TDR VS DIABOLO my thoughts

[helicraze]

Thought i would post a little story.

Many of you know i am very fond of the TDR, so much so i have 2 of them.

When i heard about the diabolo i was lucky enough to get one of the early kits and provide feedback to gerd for any improvements.

When i first ordered i was excited, but then i became anxious, thinking what if its just like another TDR??? Also was not a fan of the belt tail.

When it arrived i was not sure, everything looked good, very solid machine. Couple of issues as it was early kit but Gerd sorted everything out.

First build i used cheap savox servos and a BLS251. Tried RPM 1800-2000 and 14 deg pitch

I really did not enjoy flying it the first few flights, tail was kicking a lot, touchy on cyclic at high speeds (it was not a vbar setup issue). I stepped back and decided to try a few things.
The end result i went with smaller motor (now 4525LE) and a larger pinion to get 2100RPM, less pitch (12.5), went out 1 arm on the tail servo, ordered futaba 253 for cyclic.

It was like night and day difference, the machine became alive. Very smooth and responsive!

I got quite a few PM from people asking me as they could not decide what they want TDR or diabolo.

Ill leave it at this, both are excellent machines, the TDR is focused more on lower RPM (2000 or less, ideally 1800-1900), the diabolo i find likes higher RPM and stays smooth. The TDR does everything you ask but somehow has a slippery and robotic feel to it, i do enjoy it thoroughly and find it very predictable. The diabolo somehow has a more natural feeeling, staying very agile and stable but also pretty fast (maybe not as fast as TDR but pretty close).
I find the diabolo is more solid and can handle the more powerful motors out of the box, battery tray is bigger so you can fit 14S if you wish.

Much as the way you need to fly a TDR to understand what it is about it (and you probably wont believe until you do), the diabolo is much the same.

It really flies like the "devil"!!!

Hope it helps some people decide.

I have a smile everytime i fly it.

[Mercuriell]

That's a really nice summation Michael and I agree entirely with your sentiments

[misskimo]

Hey, Well put, All I can say is, I had a TDR. But never took it out of the box, sold it, now I have the diabolo, it's about 90 % built, still got 2 1/2 months till warm weather, Can't wait to fly it.


T

[smsodhi]

Thanks for sharing. There must be only a very select few who are members of the "TD..ABOLO" club.
I am only a half member but I am loving the way the Diabolo is going together and am enjoying the build. If I enjoy how it flies half as much as I am enjoying the build I will be very happy.

Hey misskimo why did you not build your TDR?

[helicraze]

Maybe he got cold feet?? sorry lol

[Mercuriell]

Originally Posted by helicraze

Maybe he got cold feet?? sorry lol

Seriously I think a lot of TDR owners gonna want a Diabolo in the stable as well - they're really complementary - the Diabolo definitely has more presence in the air with it's fatter tail boom and sounds more powerful - quite a scary roar - the TDR has slipped away before you really know it's been ! I'm going to keep my TDR light and slippy - Pyro motor, 4200 50C packs and put the powerhouse stuff in the Diabolo - 60-65C packs - 4530LE - YGE 160 .....

[Heli G]

Originally Posted by helicraze

It really flies like the "devil"!!!

How do you know HC, have you ridden him? couldn't help myself.

Just kidding, but thanks for the comparison. Now all we need are those damn banshee kits to really compare! Feels like a whole new wicked heli world out there with all the Goblins, Diablos and Banshees'....

[marcosp]

What are everyone's thoughts on the Voodoo? 700 specially to compare with TDR, Diablo, Banshee. I fell in love with the Voodoo 400 as well.

Marcos

[goready]

Originally Posted by marcosp

What are everyone's thoughts on the Voodoo? 700 specially to compare with TDR, Diablo, Banshee. I fell in love with the Voodoo 400 as well.

Marcos

I don't think many can answer your queries. Especially so cos acrobatheli that makes the voodoo only sells the kit in europe to german speaking people.

[marcosp]

Yeah, I sent an email to Stefan and didn't even get an answer. There are many German TDR owners. Maybe someone's got a Voodoo too. And about getting a Voodoo from outside of Europe? Everything's possible...

Marcos

[marcosp]

I just checked emails and he did answer that he doesn't sell outside of Europe and German speaking countries because manuals are in German only...

Too bad...

Marcos

[helicraze]

Is there an official voodoo 700 or only a stretch??

[marcosp]

There are videos on youtube already.

Marcos

[goready]

Originally Posted by helicraze

Is there an official voodoo 700 or only a stretch??

The voodoo600 can be converted to the 700 with a conversion kit.

[marcosp]

You mean the videos are converted 600s? They are the same in the end anyway. The site shows the 3 helis (400, 600, 700) plus the conversion.

[velocity90]

Originally Posted by marcosp

Yeah, I sent an email to Stefan and didn't even get an answer. There are many German TDR owners. Maybe someone's got a Voodoo too. And about getting a Voodoo from outside of Europe? Everything's possible...

Marcos

They are in one word, great! You can stretch the 600 to 700, or buy the kit for the 700. In the end its the same heli.

[esmoglo]

Good review!

[jakeg1999]

I would love a Voodoo 400 myself......sure wish I could find a way to get one.....

[jakeg1999]

I can't wait for the next batch to be available. I'm supposedly on the US dist. list..

[marcosp]

I put my order for a Diabolo today.