RE: Axe CP 2.4 - 2 questions
Charging a battery from totally dead at 1C takes 2 hours. Fancier chargers can charge at higher rates, but only on packs that are rated for higher charging current. If you want to fly more frequently you should get additional packs so you can fly on another pack while you're charging.
Posted on: 3/17/2012 10:07 PM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Helimax"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11004969

RE: Hosed myself on Ebay purchase?
ARK have been around for a while- their 325mm heli was sold for a long time as the MX 450 by Tower Hobbies. They were decent helis, but not updated with time so went by the wayside. I was moderately interested a couple years ago when this heli was introduced, but as ARK's US footprint was all but gone I decided against it.
Posted on: 11/1/2011 5:28 AM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Helimax"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10791766

RE: mx450 battery tray.
The part from the MX 400 should work.
Posted on: 9/29/2010 7:26 PM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Helimax"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10036434

RE: helimax mx 400 pro
Good one, dragus. It's a belt drive, so making sure the belt isn't loose is a good idea.
Posted on: 7/11/2010 12:07 AM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Helimax"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9857058

RE: helimax mx 400 pro
There are only a few reasons for that, John- bad tail servo, tail sticking, gyro orientation reversed, or a bad gyro.
Posted on: 7/10/2010 11:16 PM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Helimax"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9856978

RE: mx400 main gear
I don't know if it would fit physically (never tried), but it would need re-gearing if it did. The TR gears are 150 tooth, while the MX uses a 138T gear.
Posted on: 3/2/2010 5:07 AM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Helimax"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9547858

RE: Retireing cpv3, cp pro2 or honey bee king3
The HBK is a good heli (and it is a belt tail). It's smaller than 325s like the TRex and Blade 400, but it flies well with good electronics.
Posted on: 3/1/2010 7:44 PM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Helimax"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9546746

RE: Gazaur Mars 480
Both links are going to the CF kit. Ron, you do NOT need another helicopter :).
Posted on: 2/6/2010 3:08 PM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Electric RC Helis"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9481921

RE: GYRO?
It may, depending on what gyro system you get. Some of the gyro systems have trainer modes that make it easier to fly, but that limits what you can learn.
Posted on: 1/30/2010 12:34 AM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Helimax"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9460369

RE: GYRO?
And they're great for aerobatics, too.
Posted on: 1/29/2010 7:36 PM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Helimax"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9459653

RE: MX450 XS Discussion Thread
[quote]ORIGINAL: sarmeneau thanks ill keep that in mind. i know i will have to learn to sit up before i learn to crawl. its a good thing im a very stubborn and a patient person. [/quote] Both attributes are useful in RC, and especially with helis ;).
Posted on: 1/25/2010 8:25 PM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Helimax"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9447916

RE: MX450 XS Discussion Thread
Welcome, sarmeneau. I'm still flying mine occasionally, but not nearly as much as before. The parts are the main issue. Last time I was on Tower, the parts selection was getting a little scarce. I've heard of people going to lichann for them, but I've never ordered there so I don't have any experience with them - http://www.lichann.com.tw/index.php?cPath=10&Twesid=fada9a6807bc6372f8b97e57dad0f90c. You can (generally) replace entire subsystems with Align bits, but individual parts won't interchange, with a few exceptions. I don't think I'd advise the MX as a starter heli, since the parts aren't as readily available as they used to be, until you're able to consistently fly it without crashing regularly. I'd more likely go get two or three of the Hobby King HK450s, one for flying and the other as a quick source of parts :), and beat that up first. They're dirt cheap, so learning is worry-free.
Posted on: 1/23/2010 1:13 PM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Helimax"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9440828

RE: Honeybee King v2 tuner shop
A better radio will make a good bit of difference in what you can do with the heli and how well you understand it. It sounds like you're doing ok with the heli, so it could be a good step up for you. I think I'd change transmitters if I were having to fix the TX so often- if you have an issue with it in flight, then you don't stand much chance of working it out without buying parts.
Posted on: 12/26/2009 7:24 PM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9361975

RE: Mx450Sx Battery upgarde
You can't fit packs that would give you any significantly greater flying time in the frame.
Posted on: 12/25/2009 1:03 AM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Helimax"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9358376

RE: Mx450Sx Battery upgarde
Generally about a 2100mAh 3S pack will work, since they're mostly a similar size, but you should look at the physical measurements of a pack you're considering to be sure the new one will physically fit. A 20C pack will be sufficient, but higher current specs won't hurt anything. Increasing the capacity may get you moderately longer flights, but likely not much, and larger packs may have difficulty fitting in the frame. You still need to be careful of the dimensions.
Posted on: 12/24/2009 7:42 PM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Helimax"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9357857

RE: Axe 400 RTF Tail Rotor Failure First Flight
This may be a silly question, but is the belt tensioned? If not, it's not a defect, just typical for "RTF." You do have to check fasteners, verify the pitch and collective, and so forth, even on an RTF heli that's supposedly been tested, just as if you'd just built it from parts.
Posted on: 12/12/2009 9:48 PM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Helimax"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9325896

RE: Honeybee King v2 tuner shop
There's a huge owners' thread on RCG that's still pretty popular.
Posted on: 10/30/2009 1:04 PM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9215168

RE: Honeybee King v2 tuner shop
A lot of K2 folks are on that OTHER forum :). I suspect new guys are getting the K3.
Posted on: 10/29/2009 12:34 PM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9212287

RE: Honeybee King v2 tuner shop
[quote]ORIGINAL: reel109 I know this has been discussed before, but what makes the tail bob up and down. My hbk2 just started doing this. [/quote] Very common is worn out dampers. Also, slower head speed developing as batteries age- the two are different sides of the same problem.
Posted on: 10/13/2009 5:27 PM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9170474

RE: Honeybee King v2 tuner shop
Fub stilll don't have the array of receiver choices that Spektrum does. They've expanded a lot in the last year, though, especially the smaller stuff.
Posted on: 10/12/2009 5:18 AM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9165892

RE: Honeybee King v2 tuner shop
I don't know the reasons behind that. The antennae on the FASST receivers are on leads about 4" long, so you can position them to avoid shadowing or polarity issues- that could be the reason, too.
Posted on: 10/11/2009 3:36 PM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9164171

RE: Honeybee King v2 tuner shop
[quote]ORIGINAL: chris1379 72 Mhz is fine if you don't have any issues. The reason for dual receivers on 2.4 GHz is it is more likely to get blocked or reflected. If the signal is lost momentarilly in a digital system like Spektrum, it can take several seconds for the receiver to lock back on to the transmitter. The extra receiver ensures that you always have a solid link in any orientation. [/quote] For older Spektrum, yes. The Futaba systems resync almost as quickly as a PCM radio.
Posted on: 10/11/2009 12:07 PM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9163732

RE: Best Heli for long term use
If you really want a smaller helicopter, then the ESky King 3 is a decent flier and has an active following online. It has a number of options you can add to it. If you want the most flexibility and can go to a 325mm heli instead, there are dozens of TRex and clone models out there, with every option part known to man on the market.
Posted on: 9/21/2009 5:06 AM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Helimax"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9111616

RE: Programming Futaba 6EX for an Axe 400
I don't know about the 190- never flew one -but the rate mode on the 401 is as good as most of the inexpensive so-called heading hold gyros :). Just for a counter point, Dick- I understand what you mean about liking rate, too, but I'll note that most people fly either mostly or exclusively in HH mode. I learned with rate gyros, so I appreciate it in normal flying, but I rarely use it any more.
Posted on: 8/17/2009 11:29 PM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Helimax"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9024525

RE: idle up
[quote]ORIGINAL: snobelt Sounds like it's worth it, maybe I'll give it a shot. In general, do you think most heli pilots are flying in idle up mode? Do you always? [/quote] Most heli plots adjust the heli to fly the way they want them to :). With a little experience, you'll fly in the mode that is right for what you're doing. RTFs like the Axe come with only a couple of flight modes- idle-up is full power and full pitch range, and normal is a limited pitch range with a reduced throttle. These are not the only ways to fly a helicopter, though- with most radios (not the ones that come with RTFs), you can set up multiple flight modes for different types of flying. I generally set up a normal mode for general putzing around with a moderate head speed and -3 to +8 or so pitch; a "sport" mode for big maneuvers like loops, rolls, eights and similar pattern-style stuff; and an all out mode with full pitch and high head speed for smaller maneuvers like flips, rainbows, and anything else that takes full power. I'm only chiming in because when you're starting out, a lot of people have a hesitance about idle-up like it's some advanced thing that you have to be prepared for- it's not, it's just another flight mode. If you're comfortable hovering and in forward flight, it really isn't a big thing; just flip your flight mode at flat pitch on the ground the first few times so it doesn't surprise you.
Posted on: 7/18/2009 11:46 PM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Helimax"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8945077

RE: Honeybee King v2 tuner shop
I have this one (http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXPX81&P=ML). Same concept as the one you pointed out, but it's been working for years. I think it's still on the original set of batteries, too :). You might think about the prismatic ones, though. The one I have (and that you pointed out) are more intended for fixed wing aircraft to check the prop speed. They work for helis on the ground, but if you get into bigger ones, it's a little nerve wracking to get it in a position to measure the blades (large heli, blades at flight speed... don't want to come in contact with that). The prismatic ("optical") tachs like the Skytach are more expensive, but arguably safer.
Posted on: 7/17/2009 12:15 AM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8940107

RE: Honeybee King v2 tuner shop
Yes, planks- the aircraft that have to move the whole airframe through the air in order to get airflow over the wing instead of slinging the wing around in circles the way God intended. I don't have any glow helis, though I've flown them. The Kyosho helis used to be pretty expensive, but they're trading for very good prices now, so I think you'd be happy with them. I have to mention the Compass Knight, though- it's a very easy heli to fly but can be set up to be very aggressive as well, and it's easy to convert to flybarless if you want to go in that direction. I am a Compass rep, so you should take that into account, but for an unaffiliated viewpoint give a listen to the InsideHeli podcast. Chris and James have discussed a lot of their experiences with the Compass helicopters, and I think the product speaks well enough that I'm comfortable pointing it out. I became a Compass rep because I like their helicopters, not the other way around :).
Posted on: 7/10/2009 11:24 PM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8923103

RE: Honeybee King v2 tuner shop
Either that, or I use old heli packs for planks, since they don't have to draw continuous high current like the helis do.
Posted on: 7/10/2009 11:51 AM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8921629

RE: Honeybee King v2 tuner shop
Careful, guys. Over 140F is getting a little dicey with lithium packs. It will definitely reduce their lifespan, if nothing else.
Posted on: 7/9/2009 10:07 PM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8920333

RE: Honeybee King v2 tuner shop
Yeah, after a year or so they usually get softer. It's not just cycling that does it; they deteriorate with time, too. I don't expect to get more than a year or two out of batteries, though some last longer.
Posted on: 7/9/2009 8:38 PM by Author "osterizer" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8920115