Rex 500 Crash - what now...?

[Delta7]

Hi Folks........finally crashed my Trex 500 after around 2 yrs of flying it, always said and funny enough too, before I actually flew yesterday, I said the same thing to a fellow club member who asked "when I am going to go fbl ?" so I says "when I crash next !"

Forgot it was in idle up, lost orientation for a sec and instinctively closed the throttle, slamming it into the ground with -11 degree of force! Guess where it hit, the only bit of narrow tarmac nearby ! On a quick once over so far, 1 side frame needs replacing, tail looks untouched though which is amazing ! Fly barred and paddles gone and other bits to check but......I am not sure what version it exactly is, think it's the early esp version with Torque tube though what ever ESP means, so my questions.....

is there a listing or explanation of the different versions?
what is the compatibility amongst them ?
Now it's time to go to fbl what head do you recommend, seen Tarot ones on ebay?
do side frames from the other versions work with the gears etc in the esp version?
or shall I just scrap and sell good bits left ! ?

Cheers....

[Delta7]

Updated signature ! just look at that left with a 130x !

[French Paul]

The esp frames are different but look around for fusuno frames, much cheaper and just as strong!
As for the head, I've seen align flybarless and dfc heads complete on evilbay for £25-£40 so wouldn't bother with the tarot heads due to parts difference, my tarot 450 head uses it's own main and feathering shaft for example.
The fl head is good for sport and 3d but the dfc is much stiffer and suits a heavier/faster flying style IMO but I have it on my 500 and just use some expo to soften it a bit.
if your after a Fbl system raj at align is doing 3gx's brand new for £40 and it works fine for me!

[French Paul]

Here's an example of the fusuno frame FUSUNO Neon Red Fiberglass Frame Trex 500 FUF-114

[trillian]

My 500 is the ESP belt tail version that originally had the silver frames. Basically there was the very first Trex 500, then at some point they changed the frames in front to lower the battery tray but those frames are compatible. Then where everything changed is when they came out with the 500 Pro.

Mine was getting a bit tired and I treated it to some Fusuno frames and new main bearings last year. It was originally flybarred but was developing some slop in the head and I converted it with an RJX head and a BeastX and then earlier this year swapped out the BeastX for a Total-G. The Trex 500 is cheap to maintain and is worth fixing / upgrading IMHO.

I got these orange canopies on Ebay but I think Hobbyking carries them and with the bright coloured frames the visibility is improved as well.

IMGP5186.jpg

[French Paul]

The Rjx head on the 600 uses the same/originalmain and feathering shafts so this may be the case for the 500 head and Rjx make some very good kit.
might be the cheaper option at half the cost of the align head.

[james_2k]

for around 220 you can get the full dominator 500 kit. use your own servos, motor etc. you should just need a fbl unit.

T-REX 500L Dominator Super Combo RH50E07XW Model Helicopters

(you can remove items you dont want from the kit )