B400 flying great now that I've replaced the following...

Big_Daddy · 02-18-2009, 10:39 AM

In order:

Cyclic Sx's (HS65MG)
Rudder Sx (DS290)
Gyro (GY401)
Blades (E-Flight carbons)
Washout block & arms (E-Flight aluminum)

Wow, what a difference!!

It flies like I expected it to fly in the first place.

B400 owners, do yourself a big favor and throw the stock servos in the deepest part of the largest body of water close to you. An otherwise great little package is crippled by the atrociously sloppy and fragile stock servos (and gyro for that matter).

I really enjoy flying this little bird now.
BD

neilg. · 02-18-2009, 10:54 AM

you might have to wait until

spring to throw em away

Martinarcher64 · 02-18-2009, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big_Daddy

B400 owners, do yourself a big favor and throw the stock servos in the deepest part of the largest body of water close to you. An otherwise great little package is crippled by the atrociously sloppy and fragile stock servos.

Couldn't agree more. Those stock servos caused me a couple crashes. Glad you have it dialed in.

FLYN · 02-18-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big_Daddy

In order:

Cyclic Sx's (HS65MG)
Rudder Sx (DS290)
Gyro (GY401)
Blades (E-Flight carbons)
Washout block & arms (E-Flight aluminum)

Wow, what a difference!!

It flies like I expected it to fly in the first place.

B400 owners, do yourself a big favor and throw the stock servos in the deepest part of the largest body of water close to you. An otherwise great little package is crippled by the atrociously sloppy and fragile stock servos (and gyro for that matter).

I really enjoy flying this little bird now.
BD

Replaced all of the above (plus full metal head -grips), not got any carbon blades though & all I can say I second that "Wow, what a difference!" It now flies so smooth, as well as being fast & responsive! It's a totally different experience from the stock setup.

Big_Daddy · 02-18-2009, 12:37 PM

I considered blinging out the whole head with the metal parts but just did the washout and arms because they were notchy and the source of the majority of the slop in the linkage after the stock servos were replaced.

When faced with the best $100 to spend on the B400 between a full on metal head set up versus three new HS65MG's, I'd go the Sx route again without hesitation.

I crash often enough that I'll the opportunity to upgrade to the metal parts eventually.

BD

mr2mkii · 02-18-2009, 12:56 PM

I couldn't agree more, especially where the servo/gyro is concerned.

I still have my stock b400, and then my modified one, and I fly both each day. It really makes me appreciate the greater precision of the upgraded servos & gyros. I find myself wanting to solely fly the better b400, but it's supposed to be my golden heli, and I don't want to wreck it trying new things.

So now I'm at a crossroads, upgrade my stock one, or just sell it!

It is extremely nice having a back up though!

FLYN · 02-18-2009, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big_Daddy

I considered blinging out the whole head with the metal parts but just did the washout and arms because they were notchy and the source of the majority of the slop in the linkage after the stock servos were replaced.

When faced with the best $100 to spend on the B400 between a full on metal head set up versus three new HS65MG's, I'd go the Sx route again without hesitation.

I crash often enough that I'll the opportunity to upgrade to the metal parts eventually.

BD

Totally agree stock servos & gyro should be the 1st port of call for upgrades, though there is something to be said for getting rid of the stock plastic slop in the head, but as you said the greatest performance gains are to be had with new servos etc.

I do remember seeing a post a while back were someone's (sorry I forget who) plastic head came apart mid-flight after a string of crashes. Ouch!

Big_Daddy · 02-18-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr2mkii

I couldn't agree more, especially where the servo/gyro is concerned.

I still have my stock b400, and then my modified one, and I fly both each day. It really makes me appreciate the greater precision of the upgraded servos & gyros. I find myself wanting to solely fly the better b400, but it's supposed to be my golden heli, and I don't want to wreck it trying new things.

So now I'm at a crossroads, upgrade my stock one, or just sell it!

It is extremely nice having a back up though!

I'd keep it around. The 400 has now become my "basher" With a 450 V2 and a 600 Nitro pro, my trusty little Blade gets the honor of testing all of my new maneuvers. The problem before with this philosophy was the blade never flew well enough to actually develop my skills (or lack of).

I spent the whole time chasing the thing around the sky trying to predict where it was going to wander off next. It was like some sort of sensory deprivation torture experiment in RC flying. With worthy components installed, it flies like a smaller, more nimble Trex.

I'm convinced that I'll never get rid of it now.

dumorian · 11-03-2009, 11:03 AM

I just ordered a set of Hitec 5065s, a Spartan gyro and the DS290. Did a couple of blings at the same time... metal head parts. Already running CF blades which are sweet! I'm looking forward to a more controllable heli, although as a noobe... I'm getting it under control pretty good as it is. If it gets better, I'm going to feel a lot better about my piloting skills! Thanks for this post. Good info.

vanguy · 11-03-2009, 11:22 AM

This is my dilemma about upgrading the Blade. I priced out the JR285MG servo kit at $230 and a good gyro at $150. That's $410 already. If you get CF blades another $35, or get into some sort of metal head another $30- $80, BSC upgrade to something in the 35A range, another $40 or so. Pretty soon all the upgrades will add up to around $500. All this to make the Blade fly much better which it will. However, I went the route of buying another heli (Trex Pro) for a total of $560. The Pro is night and day better than the Blade since it is almost 2x price of the stock Blade. Maybe it's my set up or skill level but I'm still more fighting with the Blade as oppose to be in control with the Pro. I must say the Blade does make it more challenging to fly but do not feel I have total control. Not sure what I will do with the Blade.

02-18-2009, 10:39 AM	#1
Big_Daddy My HF Map location Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Woodinville, WA. USA	B400 flying great now that I've replaced the following... In order: Cyclic Sx's (HS65MG) Rudder Sx (DS290) Gyro (GY401) Blades (E-Flight carbons) Washout block & arms (E-Flight aluminum) Wow, what a difference!! It flies like I expected it to fly in the first place. B400 owners, do yourself a big favor and throw the stock servos in the deepest part of the largest body of water close to you. An otherwise great little package is crippled by the atrociously sloppy and fragile stock servos (and gyro for that matter). I really enjoy flying this little bird now. BD

02-18-2009, 12:56 PM	#6
mr2mkii Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Greenville, NC	I couldn't agree more, especially where the servo/gyro is concerned. I still have my stock b400, and then my modified one, and I fly both each day. It really makes me appreciate the greater precision of the upgraded servos & gyros. I find myself wanting to solely fly the better b400, but it's supposed to be my golden heli, and I don't want to wreck it trying new things. So now I'm at a crossroads, upgrade my stock one, or just sell it! It is extremely nice having a back up though! __________________ mCX / Blue Blade 400 HS-65MGs GY401 w/3400g CCBEC Blade 400 HG-5000 Gyro w/5083, CNC Head T-Rex 600e w/HS-5625MGs GY611 w/9256 Flasher 450 JR-285s, G401B w/3400g, 440M, Furion ESC, CCBEC (Converting into 1.3GHz FPV)!

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02-18-2009, 10:54 AM	#2
neilg. Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: MASSACHUSETTS	you might have to wait until spring to throw em away

02-18-2009, 12:37 PM	#5
Big_Daddy My HF Map location Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Woodinville, WA. USA	I considered blinging out the whole head with the metal parts but just did the washout and arms because they were notchy and the source of the majority of the slop in the linkage after the stock servos were replaced. When faced with the best $100 to spend on the B400 between a full on metal head set up versus three new HS65MG's, I'd go the Sx route again without hesitation. I crash often enough that I'll the opportunity to upgrade to the metal parts eventually. BD

11-03-2009, 11:03 AM	#9
dumorian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Virginia	I just ordered a set of Hitec 5065s, a Spartan gyro and the DS290. Did a couple of blings at the same time... metal head parts. Already running CF blades which are sweet! I'm looking forward to a more controllable heli, although as a noobe... I'm getting it under control pretty good as it is. If it gets better, I'm going to feel a lot better about my piloting skills! Thanks for this post. Good info.

11-03-2009, 11:22 AM	#10
vanguy Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: PA	This is my dilemma about upgrading the Blade. I priced out the JR285MG servo kit at $230 and a good gyro at $150. That's $410 already. If you get CF blades another $35, or get into some sort of metal head another $30- $80, BSC upgrade to something in the 35A range, another $40 or so. Pretty soon all the upgrades will add up to around $500. All this to make the Blade fly much better which it will. However, I went the route of buying another heli (Trex Pro) for a total of $560. The Pro is night and day better than the Blade since it is almost 2x price of the stock Blade. Maybe it's my set up or skill level but I'm still more fighting with the Blade as oppose to be in control with the Pro. I must say the Blade does make it more challenging to fly but do not feel I have total control. Not sure what I will do with the Blade.