New Hirobo 90

[Ots]

So, there's a lot of 'buzz' out there about a new 90 due out like now from Hirobo. But I can't find out squat about it. Anyone here know anything?

[2kwik2c]

This might be their new one. I just saw it at the Hirobo Japanese site.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v252/2kwik2c/HIrobo90.jpg

Basically this comes with a new head design.

I think Dominik Haegele used this at the 2007 3D Masters competition.

Here's more information:

http://model.hirobo.co.jp/index.html

[Ots]

Thanks - that's got to be it!

[DJB2.0]

Dont get me wrong, Im a Hirobo Fan.

But that to me, looks like a regular-ass Freya.
About as "new" as a "Raptor 90 3D" or "Raptor Titan".

By no means "new"

Sorry.

[Ots]

Maybe 'improved' might be a better term? I guess there has been some work done on the head.

[team222badbrad]

Cuzz,

This one is for you! :D

Oh, wait your a rep now :(

I want one though!

[Shawn K]

That's just a CCPM version of an EX-II, which is a platorm that has been around for a while now.

The head still looks like an SSR-VII, which has been standard fare for the EX-II since its introduction.

Some of you guys seem to have it stuck in your head that if it isn't a completely "clean sheet" design, then it's no good. Truth is, very little has changed in fundamental helicopter design in two decades. New materials, yes. Better overall quality, yes. But revolutions in design? Not really. Modern heli design isn't all that dissimilar from the Schluter Champion, which is a 20+ year old design.

For those of you who have never personally owned and lived with Hirobo helicopters (and I don't mean "I know a guy who..."), what you don't realize is that Hirobo has some of the highest quality that you'll find in the industry. That's not hype or opinion. When you have designs that good, you don't need to scrap your platform every 2 or 3 years and create something "new".

[tdswan]

I agree with Shawn. I do not have a lot of experience with Hirobo, but there's a reason why a lot of these designs stay close to the same. It's because they work and work well. The changes that have made the biggest impact in this hobby are the electronics, and the materials we build them with. While minor improvements certainly help, they are really only enhancements on an already good designed.

[RotorDoc]

Yes, just seems to be a Freya with SWM (eCCPM). But marketing it like it is a NEW helis (as TT did with the latest version of their latest Raptor 90), gives them a good reason to submit it for magazine reviews and recreate excitement for the brand/model.

Their are other brands, that have been around for may years, that are not as well pimped. Though they may subsequently make more changes to their existing model then either of these two, the only people that would know the difference, are those that have the previous version and who see a newer version, as even the name stays the same. Consequently the current version may have evolved into a substantially better heli then one from a few years earlier (heck it may now be well superior to any of its' competition), but because of the lack of Hi-Zoot marketing (selling the sizzle, not the steak), the rest of the world would not know it.

There are even many magazines out there, that have manufacturers reps and affiliated pilots writing reviews for them on every model they launch, and the masses are not even aware of the bias or the affiliation!! In their reviews, they make any minor changes (that others may have had on their helis for 5 or more years!!) look like gods gift to the heli world.

Many who have seen these practices continue during the 20 some years we have been involved in this hobby, now just shake our heads and watch everyone get excited about some pretty small changes....changes that, in many cases, should have been done 5 years earlier.

I think, if more people (including our dedicated media) would take an open minded look at all models from all manufacturers, rather then just their "prefered" brand and analyse them without bias, or influence from manufacturers hype, or advertizing monies, they would be of far better value to the general heli community.

[heli-cuzz]

That's what I try to tell people. General design has always been there. Companies that have upgrade this and upgrade that are looking for the $$$$ale$$$$.
I don't care what any company has to offer, I just love helicopters!!!!!!

Cuzz,

This one is for you! :D



Nah, this is more my taste. ;)

With a unique structure and drive train, the powerful but quiet flight of the Caliber 90 has evolved even further with this latest 2006 version. While keeping the best of the Caliber 90, this latest version adds increased mobility to meet the new demands of F3C rules. Carbon lower frames allow removal for setting of the resonance point while maintaining rigidity for optimum engine mounting conditions. Also, as the machine is designed to work with two swash mode types, increased elevator thrust with optimal aileron and elevator control ratio is obtained. With its new design rotor head the Caliber 90 raises the level of precision and performance to new levels. The increased maneuverability needed to meet the new F3C rules has already been tested successfully with a 2nd and 3rd place finish at the 2005 Japan National Championships and 2 positions on the 2007 F3C US World Championship team. The Caliber 60 Ver.06 again proves Kyosho’s commitment to achieving the highest level of quality and performance available today.

[Ots]

Isn't the Kyosho 90 like a $3k kit? I've seen photos and it looks like a work of art!

Anyway I'm kind of sorry I asked the question about the Hirobo, but at least I got my answer, so thanks.

And guys, it's called marketing and we are surrounded by it. New and improved Tide has been here for decades. It's central to a free market economy. It should surprise and trouble only the naive.

[ErichF]

Isn't the Kyosho 90 like a $3k kit? I've seen photos and it looks like a work of art!.

No, it's bout $2600 typically. The Hirobo top machine, WC-III SWM is about $3200.

[Ots]

Wow. Hefty prices for kits.

[MikeV]

That is not the new 90 that Hirobo is rumored to be coming out with. The new 90 will be debuted in Germany at the Nuremberg Toy Fair. The new bird will has yet to be named and is a completely new design from the skids up. The plan is to have kits to market in late April, early May. We'll have some type of exclusive scoop on the new machine ASAP.

Mike

[Ots]

Oh! OK - this must be the 'buzz' that I was hearing.