Bored with blade cx, what next?

[mjs3350]

I've been flying for about a month with my blade cx. I bought it specifically for one reason, to learn to fly helis, and it's been great at doing that. i would say i've mastered tail-in hover, and side-in and nose-in are pretty good as well (i won't say mastered, because occasionally i still find myself "reacting" to the heli, vs. completely controlling it at all times.) i can also do some slow forward flight, figure 8's, etc. in my living room. I've got real flight G2 which I practice with regularly. I know eventually I will get a Trex se v2, but I want to take my time with it and build it right. i feel like having nothing else besides the cx might tempt me to rush the build. I know that is going to take a little while, and i think the cx is starting to hold me back, so I was thinking about buying a blade 400 for the meantime while i build the t -rex. i think it would help me get used to a "real" heli, but at the same time i'll be able to take my time and build the t-rex right using all of Finless' videos. combined with fixing the 400, i think i should learn pretty quick. does this sound like something worth doing, or should i skip the 400 altogether?

[BigAl07]

I'm watching wondering the same thing bro. :)

[darkchiild]

If you get the blade, then you have an extra heli. That's never a bad thing. That being said, it only took me a weekend to get my Trex built -- probably about 10 - 12 hrs total for building and adjustment. So if you have time set aside for building, it probably won't take you very long to get it in the air. The trex will fly a lot nicer than the blade as long as you don't skimp on electronics, so I dare say just skip it unless you want the extra heli for trying new stuff with. That way you don't bang up the blinged heli.

[mjs3350]

good point. was that your first heli build? i have a bunch of experience building rc ground vehicles, so i do know the general "how to's", like locktite, trimming flashing off plastics, etc. this will be my first heli build though. if it's a reasonable goal to for a newb to build a first heli in a couple days, having watched the videos, i'll probably just skip the 400. maybe i'll get a ARF 400 when i eventually get into some 3D stuff, then i'll have that to crash when trying new stuff, and i'll be able to just use the DX7 i'd buy with the t-rex rather than waste money on the RTF kit with stuff i wouldn't use.

[ChasHeliCop]

I would suggest going with the Trex. Keep practicing your orientations with your CX it will make you a more proficient pilot. Once you've done that, the Trex will be a breeze to fly. Don't rush the build, enjoy it. So what if it takes a week or two to build. Do it at your own pace. Don't do those all nighters like I did. sometimes it's hard to put the tools down.

[shaggybirdman]

simple t rex. you can get a t rex 450 x cde for $130 on evil bay. i'm thinking of getting a second just for parts. maybe part it out, and get some extra cash. motor, and esc should sell for $90 alone.

[mjs3350]

what about the copter x? i am thinking about maybe getting the RTF version of that for while i save for and build my rex, that way i can have replacement parts that'll work for either one. and after, i'll still have a "trick testing" heli.

[BigAl07]

That's my vote. It takes Trex components and gives you a LOT of "Bang for the Buck".

[jrohland]

In my opinion you should skip the 450 and get a 500 instead. If you want to proceed on your proposed schedule, get the Blade 400 so you can get used to a variable pitch heli. In the mean time, start collecting components for a T-Rex 500. For example, the blades are currently hard to find. Use the Finless vids and the Align documentation to build the 500.

Use the 400 to get through the constant crash phase and then you will be able to fly the 500 with confidence.

jrohland

[randerson07]

I started with a Blade 400, and now have a Mini Titan as well. I really do like the Blade, the parts are cheap and I can walk into any hobby shop and get parts. the stock servos are crap, the Gyro actually works pretty good when you set it all up right. I dont see myself getting another radio unless at some point I go Nitro and want to use a Gov.

I have since replaced all the servos and put in a GY401, only because I destroyed a Mini Titan and figured 2 450 sized helis is more than enough. The blade flys fantastic, it needed some tweaking, but did not need new electronics to fly well. Having the electronics in my opinion only makes it more durable and a tad more responsive.

I agree with jrohland, get a Blade 400 learn on it, save some cash and then either get a high end 450(I dont like the Trex, so I suggest a Mini Titan or a Beam E4, or some other exotic) or skip it and get a 500 or 600.

[darkchiild]

The only problem with skipping the 400/450 is if you're going to crash a fair bit in the beginning (and you probably will), it'll be more expensive. People will say it's not much more, but depending on how often you end up crashing it'll add up quick.

Also, yes the trex was my first build. And even though I finished it over a weekend, it was a long weekend, and I ended up staying up late, etc. Like Chas said, it's hard to put down the tools :). The build was half the fun imho. :)

[shaggybirdman]

the way to save cash the first time around. my friend went from a venom ocean rescue to a blade cpp. i told him then to get a trex. now he's getting a blade 400. again i told him to get a trex. he said he is going to get a trex as his next heli. lets see. $250 fro the blade plus i'd guess the better part of $150 in parts. yes $150. 2 3in1's. $480 for the blade 400 = $880 am i nuts but isn't that a nice trex? the trex will probably never sold, and he will fly the c**p out of it.

let's see. a trex 500 uses what a 5 cell, or is it a 4 cell pack. i really don't know. if it's a 5 cell you will need to drop another what $150+ for a charger, and at least 3 batteries at what $125+ each. i'm sure parts will be more expansive than a 450.

i think a 500 is the step after a 450 for sure. the charger i got cost $99, and does 2, and 3 cell packs. i'll never get rid of m cx2 unless theres a way better version than my current one, so i'm set, and so would a person with a 450.

i'm sure a 500 would be way too much for a first single rotor heli. not to mention (i'd guess anyhow) you can get 450 parts right off the wall at any shop that is serious about selling helis. my local shop doesn't stock any 500 parts, but maybe my shop is the exception.

get a 450 trex. never settle you will regret it down the road. a blade 400 surely is nice, but i'll bet a far cry from a trex. not to mention the radio has a toy feel to it. how long will the 4 batteries last ounce you actually can fly?

just my 2 cents worth.

[mjs3350]

thanks for the replies everyone. i think i'm going to get the copter x with OK electronics for while i build up a 450 rex. although i should be able to build the rex pretty quickly (i've found myself still up at 4 am building car kits before, it really is half the fun), it'll still be nice to have the copter x to test out new tricks without risking a crash with the real t-rex. then i could always upgrade the copter x with good stuff later. i know i'll be doing this for a long time, and i've got no doubt i'll be adding a 500 and 600 someday.

[Sneeky_Pete]

I notice everyone mentioning about T-Rex's but not a mention of the Gaui Hurricane EP550. I've just started purchasing parts for my first build and the reviews and price of the Hurri I thought were excellent compared with the size of the heli. Parts are cheap and the battery layout I concidered to be the cheapest option also...?

[shaggybirdman]

thanks for the replies everyone. i think i'm going to get the copter x with OK electronics for while i build up a 450 rex. although i should be able to build the rex pretty quickly (i've found myself still up at 4 am building car kits before, it really is half the fun), it'll still be nice to have the copter x to test out new tricks without risking a crash with the real t-rex. then i could always upgrade the copter x with good stuff later. i know i'll be doing this for a long time, and i've got no doubt i'll be adding a 500 and 600 someday.

please don't take this wrong, and it is your money, but why spend even more cash on the copter x? just wait a bit longer, and get the trex. i'm not saying a copter x is bad, but if you have to get cash up to put a trex together after the copter x why not just get the trex first, and be done with it.

reason for my post. i used to race rc cars. my friend had a serpent impact witch is a full blown 1/10 on road race car. no upgrades were needed, but i was bound and determined to beat it with a lessor car till my friend forcefully put the radio in my hand. well that's all it took. i sold off my 2 helis, and radio to get one. i now own 2.

moral of the story: don't settle. get what you want the first time. put the copter x cash into the trex. you won't be disappointed. if you want a heli to learn tricks on get the copter x then. learn on a trex. the one every other manufacture is cloning. just get the real deal.

just my 2 cents..... again :tongue