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Beginners Corner > Second Helicopter?

UglyJumper
New Heliman
Location: Sunnyvale, CA, USA

Hi,

I'm looking for a second helicopter, and I need advice. Right now I'm considering either a T-Rex 500 or a Swift 16, but I'm not sure that those are my best choice.

I have been flying my Blade CX2 for a while now, and I'm getting comfortable with it, so I think its time to upgrade to a more serious helicopter. The experts tell me that bigger is easier to fly, so I'm looking for a larger helicopter. My budget won't allow for a huge model, so I am looking at the T-Rex 500 or the Swift 16.

Just to avoid engine tuning, I want to stay with an electric model.

The tradeoffs I'm considering are:

(1) Cost of replacement parts. Most of the T-Rex parts are only a little more expensive than the Swift parts, with one major exception: the blades. The Swift blades are $13 woodies, and the T-Rex blades will cost me several times that. Does anybody know of any wooden blades for the T-Rex? If not, does anybody want to speculate on future availability?

(2) Availability of replacement parts. Several shops in my area carry all of the T-Rex parts. The Century office in San Jose is not too far, so the Swift is covered, but I'd rather go to a nearer shop.

(3) Size. If bigger is better, then the Swift seems to be a better choice.

(4) Stability. I have no idea which bird is better. Please provide some advice.

(5) Long-term viability. I would like my second helicopter to take me all the way to aggressive 3D later on. From what I can tell, the T-Rex beats the Swift. I think the T-Rex could be my 'final' helicopter, but I think I would need to procure a third 3D bird if I go with the Swift.

(6) Overall engineering. The T-Rex seems to be better in this area.

Am I considering the right issues? Am I assessing the issues correctly? Are there other good choices for a second bird?

My heart is set on the T-Rex, but I just can't afford the $60 blades while I am training.

Thanks ahead of time!

Ugly

08-05-2008 05:08 PM

smcbmw
Veteran
Location: Louisville, Kentucky

I have an hdx 500 which has good parts support and is a very good bird. I have had no quality issues with it and it seems to stand with the trex quality. ( I also have a trex 450).

http://www.helidirect.com/index.php?cPath=30_303

Just some thought.... There are many good quality birds out there that you can get alittle cheaper than the name brands. Just make sure you put some quality electronics in it..

10-8

08-05-2008 05:12 PM

TJinGuy
Elite Veteran
Location: Socorro, NM - USA

I know that it is a fact that bigger helis are more stable and react more slowly to input commands and that makes them easier to fly but man are the 500 and 600 sized electrics expensive. I mean you are looking at $1000 for just the bird and then you need to get some moderately expensive batteries and a pretty expensive charger to run it. Then there is the fact that crashing one is really expensive compared to a smaller heli.

So I have to ask, why not take a smaller step and get a 450 sized as your first CP heli? They fly very well and are much cheaper to maintain and repair. You can still buy a charger that will handle 6s packs but you could use it to charge (2) 3s packs at once. Seems like a more logical step to me. And then when you are ready for bigger, then you can take the 500 or 600 leap or even a nitro if you want. But you will still have your "baby" 450 to play around with.

- Chris

Variety+spice+life+supporting_paper_towel_industry=
King2+Rex450+Protos+Concept30

08-05-2008 05:22 PM

Drunk Monk
rrProfessor
Location: Preston, UK

A 450 isn't a patch on the trex 500. I have both and haven't flown my 450 since I got the 500. I haven't flown a swift but I can promise you won't be disapointed with the trex 500.

Stephen

I only open my mouth to change feet.....

08-05-2008 05:26 PM

TJinGuy
Elite Veteran
Location: Socorro, NM - USA

Hey I am in love with the 500s too and want a 500 sized badly but as a first heli, it is a very expensive one. I am just pointing that out.

- Chris

Variety+spice+life+supporting_paper_towel_industry=
King2+Rex450+Protos+Concept30

08-05-2008 05:32 PM

Drunk Monk
rrProfessor
Location: Preston, UK

Don't know about over there but here the 450 sev2 is pretty much the same price as the 500.

450

http://www.fast-lad.co.uk/store/tre...me)-p-1327.html

500

http://www.fast-lad.co.uk/store/tre...es)-p-2736.html

Batteries do cost alittle more but you are getting a much more capable heli for your money and it doesn't mind a little wind unlike the 450.

If you can fly a blade around then I think you are ready for something bigger, trex 500, 600 nitro? loads of options and align parts you can get from the corner shop nowadays

Stephen

I only open my mouth to change feet.....

08-05-2008 05:53 PM

TJinGuy
Elite Veteran
Location: Socorro, NM - USA

Who said anything about a 450SEv2? Why does everybody always bring up the most expensive 450 out there? Hell you could go with a Mini Titan w/motor and esc for $250. Sorry ... Sorry ... that is just a sore point with me. But that is not the real point, most people run $250 worth of servos on a 500 where as $50 worth of servos work well on a 450. Then there is the crash cost. Yes all that weight helps the stability but when a newbie plows a 500 into the ground, the cost to repair is going to be 2-5 as much!

I am not trying to be a 450 advocate but just looking at things from the point of view that we have a new pilot here and this is his first CP heli. If he is rolling in money, then by all means grab a 500 or even a 600 and go nuts. But if he is fighting any kind of money issue, then maybe a smaller heli would be a better starter heli. That is my point.

And he has been flying a Blade CX not a CP. He has some learning to do.

- Chris

Variety+spice+life+supporting_paper_towel_industry=
King2+Rex450+Protos+Concept30

08-05-2008 06:14 PM

Friday_2008
Heliman
Location: Athens, Greece

If money is not an issue for you go for the options you mentioned. If it is an issue then go for a 450 class. I would give a plus for the Mini Titan / Trex / Beam E4.

what i like most of those 450 is that i can carry them everywhere and fly in really small places. (just hovering of course) but still flying ;-) and still having a serious heli.

just me 2cents

08-05-2008 06:44 PM

Drunk Monk
rrProfessor
Location: Preston, UK

You could buy a plastic titan, or a g10 trex 450, both cheaper than the SE but I reckon it's better to pay the extra and get the fully metal head as it is more stable and flies much better. Titan do a blinged out version for the same price as the SE, either would fly fine but still not be anywhere near as good as a trex 500. Personal preference for the pilot is the key really, buy what you like the look of and think you'll enjoy.

I did get my blades mixed up

Stephen

I only open my mouth to change feet.....

08-05-2008 06:47 PM

charliedoane
Senior Heliman
Location: Branford, CT USA

I own a trex 500 and 450. Both are great helis. If cost is a factor then the battery should be one item you need to consider. A battery for a 450 is less expensive to replace if you crash. Blades for the 450 are cheaper. I love my 500 and would not sell it. I seldom fly my 450 anymore.

08-05-2008 07:00 PM

TachyonDriver
Veteran
Location: Chipping, Lancs, UK

Quote
2) Availability of replacement parts. Several shops in my area carry all of the T-Rex parts.

That statement right there should influence your decision despite the more expensive blades.

Tach.

Little Spinning Bundle of Joy® DON'T DISS THE DINO!!

08-05-2008 07:05 PM

TJinGuy
Elite Veteran
Location: Socorro, NM - USA

I forgot to mention but you can run the fiberglass blades for $25 a set. Saying that they are are made by Align, I am sure they are more than fine for learning and sport flying.

- Chris

Variety+spice+life+supporting_paper_towel_industry=
King2+Rex450+Protos+Concept30

08-05-2008 08:23 PM

Ozz58
Heliman
Location: Ft. Worth, TX USA

Come on guys

This guy is new and said, "been flying my Blade CX2 for a while now, and I'm getting comfortable with it" not knocking this statement, but the CX isn't that hard to fly. Now if he said a CP, I would say buy anything you want, you would be ready for it.

We need to ask, Do you have a simulator?
Where are you planning on flying? backyard, park or RC field.
What is your budget?

I don't think his next bird will really take him into 3-D, so we need to think "what will get his skill level up to the next step and not kill his bank account in the process." He will have crashes.

I have a CX, CP, Blade 400 and a Shuttle nitro 600 size plus RealFlight 3.5. All fly, well not sure you could call what the CP does is flying.

UglyJumper if you could answer the above questions, I'll gladly give you my thoughts.

I would like to keep you in this addicting hobby, so I don't want the next choice to chase you away. Because the next step is the biggest you'll do in this hobby.

My two pennies,

Craig

08-05-2008 11:56 PM

UglyJumper
New Heliman
Location: Sunnyvale, CA, USA

Additional information about my situation

Ozz58:

Good questions; I should have included that information in my original post.

I have RealFlight G4; I plan to spend a LOT of time on it this winter before I attempt any flight with the new bird (assuming I can control my childish excitement over this). I'm a strong believer in it; I could not control my Blade CX2 at all until I got some time on the simulator.

I am joining Bayside R/C in Fremont, CA; they have a very strong heli contingent and they seem to have a good training program. For the forseeable future, I will be flying at their site. BTW, their site seems rather windy.

As for my budget: That's complicated. I've dropped plenty of hints and my birthday is coming up

. I'll know my full budget next week. If nothing big happens on my birthday, I may have to settle for a Blade CP 400. On the other hand, if my hints worked, budget might not be an issue...

Many people are pointing me toward a T-Rex 450. I know that crashes on this bird a quite inexpensive, so that is a strong case in its favor. I had one expert tell me that because it is so small, I will have more crashes, and the net result will be that I spend more on it than on a larger bird. Is there any validity to this argument?

Ozz58 said: "He will have crashes".
I feel like I should be offended, but I have far too many crashes on my Blade CX2

08-06-2008 01:06 AM

Way2slow
Veteran
Location: Jeffersonville Ga

If you're thinking crashes on a Trex450 are "expensive", don't even think about going to a 50, 60, or 90 size. I can crash my Trex 450SE V2 as cheap or cheaper than I can buy a set blades for my 50 size nitro heli's. Crash a 600N Pro and break the frames, it's gonna cost you $200+ to get it flying again. A minor crash on a 50 size is usually going to cost you $100 and that goes up as the heli gets bigger.

As for your birthday, better break it down into parts and post a wish list so it can be bought that way. Your looking a $1,200+ to build a new 50 size heli and if you're thinking all the good stuff, close to $2,000.

You can pick up some pretty nice use Raptors and Trex's for $450 - $600 if you shop around and have someone the know them check them out for you.

The 50 size heli's are going to be much, much better in the wind. Wind is going to bounce your little 450's around pretty good. I have flown my 450 in 15 - 20 mph winds just to learn to control it in the wind and it's a handfull. My 600N Pro was very flyable in the same wind.

I would think the 500 would handle the wind better the the 450. Just remember, as the size of the heli increases, so does the cost to fly it. More and Bigger batteries, additional and bigger chargers etc.

08-06-2008 02:58 AM

Ozz58
Heliman
Location: Ft. Worth, TX USA

UglyJumper,

Glad to hear you have a sim, like I said I have a couple of versions of RF myself.

I'm not trying to talk you out of getting the T-Rex 500, as that will be my next bird. Have done a lot of research, and for me it is what will be the next logical heli for myself. Looks like a great, well made bird. I will probably get the fiberglass version as it seems there are some static problems with the carbon fiber versions.

And yes, the larger heli's are easier to fly, but the pucker factor on the stick will still be the same.

As for the T-Rex 450, I looked at it (really like it) and the Blade 400, for me the difference in money drove me to the Blade.(I got mine for $395) Looking back, it might almost be a tie in terms of dollars. To get the Blade 400 to perform like I wanted, I had to upgrade the servos ($120) also maybe because I live in HOT Texas I was having a overheating problem and had to get a BEC ($28). There are a lot of post about this in a different forum. I still run the stock gyro, but many are updating to the 410. ($120 or so, I think) As I recall the 450 was around $400, you'll still need to get a radio, batts and a charger. So now it's looking more like $750. Looks like the Blade 400 wins, by a little.

The T-Rex 500 will run you around a grand with some of the goodies.

You say you are planning on spending a lot of time this winter on the sim, does this mean your planning on flying whatever you get next year? If so, the time on the sim, if you do it almost daily and change some of the setting to make it more realistic, will get you ready for some nice hovering in the spring. And you might jump staight to the 500. This along with the local club will help.

Not sure this help you make the dissision.

Let me know if I can help,

Craig

08-06-2008 03:17 AM

llamont
Senior Heliman
Location: California

UglyJumper:

My suggestion to you would be for you to go to your "soon to be" flying field and find out what helicopters are popular. If the club has a strong helicopter gathering then you should be able to obtain solid answers to your posted questions. Although others may not agree with me, it does not appear to be fun to be the new guy with foreign equipment. There is a guy (a novice, like myself) at our field who thought that different was better. Well, that may be true in some aspects of life but not in this hobby. In my opinion his helicopter was a mechanical disaster waiting to happen. Every time he would crash (and there were plenty) an issue would appear that none of us could resolve. After two months of struggling, he finally purchased a more known product and things have been a walk in the park on a breezy Magnolia Sunday. Good luck with your decision.

Take care and safe flying
Loren

08-06-2008 05:23 AM

brcg123
Senior Heliman
Location: Wagoner OK USA

If you dont mind standing around ALOT because of the wind, by all means get a 450 size. I guarantee you will not fly 75% of the time just for that reason. If you want to look at a trex 500 size, then you would be miles ahead if you went ahead and looked at the trex 600n pro or if you want to stay electric, the trex 600 wold be a good choice. The cost of fixing the 600 is about the same as fixing the 500, but, the best thing is, your level of flying will go much higher with the 600, over the 500. The costs are pretty close all around, from purchase to fix. just my 2 cents

Bruce

08-06-2008 06:37 AM

UglyJumper
New Heliman
Location: Sunnyvale, CA, USA

llamont: I hadn't even considered your idea. Now that you've stated it, it seems like an obvious approach! I think that will help me quickly narrow down my choices.

brcg123: Your input really caught my attention, because wind is a sore subject with me. My Blade CX2 has kept me indoors, which has really limited my stick time. (I hope I'm not too sensitive on that subject.)

The battery packs on a T-Rex 600 are just too expensive; otherwise I would start with that model.

08-06-2008 11:13 PM

brcg123
Senior Heliman
Location: Wagoner OK USA

so your set on an electric? You really need to get some size and weight to your heli, for it to be able to fight the wind, and be as stable as it can be. When your trying to consider your next "rung" on the ladder on RC Heli's, you need to ask yourself, "Do I want to stick with this long enough to learn 3D, or, is this just a passing whim". If your in it for the long haul, then you have to stand back and see what others are struggling with. The issues I see aren't problems with flying, but what restrictions you have to put upon yourself because of the helicopter you have chosen. It's just not taking you to where you want to go. plan ahead. A 500 size is a great way to go, but its just not that much more to get to a size that you can grow with, much longer. Even if you have to go nitro, i would consider a 600 size heli, if you plan on learning all you can, without having to upgrade again in 6 months. I'm not trying to be pushy, but I've been there before. When your learning how to fly a RC helicopter, the wind takes its toll on smaller heli's.

Bruce

08-06-2008 11:52 PM

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