Dang Blade 330x no more BEASTX

[JesusFreak]

https://www.horizonhobby.com/330x-bnf-basic-p-blh4050

New Blade 330x.

Glad to see a new larger Blade heli, but disappointed that they are dropping the BEASTX features in place of their own AS3X FBL system. I was really hoping for a new AR7X00 receiver with the latest Beast hardware and software.

Will be interesting to see how this does.

[colemn615]

Hmm I wonder why they did that. Maybe because the trio might not be selling well? It also looks like it has belcranks.

[xokia]

looks like the 300x is there any real difference with this thing?

[Wargamer]

Interesting that it's on 3s but doesn't include SAFE. Would be fun to know what pilot segment their marketing data tells them this is going to excite.

Comparison to the 300x... the 330x is running 325s so I would guess not re-using much of anything from the 300x.

[GregCA]

The ole Blade 450 X lives on.

[xokia]

Originally Posted by GregCA

The ole Blade 450 X lives on.

That's kinda what I thought. Just a larger 300x swinging what we used to call 450 blades. Which is now a 330

[Miracle Boy]

Originally Posted by GregCA

The ole Blade 450 X lives on.

LOL! Yeah, that's just what this is... A 450X with the FLB unit from the 230s and the servos from the 230s/360CFX (cyclic) and tail servo from the 360CFX.

That's a nice new canopy though, and a newer 45 amp esc, WOW!! can't seem to find any specs on that (BLH5052) But I hope the BEC is up to the job.

I can see that Blade had to put a lot of development work into this new model

MB

[cbrian4]

This has got to be the first traditional 450 size helicopter (~325 mm blades) that is named according to blade size. Never thought I'd see it!

[Relisys190]

yes it's infact a Blade 450x V2 with slant cut gear and all.

At least I know I can still get parts.

[Crashalotjoe]

Why? Just ........... why?

[ultrataco]

Originally Posted by Miracle Boy

LOL! Yeah, that's just what this is... A 450X with the FLB unit from the 230s and the servos from the 230s/360CFX (cyclic) and tail servo from the 360CFX.

That's a nice new canopy though, and a newer 45 amp esc, WOW!! can't seem to find any specs on that (BLH5052) But I hope the BEC is up to the job.

I can see that Blade had to put a lot of development work into this new model

MB

Actually they used those same servos on the 450X v2

The old esc was 35 amps so I'm sure 45 will be fine in this.

edit: and wow I've had my 230S for a year and did not realize it has the same cyclic servos as my 450X.

[learnedthehardway]

Originally Posted by Crashalotjoe

Why? Just ........... why?

As little effort as possible to release something"new" is what they're all about, not pleasing customers.

This is what you get

[Crashalotjoe]

Originally Posted by learnedthehardway

As little effort as possible to release something"new" is what they're all about, not pleasing customers.

This is what you get

Yep. I made the comment on another thread that it seems unacceptably callous to be flogging old designs and technology to people who are not ready to move onto kits and haven't acquired the experience to know what a dumb deal this is. If they wanted to revive an old BNF model, the 360CFX was a better starting point.

[yakky]

Originally Posted by learnedthehardway

As little effort as possible to release something"new" is what they're all about, not pleasing customers.

This is what you get

Don't think so. I think they have realized they can't please seasoned pilots. They tried with the 270 and 360, where did that end up? Oh yeah, the discount bin.

This knocks it out of the park for someone moving up from a 230s. You get a real tail and the FBL you are used to. Possibilities for stretching to a larger 450 size are there. Most parts to fix this are probably already at the hobby store as well.

For those of you that want the FBL of your choice, all aluminum everything, $200 servos, there is a brand just for you, its just not sold at the local hobbyshop.

[Relisys190]

I give Kudos to Blade for supporting the entry level.

[Crashalotjoe]

Originally Posted by yakky

Don't think so. I think they have realized they can't please seasoned pilots. They tried with the 270 and 360, where did that end up? Oh yeah, the discount bin.

Yeah, but wheeling out an old design with a PITA FBL unit is hardly going to please the un-seasoned pilots either once they've acquired the experience to know better. I suspect the newbies will try it, crash it, bin it and give up on heli's.

[learnedthehardway]

Originally Posted by yakky

Don't think so. I think they have realized they can't please seasoned pilots. They tried with the 270 and 360, where did that end up? Oh yeah, the discount bin.

This knocks it out of the park for someone moving up from a 230s. You get a real tail and the FBL you are used to. Possibilities for stretching to a larger 450 size are there. Most parts to fix this are probably already at the hobby store as well.

For those of you that want the FBL of your choice, all aluminum everything, $200 servos, there is a brand just for you, its just not sold at the local hobbyshop.

I guess. Had a lot better results from the $150 used Trex 450 purchased from the classifieds than I did with any Blade heli, but there aren't enough cheap used helis to go around.

Have a sneaking suspicion this heli will have a much higher rate of failure than that ancient Trex I got. Crashed it twice and was able to pick it up and fly, this Blade will probably drop out of the sky twice from failures before the owner gets a chance to crash it.

Hope I'm wrong but with a micro style flight controller on something that will break in a minor spill isn't going to equal long term, trouble free enjoyment.

It'll be another half assed machine designed to sell parts. Other manufacturers design for reliability and performance.

We will see. Hopefully I have to eat those words but I doubt it. Will be another Blade form with 2 happy threads and 20 asking for help with issues.

[simplechamp]

Funny how things are coming full circle. Everyone moves from older generation 325/425mm helis in favor of the new breed 360-380s and true 500s. Then next thing you know SAB puts out a 420 and here comes Blade with a 325.

They might as well go all out and slap a flybar on this one! No, not a flybar, a revolutionary kinetic energy stability control system.

[yakky]

Originally Posted by learnedthehardway

I guess. Had a lot better results from the $150 used Trex 450 purchased from the classifieds than I did with any Blade heli, but there aren't enough cheap used helis to go around.

Have a sneaking suspicion this heli will have a much higher rate of failure than that ancient Trex I got. Crashed it twice and was able to pick it up and fly, this Blade will probably drop out of the sky twice from failures before the owner gets a chance to crash it.

Hope I'm wrong but with a micro style flight controller on something that will break in a minor spill isn't going to equal long term, trouble free enjoyment.

It'll be another half assed machine designed to sell parts. Other manufacturers design for reliability and performance.

We will see. Hopefully I have to eat those words but I doubt it. Will be another Blade form with 2 happy threads and 20 asking for help with issues.

A nice clean used Align 450 will eat this for lunch. Don't disagree with you there. The align will easily hit 300+ flights without wearing out.

The thing is, most of these won't make it two or three flights without eating dirt because of dumb thumbs. But this thing will actually fly unlike the cheapo flyswatter 450 someone is likely to buy from ebay/banggood/etc and equip with utter garbage.

[JesusFreak]

Originally Posted by yakky

Don't think so. I think they have realized they can't please seasoned pilots. They tried with the 270 and 360, where did that end up? Oh yeah, the discount bin.

This knocks it out of the park for someone moving up from a 230s. You get a real tail and the FBL you are used to. Possibilities for stretching to a larger 450 size are there. Most parts to fix this are probably already at the hobby store as well.

For those of you that want the FBL of your choice, all aluminum everything, $200 servos, there is a brand just for you, its just not sold at the local hobbyshop.

What brand would that be?