Thunder Tiger E550 Raptor vs Gaui Hurricane 550

[Bee_Flower]

I had a TT E550 for about a year. I sold it because its weight was too heavy to my liking. In term of flying, it was a very stable heli but I had problem doing nice loops. I used 6S 5000mah lipo. Parts wise, I think it has better quality than Gaui.

As for Hurricane 550, I liked it more. I flew using the stock electronics for more than 6mths before I upgraded to metal parts and Z20 motor. I can do better loops and flips with it. I am currently using 8S A123. As for parts wise, I have better luck than some other people. So far I do not have problem with its parts' quality although I think TT has better quality.

You may want to consider Trex600E. Comparing TT E550, Gaui 550 & Trex 600E, my personal preference is Trex600E. I feel Trex600E is better in term of flying characteristics and quality.

[helicraze]

I disagree with the quality. I just built a trex 500 and the head and tail spindle/bearing had slop brand new!!!!
The E550 is a little heavy for its size but does well. I like it

[nacar]

Dave,

My 4000 6S packs are 140mmL x 45mmW x 52mmH.

Fit no prob at all.. and there is a few mm to spare on width, height is almost max, and I could run 2 pack together if needed..

Carbon blades have come down in price to be much the same as glass nowdays. I use NHP Razors which fly great & are cheap..ish, nice and smooth at low head speeds too...

Hi Flighttime, how much flying time do you get from using 6s 4000 pack and your type of flying?

[3D Dave]

flighttime, helicraze,

It looks like this: http://www.fmadirect.com/detail.htm?item=2261&section=69 will fit.

It's a little heavier but smaller and 5300mAh instead of 4800.


I either go that route or two of these 3s 3300's connected in series...

http://www.fmadirect.com/detail.htm?item=2256&section=69


I planned on getting 2 flights worth of Cellpro packs and then 1 True RC 4000-5000 mAh pack.

What would you guys recommend between the (2)- 3s 3300's or (1)- 6s 5300?


THANKS!

Dave D.

ps,
Thanks for your opinion Bee but I picked the E550 for my 2nd heli. I'm very new (4 months on CP heli's) so stability is my #1 requirement.

[rotorhead58d]

http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_info.php/products_id/17987

dave, these should fit. the price is 270 after you add it to your cart.

[flighttime]

Hi Flighttime, how much flying time do you get from using 6s 4000 pack and your type of flying?

Nacar, I get 6min of flying (Basic 3D) at 100% throttle (Max head speed). Will usually put 3400mah back in to the packs..
Can also get around 9-10min of hover or slow curcuit flying if practicing stuff (eg Backwards curcits)
The more you slow the head down, the longer it will stay up there....

[flighttime]

flighttime, helicraze,

What would you guys recommend between the (2)- 3s 3300's or (1)- 6s 5300?

.

Personally Dave I would have the 6S pack over the 2x 3S packs.. Just me, but one battery to strap in, one plug connector, just keeps it simple.. And less stress on the large pack. It can deliver more Amps if required than the smaller 3300's, when you need them..

[helicraze]

The one that rotorhead suggested is great value and fits. I would get that one!

[3D Dave]

Thanks rotorhead,

I have use TP eXtreme V2 2200mAh and Cellpro Revolectrix 2200mAh in my mini-Titan and I get 2 more minutes of flight with the Revo's and they still have the same "punch" as they did when new where as the TP packs seem "soft" when hitting full collective after about 60 cycles.

They are about $50 cheaper though so maybe I'll get one anyway.

Dave D.

[3D Dave]

Ok, two more questions.

For my E550 on 6s w/90 degree swash set up, would you consider running Futaba s9252 servos instead of s3050's ?

Local heli guru (who mainly flies glow) says they will last much longer than 3050's.

Only problem is they are listed to run at 4.8v only and I don't know what voltage is supplied direct to servos on a Spektrum AR7000.

Any advice?

For blades the local heli guy is recommending the Thunder Tiger CF's for $65.00 at the LHS. Rotortechs seem to be around $89.00

Any other good FG or CF blades available for less than $65 ?


Thanks,

Dave D.

ps, I'm going to go with 6s packs, thanks!

[GatoVolador]

Try the Mavrikk G4 blades at $49.99:

http://www.heliproz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=802100

[3D Dave]

HELP!

The Tonic-X Z30A 1110KV Brushless Outrunner Motor with Fan is SOLD OUT at helidirect. They said 2-3 weeks until they get more. I can't find one (from a reputable dealer in the USA) via Google.

Does anyone have any suggestions???

Dave D.


(Thanks Mike, I will check those blades out.)

[flighttime]

9252's are much better than the 3050's... If they fit in your budget then get them..
In saying that I have 3050's and they are fine. I have never worn out either.. Yet.
TT CF blades fly well.. Price seems good..
Can't help you with the motor & esc, I use the Stock units and am very happy with their performance...

[GatoVolador]

Century re-brands the Z-Power motors as their Century 600 line. You can get it direct from Century and it appears they have them in stock:

http://www.centuryheli.com/products/productdetail.htm?currentid=345&prtnm=CNE274

[helicraze]

Haven't heard about the 3050, but i know for sure the 9252 are proven and very reliable, a very common choice, you can't go wrong with them.
I would get the TT CF rotors for $65.
The receiver will put out whatever voltage you put in. A 4.8V is a 4 cell NICAD or NIMH pack or you can use a 5V UBEC or BEC.

[rotorhead58d]

does anyone know where thundertiger4u.com is located? what country and state?

[3D Dave]

Just to update everyone I ordered my Thunder Tiger OEM motor for my E550. I will be picking up the heli on Tue or Wed. Hopefully get it built by the end of the weekend and get the batteries, charger, motor etc. next week.

I REALLY appreciate all your help with this.

Now, what replacement ESC do you recommend for a mini-Titan? My factory one died (is being sent in) and I'm having problems getting a Castle Creations Phoenix 45 to work (using DX7). It's not as "plug & play" as the ACE ESC. When powered up, it just beeps 3 times and flashes red. I've already tried to set/reset the throttle end points.

Am I missing something or did I get a dud?

Dave D.

[3D Dave]

PS,

I ordered the 5300mAh Li-Po packs after all (4800's were actually too big to fit). I hope they aren't too heavy and cause me to wish I'd bought the 3300's that vinger uses.

Dave D. :shock:

[helicraze]

Not sure I find the ace ones pretty good. Just read through your instructions, the beeps must indicate something.

[helicraze]

Shouldn't be too heavy. What the spec on it? My packs are 5000MAH, the E550 is a little on the heavy side to start with but still does alright.

[3D Dave]

helicraze,

Castle is VERY popular here and seems to get great reports. I even have a CC Phoenix 85HV waiting at the LHS with my E550. It just stinks that I'm having the problems and makes me want to consider a different brand.


The specs on the batteries I ordered are:

6-cell, 5300mAh capacity Cellpro Revolectrix Black Label LiPo Battery Pack. All Cellpro Revolectrix battery packs come standard with a charge connector that is compatible with FMA's Cellpro 10S Charger, part number LIPOCH4S03-A123.
Size: 41mm thick, 188mm L x 46mm W
Weight: 877 grams / 1lb.,15oz.
Ratings: 22C

It was either that, or TWO of these:

3-cell, 3300mAh capacity Cellpro Revolectrix Black Label LiPo Battery Pack. All Cellpro Revolectrix battery packs come standard with a charge connector that is compatible with FMA's Cellpro 4S Charger, part number LIPOCH4S03-A123.
Size: 19mm thick,135mm L x 45mm W
Weight: 284 grams / 10 oz.
Ratings: 22C

I decided to stick with one 6s pack.

Dave D.

[GatoVolador]

Just to update everyone I ordered my Thunder Tiger OEM motor for my E550. I will be picking up the heli on Tue or Wed. Hopefully get it built by the end of the weekend and get the batteries, charger, motor etc. next week.

I REALLY appreciate all your help with this.

Now, what replacement ESC do you recommend for a mini-Titan? My factory one died (is being sent in) and I'm having problems getting a Castle Creations Phoenix 45 to work (using DX7). It's not as "plug & play" as the ACE ESC. When powered up, it just beeps 3 times and flashes red. I've already tried to set/reset the throttle end points.

Am I missing something or did I get a dud?

Dave D.


I HIGHLY reccommend getting the CastleLink and programming your ESC via computer -- way easier! I've never used the stick programming interface so I can't really comment -- but using the CastleLink I've never had any problems.

Also, the first time you power-on a Phoenix ESC it wants to know the end-points of your tx throttle. You should check-out Finless' videos on the HV85 if you haven't already -- really helps clarify things!

[Vinger]

PS,

I ordered the 5300mAh Li-Po packs after all (4800's were actually too big to fit). I hope they aren't too heavy and cause me to wish I'd bought the 3300's that vinger uses.

Dave D. :shock:
I am actually using 6cell 5300mAh Apower Lipos, as I said in my earlier post, it will actually fly about 6 min on 3300's, as I flew those while waiting for my 5300's to arrive.The 5300 packs fit perfect and make the heli a real powerhouse with the stock Ripper (Z30) motor, it is definately the combination for the E550.......

Enjoy

[rotorhead58d]

grandrc.com is having a sale on raptor tail cases. i'm sooooooo tempted to buy one.

[3D Dave]

Thanks Vinger and Gato (disregard my post on 6s 5300's on the other thread Vinger)

I'll look forward to flying my 6s 5300 Revolectrix packs.

Gato,

I did buy the CC Castle Link programmer. That's what I used.

Turns out I just needed to re-bind the Spektrum radio to the receiver. I did not test fly the MT yet but since the motor spun up and the servos were working I assume I'm ready to go.

Now all is well and I should be picking up my E550 kit tomorrow or Wed.

I should have all the parts by next week but the heli should be 90% done this weekend.

The only thing I haven't finalized are blades but I'm thinking Maverick or TT 550 woodies to start. Then try some TT or SAB CF's once I get 40-50 flights under my belt (without a crash). It "IS" very tempting however to just put CF's on now and fly VERY CAREFULLY. Once I get this baby going I can "push the envelope" a little more on my mini-Titan. I suppose next best purchase would be a bare-bones MT for backup.

Dave :YeaBaby: