And so it begins...

[Soundwave]

http://i12.tinypic.com/4tk46r6.jpg

http://i11.tinypic.com/4zw3d3s.jpg

Maxi Joker 2 ($1300)

Motor: Plettenberg HP370/40/A2 ($500)

ESC: PowerJazz (120A continuous / 200A peak 15S LiPo) ($385) / Program Card ($29)

Swash Servos: JR 8717 ($110) x 3

Gyro: Logictech 6100T (with tail servo $290)

RX: Spektrum AR9000 ($170)

Voltage Regulator: Duralite Gemini ($145), EVO RX 3000 mAh pack 7.4v ($70)

Batteries: Tanic LiPo 10s2p / 8500mah ($750 ea.) x 3

Charger: FMA HD6 ($110) x 2

Power Supply: Cascade Audio 45 Amp ($180)

TX Packs: Radical RC 2700mah NiMH 8-AA cell 9.6V ($47 ea.) x 3

Main Blades: V-Blades 810mm ($250)

Tail Blades: V-Blades 110mm ($30)

Stabilization System: Ap2000i ($225), FMA IR Sensor ($43), Sensor Cable ($12)

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wow - what can i say? this Joker is made so well. everything fits like a glove. will be a nice compliment to my GSR.

wish me luck :)

[crewchief]

I plan on getting the exact same rig, so it will be great to hear your experiences. I've been studying the manual and it's interesting - they start you off really simple and easy, and it gets pretty complex towards the end. Have fun building it! Also, I'm guessing the running gear is quiet with those cogged belts. My T-Rex 600 is pretty noisy, and I think most of it is originating from the straight-cut main gear.

[kgfly]

Wow, impressive setup. Looks like you are going to have lots of fun :)

I am curious about the choice of high-performance servos and high performance gyro for an AP heli that I assume will spend most of its life hovering with some mild FF ? Is it just a matter of wanting to have the best for its own sake or is there a functional benefit ?

With that Rx and those servos running off a 2s lipo I don't think you need a regulator other than for the gyro/tail servo. You could use a smaller/lighter device like a ParkBec or SportBec for the tail electronics. Will the regulator also be powering the camera mount and/or downlink or will they have their own separate power supply ?

[Efliernz]

I'm drooling. While I'm enjoying AP with the T600, this is a serious step up. I would have to really please my finance manager...

[bullaculla]

That is a very nice haul. I wish I had enough balls to drop that kind of dough when I first started out. I didn't know how seriously i'd take AP tho. If I could do it all over again, i would have bought a maxi joker. I am still looking at getting one since my trex is on 10s anyway. You get a big
http://photos.imageevent.com/bullaculla1/heli/thumbup.gif

[Soundwave]

Wow, impressive setup. Looks like you are going to have lots of fun :)

I am curious about the choice of high-performance servos and high performance gyro for an AP heli that I assume will spend most of its life hovering with some mild FF ? Is it just a matter of wanting to have the best for its own sake or is there a functional benefit ?

With that Rx and those servos running off a 2s lipo I don't think you need a regulator other than for the gyro/tail servo. You could use a smaller/lighter device like a ParkBec or SportBec for the tail electronics. Will the regulator also be powering the camera mount and/or downlink or will they have their own separate power supply ?

thanks everyone :)

i suppose i bought those servos and that gyro for this reason: i don't like to cut corners. not with something that could theoretically kill someone. i talked to alot of people when i was forming my list and several of them said 'you could probably get away with getting this instead of that'. i don't want to 'get away' with anything. at the very least - if something really bad happens i will know that i had the best stuff on there and didn't cut any corners.

the Gemini is a top of the line unit and it doesn't weigh much at all. the battery's weight is negligible with regards to the overall weight imo.

[kgfly]

Fair enough, but there are other high quality servos that would surely do the job. You could argue they would be a safer choice since they are well proven in service whereas those JR servos are new and in that sense, unknown.

Since you have those servos which are rated to 8V and the Rx is rated to at least 15V, using them without the regulator actually improves your safety since your control of the aircraft is not subject to a regulator failure. You would still use the regulator for the tail control but being very lightly loaded it would be at less risk of failure. Just an idea to ponder :)

Of course just by being red those servos make the heli look cool so that's a good reason to use them too :lol:

[LoopBaCK]

When I need a pick-me-up I just come here and look at the pretty pictures...

Mmmmmmm... jokerrrr!