T-Rex 500EFL Pro first real FBL?

[RC_Feen]

I have a situation that I'm trying to decide on. I have a new in box still sealed T-Rex 500E Super Combo that I have the option to return it and get the 500EFL Pro and pay the difference. My concern is that I've only flown my little mCPX that is FBL and the 500EFL would be my first bigger FBL heli. I want a T-Rex 500 size heli that I can use to get better flying but since I'm not a real good flyer I'm concerned that I'm getting ahead of my self going FBL rather than a normal FB head. I've had a Blade 400 and Protos 500 and could fly them both but got rid of the 400 because I was always having to tweak it to fly right and the Protos I didn't have local parts support. So it comes down to do I just keep the 500E...build it...fly it and get better flying and then go FBL when my skills/confidence in flying are better or just start with the 500EFL? Thanks!

[Maypole]

I say go fbl all the way. Easy to set up, fewer mechanical parts, better in the wind, and you said yourself you would eventually end up fbl so might as well start there.

I went straight from the mCP X to a 500 3G, and then to the Efl Pro, have never looked back and couldn't be happier.

[RC_Feen]

Originally Posted by Maypole

I say go fbl all the way. Easy to set up, fewer mechanical parts, better in the wind, and you said yourself you would eventually end up fbl so might as well start there.

I went straight from the mCP X to a 500 3G, and then to the Efl Pro, have never looked back and couldn't be happier.

Thanks for the reply. Few mechanical parts is one thing I noticed on the 500EFL which I liked. The only other small concern I had was the difference between the TT and belt driven tail. With the belt driven tail it would be more forgiving if you make contact with the tail blades unintentionally. With the TT I would expect that you would strip the TT drive gears... Only experience I have with TT driven tails is on my MA Spectra G gasser.

[Maypole]

You could either put some 3mm spacers on the rear skid mounts to raise the tail up just a bit, or just use skids from the 600 which not only raises the whole heli but gives you a really stable platform until you get more comfortable.

The larger, more forgiving platform provided by the 600 skids also comes in handy when you have an un-planned auto due to a magnet seperation in the motor.

Ask me how I know!

[leedawg]

If you can handle the MCPx with out putting it in you will have no problem with the 500 efl its way more stable than the MCPx. It flies better stays locked in tail dose not blow out like the MCPx. For me it would be a no brainer buy the EFL. Its their newest design and built very solid and has all the upgraded parts. Etc. Send it back...

[NRPY]

Go FBL. Thank us later.

[gravydrive]

Switch it out for sure!

[RC_Feen]

Thanks again.....I asked the guys at the LHS awhile ago about trading my 500E for the 500EFL and they told me to stay with the Flybar head if I planned on getting into 3D at some point. Is there still a big debate between FB and FBL heads as far as which one is better for 3D? The 500EFL Pro does have a cleaner look and even though it is more expensive initially crash cost should be a little cheaper I would think. Is that a fare assessment? Also...where is everyone mounting the ESC? Under the battery tray or on the side of the frame? And one last question for now....when mounting the 3GX does anyone use ZEAL tape for vibration absorbent rather than double sided sticky tape? What you would use when mounting a gyro.

[tomd27858]

A few facts you want to consider when making your choice.

FBL is more stable, is more efficient, and is more wind resistant. I have the EFL and was a flybar guy till a few months ago. The hype is true. The FBL systems due a good job of improving the flight characteristics of a heli.

FBL is very easy to mechanically set up.

FBL will hold it's value longer if you ever sell.


I am not sure about crash costs but they do crash different....imho. Instead of replacing head parts you end up replacing gear sets. Tit for tat in my book so crash costs don't sway me one way or another. One thing is certain, after a crash the head set up is simpler than a flybarred heli.

I mounted my ESC per the instructions under the battery tray. I am on 50 flights or so and there have been no issues.

Be sure your tail comes with the shims. That is the only "upgrade" needed for the bird to perform outstanding.

I am not familiar with the 3GX and the Zeal tape. All of my FBL are BeastX with 3M outdoor tape. On my flybarred machines I use Futaba gyro tape on my Futaba gyros.


As far as stability, you will be impressed. Compared to the MCPX, FBL 450's, and such - the 500 EFL just sits there and waits for you to tell it what to do then it does it with a tremendous amount of power and dexterity. I got tickled with my son. He feels the EFL is a mix between the 450 pro fbl and the 600 fb he has flown. The 500 EFL is as nimble as the 450 and has the stability close to the 600 fb due to the fbl system.

You won't regret it.

[RC_Feen]

tomd27858....Thanks for the detailed feedback. Right now I'm checking into getting a 500EFL Super Pro without the 3GX flybarless unit and then use the new AR7200BX.

[tomd27858]

You are very welcome. If you have any questions, just give a shout. The EFL forum is full of great guys always willing to lend a hand.

[hndaluvr]

Originally Posted by RC_Feen

Right now I'm checking into getting a 500EFL Super Pro without the 3GX flybarless unit and then use the new AR7200BX.

Excellent choice!

[rotaryguy]

Originally Posted by RC_Feen

Thanks again.....I asked the guys at the LHS awhile ago about trading my 500E for the 500EFL and they told me to stay with the Flybar head if I planned on getting into 3D at some point.

That's a rediculous statement from your hobby shop, fbl is superior imo and all the major players manufacturing helis these days are going fbl.
I have owned all versions of the Trex 500, unless you are really tight on funds you want the 500 efl pro! I also believe a flybared heli is more difficult to setup, there is much more to repair in a crash and takes more power to spin all those extra parts. In the end the choice is yours, do you want VHS or DVD?

[tomd27858]

Originally Posted by rotaryguy

That's a rediculous statement from your hobby shop, fbl is superior imo and all the major players manufacturing helis these days are going fbl.
I have owned all versions of the Trex 500, unless you are really tight on funds you want the 500 efl pro! I also believe a flybared heli is more difficult to setup, there is much more to repair in a crash and takes more power to spin all those extra parts. In the end the choice is yours, do you want VHS or DVD?

Very accurate!

+1

[Zorgnot]

That's like buying a car with drum brakes a carburetor and no abs as your first car because you're still learning to drive. Lol. The LHS probably doesn't want you to return that 500e cause they'll have a hard time selling it.

[RC_Feen]

Does anyone know if there is a 500EFL model in Phoenix Sin? I'm running version 3.0s. Another thing I was looking into is that I have two sets of standard 425 main blades. Can these be used with a FBL heli? I've never figured out if there was a difference between FB and FBL main blades. IMHO... I would think there wouldn't be a difference. Thanks everyone!

[Zorgnot]

Fbl blades are weighted differently than fb blades

[magbarn]

Originally Posted by rotaryguy

That's a rediculous statement from your hobby shop, fbl is superior imo and all the major players manufacturing helis these days are going fbl.
I have owned all versions of the Trex 500, unless you are really tight on funds you want the 500 efl pro! I also believe a flybared heli is more difficult to setup, there is much more to repair in a crash and takes more power to spin all those extra parts. In the end the choice is yours, do you want VHS or DVD?

+1000000000
return that outdated heli pronto. FBL much easier to learn 3d as it's much more stable in the air vs FB. I hate putting together a FB head after a crash and the setup is ridiculous.

[RC_Feen]

Originally Posted by Zorgnot

Fbl blades are weighted differently than fb blades

What is a good economical set of FBL blades?

[Zorgnot]

Idk about cheap, the align ones are probably the cheapest. I like Radix. Haven't tried edge yet, but a lot of people use them.