To SE or not to SE? That is the question...

[srhammett]

I'm pretty much set on an MT at this point, after a lot of soul searching.

I'm still a little hesitant. The way I figure it, I could do a Trex aluminum for about the same cost for a very comparable machine. I'd prefer the MT from all I've read. But in terms of build resources - specifically the videos available here - most everything is Trex-oriented, with very little TTMT-specific stuff available. Since my experience to date has been limited to fixed-pitch, will that be a disadvantage? In other words, would a first-timer do better sticking with a plain vanilla Trex?

But the question I'm concerned with right now is this: What about this new e325SE? I've seen MT aficionados saying that the standard model is so good that there's no point in spending more for all the metal. Some say it might actually be a bad idea for newbies, in terms of crash costs. But I still haven't found much feedback from people who've actually flown both, or any good reviews.

I can almost see springing for the SE, if there are some real performance benefits. But I couldn't care less about bling for bling's sake. If it's only going to increase my repair costs, then forget it!

If anybody can point me in the right direction on this, I'd be grateful!

[ghtracey]

I watched the Trex build videos then bought an e325. The build itself is straightforward and all the setup information available about the Trex applies. The theory and operation is the same except that the swash moves down with collective, not up.

As for the SE, I'm not so sure that it would increase crash costs, as most likely fewer things will break in a crash. Performance wise, the metal mixing arms will help with the blade tracking issues, and the head will be slower to develop slop. Were they available when I got mine I would have gotten the SE. The only thing I didn't like when I looked at it was that they swapped the flybar cage with arms, so you have to make sure they are level. I like the simpler cage both in setup and looks, but that's a pretty minor point.

You could get the standard kit and later upgrade or get something like the xmseller or another CNC head.

[srhammett]

OK thanks. Might be a moot point, looks like my US source went out of stock while I've been dilly-dallying.

Anyway, one school of thought for noobs seems to be go plastic to start, then replace with metal when crashes occur. The breakable parts being less prone to (a) bend and (b) transfer forces up the drive train.

[hazy]

I dun have much luck with other brand of blades beside the stock woodie blade on a stock plastic rotor head.If not for the tracking problem,the plastic rotor head works just fine.

As for the crash worthiness,the metal blades grips do bend easily.It happens to few of our local flyer.