SJM 500... opinions?

[poor_red_neck]

I don't know who makes this heli, but the frame design is very impressive to me.

Saw this heli at hobby city with motor & ESC for $349. Some videos I saw online of it, it looks like a very capable heli.

What are your opinions on it good or bad.
I'm not ready for a 600 just yet, and the 'Rex 500 is looking very good right about now, but something about the design of this heli impresses me.

Share your thoguhts!

[cmb2003svt]

RC-Tek makes this heli.
I agree the frame design is very impressive.
Again i agree that it looks like a very capable heli.
If i were going for a 500 size i would give this a first look for sure. I am not to excited about the feedback on the TRex 500 so me personally i would pass.

Untilamtely i would give Scott the business. I have never heard one bad thing about his Customer service or his helicopters. I have a Skyshark and though i have not built it, the parts and design are very pleasing to me.

http://www.rc-tek.com/us_store/sjm500-430-cf-pro-v2-c43.html

[Shakes268]

I have one, quality is top notch! My only complaint is that its gone through quite a few revisions since its initial release. (The RC-Tek PRO Enhanced versions)

I haven't been flying very long and I don't have much time on it but just from owning one and seeing the quality of it, I think its a good buy.

[poor_red_neck]

What about parts?

I noticed Hobby city's website says they are currently photographing the spare parts, but that message has been up for a week.

Are there any places in the US that stock parts, Hobby City is located in china... even though they ship FAST, customs can always hold things up.

[mysticmead]

Hobbycity has had that photographing parts message up for months..Rc-Tek.com has ALL the parts..I know right now they don't have any of the heli's (or at least not listed online but email them and ask).. the one on hobbycity is the v1 SJM500 (made by SJM not RC-Tek..they're the US distributor) Rc-Tek has the V2 with all the improvements.. they also have all the parts needed to upgrade from v1 to current.. I have been looking at this heli for a long time.. personally I like the v1 canopy better than than the v2..and Scott has said that they sell the v1 canopy as well..soooooo this might just be the next copter for me.. I don't know. the biggest drawback is that you'd be tied to the internet for spare parts. while Scott ships out parts real fast, it's still not the same as driving to a LHS to get parts.. right now I have to order parts online for my current heli.. it kinda sucks being limited to that.. but I still think the heli is cool enough that it might not be so bad ordering online for everything. Then again, I've been looking at the Hurricane 550.. a bit bigger and again, I'd have no local support for parts...

wish the Trex 600 wasn't so expensive... grrrrrr

[poor_red_neck]

Hmm...

Didn't know there was a V2.

Yes, the V1 canopy is the second thing that attracted me to the heli. It's just different form the tear drop shape of EVERY OTHER heli out there.

I forgot to log in to hobby city... My actual price is $279.95 for the "Pro" version of what I guess is V1. Were there any substantial changes to V2?

It's hard to beat that deal... 60A ESC, 850W motor, and the kit for $279??? I can definitely afford that!

http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6255

http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/catalog/SJM500pro.jpg

[poor_red_neck]

Looks like there was ALOT of changes to the V2...

Man decisions decisions.

[mysticmead]

one of the best improvements to the v2 is the ability to use standard sized blades... that alone makes it worth it.. now hobby city expects their next shipment in early march.. maybe they'll get the v2.. if they do and they keep the price the same then it's a heck of a deal.

[poor_red_neck]

one of the best improvements to the v2 is the ability to use standard sized blades... that alone makes it worth it.. now hobby city expects their next shipment in early march.. maybe they'll get the v2.. if they do and they keep the price the same then it's a heck of a deal.

That would be my guess too... if they no longer make the V1, then it would seem like they have to carry the V2.

The tri blade tail is pretty cool. I noticed the new one uses 430mm blades vs 390.

[mysticmead]

yep..and the 390 series blades had a nonstandard root thickness and only rc-tek was carrying them.. everyone at RCG yelled loud enough that the change was made so standard blades could be used... glad rc-tek had the influence to get that changed.. the rotor head was also changed a lot.. it allows -/+ 12* pitch for those that need it.. and a longer boom... the tri bladed tail looks great but the standard tail has more authority ..

[poor_red_neck]

Ahh... different root thickness eh?

Well, even if I get the V1 from hobby city, some V2 blade grips would be the first thing I buy.

Eh.... I'll probably swing for the V2. Seems worth it. Is the V1 tail still available? I figured 3 blades were better than 2. More surface area=more force.

I emailed RC-Tek to see what the availability is on the V2.

[mysticmead]

yep.. the 2 bladed tail is available from rc-tek.. as far as changing to the v2 grips if you got the v1... it would be more than just the grips that needed to be changed.. in the long run you'd be better off getting the v2 and if you wanted the v1 canopy.. just tell rc-tek you want that one instead ... they'll hook you up.. let me know what they say for availability...

[poor_red_neck]

Will do.

I'm excited about this heli... Hope it's available soon! Replacement parts don't look too expensive either.

[poor_red_neck]

wow... I hardly think that a heli with a total rotor span of 940mm is considered a MINI... but whatever....


Here's the response if anybody was wondering I got from RC-Tek....

Hi Jonathan,
Some small enhancements are being tested now at the factory and will then go into production within the next week or so. We should to have the latest SJM500 V2 back in stock shortly after that. Please keep an eye on our web site or free to email us in a week for an update.

Thank you,
John
RC-TEK

[poor_red_neck]

You know what's funny....

Those who think the SJM landing skid is ugly....
Well for one it serves a purpose, and looks like a damn good one.

Two, it looks more like a t-rex than anything else! Funny huh?

Compare:

http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=40801&stc=1&d=1204661985

[Scott_RC-TEK]

We appreciate everyone's patience while the final tweaks and enhancements are made to the new SJM500 V2. To clarify and get everyone up to speed, these are just a few of the new V2 enhancements:

- New 9.1mm root standardized main blade grips w/ thrust bearings.

- New 430mm main blades included standard.

- 3mm flybar and supporting control system (control arms, copper ball, flybar stand, CF paddles, and retainer rings).

- New longer main shaft collar to support various size servos and to enhance the pitch range.

- New V2 pro painted fiberglass canopy.

- New top frame board.

- New larger side frame/skid boards.

- New skid reinforcement cross member board.

- New tail boom support/frame attachment.

- New self adjusting belt rollers.

- New heavy duty tail housing w/ belt rollers (Dual-Blade Tail).

- New 4mm tail shaft (Dual-Blade Tail).

- New 4mm root tail blade grips (Dual-Blade Tail).

- Polished finish on many parts.

- Numerous other updates to fasteners, bearings, and supporting parts.


Regards,
Scott

[mysticmead]

Scott.. does the SJM500 use standard size servos or micro sized?? (Standard as in can I use the ones that come with a DX7)

[kantut]

i scored one of the pro ver. ..one of the guys at my club ordered it at hobby city then sold it cuz of parts availibility.. well it a beauty of a heli very different.. answer 'bout the servo i use hitec 81mg... i've purchased the grip and hub upgrade, i want to use 425mm blades..my other heli is hdx500sah, have extra blades for it.. scott/john of rc-tek are awesome just email them they'll help you out..i see they have more parts coming in..

[mysticmead]

how well does it handle windy flying days :D that's one of the reasons I want a larger heli... wind sucks..and lately it's been REAL windy.

[Scott_RC-TEK]

Scott.. does the SJM500 use standard size servos or micro sized?? (Standard as in can I use the ones that come with a DX7)

The SJM500 V2 supports numerous servos from HS81/85 to the S9650. The taller main shaft collar and adjustable cyclic mount height makes this possible (older engineering photo attached).

In the coming days, we will also release the new SJM SDG-502MG (metal gear) digital cyclic servo which works GREAT on this helicopter (and the TREX500 as well....:roll:).

Regards,
Scott

[Scott_RC-TEK]

how well does it handle windy flying days :D that's one of the reasons I want a larger heli... wind sucks..and lately it's been REAL windy.
The helicopter is about 250-300g lighter than the competition so it will not feel as "heavy" in the air, but it is still very stable in the wind (yet nimble) with the 430mm blades producing a main blade disk just under 1 meter (auto-rotation contest anyone!??). Since there is no head dampening, things can get real interesting real fast as well if desired. :Bang

Regards,
Scott

[poor_red_neck]

Man I'm starting to love this heli and I don't even have it yet!!!

Can't WAIT until you guys get some in!!!

Is this servo you're going to release a digital? I don't really know squat about servos, and I'm NOWHERE near good enough to need the fastest strongest servo. As long as you guys say it's good enough and its priced competitively I'm game!

[poor_red_neck]

Scott, this may sound like a weird request but...

There aren't very many good pics of the SJM500 online.

Got any good heli porn :drool:
:Pics

[mysticmead]

the only reason I want to know if the heli takes standard servos or micros is that it'll help me decide which version of a DX7 to buy :D if it takes standard size.. I'll get that one.. if micro.. I'll get that one... I really like that this heli will smoke a rex500... that it's an exotic heli and it's bigger than my 450, yet can use the same batteries (albeit 2 at a time)

[kantut]

scott... since i've upgraded the hub and grip set for my sjm500 pro to use 425mm blades..do you think it a good idea to get this..

http://www.rc-tek.com/us_store/al5050p-main-shaft-stand-round-clipping-set-p1889.html