Fair Critique

[Steve]

Just to add another suggestion.

If you are posting your pros and cons about a heli that has already been listed, pleased don't feel that you have to say something different from the previous person. If two or more people make list the same pro (or con) then it just reinforces that element of that model.

[Steve]

what do you mean? i headed them t-rex 600e ally frame and compass knight 3d

Which version of the Knight - Pro or Sport or 3D?

Which version of the 600e - Pro or Sport (I might be talking waffle here as I don't know much about 600s!)?

[Steve]

Doh!

Sorry Jamie, Knight 3D.

Should have spotted it - it's big enough!

[Ade_Law]

what about a matrix, models down the left then colums for price, tail drive type frame type, control method servo support. cost of upgrades for 3d, cost of upgrades for reliable running, ease of build, ease of maintanance, general flight performance before and after upgrades.

and any more you can think of

Ade

[David Drew]

what about a matrix, models down the left then colums for price, tail drive type frame type, control method servo support. cost of upgrades for 3d, cost of upgrades for reliable running, ease of build, ease of maintanance, general flight performance before and after upgrades.

and any more you can think of

Ade

More 'War & Peace' than 'Paddy Power'

[Steve]

what about a matrix, models down the left then colums for price, tail drive type frame type, control method servo support.

These would be doable, but the others on your list are a maybe a bit too subjective - people would start arguing about 'how easy is it to build?' and 'how many upgrades do you need for what level of 3D?' etc.

Need to be careful to keep something like that factual I think, but worth considering.

[Steve]

Another suggestion.....

When combining all the comments into a single document for new-comers to browse through, I would suggest that the poster's user name be put next to each pro and con, so that the reader could contact that site user (maybe by PM), and ask them to expand on their comment.

Any objections?

[Ade_Law]

you will get that anyway like me and you on the blades...

Ade

[Steve]

True, but I've made my case for why their in my Pros section which is a valid one, so I'll defend it if challenged. I wouldn't said that they're brilliant, just that they're included in the kit, so you don't have to shell out for blades on top of the cost of the kit if you don't want to, and they work, within given limits.

Not every heli kit is going straight from the box into the hands of a demanding and experienced 3D flyer.

Anyway, I still think the matrix idea is good, but it's content needs to not be objective, just factual.

[Ade_Law]

as i said i would rather the kit is cheaper then you have the choice of what blades you want.

Ade

[Steve]

Doesn't matter in this thread Ade. If I list it as a 'Pro', and someone else lists the same thing as a 'Con' then the reader is entitled to ask either or both of us to expand on our comment.

As I stated in the original post, I don't want this thread to degenerate into an argument about specifics. It's intention is to be a fair and unbiased critique from the site users of their own helis.

[Bubblefish777]

Blade CX2 (£116)
Copied some of this as it was fairly similar to my own views.
Pros:
1. RTF. Includes 2.4ghz radio gear and charger.
2. Extremely stable.
3. Huge supporting community.
4. Many upgrades available.
5. Good video manual on DVD makes setup and learning simple.

Cons:
1. Due to being a contra-rotating heli, will not fly in *any* wind without upgrades.
2. Extreme movements can cause blade strikes unless using an extended modified inner shaft.
4. The radio and gyro unit suffer from heat caused by the motors, causing yaw.
5. The throttle on the included radio is not smooth, and goes up in click/click increments - unless you modify it (which is easy and takes five minutes)


T-Rex 600E CF (£384.99)
Pros:

• Extremely stable and reliable. (from Beginner to 3D)
• Kit comes with excellent quality electrical components
• Good instructions (apart from electrical placement
• Easy sourcing of parts.
• Enjoyable and easy build.

Cons

• Carbon Frame manufacture not good as hole sizes do not fit thrust bearing mounts.
• Poor servo placement means standard servo's need to be built up to fit.
• Inital Battery Outlay. Nitro power outlay is actually as expensive BUT the outlay if over time.
• Intimidation level. (from a CX2 it's bloody scarey !)
• Electrical bullet connectors and not Deans.
• No main Rotor Blades

[Sesame]

Thunder Tiger Raptor Titan (£245)

Pro's
1. Very comprehensive manual
2. Parts everywhere
3. everything in the box (blades/silencer/header tank)
4. Most clubs know the raptor range well
5. great beginers model

Con's
1. needs upgrading for it to fly at its best
2. Technology has moved on
3. Blades supplied are woodies
4. to change central parts like main bearings, the frames need splitting

[fatmantom]

Twister Bell 47/Medevac £80 - £100 (ish carnt remember!)

Pro's

• stable
• easy to repair
• flies "right" without upgades
• cheap parts (esp baldes!)

Con's

• when battery runs low it starts to yaw
• parts break tooo easy!
• it don't do wind!

carnt think of much more for that! lol

Mini pred

pro's

• it does fly straight (if set up well!!! )
• cheap parts and model is cheap ish to start with
• gets u hooked and wanting something better
• good for the garden
• gyro worked well for me...(i've heard others have had no luck with it?)

Con's

• horrible cheap plastic parts and screws that last 8 flights before u have to replace and set up again
• radio is carp
• servos are craaap

thats all i can think of at the moment! and carnt really comment much on the raptor 50 (didnt have it for long enough) or the x400.... (yet to flyy!...well ok, yet to fly under controll! )

cheers

[Mike W]

Art-tech mini Pred £199 RTF

Pro's
Comes complete ready to run
Easy and stable to learn on (when setup right )
Parts are cheap and available with no problems
Gyro and Servos work very well
More cnc upgrade available for it now

Cons
Cheap plastic on some parts
Needs to be set up better at the factory
Cheap TX


Century Hawk Pro £135

Pro's
Easy to build and set up
Spares cheap and readily available
Flies nice
Torque tube tail drive
Comes complete with blades and exahaust

Con's
You have to dismantle half the heli to get the engine out
Anti-rotation bracket and constant tail drive you have to buy as addons
Lower and top frames are pre built ... Would be better as a kit so you know it's put together correct and all loctited where its needed
Manual could be better

I also own a Kyosho Nexus but seeing as bits are far and few between for spares and its my spare Heli I wont mention it lol ...
I only been flying a few months but this is just from my own experiences with these models