New Nano CPX

[owend]

I've take the plunge and got a Nano today (King's Lynn Model Shop, £74.90 basic with no battery/charger/radio, good value if you've got them already!).

So far one tentative flight, it's slightly more lively than the mCX2 . It's like a teenager with ADHD, zips around madly then sulks in a corner. It's going to be a good indoor learning tool for the 450 during the British winter, which sometimes feels like lasting from September to June.

[kylelnsn]

Awesome! Going to be fun indeed!

[Liam B.]

Trust me you'll love it !

[owend]

Well, almost a week now, so first impressions. It's a great little machine for what technology HH have packed into an ounce - it weighs the same as one blade of the 450 (which I crashed today, and had to spend several hours and £££ repairing), and bounces beautifully. It's hit some furniture legs, a wicker basket, me, a bookcase, the wall several times, me again, the ceiling, etc and no real damage to either the Nano or the, er, target, very impressive. I've got it hovering now, having tamed the settings - FYI, book settings for throttle and pitch except 10% hold across the board, DR and expo of 30% + 40% aileron and elevator, 40% + INH rudder; normal only, I haven't tried any IU.

I'm disappointed on some quality issues though:

1) The landing gear/battery holder unit is loose fit at the front especially, and pops out with a heavy landing, never mind a crash. I'm thinking of gluing it in, but that may lead to problem if it needs replacing, so I'll probably try tieing it up with fine wire.

2) The battery moves backwards in the holder even in level flight; this upsets the CoG with predictable results. I've wound a rubber band round the gear to give more friction, which helps.

3) The main gear drops down with gentle use. It acually fell off today on spool-up! If it drops down, there's more play in the head, and the machine shakes badly. I'm going to glue it high up on the mainshaft, probably with Bostick to allow removal if necessary, possibly with CA if Bostick doesn't work.

4) Probably not the machine's fault: the blades are quite thin, and with the repeated knocks the leading edge around the tips gets bent. Makes a nice helicopterish roar, but also makes the Nano shiver. I've taken to sanding off the bumps - not very aeronautically PC, but works!

But overall, very pleased. It's a quantum leap up from the mCX2, like a small 450 CP !!

[owend]

I've pinned the main gear in place, which has made a difference. The Nano now flies more predictably, I realise that the movement caused by the gear dropping and the extra play in the head made for a more shaky flight. And more predictable = less bumps = the battery and holder are more secure too! Fingers crossed.....

[kylelnsn]

I've pinned the main gear in place, which has made a difference. The Nano now flies more predictably, I realise that the movement caused by the gear dropping and the extra play in the head made for a more shaky flight. And more predictable = less bumps = the battery and holder are more secure too! Fingers crossed.....

Ideal! So is it helping you learn lots and having fun?

[owend]

Learn? Hopefully!

Fun? Yeah!

And it's cheaper than crashing the 450!

[kylelnsn]

Learn? Hopefully!

Fun? Yeah!

And it's cheaper than crashing the 450!

Ohhhh Yeah! Great to see your enjoying flying!