RE: SOARING USA??WHAT ARE THEY THINKING!!!
Bob, If you've been in business for 10 years that means you should have smarts not to use shady shipping parties. If you do - I'd say you are responsible for shipment. If you don't and third party is used by the customer - than you are not responsible provided you provide good packing. But you have to let customers know of the issue and give them a fair warning. I wish this incident will be resolved peacefully with fair credits to both parties. Regards, Mark
Posted on: 5/15/2013 11:06 PM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11512865

RE: SOARING USA??WHAT ARE THEY THINKING!!!
Thant's the reason I buy models within US being a US resident making sure it is shipped with reputable shipping company and always insured to the top. So far so good.
Posted on: 5/15/2013 10:08 PM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11512848

RE: SOARING USA??WHAT ARE THEY THINKING!!!
[quote]ORIGINAL: wahoo [quote]ORIGINAL: MX240 That little dent?? Give me a break. One reason I would never be a hobby shop dealer. [/quote] <span style=''font-size: larger;''><span style=''font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';''>For $1268 you wouldn't be happy either, who you kidding ? [/quote] Guys, I don't care if it's $1,268 or $10 - it's you hard earned money you agree to exchange for the product in initial shape and form. If something is not per agreement - something has to be worked-out to re-negotiate the transaction. But that's the way I see how my money spent. In my view - it does not matter where wing was damaged (as long as it was not damaged by the customer) - retail store (Soaring USA) has resolve the issue either by applying the shipping insurance or their own funds. If they do not use shipping insurance - I wouldn't want to deal with them. Hope they would make this one right - it'll bring more business on the long run.
Posted on: 5/15/2013 6:44 PM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11512681

RE: SOARING USA??WHAT ARE THEY THINKING!!!
I kinda agree with fred985. First off I wouldn't bother spilling so much blood on the community forums - just fill the complaint with your credit card and get your money worth back and purchase the part from the dealer you know or direct from the factory. As for building stuff myself - it's up-to one's preference. I do like building stuff and I did in the past, but nowadays glass ships built by many companies are so good, light and strong - it will take tooooo much effort to build something similar. 9 out of 10 (unless you have a skill and proper facility) quality of builds not even close to 1/10-th of what you get by buying ARF glass ship. So if you are up to do flying - buy a ARF glass ship, enjoy flying it and save tons of money by not building it yourself. Cheers, Mark.
Posted on: 5/15/2013 4:36 PM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11512589

RE: SOARING USA??WHAT ARE THEY THINKING!!!
At this point we'd love to see pictures you took while opening the box. It's best to see once than hear hundred times.
Posted on: 5/15/2013 12:44 PM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11512446

RE: Powered Glider Suggestions?
Anytime I feel like flying fast and cheap - I buy Samurai glider ARF from Hobby Lobby. Spend two of those in a year. Buy $229 version - it has power setup that works really well. I had many fun flights. Check my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/TheMrksam Although you have to have an experience in flying RC to fly Samurai. Hope it helps! Regards, Mark.
Posted on: 9/18/2012 5:51 AM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11232199

RE: Art Hobby Vortex-ET 2.5M glider - getting one this week
Got me a new Graphite 2E (electric) glider last week. Considering the amount of work that will go into finishing a US$1,000 Graphite and US$400 Vortex-ET 2.5M gliders, I vote for a cheaper $1,000 Graphite. Never mind finish and structure of Graphite is much-much higher grade! Graphite 2
Posted on: 9/14/2012 6:42 AM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11228186

RE: FVK Graphite test flight report, Awesome
Brad, And I thought we pay too much for equipment here in US! I remember paying US$120 delivered for 4 HiTec HS-125MG's buying them off eBay brand new. Accidentally burnt one set and bought another one for the same price. Well, I used to compete in F3B (oh boy, back in 78'-81') but now I just want to enjoy the gliding (RC and real thing). Yes, I did compete in Open class gliders as well. Competing is a tough job and sometimes you lose the enjoiment of flying, that's one of the reasons I quit competition flights. Adrenaline becomes like smoking - you're getting it but do not feel the effect of it. Although for a few years I was not getting enough of adrenaline and turned it into speeding tickets (hah, many of them). Enjoy your Graphite! Thanks, Mark
Posted on: 9/14/2012 2:40 AM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11228076

RE: Graphite 2E from Vladimir's Models
Hi Brad! Big hello to Australia! Nope, I have 3.1 meter version. 2 meter is Mini-Graphite and mine is Graphite 2E. Thanks for the post. Your Graphite looks Hotttt! Mark
Posted on: 9/14/2012 1:15 AM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11228050

RE: Graphite 2E from Vladimir's Models
Just a few more pictures before servos and motor arrives.
Posted on: 9/13/2012 6:21 AM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11227123

RE: Scratch Designed/Built Sailplane Fuselage
Nodd, L3 would make my day! Although you'd need much more tail fin for it to fly nice.
Posted on: 9/6/2012 5:54 PM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11220104

RE: Graphite 2E from Vladimir's Models
just a couple of pics:
Posted on: 9/6/2012 5:50 PM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11220099

Graphite 2E from Vladimir's Models
Hi everybody! Got my Graphite 2E crosstail made by Vladimir's Models in Ukraine. It's an electric version of Graphite 2 glider. The quality and craftsmanship is impeccable! Absolutely stunning! Glider is 100% built and requires only equipment installation. So, considering the price of $1,000US delivered - in my book it's much cheaper than Art Hobby's Vortex ($400) as Vortex requires a lot of building to finish the glider. Considering my lack of hi-end power experience I have a few questions regarding the power plant/prop/ESC etc. I used a power calculator with the following variables: Model weight: 2.5Kg Battery: 4000mAh 3S ESC: Max power 60A Motor: Hacker A30-18M V2 with 6.7:1 gearbox Prop: Aeronaut 17x11 no yoke twist and it showed me Static thrust: 2,387 Kg Prop stall thrust: 1,363 Kg I know, motor is an outrunner, not the inrunner but considering it draws 1.9A idle current instead of 3+A on recommended inrunners I am gaining some flight time there while enough power is available according to calculator. My questions are: Motor's operating current is 50A and peak current is 70A. How do I choose ESC? By peak current or operating current? What's the high-end dependable ESCs out there? Do I use built-in BEC or should I opt to separate BEC? I have Aurora 9 radio with Optima 7 Rx that will let me use separate BEC unit. I plan on using MKS DS65K for rudder and elevator, KST DS135MG for ailerons and KST DS125 for flaps. Also I am researching idea of placing Rx in the wing and run quick connector for tail servos and power connector instead of ailerons and flaps since wing is hollow and has plenty of space there. I will post some pictures of the progress soon. Thanks for all the help! Mark.
Posted on: 9/6/2012 2:14 PM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11219903

RE: Art Hobby Vortex-ET 2.5M glider - getting one this week
Nope! It never happened to me ever.. Posted some fliers in a local stores and at the gas station. I know - it sucks but hey, stuff happens! cheers
Posted on: 5/3/2012 6:24 PM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11067519

RE: Art Hobby Vortex-ET 2.5M glider - getting one this week
I am sorry to inform everybody - my Vortex-ET flew away today in a haze. I've lost it in the air and never regained the visual on a glider. I did try to find it in the air - did not happen.
Posted on: 5/3/2012 2:27 PM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11067188

RE: Art Hobby Vortex-ET 2.5M glider - getting one this week
Got a few more great videos on YouTube. Great soaring Morning more videos Hope you'll enjoy it..
Posted on: 5/1/2012 5:50 PM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11064652

RE: Art Hobby Vortex-ET 2.5M glider - getting one this week
Maidened my Vortex on April 20, but video was taken bu GoPro from the helmet and there is not much to see. Today, early in the Morning flew it again: youtu.be/kBYmD1WgHXU It flies pretty good, although I've expected a bit more powerful climb out of the motor. My setup: Hitec Aurora 9 with Optima 7 receiver, Hitec HS-125MG wing servos, 2650mAh 20C 3S Lipos, 36Amps Castle ESC, ART-2000 Brushless motor, Aerohaut 16x8 CAM folding prop. Onboard GoPro camera. Glider is pretty stable on low speeds, air penetration is fairly good, mixing-in flaps with ailerons gives plenty of aileron response on slow speeds. Flaps braking is quite effective, rudder is very responsive, glider requires very little elevator control. I will post more info on soaring experience but glider look very promissing. Regards, Mark
Posted on: 4/24/2012 4:39 PM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11050910

RE: Art Hobby Vortex-ET 2.5M glider - getting one this week
Just got my package today! Boy, they fast! Here is package content images:  
Posted on: 4/21/2012 8:11 AM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11000062

RE: Art Hobby Vortex-ET 2.5M glider - getting one this week
Buzz, Just wanted to add - Vortesx does not have a balsa on wings - the is a thin veneer. Regards, Mark
Posted on: 3/25/2012 10:37 AM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11014274

RE: Art Hobby Vortex-ET 2.5M glider - getting one this week
Hey Buzz! I can only tell about Vortex. As I've mentioned - craftsmanship is very-very good. Parts fit great, quality of the material is outstanding. Although I have to mention it - you really need an experience to put it all together. It is not one of those ARTF kits that you could put together in a few hours. The idea behind their product is to provide you with parts that require technological process that is expensive and not a kitchen-top type. Basically you're getting high quality parts you can put together in a garage lab or so. I'd rate them 10 out of 10 as far as quality goes. Hope that helps. Regards, Mark
Posted on: 3/21/2012 8:10 PM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11010239

RE: Art Hobby Vortex-ET 2.5M glider - getting one this week
At this time I've almost finished sealing wings, glued-in motor mount, finished horizontal stab and will glue the vertical fin to the boom. Here is some pictures of motor mount, one picture through the tail boom hole.
Posted on: 3/19/2012 5:54 PM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11007572

RE: Art Hobby Vortex-ET 2.5M glider - getting one this week
Project update: - Sealed wings with laquer - Reinforced center panel and outboard wing panels with fiberglass, countrary to the manual I used fiberglass resin after I've covered foam with thin plywood Getting ready to glue the motor mount. As usual some pictures..
Posted on: 3/17/2012 7:39 PM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11004841

RE: Art Hobby Vortex-ET 2.5M glider - getting one this week
Here is a scan of assembly manual that was included in a kit in PDF format.
Posted on: 3/15/2012 10:47 PM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11002160

RE: Art Hobby Vortex-ET 2.5M glider - getting one this week
Just wanted to add - markings on a top of a fuselage for servo access I made myself - it did not come this way from the Art Hobby.
Posted on: 3/15/2012 10:53 AM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11001232

RE: Art Hobby Vortex-ET 2.5M glider - getting one this week
More glider kit images:
Posted on: 3/14/2012 5:27 PM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11000312

RE: Art Hobby Vortex-ET 2.5M glider - getting one this week
Quality of the craftsmanship is superb! All parts are fit together nicely. Now I have to read more closely the instruction booklet and get proper supplies to finish wing parts and to put everything together.
Posted on: 3/14/2012 12:55 PM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11000066

RE: covering a fully sheeted wing
I used to color it with water-based paint, let it dry completely and using a 400 sandpaper made it smooth. Then used a fiberglass rasin mix with acetone and sprayed a thin layer of the mix. It is water resistant and sets hard. Clear coat could be applied over and finished to a mirror-like surface. Weight is not an issue, since rasin coat is very thin. Never had a problem with a wing twist due to a long shelf life.
Posted on: 3/13/2012 5:35 PM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10999015

Art Hobby Vortex-ET 2.5M glider - getting one this week
For those who's interested - I am getting a Vortex-ET 2.5 meter electric glider from Art Hobby. I was in a long search for high performance electric glider and hopefully found one. My order was shipped Monday March 12, 2012 via USPS, I should be getting it this week. Promiss to post pictures and my reviews on biulding it and quality of the parts. Currently I am flying Samurai glider from Hobby-Lobby and my old (1999) 3 meter glider. Have some videos posted on www.youtube.com/user/TheMrksam Thanks everybody!
Posted on: 3/13/2012 5:24 PM by Author "longsoar" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10999000