My Next Heli?

[furyphoto]

I dropped my Canon A640 in the ocean last week, and today while trying to decide what camera to buy to replace it with, I started to think that maybe what I really need is a bigger heli to lift my recently purchased Nikon D40x.

Right now I have a Swift swinging 550's with and Askman APLG 360 mount. I feel like I am right at the limit for weight on the Swift, I only get about 4.5 minutes flight on an 10s A123 pack with an AUW of about 10.2 pounds.

What should I get? The Trex 600 seems like the logical choice, with future stretchability if needed , I also considered the Swift 620 because I already own Swifts, although a switch Align wouldn't be a big deal.

I have a Z50a 565kv motor already, that should be a good power plant I think. It would be great if I could run 10s2p A123's, and lift the D40x. Can some of you chime in about the lift capacity and flight time of your 600 machines.

Will a Trex600 do the trick, or should I just considering building a stretched machine from the start?

I already have all of the electronic components, so for the cost of a new camera, I can pretty much put a bigger machine in the air, and be shooting higher quality images with a DSLR.

Thanks,

-A

[flyingrhino]

With the Trex 600 you will be able to lift about 4 pounds. I'm lifting a Airfoil mount with a A640 with no problem. Flight times around 6 minutes. Have you thought about the Bergen Tazer???? I wish it was availble when I bought my Trex.

[MarkWebber]

Yeah, why not a Tazer? Already stretched for you with plenty of umph.

I've been offered the opportunity to try one out for a bit but I'm short on the batteries for it. Very tempting, though. They are one sweet heli. Got to see one that had just gone flybarless on Fri. Nice.

[Cyborg]

Hollie Cow batman, did I just see what I thunk I saw ? Why yes you did pilot bumbler, that was indeed a Carvec 2000, with 18 minutes flight give or take wind speed.
Things that make you go Humm!! :thinking

[terje]

The Bergen Tazer is an interresting machine. I allready own a Bergen Intrepid EB and are considering converting it. The only thing really holding me back are the big expensive batteries it would probably need... Those big 810 blades really lifts a lot though..

Could'nt really grasp what the cyborg were saying...

[SeaHawk]

Yeah, why not a Tazer? Already stretched for you with plenty of umph.

I've been offered the opportunity to try one out for a bit but I'm short on the batteries for it. Very tempting, though. They are one sweet heli. Got to see one that had just gone flybarless on Fri. Nice.

I know what you mean about the batteries. But could it be set up with Similar setup as some of the large jokers?

[MarkWebber]

I'm not positive but, I believe it's flying on 12S. Not sure of the mAh on those, though. I'm sure it'll fly on my 6s 4400's in series but it's designed to carry stick packs not the brick packs that I use with my 600e.

[GJestico]

whats the Taser weigh all up ?

[MarkWebber]

I see on their site it's put at 11.5 lb. w/o batteries. Depending on pack choice, I guess you'd be about 13.5 w/batteries.

I'm going to help Greg Alderman get some video of his flybarless conversion on the turbine this weekend so I'll try to get an AUW on his Tazer and what packs he's using.

[SeaHawk]

good, I'm curious to know what the weight difference is between the Joker and the Tazer as if it's close, maybe I could use some of the well demonstrated Joker motor and battery setups long time Joker users recommend (assuming the gearing on the Tazer will accomodate them).

[furyphoto]

Would love a Tazer, kinda blows the $500ish dollars to cover the cost of the soaked camera budget though! I was thinking about getting a 620, or a 600 to lift my dslr instead of another P&S camera. I already have enough electronics and batteries around to get a 600 in the air.

Instead, I saved a few hundred bucks an went with an interim solution, an (almost) new A640 from ebay is on its way for $170. It will hold me for a bit, hopefully till I set aside enough $$$ for a new Tazer, motor, batts, etc, etc, etc!

I'm thinking about heading to Texas in October to get a good look at one!

-A

[MarkWebber]

I asked Greg today...his Tazer isn't equipped with 800's (you know..one of those 3D guys;)) but it comes in at 12.5lbs running 5000mAh's. You could shave some weight if you went with smaller capacity but would drop in flight times. It's going to pick a respectable load, anyhow.

So far as motor/gearing combos...Chris and Greg have done exhaustive testing on both already so they've got it all figured out for you, already. Gearing changes are easy to as it uses a belt drive setup.

I haven't talked with Chris in a while about it but I know he's been flying his electrics a lot recently.

[SeaHawk]

here is a post of a flybarless Tazer. First I've seen. http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHb9VDCisEg

[doeni]

Instead, I saved a few hundred bucks an went with an interim solution, an (almost) new A640 from ebay is on its way for $170. It will hold me for a bit, hopefully till I set aside enough $$$ for a new Tazer, motor, batts, etc, etc, etc!

-A

Bought mine on ebay 3 days ago for 127$+postage :P ;)

Daniel

[MarkWebber]

Yep, I saw that video...through the camera lens.;)

Though it's a bit out of line on this topic, you'll have to check out the turbine video when Greg get's it posted. It was flying real nice yesterday w/o the flybar. That's one impressive heli.:thumbup:

EDIT: Greg's got that video up here. http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=86568

[furyphoto]

Bought mine on ebay 3 days ago for 127$+postage :P ;)

Daniel

Day after mine finished I think. GRRRRRRR!

-A