Pick up an atom, couple questions.

[fjoe]

I'm still working on inverted orientation, backwards circles, hurricanes, etc so I like longer flight time and don't really need crazy head speed.

1) Best batteries? Looking at the glacier 3000mah - 30c, can you go 3300mah?

2) BD3sx fitment? I am looking to run the 3sx I was poking around to look for some pictures and it looks like it may not fit on the gyro tray? Anybody have any insight to this?

3) Where does the receiver go? Looking at an AR7000 or ar8000. I see some mount it on the opposite side of the ESC. I also see some mount it inside the frame.

4) ESC, it comes with the stock hobbywing ESC. Is the gov any good? How good is the BEC on this thing?

5) Manual, the one I DL from Compass still has a flybar? Is there a newer version for the FBL head?

6) Dampers, should I just go with the KBDD lime, like I said I am not going for crazy HS. I've read that the stock seem to wear out fast.

thanks!

[Jmann841]

I can answer a few of those.

The 3300's run great in this heli. I was getting 10 min flight times at low headspeeds (not sure what headspeed) but still had enough power for light 3D flight. Highly recommend them, the CG wasn't an issue in flight and if you stretch to 500mm blades the 3300's are better for that as well.

For the FBL, I can highly recommend the spirit FBL if you want rescue. It is half the price of the demon, offers many more features, and has the same reliable rescue both upright and inverted. Not to mention it is much smaller and can be mounted easily on the Atom 500 (I am running it and there is tons of extra room on the tray).

243 bucks for the FBL with 7 dollar shipping to the US. More should be available later this week. www.spirit-system.com

The manual has an insert for the new FBL version but the heli comes pre assembled. Are you buying a used one or new?

I believe the new ones come with a YGE rebrand 60 amp instead of the HW 60 amp.

[TheBum]

Originally Posted by fjoe

I'm still working on inverted orientation, backwards circles, hurricanes, etc so I like longer flight time and don't really need crazy head speed.

1) Best batteries? Looking at the glacier 3000mah - 30c, can you go 3300mah?

Glaciers are very good. You can go 3300, but the heli will be a bit nose heavy. 3000 is the sweet spot.

2) BD3sx fitment? I am looking to run the 3sx I was poking around to look for some pictures and it looks like it may not fit on the gyro tray? Anybody have any insight to this?

Just let it hang over the sides. As long as you have padding all the way across the frame, it'll be fine.

3) Where does the receiver go? Looking at an AR7000 or ar8000. I see some mount it on the opposite side of the ESC. I also see some mount it inside the frame.

That's personal preference. You can stick it on the side of the frame for easy access or inside the frame if your antennas are long enough to exit the frame.

4) ESC, it comes with the stock hobbywing ESC. Is the gov any good? How good is the BEC on this thing?

If it's the old Platinum ESC, then neither the governor nor the BEC is very good. If it's a Platinum V3, both the BEC and governor are reported to be quite good.

5) Manual, the one I DL from Compass still has a flybar? Is there a newer version for the FBL head?

There's a supplemental manual for the head:
http://ffevj.gfdzo.servertrust.com/v...500FBLHead.pdf

6) Dampers, should I just go with the KBDD lime, like I said I am not going for crazy HS. I've read that the stock seem to wear out fast.

If I were you, I'd go for the KBDDs from the get-go.

[fjoe]

Originally Posted by Jmann841;

For the FBL, I can highly recommend the spirit FBL if you want rescue.

Too late all ready got a used HC3sx on the way, spirt was out of stock.

Originally Posted by Jmann841;

The manual has an insert for the new FBL version but the heli comes pre assembled. Are you buying a used one or new?

I believe the new ones come with a YGE rebrand 60 amp instead of the HW 60 amp.

Used, Maybe the guy will include the paper manual.

Originally Posted by TheBum;

If it's the old Platinum ESC, then neither the governor nor the BEC is very good. If it's a Platinum V3, both the BEC and governor are reported to be quite good.

Any idea from this pic :

Originally Posted by TheBum;

If I were you, I'd go for the KBDDs from the get-go.

Are they "atom" specific or are they the general 500 sized damper? Got a link or a P/N? I did google but was unsure, all I could find was the general 500 sized.

[TheBum]

Originally Posted by fjoe

Any idea from this pic :

That's the older Platinum.

Are they "atom" specific or are they the general 500 sized damper? Got a link or a P/N? I did google but was unsure, all I could find was the general 500 sized.

They are Atom-specific. The hole in the head block is much smaller on the Atom than on the T-Rex 500. These are the Atom-specific ones:

http://www.prostarhobby.com/product-p/4114.htm

Unfortunately, they're out of stock everywhere in the US, so you'll probably have to go stock, at least for a while, unless you want to do some surgery on T-Rex 500 dampers..

[fjoe]

Ah crap, hmm now my good deal is not as good...

[TheBum]

I don't think the BEC is that bad, especially since it'll only be driving mini servos with the possible exception of the tail servo. The governor is pretty much crap though.

[quinn]

What radio do you have? Just use a throttle v curve and and cyclic to throttle mixing. Better than some govs out there. Also doesn't the demon have a gov? If it does you just need an rpm sensor for it.

[Jmann841]

The hobbywing 100a V3 is around 80 bucks new and an excellent ESC for this heli. Powerful BEC and will have no problem handling anything you throw at it

[fjoe]

I have a DX8. Unfortunately the BD does not have a gov.

I'll get it in the air with the hobbywing that is on it for now, it will be a good experience to try a v-curve and some mixes

thanks guys

[quinn]

Personally I prefer mixing over less than perfect govs. It won't hold a perfectly consistent rpm the whole flight, but response is instant when you give hard collective or cyclic. With some governors the headspeed has to lag for a split second before the ESC senses it and adds power. It will do great with properly adjusted v curves and mixes. I also have a dx8. Let me know if you need help with it. Its really simple.

[GimpyGolden]

I put a 3X on my Atom 500, actually fly's pretty good.
I did have to slightly notch the frames to get the fit I wanted.
I'll get some pic's later today and post. His is using two Sat's so no Rx mounting but there is enough room on the side frames or even between the frames behind the motor.

[fjoe]

Thanks Gimpy. Good to know!

I guess I'll know more when I get to look at it more closely. I got to check an Atom out last weekend at a fun fly they had at my local field, but did not really note the layout. I guess it planted the seed, 2 days later I bought one

I see that space behind the motor, just did not know how much space is there.

[fjoe]

Ok was going to order some batteries tonight.

The 3000mah glaciers are 500g, the 3300mah are 518g, 10% more power for 4% more weight? Is 18g going to make a difference?

[Frequency]

I have 4 pulse 3300mah 6s packs I'm selling from my 12s setup

2 are 35c
2 are 45c

[fjoe]

Funny I picked up a hobbywing 100a v3 on amazon for $63 last night! Now it is $85, gotta love Amazon