RE: Blade 400 - copterx 450
I have both the blade 400 and the Copter X 450ae. I also have a trex 450sa. I would have to say that the trex is the best but I bought it used set up really nice from one of the local heli gurus so I don't think it is fair to compare it. The Blade seemed to always be screwing up. I had servo problems. Gyro problems. Mechanical problems. The radio always worked well but that was it. Now I am not saying that if it is set up just right it is not a good bird. And when you do crash it is a cheap heli to fix. But the Copter X is by far a better heli. The main shaft is solid and the feathering shafts seem better. (I am using trex ones in it) The metal head is much more precise and has less slop than the Blade 400. I am using the jr 285 digital servos in the copter x and the trex. I know that is part of the better feel of the heli and I am using a 401 with a futaba 9257 servo on the tail. So The electronics are much better. But when I was putting the heli together it just seemed much more solid and precise than the Blade ever did. I don't think that even with top end electronics that the Blade 400 would ever have the locked in feal I have with the copter x and the trex. And for much less than the price of buying all the cnc upgrades to make the blade better you can buy the copter x. I would set up both birds and have a backup if I were you. That way you don't suffer from withdraws like I used to do when I crashed my only heli at the field. Now I can just put he peaces in the truck and grab the other heli. [:D]
Posted on: 11/4/2009 1:24 AM by Author "lje553" in the forum "RC Helicopter Beginners Forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9226907

RE: Zippy 2200mah for $13.99
I have had nothing but good things from hobby king. I just got 5 of the batteries before the price drop. I guess that is the way the ball bounces sometimes.
Posted on: 10/30/2009 1:50 AM by Author "lje553" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9214299

RE: My Hurricane 550's first Hover
dunkonu23 That was one of the best answers to a question I have ever gotten. Thank you. I am still up in the air on which to buy mainly because of the parts issue. I might just wait to add a new bird to the fleet while I keep honing my skills on the 450s. But my next heli will be one of the two. Unless I just say to heck with it and get the trex 600 but then I would have to get a second mortgage on my house to get batteries. [:D]
Posted on: 10/23/2009 2:47 AM by Author "lje553" in the forum "Electric RC Helis"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9195323

RE: My Hurricane 550's first Hover
I was thinking about getting a hurricane 550 but I also want a trex 500 because of parts availability at the LHS. The Trex 500 is also more money and I don't know if it will fly with 2 3S lipos which I already have a bunch of for the trex 450. If anyone has both what are the the pros and cons? Should I just wait and get the trex next year? Thanks, Lucas
Posted on: 10/22/2009 12:55 AM by Author "lje553" in the forum "Electric RC Helis"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9192632

RE: son getting into cars for xmas
He has been driving one of my old cars and gets board with how slow it is. (but it is not fast so I don't blame him) He mostly has grass to drive on so it gets booged down badly.
Posted on: 10/21/2009 4:32 AM by Author "lje553" in the forum "RC Electric Off-Road Trucks, Buggies, Truggies and more"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9190181

RE: son getting into cars for xmas
Thanks for all the good info. I kind of like the idea of getting the brushless system and dialing it down a bit/ alot. If I do that with my 3s lipos and get him some 2s lipos later. Is there any issues that might arize from that plan? I dont want to drop 300 or so on something that I am going to mess up and he only gets to stair at on my workbench. (Along with some of the helis I have done just that with [:D])
Posted on: 10/21/2009 4:29 AM by Author "lje553" in the forum "RC Electric Off-Road Trucks, Buggies, Truggies and more"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9190179

son getting into cars for xmas
I fly rc helicopters and my son wants to get into rc cars. I have a bunch of 11.1V lipos that are 2200mh 20c. I was wondering how they would work in the Slash truck that I was looking at for him. I figure I already have chargers and batts and it only cost about $150 to transfer it to a brushless setup (If i am not mistaken.) Also it the Slash a good truck to start out with? Just basically looking for feed back because I don't really know that much about cars.
Posted on: 10/19/2009 6:00 PM by Author "lje553" in the forum "RC Electric Off-Road Trucks, Buggies, Truggies and more"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9186060

RE: Forward Flight, Needs a Beater
If I had a Raptor 50 I wouldn't sell it eather. I was just thinking economically. But the reality is that it is a nice helicopter, it sounds like most of the guys around here have one just as standard equipment because it is so nice. The honey bee king 2 was not a bad bird but I had to upgrade the motor to brushless right away and I didn't like waiting on parts. If there is a dealer in your area that would not be a bad option. Just don't get a blade cp they will drive you nuts. There is all ways the trex clones. The copter x is not too bad. Or just get another trex.
Posted on: 10/7/2009 12:32 AM by Author "lje553" in the forum "Electric RC Helis"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9152914

RE: Forward Flight, Needs a Beater
You should get an electric so that fuel is not an issue. I would get an blade MSR. Small and cheap. I would also say that if you can do a rock solid hover you should be able to progress into forward flight. But a crash is inevitable so I understand your fear. I would sell it and buy a cheaper one and use the money for parts. Just my thoughts.
Posted on: 10/5/2009 5:04 PM by Author "lje553" in the forum "Electric RC Helis"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9149013

RE: Best Trex 450 Clone Deal ???
I love having two 450s because if I crash one I just pullout the other. I just ordered 5 zippy packs from hobby city everyone tells me they are good but I guess I will find out soon... The copter X is supposed to be 100% compatible with the trex se V2 parts which should be pretty easy to find at the LHS. I used to have a Honey Bee King V2 which has the same head as the Belt CP. I thought it flew fairly well but nothing like the trex, which you will soon find out. (And I can't help but say I am a little jealous. [:D] that is a really nice heli from what I have been reading.) I hate to say it but after I got the trex and the copter x I let my son take the old Blade 400 and he "works" on it when I am working on mine. (He is only 2 so he can't fly yet...yet [:D] ) But I know what you mean about wanting to fix the old heli but wondering if it is worth it because you are starting to outgrow it. But eather way you are going to love that trex sport. Let me know how it handles when you get it in the air. Happy flying!
Posted on: 10/3/2009 12:55 AM by Author "lje553" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9142714

RE: Best Trex 450 Clone Deal ???
I have just built that same kit and with your gear you will have one heck of a good flying bird. I have a trex 450sa and I do like it just a little better but I think that is because it is running lighter fly-bar paddles and it has a better motor (the 430L) than the copter X (It has my old Blade 400 motor). But I would bet that if I had the same setup on both that I wouldn't be able to tell the difference. It really is a very good bird. I haven't had to get any new parts for it but I did about 3 months research before I bought it and everyone says that all the parts are a strait swap. And with my naked eye I would have to say they are the same heli. But if you do get one ditch the blue canopy it is very hard to see in the sky. So if I was going to do it again I would buy it again.
Posted on: 10/2/2009 1:08 AM by Author "lje553" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9140426

RE: Buy used: Trex 450s or blade 400
I have owned both. And I have to say go with the T-Rex. I have loved mine so much more than the Blade 400. Not that it was a bad heli but it was no t-rex. I can't tell what servos or gyro it comes with but the one that comes with the Blade 400 is not so great eather. And the t-rex already has the cnc head which is a good upgrade. But that is just what I think. Ether one will get you in the air.
Posted on: 9/30/2009 12:56 AM by Author "lje553" in the forum "Electric RC Helis"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9134938

RE: TREX 250 CLONE
How many people on the forums are really good 3D fliers? It seems to me most just are average fliers who just love to fly and push their own envelope. And they also love to have bigger and bigger fleets. At least that is what I am and most of the people I talk too on here do. So how is a little 250 heli that can do some good forward flight a bad heli? I know there are better helis but not for 50 bucks. Just my 2 cents.
Posted on: 9/30/2009 12:34 AM by Author "lje553" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9134904

RE: First Crash!
Wal Mart has fishing tackle boxes that are just flat and have adjustable tabs so you can change the compartment layouts. I have one for each helicopter I have. These work great for keeping backup parts. I just end up buying a few of different parts every time I go to the LHS and this not only gives me a good excuse to go in but it builds up my backups so I won't have to make an unscheduled trip. Just be glad you got the first crash over with. It is the hardest. Just keep practicing. And if you don't have a sim get one. That one tool helped me more than anything else.
Posted on: 9/26/2009 2:25 PM by Author "lje553" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9125556

RE: Surviving a crash...
The servos suck. Get some hitec 65mg for the cycle and then later get a better gyro and tail servo. This will make the heli fly better which will result in less crashes. Even with an aluminum head you are still going to bend main and feathering shafts. The tail boom gets bent and the supports. The nice thing about the Blade 400 is when you do crash it, it is cheap to fix. Other than the servos and electronics. But if you upgrade the servos then that is not a problem. I would say that most crashes I had after changing the blades to carbon fiber ones cost under 20 bucks. I would say the feathering shafts and the main shafts were the ones I broke the most. I am going to say that the likelihood of being able to just pick it up after a crash and fly it are going to be very slim. The bigger nitro birds can sometimes be crashed and flown because they have bigger parts that can take more abuse but even that is not much more. Once you learn to fly fairly well the crashes will lessen a great deal. Then they won't be so scary. I just looked at them as a cost of learning to fly. If I was going to do it again I would just set up 2 copter x 450ae v2s and fly one till it broke then pull out the other. I now have a trex 450 and a copter x 450ae and I love them both. The trex is set up hotter than the copter x so I really have 2 diffrant types of birds so I can fly which ever one I am in the mood for. But they both use the same parts so I can stock up on them. [:D] Best of luck to you!
Posted on: 9/26/2009 1:05 AM by Author "lje553" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9124731

RE: need a new gyro
I use the ds3400g with a 401 and it works great! I love it! I also have a trex 450 with a 401 and the Futaba S9257 and I really can't tell much of a difference. But I only do sport flying. But I have also heard good things about the gyro you are running and I wonder if something isn't wrong with the setup. I know I get a little bit of a wag when my battery starts getting low. I wonder if that is part of it? Just my thoughts. Best of luck.
Posted on: 9/23/2009 1:21 AM by Author "lje553" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9117115

RE: What is the Best Flight Sim to learn on?
Here is a link to all of the helis phoenix. http://www.phoenix-sim.com/models.htm
Posted on: 9/19/2009 1:41 AM by Author "lje553" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9107157

RE: What is the Best Flight Sim to learn on?
Oh and Phoenix also has the Blade 400 and the CX2. As well as the trex 450, 500, 600 and 700.
Posted on: 9/18/2009 12:20 AM by Author "lje553" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9104728

RE: What is the Best Flight Sim to learn on?
Phoenix is cheaper and you get to use your own radio which I like. It also runs better on older PCs. G4 is not very light on your PCs. If you don't have really good equipment it will bog down. Phoenix gets my vote.
Posted on: 9/18/2009 12:19 AM by Author "lje553" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9104720

RE: heli for a 5 year old...
Let us know how he does! My sons, 5 and 2 both want to learn how to fly.
Posted on: 9/16/2009 3:14 AM by Author "lje553" in the forum "RC Helicopter Beginners Forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9099664

RE: Need DX6i settings for EXI 450 or t-rex
I also ran my expo up to 40% and that helps with hovering and slow forward flight.
Posted on: 9/14/2009 1:44 PM by Author "lje553" in the forum "Electric RC Helis"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9094872

RE: Need DX6i settings for EXI 450 or t-rex
I know I thought the same thing on the throtle curve. If you want you can make it progressive but a friend of mine who flys 3d set my trex up for me the first time and he set it at 90% from point 2 on. I thought this was insane but it made the bird very responsive and quick. It allows one to control the heli by pitch not just by head speed. This will allow you to have instance access to the power in the head. It was a little too responsive to me at 90% so I dropped it down a little. But like I said before it is up to personal preference. If you want to make you heli spool up throughout the range, that is how I learned to fly. But I like it because when I am flying and I go below half stick I still have power and negative pitch which lets me bring her down faster or be able to descend in the wind. It also plants the heli when you are on the ground. But it does make the stable hover zone on the tx very small. This I don't like as much but I don't spend a lot of time in hover anymore ether. I don't remember the exact curve I used to use with the Blade 400 but it was like 0, 50, 75, 90 100. I also didn't run the motor at 100 on my current configuration because I am running a 13 tooth pinion on the trex and a 11 on the Copter X. And I have no desire to run my head speed at more than 3000rpm because I am not that good! If you want a wider hover range then I would suggest varying the motor speed. The settings I have are just where I like it, you are going to want to adjust to your personal flying style. I looked at the EXI it looks like a really cool machine. But I ended up going with the copter X sa. It flies so nice and smooth! It is so much better than my Blade 400 but in the Blade's defense I did get great electronics to fly it. The 401 gyro and 9257 tail servo and jr 285s fro the cycle. And once I got a bigger pinion on the motor it flew like a monster. What are you using in your EXI? I bet you are going to love it when you get it going. How do your kids like the heli? I have 2 boys, 5 and 2, and the 2 year old is obsessed with them more than I am. He even stole one of my canopies and carries it with him everywhere. He always calls them "Big Birds!"
Posted on: 9/14/2009 1:41 PM by Author "lje553" in the forum "Electric RC Helis"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9094866

RE: Need DX6i settings for EXI 450 or t-rex
I recently did the same thing with a copter X 450sa. The only thing I used from the blade was the receiver, esc, and motor. Are you needing a complete walk thought or just some of the settings? Are u fairly new to flying or do you need a tamer set up? I have a 401 gyro and set the gain to 72 in the head holding mode. Thro Cur L 0.0 2 85.0 3 85.0 4 85.0 5 90.0 I am running an 11 tooth pinion so I needed to tame it down a little. Pitc Cur L 40.0 2 46.5 3 50.0 4 70.5 H 100.0 It hovers a little above center stick. I did have more negitive in the L position but it drops faster than I like. But if you put some negative (50 or below) It makes it easier to get the heli to come down if the wind gets high. (I live in Kansas where the wind can be a challenge.) It also helps lock the heli to the ground when you are waiting for the head to get up to speed. Swash Mix Aile +60 Elev -60 Pitch +60 The + and - will depend on your servos. Different equipment different settings. Also the higher the numbers the more responcive it is because you will get more range. Sometimes you will have to adjust the mechanical and the tx programing to get the setup right. SETUP LIST Modle Type is Heli because it is a heli... :) Swash Type CCPM 120 That should get you started. Also none of this is set in stone. Many things can be changed according to personal preference. Are you good with setting up the mechanical? Because the closer you get all that set to perfect the better your heli will fly, but this is hard to take the time and do when you really just want to get out there and tear up the sky. Hope this helps! [:D] Have fun flying!
Posted on: 9/12/2009 10:47 PM by Author "lje553" in the forum "Electric RC Helis"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9090716

good motor/esc for trex 450
I need to get a motor and esc for a trex 450. I only do forward flight and a few tricks and don't need anything too insane. I have a 430L in my other SA and it is not bad but the flight times aren't as good as I would like them to be, but I am running high head speeds on it. I want to make the new one a little tamer and get good flight times. I am not sure what pinion to run. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks, Lucas.
Posted on: 9/11/2009 4:36 AM by Author "lje553" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9086239

Best way to sell used CP
I have a used Blade CP that has everything but the charger. It has the pro head on it and has the old head and some extra parts. It is a friend of mines and he wants me to sell it but I don't know what I should be able to get out of it. Or where I can get the best price out of it. Here or on Ebay? He also has a 4 ch fm futaba and a 6 ch futaba. ect. See what they could bring as far as price?
Posted on: 9/9/2009 8:39 PM by Author "lje553" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9082660

Can I use my Blade 400 motor on my 450 sa?
Can I use my Blade 400 motor on my 450 sa? And if so what pinion?
Posted on: 9/8/2009 12:20 AM by Author "lje553" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9077795

RE: new and uncertian?
It is just a diffrant body if I am not mistaken. I know the navigation lights and the body is really cool on the cx3 but you can get all glow in the dark parts for the MCX which is kind of cool too. I would say learn to fly get a sim. And fly the heck out of he MCX and look at going into some scale stuff later. You can find all kind of options for scale stuff when your ready to move into the 450 class. Just don't rush yourself, it is a steep learning curve that just takes time. I tried to go to fast and bought a bunch of crap helis that I had to spend more time waiting on parts from china than I ever did flying. I also didn't get a sim till very late in the game. That made worlds of difference. But any way try the MCX I am going to get one for my son for Christmas and get him started learning now. :)
Posted on: 9/7/2009 2:02 AM by Author "lje553" in the forum "RC Helicopter Beginners Forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9075392

RE: Need Suggestions
I use a gy401 with the JR DS3400G and it holds great. I have set up 2 of the 401s and they are easy to work with. I haven't worked with any other higher end gyros so I can only tell you that I know the 401 worked for me. Best of luck to you no matter what you get! Keep on flying.
Posted on: 9/6/2009 1:56 AM by Author "lje553" in the forum "RC Helicopter General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9073078

RE: new and uncertian?
I say go with the mcx. It is smaller and you can always find a place to fly indoors. I have a cx2 and if you have access to a larger area it is great but in a house (unless you have a big house.) it is harder to really enjoy it. It will go though a doorway but it is hard to do fast. And when it hits it usually breaks. The mcx is easy on parts because of the low mass. And if your LHS dosn't have them they soon will, the msr. This little guy is coooool! It is the same size as the mcx but is a fixed pitch heli with a tail motor. This thing is a great step up after the mcx. CX3 is a nice heli but you have to have very little wind or it gets pushed around. I would go with the mcx. then the MSR then a TREX 450. The blade 400 is not bad. But after I got my trex I was just blown away. I have a 401 for the gyro so that also makes a big difference. But that is just my two cents. :) But be warned once you are bitten with the heli bug you will never be the same.... and your wallet will always be empty! [:)]
Posted on: 9/6/2009 1:40 AM by Author "lje553" in the forum "RC Helicopter Beginners Forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9073064

RE: will the stock blade 400 charger work on blade cx bats?
No the Blade 400 only charges 3 cell packs but the one that comes with the cx will charge both 2 and 3 cell packs. Hope this helps
Posted on: 8/15/2009 3:25 AM by Author "lje553" in the forum "RC Helicopter Beginners Forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9017730