Trex 450 se or Blade 450x as next step from a Gaui 200?

[gazmk2]

Hi guys,

I am now over 40 flights on my little Gaui hurricane 200 and I love it to bits! I will be upgrading it in a few key areas (gyro mainly!!) but in the meantime I feel like I really want to move up to a 450 size heli.

My question is, I am torn between a very nice, but 2nd hand trex 450 se v2 that is in the classifieds here or splashing out on a brand new blade 450x. I like the trex's carbon and alu construction, I feel it lends them a very high quality feel.

Would I be better off buying the trex and having cash left over for any spares or upgrades etc? or do we think spending the extra on a more modern FBL heli would be worth it?

I am not, nor will I ever be a 3D hero, I can already do some decent loops and rolls when in forward flight though so sport aerobatics are more my thing (I do love doing 3d with fixed wing though!)

Would the 450x be wasted on me? would I be wanting more if I bought the Trex? Somebody will ask me but the budget is whatever 450 size heli takes my fancy!!


Cheers in advance guys

Gary

[Ritchieme]

Go fbl

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[Paz26181]

I agree, go fbl

[stuartg1]

I had the same problem, 450 x is definitely the way to go.. flys better and loads less bits to break, trust me i ve tried

[pgkevet]

If you've got the room and the budget then go 500 fbl
The v2 is a bit dated and spares may need hunting around clone stuff anyway soon. The 450 size is nice but you're still a tad limited on weather and wind.. the 500 can take way stronger conditions, easier to see and if you have plank room you have 500 room. fbl gives it the stability of a 600fb machine with fewer head parts to adjust/fix/replace

[sinkrate]

+1 for the 500. Stable, can fly in windy conditions. Cracking one in the fs section at the moment with Beastx if you can run to the price

[Ritchieme]

If you've got the room and the budget then go 500 fbl
The v2 is a bit dated and spares may need hunting around clone stuff anyway soon. The 450 size is nice but you're still a tad limited on weather and wind.. the 500 can take way stronger conditions, easier to see and if you have plank room you have 500 room. fbl gives it the stability of a 600fb machine with fewer head parts to adjust/fix/replace

I make you right, although I can throw my 450 fbl found in a surprisingly amount of wind. I have a trex 450 dfc 500 dfc and a 600 fbl. Knowing what i know now i would start with the 500. Its a buyers market at the mo, there are some excellent helis around at good prices.

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[gazmk2]

Cheers for the inputs guys! there seems to be one helluva price jump between a 450 and a 500 along with the associated expense of jumping from a 3s to a 6s battery. I have 12 3s, 2200mah 30c batteries sitting at home ready for use in a nice spanky 450 so all things aside I think a 450 is still the way to go for me.

I can fully appreciate what you guys are saying but the jump from a sub £300 heli (new) to over £400 used plus batteries is just a bit too much. I know the trex is an older heli than the 450x but is the fact its made from superior materials, and cost more when new not a factor to consider? or is the newer technology in the 450x going to be worth the extra even though its a plastic heli?

I taught myself to fly helis on FBL (nano and a 130x) then discovered I couldnt fly a flybar and gave up for most of the year! This time I doggedly stuck with learning to fly a flybarred heli and nailed it so I don't mind the trex has a flybar!

Thanks again chaps!

[tomatwalden]

Between those two options - 450X every time! It really is a brilliant heli, especially for the money! The AR7200BX is the icing on the cake.

[tomatwalden]

...

I can fully appreciate what you guys are saying but the jump from a sub £300 heli (new) to over £400 used plus batteries is just a bit too much. I know the trex is an older heli than the 450x but is the fact its made from superior materials, and cost more when new not a factor to consider? or is the newer technology in the 450x going to be worth the extra even though its a plastic heli?

...

All joking aside - don't get hung up on plastic. I honestly think people stress too much over this without thinking it through. I've crashed my Blade 450X a few times now. EVERY TIME, the frame has come away with little, or no damage. I have never replaced a main frame on the 450x. Booms, main shafts, etc. sure, but the "cheap plastic" has stood the test of time and mother earth. Carbon fibre looks nice, but on a heli this size, plastic works IMHO.

The 450x comes with a very good FBL unit. The servos work fine, but the plastic gears tend to strip in a crash. That said, the replacement servo gears, being plastic - are cheap to replace - about £2.50 for a set I think.

Personally, I look at the likes of the Gaui X3 and admire the quality. BUT, I use my 450x as a learning/beater heli. It's not as indestructible as a 130x, but crashes are cheap.

Ultimately, the Trex may have carbon frames - but they will cost more to replace in a crash, and the flying characteristics will not match the AR7200BX in the 450x.

[aamacgregor]

I have a 450 Pro, but I've seen a 450X fly. If you are wanting a helicopter to try out new stuff on then out of the I'd say go for the 450X, it's a really capable helicopter at a really good price (repair cost will be less I expect). So in short, given that I'd probably get a 450X over a 450 Pro, then it's clear to say that I'd get a 450X over a 450se any day of the week.

Personally though, if other heli's are on the table then, I'd look at the Gaui X3 - it will just cost a lot more than a 450X to get going, and a lot more to repair if/when crashed.

[gazmk2]

Just to throw a wildcard in the mix, what are your thoughts on a mini titan E360? My local hobbystores has one and they do look nice and come in at the same price as a 450x.

[cjcj1949]

It's only your next heli. I've been impressed with the 130-X and I think it's often better for things to break in a crash, rather than get damaged. Metal bits look better. You'll need a 500 to fly for when you break the 450.

[tomatwalden]

Just to throw a wildcard in the mix, what are your thoughts on a mini titan E360? My local hobbystores has one and they do look nice and come in at the same price as a 450x.

Parts availability versus the 450x ? What FBL unit does it come with ?

[gazmk2]

Parts availability versus the 450x ? What FBL unit does it come with ?

This one;

Thunder Tiger Mini Titan E360 Heli - TT4717A13 | HobbyStores

Sorry for all the questions, you lot are far more experienced than me at this and chances are somebody has already owned one of the heli's I am thinking of!


Thanks again

Gary