Coming back to Heli Flying, After a 500 clone :-)

[Randall]

Hi All

Well its been a while since i last flew and not i will have time to get back into this :-) im looking at getting a 500 Clone, Mainly due to cost, im not after the cheapest but a good quality 500 clone :-)
I still have my Futaba FF9 transmitter and some RX's laying about but im a little out of touch now, Its going to get planted im sure so clone makes sense for my first year of flying, I am a Fixed wing flyer but when i stopped flying i could fly circuits. got back into fixed wing and can fly fine so im hoping to pick the helis up again fairly quick.
What are the thoughts on the clones ? I see Giant Cod have some very cheap clones but im guessing no good? there are also a lot on ebay at good prices. Any advice welcome got to be 500 sized and im assuming there is nothing fancy on these that my FF9 wont handle ?

Thanks J

[moonmanflyer]

Try phoenixtech flasher 500, you can get full combo packages.
Go look on wings wheels and rotors website

[Randall]

cheers will take a look, will be more than happy to invest in Genuine Align stuff once i have bent the clone a few times, Also who are leading for lipo's these days ? i used to use aurorra in the past and still have there Cellpro 10s charger. i dont mind investing in good Servo's and Lipos as they do last compared to cheap gear.

[moonmanflyer]

The flasher 500 is of very good quality and unlike other clone types are fully tested and tested hard by factory pilots.
They are as near to align quality as you will get and in some areas better.
As for lipos, depends what you are after, if want as many for little cost turnigy batts from hobby king are good, optipower ones are to be launched soon, and most of the usual are still around.

[Randall]

Cheers for all your help, (gets Debit car out pocket) What packs would you suggest for this model ? basically maximum flight times at the moment nothing extreme as i will only be doing gentle sprot flying for some time

[Randall]

hmmm called Wings wheels and Rotors up and they dont have any in stock and have no idea when they are getting any in and it could be many weeks

[challis349]

Pm phoenixtechuk on here I think his username is, his name is Andy, he will be able to help

[stuskimac]

How about a Gaui 425 ? 500 size, its quite cheap barebone, fit your own electrics, just another option ?

[Randall]

Well i like the idea of the flasher 500 ESP but no where has any. found one place that has the Belt Driven one in stock but im a cucker for the bling of metal tail box etc

[heliboy]

Call raj at align trex .co.uk and ask him to do you a deal.You can pick and mix kits.You could get the 500e and then add metal grips etc.
He is a very helpful guy.

[Randall]

I cant justify that kinda cash at the moment (house move) i can get 3 Flasher 500's for the price of the Basic Align model. + i always felt that owning the genuine Align model was what was holding me back from fast progression as i was always worried about bending it and having to replace with standard align parts ( i used to have a 450 years ago) where as these clones avaliable now the parts are priced towards having the odd bend while on L plates,

Hoby Kings postage is Very expensive for Lipo's Selected 4 X 6s 3000's $50 postage !!! i guess there not light. Might work out cheper to do a couple of orders

[moonmanflyer]

Look for the lipos under de warehouse, they are in Germany and slot less postage.
Try Andy, and maybe give black country models a call

[challis349]

Don't know much about this place, but they are showing stock

http://www.probuild-uk.com/index.php...product_id=663

[Randall]

Yea thats the GF kit im after the Carbon one with the TT Tail, Well will keep trying to find one seem to have very good reviews on the net. oh if i order two packs at a time from hoby king works out for 6s 3000's just over £20 a pack inc delivery !!!!! and less chance of customs lol

[atxplus]

If you get the belt drive trex 500 try to get the metal boom holder as this will ground the boom and dispel any build up of static.