Spirit to Blade?

[Skipper]

Hi Guys,

I'm a new member here and I must admit it's a credit to all the members who contribute, as the information on the site is excellent. I first got into helis about 5 years with a Hirobo Shuttle that I built from scratch and flown for a few hours. Then had no time to continue with the hobby due to house building, family etc. But I'm back with a different approach... Last month I bought a Century Spirit and have flown around my garage quiet sucessfully, with no major crashes! I can hover in all directions which is probably no big thing as it's a very stable heli. However I would like to bridge the gap between that heli and my much larger Shuttle, and was thinking of buying an Elite Blade 400. This appeals to me as it is ready to fly out of the box. I was thinking of getting another Century, namely the Razor 400, but there is not much info on them anywhere. All the threads seem to be on the Blade. My question is; will I be able to fly the Blade indoors, my garage is about 30 feet x 20 feet? And secondly from the info I can gather the Blade is an intermediate to Pro Heli, so will it be too advanced for my needs. I do have about 30 hours on a Sim and will be doing more on it. Cheers...

[anyw]

welcome, i am going from the spirit to the blade, like you i can pretty much do most things i want with the spirit,it is a nice easy starter, i have bought a blade and phoenix, but it has not come out of the box yet

[Skipper]

Cheers Anyw,

Will you be starting with the Blade anytime shortly as I would like to know how you are gettin on...

Good Luck!

[Hangar-7]

Welcome to RCHA a friendly Heli Forun - you'll find here help - just ask the question. I don't know anything about Century Spirit so can't make any comment. However, I have both Blade 400 3D and Trex 450 Pro - my advice would be to get a Trex 450 Pro or SE. For more info visit :

Simply T-Rex | RC Helicopter Products & Spares | T Rex 450

Yep, Blade 400 comes with everything in a box - that's a good thing... but as far as flying is concerned Trex 450 is a stable heli and you'll have more fun with it.

You can always buy a DX6i Tx and a Rx separately for £125 so that's not a problem. If your budget allows then get a Phoenix Sim (£80) but if you can hover a heli (assuming it's not a contrarotating) and lucky enough to have a clutter free large garage then you should have very little problem in flying Trex450 Pro. ( I'm not on commission).

As a beginner, you need clam weather to leran the basics of flying - a large garage is an ideal place for such things and I'm sure like me there will be other members who'd envy you.

You'll also need to learn "How to set up a heli" - if there are any clubs near you then take help from them; otherwise take help from this Forum.

Good Luck &

[Boggy]

the b400 can be tamed down into quite a nice beginners heli,so you shouldn't have problems in that respect.
as for flying indoors...in your house defiantly not. but in your garage you would be just about able to hover and move it around gently. in a sports hall is ideal. and outside is perfect

welcome to the forum

[Eddie]

To answer your question…..Blade 400 any day…It will take inexpensively from learning the basics to sport flying very easily, not tried 3D so cannot comment. But set up correctly I cant see why not...

Welcome to RCHA and the resident B400 expert is Boggy…

[Skipper]

Ok,

Firstly to Hangar 7, I have actually looked at the T-Rex in the past but found that it was coming in a bit dearer as an intermediate helicopter ie. by having to buy the seperate Tx etc. On the site you recommended there are a choice of 2 450 Pro's, I presume the Pro Combo would be the one to go for?

Boggy when you say the Blade can be tamed down to a nice beginners, is this just a matter of adjusting Tx settings? And if so is there a link to anywhere I can do this?

Thanks!

[Hangar-7]

the b400 can be tamed down into quite a nice beginners heli,so you shouldn't have problems in that respect.
as for flying indoors...in your house defiantly not. but in your garage you would be just about able to hover and move it around gently. in a sports hall is ideal. and outside is perfect

welcome to the forum

Ron is our resident "Blade 400 Guru" so I'd say "Hi and Good Morning" to Ron first.

Yep, if Ron does not know anything about B400 then it is not worth knowing. He has helped me a lot in setting my Blade 400 - Thanks again Ron. The most important thing is that Ron has always time for everybody. He can play tunes with a Blade 400.

However, having said all that, sorry Ron but I do love my Trex 450 Pro. It's an expensive but more satisfying route IMO.
In fact, I'm now thinking of selling my Blade 400 with lots of spares but without Tx (it has been changed to Mode 3, so no good to most flyers).

Cheers

[Tombo242]

I found this link was a good start when I got my B400 when moving up from a co-axial Horizon Hobby: Article: How To - First Time Blade 400 Pilots - Try our DX6i Setup: Jim Booker (E-flite, Spektrum)

Hope it helps some, and I have flown the B400 in a smaller indoor space than you have.

[easypickingsere]

Having not flown a blade 400 I cant comment about it, lots of people on here have or have had them. Ron has a sticky section on here with the settings that should help you if you decide to go for one, http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/e-flig...ade-400-a.html

I am learning with a trex 450 and originally was using a mini pred. After trying to fly that getting onto the trex was a joy. Learnt alot more, and has been said they are remarkabley stable for a small heli. This again depends on how its set up. The trouble with these small helis is that when they go wrong they go wrong quick!

If money isnt an issue IMO Id go for a larger heli and forget about flying inside and join a club. They are more stable and not as skitish. Also being outside there is more room which can only help in aiding the fun of this fantastic hobby.

[Boggy]

I found this link was a good start when I got my B400 when moving up from a co-axial Horizon Hobby: Article: How To - First Time Blade 400 Pilots - Try our DX6i Setup: Jim Booker (E-flite, Spektrum)

Hope it helps some, and I have flown the B400 in a smaller indoor space than you have.

http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/e-flig...ade-400-a.html

near identical to the video settings. i beat them by 9 months

http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/e-flig...ade-400-a.html

a bit of help with taming here

E-Flight Blade 400 - RcHeliaddict

answers to just about everything!

there are now loads of guys on here that can help, a few with different opinions but that a good thing. some like to upgrade some dont!

hangar-7 i agree the 450 pro is a better heli by far! but you did start with the blade

[Skipper]

Guys,

A lot of great replies there, and it seems like the Blade and the Trex 450 are battling it out!!

I think the Blade may suit my requirements at the moment as its already set up. Trex 450 sounds very good to me because of its stability, but I'm not sure if I would be able to set it up myself, and may end up on this site looking for answers rather than flyin!

Hangar 7 if you are on for selling your Blade what is the best way to contact you about it?

Ron, for the links some very interesting stuff there.

Thanks Again.

[Hangar-7]

PM me - I think as a newbie to RCHA you can send PM. Here is how to do it - click on my Avatar and it should bring up the menu - just click on PM and you should be there.

I think we're offering you choice and hopefully not arguing which one is a better heli - not IMO

[anyw]

Cheers Anyw,

Will you be starting with the Blade anytime shortly as I would like to know how you are gettin on...

Good Luck!

i will keep you informed, at the moment it is still in the box, while i learn the basics on phoenix and then join a club and get someone with a buddy lead,

As a beginner, you need clam weather to leran the basics of flying - a large garage is an ideal place for such things and I'm sure like me there will be other members who'd envy you.

on my way round now

Yep, if Ron does not know anything about B400 then it is not worth knowing. He has helped me a lot in setting my Blade 400 - Thanks again Ron. The most important thing is that Ron has always time for everybody.

seems to be a few newbies joined with the blade 400, looks like you could be busy ron

[flyingdwarf]

Hi

I'm no expert as I have only been doing heli's for around a month now the blade 400 is my 1st helicopter and it's not been to bad. I have done a lot of r/c before....but it all had wheels!
Right,.. I have a freind who does a lot of r/c heli's and planes so before I flew the blade I asked him to fly it trim it up and calm it down a bit for me on the settings,I have also got flybar weights on it. I am lerning to fly on a tennis court as it's very forgiving as it can slide around on the training gear with ease. I have to say I would not fancy the blade indoors unless I was in a hall etc. Most I have spoken to say the 450 is just as hard as the blade to get the hang of but with the blade you get everything in one box.

Good points of the blade.

Cheep to buy, and very cheep to repair around £3.50 for 2x main shafts, £4.50 ish 2x booms £7.99 for set of blades etc and most shops have good stock.
Nice radio gear

Bad points

STD Servos are poo! as they are very week get them out and fit hitecs
In my opinion the metal parts and shafts etc are not made of the best quality materials.
It can be very twitchy to fly (for me haha)


Hope that helps a bit, I no nothing compaired to most on here but I hope my help is beginner to beginner if you know what I mean

Dave