Upgrading to a T-Rex...Advice?

[troxelb]

Ok, so a few weeks ago I got myself a Blade CX2 and Realflight G4. I'm not really ready for the T-Rex yet but I have the money now and am looking forward to building and setting one up.

Now I have enough money to get the T-Rex 450 SE V2. The question I have is whether or not my first few big crashes are going to break some/most/all of the expensive upgrades that come with the SE V2? I have accepted the fact that my learning curve is probably going to include some costly crashes. I just am wondering if I should maybe go with the SA version and end up upgrading the parts as I break them?

Another question I have is regarding a transmitter. I don't ever really plan on going nitro or even too much acrobatic flying. Do I need a 7 channel radio? I've decided to go with either the Spectrum DX7 or the 6 channel version...depending on if I'm ever going to actually use that 7th channel.

I'm going to go with the HS-65 servo's. Either the Futaba 401 gyro or the Logictech 2100 (I think that's the correct model.)

I also plan on using Radd's training method when I first start to fly it as well as plenty of sim time. I'll be watching all of Finless' videos on setup and building.

Any suggestions on what tools I will need?

I think I have seen lists of commonly broken parts somewhere on the forum. Any advice on what parts to stock up on?

Other than checking my LHS for clubs or flying events, are there online sources for that kind of thing?

Any other advice that you can think of?

Thanks!


Brian

[felborn]

Get the V2, no doubht in my opinion. I had and older plastic version, and on every crash it would break 2-3 items in the head. Not costly, but time consuming to have to change the parts then setting up the head all over again.

I got me the V2 a few months back, and I have since crashed it twice. Both time the damage has been very very minimal, mostly cause the metal head can take the punishment. Yeah, no doubth you can damage the metal head just as much, but overall the V2 gonna take the punishment that much better.

Also, you dont crash unless you push yourself. I never crashed the first two year, but then again my progress was slow slow slow. Now I dont care so much, progress is MUCH faster, and so are repairs costs. If you cant afford a crash, avoid it by keeping it as simple and easy as you can, dont try a loop or a figure 8 before you have done it 100 times or more on the sim.

Also, get the DX7. I have never tried the DX6, but I hear it's a huge challenge to set one up. and with the Trex and 401 gyro and all that, your already gonna be struggeling enough to have everything running smoothly. Also, theres a big chance you findourself owning a 600 or bigger heli a year or two down the road. Trust me, I know :)

[hamslice]

get the v2. i have plenty of crashes on mine (dont count) and have not broke anything in the head. you will bend the shafts so i would stock up on them and the pro woodies maybe a couple tail booms too. and definitly go with the dx7 over the dx6.

[jaywhy]

Hmm - you guy's crashing the v2 not breaking the frame? That's my concern - so I fly a SA. I also LIKE upgrading/fixing, it makes crashing more like a reward! As far as setting up the head goes, you'll be able to do that in your sleep in no time in this hobby! At least the way I fly. If you have the self-control to go through RADDs, then maybe I would say go for V2.

Save up the little bit of extra gold and get the DX7 - regardless of whether you expect to use the 7th channel. The LCD on the DX6 is tiny. IMO, you'll have more fun with the DX7, less headaches.

Let us know what you finally decide - this is a pretty common question people (myself included) have when starting! I got my V2 and after a set-up crash, and a brief 10 second in the air, I decided I couldn't handle wrecking it. So I bought a used heli and have been crashing/upgrading since. The v2 is just waiting for ME to be ready. :)

[Pinecone]

The SE will actually hold up better.

Look around for V1 versions. If enough cheaper, they are great and most of the V2 upgrades do nothing until you start flying really hard. And the motor is nicer and the packs, giving longer flights.

The DX6i isn't out yet. I wouldn't get a DX6 these days. But you never know when you will need another channel. You might want to put an Airwolf fuselage with retracts, or you may end up with a nitro.

Nothing wrong with 6 channels, until you need more. :) That's why I fly a 9303. Nothing I have needs more than 6, but they are there if I need them. :)

[troxelb]

Thanks for all of the replies!

I'll see if I can still find a SE v1. It sounds like I might get a better deal...

Ok, the DX7 it is... (you guys just love spending my money, don't you?) Heh.

Oh, one more question regarding my charger: I got a Hobbico's Quick Field Charger MkII. Is this a decent charger? (I have a blinky balancer also) For the price of this charger plus the Blinky, I could afford a better one with a lcd. I got this one because I could charge two batteries at once. I can still return it.... What are your thoughts?

Thanks again guys!

Brian