Three very different choices - but which one?

[Chris Hinds]

I managed to stuff my Raptor for the third and final time about four weeks ago - pilot error all the way as I didn't go the right way on the collective at the right time when flipping out of inverted - went positive too early and powered it in.

I've been thinking about replacement models whilst saving up money to buy one. I have a few Raptor spares left that I would either sell off or keep depending on the replacement model. There are now three very different models in consideration

1. Align TRex 450SEv2

Pros
+ Could fly it in the back garden
+ Small
+ Light so shouldn't damage as much in a crash
+ Cheap parts it seems (or do other less "standard" bits break on these?

Cons
- Need to buy a 2.4GHz radio to suit (£)
- Unlikely to be able to learn Autorotations using this
- Shorter flight time
- Have to buy batteries up front - have fuel in stock
- Small so might not be good for learning "big" F3C moves

2. Raptor 30

Pros
+ Have engine & muffler
+ Known quantity
+ Bit bigger so better for more "distant" F3C type flying
+ Can use existing radio with just a couple of new servos so they all match
+ Longer flight time
+ Stability
+ Have some spares

Cons
- No autorotation unit
- More expensive to crash than the 450

3. Raptor 60

Pros
+ Presence and hovering ability
+ Better for large sky
+ Can use existing radio with new servos to match
+ Found one 2nd hand with engine for £150 needing only radio fitting
+ Autorotation unit

Cons
- It might be the cheapest to buy but one reasonable crash will nuke that
- Might be intimidating to fly


I'd describe my flying as at the "passable" stage. I can fly Figure-8s, circuits, hover in all orientations, do a passable stall turn. I've crashed three times this year - once due to an engine cut while going inverted (stuck clunk), one battery failure (dead NiCad) and the one above. I try to practice on the sim as much as possible and I'm fairly sure the recent crash was because I put positive collective in way too early (kinda like trying a loop without backing off the +ve collective).

So which do you reckon I should go for? Money as it is for most people is a bit of an issue right now, so purchase cost and getting flying are both important.

Cheers

Chris

[electricsceadu]

how do you get the raptor 30 having no auto unit?
the 50 has a driven tail the 30 doesn't but the 30 will just weather vain in an auto the 50 will have tail control
the 50 will lose a little head speed in the auto due to driving the tail
the 50 gear arrangement should fit the 30 to give a driven tail if you wish

i would go with the 30
if it works out cheaper to re-kit than to re-build your current raptor then re-kit, if not buy the spares and re-build
you don't need matching servos on a mechanicaly mixed heli either

[Chris Hinds]

Sorry I should have said no driven tail - my bad there. Cheers for the advice.

Regards

Chris

[David Drew]

how do you get the raptor 30 having no auto unit?
the 50 has a driven tail the 30 doesn't but the 30 will just weather vain in an auto the 50 will have tail control
the 50 will lose a little head speed in the auto due to driving the tail
the 50 gear arrangement should fit the 30 to give a driven tail if you wish

i would go with the 30
if it works out cheaper to re-kit than to re-build your current raptor then re-kit, if not buy the spares and re-build
you don't need matching servos on a mechanicaly mixed heli either

Sorry, go with that again.

I have just converted my 30 into a 50 and have only changed the gearing by changing the grey cog using the std 30 one-way bearing. How does a 50 have a driven tail & a 30 not have one?

Thanks

David

[Tosh]

no driven tail
Not sure if the 30 comes with or without these days but its only the white gear. Costs about eight quid l think. l`d much rather auto a raptor 30 without than a 450 with anyway. Why are people so scared of non driven tails anyway? Oh and for get the 60, its either a 90 or nothing. My favourite would be the 50 FWIW.

[Chris Hinds]

Thanks for the input guys - I have auto'd my Raptor without before but am inclined to have a driven tail for learning less "straightforward" autos. I take it the 60 is prefer not because of a lack of power for current flying styles?

Cheers

Chris

[SRH990]

The power to weight ratio on the Raptor 60 is pants, it weighs as much as a 90 with not much more power than a 50, hence the OS70 is popular - but not that good a motor.

It wasn't that long ago that no heli's had driven tails, well maybe a good while I suppose, and we auto'd on a regular basis without, including spot autos

[Si Goodchild]

Raptor 50 matey. V2 or Titan, both are good.