most bulletproof 50

[trillian]

OK, this is one of those things where there will obviously be bias due to personal experiences but that's cool.

My thought at this point is;

What would be the top 2 or 3 most reliable, well engineered, super sturdy, long lasting etc. etc. 50 nitro helis?

We will leave cost out of it for now.


I have lots of helis and basically I fly gentle 'sport' style flying, I want to incorporate a bit of aerobatic moves as and when. But what I'd like is a super rugged, ultra reliable, easy to work on, smooth as silk 50.

I have to travel long distances to the field (usually) by hand, so I cant bring loads of spares and stuff, I have to bring a minimum of tools and parts etc. So I want something I can fly all the time and is as trouble-free as possible.

I should mention, I do have Knight 3D and Sport airframes already and have not built them up yet. I also have a Hirobo evo 50 I have not yet flown. Lately I have been mainly flying a Raptor 30 and 50 and a Vision 50 Ultimate.

So I guess the point being, can I spend more money on one 50 size heli that will pay for itself in terms of reliability and longevity or is that idea not realistic ?

[moonmanflyer]

from what i have seen either the Trex 600, Raptor 50 or Vibe 50 are the most bullet proof.
I have been runng a 600 NSP since pre summer and not done a single thing to it, bar safety checks

[Birdie4x4]

Raptor 50 any time, might not be as agile as the t-rex but is so reliable, of course regular safety checks. ( vibration kills)

[trillian]

Raptor 50 any time, might not be as agile as the t-rex but is so reliable, of course regular safety checks. ( vibration kills)

I have a Raptor 30 and 50 right now and plan to always have at least one Raptor regardless.

Maybe I'm just guilty of a 'grass is greener' mentality sometimes.

[sacko]

Maybe I'm just guilty of a 'grass is greener' mentality sometimes.

Know the feeling... I like the look of the Outrage now.. Doh.

[trillian]

Know the feeling... I like the look of the Outrage now.. Doh.

Yeah and the thing is, it's not practical to try to have everything even if money were no object because then it divides your attention so thin. So IMHO it's really a matter of having a small-ish 'fleet' that you can really know inside and out.

[Andy from Sandy]

At MK Heli Club two pilots have suffered with tail push rods falling off T-Rex 600s. Other also report that the Align bearings are not that good in the longer term. If you are not a crasher and are wanting a fill and fly model with little wear on the parts then out of the ones you have listed it will be either the Raptor or the Evo 50.

[moonmanflyer]

Know the feeling... I like the look of the Outrage now.. Doh.

I think it is because of the time of year, because you can't get out flying much you start think about building something else, i am really starting to like the look of the 600LE, but i know if i was out flying my velocity, i wouldn't even think about that

[Sesame]

Most reliable, without Doubt Vibe 50, superb engineering. for me a close second has to be Trex600. Mines been fantastic minimal down time in too many flights to count only a one way bearing has failed me. I have to say the raptors also just keep going but I dont like the maintenance on them, having to split the frames to change bearings.

[Disc]

vibe 50 for me is the most solid I have flown, doesn't wear out, doesn't need twiddling with every week.

I take it out Fuel up and fly, bring it home, charge it, then go fly it

Raptor in the mean time flys the same routine.... worn out the clutch bell bearing and a start shaft bearing, making hell of a noise hopefully now fixed though...

Just don't bin the Vibe 50 it isn't stupid money to fix but its kind of raptor titan money plus a bit more as its a torque tube set up and gears.

[Adrian]

I think it is because of the time of year, because you can't get out flying much you start think about building something else, i am really starting to like the look of the 600LE, but i know if i was out flying my velocity, i wouldn't even think about that

Must admit the 600LE looks real nice ...go on james you know you want somthing else

[trillian]

At MK Heli Club two pilots have suffered with tail push rods falling off T-Rex 600s. Other also report that the Align bearings are not that good in the longer term. If you are not a crasher and are wanting a fill and fly model with little wear on the parts then out of the ones you have listed it will be either the Raptor or the Evo 50.

Well, it doesn't have to be one I already have. I could sell off a few, but I'd keep a Raptor no matter what (unless maybe I fell in love with another heli to the point of not flying anything else).

[sacko]

I think it is because of the time of year, because you can't get out flying much you start think about building something else, i am really starting to like the look of the 600LE, but i know if i was out flying my velocity, i wouldn't even think about that

You, prob true James. Weather isnt looking great this weekend either unfortuantely

[Leebert]

Out of all the helis I have owned, the only one that seems to go and go and go without any fuss is the Sport. Fuel it up, a quick tweak with the starter and she's off - everytime and it flies good too IMHO

Second to that would be the rex 500 - my most confident heli and no bulky fuel bottles or heavy starters. The potential down side is that you may need a lot of lipos or a way of charging them.

[Adrian]

Dont know why but i love the raptor! had 3 and now going to but my forth next week,just feel comfortable with them.
I built my 600 18 months ago and likeing it and would love the new LE but its a question of cost as well ...maybe im to tight