MA Parts

[KevinT]

From reading on this, and other forums people are stating that Min Air repalacement parts are more expensive than Thunder Tiger.
I read all the time that people are switching over to a raptor 90, or other machine, and getting rid of there Min Air ships.
I just bought a Fury Expert 60, and still own a raptor 30.
Now I know that the two are vastly diferent in repair cost, but I am wondering if any one as any past experience with an extreame, and a Raptor 90. I really like my Fury, and plan on keeping my 30 as my main ship. Just wondering how they truly compare. Has any one done an fair cost compare between the brands.
The other reason I ask is if you look at the kit prices the are really close.

Just being curious, and its raining....
Later

[fitenfyr]

Kevin,
Parts are parts...
The TT stuff is good out of the box, but IMO it will not stand up like the MA stuff does.
There are guys out there flying 5+ year old SE's and such with a bunch of the same parts in them.
Plastic fantastics are just going to wear more IMO.
I am very fond of TT stuff. In fact I have a Raptor 30 sitting in the box right here waiting to be built, but I probably will never get rid of my MA ships totally.
They fly too well and for the most part are fly and forget. I don't worry about something getting worn, cracked or stripped on my MA ships as much as I do the Raptor.

I have seen some stock R90's fly just as well as a Fury so it has nothing to do with the ship, just the pilot. :D

I think it has a lot to do with budgets. If you are going to fly on the edge and crash a bunch then get the kit with the lowest crash costs (although if you compare head to head all the 90's they are pretty close).
If you want something that you can fly for a long time without having to do more than some preflight checks and maybe a bit of lube and bolt tigheting then MA is the way to go IMO.

BTW it's raining up here also. :D

[KevinT]

Thanks for the reply Jason.
I just think it is strange. It seems that some people try to blame the ship when it sounds like pilot error.
I have talked to other people on this topic, and they agree with you.
I have only flown the Fury three time, and I really like it. However the Raptor 30 will be the one that gets the most air time. I know for a fact it is cheeper :)

[WayneBrown]

Cost is relative. If you can't afford to crash, don't fly. I got my Fury at a great price, and I'd hate to crash it, but if and when it happens, oh well. I'll buy more parts, and fly it again as fast as possible. Comparision to others' machines is like comparing a Yugo to any other car, there is NO comparision!
I was really looking to go from a .30 to a gasser and after looking at several fly, and the fit, finish, and assembly of different manufacturers had decided to go with MA before My bird became available. It would have been a hard descision between Bergen and MA for a gasser, but no other machine had the longevity of MA in glow helis. I haven't seen firsthand, but have heard from too many reputable people the stories of H to the C Exploding other lessor machines in midair... That just sealed the deal for me...

[KevinT]

I don't think anyone can afford to crash. Crashing takes away from other things, like new helis. I quess I was just curious, one because of the coments I read, and because it is raining, and I nothing else to do. Except for housework.. but who wants to do that.

[fitenfyr]

but no other machine had the longevity of MA in glow helis.
I would add Bergen back to that statement. :D
I think Bergen and MA are the best designed helis in the business from a durability stand point.
If Larry and Chris would just quit fooling around with that Jet-A stuff and build an electric I would be happy. :D

[Joel Mann]

ma parts are worth the extra dollars for sure...

[Hotshot Charlie]

After watching a bunch of crashes at B'ham, I believe the MA's come out ahead of the competition on the amount of parts broken in a crash..... Amazing seeing some of them hit the ground HARD, with not much damage. Plastic heli's usually don't fair that well in a HARD CRASH.... but again, the parts cost is small with the Gohbee's and Raptors !

[Kinger]

It all depends on how hard you hit the ground and how fast your were going at the time :) I've seen Hirobo Evo's (or insert any plastic fantastic heli here) completely kitted out after a rough crash and I've read stories about Fury's requiring about $28 worth of parts after a crash. Likewise, I've seen Evo's (or again any plastic fantastic) require $10 worth of parts after a crash and I've read about Fury's requiring $500 to repair after a crash. It all just depends on how much you want to pay in that worst case scenario.

[WillJames]

Like Kinger said above, some crashes are WAY worse than others, so no matter what you fly, you will be dealing with crash costs.

This hobby just like everything else in life, you get what you pay for. Plastic Fantastic helis are definitely cheap to buy and crash and easy to work on. MA Machines are in another league than the plastic fantastics. They are WAY nicer, way more precision and way tougher than the plastic machines. They are also about at least 1/3 more expensive to buy and fix over a comparable size plastic fantastic machine.

Basically, it all depends on what you can afford. Most people buy as nice as they can afford, but it is usually after they get through the hovering stage with a plastic fantastic. Then they move up to bigger and better.

[KevinT]

Thanks all.
I like the points about the type of crash. That would definetly be a controlling factor.
I will say one thing. I am being alot more aggresive now that I have backup heli.
I am not as affraid to crash. I know a crash wont stop me from flying because I am waiting for parts.

[blakka_1]

I am being alot more aggresive now that I have backup heli.


That is what I and a lot of other pilots do. In relation to this topic, people usually have there backup plastic 50 sized heli to thrash and beat up in the air, and then have a Fury as there pride and joy which they fly with more precaution. I don't fly my Fury anywhere as hard as my Raptor (too chicken :oops: ), but slowly I am becoming more comfertable with thrashing the Fury. After a while the price factor doesn't bother you as much, .....until you ding it :D .

[Steve Campbell]

<<There are guys flying 5 year old SE's and such with a bunch of the same parts...>>

There are many machines which are a lot older than that still going strong. I know of one that is from the first production batch in 1986 that is still in stock form and has over 50% of its original parts. My ST is seven years old, and I haven't replaced anything. I do have a few upgrades on it, but these were incorporated into the original build.

Mind you, I doubt that many ships flown hard 3D will last this long. Its amazing that some of them stay together at all, seeing what they go through.

[wattybotts]

You get what you pay for.

My most recent experience with a Raptor 90:

It flies well, but cannot withstand constant abuse, without replacing parts regularly. For example. Last weekend my tail hub snapped with no prior warning. It has had over 150 flights on it, but then outta nowhere it snapped and down it went.

Eventhough the crash was only $130 without blades, it still should not have happened, and there is no reason it should have broke. You figure.... that $130 can pay for the difference in parts between the Fury and Raptor, and the Fury will still fly better and hold up alot better.

Bob

[Kinger]

$130 plus blades? Man, that sure does seem reasonable for a 90 size crash. I take it the damage wasn't extensive?

[wattybotts]

Nah... just the normal stuff. Didn't even strip a servo gear. Main shaft and spindle didnt even bend. Raptors are cheap :lol:

[fitenfyr]

Steve,
I was being conservative. :D :D :D

I know there are some old bent frame X-Cells out there still going strong. :D

[Lee Taylor]

Kinger definitely made a good point with repair costs...(Sadly), I've put my Extreme in before, and when I had my EVO 50, TOTALLED it. Would have cost me $275 to fix that EVO...so I bought a new one, and had some spare parts for in the future. While the Extreme crash only ended up costing me around $300 with new blades. I can definitely vouch for the MA birds holding up better in a crash than any plastic bird. Not near as much to have to fix ever. I'll probably never get rid of my MA helis...swap out for later and greater, SURE, but never leave MA...flies way too nice!!!

[ttrip06]

Well my take on it is not so much the money, but the time it takes to fix it. As all the other have said, all crashes are going to cost. What hurts/bothers me the most is the time it takes to go over everything, and get it setup like it was before.

repairing stripped servo gears

replacing trashed bearings

verifying that receiver is ok after a dirt dive (even if the front doesn't hit, that receiver/crystal takes a shock)

painting a new canopy (buying)

I don't think people put a price on the time it takes to get a model setup right. Just my 2 cents.

[Kinger]

Good point ttrip06. That's one thing that I've heard from a bunch of Fury pilots. The machines are GREAT in the air, but they are not a bunch of fun to fix if they meet the earth. All that precision takes a lot to get back in line sometimes. With that said though, I've seen Matt Botos repair two crashed birds in basically a few hours so what do I know??? :)

[Hotshot Charlie]

Hey guys,

I look at it this way.... it's a hobby, so I don't put a value on time, other than the value of the time I get to work on a heli.

Have fun with all aspects of the hobby, rebuilding, building and flying !!