Can I build a setup cheaper than this RTF kit?

[ez_heli]

Hi,
Can I build a setup cheaper than this RTF kit?
http://www.rc-expert.com/product-package.php?pid=461

Do you think it is good?

[istandalone]

the price is great. i have the same tx, it's not top shelf but plenty for me. the heli itsself, motor and esc are good as they are gaui. servos are junk, gyro is junk, don't know about the lipos, but most likely junk. just think about it for a minute. you can get the 550 kit for around $300. if they are including all of the other electronics plus build time labor for $200, that says something. but, if your just learning to hover i'm sure you'll do ok. it's just that within a couple months as your talent progresses you're going to have to upgrade the gyro and servos. so, it'll get you flying, but for $500 don't expect much. for a 550 class heli it should cost around $1200 to put a decent one together.

[Pinecone]

The Tx will be limiting over time, especially with helis.

The charger is marginal, but should work.

The gyro will drive you nuts, especially setup.

I don't know about the servos.

I prefer a BEC that runs off the main pack rather than having to have a second Rx pack.

Hurricane 550 Basic kit - $320
Spektrum DX7 - $300 or so with DS821 servos, which work fine on this heli
Futaba GY401 w/ S9254 - $200 new, about $150 used
Hextronic 3S 3200 packs - $50 each (need them in sets of 2)
CellPro 4S charger (will need to charge packs one at a time, but later buy a second one) - $65

But you will have items that will stick with you for YEARS, rather than a few weeks before you start upgrading.

[ez_heli]

Thank you guys for your input.
My budget is limited so I want something cheap. I think I will go for the RTF kit for now.

[istandalone]

i'm willing to bet that if you get that rtf kit and ditch the telebee gyro for a 401 you'll be happy. like i said, i've got the same tx and it's not bad. when i get my dx6i, it'll be a paper weight unless i ever get into planks, which are calling me lately. i'm having too much fun on the sim with planks to not get one.

[kgfly]

IMO you are wasting money on that package. Terry's list (which comes to around $1100-1200 with two sets of batteries) makes much more sense and will cost you less in the end.

If you really only have $500-$600 to spend then I recommend you seriously consider a Blade400 instead. You get an RTF heli with a Spektrum DX6i + AR6100, which will be a really good 6ch 2.4 GHz computer radio that far exceeds the 6EXH in features and performance and will probably last you quite a while. The heli comes with digital servos, HH gyro, motor, ESC, one lipo battery and a simple charger. Add some spares, at least one more battery and a Cellpro4s (far superior charger) and for under $600 you will have a really decent setup with components that you can realistically expect to move on to other helis down the track.

[Mikej]

OK - about time someone starts the arguement :lol::lol:

I have almost exactly that set-up and I am very happy. I have

550 Combo from RC-Expert
stock motor, stock ESC, Stock BEC
Futaba R146iP Rx, Futaba 3001 on cyclic, Futaba 3151 on tail
Telebee gyro, Futabal 6EXH Tx

I also have a CellPro 4S, a Trex 450XL, a HB King 2, 2 EP100s and now a 3DX-500. I am not a complete newbie (but not far off) - flying for about 9 months now on lazy 8's, some nose in etc. etc

For my current stage this set-up is great - I'm sure that a 401 or 2100T would be better for 3D and I could get better servos for sure, but for where I am now, the 550 is MUCH easier to fly than the 450, more stable and easier to see - the equipment is not my limiting factor - it's my relative lack of skill.

One argument that I have with people on some forums (no-one here obviously) is that everyone seems to think that you have to have the best equipment at all times to get a flyable heli - not necessarily true in my experience.

Let the argument begin :)

Cheers,
Mike.

[kgfly]

Mike,

Believe it or not, I mostly agree with you. Not everyone needs the greatest/fastest/bestest gear, especially when just starting out and learning. Not everyone can raise the cash to get the best and for them, paying more in the long term is an acceptable compromise as it spreads the costs out over time.

My problem with the referenced package was mostly what I see as wasted money on IMO a junky Tx and maybe Rx, lipo, charger and servos.

I flew piezo gyros and was very happy with them and suspect my flying is still below the limits of what they can do. They can be fiddly to setup and sometimes can be troublesome, but so can SMM gyros. SMM gyros are better and in the end, most folk upgrade if they stick with the hobby. If it was only the gyro I would have no issue with that package.

Reliable cheap servos with adequate torque and importantly, decent centering, are fine. I have seen many reports of folks being happy with S3001 for learning The servos in the package are an unknown quantity. I would guess that there official specifications are probably OK for the purpose. Whether they centre well, have smooth and reliable operation and are reliable is the unknown factor.

I don't like the 6EXH Tx. IMO it compares poorly to other cheap 6ch radios and is a real deadend IMO. For almost the same money you can get a DX7 which is a vastly superior solution. For the same (maybe less) you can (soon) get a DX6i which is also much better. I did not see whether that package included a reputable Rx. If not, you would be at significant risk of RF problems, the last thing anyone wants with a flying buzzsaw and especially a learner with enough challenges just getting into the air.

The cheap, low rated, lipos may be OK for hovering but may also be a low quality item that won't last long, so again, a good chance of wasted money.

There are lots of cheap lipo chargers around now. With a top quality and very safe charger like the CellPro4s available for only $75 there is really no reason to risk damaging your lipos or worse, burning your car/garage/house down with a cheap charger that is unlikely to do a good job, will probably be very slow and won't give you any information about the battery before, during or after charge. Lipos are expensive (even cheap ones!) and IMO a key to getting the most from them safely is a decent charger. It will pay for itself.

So overall it is a question of balancing available funds, waiting time to save and the risk of disappointment or avoidable problems that will lead to more cost up front. It also has to do with what gets you excited and how susceptable you are to upgrade addiction. Some of us just get more joy from have what we consider "the right gear" both for the confidence (false or otherwise) it gives us in the reliability and performance of the machine and of course, simply for the irrational pleasure that comes from owning fine equipment. :)

[Mikej]

Ken,

I don't completely diasagree with you either - I would really like a Tx with sub-trim - it would really help. I plan to upgrade to a DX6i or DX7 at some stage - however I have invested about $450 in Rx's so far :arggg: :arggg: so will probably wait a while.

Agree absolutely about the decent charger, for the safety as well as preservation of the lipos.

Cheers,
Mike.

[Pinecone]

That's the problem. You have spent the money for the 6EX and lots of Rxes, and now you are having to start all over again.

That's why the advice to a beginner to get the right stuff first. And if you get out of the hobby, a DX7 or DX6i will be a lot more sellable than a 6EX.

[Mikej]

Not quite Terry - I got the Tx for an extra cost of $40 on a combo deal, and when I bought it there was still doubts over using 2.4ghz radios in the UK. At the time I didn't want to spend an extra $200+ for equipment - I have added the Rx's incrementally as I bought extra helis.

Mike

[AussieJester]

I have the exact combo you listed ez_heli (i did already have a DX6 which i use over the futaba) The servos in the kit are futaba3001 and work well for my level. The rx is an Align. I dont know why so many people have trouble setting up the Telebee gyro mine has been faultless from day one and was easy to setup! <---from someone that almost needs help to change batteries in a digital camera... :-S The charger is definitely rubbish takes forever to charge a battery close to 2 1/2 hrz for memory (bought a Hyperion myself thanks kgfly for that :-) ) The Lipos are "ok" for learning IMO I have now destroyed one though and have just purchased Kong Power 2200mah to replace them (got ~40 flights out of original Extreme Power Lipos that were supplied in kit.. 5 minute flight times circuits/hovering/loops & flips)

One argument that I have with people on some forums (no-one here obviously) is that everyone seems to think that you have to have the best equipment at all times to get a flyable heli - not necessarily true in my experience.

I agree completely! See it often these 'experts' advising 1000plus dollar setups for people that have never touched a tx in there life :-S They don't even know if they will enjoy the hobby if they do they wont be doing much more than hovering & alot of crashing for 6 months anywayz, fail to see why wrecking top of the range equipment while learning the basics :-S i think some of the advice scares more off than it helps to be honest, myself personally wouldn't have gotten back into the hobby if i listened to some of the so called "good advice" from various forums...


I don't like the 6EXH Tx. IMO it compares poorly to other cheap 6ch radios and is a real deadend IMO. For almost the same money you can get a DX7

:-| I paid $AU275 delivered for my DX6, I believe the 6EXH is around the same price? a DX7 are $AU394 (PLUS delivery ~ $AU30) (over 500 dollars from my local Hobby Shop :-| ) For the money you can get a RTF kit that will suit the beginner (depending on how much time one flies) for a good 6-12 months...if he/she still enjoyz the hobby absolutely upgrade as skill level increases...

ez_heli one thing you ABSOLUTELY MUST DO before attempting to fly is download Finless video on the hurricane and rebuilding your heli as the job the people at RC Epert do "assembling it" is less than atrocious

Just my opinion no offense meant or intended suffice to say you will be very happy with the RTF kit ez_heli (once it is assembled and setup up correctly) I would recommend the shortend tail and 475-500mm blades TREX600 landing gear as priority additions along with everything Finless suggests in his setup videos also :-)

Best of luck ;-)

[ez_heli]

Thank AussieJester for your info.
I thought that the kit was assembled already. I was hopping to get it for less and assemble it by my self.
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Is this the cheapest RTF kit out there?

[Pinecone]

It is 90% assembled, but many parts should be taken apart and put together correctly, or for metal on metal you need to ensure that there is Loctite to prevent the screws/bolts from becoming loose.

I would prefer that the helis come fully disassembled, since you have to now takem them apart of put them back together.

Bottom line on the setup, it will fly, but as even reading the posts of the fan boys ( :) ), you will be replacing the charger right away and the packs shortly. And the Tx eventually, and then you will probably go 2.4 GHz, so the Rx becomes useless also.

Cheaper up front means more money down the road, but if that works for you, do it.

If you need an inexpensive RTF setup with good gear, I would wait a bit for the Blade 400.

[istandalone]

also, a hurricane 550 is much more stable then a 400. better for a beginner. hell, call or email rcexpert and see if they can "mix and match" you a better combo.

[concept1]

this is the kit i bought 3 months ago, but without the Tx, when the Hurricane was "new" I got my combo kit $330 shipped they have since raised the price on the combo!
the servo's are a std Airtronics servo and they work ok, more then enough for beginners, the battereis are ok for beginners, but much better suited for a trex450, don't evpect them to last long!
I got this combo because it was priced so good I could not pass it up. I sold the Gyro for $30 and toasted 1 battery on the second flight, the other battery is in my Trex 450 and it is ok at best. I would never buy this battery! but I figured I got them for free. I also sold the servo's for $35 so i was money ahead over a std kit of $319. and I use the charger for my small 800mah packs!
you will not build one cheaper but you will easily build one better, for pretty close but still $100-200 more

you can get a used gy401 gyro and servo for $100-125 you can get a good used radio setup for $100-200
i would highly recomend getting the 401 before you upgrade the tx though, the better gyro will be noticed before the better tx.

[ez_heli]

Is this kit better than the one at rc-expert?
http://flying-hobby.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=3_30_36&products_id=1988
Like the servos are they better?

[concept1]

well you get a much better gyro,motor and esc. not sure what the servo's are, and you get carbon blades