Blades New Heli revealed !

[Lynx.1677]

WTF? The Align prices are cheaper for a better heli. I think someone at Blade is smoking something dodgy. Fail.

[Gixxer]

WTF? The Align prices are cheaper for a better heli. I think someone at Blade is smoking something dodgy. Fail.

So I'm not thew only one who sees their gear as extremely overpriced?

[LipolyGone]

So I'm not thew only one who sees their gear as extremely overpriced?

Nope your not alone gixer which is why I went for the 500 pro dfc was going to get the blade 500x but availability was non existent for a heli that was introduced to us at Zone!! Way back in the early summer. Maybe blade helicopters are the new Avant of the rtf heli scene.

[mahbouni]

Blade cater for the entry level market and you find them in local hobby shops. The first time buyer rarely knows what he is really buying and often just gets what the guy behind the counter tells him. 300 upgrades later and then its onto Align and then Gobilin and Mikado and whatever. Total obsession, bankruptcy, divorce and general failure in life.

[SaneAdam]

I actually think it looks nice . Think i prefer it aesthetically to the new Align 550... I do think that without a very competitive price which would make it an economic beater it will struggle to entice all lot of the established heli lovers. Its in danger of being "just another heli" Which is not really a bad thing as such. But i feel Blade helicopters have their place in the market. Who are we to say they shouldn't be extending their creative tentacles into an already rapid growing market. Dont be surprised (and i'm sure you won't) when this release is followed by a 700 and possibly a 600... then the seemingly obligatory 800 camera ship

More competitive brands means more competition between the manufactures to catch our attention

[Varelco]

£810?!!? Seriously?

[Gixxer]

£810?!!? Seriously?

I reckon it would be expensive at half that price... Those guys have got more neck than a giraffe!

[Curryzz]

Iv literally just taken delivery of a new Align 550 DFC, as all my other Helis are Blade I thought maybe I should have gone for this, it was too late, however looking at it I think my Align 550 DFC will be better Happy with my choice at the mo..

[tomatwalden]

I reckon it would be expensive at half that price... Those guys have got more neck than a giraffe!

Ha, Seems Horizon agree with you! Their own website is now showing $1499 USD reduced to $999 - before it's even out!

That would make it about £620.

BLADE 550 X Pro Series Combo (BLH5525C)

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[tomatwalden]

Kit excluding AR7200BX : BLADE 550 X Pro Series Kit (BLH5525)

ie. ~ £396

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[Bronek]

I think this is nice and rather serious heli, very much unlike smaller Blades (no disrespect, I love my Nano, but it's a toy). No plastic (apart from links), all carbon fiber and machined metal. I noticed double sided tail slider, CNC tail head powered from torque tube, simple CNC main head and well positioned cyclic servos, triple bearings on main shaft (one bearing below gears). Not exciting, but very sensible and I would gladly fly it.

Whether or not I would buy it is another matter. Would have to know actual (competitive, not "recommended") price of heli and price and availability of parts. But it looks nice and seems well designed.

I think the biggest potential obstacle this heli is facing is own (Horizon Hobby) distribution and customer trust.

[tomatwalden]

• E-flite® 130A ESC
• E-flite Heli 550, 1360Kv brushless outrunner motor
• E-flite 10-Amp BEC

Seems like it has a seperate BEC too? Actually, if the complete kit does come in at around £600 say, assuming a "good deal" within a few months to say £520-£550. I would actually be quite interested ...

[r4nd0m]

Kit excluding AR7200BX : BLADE 550 X Pro Series Kit (BLH5525)

ie. ~ £396

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thats the kit only - no servos, fbl controller, receiver ...

[tomatwalden]

thats the kit only - no servos, fbl controller, receiver ...

Yup, This is the combo with AR7200BX, servos etc. : BLADE 550 X Pro Series Combo (BLH5525C)

$999 is about £620, which if you compare against a Trex 550V2 super combo is actually quite a good price. So far, I don't think I've ever paid anywhere near the release price for a Blade heli, so I would imagine it would soon be available for sub-£600. Then it does start to look quite interesting in my view ...

[Idleup95]

How about we wait and see before we start saying its gonna be crap? Ya never know it might surprise u all... :P