Starting back up!

[ph678]

Hi all,
looking into getting back into the hobby with a mid sized heli. I had a 550e fb version back in the day with a couple of raptor 30's too. Still have a couple of trex 250's. Just wondering what the going rate for an older version of the 550e would be nowadays? (no i'm not selling!) Ive spotted one for sale but don't really want to pay over the odds. I've also got my eye on the trex 500x top super combo too. The only thing with that is the servo selection if i probably decide to upgrade?. If you guys know of any any brands that might pop into your head, please let me know as it was pretty much all align or logo's and goblins when i used to fly. My budget is very flexible, but my pillot skills are mediocre at best. I can sport fly and go inverted steady, tail in and nose in, but still have a long way to go in the 3d department! I love to build as much as i do fly so if anyone has any suggestions they'd be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,

Pete

[stargazer]

Xlpower 520 to 550 size is a great flying heli,seems to survive crashes well and parts are plentiful and fairly cheap.Its not quite as big as a Trex 550.Lynx Oxy4 max is used by a lot of my club members as a cheaper practice tool as the blades are a lot cheaper when it goes in.

[Grumpy]

Another vote for the XL520 or 550, it's a simple 'no-nonsense' sort of design that's class leading in lightness and flies great.

The Align 500X is a nice heli though more setup for high headspeed 3D flight, the low ratio tail doesnt do well at lower headspeeds. The servos in the super combo are very good, absolutely no reason to change. Though if you did change for whatever reason, they are a common size (normal mini-size servos), so plenty of choice. Same size servos that the X520/550 uses in fact.

[ph678]

Thanks stargazer and Grumpy. I've seen them on Raj's site. Didn't realise they were that good. I'm gonna have a rethink of electrics now . To be honest not a lot has changed in the 8 years i've been out of it! Apart from a few new names on the market, which is nice to see. Was mainly Align unless you had a grand to drop. Thanks a lot, Appreciate the suggestions guys .

[ph678]

Another vote for the XL520 or 550, it's a simple 'no-nonsense' sort of design that's class leading in lightness and flies great.

The Align 500X is a nice heli though more setup for high headspeed 3D flight, the low ratio tail doesnt do well at lower headspeeds. The servos in the super combo are very good, absolutely no reason to change. Though if you did change for whatever reason, they are a common size (normal mini-size servos), so plenty of choice. Same size servos that the X520/550 uses in fact.

I didn't realsise that. I must of been reading threads from 2010 or close to!

[ph678]

Just out of interest.......how much do you think a trex 550e v1 would be worth. Just seen one on fleabay, Looks in good shape too. I know that if i do get it, it'll be stripped down and rebuilt by me, just so i know that it's right and i'm sure it's safe

[Ade_Law]

as you have been out for a while defo take a look at upgrading your sim, things have come on a lot in the last 5 years. AccuRC is excellent www.accurcsimulator.com

[Grumpy]

Just out of interest.......how much do you think a trex 550e v1 would be worth.

Might want to make sure you can still get parts. the 550 V1 is pretty long in the tooth now and has been discontinues for many years. There is a good chance that some parts will be hard to find.

[ph678]

Might want to make sure you can still get parts. the 550 V1 is pretty long in the tooth now and has been discontinues for many years. There is a good chance that some parts will be hard to find.

Thanks Grumpy, That totally slipped my mind! your right, they were kind of a mish mash of 500 and 600 parts that could be hard to find now.
The 550 went for just shy of 300 on fleabay! i couldn't bring myself to pay that much for it! glad i didn't now!

[Varelco]

I still fly my V1 550E, ive got a few parts for it and you can still get bits and bobs but its not straight forward, the headache with Align is there has been so much cross compatability and part revisions over the years its difficult to pick out what can work. I'll fly mine it until I bin it and cant source anymore parts for it, it's not prestigious enough to be a shelf queen.

[Planehazza]

I decided to dust off the Tx and buy a little 300x to entertain me through lockdown. Didn't like it so got my 700s back out. Spent £2.5k since then... woops.

[p4ddy]

Spent £2.5k since then... woops.

[Planehazza]

Decided the best way to get back in and keep 'er happy, was sell the nitro and stick with leccy. Swapped my 105 and nitro gear for a PowerJive and other stuff with a good mate and converted my G4 to E720 with the parts I already had. Then I decided I wanted new LiPos, which was followed by a used Honda genny. I then started thinking, "I freaking love this G4, but I have no spares" so I got a great deal from member on here for a whole G4 airframe, spares, motor, and LiPos.

Futaba FBL upgrades on the Rush, then I got bullied into buying a Kraken 580 (ha, bullied, that's my excuse...) and everything on that model was bought new, minus the motor and Spirit FBL. Been an expensive year, but I've done more flying than the previous 4 years put together. 60 flights maybe?

Far too easy to spend money, but it's my hobby so I don't care

[ph678]

I decided to dust off the Tx and buy a little 300x to entertain me through lockdown. Didn't like it so got my 700s back out. Spent £2.5k since then... woops.

hahaha, Brilliant! That's the thing with anything rc. Once you get the taste back and then your buying spares for spares and anything you can justify to yourself as being a bargain

I've gone the different way, as i've seen a omphobby m2 v2 on Midlands that they'll price match for me. Looks like great design and parts are cheap as chips, Literally!!

[glenflyer]

m2

Good deal to be had from Grumpy at https://www.scotiarc.co.uk/product/omphobby-m2-v2/