Lift
Elite Veteran
Location: Houston, TX
| Falcon SE v2Gforce,
I am finishing up my brand new Falcon SE v2. All I can say is WOW! I am not a beginner and have built 5 now 6 different models from TT, JR, and MA this year alone. To be totally honest, this kit LOOKS very promising. I haven't flown it yet so that is why I say LOOKS.
Here is what I like aside from the value(ie price per feature):
1) Parts quality. All the plastic is that hardened fiber filled stuff that MA uses. It is rigid and molds good. There are couple of parts I am not confident of but we will see(counter gear, elevator assembly).
2) Light weight! I have a digital fish scale I use to weigh my models. I haven't finished getting everything on but it is 98% complete and it is light, light, light. With my OS .50 I am expecting to see incredible power and great autos. It weighs a tad more than a Raptor 30 from what I can tell.
3) Bearing count. VERY high. Almost overkill but it should be smooth as silk and last a long time.
4) Start system. The spur gear, clutch, clutch bell, and fan ALL mount on the crankshaft. This removes alignment issues. It may reduce the life of the crankshaft bearings but it sure is neat and intelligent.
5) Appearance. The Falcon SE v2 looks like something crossed between a baby Robbe Mille and a MA Graphite. It comes with what looks like the MA low profile "Tuff Struts" landing gear. Very stylish!!
This is my first Century heli. I was scared to death to by one because of all the negative sentiment towards Century. I know some people have had bad web related dealings. You know, backorders, missing parts, whatever. I never have had any bad transactions with Heli-World so I guess the customer service is hit and miss.
Century has some time on this design now and it shows. That is why you get a metal swashplate, slipper, etc. Maybe someone who knows the history of the Raven/Falcon can chime in but a guy that I fly with who used fly Century helis looked at my Falcon and said it was a totally different design.
I would have gone with the Raven but I did not like the arrangement of the servos for the CCPM controls. They are indeed direct to the swash but not tucked away the way I would have liked. The Venture is the best arrangement I have seen if you like CCPM. But, if that is not an issue to you then the Raven is probably a tremendous flyer as well.
Good luck and keep asking questions. |
) and they made the heli a little pitchy, especially in a gusty wind. When I have some extra cash I'll probably buy another set of Hurricane blades. If you buy either the Falcon SEv2 or the Raven 50 you're getting a lot for your money.
