Blade 400 vs T-Rex 450

[paulg1979]

Hi all,

So I've had my CX2 for a month or so now and seem to be getting the hang of it but am seriously interested in the next step. My question is what would be best option?

1. Buy Phoenix and the Blade 400 with the DX6i. Practice on the sim until I'm confident then try out the Blade 400.

or

2. Buy Phoenix and a DX6i. Practice flying a T-Rex 450 on the sim until I'm confident and then wait for pay day and buy a T-Rex 450

I'm wondering what would be an easier heli to fly to.

[moonmanflyer]

Good question mate.
Either option is a good one, but depends on what you are looking for in the future.
1) Do you want to be a 3d pilot, if yes go with the 450 more capable
2) Are you planning to go nitro in the future, if so get a DX7 rather than a 6i.

Don't get me wrong the blade is a superb heli, but if it means you have to wait a month to get a 450, then do that, it will also help you understand how they go together better as it will be in kit form.

[blackbrabus]

Well this could start a bun fight.

having never flown a 450 I really cant comment (haven't really flown my 400 either)

I'm sure someone will be along shortly to point you in the right direction.

[paulg1979]

I'm not sure i'll ever get into nitro but would like to get into 3D. I know its probably going to take years of practice but i'll try.

From what I have read it seems like a lot of people go for the Blade 400 as it comes with a DX6i but I'm thinking the T-Rex seems to be the better heli. Not saying it is but just comes across that way.

[moonmanflyer]

I'm not sure i'll ever get into nitro but would like to get into 3D. I know its probably going to take years of practice but i'll try.

From what I have read it seems like a lot of people go for the Blade 400 as it comes with a DX6i but I'm thinking the T-Rex seems to be the better heli. Not saying it is but just comes across that way.

It is obviously a higher spec heli, but when i say it is a more capable 3d'er it is down to pitch ranges, the trex you can get higher +- pitch ranges than you can on a blade 400, also the motor has alot more grunt in the 450. If you are going to take your time, then the blade 400 will be a good choice.

[paulg1979]

I'm confused. Will the two feel different on the sim?

[t-rex pedro]

I'm confused. Will the two feel different on the sim?

I wouldnt base a purchase on how a heli feels on the sim. This isnt always an accurate representation of how the real thing will fly.

The Blade 400 is an excellent choice if your just starting out (with some sim time and maybe experience with a small indoor co-axial) as it comes pre-built and ready to fly straight out of the box. The T-rex 450 is a great machine but will be more expensive to get in the air and is more involved as it takes a fair amount of knowledge to build, set up and fly.

If this is your first collective pitch heli then get the Blade as the Rex may just get the better of you before you have even flown it. Master the Blade, then get yourself a more capable 450 size heli (Beam E4, T-rex etc)

[machasm]

I wouldnt base a purchase on how a heli feels on the sim. This isnt always an accurate representation of how the real thing will fly.

The Blade 400 is an excellent choice if your just starting out (with some sim time and maybe experience with a small indoor co-axial) as it comes pre-built and ready to fly straight out of the box. The T-rex 450 is a great machine but will be more expensive to get in the air and is more involved as it takes a fair amount of knowledge to build, set up and fly.

If this is your first collective pitch heli then get the Blade as the Rex may just get the better of you before you have even flown it. Master the Blade, then get yourself a more capable 450 size heli (Beam E4, T-rex etc)

I think it best to go for the 400 for starters.
You will very likely crash a few times until you are able to exceed the limits of the model.
When you can sell it and get another heli then.

[Mart61]

Hi Paul

Here's my two penny's worth:

I went thru exactly what you're going thru now. I started at Xmas with the CX2 which I found to be too big for my lounge. I bought an mCX for indoor flying.

I too was going to buy the Blade 400 and Phoenix. However, on doing some serious homework and asking for advice both here and on HeliFreak, I took the advice of the majority and bought a T-rex 500. They are, or so I'm told, far more stable than the 400 or 450. Granted the price of a crash may be a little higher but, again so I'm told, the crashes should be less frequent than the 400 or 450.

For your reference you will find at the end of this post a spreadsheet that details the "most used" spares for the Blade 400, T-rex 450 and 500.

So here's what I did. I bought the T-rex 500, in kit form (bare bones) and a copy of Phoenix. I'm using the time during the build to fly the sim and get acquainted with the heli. I hope to complete the model in the spring (not that it takes that long to build - i just wanna save and buy the bits in slow time).

If you're interested you can read my blog here that details my build: http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blog.php?u=7462

[Si_B]

I own a Trex 450 which is a great model, and I've set up a few Blade 400's. At the end of the day, sims are all well and good, but you can't beat getting out and flying.........join a club, meet people who are as passionate about the sport as you might become. You will learn loads, and will be actually flying (and maybe crashing) and you'll make some new mates. Surely this must be better than just sitting in front of your computer

You will not out grow your Blade 400, and DX6i quickly, I've seen a few people put these little machines though certain moves I can't even do myself.

Don't be tempted to buy the best of everything, you will break it, it happens to us all. There are some crap cheap machines out there, but the blade 400 and the DX6i are not in this category. When you are ready to move on, I'm sure you will have no problem selling it on. I see to many people turning up with the best servos, radio etc etc, they end up being to scared to break it due to cost.

Good luck in your flying.

Cheers,

Simon

[Highrisedrifter]

Hugely helpful post, thanks guys.

Please allow me to express my opinion as I am in the same boat as you and you may find my thoughts helpful.

I've done a bit of research in the last couple of weeks on exactly this decision. Firstly I considered a Blade, then I decided on a Trex450 as it comes across as a better heli.

I considered the Trex450 as i've heard it is more stable to fly than the Blade. However, to get something good, I would need to spend two to three times more than the Blade 400 costs. A few people said to me "if you are going to get the 450 you may as well get the 500 as it is even more stable." But then costs start escalating even more... where do you stop?

I think I shall get myself the cheaper option. I'll get the Blade 400 with the DX6i and Phoenix and use the sim and learn not to crash with the Blade before spending a lot more money on something better.

I specced up a decent Trex450 too but the costs have risen sharply in the last few weeks and I can't find what I want anywhere under £700. The Blade is £250 or thereabouts and will represent better value for money for a complete novice like me moving up from a coaxial fixed pitch to a collective pitch heli.

Also, although I have put tigether R/C cars in the past, a 450 is a much more daunting machine to put together.

When I crash the Blade, I will be able to take it apart and repair it and learn where everything goes on that before having the confidence to build myself my own heli.

Who knows, by then I may consider something bigger than the 450, like a 500 or a 600, 700 Nitro heli, or something akin to that.

I say start small and go for the Blade. Learn on the sim, crash and repair it a few times and then move up to something bigger, better and more expensive.

Having seen some of the Blades on YouTube, they are a great little heli and well worth the money in my opinion.

[Si_B]

Very good choice

You can have 3 flight packs for the 400 compared to the price of one for the 500, great model but you ain't learning anything watching it charge up for 45min plus in between flights.

Look forward to seeing some flying pics on here soon.

Simon

ps. put some money aside for some training under carriage. Even if you can do it on the sim, real life is not the same. Might mean the difference between a great first day out, and a re-build !!!

[Mart61]

One thing I have found on any and all forums I ask for advice on (I also frequent several photographic sites too); You get lots of different replies, many offering different opinions.

In the end I sort thru the replies, pick out any common themes that crop up, and then do some serious homework.

[Highrisedrifter]

One thing I have found on any and all forums I ask for advice on (I also frequent several photographic sites too); You get lots of different replies, many offering different opinions.

In the end I sort thru the replies, pick out any common themes that crop up, and then do some serious homework.

I wholeheartedly agree with this approach. Researching the models and then getting opinions on those is invaluable.

[paulg1979]

Thanks for all your help. At them moment it seems like a Blade vs Trex 500
but more towards the blade. Will do some more homework and decide soon. Will keep you informed