Gasser Parts and mild 3D choices

[rich.johnson]

I am thinking of jumping into a gas heli. I have elec. now and am ready to move up. I don't want the clean up that comes with nitro (or the fuel cost). I have narrowed my choices down to a Bergen Intrepid with a Hanson Zenoah 26cc 3D Pro or a Spectra-G with a Toxic 231. I think the Spectra will be better for some mild 3D, but the parts support for the Bergen seems to be the best. I want a heli that will do mild 3D (maybe more as I am able), but if I can't get parts, then the heli is no good. I have looked at several web sites and can't seem to find the Spectra-G kits or parts. I would invite some comments on which is the better choice and, if you say the Spectra, where I might be able to find parts (and the kits as well).

[lperagallo]

Rich,

Of course, you will get plenty of different opinions here, so I can start you off. I fly a Bergen Intrepid Gasser. It started life as an EB, but after about six months I went back to the standard boom with 710 mains. It is a bit lighter and flies real nice. I liked it so much that my next bird was a Bergen Turbine. I bought it used and it's a great machine.

I have had the opportunity to visit the shop twice where I had the Bergen folks go completely through my birds. It was great customer service and I learned quite a bit on setting up a helicopter. I also learned some of the tricks that makes building and maintaining them a breeze.

I bought a generator from Rbort here so I never have to worry about battery charging. With the long flight times you don't need to be worrying whether the batteries are about to die.

I'm just starting into some very light 3D and although gassers are heavy, you just have to do things up high. With there size it's not a problem. You do need to learn good collective management and you need to have all your basic skills down pat. That way if you do get into trouble you can get out quick. Any gasser, not matter what brand will not pop like a Nitro and you can't make up for bad flying skills with power in a gasser.

On the plus side, it is very pleasing to see a large bird fly smoothly across the sky doing its dance. You'll also love being able to go out and fly in the wind when everyone else is grounded. The gasser will fly in high winds and still be stable.

Good luck on your decision. Raja (Rbort), I'm sure will give you an opinion on his choice the Spectra G as he has a ton of experience and does fly 3D.

Lou

[rbort]

Well here I am to get you the second opinion after Lou. As you may or may not know I fly the Spectra-g and have been flying Minair machines since 1997.

To answer your question you can buy Minair parts from many other places than the factory. Places I've bought parts from were a local hobby shop in New Hampshire, RC Buyers Warehouse, Rick's RC, Grave's RC in Florida, and Minair direct from Florida. If you search the web you will find other dealers around you -- they are plentiful around the country just as much as their birds are between the hands of flyers.

In the case of Bergen there are no dealers so you buy everything from Bergen direct in Michigan. The market share for these birds is alot smaller than Minair's in my opinion.

Support wise you can call Minair and speak to their tech department, as well as you can call Bergen and speak to them direct. If I had to rate them I think they both do a pretty good job during business hours, but Bergen get's the extra hand as off-hours he is still available via his personal cellphone or online here or on runryder. Minair when they close the shop and go, well they are gone until next business day. Just normal business routine where Bergen goes above and beyond on support and can help you even on weekends.

Whatever you choose gets narrowed down mostly to a) how you like the looks of the bird, b) what other people are flying in your area, c) parts and support availability, and d) quality as you perceive it. Either way whichever you choose the gasser guys are here at this forum and more so on Runryder (10x more traffic) so if you have any questions we will be happy to assist you.

Lastly if you want to put a generator on your machine, I got mounts for either machine, both made by the companies themselves (Minair and Bergen). Check my website for pictures and details.

Good luck and I'm sure you'll enjoy what you get!

-=>Raja.

[rich.johnson]

Raja, it looks like the Spectra might be what I'm looking for. Few question. I checked the web sites you listed and could not find any listing of the parts for the Spectra. I did find one kit with the tempest head. Which head would you recomend (extreme or tempest)? Where is the cheapest place I might be able to get the kit? Also, what other mods would you recomend, besides, of corse, your generator (obvious choice)? Also, what motor do you run in yours? I would like the most powere I can get (Hanson 3D Pro 26cc) but the Min Air site says too many vibes! Thanks for all the help! Look forward to more!!!

Rich J.

[rbort]

Well I've asked Carey to come in here and give you some advice on where to buy parts - he probably has some other suggestions that I gave you. Rick's always had minair parts listed, let me look...

Here is a link to Spectra-g specific parts from Rick's website:

http://www.ronlund.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=heli&Category_Code=MA125

Other parts on the Spectra are the same from other models so they are listed under Minair / kits and parts with whatever part numbers they are. Rick's is definatelty one good source for Minair. Carey can surely tell you other places to get kits and such.

I use the Hanson G26 3D plus motor in mine and have good results with it. I've changed the maingear to 92 tooth from 93 to help slow the motor down just a bit. I run lower headspeeds than the crazy stick banger guys, so 1550 in normal, 1650 in idle up 1 and 1750 in idle up 2. The engine seems very happy with those speeds. I would suggest the Tempest head Spectra, it is smooth as silk and gives a great locked in feeling in flight. I would not use the white paddles that come with the kit, but rather heavier ones as its not as stable with the super light ones. Youi may like them, I prefer more stability. If you are ordering a kit you may be able to have them make up one for you with the heavier black paddles and a 92 tooth main instead from the beginning.

Last mod is that you need to put a dubro 16oz tank in the front of the model. The stock tank is way too small. This way you can get a 15 minute 3d flight with reserve fuel (about 1/4 tank using a G26), with a g231 you get about a 1/3 tank left and can probably get away with a 14oz tank.

Carey will be here soon to offer more advice.

-=>Raja.

[carey shurley]

As far as the head goes, ir you want to fly more radical manevers, get the extreme head (actually I think it ships with the Ultimate 3D head now which is whats on the stratus). If you like to sport fly or do more graceful manuevers, it will be easier with the tempest head. You have more control over damping with the tempest head. I ONLY fly with the tempest head.

If ron doesn't have any kits, check at www.gravesrc.com (http://www.gravesrc.com). Last time I was there they had several kits. I'd also suggest getting the servo support set, the h/d rod set and the air cleaner.

you can chose whether to install the engine facing forwards or backwards. Backwards puts the CG on the mainshaft and forces you to run fuel tanks in the front. Forward facing move the cg forward and lets you run a fuel tank behind the motor where its visible. Mechanically it doesn't make any difference.

There are several exhaust systems to chose from as well, I'd suggest replacing the standard zenoah can with something that sounds nicer.

Raja has hundreds of flights on his spectra and can provide more advice as can I.

I think Raja's 92 tooth suggestion is a good one.

Follow the user guide that comes with the model and you'll get off to a good start.

[rich.johnson]

Thanks for all the help guys...I can't wait to get mine and get started. I'm sure I'll have more questions then. Thanks again!!!

Rich J.

[jeffros1805]

Rich, I jumped from a Trex 450 to a spectra G (TRM 231) and I love it. Easy to fly and very stable. The engine runs extremely smooth and fairly quiet (with century v2 muffler). Im glad I bypassed nitro and went to a gasser because of the easy clean up and cheap fuel. Its very intimidating standing near it when its turning the 710 mm blades though! :thumbs-up2:

[Eyefly]

Rich,

I have a Spectra G coming and you are more than welcome to take a look at it before you pick one up. I am in Charlotte so if you are going to be in the area, send me a PM.

Alex

[ddavison]

Rich good luck with the Spectra. I was flying the 1005 Graphite gasser since it came out. Then went to the Spectra when with it came out. I flys great feels like the Extreme although a little heavier. If you have questions please post them between myself, Rbort, Carey and others on the list we can help you solve them. Eyefly, just missed you in Charlotte I was traveling there several times a year to visit relatives but they moved to Louisville. Maybe someday. Dave

[Eyefly]

Mine should be here in a few days. Cant wait!!