Planning for a 90

[TPCrowell]

I am saving my nickles and dimes with the hopes of getting a Raptor 90 after the first of the year. I have several questions as what I have to have, what I should have, and what would be neat but don't really need. I have a tight budget and will probably purchace the components one at a time to minimize the sticker shock and not to allert the wife that I am spending a small fortune on a new machine.

I currently am flying a Raptor 30 with a standard 7 channel Futaba PCM radio with standard servos, a Futaba 401G (?) gyro with the matching digital servo and an O.S. 37. I plan on keeping my current machine flying while I build the big brother, so I will be using all new components for the new machine. With the bigger machine, do I need to go to heavier duty servos for the main controls? Do I need a bigger/fancier gyro? Do I need a heavier duty tail servo?

I don't plan on getting into heavy 3-D flying, I am perfectly happy just cruising around the field. I go more for scale flight than 3-D. With this in mind, do I need a high performace engine (a Hyper) or will a good (O.S. Max) surfice for my flying needs? Do I need header tanks and fuel pumps? Do I need an electronic govenor system?

I have seen in our favorite magazine the write-ups on the new Raptor 3D. Are there any advantages in the upgraded machine if cruising around the field is your style of flying?

I know I have asked a lot of questions, but I don't want to build myself into a dead end. I have been 100% satisfied with my little Raptor and want to have a similar feeling with big brother. Any comments would be appreciated.

[kcgraves]

TP,

I don't have one yet, and I'm debating on another 50 vs a TT Raptor 90. What is stopping me is replacement 90 parts $$$$$.

Anyway quite a few of the guys I fly with have 90s and fly with what I have on my 50.

401 Gyro with matching servo (one or two have the JR 500T series gyro.The serious 3D guys have Futaba 611 or JR7000)
JR8311 servos on all but the throttle
JR4735 on the throttle

Any you cannot go wrong with the OS .91 hyper. Some have header tanks, some don't. Same with governors. Fuel pumps, only one that i know of, again 3D guy.

Hope that helps, or maybe just adds more confusion.

Keith

[Shawn K]

TP,

PM sent.

[GMONEY]

I am doing the same thing. I am slowly collecting bits and pieces to finish a N9. I will be getting some ACE servos (torque and speed are good) I bought a Hyper with muffles off another site for 140.00. I will be running the 401 combo. batts and Regs FROMECO cuz I get a deal. If I didnt I would be running a two cell lipo. If you spend time on the web keep an eye on the classifieds. I have saved thousands penny pinching. I got a set of TT 710's for under twenty bucks. With two kids and a wife that hates the Hobby I find really creative ways to fund my fun. The best way is to make it stretch. Right now there is a 401 stand alone for 58.00 dollars on Flea bay.(opps not anymore). Really shop dont be scared to buy used. Yes I have bought some junk and own some junk but it all flies. I picked up a turn key Carden Edge for a hair over 2g's that a 40%.. Its out there be patient and have cash at all times. If I'm buying I will not leave the house without cash. Enjoy your new 90. I hope to have mine in the air early 08'..

If the water temp just didnt drop to FN frezzing I would be alot closer but a new wetsuit (EBAY) is mandatory. Sometimes it sucks to live in Sunny SoCal so much fun to have and so little time.

[kcgraves]

If the water temp just didnt drop to FN frezzing I would be alot closer but a new wetsuit (EBAY) is mandatory. Sometimes it sucks to live in Sunny SoCal so much fun to have and so little time.

You don't like ice fishing I take it? :rolleyes: Got my snowblower ready last weekend.

As far as the heli goes, you have more patience than I do. When I get ready to buy my second nitro, whether another .50 or a .90 I gotta buy everything at once and get it together. When I bought my Titan last March I just went in my LHS and said give me everything I need, including tools and field equipment, and handed him my charge card. But that is just me. But you have a point, look on the net and you can find some real deals on both used and new stuff.

[DJB2.0]

I'll just say this:

The cheapest part of a 90, is the kit. (sort of)
a typical 90 kit is going from between $650 and $1100.

Expect to pay about $300-$350 for your engine
$150 for your pipe,
$300+ for servos
$120 for blades

and since 90 machines cant use the same low-end servos that you can get away with in a 30, those 4 cell NiCD/ NiMH batteries wont cut it, due to higher loads, and significantly increased current draw.

I'd recommend a 2s or 2s2p LiPo or LiIon pack, and a voltage regulator.
(thats another $150+ for the power system)

you don't need a governor, but go ahead and put one on anyway
($80-$150)

Now for the gyro, something other than a GY401/9254 combo.
$280- $360

And since most 90 machines don't come with paddles or tails,
add $40-$60

You will now use fuel 4 times faster than on your 30
total crash costs will be about 4 times more expensive.


What I would do, is buy all your electronics first.
That way, in case you change your mind later,
you can put those in a 50, and have a VERY nice 50.



TP, since you feel confident on your 30 and want to move up,
seriously, consider getting a conversion kit to make your Raptor 30 a 50.
Run a head speed of 2000+, and you'll have the next best thing.

After about a dozen flights, you'll know for sure if you were ready to make the leap from a 30 ALL THE WAY to a 90.

On top of that, even if you DO get a 90 later, you'll still have the 50 as a daily flier.

Really, there is no substitute for a 50 when what you are looking for is,
a low cost, running machine, that is totally ideal for learning new stuff on.

You'll find, that the majority of the guys who own/ fly a 90, own at least one 50, fly there 50's more than anything, probably on a ratio of 3:1.

[heli-cuzz]

I'll just say this:

The cheapest part of a 90, is the kit. (sort of)
a typical 90 kit is going from between $650 and $1100.

Expect to pay about $300-$350 for your engine
$150 for your pipe,
$300+ for servos
$120 for blades

and since 90 machines cant use the same low-end servos that you can get away with in a 30, those 4 cell NiCD/ NiMH batteries wont cut it, due to higher loads, and significantly increased current draw.

I'd recommend a 2s or 2s2p LiPo or LiIon pack, and a voltage regulator.
(thats another $150+ for the power system)

you don't need a governor, but go ahead and put one on anyway
($80-$150)

Now for the gyro, something other than a GY401/9254 combo.
$280- $360

And since most 90 machines don't come with paddles or tails,
add $40-$60

You will now use fuel 4 times faster than on your 30
total crash costs will be about 4 times more expensive.


What I would do, is buy all your electronics first.
That way, in case you change your mind later,
you can put those in a 50, and have a VERY nice 50.

LoL Great idea, dan. The 50 sized helis, everything is that much cheaper, about half, besides the electronics.

I can't afford a Caliber90. I need the caliber90 just to say i have a family of helicopters. LoL. So, I'll fly my little baby Calibers forever. I want the 90, oh boy do I want the Caliber 90 ship.
I wanted an Avant as you know, but that ain't happening now.

[TPCrowell]

Sooooo..... many options, so little money.

Thanks everyone for the input. I don't know which way to turn now. :confused:

I know that when the research dust settles and the money is spent, I will have a good machine.


p.s. Ignorance is not bliss, it is very frustrating!

[tdswan]

It's your money, but I'd have to say that DJB's spot on the money, pun intended;). IMO, you're gonna be nuthin' but scared of that machine. It'll be a "trailer queen" as it's referred to in the automotive world. My Gasser was like that until this last summer. My skills finally caught up with my "nuts"! :p
I'm not trying to stomp on your dream, like I said.....It's your money.

[kcgraves]

I'll throw my $.02 in too since I am going through the same process. Was saving for a .90 cause, like 'cuzz, I really want one. But I am still not that comfortable with my .50. So yesterday, I finally decided the right thing to do is by a spare .50. Rational is if you have two, one will always be in flyable shape. Plus I won't have to worry about crashing my one and only. And with the extra money maybe I'll by a nice warbird airplane.

But as td said, it is your money.

[DJB2.0]

But as td said, it is your money.


well, at least it's not MY money.
I already have a nice hangar queen 90, that I am scared to death of crashing.

I am working an a 2nd 90. I have everything I need, just need the kit. I was debating using some of those electronics in a 2nd 50 (which I no longer have, but tdswan can explain that one).

In the spring, I will have 2 BEAUTIFUL "hangar queen" 90's, RTF.
I'll say this, though.
I expect to be flying the hell out of my 50 ALL SUMMER LONG.