Align 450 variations

[KMB]

Hi all, newbie on here so be gentle

I have read some of the arguments or discussions on what is the best helicopter to start with and most advice comes out with 450 size for a balance between stability and cost. I still fancy an mcpx though for indoor / garden fun.

So I look for a second hand Align 450 and am confused by the the number of different variants of the model, pro, sport etc.

What are the differences, please and what is considered the better one to start with ?

Also, whilst I am posting, I have a DX6i and Phoenix and have found that it is easier to control ( I can't say fly ! ) in idle up, is this true in real life, my only real experience so far has been with a cheapy four channel fixed pitch that has taught me a lot about orientation etc.

Thanks in advance

[Grant85]

Align 450 variations

Hey welcome to the forum!

Sounds like you have gone about it the right way to start with by getting the sim and a decent radio etc.

The trex 450 pro has a completely different frame layout to the trex 450 sport. The sport has a belt driven tail and the pro has a torque tube driven tail.
For a beginner I would recommend the sport as it has a belt tail and you won't strip the torque tube gears as you can easily do in the pro, like a dodgy landing and the tail blades hit the ground or long grass it can cause the gears to strip.
Then there is the Sport V2 which just means it's a version 2 of the original sport with some upgraded parts on compared to the original.
Cheers,
Grant.


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[JamieD]

I would get to bogged down by the different models, they're all pretty much the same. One thing I would consider when buying a new heli is ease of maintenance and parts accessibility. I would recommend the 450pro. I've had mine for many years and I still fly them regularly, 4 years later, even with my bigger helis in the car. The torque tube version is easier to maintain than a belt.

With regards to idle-up flying...

Often a learner pilot will have too much pitch set-up in normal flight mode. So, If you're keen to try the crash button, then I suggest make sure the pitch of the blades is the same between the different flight modes. Otherwise you may find your heli suddenly drills itself into the ground when you press the button. The one thing sims don't teach you is a good heli set-up!

You can easily check this on the ground with the motor disconnected.

FYI, helis can become completely different animals when you change things like the head speed so take it easy. Also, practice cutting the throttle each time you crash on the sim.

[KMB]

If I use throttle hold every time I crash on the sim, I will wear the switch out !

Thanks for the answers

[matt27]

Whilst we're on the subject (as i'm not actually 100% sure)

The new Align T-Rex 450L Dominator...what is different about this? More particularly the 3s version as this will be the closest to the Pro DFC
Sorry to hijack the thread but thought it may have some sort of relevance

[uiron]

most notable difference is that it's using longer blades. before 450 class was usually 325 mm blades. 450L is meant for 350-360mm blades. Everything else is proportionally larger as well. More powerfull motor, different layout, other minor improvements - but still, essentially it's the "larger" version of 450, following recent trend of "bigger 450" helis - Compass Warp, Gaui X3, etc.

[matt27]

most notable difference is that it's using longer blades. before 450 class was usually 325 mm blades. 450L is meant for 350-360mm blades. Everything else is proportionally larger as well. More powerfull motor, different layout, other minor improvements - but still, essentially it's the "larger" version of 450, following recent trend of "bigger 450" helis - Compass Warp, Gaui X3, etc.

Thanks for the clarification

[Seabhac]

Interesting thread. I thought Trex 450 was collective pitch. I just came across a site/shop labeling as Fixed Pitch. Can anyone clarify? Don't mean to rob the thread.

[Dave Rand]

Align 450 variations

Whilst we're on the subject (as i'm not actually 100% sure)

The new Align T-Rex 450L Dominator...what is different about this? More particularly the 3s version as this will be the closest to the Pro DFC
Sorry to hijack the thread but thought it may have some sort of relevance

The 3s version of the 450l Dominator is the same size as the 450pro ie it runs 325mm blades and shorter boom(not 100% on the boom) from the older 450pro.
So the difference is frame layout and canopy, tail fin etc.

[pug907]

Clearly labelled wrong. Unless of course they are trying sell more of them to complete beginners, by advertising them as such lol.

[BavarianRob]

The 3s version of the 450l Dominator is the same size as the 450pro ie it runs 325mm blades and shorter boom(not 100% on the boom) from the older 450pro.
So the difference is frame layout and canopy, tail fin etc.

The 450L is dimensioned on the Align website at 705mm long for both the 3S and 6S with bigger blades on the 6S, are you saying this is not the case? I thought it was a bigger heli than the 450 Pro with bigger blades? I know the frames etc are different too.

Now I'm confused as well ha ha!


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[Dave Rand]

Align 450 variations

The 450L is dimensioned on the Align website at 705mm long for both the 3S and 6S with bigger blades on the 6S, are you saying this is not the case? I thought it was a bigger heli than the 450 Pro with bigger blades? I know the frames etc are different too.

Now I'm confused as well ha ha!


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Yes I think your right, but the 3s does run 325mm blades and the 6s 360mm blades


Tbh tho the dominator looks more like a stretched 450 than an X3 or Warp, now they look much bigger

[BavarianRob]

Yes I think your right, but the 3s does run 325mm blades and the 6s 360mm blades

Cheers Dave, must admit, I thought the 360 blades were on both the 3S and the 6S, it looks nice, but I think I'm still swaying toward a 500 DFC.


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[Dave Rand]

Oh yes a 500dfc is stonking Heli love mine

[chumley]

The (6S) version of the 450L Dominator has the 360 blades, the (3S) version has the normal 325 blades. The tail boom is the same length on both.