Align Helicopters?

[Kamikaze]

I wanted which of the T-Rex helicopters is a good choice for coming into this hobby. I know that they are not what most people would suggest to start out with but my local hobby shop carries all their helis and has a ton of replacement parts for them in the store. Small helis seem to be not as stable because of their size and I wanted to also star with a conventional main and tail rotor setup.

I would also like to hear what other helis you guys would suggest and which was your first helicopter. Thanks in advance if you reply I'm sure you guys can help me a lot.

[cbflys]

Hi,

I hope Kamikaze doesn't indicate your flying style :eek:

If you're set on starting with a T-Rex, I'd recommend the XL. It's inexpensive and will suffice for learning. It has mechanical CCPM and can be purchased in very attractive combo packages with everything you need to get going.

Chuck

[Kamikaze]

Thank you for replying, I didn't expect to get such a quick response because there doesn't seem to be a lot of posts lately in these forums. I will definitely look into it especially since it has what I need to get going and, I hope I won't fly like my name implies.

[tdswan]

Hey CB! You hit 100 with that one! Congrats!

Yes, the T-Rex has several variations and the mechanical mix (HDE) will be the easiest for a beginner to set up. The T-Rex, as with any small electric can get away from you in a hurry, though. With the weighted paddles and a conservative rado setup, they can be made to behave very well.

[AaronS]

I'm not trying to contradict, but to clarify, there are two types of swash control, mechanical mixing, and CCPM. although the argument can be made that the mechnical mixing arrangement that is found on the HDE trex or raptor heli could be called "mechanical CCPM" becasue it mixes the collective and cyclic controls to the swash,t to keep things simple we call that simply mechanical mixing, and leave the CCPM name to the electronic mix of three servos that are mixed together for cyclic and collcetive conrols.
with that said I personally think the new TREX SA is the best version for the money. it has the better direct linked CCPM control of the SE version. The SA is much more stable and smooth, the controls center much more accurately that on the XL. The mechanical mixed XL (HDE) is decent but doesn't feel half as solid as the SE. the CCPM XL (CDE) is better, but the SA is almost every bit as good as the SE without the extra bling.

[AaronS]

if you do go for the mechnical mixed TREX XL (HDE) you might consider this goody right from the get go. it really helps smooth out the centering on the cyclic.
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=MHETX4019

[Kamikaze]

Thanks for the input guys, I will be looking into the different versions.

[Kamikaze]

I’m going to go with the 450SA and a DX7 Transmitter. What electronics would you guys suggest?

[broke-again]

Servos, HS65MG are the best if you can stretch the budget - install & forget. The HS56 are too weak for the direct linkage & will strip easily, especially when you crash - i know from personal experience. Gyro GY401 is excellent when combined with the S9650 digital for the tail. Motor - Align 3550kv is very good with 13 tooth. ESC - Align 35a is easy to set up and reliable. Power 11.1v 2100mah lipo (Megapower) from www.helidirect.com are inexpensive and give good flight times.

The SA is a very nice heli for the money - very stable & predictable flight characteristics.

Enjoy the heli and good luck.

[blax1]

I will second what broke-again said :D
I have just upgraded my 450 SE with all that gear, with the acception of the battery,
And I'm more than happy with it :)
I have an Align battery.
Good luck and enjoy
Ralph

[firebld]

Has anyone seen a review on this. Im looking at SA but looking at what do i miss from SE.Anyway this heli are more for fun flying when i travell... my raptor 50 has more hrs flying ... and ive enjoy every moment of it....

[broke-again]

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=590980&highlight=article

:)

[AaronS]

the SA vs the SE....the SA is the closest of the plastic 'Rex's to the blinged out SE. with the SE you get an all metal head and tail, and a carbon frame. the SA has a metal frame that is the same design (more durable anyway) as the SE. this design is much better than either the mechanical mixed HDE or the CDE, CCPM version that has bellcranks. The SA has a plastic tail but its an improved version. On the SA the head is plastic with the exception of a metal head block, and the overall performance is very close to the SE; much more stable and locked in than the CDE or HDE. With the addition of a metal swash the SA should perform almost every bit as well as the SE.

[phatchantz]

I just couldn't come up with a chrsitmas gift ( for me of course :D ) - I think that my list was just completed :)