Thinking of a T-REX 450 need some advice

hello everyone im new here! so be gentle LOL

I have started to learn heli's and got pritty good with the Twister 2.4GHz Police Helicopter RTF which is a coxal system

I have recently purchased a HoneyBee V2 which is a fixed pitch system but this heli is arwful everytime i take it out to learn on it the wind (which is about 2-5mph) just blows it all over the place, it just feels like a very cheap heli.

I was looking at the TREX 450 as a proper upgrade and a proper heli to LEARN on.

Can anyone please tell me if the 450 is good for learning on ( i know its a CP system) and also whats the different between the t-rex 450 and t-rex 450 V2 & PRO version's as im totally confused!!!

Thanks

[bikerflier]

Get a flight simulator first and practice with that. Save's the crash money.
Phoenix is very good.
TRex 450 Pro 2011 model is still available but savings in price are only about £30 compared to the latest Pro V2.
Not major differences, better motor and few mechanical changes but probably worth going for V2.
Flybar version is probably best to start with, I think the electronics of flybarless may make learning take off control difficult,

Have a look here:-

T-REX 450 Pro V2 Super Combo KX015082

probably best price. If you put code BMFA5 in at checkout you will get a further 5% discount.

The 450 pro is an excellent heli and setup softly for a beginner will be OK.

The 450 Sport is generally a slightly less twitchy model compared to the Pro and a little cheaper, though the Pro can be setup perfectly well for a beginner.
The Sport is shortly going to be available 'Ready To Fly' with full Futaba radio gear, transmitter and receiver included. All at a competitive price.

Find a club in your area to help you out with setup and learning and you will make far better and safer progress.

Good luck.

hello everyone im new here! so be gentle LOL

I have started to learn heli's and got pritty good with the Twister 2.4GHz Police Helicopter RTF which is a coxal system

I have recently purchased a HoneyBee V2 which is a fixed pitch system but this heli is arwful everytime i take it out to learn on it the wind (which is about 2-5mph) just blows it all over the place, it just feels like a very cheap heli.

I was looking at the TREX 450 as a proper upgrade and a proper heli to LEARN on.

Can anyone please tell me if the 450 is good for learning on ( i know its a CP system) and also whats the different between the t-rex 450 and t-rex 450 V2 & PRO version's as im totally confused!!!

Thanks

[tomcoleman]

Get a flight simulator first and practice with that. Save's the crash money.
Phoenix is very good.
TRex 450 Pro 2011 model is still available but savings in price are only about £30 compared to the latest Pro V2.
Not major differences, better motor and few mechanical changes but probably worth going for V2.
Flybar version is probably best to start with, I think the electronics of flybarless may make learning take off control difficult,

Have a look here:-

T-REX 450 Pro V2 Super Combo KX015082

probably best price. If you put code BMFA5 in at checkout you will get a further 5% discount.

The 450 pro is an excellent heli and setup softly for a beginner will be OK.

The 450 Sport is generally a slightly less twitchy model compared to the Pro and a little cheaper, though the Pro can be setup perfectly well for a beginner.
The Sport is shortly going to be available 'Ready To Fly' with full Futaba radio gear, transmitter and receiver included. All at a competitive price.

Find a club in your area to help you out with setup and learning and you will make far better and safer progress.

Good luck.

Thank you so much for the reply - very helpful

I'll order up the 450 PRO V2 Super Combo then :-D

I have just ordered the Phonix V3 flight sim, hopefully they have the 450 on there LOL!

Anything you can recommend to make my 450 learning easier? Will the 450 remain stable while hovering as ive found som heli's drift, also will wind be ok?

[SaneAdam]

All helicopters drift. It becomes second nature to compensate for the drifting when it occurs.... which is all the time. Half the skill is to be able to hold the helicopter in a steady hover for as long as you wish in all orientations. A well set up helicopter will hover very steady in low winds, but its always going to drift and require input to hold it steady.

The 450 is on Phoenix along with lots of other models for you to try.

Using dual rates and expo is a good way to numb the machine down while you get used to it. This can be done in the Phoenix software or in your tx (Transmitter). Dual rates will restrict the throw of the servos, meaning the maximum throw of the servos is reduced to make it easier to control and give you more time to react to the movements of the heli.

[bikerflier]

450 is a stable machine. On theses smaller helis you will always notice the wind a bit while learning.
If you have the budget then go for something a bit larger. TRex 500.

Don't forget batteries. Hobby King, Hong Kong are cheap, Turnigy 2200mAh 20C will be fine, and of course a charger.
Another world of questions opens up with chargers and batteries.
Research here on the forum.

Order training undercarriage.
These were OK on my 450 Pro but call the shop in case they have ones specifically for 450 pro.

http://www.modelhelicopters.co.uk/twister-400-class-3d-storm-training-u-c-set.html?___SID=U

[tomcoleman]

thanks for the tips guys

So im looking at the Spektrum DX6i for the remote and that will work with the training sim?

Whats the differences between the 450 & 500... now your confusing me ! LOL

[bikerflier]

450's bigger brother.
More stable, more expensive, more expensive batteries, spares and repairs.
All down to budget.

There is a budget version of the 500, less metal parts, more use of plastic.
Not seen one or tried one.
You can always upgrade it as you repair after the inevitable crash happens.
Looks a very good price here.
More than suitable as a starter heli and at that price I think probably a better bet than the 450 but ask on the forum for comments to be sure.
Don't forget the code BMFA5 if it's still being used.

T-REX 500E Super Combo KX017014

thanks for the tips guys

So im looking at the Spektrum DX6i for the remote and that will work with the training sim?

Whats the differences between the 450 & 500... now your confusing me ! LOL

[Lynx.1677]

Hey Tom, first of all welcome to the forum. I too started with a honeybee but I learn to hover it in all orientations. I also had the sim which is what I really needed to get to where I wanted to be. Before you build the helicopter take a look over on Finless Bob's section at Helifreaks:

Trex 450 Pro build videos - HeliFreak
He goes through how to build and setup the Trex 450 Pro helicopter. I literally had no idea what I was doing until I watched his vids. Sign up there and get watching.

Hope you have as much fun in this hobby as we all do, get the sim going first, it's free to crash there.

[SaneAdam]

Yes the dx6i will work with Phoenix. When you bought Phoenix did you order it with a Spektrum adapter? You will need this to get it to work with your tx.

The difference between the 450 and 500 is size. The 500 is the next one up from the 450. The bigger the heli, the more stable it is due to the larger size of the disc. You also have a little bit more time to react with a bigger heli, simply because the movements of the heli are easier to see. 450 can become very small very quickly once you take it out in a field. But at this early stage the 450 will be ok. But i bet it won't be long before you buy a 500 also if you really start to enjoy the hobby. You will get to a point and a skill level where you will be in the field and suddenly think..... i need a bigger heli if only so i can see the bloody thing!!!

[tomcoleman]

so the 500 version is the same as the V2 just bigger? (and of course more expencive parts?)

Would the bigger version be better for me as more easy to learn ????

This is the problems with forums i guess everyone has a different view

I just want to make the right choice for me i did buy a nitro T-REX 600 abaout a year ago built it but never flew as was to scared as was so big!!

26042008.jpg

So 450 or 500..... :-(

[SaneAdam]

It can be daunting getting lots of info. But just take your time and make an effort to research everything (which it would seem you are doing). The 450 is a great model. So is the 500. Yes it is bigger and parts are a bit more expensive. It also depends on where you plan to fly. The 600 is a big machine and i can see why it scared you a bit. I honestly think you would be ok with a 500 though. You could do with having a look at some in the flesh really to see if you think the 500 is a bit too intimidating. I think you would be ok with it though. Do you have a club near you? Be good for you to see a few different models.

At the end of the day you get what you want. The nature of these forums means that everyone has a different view on what is the best way to go. But to be fair I'm sure you knew you would get lots of different opinions on the subject. If you feel too swamped by all the options just do some more research to help you understand all the options. Take your time and make an informed and not a rushed decision and you will be happy with what you end up with. There is no wrong or right here.... but your wallet might disagree

[Lynx.1677]

Personally I would go with a 450. You are going to crash it and when a 500 goes in, it can be horribly expensive as with a 450 it's not too bad. We will of course all have our own opinions and it's entirely up to you what you do.

[bikerflier]

You need a cloth on that table first or you won't have any future with heli's.....I'd be dead in our house if I did that.

Shame about the 600 experience.
The 500 is a good size, less twitchy than the 450.
I started on a Blade 400 and managed to learn at 61.
One 74 year old at our club started last summer with a TRex 450 Sport and doing well. A few crashes on the way as is pretty much inevitable.
A 35 year started on a TRex 450Pro.

You pays your money and takes your chance.
The price difference between the 450 Sport or Pro and the 500 starter isn't much, just more expensive batteries on the 500.

I don't think you will be frightened of the 500.
A 600 glow engined heli is quite intimidating for a beginner though we have 3 beginners using Raptors and doing well, one is 76, one 68 and another 56 years old. If they can do it so can you.

By far the best approach is to find a club near you. Make a couple of visits there and pick up invaluable experience.
Then go out and buy what you feel for your budget.
There is no rush, be careful about second hand, easy to buy the wrong thing at the wrong price. You need experience to buy good second hand and still easy to make a mistake and get past the sell by date equipment.

The Phoenix SIM comes with the correct cable for a Spektrum DX6i, no need to buy an adaptor.

so the 500 version is the same as the V2 just bigger? (and of course more expencive parts?)

Would the bigger version be better for me as more easy to learn ????

This is the problems with forums i guess everyone has a different view

I just want to make the right choice for me i did buy a nitro T-REX 600 abaout a year ago built it but never flew as was to scared as was so big!!

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So 450 or 500..... :-(

[tomcoleman]

thanks for the advice guys

im leaning towards that 450 super pro combo v2 with a DX6i remote which i can use with the phonix software. (i'll have to get a cable?)

I think the 450 will be good for learning on, i intend to fly down at the local park which is MASSIVE.

When i had my t-rex 600 i went to a few local clubs but didnt really fit in everyone was a pro and didnt really give me any time, so with the 2 heli's that i have brought and learning on just been me in the park, although the wind makes them crash.

I wanted something with alittle bit more power so it can fight back when i move the controls. I have the landing skids/training balls as well.

So

450 v2 pro combo + dx6i + sim + training skids = happy!

Then i can move to the 500 once i get the hang of Collective Pitch - thats going to be another whole new expierences. i.e can i just set it and hover and make small adjustments

[swale]

personally if your budget allows I thing a 500 is a better buy for a beginner there more stable a 450 is twitchy no question about it.

Im by no means a fan of the blade helis but there are some new models which will be even more crash friendly than a trex.

dont know what part of london your from, but if you can get to slough we can give you the help you need and we have the ability to buddy box you.....