Rebuilt my HDX500 - Opinions Please

[jgunpilot]

I had a little acccident doing a roll too low a few months ago with my new HDX500. I just finished rebuilding it and discovered that I was having some binding issues with the swashplate in negative pitch, so I moved the main shaft up one hole and redid my linkages. Some thoughts (1) I see head setups using leading edge control as depicted in the downloadable manual, and guys claim the linkages bind. (2) I set up my head with trailing edge control like a T-rex, and the linkages don't bind. (3) The cyclic response on flips using a 100-90-85-90-100 throttle curve was really sluggish. I'll go to 100 straight across and try it again, but I know that it still won't be fast enough.

Is there a fix for the cyclic response, either new parts from HeliDirect or programming on my Futaba 9C that will pep this thing up? It flies really well other than that, and is fun tear up the sky with.

[MTDV]

I've seen Helidirect came out last month with a longer flybar and taller haed block. They claimed that longer flybar would allow the cyclic response quicker, and a taller head block would avoid the cage hitting the blade grip. The SA version has more upgrade parts, but not the SE. I am still using all stock parts, and it still flies very well for more than 5 mins every time.

[jgunpilot]

MTDV, how do you find your cyclic rate? Is it fast enough? I've seen the taller head block at Helidirect. I've also heard that some guys use the flybar and paddles from the T-rex 500.

I just wonder what my best bet is.

[MTDV]

Honestly, I max out my cyclic control. I left 2mm between the highest point of the cage and the lowest point of the main grip. I felt slower than trex-450, but it is enough for me to have fun. However, to have it fly 3D which I am not yet, you need to upgrade those parts.

It is quick enough for me to recover from my mistake, so the heli is still flying with all parts that originally came with the kit.

[Ticidytoc]

The new cage will fix some of these problems you guys are talking about. Im still using the old cage and a mix of old and new parts. Flew it today like I was pissed at it, it took anything I threw at it, tictocs are insanely fast now.

[RotoN3D]

I just installed the Trex 500 paddles and Trex flybar onto my HDX 500SE and there is a difference. Faster responce, thinner blade, lighter blade and about 15 mm difference in overall length (Trex longer). Also be careful not to over tighten the paddle onto the rod or it will distort the paddle and leave a little hump on the top and the bottom. I have to say one of my old paddles flew off in flight. The 2 mm shoulder is not enough grip to be reliable. With these Trex paddles. No way it's coming off the end of a treaded 3 mm shaft.

[jgunpilot]

I think I'm going to try the Trex 500 paddles and flybar, along with the V2 head and more cyclic throw. When I do a flip now, my heart is in my throat as it moves slowly through a 360...