Blade 400 or the Mini Pred 3D?

[Superand]

Hey guys

I want to ask you what heli to choose. I've been flying the Esky Lama v3 for some time now, and I would like a heli that can fly outside, and do some 3D things, for when I get to that level. I've been looking at the Blade 400 and the Mini Pred 3D. Both nice helicopters, and nice prices, but I would totally consider any other model you may say I should have a look at. My budget is around 4-500$ with 500 being maximum.
Thanks in advance!

Regards, Peter.

[JasonJ]

Blade 400. I have a Falcon 3D which is the same thing as that Mini Pred. I like it fine as a beater heli, but the Blade 400 is leaps and bounds better in quality, and the tx is vastly, vastly better than the crap one that comes with the Mini Pred and can be used for multiple models. Had the Blade 400 existed when I was looking for an RTF, I would have bought that over a Falcon any day...

Now, lets see how many peeps tell you to get a T-rex.... :)

[Superand]

Oh okay. I could still use a lot more replies on this.

I'm sure a lot of people will tell me to get a T-Rex, but unfortunately I don't have so many money. Thanks for your answer.

Btw. I want a RTF set, not a kit.

[JasonJ]

Oh okay. I could still use a lot more replies on this.

I am sensing you were leaning towards the mini pred. Here are the issues: TX is crap and you end up buying another tx, which pushes through your budget. The head develops a lot of slop, which can make flying interesting, but not impossible. The gear driven tail can be problematic, especially if you land in grass. The gears can break or strip. The tail can be awkward to set up and maintain, they seem to always need attention right out of the box. The motor can fall apart, causing a crash. It does mild aerobatics like loops, rolls and inverted, but thats about it.

The Blade 400 is much much better, even considering the servos are not amazing. The Blade 400 has more capability, and is a bit bigger, which equals more stability.

[Superand]

Again, thank you for your response. I've been thinking a bit, and Im pretty sure that I'm gonna sell some of my old stuff, like som BB guns, PS2 and some drums. My plan is to save up some money and buy a helicopter, that is SWEET from the start. So i dont need to buy more n more helicopters, that I just waste money on. So I can have a budget around 800-900 bucks. :)

Thank you for givin me info on the Blade 400 and the Mini Pred, but can you give me some info about what heli to buy, when I get to my bigger budget? I want a good, stabil, no need to upgrade much, 3D, outdoor helicopter. Wauw, many things i want lol.

-Peter

[JasonJ]

The Venerable and Always Popular Trex 450 SE V2. It flies very well, can be tuned from mild to wild, and has massive support. Repair parts are cheap, so when you crash your $800 helicopter, you are spending less to fix it than you would spend on the inexpensive RTF helicopters. Unless you buy a used setup that is RTF, you will burn around $1100-ish to get into a T-rex 450 with DX7 tx.

Then there is the support items such as lipo charger, extra batteries, power supply for the charger, and a sim that can add another $300-$400. You could get a lesser T-rex 450, but then you are spending more on plastic parts. The metal parts on the SE hold up better in a crash. As far as learning, a bigger helicopter is better, but way out of your budget. It is tough, whenever I want more helicopter stuff I sell stuff I am not using. When I bought my RCT-450 I paid cash ($329) for the arf kit, and then sold off a snowblower and some snow tires on rims to pay for the electronics ($400-ish). I already had a radio. It took about a month to do that and get a $729 helicopter. By the way, the RCT-450 is on par with the T-rex 450 SEV2, but it is only a little cheaper. The Thunder Tiger Mini Titan and Dragonus are other good flying 450 class helicopters and cost less. I chose the RCT-450 because I wanted something a little different than the T-rex, but T-rex crash parts work on it so I still benefit from the great parts support of the T-rex.

There are T-rex clones such as HDX and Copterx that some seem to have had good success with and they are less expensive. You should build up your loot and prowl the classified here on The Freak, people are selling T-rex 450's to fund other models, and deals are to be had.

Start shopping prices of set-ups, watch vids, read all of the Finless tutorials and watch his vids because they are gospel. Read through the forums, Search is your friend. Research will help you greatly...

[shaggybirdman]

if you go the trex route consider the sa (aluminum framed one). it's like $180 or so. comes with motor, and esc. it would run roughly $500 less radio. you don't have to get the V2 although it would be nice, but you can build a cheap trex. oh ya it's a arf in my book. just gotta install the radio gear, and a quick head check, and put her in the air. rtf would be a blade 400. not my choice, but it would fill your requirements. remember to factor in crash parts. YOU WILL CRASH! it's inevitable.

do yourself a favor, and get a trex, or even one of the clones out there. part for part trex. you won't be disappointed :)

Jason i almost didn't plug the trex, but i just had to.

[JasonJ]

Jason i almost didn't plug the trex, but i just had to.

Hey, I plugged it too.... :)

The only reason I suggested SE V2 is because people end up there anyway through upgrades, it's just cheaper to get it up front.

[terrybeb]

To bring the price down a bit just go for the SE version not the SE V2. It's almost the same. There has been discussions on weather or not the V2 is better because the 4mm Spindle shaft doesn't bend as easily and therefore breaks other parts. My instructor has the Se I have the SE V2 and other than my motor is a bit more powerful his flies just as well. Also you will not be using the extra power right away......Anyhow, I hope this helps you somewhat. Just remember Heli's are like horses....the cheapest thing about them is buying them.......then comes the upkeep and the extras.....it never ends. Bwahahaha welcome to the addiction that is HeliFreak!!!!

[jayman1478]

Hey guys

I want to ask you what heli to choose. I've been flying the Esky Lama v3 for some time now, and I would like a heli that can fly outside, and do some 3D things, for when I get to that level. I've been looking at the Blade 400 and the Mini Pred 3D. Both nice helicopters, and nice prices, but I would totally consider any other model you may say I should have a look at. My budget is around 4-500$ with 500 being maximum.
Thanks in advance!

Regards, Peter.
I have the blade 400 and love it. Had to change the servos to hs65mgs $30 each you need three and tail servo stock and it is just as good or better to me as my buds trex. You cant beat the package deal with the radio which you can add ten other helis or planes on. I have been only flying since dec07 but have learned a lot with this bird setup is going to be your biggest challenge. Great deal the blade 400 my two cents.

[Superand]

Hey again, and thanks for all your answers!

Now, I talked to some guy, and he said that a complete, standard T-Rex 450 SE V2, WITH transmitter, charger, battery and so on, would cost around 1800 $ and that felt like a slap in the face. I dont have that kinda money yet, and what if I get disappointed with my purchase. Can someone link to a cheaper T-Rex 450 model or come up with a model. I'll have a look on the T-Rex 450 SE or SA. -Oh and btw., I need everything to get flying. I dont even have a charger, transmitter, battery etc etc. My budget is around 850$.

Thanks for all your help again!

-Peter

[shaggybirdman]

here's a trex clone. looks to be rtf.

http://www.ehirobo.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=5583

trex sa

http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_info.php/cPath/2_382_709/products_id/12822

http://www.xheli.com/ma-450-helicopter-arf.html


the xheli clone shipped to my address is only $111.25

i think the trex sa or a trex X CDE is the cheapest trex going. i have a cde, and so far it's a great heli.

trex cde kit

http://www.allerc.com/product_info.php?cPath=128&products_id=2312

my plan is to get the copter x v2 head assy, and v2 tail assy off evil bay. head Item number: 250197572858 tail Item number: 250197614239 . very cheap upgrades to my CDE.

[Superand]

Wauw, thanks man!

I think the Blue T-rex 450SE V2 clone looks pretty good. Can anyone tell me if this is a good beginner-to-advanced heli? Is the electronics allright?

Here it is: http://www.ehirobo.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=5583&osCsid=b9334655ba98f1f84633d9303aefd17d

Thanks everyone, for the great answers, keep em coming! :)

-Peter

[shaggybirdman]

Peter if i had it to do over again, and i knew about this heli i'd get it. my first single rotor heli is a trex, and i'm sure it is alot of peeps here first heli. i'm still learning so i can't vouch for it, but i'd get it. the only thing i really think mite need attention is the gyro, and servos, but i'd fly it as is, and see how it goes. trying ta get by friend to get a trex instead of a blade 400. why get the chevy when you can have the rolls for the same price, and blinged out ta boot?!

[terrybeb]

Wauw, thanks man!

I think the Blue T-rex 450SE V2 clone looks pretty good. Can anyone tell me if this is a good beginner-to-advanced heli? Is the electronics allright?

Here it is: http://www.ehirobo.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=5583&osCsid=b9334655ba98f1f84633d9303aefd17d

Thanks everyone, for the great answers, keep em coming! :)

-Peter

The gyro and the servo's won't be great but they should work for the time being. When you crash and you will......you can replace them as you see fit. The basic heli looks to be similar to the T-rex so you should be fine with it.
Others on here have bought it and thought it was great.

[Superand]

The gyro and the servo's won't be great but they should work for the time being. When you crash and you will......you can replace them as you see fit. The basic heli looks to be similar to the T-rex so you should be fine with it.
Others on here have bought it and thought it was great.

Ty for that info. -So when I crash it, I should think about spending some money on the gyro on servos.

Thanks for everybodys help!!

[terrybeb]

Ty for that info. -So when I crash it, I should think about spending some money on the gyro on servos.

Thanks for everybodys help!!
That's what I would do....I wouldn't do it right away but down the road yep I would. Right now the gyro if set up correctly should be fine for you if your just learning and basically hovering. I have a futaba 401 Gyro on my TRex but my instructor also has one on his JR Ergo 90 and it holds the tail in 30mph winds no problem. As long as your tail is holding your good to go.

[Superand]

That's what I would do....I wouldn't do it right away but down the road yep I would. Right now the gyro if set up correctly should be fine for you if your just learning and basically hovering. I have a futaba 401 Gyro on my TRex but my instructor also has one on his JR Ergo 90 and it holds the tail in 30mph winds no problem. As long as your tail is holding your good to go.

Allright, thanks. Btw. http://www.ehirobo.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=5583 is the transmitter okay? and all I need to fly, is just 8 x AA and a charger, right? (Wich charger would you recommend from that site?)

[terrybeb]

Allright, thanks. Btw. http://www.ehirobo.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=5583 is the transmitter okay? and all I need to fly, is just 8 x AA and a charger, right? (Wich charger would you recommend from that site?)
The transmitter is a bargain basement model but it will work for you for now.

Get these for the price
http://www.airthunder.com/2200mah111v3s1p25cli-polybatterypack-1.aspx

And this to charge them if you can afford it. You won't need to upgrade this.
It may put you up over the top budget wise though. If you can get it with the three battery deal.
http://www.airthunder.com/bantame-stationbc6acdcbalancingcharger.aspx

[terrybeb]

If you need to buy one from the same site then this would be rock bottom basic WITH the wall adaptor.
http://www.ehirobo.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=173_197&products_id=5452

[Superand]

If you need to buy one from the same site then this would be rock bottom basic WITH the wall adaptor.
http://www.ehirobo.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=173_197&products_id=5452

Will that charger, fit right with this battery?: http://www.ehirobo.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=5426

[terrybeb]

I'm thinking it will. Without getting a closer look at the balancing lead off the battery and which one is on the charger. You might need an adapter but I'm guessing not.

[Superand]

Okay. Btw. that charger, is it with an european-stik(220v)? Its because I live in Greenland.

[terrybeb]

That charger is a 12V dc charger. You need to get an AC to DC Regulated power supply. Then plug the DC Charger in to that. That gets around the Euro/North America differences.

[Superand]

Ooh, well I have the one from my esky charger. Can I use that one? It says "Input: 100-240v - 50/60Hz 0.7A" and "Output: + 12V 1.5A"