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View Full Version : 2 Gaui 200 SE combos reviewed


zeenon
06-19-2008, 10:18 PM
Ok, so I wanted a 200 to go with the 2 TREX 500's I have. To make a long story short I ordered one from helihobby.com, but while I waited, I put together another one from flying-hobby.com for a friend. So the kits are as follows:

Helihobby.com $399
Gaui 200 SE
4 HS-45's Servos
E-Sky Gyro EK2-0704
3S 1350 Lipo
Ball link pliers
Stock motor/ESC

Flying-hobby.com $520 w/ shipping (3D Combo)
Gaui 200 SE
4 MX306 Servos
GY-401 gyro
Zpower 300GT brushless motor
Phoenix 25 ESC
2 3s 600mah Lipos

Here is just my 2 cents of the like and dislikes.
Flying-hobby.com
Pros:
- I like that the kit came with the GY-401. I use this gyro in both my 500's and the tail has always been rock solid.
- I like the Castle Creation speed controllers, easy to program and used them for all my wings.
- 2 lipos was nice

Cons:
- Servos....terrible. On the 5th flight the tail servo came apart. I had just landed and see small black things coming out of the heli as I was spooling down, another 3 secs and it would have been piro'ing at about 5 feet. It looks like the servos are held together with 2 gold stickers and no screws. bad bad bad. Recommend replacing.
- No female JST connector for the ESC.

Helihobby.com
Pros:
- Customer service A+
- 4 HS-45's much better
- Included the female JST connector (thumbs up guys)

Cons: These are more things that I wish were different and not so much as negatives
- Ball link pliers. I wish someone would come out with a pair of micro ball link pliers. While they include a set, they are a little two big for these links.
- Battery. My biggest gripe. I wish it was smaller (maybe an 800Mah) and had a balance adapter. With today's lipo's, everything now comes with a balance adapter.
- E-Sky gyro. Keep the ball link pliers and throw in the HH 0704A instead.

Also, of note the E-Sky gyro doesn't come with any mounting tape. I like the double sided foam that comes with the Futaba gyro so I'll use that.

Z

Gr4yb3ard
06-20-2008, 10:21 AM
Great report!

Wow, servos stuck together with tape...geez...

I'm about to the point where I'm sure my next 200 will have the hs45's or Dymond (really happy with the set I've got, and the Logictech or Spartan gyro.

I've got two 401's and love 'em, but having run the little Logictech, I think it's more appropriate for the 200.

I'm running the 2100/3100 with the Dymonds now, and the thing is rock solid hovering in a 5" circles over my coffee table.

When it's windy outside we're now playing spot landing and precision hover with a small laserpointer ziptied to the frame. Next challenge is to mount a cable and bucket to put out wildfires in the kitchen.

Gr4yb3ard

small.planes
06-20-2008, 12:07 PM
yep, the 306's are just clipped together. Ive wound thread soaked in CA round mine to ensure I cant have another tailservo moment. Whether I crashed and the tail servo exploded, or it was the other way round I dont know, but it was my first 'proper' (bent parts and everything) crash. Apart from that they seem like ok servos to me, but might be I got a good set.

Dave

zeenon
06-20-2008, 01:32 PM
Dave,

I'm betting the servo came apart :DOH. The funny thing is, did you ever see those wind up toys that poop tic-tac that they sell around Easter??? This looked exactly like that, and I couldn't help but laugh, once I saw what it was.

Bill

FemaleFlyer
06-20-2008, 05:36 PM
Hey Bill,
I really appreciate this feedback, I agree on the ball link pliers, it would be nice to have some smaller ones like the Ikarus 67958 ( discontinued though) I'll look into it and see if I can't find something that will work better for the gaui. For the battery, we used to have the small Gaui battery included but people wanted more MAH/Flight time, so the smaller battery can still be requested if needbe. I will make the Gyro change for our Gaui package, and if you would like to exchange yours let me know. Thanx again for the feedback, the new combo should be pretty optimal, with your recommended changes. Happy Flying.

SurfCity
06-20-2008, 07:44 PM
Next challenge is to mount a cable and bucket to put out wildfires in the kitchen.

:shock:

rotorhead58d
06-20-2008, 09:30 PM
Hey Bill,
I really appreciate this feedback, I agree on the ball link pliers, it would be nice to have some smaller ones like the Ikarus 67958 ( discontinued though) I'll look into it and see if I can't find something that will work better for the gaui. For the battery, we used to have the small Gaui battery included but people wanted more MAH/Flight time, so the smaller battery can still be requested if needbe. I will make the Gyro change for our Gaui package, and if you would like to exchange yours let me know. Thanx again for the feedback, the new combo should be pretty optimal, with your recommended changes. Happy Flying.

i use a pair of smooth ended, needle nosed pliers(small) to get the links off.

ICCA
06-21-2008, 12:09 AM
Hey Bill,
I really appreciate this feedback, I agree on the ball link pliers, it would be nice to have some smaller ones like the Ikarus 67958 ( discontinued though) I'll look into it and see if I can't find something that will work better for the gaui. For the battery, we used to have the small Gaui battery included but people wanted more MAH/Flight time, so the smaller battery can still be requested if needbe. I will make the Gyro change for our Gaui package, and if you would like to exchange yours let me know. Thanx again for the feedback, the new combo should be pretty optimal, with your recommended changes. Happy Flying.

Like I said b4, cheap pair of "duck-bill" pliers, grind a notch the size of a ball on one side, drill a small hole and epoxy a small screw in the other, and you have a small set of ball link pliers. :thumbup:

Dave

Gr4yb3ard
06-21-2008, 12:39 AM
Wow!

Nikki is amoungst us now, this is good.
Listen up kids...

Gr4

HeliSmith
06-21-2008, 09:51 AM
lol duck bill pliers. I am calling them that from now on! :D

Gr4yb3ard
06-21-2008, 07:33 PM
...and now Mikey weighs in!

Can you two clowns just show up and chat more often?

Probably there's some stupid rule about advertising, but D#@@it!

...err, sure, you've got 1025 different forums to manage.... <sigh>

Gr4yb3ard

HeliSmith
06-22-2008, 04:35 PM
Nikki is too busy to chat much on the forums. She takes the phone calls.

ICCA
06-22-2008, 06:28 PM
lol duck bill pliers. I am calling them that from now on! :D

Am I showing my age here???? :oops:

;) Dave

HeliSmith
06-24-2008, 11:11 AM
No passing on the cardinal knowledge! :D

Gr4yb3ard
06-30-2008, 02:39 AM
Nikki is too busy to chat much on the forums. She takes the phone calls.


Yeah, all 1024 calls per hour...

...I should know, I got you guys on my cellphone speed dial ;-)

Gr4yb3ard

Jetleaf
06-30-2008, 10:39 PM
Am I showing my age here???? :oops:

;) Dave
Not at all Dave, I know exactly what you speak of. Oh wait maybe we're both showing our age. :roll: