Syclic
Senior Heliman
Location: Northern Hemisphere
| First heliI to agree with Oldfart re: the Hawk IV as the best buy in entry level 30 size. But it is unfair to compare any 30 with any 50. In this case a $220.00 Hawk IV to a $510.00 Sceado 50. Considering those dollars one should be two times better then the other. If you want to compare the Hirobo Sceado 50, then one should compare it to the Century 50 size heli, the Falcon SE V2.
As JC said, though he has the far more expensive Sceado 50, he bought a Hawk because it is a lot less money at risk and to repair when he crashes trying new aerobatic manoevers. Well the same criteria is very important for someone who is learning. Their "risk factor" is a lot higher so cost and ease of repair are an important issue, giving the Hawk IV a big advantage. (JC your next heli should be the Falcon SE V2, then you can see how well it compares to the Sceado 50...a direct apples to apples comparison, though the Century apple costs less)
The Sceado 50 is a nice heli, but IMHO the Falcon 50 SE gives you much more "bang for the buck" (and that isn't just my opinion, if you take the time to check out the other forums here and the other sites recommended by Oldfart you will see that there are a good number with the same opinion.)
The Falcon SE sells for $399.95 from Ron Lund. It already comes with 600mm Fiberglass/Carbon Fiber composite blades in the kit!! You will need to buy an engine and muffler for it. Because of its' light weight, it will have about the same "power to weight ratio" with the OS46 as the Sceado will with the more expensive OS50. So the muffler (CN3033A at $40.00) and engine ($125.00) will make for a total investment of $565.00. Of course you can go to the OS-50 if you want to spend another $60.00. This heli also comes with a full metal swashplate (like the X-Cell 60's), not a metal composite unit like the Sceado or Hawk IV, a carbon fiber torque tube drive (like the X-Cell 60's) for the tail and a top notch tail rotor system that has two radial and one thrust bearing in each blade grip (like in the X-Cell 60 Pro).
The Sceado 50 comes with a two piece muffler (many replace it because it is noisy and like most such two piecers, in time may start to leak) but no blades at $450.00. Add a set of good FRP blades for another $60.00 and an engine ($125 or $185.00) and you have a net cost of $635 or $695.00 and still have a louder two-piece muffler, a composite/metal swashplate like the Hawk IV, a belt driven tail and a tail rotor with only one radial and one thrust bearing in each grip. Though these features are fine, if I can get the better features for less money, why not?
Gixxer, check out the series of "newbie" posts that are here in the beginner forum a few lines below this one. The one started by MmMmGood. |
