Quick questions about CNC head

[MaxdOut]

Hello, big time newbie here. I was interested in getting into heli's and think I am going with the Hurricane 550. Never flow anything other than my nephew's Air Hog Havoc, but thought I would give the real thing a shot. I plan on going with the carbon frame but I had a question about the head.

What's the benefit of having the metal head? Does having the CNC head make that part pretty indestructable in crashes or does it break or bend just like the plastic counter parts?

Thanks!

[Drew816]

Metal is more durable, more precise, tighter tolerances, etc; something to work up too but nice to have from the get-go if you can afford it! I'd say get the Plastic body kit first, carbon is for the hard core 3D crowd and a lot more expensive to replace in case of a nasty crash; which is likely more then once in your flying career.

Before going from a Air Hog Havoc to a Gaui 550 I'd HIGHLY recommend getting a simulator and spending considerable amount of time flying it before dropping cash on a helo. Just my opinion, but if you can't hover and do basic flight with the SunDog 60 in Real Planes G4 for example, you'll quite likely not be able to fly the real thing. The good news is if you try and give up, loose interest there then you've got $200 invested and can likely recoup $150+ of that with no problems. IF on the other hand you become more addicted, ahhh, welcome to Heli-Crack Users Not-So-Anonymous... ;) Where are you located, in the States, overseas? Different sims and Gaui dealers in different locales is why I ask...

A sim' will serve you throughout your flying career, it's a sound investment and good benchmark for interest and skill development. I went from a Lava V4 to a T-Rex 450 and now the Gaui 550, it wasn't easy nor cheap but it's doable.

As for what Gaui stuff to get, tons of options, I'd go basic to start once you're a "Sim Master," stock up on spares and go for it! Build her up over time, you're going to need a good charger or two, tons of batteries, Tx and Rx, let alone the spares...

Welcome, gear yourself all up in geeky RC gear and happy flying!

[mjdee14]

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

"EXACTLY" what Drew said....I would not bother with the metal head nor the CF frames...

You can destry the plastic frame and it costs you $26....one side on the cf Frame $49...

The metal head is nice and required when you spin the blades over 2000 rpms..

You really don't need that right now.....buy the basic kit.....learn to fly the sim...and upgrade as you need it.....

Now....unless your just plain Rich....and HAVE to have all the best stuff and money is now object......

Please take Drew's advice above and start slow.....you'll get many years of great fun out of RC....

Also...get help from someone flying if at all possible....more fun flying with a buddy anyway.


We are here to help in any way......

[JaggedEdge]

Yep.. What Drew said should be stickied and titled.. "Wanna fly RC Helis?"

I've had excellent results crashing on CF frames. Everything else breaks but the frames keep coming back for more. Just my results though.. every crash is different and I've "only" had 6 with the Trex450.

[kahn10]

6......damn your almost like a virgin :lol: .what the boys just all said - but......download the headspeed calculator and work out what your expected headspeeds are going to be.for instance a stock set up with a 13 tooth pinion,42 tooth front gear,20 tooth owb,61 tooth main gear hooked up to the 1100kv motor at 90% efficiency gives you a top head speed of 2400.don't run plastic grips or wood blades at these speeds.....

[MaxdOut]

Thanks for the replies. I was going with carbon because I read it can better withstand crashes and has better option for batteries which I also need. The head I am unsure off. If spending the money now will save some money later in broken parts, then I have no problem in spending the money now. I am not rich by any means but I also read that it’s better to do it now vs. upgrading later. I want more durability from the heli. I know I am going to crash just trying to minimize the cost of repairs in the future. I also wanted something bigger for ease of learning and more stability than the Trex 450, maybe a Trex 500 might fit the bill?

I know I am going to need a lot, both in knowledge and equipment....

[mjdee14]

Thanks for the replies. I was going with carbon because I read it can better withstand crashes and has better option for batteries which I also need. The head I am unsure off. If spending the money now will save some money later in broken parts, then I have no problem in spending the money now. I am not rich by any means but I also read that it’s better to do it now vs. upgrading later. I want more durability from the heli. I know I am going to crash just trying to minimize the cost of repairs in the future. I also wanted something bigger for ease of learning and more stability than the Trex 450, maybe a Trex 500 might fit the bill?

I know I am going to need a lot, both in knowledge and equipment....

Max....

if what you said in the first post is true, then you are starting out with a clean slate....get the right batteries, radio, rcvr, etc, the first time.....

The reason everyone is saying do not get the carbon frame right now is like you said, you are a newbie....the plastic flies so good...and is so cheap to replace parts that it will teach you everything you need to know.....then when your ready to upgrade....you can just buy a cf frame...and swap parts...or as you crash you can upgrade parts when you want.

All we are doing is giving you advice based on a 1000 years total experieince. The cf frames will hold up good, but if you break them your out a lot more money than plastic.

Your decision, we are just telling you what we would do......remember buying everything at once you will be over $1000......

You can get the CF frames.....thats up to you......maybeyou will never crash or buyanother heli and this will be the one...

Let us know what you do and we'll be here to help.

[mysticmead]

yeah.. get a trex 500... IF you want a heli that will have lots of problems with static discharge causing it to crash :D if you don't want that kind of problem, and want a heli that is VERY stable, cheaper to repair after crashes (they do happen), then get a Hurricane 550.

as far as the metal head.. not needed. it's one of those nice to have things unless you plan on spinning the blades real fast and doing 3D, then it's a required part.

crashes happen.. plastic grips are cheap to replace. think of it this way.. plastic breaks easier than metal.. if the grip doesn't break, the next in line would be the failure point. personally, having a grip break in a crash isn't a bad thing. a grip breaking takes LOT of spinning mass away from the heli.

to start you'll want to keep the head speed down and run woodies. later once you get comfortable, you'll want to keep the head speed down and run CF blades :D once you get good at FF and FFF with loops and rolls, increase the head speed and move up to metal grips

[mjdee14]

When your ready fora metal head they sell and upgrade for $79.95 on sale for as low as $59...with headparts, light paddles, tail rotor thrust bearings....everything to you need except the cf blades to spin over 2000 rpm.

[Drew816]

Here's your kit:

http://www.readyheli.com/203999_Hurricane_550_Helicopter_Kit_p/204001.htm

A good list of spares to have on hand:

1 -T-REX 600 LANDING gear and SKID
1 -HURRICANE 550 FIN & STABILIZER SET
2 -HURRICANE 550 MAIN ROTOR BLADES PACK (WOODEN 500MM)
2 -HURRICANE 550 TAIL BOOM - Long
1 -HURRICANE 550 TAIL ROTOR BELT (575XL)
1 -HURRICANE 550 SPINDLE SHAFTS PACK
2 -HURRICANE 550 FLYBAR
1 -HURRICANE 550 MAIN SHAFT PACK
1 -HURRICANE 550 TAIL ROTOR BLADE SET
1 -HURRICANE 550 TAIL OUTPUT SHAFT
1 -HURRICANE 550 MAIN GRIP SET
2 -HURRICANE 550 FRONT MAIN GEAR (50T)
2 -HURRICANE 550 REAR MAIN GEAR (61T)
1 -HURRICANE Blade Holder

Maybe a 13 and 15 tooth pinion for the engine as well (you'll have more tuning options available)

Other necessary components:

Z20A-980 KV Tonic-X Motor:

http://www.helidirect.com/product_info.php?products_id=6027

Radio, Tx and Rx hopefully with Servos?? Well if you get a kit 'fresh' like a Spectrum DX7 it will come with the DS821 Servos which is what I use (and many others); lots of options out there.

http://www.readyheli.com/DX7_DSM_7Ch_Heli_Radio_w_4_DS821_Servos_p/spm2712.htm

I personally use a Futaba T9CHP and a 146ip Rx on my Gaui, Align 75 Amp ESC and Castle BEC and a GY401 Gyro. Batteries, another discussion, I'm using Pro-Tek 3000's and I should have two Zippy 3300's on the way along with a bunch of T-Rex 450 sized batteries in the mix as well.

Anyone feel free to add on or comment; just my 'list' of stuffs and thoughts. Readyheli will work with you to make a complete 'kit' but I don't think they can get the Tonic-X motor which is really the one you want; skip the stocker.

Good luck and keep us up to date!

[mjdee14]

Shipping is so fast, you can also just by the heli, radio, batteries, charger, SIM, SIM, SIM, and then just order parts as needed.....it gives you breathing room between crashes....

[MaxdOut]

Here's your kit:

http://www.readyheli.com/203999_Hurricane_550_Helicopter_Kit_p/204001.htm

A good list of spares to have on hand:

1 -T-REX 600 LANDING gear and SKID
1 -HURRICANE 550 FIN & STABILIZER SET
2 -HURRICANE 550 MAIN ROTOR BLADES PACK (WOODEN 500MM)
2 -HURRICANE 550 TAIL BOOM - Long
1 -HURRICANE 550 TAIL ROTOR BELT (575XL)
1 -HURRICANE 550 SPINDLE SHAFTS PACK
2 -HURRICANE 550 FLYBAR
1 -HURRICANE 550 MAIN SHAFT PACK
1 -HURRICANE 550 TAIL ROTOR BLADE SET
1 -HURRICANE 550 TAIL OUTPUT SHAFT
1 -HURRICANE 550 MAIN GRIP SET
2 -HURRICANE 550 FRONT MAIN GEAR (50T)
2 -HURRICANE 550 REAR MAIN GEAR (61T)
1 -HURRICANE Blade Holder

Maybe a 13 and 15 tooth pinion for the engine as well (you'll have more tuning options available)

Other necessary components:

Z20A-980 KV Tonic-X Motor:

http://www.helidirect.com/product_info.php?products_id=6027

Radio, Tx and Rx hopefully with Servos?? Well if you get a kit 'fresh' like a Spectrum DX7 it will come with the DS821 Servos which is what I use (and many others); lots of options out there.

http://www.readyheli.com/DX7_DSM_7Ch_Heli_Radio_w_4_DS821_Servos_p/spm2712.htm

I personally use a Futaba T9CHP and a 146ip Rx on my Gaui, Align 75 Amp ESC and Castle BEC and a GY401 Gyro. Batteries, another discussion, I'm using Pro-Tek 3000's and I should have two Zippy 3300's on the way along with a bunch of T-Rex 450 sized batteries in the mix as well.

Anyone feel free to add on or comment; just my 'list' of stuffs and thoughts. Readyheli will work with you to make a complete 'kit' but I don't think they can get the Tonic-X motor which is really the one you want; skip the stocker.

Good luck and keep us up to date!
What flight times do you get with the proteks?

[skigolfmike]

I know from experience ReadyHeli will work with you to make a package/combo deal. If you don't want the stock motor, you probably can get them to exchange it for something else for the price difference. Geared properly the Scorpion HK3026-1000/1210 to a Z20-980. The -1400 has more power than the H18, which has similar specs to the Z30-1100. (Haven't tried a Z30, so I don't have personal experience) There are enough gearing options if you plan it out in advance for just about any motor from 900kV to 1400 kV on 6S lipo to get head speeds from 1700-2500.

Drew mentioned the DX7 option, so the biggest decision left is the Gyro and TR servo. There are lots of combos that will work. You might want to consider the a JR 770 gyro. In my opinion it's easier to setup than a 401 and it holds better. I have a DS8900 on my TR and it works great.

Setup properly, the 550 flies great. I went from a Blade 400 to the 550 and it was night and day. My 550 is pretty souped up as I plan to fly it hard, but it's still pretty easy to fly.

[Drew816]

MaxdOut wrote:What flight times do you get with the proteks?Still breaking them in so I've yet to fly them an entire pack but for reference I get 6.5-7.5 minutes with my G-Force 2250 mah T-Rex 450 batteries so I'm expecting great things from these Pro-Teks. I might end up with TOO much flying time available, not sure I can concentrate for 10+ minutes of flight time; after all my mind is 'conditioned' to the time in between commercial breaks on TV so every 7-8 minutes! ;)

I'll report back once they're broken in.