rack201
07-13-2008, 07:40 AM
I've been waiting for an excuse to upgrade and today I snapped something in the stock plastic head. I've seen many people here talk about the CoperX CNC head. So I have a few questions..
1) I'm assuming this one (from www.cnchelicopter.com) is what I need and is a straight swap for the Belt CP stock? http://www.cnchelicopter.com/servlet/the-1239/ESky-Belt-CP-CNC/Detail
2) Is this head much better than the Esky CNC one?
3) Can I continue to use the cheapo no-name wooden blades I have been using?
4) I'd like to buy a stack of feathering shafts to suit. Does the CopterX head use the same 47.6mm feathering shaft that the Esky CNC upgrade head does?
5) Is there a CopterX CNC tail assembly to match? If not, what are people upgrading to?
Thats it.. (for now).
Cheers
another_finn
07-13-2008, 08:41 AM
1) I'm assuming this one (from www.cnchelicopter.com) is what I need and is a straight swap for the Belt CP stock?
Yes, that combo is a straight swap. Incidentally, that's not a CopterX, it's a 3DX/Sonix. It's made of higher grade aluminum than the CopterX and (IMHO) it's slightly better quality.
2) Is this head much better than the Esky CNC one?
Ooh yeah. It's a better design, made of better materials to tighter tolerances. It's a big difference.
3) Can I continue to use the cheapo no-name wooden blades I have been using?
The blade grips are T-Rex standard, so you would have to figure out how to shave 2 mm off the blade roots... not really worth the trouble. Just get Align 315 or 325 Pros and you won't have to keep changing blades after every five flights. The helicopter flies much better with decent blades, and it works out cheaper in the long run. I still have my original set after more than six months and about half a dozen light crashes.
4) I'd like to buy a stack of feathering shafts to suit. Does the CopterX head use the same 47.6mm feathering shaft that the Esky CNC upgrade head does?
The CopterX uses Align V2 spec shafts, which are a millimeter thicker at the center. The 3DX head you linked to uses 3x42 mm shafts. I think I've seen some references to an "earlier style" 47 mm shaft with the 3DX, so maybe you could use them with spacers. Again, not really worth bothering with. 3DX shafts are much better than Esky.
5) Is there a CopterX CNC tail assembly to match? If not, what are people upgrading to?
Yes, both CopterX and 3DX make tail assemblies that will fit. The tail boom diameter is more or less standard, so any T-Rex compatible tail mechanics will work. I have standard 3DX and CopterX tail mechanics, and both will get the job done although I like the Microheli Precision Tail Pro V3 more than either. This one (http://www.cnchelicopter.com/servlet/the-1184/trex-3dx450-%28BSE-CSE/Detail) looks nearly identical, and would probably make a nice companion for that silver head.