Beam E4 build Vids

[JaggedEdge]

Thanks for doing these vids Finless. I dont even have an E4 and I'm checking out the build.

The beam swash does swap on to the Align 450 w/ no issues.
Advantage Hobby sent me the swash just as fast as readyheli would get it to me.

http://www.helifreak.com/picture.php?albumid=491&pictureid=3448

[ROne21]

Ah good. Here are some pics and let me know what you guys think.

As you can see, it is not yet fully assembled. This is my VERY FIRST heli build and I'm new on helis and so I don't know where to hook up all the wires just yet :oops:. I'm not in a rush to finish it as I'm trying to gather up all the knowledge that I can get about helis. I'm pretty comfortable on the sim though and can hover and FF easily now. Big improvement compared to when I just started putting time on the sim. Very frustrating at first, whenever I get the heli up in the air, the sucker just flies away from me and I can't never get it back and end up crashing. And that's my main reason for not rushing the build, I don't like to crash my real heli on its maiden flight. That's why Bob, you are a big asset on this forum for people who are just starting on helis like myself. I appreciate all the videos that you put up and without them, I would be lost. And I'm sure I speak for all the other newbies.

I actually started on the CX2 and after a few days, I bought a Hirobo XRB Shuttle, comparable to the CX2 but very stable and predictable in comparison. Then bought a new TRex 450 SE V2 after seeing them on the local flying field or dome (it's actually a golf driving range) but never finished building it because I saw the Gaui Hurricane 200 at my LHS and bought that too. Now I got 2 helis that I cannot fly and no idea how to assemble them. As I started reading up threads on the forum trying to figure out how to put the TRex together, I came upon a thread about the BEAM and guess what, I bought the kit too :YeaBaby:...and then they're 3. I've got all the components to build them all but for some reason, I could not finish the build.

Anyway, I got so overwhelmed that I decided to sell the TRex for a loss as I didn't see the point of having two helis of the same size plus, I like the BEAM's quality and looks better.......and the Logo 500 3D caught my eyes :YeaBaby:. I don't have Logo 500 yet and I'm trying my best to hold off on getting it but eventually, I will get it. That depends on how I like the BEAM. If I would crash a lot, I may lose my interest on helis and give up....and I still have the Gaui 200 to finish :arggg:

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t172/IntenseR1/Picture2704.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t172/IntenseR1/Picture2706.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t172/IntenseR1/Picture2708.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t172/IntenseR1/Picture2711.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t172/IntenseR1/Picture2703.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t172/IntenseR1/Picture2707.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t172/IntenseR1/Picture2709.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t172/IntenseR1/Picture2710.jpg

[dtate]

ROne21
It looks like your well underway to a fine heli. You might consider sliding your skids under the heli a liittle more. Tail strikes are very common to new pilots.
I can understand why you may mount your tail servo on the left side ( to reduse risk of a blade strike) but I would want to move the tail control rod to the servo arm closest to the boom. Your millage may very, but I think the pitch lever ball will then be 90 degrees and no chance of control rod interference with the Boom Brace.
Your fun is just starting. If you can build them you can fix them up again and be ready for the next day for a few bucks.

[Finless]

Also for a n00b.... LOOK this heli cyclic is FAST man and I am not kidding. You should go get a set of Align flybar weights and put them on for the first hovers and learning. It will make the heli more stable!

Bob

[BrockJ]

Don't get to discouraged on crashing. It's part of the learning process. If your not out of your comfort Zone your not learning.
Look how often babies fall when they first try to walk around. Same thing.

Just remember your head hold switch and get off the power if you can't save it. Sometimes the harder you try the harder it hits :) <--- I know this one well :)

Looks like a fine bird. Will the Gorilla paddles fit the beam? That's a quick adjustable way to add some stability to the head that can be customized at a later date.
All the discussion around the Beam makes me wamt to build one.
Was kinda saving myself for the G5 but I may have to build two. :)

Oh! And....... Bob is not "Just" a fine asset to this forum, people all over the World know of Finless and his build videos. They talk about him on every forum I've ever been to and their are always links back to Finless's build / informative Videos.

[Finless]

Thanks Jim.... I dont have time to look at other forums but that is great to hear. I don't mind helping anyone anywhere no matter what forum they are in but of course this is my home :)

Yes the Gorilla paddles will fit. I have not tried gorilla gear yet... First crash and I will ;)

I am working on the first flight vids now... should have them up tonight!

Bob

[Eduardo]

Thanks Jim.... I dont have time to look at other forums but that is great to hear. I don't mind helping anyone anywhere no matter what forum they are in but of course this is my home :)

Yes the Gorilla paddles will fit. I have not tried gorilla gear yet... First crash and I will ;)

I am working on the first flight vids now... should have them up tonight!

Bob

Bob, having ordered my BEAM E4 yesterday, I am now waiting for your flight tests and impressions.

Nice to hear that everyone is having a great time with this heli.

Eduardo

[Sandy]

I brought home the E4 in a box on Sunday PM and flew today.. The only issue I had was that the front tail gear sat too low and the belt was actually angled down to a couple of degrees from the pulleys and was riding on the bottom lip of the pulleys and thetop of the gear.. I could see minor but noticable wear on the belt after the first couple of hover flights..I had to press down the one-way about 2 mm to raise the gears up to get the belt straight.. Have I missed something???? The lower bearing block is in right..

Sandy

[Finless]

OK flight tests are up!

One from me and one from Kevin (Fireup). The are on the first post but here are the links as well.

VIDEO LINK -> My flight test and comments (27 Megs) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/beame4&filename=finbeam.wmv)

VIDEO LINK -> Fireup's (Kevin's) flight test and comments (28 Megs) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/beame4&filename=firebeam.wmv)

Enjoy,
Bob

[huskynox]

Very Cool! Thanks Bob!

Head speed sounds insane. Any idea where you're at?

[Finless]

My guess is a bit over 3200... It is a rocket as you can see!

Bob

[huskynox]

I'm guessing my -8 Scorpion with a 13T pinion is about the same (3200). I've only hovered it inside the house because I haven't made it out yet. The motor came down after a 4 minute hover @ 101F (very nice), the 2200 TP pack @ 110F, and the 45amp Scorpion Commander ESC @ 129F!!! Kinda warm!

I think I'm gonna switch the Commander out for a Align 35X. The Scorpion is a bit big (long) to fit under the hood... It's a bit tough to fit the canopy. It can be done, but it's a pain....

[buster1]

bob, what kind of throttle curves are you running - are you running in a gov. mode or just regular?

[Finless]

I started with 100% flat idle up curve but dropped it to 95% due to flight time ony being 4 minutes. I may actually drop it to 90% as I do more flying with it. No gov.... It's an Align ESC

Bob

[helibird]

Bob (or anyone else that has ideas)

Ok now that you've had a chance to fly it maybe I can pick your brain a little. I've noticed on mine that in stationary rolls it seems to want to corkscrew. Flips require some right rudder so it is doing the same thing there, especially noticable in backflips (probably because I'm not as quick to correct for them). After a whole lot of flight testing I'm pretty sure it actually is the tail rotating a little as I come verticle. It seems to rotate counter clockwise (if looking down at heli). I thought it was my gyro but it does the exact same thing on both my 2100T gyro and JR770 gyro. So far I've tried different belt tensions, different gyros (and servos), and different pinions. I'm thinking of trying to support that carbon rod, maybe it's flexing a little (sure seems pretty stout)? I'll keep messing with my gyro settings as well to see if I can improve it. Any ideas?? Anyone else seeing this in there beams?? From all the vids no one else seems to have a problem so it seems it's probably some where in my setup.

Oh my setup is...
Beam E4
HS65MG x 3
JR 770 w/ 3400G
Align 430XL
Align 35X ESC
Align 325 CF blades
Stock tail blades
FP 2170 packs

[Finless]

I was getting a nose down in rolls in forward flight. I don't know why yet. It is not tail I don't think. Trex tends to give nose up in rolls but this one is opposite. Until I get more time to play with it I wont know the answer but I am guessing it is the very high head speed I am running right now.

Bob

[buster1]

I am going to run the scorpion motor - what do you think is the best ESC to run - assume you are not running a BEC, no real need here with 3S?
I was thinking of running the Align ESC?

[BrockJ]

I love the new roll into the videos Bob... Very nice......

Looks like ot flies nice and tight. I may have missed it somewhere but what Gyro is on the test flight bird?

I run the stock align esc on my Scorpion 6 and it's fine. I got the 45a to go with it but it's a little large. It's doable but the Align ESC was still wroking fine so I thought I'd run it until it smokes :)

[BrockJ]

Found the gyro answer.

[Eduardo]

Thank you Bob for the flying videos...

I am very excited to start building mine. I got it today and building section will start this week.

By the way, the Scorpion motor rocks.. INDEED.

Eduardo

[brianbruff]

tnx for the vids. you've helped make life easy for a few of us over here in ireland.
We've seen the beam flown at some events here and a few of us stuck the hand in the pocket and bought one.

Wicked fast cyclic... and very enjoyable to fly... thumbs up...

[avatar71]

does anyone know if there is a difference in the old BEAM (best expert aquired man) vs the new BEAM (beautifully engineered action machine)?

thanks

also, how are everyones ball links wearing? Mine seem to be getting a bit loose...

[Eduardo]

does anyone know if there is a difference in the old BEAM (best expert aquired man) vs the new BEAM (beautifully engineered action machine)?

thanks

also, how are everyones ball links wearing? Mine seem to be getting a bit loose...

In my kit received just today, I noticed that in the tail boom we can read 'BEAM Best Expert Acquired Man' and not 'BEAM Beautifully Engineered Action Machine'. So as stated above, can I take it for grant that it is related to an old kit and if so, I reinforce the queston from avatar71, is there any difference between one or another ?

Eduardo

[RMG2]

Hello, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Randy, I am 50-yrs. young and I live in Oregon. Over the decades I have been involved in nitro boats, fixed wing, and offroad trucks but just started with helis. Did the coaxial to start with then after 6-weeks moved to a fixed pitch which I fly pretty well outdoors at this time.

At this point in my RC heli learning curve I want to move to my first 450 class heli. I'm thinking that rather than going to a lesser 450 machine like a Belt CP,Dragonus, etc. that I should move straight to a "high end", high performance heli like this Beam E4??? I am very mechanically inclined. I have machinist skills and raced motocross for years as a youth so mechanical things come easy to me (electrical is another story).

Is there anyone in here that can think of any reason why I should not purchase this Beam, or why I would be better served with a lesser 450 class heli?

Thank you very kindly for your comments.

[huskynox]

Hello, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Randy, I am 50-yrs. young and I live in Oregon. Over the decades I have been involved in nitro boats, fixed wing, and offroad trucks but just started with helis. Did the coaxial to start with then after 6-weeks moved to a fixed pitch which I fly pretty well outdoors at this time.

At this point in my RC heli learning curve I want to move to my first 450 class heli. I'm thinking that rather than going to a lesser 450 machine like a Belt CP,Dragonus, etc. that I should move straight to a "high end", high performance heli like this Beam E4??? I am very mechanically inclined. I have machinist skills and raced motocross for years as a youth so mechanical things come easy to me (electrical is another story).

Is there anyone in here that can think of any reason why I should not purchase this Beam, or why I would be better served with a lesser 450 class heli?

Thank you very kindly for your comments.

If you are as you stated, you will love the BEAM for your first build! It is a kit, so you have to build EVERYTHING! This is how I wish the Align Trex 450 V2 came. The Align is awesome, don't get me wrong, but I hate taking things apart, checking for locktite, then re-assembling.

The BEAM is a joy to build and is a very HIGH quality kit!