Greetings All

[Cadjocky]

Hello All,

After a bit of research I decided to cut my teeth on a Trex and got an ok deal on a 450 XL SE. Still need to get all the electronics. Just wanted to say what a great community here and invaluable resource, like going back over the pre-assembled bits and re-loctite screws....found a couple of loose ones! Also, the heli safety section.

One question... I am in the San Jose, CA area...can someone point me to a good LHS, the one I have going to is like shopping at Fry's (those who live here know....lol).

Cad

[cudaboy_71]

welcome. enjoy your stay.

ed at grandrc is good people. he's just a short drive up 280 to los altos. grandrc.com

[darkhawk22]

Welcome to the pack, i'm new to the T-Rex 450 myself

[HydroJoe]

Check out Sheldons...http://www.rcunlimited.net/ . They can be a pain the ass but usually stock most T-Rex parts. I have heard great things about GrandRC http://www.grandrc.com/contact__about_us but I haven't been there yet.

[uneverno]

Welcome to the neighborhood

I've been going to RC Unlimited (Sheldon's) in Cambrian Plaza since it was Castle Hobbies - Camden and Union right behind BevMo (my 2nd favorite store ) T-rex parts are usually in stock, good selection, and decent prices - sometimes the net is better - but when you gotta have it, they usually do. (Though I had to settle for red 325 woodies yesterday, 'cuz black were out of stock.) They just got a CopterX in too if you wanna take a look. It's a pretty machine. I like the blue anodized boom.

D&J hobby on San Thomas Aquino and Campbell will do for generic stuff: tools, batteries, glue and the like, but they have very little T-Rex stuff (last I was there they had an SEV2, but no parts.) Their RC dept used to be good, but they lost most of their knowledgeable staff, so if you don't know what you need, you won't get much help. (Sometimes you can't get help when you do know what you need - ala Fry's.)

Also, if you haven't checked them out - take a look at Bob's videos in the Finless tech room: http://helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=11373 Immensely helpful for getting set up.

[Cadjocky]

Thank all for the warm Rotor wash welcome
Thanks Cuda/ hydro for grandrc, I'll check it out. Weekend trip they close too early on the weekdays to make it there after work....errr

uneverno,

rc unlimited is where I picked up my bird...lol
yes, I saw lots of align parts hangn on the wall...drool. They seem to only have one kid there with heli exp and he only works on the weekend the rest get a glazed look in thier eyes when it comes to heli help. I did have one older gentleman the other day help me out and we searched thru the catalog and we got the right part.
Bob's videos.....can't say enuff!
Hope you got your belt drive gear fixed.

PM me and we can hook up...I live near the Pruneyard.

Cad

[emag remrofni]

ooops forgot to read your location

[jblanch999]

Victors Hobbies in Newark is a close second to Ed at GrandRc.Ed is truly in a class of his own. He is one of 3 or so Align distributors. Other retailers buy from Horizon Hobby, he buys from Align, and his prices show.

Victor has an amazing stock of T-Rex among others. He helped me set up my 450 right, and for that i am eternally addicted, , , ,I mean grateful. It gave me the know how and the base for the setup on my 500 and now 600 Nitro.

And Sheldons/Rc Unlimmited have all but gotten out of helis. That fruity cake Ron had som personality and customer service issues, but he kept the heli gear stocked. Now they have great service and they even have an indoor car track. WOOOP DEEEE DOOOO, a fliping car track. .. .Do you know how many heli parts they could stock in that floorspace?

If you want to drive a little, then Hobbytown concord has som serious heli gear. I end up there a few sundays a month to get parts from Saturdays crash or for something that has worn.

[cudaboy_71]

well, as long as you're taking a drive, there's RC country in sacramento...

as well as Hotheli (where i work on weekends) in downtown sacramento. typically at least one of everything--if not more---align makes in our shop--even the hard to find items.

[HydroJoe]

Originally Posted by jblanch999

...That fruity cake Ron had som personality and customer service issues, but he kept the heli gear stocked. Now they have great service and they even have an indoor car track.....

Hahaha....Ron sucks. Are you saying he doesent work there anymore? Thus no more heli parts? I havent been there in a few months. Too far of a drive to have to deal with Ron.

[uneverno]

I don't know who Ron is, but they have plenty of parts in stock, except 325 black woodies...

I go there regularly 'cuz it's only a couple miles from my house. Usually on weekends 'cuz there's really only one kid there that knows anything about helis.

[jblanch999]

Yeah, so Adrian who had bought it from Rons family a couple years back had an "agreement" with Ron that he could work there, well Adrian sold the shop to his son, and he booted Ron within a few weeks. . . As soon as you walk in you can see the extreme effort. There must be 3 times the stock, music in the background ,instead of Rons Hootin'. . . Then you start looking for heli parts, literally in a glass case covered with Car stuff.

"We're trying to find a heli guy" He tells me.Can't be trying too hard, when your spending all that time building a race track and merchandising car parts.

[Cadjocky]

I want to give a big thanks to RC Unlimited!

Great support!, the only Heli guru is in on the weekends and he spent about an hour or so dilegently helping me setup my heli..almost got in trouble for helping me cause they charge per hr for help. So Andy give him a raise!

Support your LHS

Cad