Blade 400 - Good Next Step?

[pilgrim]

Been into rc since 89' and just now getting to heli's. My wife gave me a Kyosho Concept 30 many years ago that I'm just now in the process of trying to get a few flights on, just for fun. Right now I have been putting a lot of time on a Blace CX2 and finally getting the hang of flying around the garage but I would like to move up to something I can fly outside and progress with. Sooo with all that my question for this group is --- would the Blade 400 be a good next step?

I can't afford to buy some of the other crafts that I've looked at but today I found the 400 and since it comes with a good radio and all it is within budget.

After reading most of the posts here it looks like a great heli and parts look to be abundant.

So what do you guys (or gals) think? Good next step or not?

[LockMD]

Been into rc since 89' and just now getting to heli's. My wife gave me a Kyosho Concept 30 many years ago that I'm just now in the process of trying to get a few flights on, just for fun. Right now I have been putting a lot of time on a Blace CX2 and finally getting the hang of flying around the garage but I would like to move up to something I can fly outside and progress with. Sooo with all that my question for this group is --- would the Blade 400 be a good next step?

I can't afford to buy some of the other crafts that I've looked at but today I found the 400 and since it comes with a good radio and all it is within budget.

After reading most of the posts here it looks like a great heli and parts look to be abundant.

So what do you guys (or gals) think? Good next step or not?


The 400 is a VERY good machine, but a first ccpm, for me the answer is NO but everyones skills are different......its not ccpm but flies similar and is single rotor - cheap to fix and takes a beating. My advice is from a cx2 the best move is HBFP - just my nickle

[pilgrim]

I assume you are talking about the ESky Honeybee. If that is the one I have to say that the low cost is spot on for me. At that cost it would be hard to resist. It looks like there is a new model 3 due to arrive not too long from now so I just may wait and go that way. Thanks for the input.

[jl449]

I agree with lockMD
Honeybee FP is the way to go.
Do the lipo upgrade or buy one already fitted. Also do the RADD (http://www.dream-models.com/eco/flying-index.html) training... it will save you some money!!!
After you learn on the FP then buy the B400...
One crash on the B400 runs you about 30 to 50 bucks.
One crash on the FP may only require folding back open the blades!!!

Another good upgrade for hte HBFP is the superskids (http://www.super-skids.com/index.html)

[blade4oo]

i would not get the 400 for a first step for one the 400 is a great bird but out of the box you have to upgrade the servos the gyro is junk so your $500 that you just spent for the heli turns in to like $800 for a great flying b400 i would get the new blade cp pro 2
im still frying one that i built and love it but do not bling it out if you want to upgrade it
just go brushless but thats just my $.02







http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFLH1350

[sparx-]

Never owned a fixed pitch heli, or a dual rotor heli. Started out with a Collective Pitch heli right from the get go. Bought a Blade CP Pro and a Honey Bee King V2 in July of 07. Both of which are CP helis. I actaully learned all my hovering orientations and started in Forward flight with the Blade CP Pro. It was a challenge too. The CP Pro has a rate gyro, so you are constantly flying the tail. It has a smaller rotor disc, so it is a pretty twitchy.

The Blade 400 can be a great next step from a CX is you make a few changes to make it more learning friendly and you take your time learning. Then as you progress, you can make a few changes in your setup to make it a more advanced flyer rather then having to buy a new heli.

How you guys are getting $30-50 crashes is beyond me. I have plowed my B400 in twice. One time I fell out of a loop at 50 foot and drove it nose in at high speed. The second crash, I came out of a roll and thought I was upright but I was inverted and gave full postitive collective which drove the heli straight into the ground inverted at high speed. Both crashes cost me a Tail boom, Feathering Shaft, flybar, Main shaft and set of blades. That is around $10 in parts and $12 for the blades. I did not break a single head part in either of those crashes.

SPaRX

[blade4oo]

Never owned a fixed pitch heli, or a dual rotor heli. Started out with a Collective Pitch heli right from the get go. Bought a Blade CP Pro and a Honey Bee King V2 in July of 07. Both of which are CP helis. I actaully learned all my hovering orientations and started in Forward flight with the Blade CP Pro. It was a challenge too. The CP Pro has a rate gyro, so you are constantly flying the tail. It has a smaller rotor disc, so it is a pretty twitchy.

The Blade 400 can be a great next step from a CX is you make a few changes to make it more learning friendly and you take your time learning. Then as you progress, you can make a few changes in your setup to make it a more advanced flyer rather then having to buy a new heli.

How you guys are getting $30-50 crashes is beyond me. I have plowed my B400 in twice. One time I fell out of a loop at 50 foot and drove it nose in at high speed. The second crash, I came out of a roll and thought I was upright but I was inverted and gave full postitive collective which drove the heli straight into the ground inverted at high speed. Both crashes cost me a Tail boom, Feathering Shaft, flybar, Main shaft and set of blades. That is around $10 in parts and $12 for the blades. I did not break a single head part in either of those crashes.

SPaRX

wow you are lucky $22.00 i hit the ground from a hover $47.38 got the receat lol
but thats y i was saying the cp pro2 its got the g110 gyro that is great for the cps
for $250.00 with a 2.4ghs radeo you cant beat this thing for the price
new 350 motor dd tail i just cant beleave thay dident have it out sooner :roll:

[BigAl07]

I'm FAR from a "Knowing" kind of guy but my next heli from the CX & CX2's is going to be a B400. I have a LOT of stick time (37 now and been flying R/C since about 6) but new to helis.

I bought a "used" Blade CP in Jan/Feb and had a tough time getting used to it. I ended up putting it "In" at a high rate of speed. I bought another one "used" and this time it flew very well. Apparently the first one had "issues" that I wasn't aware of. I flew it around and beat the crap out of it before talking to a local flyer who told me, "If you're only wanting something to fly in the house and {play with} you need to go down to a CX or CX2. If you're serious about flying heli's and you want to "Invest" in a quality machine for long term flight move up. Right now you should sell these while you have something WORTH selling and move up or down!"

So I sold all of my "Blade CP" stuff at one time and moved down to CX & CX2's. Since then I can do about anything from any attitude I like. I feel like the B400 may be a COUPLE of steps up but I feel like the size and stability make it worth while.

I guess I need to add I have a LOT of SIM time (Great Planes Real Flight) which makes a HUGE difference. If you don't have one, invest in a flight sim ( I'm seriously looking into getting Phoenix myself).

[pilgrim]

I've got a lot of stick time too, but all on airplanes and tons of time on rc cars as a sponsored racer. Quite a bit of time on an old sim but never did master a heli on it, as a matter of fact was pretty bad. But the last 7 years I've had to hang all the hobby stuff up and just now getting back into the game. I bought the CX2 on a whim one day and lo and behold I can fly the thing. Seems like getting away from all the planes and cars allowed me to reprogram the old brain and connect, which I seemed to do from the minute I began flying the little heli.
Taking all the advice into consideration that I’ve received here I think I’ll go ahead and pick up a HBFP for a little while. I really can’t go wrong with the price so the investment will not be a great hindrance to moving on up to the 400 which is where I really want to go.

At the same time I am looking into sims again. The old Great Planes RealFlight did tremendous things for my flying ability at the time.

I sure want to thank all you folks here who have helped develop a plan of action. I believe I have the time to invest in progressing in ability and don’t have a need to rush. It’s been so long already that I’m just glad to be flying again anyway.

[HeliMix]

I started with a Hummingbird and repaired it more times than the blades ever turned. I quit messing with it and helis for about two years, just got the Blade about a month or so ago, 20 some flights, two crashes (40 bucks to repair the worst crash) and now hovering without gear. I have spent a lot of time on my sim too (Phoenix). To me, the Blade is a great heli. Inexpensive to buy and inexpensive to repair. I am still on all stock parts and having no real issues. When choosing my heli, I also did some looking into replacement parts. Had a hard time finding them for my little heli. I found parts for the Blade very where I looked. Thus far, I have had no trouble finding replacements. I highly recommend it. Plus, you have so many online here learning, growing, and flying together (well, sort of flying together via YouTube :lol: ).

[blade4oo]

i agree but the way i started and i have been flying every day for about 9or10 weeks and i fly inverted and everything with my 400 but i lerned on a cp pro with a g110 gyro
and i have to say i would not be were i am now if it wasent for the cp pro
thats y i sware by the cp pro now thay have one with everything you need
out the box

[LockMD]

i agree but the way i started and i have been flying every day for about 9or10 weeks and i fly inverted and everything with my 400 but i lerned on a cp pro with a g110 gyro
and i have to say i would not be were i am now if it wasent for the cp pro
thats y i sware by the cp pro now thay have one with everything you need
out the box


My cp pro almost did me in for this hobby - the HBFP saved my interest. Hope the new version is MUCH better. Of course I knew nothing when I was learning on it too......now I know a little more about setups and what not, maybe a will slap an ar6100e on her and try again.

[Ti RX-8]

Been into rc since 89' and just now getting to heli's. My wife gave me a Kyosho Concept 30 many years ago that I'm just now in the process of trying to get a few flights on, just for fun. Right now I have been putting a lot of time on a Blace CX2 and finally getting the hang of flying around the garage but I would like to move up to something I can fly outside and progress with. Sooo with all that my question for this group is --- would the Blade 400 be a good next step?

I can't afford to buy some of the other crafts that I've looked at but today I found the 400 and since it comes with a good radio and all it is within budget.

After reading most of the posts here it looks like a great heli and parts look to be abundant.

So what do you guys (or gals) think? Good next step or not?
Personally, I started with a CX2 and was satisfied for a couple weeks before wanting more. I got a HeliMax AxeCP that I spend the next couple months with learning how to control a CP heli.

IMHO the absolute BEST heli to spend your money on if you want to move beyond the CX2 is.... a simulator! Seriously, spend $200 on a sim (you might be able to pick up G4 from LockMD for $cheap;)) and put in some time flying (and crashing) simulated helicopters. Pressing the reset button is a whole lot cheaper and less time-consuming than ANY real helicopter.

[LockMD]

Personally, I started with a CX2 and was satisfied for a couple weeks before wanting more. I got a HeliMax AxeCP that I spend the next couple months with learning how to control a CP heli.

IMHO the absolute BEST heli to spend your money on if you want to move beyond the CX2 is.... a simulator! Seriously, spend $200 on a sim (you might be able to pick up G4 from LockMD for $cheap;)) and put in some time flying (and crashing) simulated helicopters. Pressing the reset button is a whole lot cheaper and less time-consuming than ANY real helicopter.


Hey Ti RX-8 thanks for the plug, I think he is leaning towards phoenix (somebody, no names Helimix) has uplayed phoenix so much nobody wants G4 anymore :(

[pilgrim]

Hey Guys!

I do believe I'll get a sim and LockMD is right I'm looking into the Phoenix. Still haven't made up my mind between it an the GP but I'm downloading the demo versions to check them out and will probably make a decision soon. I have to admit the old GP sure was fun when I had it going. But things have changed so much it's unreal.

Good advice from all and well appreciated!

[LockMD]

Hey Guys!

I do believe I'll get a sim and LockMD is right I'm looking into the Phoenix. Still haven't made up my mind between it an the GP but I'm downloading the demo versions to check them out and will probably make a decision soon. I have to admit the old GP sure was fun when I had it going. But things have changed so much it's unreal.

Good advice from all and well appreciated!



Well, Pilgrim (John Wayne impression) LOL

Either way you go I'm sure you'll be happy like you said the technology on these things today is unreal.

[pilgrim]

Caught on to the Pilgrim handle eh?

Just tried the demo Phoenix and all I can say is wow! Looking into radio stuff as we speak as my stuff is so old - with the exception of the little transmitter that came with my CX2. Things are seldom easy... especially if they are worth doing!

[LockMD]

Caught on to the Pilgrim handle eh?

Just tried the demo Phoenix and all I can say is wow! Looking into radio stuff as we speak as my stuff is so old - with the exception of the little transmitter that came with my CX2. Things are seldom easy... especially if they are worth doing!


Just sent you a PM about my G4 and radios and stuff........shooting myself in the foot here, but better you get what you want first time around....

Looking at my cx2 radio, I bet you could fly phoenix with it (not sure) problem is though you would not be able to change any settings in the radio if needed.

Okay on 2nd though, you SHOULD buy my G4 and proxy the DX6I radio when you do buy the B400 :YeaBaby:

Yes it already comes with all the cables to do so.

[sparx-]

I use a Blade CX2 Transmitter to fly Phoenix. Works great. I do not fancy putting all those extra hours on the pots of my DX7, so I picked up a LPDSM5 (comes with the Blade CX2) to use as my dedicated sim controller.

SPaRX

[LockMD]

I use a Blade CX2 Transmitter to fly Phoenix. Works great. I do not fancy putting all those extra hours on the pots of my DX7, so I picked up a LPDSM5 (comes with the Blade CX2) to use as my dedicated sim controller.

SPaRX



Well there ya go.....as I suggested in a PM (now I dont have to try it on Reflex) the cx2 radio will work with phoenix.

[pilgrim]

Looks like I'm in the game! I'll let you know how it goes.

[Mon_t]

Personally after getting a simulator, I would recommend getting a guai 550 hurricane. It's a little more expensive to start off, but the parts are cheaper (when compared to trex and blade400) and are easier to obtain than the b400.
also learning on a 30size is A LOT easier than a 400/450. when flying they're not affected by wind as much and everything seems like its in slow motion when compared to flying a 400/450.
That being said they're not really a good idea to take to the local park to fly.

[IBFLYING]

OK I read all the other OPINIONS. But I don't really agree with them. I have the CX2 the CP The CPpro and the Blade 400 and have sold many in different order to many customers. My general rule is if you can fly a backwards figure 8 with a CX then you are ready to upgrade . and I have found that those who skip the CP's and go to the 400 progress much faster.. That's my 2 cents for what it's worth! maybe more, maybe less.

[Ti RX-8]

Definitely skip the CP's.

[darkhawk22]

I started out with a CX2 and loved it. Then went looking for something to fly outside so I thought I would try the CP Pro and purchased one. I upgraded it quite a bit with a ESC and Brushless motor and a DX6 controller with DSM. The thing was horrible! It would self destruct with only a minor crash. Now I have the Blade 400 and love it. Granted it still breaks with crashes but it seems to me that it is more rugged and not very expensive to fix if it does crash. A good 450/500 size training gear helps in the beginning.