Eury
rrProfessor
Location: Ankeny, IA, USA.
| Got 2 more flights on it today, so it's got a total of 45 minutes int he air. It's all tuned in, making good power, and is smooth with just the slightest vibe in the tail fin. After those 45 minutes of flight (wtih JR 8717s, no less), my battery still reads 5.2, and jumps to 5.4 when I start the heli. The generator is AWESOME.
I'll give my impression of the Spectra VS the Pred, and vs a glow heli.
First, vs the Predator
Same engine, same basic equipment (except the Spectra has a generator), my Spectra feels lighter, I didn't weigh them both, but carrying them both out to the car, one in each hand, the Spectra is definitely lighter. Probably a a pound or so. Build wise, the Spectra is easier, and goes together much faster, and getting it setup is a whole lot easier, especially setting meshes and clearances. Maintenance wise, the Spectra is easier to work on, it's simple to pull the engine, the pem nuts in the frame make servo changes easier, and setting up a single linkage is easier than push pull. Of course, the Predator's push pull has redundancy and rigidity, but the optional servo supports from MA give better support than push pull, and I prefer them, although it's stupid that they aren't included in the kit, there's no excuse for that. I prefer the way the front tail pinion is supported in the Spectra, although the one in the Pred is very robust as well. Mechanics wise, there honestly isn't a single area I prefer the Pred in, with the exception of the large front tray making electronics installs easier.
In the air, they both fly awesome. The Spectra feels lighter and more powerful, but it is lighter, and the gear ratio could have something to do with it (7.15 vs 6.9 in the Pred). Tracking wise, they are very similar, and in agility and cyclic speed, are about the same. If you put the same canopy on them and didn't know which was which, you'd notice the lighter feeling in the Spectra, but it's not a huge difference. They both fly great, and I'd be happy with either one. If I were buying a new heli for sport flying (from the factory, not used), I'd buy the Spectra, although I don't think it'd be worth dumping one for the other, and that's assuming you don't crash much and don't mind the higher parts prices from MA. If you're crashing more often, the parts costs on the Pred would probably make it a better choice, and for things like AP, the Pred feels better suited. I can't explain why, and it may all be in my head, but the Pred is just more massive and feels like it'd hold up to and be more appropriate for that job.
Vs a Nitro
They fly different, they are more relaxed than a glow heli, 50 or 90 sized, and don't have the power or agility. They do the same things, but they do them slower. I can do the same things with both my gassers and glow, but the gas requires better collective management, and energy management. You can get going full speed on a glow heli and stop on a dime to change directions, the gas is going to take more room. Still very agile, but it doesn't have the frenetic feel of a well set up glow heli. They are a huge amount of fun, but they are different. Here's what I love about a gasser, it's a grab and go heli. Set up well, it doesn't shake, flies great and has good power, and with camper fuel, it doesn't smell. I can just grab it, my TX and the gas can, and go fly anytime. It's like an electric, except without the charging.
My above comments are based on a stock 231 engine, about the least powerful engine you can put in a gasser. They say the modified 231s make 40% more power, and the modified 260s are in the 50% range. That would change a lot of things. I've got my TRM 231 going in for service tomorrow, hopefully it'll be back soon and I'll be able to give an impression with that. I can tell you that I'm not hurting for power with the stock 231, and I'm REALLY looking forward to the mod engine. It should turn the heli into a real beast.
Nick Crego
Still wanted by the government, I survive as a soldier of fortune. |
I do like you said love the nitros for the stop on a dime agility. I can't help but flying them as hard as I can usually to the point of getting past my ability level and crashing. I spent most of last year rebuilding my helis. I want to spend the rest of this year and all of next year just enjoying flying I am tired of crashing. I have decided to let my skills come to me over time instead of being the next Szabo. You said they are more relaxed than a glow heli this is exactly what I want. Hurricaines funnels inverted four point and piroing hovers rolling forward and backrawds flight are about as hard as I would ever fly a gasser basically sport flying. A big fun cruiser that I can enjoy time and time again. Its good your having excellent results with Raja's generator and 8717's as I know they are power hungry I had been afraid to run them wondering if the generator will keep up with them. It is good to know it will 
