Torque tube or belt??

[Apache]

I'm making reasonable progress with hovering and simple traversing, with my 600E, bought secondhand. It has most of the upgrades and uses torque shaft tail drive. After a couple of 'not very heavy' arrivals, I have had to replace inboard bevel drive gears. If I had bought new, I would have gone for belt drive. Is it worth changing from shaft to belt during the extended learning process - even if only to reduce downtime?? Has anyone done this and, if so, at approx what cost??
Your views will be appreciated.

[Downdraft]

Much easier to replace the tail fin with a Rex 700 one. If you do this the tail is around 10mm higher from the ground and so much harder to knock the tail blades on the ground.

Oh and its a fraction of the cost

[Randall]

i have had both, i can honestly say i feel more sure of my tail with a shaft but for learning a belt is more forgiving. you would need to buy all the bits and that would cost quite a bit i would go with about 5 sets of gears before its cost effective

[Apache]

Thanks Downdraft. I did go down that line once before and then managed to reverse into terra ferma! More confident now and have moved on some, so have taken your suggestion and ordered. Thanks again.

[Apache]

Thanks Randall, that has put it into cost context - so will go with Downdraft's recommendation. I have to say, it is not so much the cost but the clat of having to unwire and rewire so much to get the tube support/gearbox out, in order to change to gears. I know it is good experience and gets you to 'know your heli', but I'm sure it is possible to have too much of a good thing!! (except flying, that is )

[lee mister]

I don't think I broke a single gear from a hard landing after I put a 700 fin on my 600

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

[Apache]

Thanks Lee. That is encouraging. I'll do my best!!

[waveydavey]

You can also stick a washer or 2 between the frame mounts and the landing gear at the back. This raises the back end a bit to help clear the floor.

[Apache]

Thanks Waveydavey. I'll keep that one in reserve. Seems obvious now you mention it - why wasn't it before !?!