Beginners 450 Part 1 Cheap Cheap Cheap

[Racer38]

I am writing an article on a super cheap 450 size electric for beginners. Alot of people who are considering the RC Helicopter hobby are put off by the cost. Well I found a Hong Kong Distributor that has the lowest prices and I was able to put together a complete Trex 450 S Clone for a Total cost of $161.90 shipped. www.hobbycity.com

This is a complete Helicopter minus the Transmitter, Receiver and Battery. All of the parts I compiled should fly well for a Beginner and it should be capable of some mild 3D as well.

They also have support equipment for extremely low prices, for instance a 6S Balancing charger for $37 and 3S 2200 20-30C Batteries for less than $25 . I have a few of these batteries and they give Great Performance for the price.

Attached is a PDF of Part 1, the Heli has been shipped today and I will post follow ups as things progress, Part 2 will cover the build up and test flights.

So if you already have a radio and want a really inexpensive 450 to play with, this might just be the ticket !

Please let me know what ya think, I will take lots of pictures during the build, and I also recommend the Finless Video's on the Trex 450 Build and set up.

Here are the completed articles Part 1 & Part 2 If you have any questions please shoot me a PM or E-mail and I will try and help you out as much as possible !

Part 1 http://helirc.org/article/cheap450part1.pdf

Part 2 http://helirc.org/article/cheap450part2.pdf

Thanks

[DarkStarPDX]

I look forward to reading about the built and the flight results. For comparison I checked ReadyHeli.com and the Align 450 S kit is $200 without servos or a gyro.

[Racer38]

Originally Posted by DarkStarPDX

I look forward to reading about the built and the flight results. For comparison I checked ReadyHeli.com and the Align 450 S kit is $200 without servos or a gyro.

Its gonna be tough to beat the price with any US dealer. I might be building several of these units for use with the RWMAA Big Hover and Help Shack programs, that is if they fly well. Would be nice to be able to Buddy Box a new flyer at an event and not be worried about crashing an expensive heli.

I hope to see it sometime before the end of the week, so hopefully I can do the build this coming weekend.

Craig

[road_rascal]

Definitely keep the updates coming as I'm looking into building a 450 sized 'copter. I have to learn sometime!

[xptical]

The heli is actually a very small part of the cost for a beginner.

You need a charger and a few batteries. That can run $200 easy. More like $300.

Another $300 for a TX and RX.

$200 for a gyro and tail servo.

Finally, $100~$150 for good MG servos for the swash.

So, that's $700 or $800 without the heli. Or tools.

[Racer38]

Originally Posted by xptical

The heli is actually a very small part of the cost for a beginner.

You need a charger and a few batteries. That can run $200 easy. More like $300.

Another $300 for a TX and RX.

$200 for a gyro and tail servo.

Finally, $100~$150 for good MG servos for the swash.

So, that's $700 or $800 without the heli. Or tools.

Obviously you

1. didn't read the article
2. didn't look at the web site

As stated in the article $161.90 for everything but the TX-RX-Battery

Batteries on the web site are under $20 as well as chargers for less than $30 .. Granted it may not be top of the line stuff but more than adequate for a beginner.

Radios DX6i brand new with a RX for $169, so that would give you everything you need to learn to fly for just over $300 ..
Tools maybe another $10 is you dont have what ya need at home already.

Like I said it may not be top notch equipment but its still more than adequate to learn to fly ..

[Steve Joblin]

I too am anxious to hear how this project comes together. One thing that I hope you will include in your analysis is the cost for replacement parts. Part of what makes Align helis so popular is the availability of parts. If I spend the $300 (including tx, rx, batteries, and charger), what will the average cost per crash cost? I know this is a weird request, but if you could make a few crashes and report on the extent of the damage, and ease of getting replacement parts, that would be very helpful!

[Racer38]

Originally Posted by Steve Joblin

I too am anxious to hear how this project comes together. One thing that I hope you will include in your analysis is the cost for replacement parts. Part of what makes Align helis so popular is the availability of parts. If I spend the $300 (including tx, rx, batteries, and charger), what will the average cost per crash cost? I know this is a weird request, but if you could make a few crashes and report on the extent of the damage, and ease of getting replacement parts, that would be very helpful!

Well I really hadnt planned on crashing it hehehe But it does use all the same parts as a Trex 450. So you can buy Trex 450 replacement parts locally or order a couple extra kits for spares from the web site.

I already have a boat load of Trex 450 parts that should cover any mishaps I have so I didnt order an extra kit.

Another thing about this clone is that you can also add Trex 450 upgrade parts to it, so if you decide to keep the Clone you can add metal parts as they get broken.

My package left Hong Kong today via EMS Mail which is express mail. It should be here Thursday or Friday so I hope to have part 2 or the article done and at least get some Hover Flights in over the weekend.

Craig

[flyingeagle]

Eagerly awaiting this article!! I am actually putting the funds together to get a Trex 500 for the barn. This little kit interests me form the standpoint of having a cheap helicopter to 1) practice new things on before trying with a more expensive bird, and 2) having an inexpensive bird hangin' around for the sake of doing it on the cheap. I don't mind spending the money for good equipment, but this would make a fun "beater" helicopter.

Thanks for puting this together and sharing the journey!!

[Jeeperfreek]

I looked at the hobbycity site and couldn't tell which heli you were refering to? The pdf didn't work either but i'll try it again later.

[Racer38]

Originally Posted by Jeeperfreek

I looked at the hobbycity site and couldn't tell which heli you were refering to? The pdf didn't work either but i'll try it again later.

http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...idProduct=8467

Try that link !

[Jeeperfreek]

On back order!

[Racer38]

Originally Posted by Jeeperfreek

On back order!

Mine was on back order when I ordered it, took about 7 days extra to get it..

Craig

[Racer38]

Just a quick update, I get e-mails for the kit status and as of this morning they now have 104 kits in stock according to the web site. This must be a really big seller. So if you wanted a kit now is the time, also you can sign up for e-mail alerts which will let you know when the receive stock on an item..

Craig

[Jeeperfreek]

What was the cost of the shipping? I've seen them on ebay and other sites and just want to compare prices.

[Racer38]

My shipping EMS which is express mail was $31. for my entire order ..

[Racer38]

The kit arrived today !

Here are the pictures so far, I have started to dig in a bit and I am impressed, I hope to have the complete build done by tomorrow and will take pictures as I go along.
I hope to have the Part 2 article finished and posted on Sunday !!!

I will say this much, as of right now I am impressed, nice aluminum Frames came pre built, and the parts seem to be of decent quality.

There are no instructions, so download a copy of the Trex 450 manual to assist with the build up. Alot of it is already pre built so it shouldn't be too difficult !

[fiveoboy01]

Wow what a great idea.... Talk about cheap!

Please keep us all informed on how all the electronic items work.... I'm a little wary with them being so inexpensive, but I'm willing be optimistic about it.

[Racer38]

Ok first couple of notes that will be in the full article.

1: You will need a pinion gear, I am installing an 11 tooth Align pinion since I have a few around the parts bin.

2: Watch out on the hardware, its pretty soft stuff and the heads will strip pretty easily.

3: Motor screws the ones in the spare hardware bag were too small, I found a couple that work just fine but I did have to open up the mounting hole slots a little bit with a drill bit.

4: Ball links, you will need some for the servo's

5: Probably need a couple of servo extension wires as the wires on the servo's I ordered are pretty short

Here are a few more Pictures with the Head and mast installed as well as the motor and main gear.

[Racer38]

Just another update on the build, I cant say it enough the hardware is horrible so be careful. I am using a good set of MA Hex drivers and the heads will strip very easily.

The main rotor blades are fiberglass and have a terrible finish on them but for a beginner its not a big deal.

Here is a picture with the Milk Jug Canopy on it, you can always get a nice painted one for about $20 or so.

Other than that its definitely worth the $35.95 for the kit !

Also I just found out that the Telebee Gyro does in fact have a remote Gain on it !! Yipee