Gohbee 50 Is It Worth It

[antares]

Lets start by saying that this is not my first helicopter. I have built and flown Schluters,Concepts,Kalt,X-Cells,Hirobo's,Align,and Jr's. I had got out of the hobby for a few years and had sold most of my helis . I was looking for a low cost 50 size and found the Gohbee 50 , so I ordered one. I started the build and immediately had trouble mounting the motor. It would not fit ! (Yes I left off the washer). The Hyper 50 head hit the inside of the frame . Enter the dremel. I relieved the front portion of the frame and got the motor to slide in. Next problem the bolt holes for the motor were not correct. So a search of the web confirmed that Gohbee knew there was an issue with the bolt holes not correct and instead of repairing the problem they recommend slotting the holes. So I slot the holes and get the motor installed. Instruction state install tank brace. No brace in kit. Email to Gohbee and reply comes back you don't need this part and it is optional. Not listed on there site as option and instructions not updated. Emailed Gohbee they change the website. Next I checked the bolts for loctite and found the spindle bolts have ZERO loctite. All others are ok. I next went through and check the links for tightness. Had to free up a couple this is normal on all kits. However the pitch cage is binding. I had to disassemble the cage and add a shim to straighten. I installed my radio gear and did the setup, off to the field.
I do my prefight and start it. Clutch is hanging . I do a fast burn in and proceed to hover to check out. The heli has a vibration. Set it down clutch will not disengage. Put it back in the vehicle fly my other heli. Disassemble the clutch, damaged also notice the clutch bell does not track true. Jump on the web and order RAPTOR clutch ,flywheel, gear and bell. Replace them all. Recheck head ,blade and tail balance all ok. Recheck setup ok. Next time at the field. Clutch works great. Still have slight vibration tracking off a little . Tried to adjust tracking unable to get correct. Load the heli back in the vehicle. Check head excessive slop in dampners. Ordered the 90 duro Gohbee dampners and at the same time ordered the aluminum blade grips. I already had the aluminum center wich I installed on the new kit. New problem the dampners do not fit the head correctly and even with 1 shim on each side the grips do not tighten as the spindle appears too short. Tried without shims does not fit correctly cannot tighten the spindle and in the process I have damaged the new bearings. Is it worth it? NO ! Would I buy another Gohbee? NO ! I should have spent the extra money and bought a RAPTOR.

antares

[muddluvr]

I know how you feel....My gohbee was a gift from a freind for fixing his jetski. Had a buttload of problems from day one. The main one was the head going out of track every other day, others included the tail rotor hub breaking, main gears stripping, stupid designed main hub assembly wore out about three times. I might have flown it no more than 10 times in 4 months, and this was my first helicopter, so you can imagine the frustration I had trying to learn how to fly with this turd..IMO the fit and function of the parts from gohbee are not up to par, even the replacement parts i had to get didnt fit very well, they all needed modifications to make them work. I now have a e620 raptor, 2 raptor 90s, and a e325 mini titan. I have learn how to fly with the e-raptor, have about 40 flights with no problems...

Took all the electronics off the gohbee and threw the frame and all parts in the trash...I guess i could of gave it to someone i didnt like...

[ddierking]

I am sorry to hear both of you have had problems with your Gohbee's. I personally have had nothing but positive experiences with my Gohbee helicopters. I own two stinger 50's. I will say it again and again, David at Gohbee is a stand of guy and will do everything to help someone out. I am not the only one who has been happy with the Gohbee product. I've seen it posted somewhere else, but Gohbee's are just like any other heli, there will be a lemon every now and then in the bunch.

[wren1702]

I hate to say it, but I had the same problems. When it was flying, it was great. I had a lot of problems with replacement parts not fitting, blades not staying in track, etc....

I have 2 Aligns now, what joy!

[BarracudaHockey]

Every Ghobee thats showed up at our field didnt stay long. Same as the Audacity Tigers.

[nigel1]

I have a Gohbee 50 Nitro with all the alloy upgrades, it flies great and I have not had any issues with it although I have only flown it about 15 times. When I got it I was advised to upgrade the clutch, which I did. However if I had the choice over I would go Trex 600 nitro..just spend the cash.... I am now flying a Trex 600 and so in love with the way the bird flies I am actually going to sell the Stinger and get some more batteries..anyone interested..look in the calssified section. :)

[orstraycat]

I can't speak for the .50 size Gohbee but I have the .30 Stinger and it is a very good flying heli for the $$$. I have added a few of the upgrades and it is smooth as silk with absolutely NO Problems. I also have a Hirobo Evo 90 and while not on the same level of quality, the Stinger flies very well. I will also say that David at Gohbee is easy to work with and will do whatever he can to assist you.

[rototiller]

Hehehe, what a nightmare mine was ! Clutch was stupid. Way out of round, locked up the bell, out of balance. I refused to buy a new clutch for my new bird !

Well after the clutch adventure was sorted out (not perfect but flyable) then I moved onto a whole list of vibrations. I got the better dampers and paddles when I got the kit. Well the paddles were bad and even after I put TT light paddles on it still would vib with the hard dampers. So in goes the stock dampers. Hey, its almost smooth now. The fin would almost sit perfectly still. Well, after about 3 or 4 tanks the vibs would come back. What ?!?!?!

Then for some reason the belt would grab itself on run up. I about freaked the first time the head came to a complete stop when trying to run it up !! I had to have the belt as tight as I could get it to keep it from stopping the head. Then there was a ton of slop in the head/swash after a case of fuel.

Needless to say, I sold the pile and got a rex 600N. The stinger was OK after a case of fuel. My rex was dialed after the 3rd tank. I did have to put a new one way on it but, other than that its perfect out of the box !! I have over a case of fuel on it now and its still as tight as the day I put it together. this is how a heli is supposta be. For many years to come.

DK