500 or 600 for 2nd heli?

[gointoheli]

Ok, so I'm only about a month in with my 450 but I want a bigger heli. I'm still a total noob and only hovering, but I want a backup. I'm thinking that something bigger may be a little easier to see and a bit more stable for learning purposes?

My question is, If cost is not a factor should I go with a 600 or wait on the new 500? I wanted the 500 but it looks like it won't be available in time for Christmas and the wife wants to know what I want. So, Should I go with the 600 or wait?

I know It's kind of hard to answer this since there are only three or four people who have actually flown a 500, but what's the opinion from those of you who have flown both the 450 and 600 or started with a 450 and moved up to a 600?

Oh, and for the few of you that have been so fortunate as to fly all three?:lol:

[ke6d]

If money is not a problem, then it all come down to how big the flying field is. If the field you fly at is big, go for the 600. The bigger the heli, the more stable it is. You can also fly much farther and higher and still not losing track of the heli.

But remember that the bigger the heli is the more expensive it is to repair after a crash. A set of 600mm blades could easily cost more than $100

Cheers,

Dan

[AARNAL]

After flying my 450 T-Rex for a couple months, I got myself an E-600 and after I flew it I never went back to the 450's, so I sold them. Now I'm putting together my third E-600 all of which have different set ups and I'm loving them. They fly so very stable and are so easy to see them from a distance. Like they say :lol: "bigger is better" -- True in this case. I highly recomend the 600 over the 500. Yes, I know that the cost of batteries and/or parts is much higher, but the 600 is such a nice hely that to me the cost is the least of worries to be flying them. :YeaBaby:

Good luck with your decision.

Big Al :cheers

[LJS]

Hi KickIt23,

I can't believe that I would recommend the 500, but in your case, I think that makes the most sense. If you're just hovering now, that means that you will likely have a crash or two due to losing orientation. That could take out a battery or two and batteries for the 600E are $300 - $400. Even with the 50% replacement plan it gets expensive when you add in the cost of CF blades and frames.

If you're going to buy now, I would get the 500. It will be much less expensive to repair. However, if you can wait until you can do forward flight and rudimentary maneuvers like loops and rolls with your 450 without crashing, then I would get the 600.

Unless, of course, money is no object. Then get the 600.

Glad to hear that you want to stick with the hobby. I get so much enjoyment out of this hobby. The shopping, the building, the practicing, the socializing with the guys at the field, the forums. Even though it's expensive, it's still a lot of bang for the buck.

Keep 'em flying.:lol:
LJS

[gointoheli]

Thanks for the input.

[Jason Chow]

i haven't flown the 500 yet but i do have all three. i really like the size of the align 500. the 600 can get difficult to carry around especially if you have a small car. the align 500 is right in between the 450 and the 600 and would fly just about in between as well leaning more on the quick size of a 500 so i see on the other videos. the 500 you are still able to go to local areas to fly where as the 600 gets difficult to find locations. also, the 600 is more expensive, its kind of a call, i think size, where you can fly and how much you want to spend should determine which one you want to get.

look at my comparison pictures to see the size differences :)

[Razor_Racer]

I think space to fly is the best deciding factor. No use spending $1500 on a heli you can only fly on weekends when you can fly a smaller $1000 heli every day.

[gointoheli]

Good points on where and when you can fly the 600. I didn't really think about that part. While finding the space wouldn't generally problem, It would definately hinder the opportunity to run a few packs during lunch or end of the day in the back yard. Thanks for the advice.

[Ticidytoc]

the 600 can get difficult to carry around especially if you have a small car.WHAT? Oh you can't be serious. :rolling

From what I have seen the prices in parts will not be that much cheaper then the 600. Blades are about $20 bucks less than 600, RJX has a set of GF blades for less than $60. Perfect for learning to hover, fff, and mild 3d all IMHO of course Jason.

[gointoheli]

[look at my comparison pictures to see the size differences :)[/quote]

Thanks Jason, Unfortunately, your pictures make me want to have all three.

Hmm, theres an idea:lol:

[hamslice]

yep all three

[ke6d]

Thanks Jason, Unfortunately, your pictures make me want to have all three.



You will get there. I am very certain :)

Dan

[bullaculla]

Either way, your 450 is gonna collect dust :D

[Carbon Copter]

WHAT? Oh you can't be serious. :rolling

From what I have seen the prices in parts will not be that much cheaper then the 600. Blades are about $20 bucks less than 600, RJX has a set of GF blades for less than $60. Perfect for learning to hover, fff, and mild 3d all IMHO of course Jason.

I have to agree with you. Actually, as I am starting to see it, the 500 is not all that much less than the 600. You can buy wooden blades for the 600 for 20.00 from tower hobbies any day. They would be great for average flying style. However, (and this may only be temporary), you cannot find cheap blades for the 500 or the lepton. So, that sets it apart. Parts are really not that much cheaper on the 500 then the 600. Someone said packs are 300.00 - 400.00 -that's kind of pushing it in the wrong direction. More like 180.00 - 300.00. I have Air Thunder packs at 250.00 each and they are excellent and if destroyed in a crash, can be replaced for 1/2 that amount. The size of the 600 is sweet and far easier work on too. I say go for the 600.

[Sonny]

I really like my 600. It such a pleasure to fly. But I still realy like the 450 as well. Less anxiety with new moves. I'm sure the 500 will fall somewhere in between. I'm also sure that if I didn't have to travel alittle bit to get to a larger field, That I would be alittle more focused on the 600. Tha park is just walking distance. Thou I can fly the 600 there. I have to hold back more do to area.

[Sonny]

I have to agree with you. Actually, as I am starting to see it, the 500 is not all that much less than the 600. You can buy wooden blades for the 600 for 20.00 from tower hobbies any day. They would be great for average flying style. However, (and this may only be temporary), you cannot find cheap blades for the 500 or the lepton. So, that sets it apart. Parts are really not that much cheaper on the 500 then the 600. Someone said packs are 300.00 - 400.00 -that's kind of pushing it in the wrong direction. More like 180.00 - 300.00. I have Air Thunder packs at 250.00 each and they are excellent and if destroyed in a crash, can be replaced for 1/2 that amount. The size of the 600 is sweet and far easier work on too. I say go for the 600.

I wouldn't put woodies on a 600. Unless you got slow head speeds.

[rototiller]

I have a 450 and a 600N. My 450 is for indoor, dead calm days before work and on launch. The 600N is for the weekends when I can get more than a flight or two in a row. Normally I fly all day on nice weekends. Love this bird. Awsome flyer.

I had a 600E with only one pack. Flew great but, only had .30 power not the .50 power that the nitro has. But I could fly in the morning before work. But a loss in power and only one pack really didnt fit me. And lets face it, two packs for this bird could be a 600N pro airframe !!

A 500 would be perfect for everyday stuff. Dont have to be as worried about wind blowing it around and you can use the packs from the 450. Its a lot easyer to see than the 450 too.

You will probly end up with all three anyway but, I would probly lean toward the 500 seeing how you allready have packs. Its bigger, easyer to see and more stable than a 450 but not such a huge jump to the 600. The first time you spin up the disk on a 600 you will crap your pants. It scare's the hell out of most people the first time they see it.

Hope this helps.
DK

[cudaboy_71]

… the 600 can get difficult to carry around especially if you have a small car.

http://hogster.rchomepage.com/ap/all_ap_gear_in_smart_2.jpg
that's a logo 10 w/ 550s in smart car. when there's a will there's a way.

[gointoheli]

I've decided to go with the 500. (I'm sure the 600 won't be far behind.)

Taking into consideration the batteries, which I can use with both the 450 or 500 and being able to fly the 500 just about anywhere I can fly the 450, yet easier to see and more stable.

It seems that since the 500 is now an option, It's a good progression from 450 to 500 then to 600.

I just hope one is available over the holidays as I close my shop from Christmas through New Years and it sure would be nice to build it and fly it while I'm off.

I think I'm going to use a 9650/401 combo for the tail and the AR7000 RX that came with my DX7. Wish I could use the DS 821's also. Seems like such a waste as their just sittting in the box.

So 9650's or Hitec 5245 MG for cyclic?

[gointoheli]

http://hogster.rchomepage.com/ap/all_ap_gear_in_smart_2.jpg
that's a logo 10 w/ 550s in smart car. when there's a will there's a way.

Looks like it was made for it!!

[Defuser]

I fly the CX2 in the house, I fly the Trex450 in my yard, and I fly my Trex600 at different fields(or small movements in the yard). I personally bit the bullet and got the 600e and just love the thing. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE that sees the 600 spool up either yells "WOW" or "OH MY GOD". It sounds like a turbine engine and looks like a graceful elephant floating in the air. You're standing there flying it and you say to your self, it's docile and gentle if you want it to be........go for the 600 wow factor and stability. You going to have this thing much higher in the air, which will give you more room for error. $250 for air Thunder's is not a bad price for such an incredible battery.

[gointoheli]

That's It!! I'm going with the 600!

[Justin911]

I feel like I am in the same situation as yourself... I pretty much have decided on the 500 though. I want a nitro bird, but its hard for myself to justify a crash of 100 dollar blades. It sounds irrational, but I am only 19 years old. The 500 will be more convenient for myself. I already have the batteries for it which helps. When I end up getting the heli, the 450 will end up being my beater heli and my 500 will be the guy I transfer my 450 moves to for a smoother, slower routine.

We shall see though. I am still a while away from getting the kit, but I plan on starting to buy the stuff I need slowly right now so when the time comes, I am set.

[rototiller]

If you get the E you can use your 821's.

DK

[gointoheli]

If you get the E you can use your 821's.

DK

Yeah, I thought about that and figured I could save a little $ using the 821's but then realized I will also have to buy a new charger etc... if I go with the 600