Which Trex or other electric??

[Leebert]

Hi All
Recently looking at a Trex - Question is, which one?? :?
I have seen a good deal on the HDE and CDE models with all electrics (all that is missing is txer). Do I go for these and which one?
OR Do I save up for about a year (!) for the SE version and all the bits etc. It works out about twice the price of the other two models - is it twice as good?
I don't fancy going IC really.
Furthermore, if I have to save for the SE version am I better off going for a Swift?
Cheers
Lee :?

[antsis]

The plus with the T-Rex is that it can be flown indoors and outside. If you go for the SE, you get all the shiny metal bits, but it is expensive and if you are still learning will hurt your pocket when you ding it. The Swift is a good model too, although early models suffer from serious spool down shake.

Price wise, the SE is currently 49 cheaper, but the swift comes with a battery worth 100.

Have you considered the new Twister 3D?

[Leebert]

Hi Antsis
Yes, I have had a look at the Twister but wanted something a bit bigger. There's no way I can afford the SE or a Swift right now and I hear what you're saying about crash damage and the cost of spares (I've spent quite a lot on spares for my Honey Bee!).
At the mo, the best I can afford is non SE version of the Trex - Looking at various forums, most seem to favour the CDE version. Is this a better bet for a Newbie like me?
Lee

[Thomas]

Don't rule out IC til you see one. There are so many good second hand deals out there - I know some say avoid BMFA and eBay but there are very good deal out there not to be missed.

[Disc]

Leebert,

If you can find someone who knows about Helis in your area the
BMFA website may provide you with a kitted out Trex cheaper
than you think... But you need someone who knows a bit before
you go down that route or ebay. Good deals can be had and getting
stung can be done as well.

Twister 3D is almost Trex size but not quite as stable. I love my Twister
3D until I striped servo gears :roll:

Question is what transmitter do you have? Your going to need a
half decent one as well, buy once and only once Transmitter wise.

[Disc]

Leebert: what is your max budget?

[antsis]

Lee.
Apart from noise and the mess, is there any reason why you are specifically looking at electric?

The SE is a really nice heli to fly. The CDE and HDE should fly just as well. I never saw any difference on my X400 between the original plastic head and the upgraded metal one. I found the plastic head quite weak and this was after I clipped a chair leg with a blade. The blade was ok, but the head snapped off the shaft. I reckon the upgrades put an extra 150-180 on the initial cost.

The swift will be better outside. I flew one at my field and some pilots were complaining about the wind, but the swift handled it surprisingly well.

What puts me off going full on electric is the after cost. You are going to have to have at least 2 batteries, unless you are prepared to wait about an hour between flights. The batteries for my SE were 36.00 each. That's the same as 2 gallons of fuel for my Raven. I'm going to get similar flight times, batt vs tank of fuel, but I'll get more stick time in one session with the ic.

[Ade_Law]

leebart come down for a trial lesson before spending any money. It will give you a good idea of what getting yourself into and help you decide a budget.

Ade

[Leebert]

Hi All
Thanks for replying. Sorry for the slow response but I'm helping the in-laws move and we've just unpacked the PC!
I have a Futaba T7 tranny (TX only so I have no servos or gyro etc) and a budget of around 300 to 400 pounds. Not much I know to start in this hobby but since I broke my Honey Bee for the last time I missed flying the little heli around. Reflex isn't quite the same. I seems I need to bide my time and wait until the dust settles around here.
Noise and mess are two big factors along with the wife complaining of the constant fuel smell (I've had several 2 stroke bikes :roll: )
I think I'll see you down your field sooner rather than later Ade!
Regards
Lee
PS I'll be back online again Sunday or Monday I expect! Anyone want any 2nd hand bubble wrap or cardboard boxes - I can do a good deal! :lol:

[Ade_Law]

Ok... noise and mess, not so much of a problem these days. You should be flying at a proper field no matter what the power source. Even a trex will do some serious damage to a human being.

mess, all good fuel is synthetic oil now so although its not totally clean the mess they generate is much easier to clean up, its not the gooey sludge it used to be.

smell, also not a problem. Methanol doesnt suffer the same problem that petrol does. I have around 5 glow powered models sitting in this flat and you wouldnt know it.. other than the fact you can see the flat is full of models!!

Ade

[Thomas]

..... you forgot something Ade, you tend to recommend Magnum, so most at your field use it - get a couple of helis running at the same time at the end of the day and you can see bugger all through the fog.

[Disc]

Leebert:
You should be able to find a Raptor 2nd hand for around 200-250
so thats within your budget. You should choose a Heli that you like
is cheap on spares and there available easy.

Raptors,Shuttles,Hawk Pro etc.....

Raptor being probably the nicest 30 around, also if you go 2nd hand
be cheecky and try to get 50 pounds off etc... Can never hurt.

Also make a list of Heli's to Avoid like: Concepts,Caliber,Space Barron.
Nexus.

Scan the BMFA AD's for Helicopters for around 200-300. Rember field
equipment to add on and JOIN a Club!!!!