Is a 500 worth $300?

[enfield55]

Hi all,

I've got a 450SE V2 and can comfortably hover and get into some FF, figure 8's, circuits etc. I'm thinking of upsizing to a 500. It'll cost me about $300 after I sell the 450 (already have a buyer!) and get rid of my considerable spares collection.

The 500 I'm looking at setting up has HS225MG's on the cyclic, GY401 and a 9257 on the tail. I've got 2 x 3S 2200 Outrage batteries to run together and was thinking of getting 4 x 3S 2200 Air Thunder Batteries so I'll have 3 sets effectively.

Any opinions on whether it's worth $300 for the advantages of a 500 - or should I stick to the 450 given parts/battery cost. For $300 I could get a number of batteries and fly all day! Also, any thoughts on batteries? Are there any advantages in getting 2 x 6S 2200 Mah rather than 4 x 3S 2200? Or maybe 1 x 6S 3200?

Cheers!

[kaan.gok]

500 is definitely worth the price. Much more fun than 450 and has that "bigger helicopter feel". You'll definitely like it after the 450, and you can fly it on your local park, too. Only drawback will be battery time, My 2x3s 2200 batteries become dry at 4 mins with 13t pinion. (I have 4 sets of them), and planning to buy at least 2x 6s 2500 mah batteries more to enjoy it really.

I think if you run 12t pinion you can get 5 min, 6 min tops from 2200 packs. If you can afford to buy new batteries, get the 500, you'll like it. If you can't, stick with the 450 to have more airtime and practice.

[enfield55]

Thanks for the opinion. I've slowed my headspeed down on the 450 using a 11T pinion to around 2500 RPM. I get about 8 mins per 2200 Mah battery in that config (putting 1700 Mah back in during charge). Does anyone run a 500 in 'economy' mode whilst hovering/FF? I'd be interested to see if I could get close to 8 mins...

[psindrup]

Originally Posted by enfield55

Thanks for the opinion. I've slowed my headspeed down on the 450 using a 11T pinion to around 2500 RPM. I get about 8 mins per 2200 Mah battery in that config (putting 1700 Mah back in during charge). Does anyone run a 500 in 'economy' mode whilst hovering/FF? I'd be interested to see if I could get close to 8 mins...

Don't expect to get 8 minutes out of 2200mAh.
More likely about 5 min. tops, if you run in "economy mode" (12T pinion)

Peter

[vicrc]

The price of crashes will go up triple double. But still I love flying my 500 plus I get an extra mint.

[snjbird]

I am going to relay opinion when I say this, as I have not had any experience flying a 2X3S setup, but the 6S is the way to go, I have the Thunder Power packs; 2 6S 2200 mAh and 2 6S 2500 mAh packs and they rock, I do hover for about 2 seconds before I proceed to tear a large piece of the air apart! I have my timer set for 4:00, I am putting around 1700 mAh back in the packs...
As far as economy mode I think you have to be careful with low head speed, the heli does not like it, 2400+ is good on mine.
The repair cost is much higher on the 500 mainly because the blades are so pricey, there is no woodie here and I guess there will not be, something about not strong enough?

[Real_Sparky]

I'm running 13t, 2 x 3s packs and only flying gentle circuits,8's and hovering practice and get 6 mins putting back in 1650-1750 depending on the flight.

Darin

[michael88997]

i think its worth it to sell the stuff and get a 500. you will be able to progress in your flying alot more with it and have more fun. grandrc is having a sale and i got my 500 gf with cf blades, hitech 5245mg servos. and a 9257 for less that 600 so i would check them out on what ur cost would be

The repair cost is much higher on the 500 mainly because the blades are so pricey, there is no woodie here and I guess there will not be, something about not strong enough?

i think that the size of the blades and the required headspeed you can't have woodies because the next biggest heli the hurricane 550 has woodies but it will fly pretty smoothly at 1800 rpm... while the 500 you gotta have that high rpm and it would probably just blow them apart...

[rupps5]

I think the $300 is worth it. I crash the 500 A LOT LESS than the 450, so it is actually cheaper to fly. I am also learning A LOT FASTER with the 500. Right now it is still my favorite heli.

[jgunpilot]

Endfield55, I'd consider getting Air Thunder 6S 2200 packs for your 500 even if you have to buy a new charger. The difference is huge in power. When I fly my 500 with two TP 2100 3S packs, all I do is FF and hover, it doesn't have the power for anything else.

[snjbird]

Sorry I was so busy playing the Devils advocate I forgot to say; yes the 500 is worth trading your 450 plus 300 bucks

[beeflyer2]

Yes, the 500 is worth much more than 300 bucks. I know mine is worth at least a grand.

You'll love it!

[perfeet]

I upgraded from a 450 to a 500 and I just love my new heli.

Have flown 120 flights with it so far. Much more stable and easier to fly.

But be prepared to spend some serious money on batteries (and upgrades )

[Ricci]

Originally Posted by enfield55

Thanks for the opinion. I've slowed my headspeed down on the 450 using a 11T pinion to around 2500 RPM. I get about 8 mins per 2200 Mah battery in that config (putting 1700 Mah back in during charge). Does anyone run a 500 in 'economy' mode whilst hovering/FF? I'd be interested to see if I could get close to 8 mins...

I can fly my 500 close to 8 minutes in FFF using a 12T pinion and 6S 2600 battery. According to my charger, I have to put back 2070 mA (79%).

Flight times decrease about 1 minute using a 13T pinion on FFF.

Ricci.

[BenHeli]

I don't know where you fly but for me, the 500 runs out of room pretty quickly at the local park/baseball field and the 450 is just right. I'd have to drive 20 or 45 minutes to the flying fields I am a member of to really fly the 500 . So, keep the 450, put away the money and buy a 500 within the near future ... plus you want more than one helis anyway.

[beeflyer2]

Originally Posted by BenHeli

I don't know where you fly but for me, the 500 runs out of room pretty quickly at the local park/baseball field and the 450 is just right.

Depends on how you fly I guess, it feels just right in a baseball field to me. Then again, I know someone who flys a 90 in the same baseball field....

[Ricci]

Originally Posted by snjbird

I think you have to be careful with low head speed, the heli does not like it, 2400+ is good on mine.

I do not agree.

Using a 6S battery and 12T pinion with stock motor, the 500 head speed should be around 2200 RPM and it still flies perfectly well, only a little slower response on the cyclic.

Ricci.

[enfield55]

What sort of times are you getting Ricci?

[Ricci]

Originally Posted by enfield55

What sort of times are you getting Ricci?

I wrote my flight times 5 posts below ...

And yes, it is worth investing $300 for the advantages of a 500, at least to me (I did sold my 450 SE v2 and bought the 500 paying the difference).

Good luck,

Ricci.

[Stinky Igloo]

Your 500 may fly at 2200 but bump that headspeed up and you will never go back, it flies sooooo much better on the top side of 2000.

I fly 5min and put 1800 back into my 2600's.