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HeliProz . ZoomsHobbies . HeliHobby

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Century Hawk - Falcon - Raven - Predator > Why are there so many bad Century posts?
 
 
padilme01
Heliman
Location: Northern California

I am new to the hobby and very exited about getting my first heli. I have been practicing on Realflight G2 for about a year and I am ready to try the transition from sim to actual flight.

I have been researching the 50 size machines and I am leaning toward the Falcon SE II (also looking at the Sceadu 50 and Fury 50). I live in Northern California, near Century Helicopters, and I have had all positive interactions with the guys at Century, both at the store and at Bayside RC Club.

I don’t understand why there seems to be so many negative posts regarding Century’s products and service. I would like to hear from people that have actual experiences with Century.

As everyone knows this hobby is expensive and I want to make sure that the service will be there in the future.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Martin
07-17-2002 Over year old.
 
 
Inspector Fuzz
Veteran
Location: My own private Idaho.

Century....

Howdy!!!!
There really are not that many bad posts about Century.. I have had really good luck with them in the past when I bought the original Hawk... They have even helped me with issues on the phone, and sent me a bearing that was missing from a new kit... I just ordered and am building a Falcon 50 SE. The heli looks great and I can't wait to get it in the air.. They gave me free UPS ground shipping on the kit, motor, and a couple of other things.. It all got here in 5 days.. No problems...
There is a saying in the restauraunt industry.. If someone has a good experience with something they tell one or two other people.. If they have a bad experience they tell ten people...i..e..people are more likely to bitch than give accolades.. As of yet I have nothing but good things to say..
JEFF
07-17-2002 Over year old.
 
 
driftrider
Veteran
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA. (In my own little world)

I love my Raven...It's had a couple of teething problems, but after i got the little bugs worked out it has been great.

Mike
07-18-2002 Over year old.
 
 
oldfart
Elite Veteran
Location: Vancouver, Canada

Century Heli

Your guess is as good as mine. But here is my theory.

Many years ago, when Century first launched the Hawk I as an entry level heli it was a hit at only $199.95 because there was nothing in the 30 size at the time that even came close in price. This heli was meant as an inexpensive unit for initial entry level training. Unfortunately some of the agressive hot doggers purchased them to practice their hard 3D routines in order to save money from crahes relative to when they would crash one of their expensive 60 size units and to keep them from the same abuse they were giving their Hawk 1. As the inital Hawk 1's at only $200 were not designed for this, they would wear quickly in that environment. These same flyers would bad mouth the heli, not thinking that for $200, how could they expect it to be what their $900 to $1500 hi-zoot 60 was! Century never claimed it to be.

Over the years the basic entry level Hawk (Hawk IV) has improved to a point of being the equal of any and better then most. But its price has only increased 10%! So many do not realize that though its price is among the lowest, it delivers the highest standards for the 30 size class and the Hawk SE delivers it all. Similarly in the 46/50 size, the Falcon SE V2 has been upgraded to the point of being one of the leaders in its class, yet at the relatively low price of only $400.00!..

In many industries you will see that when a manufacturer makes something of equal or superior quality at a very low price, the consumers have a hard time believing it. Because it is at a low price, many are predisposed to expect it to be of inferior quality.

Fortunately, the current Century helis give you top dependability, reliability and performance at great prices. That is why they are now starting to gain a very loyal following....and to gain a lot of converts from those who were non believers (see the review of the Falcon SEV2 from Stephen Bell in the latest Model Helicopter World magazine from the UK, the Stephen Reuss review of the Falcon SEV1 in Rotory magazine last year and other reviews in these magazines in the past 18 months or so). This is just an example of how they are now gaining a lot of respect and how the media is finally starting to realize the "Best Buys" that they really are.

Also, because Century does not have a 60 size model (which is what most pilots that are field reps or fully factory sponsored pilots want to fly) they do not have any "big name" show pilots brandishing their name. This makes a big difference in how any brand is accepted. One just has to look at how popular the Robbe helis became when Curtis Youngblood became one of their pilots, and look at how Robbe has faded since he left.

If you want to see what many owners love them check out the "showroom" forum on www.rchelicopters.org

Phil
07-18-2002 Over year old.
 
 
K&B
Senior Heliman
Location: Columbus Ohio

Raven 30

I have a Raven 30,flys great and no problem yet.
great heli's for the money!!

Kevin

Sponsored by KBDD
07-18-2002 Over year old.
 
 
driftrider
Veteran
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA. (In my own little world)

I forgot to mention that the couple of pilots I've let fly my Raven (I'm very selective about who I'll let fly it) to help me make sure my setup was ok both said that it was a very smooth, nice flying heli. I would say that they were impressed with it, especially since it is just a Century.

I think that there are a good number of pilots out there who would really be impressed too if they ever flew a Century ship. Unfortunately, for most, the only way to try one is to buy one, and many won't take the plunge. X-Cell's, JR's and Hirobos sell because they have been around for a long time and have been advertised a lot through media and by Reps and sponsored pilots. I'm not condemning them for it, but it might be one of the reasons a Sceadu costs so much more than a Hawk/Falcon/Raven equipped just as well, or better.

My Raven 50 cost me $375 and came stock with many parts that are "upgrades" for some of the other models.

A short list looks like this:

10mm mainshaft
6mm feathering spindle
4mm flybar
Ball bearings on every rotating part.
Very nice machined all-metal swash plate.
Carbon torque-tube tail drive w/ machined aluminum ends.
Very durable "Tuff-struts" style landing gear.
Aluminum lower frames, radio tray, and servo mounts.
Frame mounted aluminum rear tail servo mount.
Thrust bearings in the both main and tail blade grips.
Machined aluminum rotor hub with molded plastic yolk.
$80 Hurricane 600mm Carbon/FRP composite main blades.
Fairly low crash costs.

I'm not saying that the other brands suck, I just feel that the Century helis offer more bang for the buck. I can't wait for Century to introduce the 60 size heli they're supposedly working on.

Mike
07-18-2002 Over year old.
 
 
ncostes
Veteran
Location: US

I've seen plenty of positive posts from Century owners. The only negatives I've seen are from reps. from other heli companies, and I understand why they don't like a low cost high quality heli from a competitor

In any case just do a search for Hawk or Falcon on here and you'll see lots of happy pilots
07-18-2002 Over year old.
 
 
the Wasp
rrProfessor
Location: Vt

Know problems here !!!

I know 2 heli reps,,, one is a rep for Ace Hobbies (TT Raptor) when I told him I wanted a bigger heli he told me to stick with what I know and buy the Century Falcon (WOW),,,, the other rep is a rep for Robbie, 2 weeks after I let him fly my Hawk SE V2 he had a Falcon with an OS50 (WOW), he sat there telling me, look here, look at this, see how that is made, this is a good heli, I just ordered my Falcon today, knowing how smooth my HawkV2 flew I can't wait to fly my Falcon !!,,,

And I have had no problem with my Hawk !!!


Jim
07-18-2002 Over year old.
 
 
heliman41
Key Veteran
Location: Valparaiso IN. USA

A few other pts. here also, Ive owned several flavors of the Hawk line and still have a Hawk SE in an Airwolf I fly. In the time when I was flying my Hawks a lot I noticed most fellas griping about their Hawks were newbees. Newbees usually always screwup something in the building phase the first time its pretty much expected even on a model as simple as a Hawk. Also a lot of them were buying ARFs and we all know ARFs arent lubed correctly by any Co. period so things tend to wear fast. Also the previous posts about havin a cheap 3D heli was also a good pt. they arent made for that purpose, and you would thing a good 3D pilot would know better anyway but people always want something for nothing me included sometimes he,he. For what it is the Hawk especially the SE version is a fine heli it really could use a belt drive or a tube drive but if you can overlook that failing its a very nice machine with a head very similar to MA. I like my SE in my Airwolf it never give me any grief ever and is tight as can be. I still like the TT Raptor hands down only because I dont like wire drives period. Just had to say that!
07-18-2002 Over year old.
 
 
Jumby
Heliman
Location: Santa Cruz, CA

I currently fly the Hawk SE v2 and I am planning on the Raven 50 in the near future (after I train up some more skills). The Hawk SE is a sweet flying machine. It takes a licking and keeps on ticking (tm) Plus, all the "upgrades" on other machines come standard with the Hawk SE.

It's pathetic how many people need to justify themselves by buying the most expensive helicopter out there. If a brand has obvious (things obvious to even intermediate flyers) superior qualities like the Century SE line (that's all I can speak about), it should never be bad mouthed the way some folks do.

Living in NorCal too, I can't tell you how sweet it is to receive your ordered parts the next day via UPS (and not have to pay for it) from heli-world. Yummy! Can't complain at all -- in fact, I think I'm what oldfart referred to as a "loyal following"

--Eric
07-18-2002 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
mike lewis
Senior Heliman
Location: northeastern AZ

Quality

You must compare apples to apples! Please set them out on a table in front of you and look closely at mechanics of the heli's you will soon appreciate Century's 30 and 50 size machines, then as I have done fly them for a few months. What "I" find is time and time again I will pick up the century and sell off the lesser machines. With out fear of offending some one who sponsers me. I get good service, fair prices with century products. And I am extremly demanding of fair return for MY $ just though I would like to say that. Thanks Mike
07-18-2002 Over year old.
 
 
padilme01
Heliman
Location: Northern California

Thank for all the great info and opinions

I would like to thank everyone who has replied. Thanks “oldfart” for the great in-site.

As I stated in my first post, everyone at Century has been very helpful and informative, and I appreciated that service.

Based on the information provided and their service so far, it looks like they have earned my business and possibly another loyal follower.

Thanks for the info.

Martin
07-18-2002 Over year old.
 
 
voclain
Senior Heliman
Location: Houma, LA

I'm in the process of building a Falcon....

And I am most impressed. But know this, I'm coming from a NEXUS ARF to the Falcon SE II, WOW what a difference!!

As I'm building it, I'm taking my time, asking questions, and making sure everything is set up correctly before I move on.

So far, I can't imagine WHY some have talked negative about this company????

Some have said they don't like talking to Helicopter World, well then use the web site is my advice!! I find there web site is one of the best one's out there!!!

Anyway, I think I've become a "Century" guy!!!!

Kirk
07-18-2002 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
cdolor
Heliman
Location: Fair Hill Maryland

I have had lite machines (toys), Nexus and a Shuttle, I now fly a Hawk IV and think it is a great machine. I do FFF and hover only but I've had to go it alone because until last week I had never seen another rc heli pilot. After nearly 2 gallons of fuel I've had no problems running or maintaining this heli. It hovers rock solid and is very forgiving. I am in the process of setting up the collective for -10 to +10 as I am getting brave enough to try a loop.

I would buy another Century heli.

Hope this helps,
Chuck
07-18-2002 Over year old.
 
 
Vance
Veteran
Location: York ,PA

You guys missed a couple of reasons.
Century service- People who call century directly(there weren't a lot of hobbyshops carrying their parts early on) would get to speak to someone that couldn't understand or speak the english language well enough to be taking phone orders for heli parts. So now people were receiving incorrect parts that they didn't order because the woman on the phone couldn't understand what you were saying. OK now you call Century and explain the situation to them and they say OK send the part(s) back. But the catch is that they refuse to pay the shipping to send the part(s) back, AND on top of that they will try and charge you for shipping on sending the correct part. I'm not making this up, there are many heli forums out there that this scenario is repeated time after time as well as that one site(forget the URL) that grades vendors. The situation is somewhat better now because there are alternative sources of parts besides dealing directly with Century. I remember when andrew left Century he was also unhappy with the lack of customer service. THIS was one of the main reasons that the hawk helis didn't start off so well. See what happens if Rick's R/C sends you a wrong part, I bet you end up happy about the transaction in the end.
The second reason that the hawk series didn't start out so well was because it was based on an old design( heli ion, or lion cat, or something like that) So nobody was really interested in a company that just bought the molds to an old heli and started(re)making it. They have since chnaged some things of the design but the stigma remains of the hawk helis being an old revised helicopter. I have flown the newer hawks(not the raven) and they are good helicopters with quality parts. Part of the reason for the Hawks increase in popularity and sales is the fact that a lot of people are dealing with hobby shops and not century direct (jinglish).
07-18-2002 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
driftrider
Veteran
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA. (In my own little world)

Vance,

Either you haven't called them for a while, or you just aren't very lucky, because every time I've called Heli-world I've always spoken to a native English speaking American. They have always been helpful to me. I think that Heli-world may actually listen to customers and read boards like this one (in fact, one of the guys at Heli-world told me he reads RunRyder), and when they see complaints like the non-english speaking customer service people, they listen and change their methods to provide better service.

Mike
07-18-2002 Over year old.
 
 
Vance
Veteran
Location: York ,PA

That's great, I'm glad to hear ther're responding. You're correct in that I haven't dealt with them in quite some time as my past experiences with them has been less than positive. I'm contemplating getting into scale a little in the near future and their ARF scale ships look like the ticket for me. I'm not a closed minded individual and I believe that people & companies can change, I was just on the fence as to whether or not century had changed or not,After reading this thread I may just go with them.
Thanks
Vince
07-18-2002 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
voclain
Senior Heliman
Location: Houma, LA

IF you would like, I can post here my BUILDING PROJECT!!!

I've posted my project WITH PICTURES on RCU. If everyone want's, I certainly can post it here also. This is my SLOW time of year, and being I'm a professional Photographer, well I figured I would document this project.

I don't want to be pushy, so I'll wait till I'm asked to do so.

IF you want to read AND SEE what I've done so far, go to:
The Falcon SE II Building Project

LET me know!!!

IT could help change some of the feelings people have about Century.

Yours,

Kirk Voclain
07-18-2002 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
jimmyhua
Veteran
Location: Guam

oldfart

That's a very interesting theory about why so many complain about Century Helis. My theory is that the Hawks were so cheap, that most guys buying their first helis were Century Buyers.

Since these guys were inexperienced, they built their helis all wrong and took them to the field. The heli guru's saw the "crap" and passed judgement. Also, you get to see alot of new flyers complain about their heli as it's never their fault.

Ever see a heli with reversed T/R blades fly?

Heck, my first heli was a Century Heli (glad I didn't build it).

The only guys worth listening to are those people with experience who own both a Century Heli and something else. When you speak to these guys, it's more of a 50/50 toss-up. But then, you get guys who compare a Hawk vs. a X-cell Pro2K, and tell you the X-cell is better. Well, yeah, for $2000 dollars, I would hope it's better!

Right now, I have only owned Hawk SE. However, looking at how many guys who have owned both a Century Heli, and something else. And seeing that 50% favor their Century heli, and the other half either like their other half either like their super duper heli more, or like the ease of repair of their Raptor. I would have to say, going with Century isn't a bad choice.

I personally am going to stick with Century so my parts inventory won't be so insane. Alot of the parts between the Hawk and Falcon are interchangeable so...
07-18-2002 Over year old.
 
 
Syclic
Senior Heliman
Location: Northern Hemisphere

I LOVE CENTURY HELI's

Over the years I have burned more then 6200 tanks of fuel in a lot of different 30, 46 and 60 size helis (Kavan, GMP, Schluter/Robbe, MinAir, Hirobo, Kalt, TSK, JR, Vario, Heim and Century).

Of all of these I have found the "best buys" have been in the Century heli's from the entry level Hawk IV, top spec Hawk SE, ARF Scale Bell222 and to my all time favorite Falcon SE V2 (which has relegated my high spec 60's to the shelf most of the time. I only take them out once in a while to let them know I haven't forgotten them).

I deal mostly with one of our LHS's who now almost always has any part I need and if he is sold out he always gets it in his next weekly shipment.

But I started flying Century heli before they became the most popular brand in these parts and at that time I would order from Heli-World. I always found their service to be very good. Sometimes I did get someone who was not overly fluent in english, but she always tried to help. If I was not sure she understood I would ask her to get Andrew or Will to call me back and they always did. As for parts supply, they always seemed to have what I needed.

I think another big reason is hobby shop oriented. Most LHS owners know little about helicopters and order regularly from Great Planes, Horizon or TT for their popular airplane items. Consequently it is easier for them to order a Kyosho, JR or TT helicopter for anyone in their market interested in trying one. They could just add the heli to the regular order they would make to these distributors. They did not have to trouble themselves with setting up an account with another distributor who only specialized in R/C Helicopters and their associated equipment. This would require extra effort.....god forbid!

There are a number of hobby shops in my area who stock heli's from these distributors, but none of them fly helicopters. The one that is run by someone who flies helis has really become a big Century dealer and also sells most of the helis bought in this area. As an active flyer he has found the Century brand the best to deal in. Even though he sells others, the majority of his inventory has drifted from the others and has now become predominantly Century oriented except in the 60 class.
07-18-2002 Over year old.
 
 
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Ron’s HeliProz South . Century Helicopter . MTA Hobbies

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Century Hawk - Falcon - Raven - Predator > Why are there so many bad Century posts?
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