View Full Version : HoneyBee4 or Falcon 40?
Mike SVOR
01-30-2008, 01:57 PM
Both of these mini choppers look like they have the same parts. Which one is better if any?
I know that the Falcon 40 is sold out everywhere. Just wondering if I should wait for them to come back on line to get the falcon or just buy the honey bee.
:confused:
I bought both. I would recommend the HoneyBee FP #4 over the Falcon 40.
The Falcon 40 developed a twitchy servo after maybe 10 flights or less and after replacing it with a new servo it is still twitching. So now I am wondering if it is the RX, TX, mixer, etc.... not sure what to replace next and probably not worth spending any more $ on it.
I have since bought two HoneyBee #4's and have had any electrical problems. Lots of crashes and replacement parts though. That's why I bought two, one to fly while waiting on parts for the other one.
Also, the HoneyBee has adjustable tail mixing and gyro gain which the Falcon 40 does not.
Some of the parts are the same, however, the head assemblies are totally different and parts do not interchange.
HoneyBee #4 is an excellent heli to learn on.
p. s. Honeybees are on sale at www.xheli.com for $74.95, hurry though because today is the last day of the sale...
Mike SVOR
01-30-2008, 03:18 PM
thanks,
I have been trying to contact xheli.com all day. I clicked their online help and I'm not so sure they're from this country let alone this planet. Terrible english typing. Probably auto generated.
I hope my credit card number is safe cause I ordered the honey bee.
Called hobby lobby and they said they'd price match it, but then told me their kit has a Li-po battery when xheli's kit has a nimh. How can this be when both kits are called honey bee #4?
ps, i'm an experienced rc heli pilot already, I have a problem (addiction) with buying the tiny ones. lol
fwiw, I have ordered from xheli numerous times since Christmas and haven't had any problems.
I think the Falcon 40 came with a 7.4v lipo and I have been running that in the HoneyBee with no problems, it actually seems a little more peppy and definitely lighter than the nimh that it came with.
I have even ran 11.1v lipos in the HB with no problems. Definitely more peepy with those.
The only thing to be careful of is that the HB (at least the ones that come with nimh) does not recognize when the lipos get low and there is no automatic cut-off to keep from draining them below 3v.
Not really a problem, with the 7.4v lipos, the heli can't get out of ground effect when the batteries get low but still above 3.v. And with the 11.1's I just notice that it starts to take a little more throttle to remain at the same height, so its time to stop before they go below 3v / cell.
I am actually kind of surprised that I haven't fried anything yet (except a few tail motors) running 11.1v.
Good Flying!
Mike SVOR
01-30-2008, 03:50 PM
thats awesome. 11 volts on those chinese electronics! lol
Mike SVOR
01-30-2008, 05:20 PM
I just noticed this web site with a similar chopper but higher power battery
http://florastore.com/Products/01helicopter/efh005.htm
I just noticed this web site with a similar chopper but higher power battery
http://florastore.com/Products/01helicopter/efh005.htm
That looks pretty good.
I would like to get away from the electric tail motors eventually (though they haven't really been a big problem) and get a belt driven tail system and, also something with a HH gyro.
Have been considering the HB King II, Belt CP, and Blade 400 :confused:. Or just skip all that and go straight to a Trex 450.
Mike SVOR
01-31-2008, 11:18 AM
Well, if you want my opinion, I'd go straight to a predator gasser. But that's me.
btw, how long did xheli take to deliver your heli?
Mike SVOR
01-31-2008, 11:32 AM
One more thing,
What battery should I get? I'm pretty sure I should convert over to Li-po (I ordered it with Nimh 2 batterys).
I will need the charger also (probably one good enough to charge two batterys at the same time, or just two seperate wall chargers?) Whichever is cheaper I guess.
I'm guessing around 8 volts. Not sure I should run 11 volts through this little thing. Dont wana wreck the electronics. Just want the extra flight time.
Or should I just stick with Nimh?
Mike SVOR
01-31-2008, 01:10 PM
Ok, I found these batterys.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7621
and this charger
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8798
I'm not so sure the charger will do two batterys at the same time.
And it requires a seperate adapter to convert it to wall voltage.
Can you suggest a decent charger that can do at least two batterys at the same time? that is also cheap?
For lipo's I am using E-flite 7.4v 800 mAh and 11.1v 800 mAH.
My nimh's (including the spare I ordered with the heli) mostly just sit on the shelf now. :motz
The charger I have is the same one you show above. It will charge both 7.4v & 11.1v but not both at the same time. Just order two of them w/ two power supplies (cheapest option I can think of).
I flew a bit yesterday with the 11.1v again and no problems, got a little windy so I didn't get to fly the whole battery.
Found a Predator Gasser online.
http://www.centuryheli.com/products/helikits/cn1100Predator/Pred_multiview.htm
That thing is HUGE. Looks like it would be fun. Do you know what the max payload that it can carry is? 5, 7, 10, ... pounds?
Mike SVOR
01-31-2008, 03:07 PM
Ok, I'll order two of those cheap chargers, but they require a 12v input. Where do I get those from that fit?
as for the predator, yea, it's my dream chopper. I've seen images of them with large cameras mounted to them and such. I'm sure they'll carry a few pounds. hehe.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8798
If you click on the picture of the charger (top left) it says (although its upside down) Input: DC 11.5-13.5V.
Just go to Radio Shack and get a 110v to 12v power supply that falls within that range.
I would wait until you get the chargers, so you can take it with you and make sure the plug fits (should be fairly standard size, I would think...)
Mike SVOR
01-31-2008, 05:33 PM
how long does it take to charge the 7 volt pack using that charger?
Europa1
02-01-2008, 01:33 AM
I had a problem with xheli. I express shipped a multi part order that showed all in stock in shopping cart and check out. I recieved only part of my order later to find some parts were really not in stock when the order shipped. The part nessecitating express delivery was not included and automatically cancelled therefore requiring a reorder that shipped same day at additional freight charge. I complained by E-mail but got no response. They just don't care.
BL
how long does it take to charge the 7 volt pack using that charger?
I have never timed it to the minute, I would say about an hour and 20 to 30 minutes.
I had a problem with xheli. I express shipped a multi part order that showed all in stock in shopping cart and check out. I recieved only part of my order later to find some parts were really not in stock when the order shipped. The part nessecitating express delivery was not included and automatically cancelled therefore requiring a reorder that shipped same day at additional freight charge. I complained by E-mail but got no response. They just don't care.
BL
I have always been leery of having that happen to.
http://www.xheli.com
http://www.raidentech.com
These two websites seem to be the same company (same phone number, address, ...).
You may try calling them or even writing an old fashion paper letter and get better results. I would.
Good Luck.
Well, if you want my opinion, I'd go straight to a predator gasser. But that's me.
btw, how long did xheli take to deliver your heli?
About two days. I am only 100 miles away from them, however, their hours are noon to 6 p.m., so the parts don't ship until the next business day.
Mike SVOR
02-01-2008, 10:44 AM
I had a problem with xheli. I express shipped a multi part order that showed all in stock in shopping cart and check out. I recieved only part of my order later to find some parts were really not in stock when the order shipped. The part nessecitating express delivery was not included and automatically cancelled therefore requiring a reorder that shipped same day at additional freight charge. I complained by E-mail but got no response. They just don't care.
BL
From the parts they sell, I doubt that they have anything in stock. I'd guess that they drop ship all their parts from the manufacture or a large semi-local warehouse depot.
I got an email yesterday saying that my parts have shipped and they'll arrive on Wed. Hope it's true. :thumbup:
Yea, xheli is kinda shady. I couldn't get an answer on their phone line and at least two web sites list that same number.
Something is definetly wrong with that place.
Actually, I've ordered a ton of parts for the HB FP and have never been shorted or anything out of stock (that wasn't advertised as being on backorder).
My only complaint is that if they opened a bit earlier and shipped the same day I would have the parts the next day.
Oh well, at least I have two heli's, if I can keep from crashing for a day I can keep flying. lol
wren1702
02-01-2008, 03:06 PM
Here's a great place to get your HoneyBee parts! They have a good parts selection, fast shipping.
http://www.bphobbies.com/view.asp?id=W262062
Nice! Better prices especially on the parts the break most often.
which would be in my experience:
EK1-0200A Rotor head set
EK1-0203 Center hub set
EK1-0239 Skid set
EK1-0248 Main frame assembly
EK1-0201 Ring-like push-rod
EK1-0001A Tail motor set (N30-c)
EK1-0208 Servo push-rod set
EK1-0217 Tail rotor drive gear & Shaft set 2
EK1-0219 Tail rotor blade
EK10204 Flybar
I am going to stock up now! I know what I'll need already!
Mike SVOR
02-01-2008, 06:43 PM
I can't wait to get it.
Mike SVOR
02-02-2008, 01:53 AM
What I'd like to know is, where can I get one of these sweet carrying cases?
http://www.twf-sz.com/china/img/helicopter/EK1H-E004/nubao004.jpg
http://www.rc711.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=25&products_id=408