
By the way who exactly makes it, and is there a good board/thread about it?
Nearest I can figure it is a clone of the Lepton EX, and any information I can find about the Lepton applies equally to the HDX500.

What I have surmised comparing the HDX500 to H550:
Advantages of the HDX500 is that it is a nicer Heli in stock form.
And it sounds like you can use 'Trex' batteries all the way through 3D type flying.

Advantage to the H550 is it looks to be a larger heli. Which I think would make it easier to see, and stabler to fly. And these two things could make it an easier ship to learn with.

The disadvantage to the H550 is it sounds like you can only progress to (possibly) Intermediate sport flying in the stock form with 'Trex' batteries. And those batteries may need to be at least 20C to avold ruining them.

Based on that and my flying skill level of basic Forward Flight it sounds like the Hurricane 550 would be better suited for learning for at least 6 months or so.


Torq

[kgfly]

I believe that HeliDirect are the primary source for the HDX family. They have a new variant, the HDX500SA coming out at the end of the month which has a plastic head and tail and will be $100 cheaper than the current SE version with the CNC head and tail. The HDX500SE is indeed a Lepton clone and there are many interchangeable parts. Some folk prefer the Lepton main gear and tail drive assembly for example and the RevCo pinions for the Lepton fit the HDX500.

Interestingly, some common crash parts (eg main blades - woodies, main gear, main shaft, spindle shaft, replacement frame) are cheaper for the H550 than the HDX500 so cost of repairs may well be lower even though it is a significantly larger heli.

I think you are right about the H550 for you on all counts and sounds to me like you will be flying one soon ;)

[kgfly]

For real user's experiences flying the H550 in stock form see this interesting thread: http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=40817

[digger60]

I have a Hurricane 550 and my friend down the road bought a 3DX500. Assumming the HDX500 and the 3DX500 are the same except for the head..I would for sure go with the Hurricane 550.

The 550 goes together much better, and looks like it is built better. I helped put together my friends 3DX500 and I thought the Hurricane was a better build. Not to mention that some parts don't fit at all. For example the tail linkage was too short and had to be modified. He ended up upgrading several parts in the end. Also watch out for the set screw in the tail hub. It came lose on him last weekend and cause a crash. We did loctite it, it fits in a small dimple on the shaft, we ended up making the dimple a little deeper.

Also on the 3DX500 there were few major problems.
1. Tail blades are too small, had to put larger ones on to get the tail to hold good.
2. Head grips and tail grips were on backwards from the box. I found this was a common problem with other 3DX500 owners.
3. Landing gear really flimsy. Replaced with Hurricane 550 gear.


Hurricane 550 had a few issues and I hope they have been corrected in a later version.

1. Linkages too short (get two packs of Rapter PV0240)
2. Plastic canopy sucks. Fiberglass one is real nice except the canopy standoffs are a little too short for it.

Other than the two things above, my hurricane 550 is all stock.



We are both just general flyers. Again I personally think the Hurricane 550 is a better stock heli.

Tom

[Heli Joe]

2. Head grips and tail grips were on backwards from the box. I found this was a common problem with other 3DX500 owners.


Hi Tom !!!

You wrote like some others in the forum that the Head and Tail Grips are mounted backwards. That means that the are behind the blades when you look at this at the rotation direction.
Like in the plan the Grips should be on the front side of the plades.
But what is the problem when they are on the backside ????

Thanks for Info.

Cheers Heli Joe

[celter]

If they are one the backside on a heli with a clockwise rotation on the main rotor the pitch would be opposite. When the swash moves up, the pitch decreases.

[Heli Joe]

If they are one the backside on a heli with a clockwise rotation on the main rotor the pitch would be opposite. When the swash moves up, the pitch decreases.

Hi there !!

No on mine this is wokring normaly. When the swash is moving up the pitch also increases. If that is ok - there is no other problem or differences ??

Cheers Joe

[digger60]

Don't really know, I came across that info during the built and after compairing the plans to serveral pics (one on readyheli) I confirmed my were also backward and corrected it. As for the tail blade grips on backwards, it cause the tail to not lock in.

Tom

[Heli Joe]

Hi !!!

As i wrote mine is working very well with the linkages on the back side and i see now no reason why i should make me the work to change it. For that you have to change all the parts of the head and thats a lot of work.

Cheers Joe