Thread: Trex 450 clone, HK450, a disposable trainer?

I'm aware this the align area, but there is no clone area, if an admin would like to create one and move the thread then I feel that is a good idea.

I'm going to try and build a super budget HK450, my reason for this is as a "disposable" trainer. I know some of you dislike a clone and this thread is not about that. I want to use it to train myself to fly my raptor E620 better. I use phoenix, it is ok, but actual stick time is better. I use my MCPX for a step towards the E620, but they are a world apart and I hope the HK450 will assist in bridging the void.

My plan is to order the kit from the German warehouse and avoid taxes for things from outside EU, the innards I will order from the far eastern warehouse. Weight really pumps up the shipping from far east so the Lipo is undecided as yet, I'll check which works out cheaper.

So far my spec looks like this, partly my own then edited when I saw Delarado's spec in another thread.
I will probably order 2 or 3 kits, and a few spare parts, but initial pricing is for 1 build.
Ant comments and tips are very welcome on the spec. P+P is £9.70 for 1 heli and £9.29 so far for the parts

Quantity	Stock	Product description	Price	Weight
	OK	HK450V2 - HK450 CCPM 3D Helicopter Kit (Align T-re..	GBP23.35	869
TOTAL: GBP23.35				869g

Quantity	Stock	Product description	Price	Weight
	OK	Z22003S20C - ZIPPY Flightmax 2200mAh 3S1P 20C	GBP5.57	231
3	OK	HXT900 - HXT900 9g / 1.6kg / .12sec Micro Servo	GBP5.00	54
	OK	HKS9257-Gear - HKS9257 - Replacement Gear Set	GBP0.64	6
	OK	TY2215-3550 - Turnigy Typhoon 450H 2215H Heli Motor 35..	GBP8.71	85
	OK	ESC-BS40A - Otter 40A 2-3S Brushless ESC w/ 4A BEC (..	GBP8.93	49
	OK	HKS9257 - HKS-9257 High Speed Servo 4.5kg/ 25g/ 0...	GBP5.57	43
	OK	HK401B - Hobby King 401B AVCS Digital Head Lock G..	GBP7.43	27
	OK	XT60 - Nylon XT60 Connectors Male/Female (5 pai..	GBP1.95	39
	OK	R610 - OrangeRx R610 Spektrum DSM2 6Ch 2.4Ghz R..	GBP3.71	39
	OK	V2-150 - HK450V2 Pinion Gear 3.17mm 11T/13T (Alig..	GBP1.83	17
TOTAL: GBP49.36				590g

For got to add, I plan to replace all screws with metal ones rather than use the chocolate ones.
Does anyone have a screw list for one of these in advance?

Originally Posted by robbancs

I've tried the same path with a hk250gt. It's turning out to be a waste of money and time. The problem is that there's a limit in flyability beyond which a trainer heli cannot be a trainer heli because it's easier to learn stuff with your "real" bird.

I hear good things about the hk450gt though...

I'd consider the Tarot Super Combo for 180 USD + shipping + customs.

Let us know how it goes either way...

What were your limits with the HK250?
I'm still at a stage where I'm happy if my number of landings match my number of take offs, although I did throw the MCPX inverted but only dare do it about 50ft up.
That tarot will be pushing £200 by then, may as well get a blade 450 for that price range. I'm hoping for about £100 or less including lipo and RX

IMHO buy a second hand trex 450 with decent electrics, wait for one to come up on here, bet you can get a bnf trex 450 pro/sport v1 if you bide your time for around £180.

That list will work, but get rid of the HK401 - it's junk - get the Assan GA250 instead. If you can squeeze to it, replace the HKS-9257 with a DS520, if not the HKS will work but may fail. A Hobbywing Pentium ESC would also be better.

Be aware, the canopy and skids are rubbish, and all shafts are potentially ropey and best replaced with Align.
Other than that, it will fly well, HK kits have improved massively over the last year or so.

....Not cheap, but RC Screwz kits are excellent

Hi,

I seem to have started something here!

personally I'd go for the HK0-450GT CCPM, Its better than the cheaper option that you listed.

HobbyKing R/C Hobby Store : HK-450GT CCPM 3D Full Alloy Helicopter Kit (Align T-Rex Compat.)

Agree on the HK401's - at least the V2, the sensor was changed from the original version but the firmware wasn't making the newer ones pretty much unusable. I have 3 in the parts bin. The original one that i had which is now well over a year old is miles better but side by side the innards vary between the 2 versions. anyway 'nough said on that one.

the mems 250 is a better gyro i agree.

Personally I haven't had any issues with the HKS9257, and also run one on my 500 size although that's with a GP750. I like that servo and it has been at least for me very reliable through some very hard flying.

My advice would be to change the main shaft, feathering shaft and the skids, BUT the originals aren't that bad and it will defenitely fly well if you want to give it a few flights before swapping parts out. The originbal canopy also looks pretty awful.

With regard to the screws, it is a common misconception that these are made of chocolate, it's simply not true! i did swap all mine out for SS but it wasn't anything to do with the tensile strength of the screws, it was more to do with the variation in the fit of the allen head that annoyed me, picking through half a dozen to find the best fit got very tiresome. spalding fastners are very reasonably priced for SS 2mm screws.

and lastly, don't compare the 250 with the 450, the 250 really is absolutely dreadful! I have one and to be honest Iv'e got to the point that i'm done with it, I have wasted way too much money on it and honestly there is almost nothing of the original HK250 left - it's almost all align and still it's vague at best. truly awful.

as an aside, the kit is below the taxable threshold when 30% declared value on import so there won't be any duty payable wheh ordered from the HK warehouse.

Lipo wise I'm running the 2450 Zippy's both in 30C and 40C flavours and they are a good match for this heli.

Rich

Yeah, sorry - missed that. The GT is the best of the HK options, by a long shot.

Originally Posted by simon1

IMHO buy a second hand trex 450 with decent electrics, wait for one to come up on here, bet you can get a bnf trex 450 pro/sport v1 if you bide your time for around £180.

I could, but I like to build things, it would defeat the object of a budget new build. Plus I will be breaking things frequently and the HK is far cheaper to repair.

Originally Posted by paulsouthport

That list will work, but get rid of the HK401 - it's junk - get the Assan GA250 instead. If you can squeeze to it, replace the HKS-9257 with a DS520, if not the HKS will work but may fail. A Hobbywing Pentium ESC would also be better.

Be aware, the canopy and skids are rubbish, and all shafts are potentially ropey and best replaced with Align.
Other than that, it will fly well, HK kits have improved massively over the last year or so.

GA250 reviews seem it is ok for simple flying, swapped, thanks
I think the DS520 is overpriced in relation to this build.
I'll use the original skids and canopy initially.

Originally Posted by paulsouthport

....Not cheap, but RC Screwz kits are excellent

I really think they are seriously overpriced for what you get, having read a couple of reviews I see you don't get much for £20, I think I can source, buy bulk-ish and re-sell.

Originally Posted by Rich_H

Hi,

I seem to have started something here!

personally I'd go for the HK0-450GT CCPM, Its better than the cheaper option that you listed.

HobbyKing R/C Hobby Store : HK-450GT CCPM 3D Full Alloy Helicopter Kit (Align T-Rex Compat.)

Agree on the HK401's - at least the V2, the sensor was changed from the original version but the firmware wasn't making the newer ones pretty much unusable. I have 3 in the parts bin. The original one that i had which is now well over a year old is miles better but side by side the innards vary between the 2 versions. anyway 'nough said on that one.

the mems 250 is a better gyro i agree.

Personally I haven't had any issues with the HKS9257, and also run one on my 500 size although that's with a GP750. I like that servo and it has been at least for me very reliable through some very hard flying.

My advice would be to change the main shaft, feathering shaft and the skids, BUT the originals aren't that bad and it will defenitely fly well if you want to give it a few flights before swapping parts out. The originbal canopy also looks pretty awful.

With regard to the screws, it is a common misconception that these are made of chocolate, it's simply not true! i did swap all mine out for SS but it wasn't anything to do with the tensile strength of the screws, it was more to do with the variation in the fit of the allen head that annoyed me, picking through half a dozen to find the best fit got very tiresome. spalding fastners are very reasonably priced for SS 2mm screws.

and lastly, don't compare the 250 with the 450, the 250 really is absolutely dreadful! I have one and to be honest Iv'e got to the point that i'm done with it, I have wasted way too much money on it and honestly there is almost nothing of the original HK250 left - it's almost all align and still it's vague at best. truly awful.

as an aside, the kit is below the taxable threshold when 30% declared value on import so there won't be any duty payable wheh ordered from the HK warehouse.

Lipo wise I'm running the 2450 Zippy's both in 30C and 40C flavours and they are a good match for this heli.

Rich

Your thread was well timed for me, as I said in there I was researching a HK450 build and a friend pointed it out to me.
The 450GT is about £13 more, I plan to buy 2 or 3 kits for spares, I think that may be £13 extra well spent.
Then that begs the question, do you go another £13 and get the torque tube version?

So pros and cons for hk450gt vs hk450ttpro? I'll get them ordered this weekend and then work out what I'm doing with the electrics

Originally Posted by Stevec

I have an hk450 pro I have bought savox servos for it and a ds520 tail running a futaba gy401 and I'd challenge anyone to know it isn't a real align.
Over the time I have had it I have changed out bits that are broken with align and it flies ok. I am not too much a fan of 450's now though. Have you considered a 500 as the cost of repair is it a lot more than the 450 and I will handle more weather than the 450. It will also fly much more like your bigger heli. And you can even practice autos and other things that a 450 just leaves no Margin for error with.

And like others have said don't get sucked into comparing with a 250 even the gt is absolute pants.

Buy some decent drivers in the right sizes and forget the replacement screws. My 450 screws were fine just remember that a small screw is just than and you don't need to hang off it to tighten it up hustler the thread lock do it's work.

/Steve

I am a long way off doing autos at the moment, plus I like the idea of a 450 being half way between my bigun and littlun