Hummingbird Elite 3D Pro setup, and other problems

[gpontis]

I am new to this heli, and pretty new to all helis although I am successfully flying a TREX 450SE and a Voyager E. I am barely keeping an Elite 3D Pro in the air for 10 seconds. First thing, it is very skittish (even allowing for small size). I suspect that friction in the seesaw is making it harder than it needs to be. There is considerable binding in the seesaw but the Century tech support fellow said that with the plastic seesaw and metal hub that it was not much of a problem due to the high head speed. I tried a little oil on it but it did not improve much, but I think that the flying improved somewhat.

Second thing, pins keep coming out. I lost one pin the the tail rotor slider, the other keeps coming out and I have to push it in. This is in the lightest flying conditions, less than 1 pack drained.

As far as tail control, the GY-401 does not seem to be doing it. We know that this gyro can work well, and I am very pleased with the one in the TREX. I have set up the radio and gyro connections the same as I have them in the TREX, and the transmitter is also set the same way. The gyro light goes on solid a few seconds after connecting the battery, so that is normal. It feels like it does little more than a simpe rate gyro. I have to correct constantly. The tail servo is the standard HS-56HB.

Any suggestions ?

George

[Sam In Virginia]

Any suggestions ?

George, best thing to do is don't waste any more money on the 3D Pro. I have 3 Trex 450s and a Trex 600 and they fly great. My friend bought a HB 3D Pro and he wanted me to set it up and get it flying. First the gear for the tail drive lasted 6 flights and I never hit the tail blades on anything. Replaced the gears and the tail box exploded twice for no reason. Converted to the belt drive system and wile that worked and I got the thing flying the tail would never hold like a Trex. Now the idlers in the belt conversion are giving problems. Now the 3D Pro has been discontinued and you cant find parts. Best advise, save and reuse what you can and throw the rest in the trash can. Wile you will find some that say they love their 3D Pro, I don't see how, I'll stick with my Trex. I might be able to keep it in the air long enough for my friend to learn how to hover but I see a Trex in his future.
Sam
in Virginia

[gpontis]

Hi Sam. Since last posting I spent more time tuning my 450SE and it is at this moment so finely balanced and smooth that the comparison with the HB has become even more striking. I have come to about the same conclusion that there is no mission in my fleet for the HB. Too bad because I have lots of parts for it, except for an axle shaft so it is grounded. After the last repair I swapped in a Futaba digital tail servo that was lying around and the thing was actually somewhat flyable. At least I got an appreciation that it did have some power and was responsive; perhaps there was a use for it after all. I called Century looking for an axle. They said that they would have them mid-October, but a new model was coming out within the month. If that new model is much improved and available as a bare bones kit then it would be about the only place to reuse the small motor and servos. Could be a slippery slope ...

George