Which CopterX 450 clone ?

[col]

I've decided to buy a 450 clone. I really wanted to get myself an Align but I just can't afford it. I had then resigned myself to buy a Blade 400 instead but I was really keen to build the heli myself and much prefer the 450. Now I've discovered the world of clones and figure I can get one of these for only a little more than I was going to pay for the Blade 400.

After a bit of research I've decided the CopterX should be of sufficient quality. Now the only thing left to do is make the purchase but I'm a little confused. The CopterX site only lists a 450SE V2 Kit which is still pretty expensive (124.95) which seems to defy the point of buying a clone in the first place.

I've found many 450AE V2's on ebay for about half that price so I figure that's the way to go. Now I've got it down to two choices:

CopterX 450AE V2 Kit - 58.99 (including P&P)

and

CopterX 450AE V2 Kit - Carbon Fiber - 53.96 (including P&P)


Now for a few n00bish questions:

What's the difference between the 450AE and the 450SE?

Does AE stand for aluminium edition?

How can the second item listed above be AE and have a carbon fiber frame?

Is it better to have a frame made from Carbon Fiber or Aluminium?

and finally, which of the two items above should I get or does it really just not matter?



cheers

[sacko]

Have you got all the radio gear, electrics for that?

If they dont come with it, you will be looking at spending the same amount as a good secondhand kitted out v2.

I would personally suggest looking at Stuarts v2 in the For Sale section.

[Mart61]

I agree with Paul. I had a similar discussion at my field on Sunday. One of the guys got a kit for about £30 inc P&P. However, it was the airframe only.

By the time you've added all the servos, gyro, motor, ESC etc, you may just as well, IMHO, buy the T-rex 450 Sport Super Combo that can be had for £290. All you then need to add is the Rx and batteries (assuming you have a Tx?).

[wil1972]

Make sure you know what you are getting before you bid - looks like this has no motor / esc.

In addition, price up a complete build before buying the kits :- i found that even with a copter X kit at £125 I would then have to spend another couple of hundred on gyro, cyclic servos, good tail servo etc and that put me into the 450 sport super combo money. I got mine for £290- you then only need a transmitter / receiver / battery.

The base kits are good value if you already have the electronics : -if you have nothing then the super combos are very hard to beat on value.

[Mart61]

Great minds eh, wil1972ybabes?

[wil1972]

I agree with Paul. I had a similar discussion at my field on Sunday. One of the guys got a kit for about £30 inc P&P. However, it was the airframe only.

By the time you've added all the servos, gyro, motor, ESC etc, you may just as well, IMHO, buy the T-rex 450 Sport Super Combo that can be had for £290. All you then need to add is the Rx and batteries (assuming you have a Tx?).

Snap Beat me too it.

[col]

Thanks for all the advise guys. It's good to get a reality check every now and then. I hadn't seen the 450SE V2 Stuart has for sale. It does look like a good deal so I've sent him an offer.

So... anyone got a DX6i for sale? (I'm not allowed to post in the Wanted section yet )

[sacko]

At £200 it really is a good price. have a look on BMFA Classifieds, there is usually a Tx on there.

[Hangar-7]

Don't forget you can get a genuine Trex 450 frame kit for @ £145 which I think is far better than buying a CopterX or any other clone.

Stuart's offer is really good , if it is still available.

http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/sale/2...-450se-v2.html

Good Luck and happy hunting.

[garlicfish]

I just finished building one of the $60 CX450AE kits and test flew it yesterday.
I had to replace the tail pitch plate and tail grips before I had even finished building the kit as the pitch plate was not true and the grips were binding if the bolts were tightened properly.
Following the test flight, I now need to do a complete strip down to replace the tail drive gear as it is not properly round and causes massive vibes!
I also suspect the main shaft is not entirely straight. and the main gear wobbles a lot.
The ball links are also pretty horrible and I may replace them if I can get rid of the vibes.
So far I am looking at around £20 additional cost to the airframe alone. (I guess it is still pretty cheap.)
My advice for a cheap heli would be to look at the SX450 kit from sportsmoto. I have one on my shelf waiting to be built and it is clear that the quality is way better than the copterX.

I'm going to build the SX starting this weekend having just pancaked my belt-CP which frees up a gyro and tail servo for re-use.

[col]

I got mine for £290

Where'd you get a 450 Sport for £290? I've seen them around for that before but can't find it for that tonight.

It may be the beer talking bit I feel like that could be the way to go after all. I'm not all that keen about buying second hand gear atm because, as this would be my first real heli, I'm really looking forward to putting the thing together from scratch. It seems to me that that's half the fun and that I would learn A LOT from going through the process. It would also mean so much more when I got it in the air. Time for another google search.... if I can find it for £290 I'm in. I'll worry about how I'm gonna pay for food, lipos, charger, the rent, and a Tx/Rx tomorrow when I sober up.

[chugga-bug]

Here you go mate
Model Shop Leeds - Specialists in radio controlled models

Have no fear buying from them. They're a well respected shop and well known for being a bit cheaper than most.

[col]

It's done! 450 Sport on it's way