Ultimate T-Rex 500 Variants Guide

[Russell Harding]

When I was new to Align 500 Helicopters, I was endlessly confused by all the variants. Had I had easier access to information like this, I would probably have made a smarter purchasing decision.

Please add any comments, corrections or additions in the comments below and I will update this post. This should be a 500 forum sticky (IMHO).

Q4 2007 - First Align 500 Class Helicopter

Trex 500 GF (KX017004)& CF (KX017001)
----------------
The original release variants are easy to identify, especially the GF (AKA G10, Glass Fiber) version, as it has the silver fiber main frame and tail fin. The CF Version has carbon frame plates and tail fin. Rarely also called "T-Rex 500EP" (Electric Power).

Common Specs for GF & CF:
Belt drive
60A ESC (RCE-BL60G)
500L Motor (1600kv)

Other identifying features:
Plastic bearing blocks
Plastic tail case/tail grips
Alloy main blade grips

Q4 2009 - Torque Tube Tail Introduced

Trex 500 ESP (KX017011)
--------------------
Torque tube tail introduction. This model was, and still is, very common. ESP = Electric Super Pro.

Specs:
Torque Tube
60A ESC (RCE-BL60G)
500M Motor (1600kv)
DS510 Servos

Other identifying features:
Torque tube
Metal tail case/grips
Flybarred head with carbon paddles and alloy main grips

Q1 2010 - First Flybarless Align 500

Trex 500 ESP 3G (KX017012)
--------------------
Introduction of Flybarless with 3G Gyro. First generation flybarless head and flybarless 3 axis gyro. Canopy of ESP (flybar) and ESP 3G (FBL) are similar/identical.

Specs:
Torque Tube
60A ESC (RCE-BL60G)
500M Motor (1600kv)
DS510/DS520 Servos

Other identifying features:
Torque Tube
Metal Tail Case/Grips
3G Flybarless head (note main grips with flat plate and long linkage ball)

Q1 2011 - Budget model and first PRO series, flybarred


Trex 500E (KX017014) & Trex 500E PRO (KX017015)
---------------------
500E was branded as the 'budget' version of the ESP, with plastic main blade grips, plastic tail case/grips. Although the 500E was the 'budget' version, it was still the first kit to feature the 500MX motor and 70A ESC. Belt Drive.

The 500E PRO was the first PRO series 500. 500 PRO features a reduced tail gear ratio to support headspeeds over 2650 RPM, a narrower frame, and an in frame mounted tail servo. Torque Tube.

Common Specs:
70A ESC (RCE0BL70G)
500MX Motor
DS510 Servos (Metal Gears for 500E PRO)

Other identifying features:
The 500E has been the only model to feature plastic main blade grips
PRO tail fin has sharp angles on the top and bottom, rather than curves
PRO frame has plastic inmolding surrounding cutouts.
PRO frame has inboard tail servo.

Q2 2011 - EFL PRO - EFL only available in PRO configurations

Trex 500EFL PRO (KX017016)
----------------------
As the EFL was only available in PRO configurations, sometimes the PRO is left off the model name. EFL head is used (note difference from 3G head in the first flybarless release).

Specs:
70A ESC (RCE0BL70G)
500MX Motor
DS510M/DS520 Servos
Torque Tube

Other identifying features:
EFL head features blade grips with angled CNC control arms bolted to grips
DS510M Metal Gear servos with alloy horns
Alloy Tail Case, tail grips, main grips, anti-rotation bracket

Q4 2012 - DFC PRO - DFC Head

Trex 500 PRO DFC (RH50E01X)
----------------------
The PRO DFC features the lower profile DFC head, and new servos.

Specs:
70A ESC (RCE0BL70G)
500MX Motor
DS515M/DS525M Servos
Torque Tube

Other identifying features:
DFC head
PRO Chassis
515M/525M Servos

[rob78]

Excellent Post.

Parts commonality has been an issue for some. I had to make lots of phone calls and return purchases on occasion due to issues.

Other than the pro, all Trex 500 frame pieces are cross compatible between models.

Main shaft bearing blocks are the same across models (excluding Pro).

All Fly-barred head parts are cross compatible.

All torque tube pieces are cross-compatible (PRO has different ratio). All belt drive pieces are cross compatible. Torque tube and belt drive parts are not compatible with one another (nope, you can't use the pro tail pitch slider if you've got belted tail).

Main Rotor grip bearings are the same size across the board.

Tail grip bearing sizes are the same except for Pro.

One-way bearings and main gear cases are compatible across the board.

Screws/fasteners are compatible across the board.

[jdfelosi]

Good info
+1 Sticky

[Bladefx]

heres a great pdf from ronlund
http://www.ronlund.com/mm5/part_finder_pdf/RH50E02X.pdf

after buying a DFC kit I decided to convert it to DFC/EFL hybrid using DFC yoke, EFL grip extension, swash driver H50127, 500 pro swash and EFL main shaft.

I found the DFC to be too rigid for me.

[oy2503]

Hmm, my old ESP kit came with the 500L motor.

Remember the frames; the newer kind were cut down in front
to allow for more battery space. It also had a frame brace in
front of the "aileron" and "pitch" servos.

And my newer ESP kit - one of the very last - came with the 500MX motor.

Cheers
Erik

[Trexwilly]

Good job...

I think mine has at least one piece from each! LOL

[rob78]

Originally Posted by Trexwilly

Good job...

I think mine has at least one piece from each! LOL

HA!

I've got a CF that doesn't have any CF parts any more.

[Trexwilly]

LOL mine has...
Kasama parts
Protos Parts
Custom Heli Parts
KDE parts
Mikado Parts
JR parts
MKS parts

[STAZZ]

So, what we all now missing is T-Rex 500L PRO - Q4/2013. Stretched to accomodate 500mm blades with battery between the frames with similar to just released 450L design. I hope Align is reading this.

[Gladius]

+2 on the stickie nomination!

[Russell Harding]

Bump

[sixOHfour]

Great thread!
Just wanted to add that even though the 500 DFC Pro is picured online and on the box as having the body with the checkered flag towards the back, they now come with a new red and yellow body.

[Dustin Mustangs]

Another vote for a sticky on this one or at the very least a prominent position in the FAQ sticky.

[Gladius]

Can I vote twice? +3 on the stickie!

[scolist]

Stickie Please!

[Relisys190]

This is fantastic.

[Relisys190]

This should be a sticky for newbs like myself . Very helpful

[ChasingTail]

Originally Posted by sixOHfour

Great thread!
Just wanted to add that even though the 500 DFC Pro is picured online and on the box as having the body with the checkered flag towards the back, they now come with a new red and yellow body.

My wife purchased one for me, November 2013 and it came with the checkered flag on the canopy. When did they change the canopy?

[sixOHfour]

Originally Posted by ChasingTail

My wife purchased one for me, November 2013 and it came with the checkered flag on the canopy. When did they change the canopy?

I got mine a few weeks ago, apparently in mid 2013 they changed the body to the photo I have attached.
The packaging has not changed and still depicts the checkered flag body. I would have preferred the checkered flag but at the end of the day it dosent matter I suppose lol. The new body looks great in person.

[Nikki5]

Is TREX 500 gf still a good buy? ( will if so convert to FBL)
How is 500L Brushless motor and RCE-BL60G 60A Brushless ESCX1 compared to newer models?

Nikki