Blade 400 or the Mini Pred 3D?

[JasonJ]

Here is a tutorial for the ATX type of PC power supply conversion:

http://web2.murraystate.edu/andy.batts/ps/POWERSUPPLY.HTM

And another:

http://www.wikihow.com/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply

These really are much easier to do than it looks. Follow the instructions, and you are all set. I am not a big fan of electronics and my understanding of it is not much better than basic, and I had mine built in 15 minutes. I did not use a load resistor on my +5 leads, I used two automotive light bulbs. I installed one bulb as an ON indicator, and just left the other one to run inside the case. You need a load across the +5 lead to bring the main volts up. In my case, one bulb gave me 10 volts, two bulbs gave me 11.5 volts. There are multiple +5 leads, so I just used two +5 leads, one bulb on each. I also did not get as fancy with my +12 and -12 posts. I just have bolts insulated from the case with rubber grommets and labeled. All you need is a +12 and -12 post, you don't need those +5 and -5 posts.

[shaggybirdman]

the best thing about a pc power supply is that it's clean dc power. probably cleaner than the power supply i currently use.

[Superand]

Hey. Thanks for the links, Jason, Ill have a look at it. My moms brother, could probably help me out too, since he works at the city's power station. If I succeed with making my powersupply, Im probably gonna need a good charger, right?

[JasonJ]

Have you decided which helicopter you are getting? Which ever you get, if the charger is a balance charger, it will do, even if it is a bit slow. Down the road you would want to invest in a better charger if you are staying in the hobby. I bought a 3E Smartplus balance charger off of Ebay last May for cheap, it has worked well. I figured it would have died and given me an excuse to get a Cellpro 4s, but it keeps working. I bought it because the charger that came with the falcon (mini-pred) was not a balance charger, and eventually was recalled due to causing fires. They sent me an Esky balance charger that sits on my shelf as a last resort backup for if that cheap Smartplus charger dies.

[Superand]

No, unfortunately, I havent. So hard, when you dont have a lhs or the possibility of just looking at one, IRL. But I have found a RC Heli school, not long from where our summer cottage! But I wont be able to come over there, until july.

How come you dont sell your Falcon, if it aint no good?

[shaggybirdman]

selling a heli is a hard thing to do sometimes. i have considered sell in my cx2, but like today i crashed, and put my trex out of commission till at best monday. i got my trusty cx2 to fly till i get parts, and i hope my lhs has them in stock.

one of my favorite sayings gos. "he who dies with the most toys wins"

[JasonJ]

How come you dont sell your Falcon, if it aint no good?

I am a tinkerer by nature, so it's issues don't bother me and it is good for casual sport flying. Plus, the more I fly it, the more of my money's worth I get out of it. Besides, I generally don't get rid of stuff. If it did not come with a transmitter and sold for $100 I would recommend it. It is based on the original Shogun, but the shaft tail drive is much improved with conical gearing over the crappy crown gears of the Shogun that stripped when you farted next to it. The Falcon/mini-pred is old school as far as being mechanically mixed and the head is sloppy, but it is accepted that if a person can fly this helicopter they can fly almost anything. Also, the falcon/mini-pred is a few inches smaller than the Blade 400. I am in the same situation as you, I have no nearby hobby shop, all my parts come through the mail so it does not matter what helicopter I get. If you want to get the mini pred, go for it, but you'll end up replacing the transmitter and then you'll be out more money than with the Blade 400.

[Superand]

Wauw, thanks for the answers. I reeeally like this forum, cus everybody are kindly and active.

Oh okay. How about helicopters like the Shark 450 SE Delux or the GL 450?

[JasonJ]

I don't know anything about those helicopters.

[shaggybirdman]

if you have links to them please post them.

[Superand]

Well, theyre all danish. The Shark 450 is a heli from Art-Tech. You can have a look on this, its from rcuniverse.com, were some people are talking about it, also saying its an improved version of the Falcon 3D:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6672573/anchors_7335433/mpage_14/key_/anchor/tm.htm#7335433

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6672573/tm.htm

Art-Techs homepage, with the Shark 450: http://www.art-tech.cn/english/ArticleShow.asp?ArticleID=170

And the Danish page: http://hobbyfly.com/helikoptere-48/helikoptere-rtf-6kanal-99/shark-450-se-delux-kompletsaet-med-simulator-2409.html

If you look at the rcuniverse links, its getting great "vibes", and Im pretty set on buying it now! Have a look on it.

[JasonJ]

I would have to say it is more of a complete departure from the falcon than an improvement. It looks like it borrows fairly heavily from the T-rex design-wise, which isn't a terrible thing.

I really like the Hughes 300c Artech has on their site, I wouldn't mind getting ahold of that one if it could be gotten cheap.

What is the cost of the Shark 450? If it is within $100 of the Blade 400, I will still recommend the Blade 400 over it, mainly because of the transmitter.

[Superand]

Okay. Ive found a danish dealer, who has the B400, but they dont deliver to Greenland, so Ill have to wait til I get to Denmark. But its ok, because I get a lot of nice alu upgrades for my lama soon. Oh and also, Ive got a lot of exams comin up, because Im about to leave the school, after 10 freakin years.

So I guess this thread is almost done/closed. Are there any upgrades for the B400?

[JasonJ]

I don't believe there are any specific upgrades for the B400, but that will probably change in three minutes.. :)

[Superand]

Allright man :)