Why should I update my Extreme to a stratus?

[freddyferris]

Thinking about converting my machine...
PLease do give my the plus and cons!
Crash resistancy and so on..
And could every one who answers, please do indicate the weight with canopy and with or without fuel of their machine.. :)

thanks alot!

Fred

[cdrking]

IMO you shouldn't.

Same size bearings on the main shaft. Screwy tank, (they say there's a new one coming). I've heard (from a friend who has one) that the aluminum backets to the landing gear are breaking. I don't like having to route some of the wiring on the outside of the frames. Also SOME have had problems with the placement of the gyro. It's next to the start shaft and CAN cause some problems.

I just don't think you're getting much when you compare it to running a straight Fury.

The pros, I guess:
Better geometry
Lighter weight
Evidently easier to pull the engine

I am waiting for something different to come out or I'll buy another brand, (I have a Fury now).


Jeff

[capebob]

1. The Stratus is lighter
2. Much lower parts count
3. Maintenance is easier
4. Engine alignment is a no-brainer
5. Less CG shift with fuel burn
6. Visible fuel tank

[cdrking]

capebob,

So there are no cons to this machine? There must be something you don't like.

Why is maintenance easier on the Stratus?

Jeff

[WayneBrown]

My only gripe is that it's too light for any wind over 10 MPH..or at least it is for me.

[capebob]

Jeff,

I don't have any argument with your cons but they aren't an issue with me. I don't have a problem with the gyro, I haven't broken a landing gear bracket and I have a R90 SE and all the wires are outside. The only thing I don't like about the stratus is the all the sharp edges of the CF frame. Kind of a pain to protect the servo wires, but that goes with the territory. Maintenance is easier mainly because of the smaller parts count and the fact that it takes me exactly three minutes to remove the top from the bottom. Once that's done access to the engine, clutch train, and drive train is very easy.

Likes and dislikes in this hobby are a very personal thing. If you don't like it that's fine with me. Personally, I like the Stratus more than I did my Extreme.

Bob

[cdrking]

Bob,

Would you say it's easier to get the clutch/uniball alignment correct? How is it accomplished on the Stratus?

Also with the CF frames, can you just sand the edges prior to assembly?

I also assume the Stratus conversion does not come with the new flybar carrier, is that correct? If you do add the new carrier, this IMO brings the parts count up a bit. I have the new carrier on my Fury and love the way it flys but I don't like more parts.

Does the complete Stratus kit (if you can find one) come with the new flybar carrier and the open tail box?

I would really like to find a new heli with a lower parts count AND a few more advancements.

Thanks,

Jeff

[TerryBelanger]

cdrking,
It is definately easier to get the clutch alignment correct. It is accomplished by loosining the 4 bolts that hold the plate mounted to the engine backplate to the bottom frame an sliding it so that there is an even gap from from to back and then tightening the 4 bolts back down. Takes less that a minute after you have done it a few times. Also, if you remove the top half of the frame from the bottom half without removing the engine, 99.9% of the time you don't have to do an engine realignment when you out the frame halfs back together. With the frame halfs taken apart the only reason you would have to remove the engine from the frame is if you are performing some acction that requires the backplate be removed from the engine.

I would not sand the frames. Just wrap your servo wires in mesh and check them from time to time and try to route them so that they are NOT pulled tight against a corner of any frame.

The conversion kit does not come with the new fly-bar carrier.

The complete Stratus kit comes with the carrier and the open tail box. Ray at www.raysheliresource.com gets them in all the time.

If you want some cons it's all going to depend on your flying style. Light means good for the heavy 3ders but bad for the FAIers to a certain extent.
There's nothing wrong with the fuel tank unless you are anal about ashlthetics.
The front servo tray can be bronken easily if your crash hard on the nose but that can be said for every other machine on the market.
I personally have had no problems with mounting the Gyro sensor on the shelf by the start shaft. I can certainly see were if you had a bearing going bad on the start shaft would cause a problem but moving the sensor isn't solving the problem.
The stock canopy mounts on the rear of the copter bring the canopy pretty close to the servo wire if you are one of those that likes to tape the servo wire to the back of the servo. You have 2 options: 1. Route the servo wire overtop or underneath the servo or use another set of the front canopy standoffs wich are a little longer.

Parts count in my opinion isn't that huge an issue. Once the machine is built you really are not stripping the machine completely down since most of the time you remove 4-6 bolts and you are to a point you can do you maintanance or crash checks.

Let me know if I can be of more assistance. I can take pics or video if you would like.

[freddyferris]

Hi Terry!
I already got the new FB carrier so that's no problem!

I would be realy pleased by any infos and detailed photos from the frame!

I'll PM you my email adress!

Fred

[DavidH]

I would be realy pleased by any infos and detailed photos from the frame!


Just click on the pictures on the page below and they will enlarge and you can see the Stratus up close. Look at the assembly manual also on the MA site and you can see how the Stratus goes together.

http://www.miniatureaircraftusa.com/helicopterkits/1026_Stratus/1026_kit_details.asp

David

[Inspector Fuzz]

I don't have a Stratus, but I plan on replacing my extreme with one if or when it hits terra firma..
As far as the pro's for the machine go, I would say that the stratus is a "coming together" of a lot of stuff MA has learned about heli design, over the years.. It seems to me that, mechanicly the Fury was pretty much ironed out in its' last version, with the exception of the engine/clutch alignment difficulty.. That last piece seems to have been solved with the stratus.
I now have 51 gallons through my 1 and a half year old Extreme, and with the exception of some clutch issues due to the old, small clutch the machine has held up well.. Only other stuff I have replaced was dampners and clunk line.
JEFF