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  • My Beam experience...

    I’ve just been recently become a proud owner of a BEAM. I somehow managed to persuade my wife to buy me something I actually wanted in life for my birthday! Rather than the usual clothes, a lawn mower, a pressure washer to wash her car with, or taking me out to dinner to her favourite restaurant!

    What a happy man I am! After frantically stripping out my trusty 450Sev2 of all its electrics, the day before I received it.. my most looked forward to birthday came! I even got taken out for a nice meal aswell

    The box is actually very tastefully adourned with the Beam artwork, and I guess they have put some effort in presentation. The wife couldn’t believe a helicopter comes in a box that small…what does she know!

    The helicopter just went together extremely well. The feel and look of all the parts just ooze quality about it. The rotorhead comes fully assembled. Moving the arms, and grips, I felt no slop in the whole system. It looked as good as it felt. A few carbon plates (gyro mount, receiver mount, servo spacers) were missing out the box, which put a little damper onto things. A quick message to EvoRC that night, and Rob phoned me first thing in the morning, and identified that a packet in the main frames bag seemed to be missing. He quickly despatched one to me that day! A quick thank you to Rob for getting back to me very quickly!

    Being the impatient person I am, I made some spacers up out of aluminium, and I had a bit of carbon plate which fitted nicely onto the boom clamps, and I finished off the build.

    Reading some forums, I read that a lot of ppl were recommending a 13T and mentioning it had plenty of power with that setup. I decided to run a 13T rather than 14T just to get the feeling, and to find out the flight times. First thing you notice about the heli is just how quiet the thing is. The whole drive system is ultra smooth; This is especially noticeable in the belt driven tail. After a bit of trimming, the helicopter just basically sat there in the hover, it was very stable. The controls are very accurate, and my usual limited 3d routine was handle pretty much with ease on 100% throttle. I wanted a bit more pop in it, and decided after the first session, to fit the 14T which was supplied with the kit.

    With a 14T fitted, and the throttle adjusted, the helicopter is fantastic! It really does shift! Has given me a lot more confidence in some of my moves, and I am really enjoying flying this thing. Very accurate, and I really think this has to be up there in the top 450 size helis.

    I haven’t flown a huge range of this size helis, but compared with the ones I have flown.. old trex, ark 400, Blade 400, 450Sev2, this is in a completely different league.

    Price wise, I think that it is very competitively priced, especially that you basically get a choice of which scorpion motor you want, ie –8 ,or the mental power of the –6, and coupled with the scorpion 55a esc at £289.00, it really is a no brainer. £210 gets you the kit without the motor, esc and blades; so if you just want to use your own gear, this is also a good alternative.

    Without question, for the beginners, I would not be put off by videos of Richie Clarke flying it in an insane manner (No jealousy here )as it can also be very docile, and would totally recommend it for beginners aswell.

    Coupled with the service at EVORC, I really don’t think that spares are an issue. Usually order in the morning… and receive the parts the next day!

    I’ve since fitted the Trex 450sev2 landing struts which give it a slightly wider stance, but also raises it sighlty. Ideal if you fly from grass, and gives the tail blades that extra ground clearance.

    The plastic rear horizontal fin clamp, and the tail servo mount look a bit out of place on this heli.. maybe some nice aluminium ones would not go amiss, or maybe I’m just being picky!

    I’ve also got a 450Pro aswell, but when I’m off for a flight, the Beam usually is the one I grab when I leave the house!

    Andy
    ANdy - CDMFC

    Align 700E 3g v3 - the gonnads
    Align 550 Beast X
    2 x Trex 450 Sport, Align 3g V2.1 Flybarless

    Proud owner of 3 x E.G.S.
    Citizen 00000197 - RCHELINATION - PODCAST

  • #2
    The Beam is definitely looking like the next heli to replace my MIni Titan, thanks for the info.
    Martin

    x2
    Rave 450
    Trex 250se
    DX7se

    Comment


    • #3
      Hi Andy

      How do you rate the Beam vs the T-Rex V2 and Pro?
      Pete



      Comment


      • #4
        Hi Pete...

        IMO the Beam is really in a different league to the SEv2. In terms of the quality of parts, and the the accuracy of the cyclics. I had a V2 with the scorpion setup -8 and the 60a esc so power plant wise it was really the same. The V2 had so much more noise from the flight train, so I guess some power was being robbed in that respect. The Beam is ultra smooth in the transmission, and still having the advantages (for myself) as being a belt driven tail. The Beam definitely beats it in every respect. It tracks beautifully, and stays where it's put.

        I am not saying the V2 is by no means bad. I would still recommend the V2 to anyone beginning their first 450 or a beginner. It is pretty bullet proof, and the spares are available almost anywhere. Having the Pro out has brought down the second hand price of the V2, and I feels it is still going to be around for a long time! If you've enjoy the V2.. you're going to enjoy the Beam even more!

        Compared with the Pro.. Well I wasn't totally impressed with the standard motor which came with it. I don't own any data loggers or anything so can't say what sort of amps its dragging out my batteries, but all my batteries were coming out a bit hot with it. The motor was also giving out a lot of heat aswell which I wasn't really happy with. I changed them over with the scorpion -8, and also the 55a esc. I can now get flights back to back as the scorpions come off only slightly warm. Something I don't think the original motor would be that happy with. Flight wise, I myself would find it difficult to choose between the two. I don't think my 3d flying is good enough to push both of them to really appreciate the difference!

        Both are good helis
        The Pro is quite difficult to work on though. Last time I had to remove the faulty elevator servo, it demanded quite some dismantling to get to it! Having said that.. if everything is working fine it shouldn't be that much of a problem if you don't have the need to dismantle it ever again!

        The Beam just has quality written all over it though.. I sure there has been a lot of development and thought has been put into the drive system, the tail gearbox... and the rest! It really is that good. It flies an absolute dream, the flights are locked in, in all maneuvers, the cyclics are very accurate.

        Just a note.. I just been flying, and lost the drive on the tail and it's come down with a bit of a bump.. It looks as though I didn't put enough threadlock on the tail rotor grub screw and it came loose. Not too much damage.. carbon blades, and the tail rotor shaft.. Looks like the spindle and main shaft have got away from damage somehow

        Now to sort out my order...

        edit..Main shaft is ever so slightly bent.... I think I should replace it Will have to check the feathering splindle aswell!
        Last edited by acwman; 22-05-2009, 01:10 PM. Reason: additional info
        ANdy - CDMFC

        Align 700E 3g v3 - the gonnads
        Align 550 Beast X
        2 x Trex 450 Sport, Align 3g V2.1 Flybarless

        Proud owner of 3 x E.G.S.
        Citizen 00000197 - RCHELINATION - PODCAST

        Comment


        • #5
          Nice write up Andy and i think you have got it spot on,i am liking my 450 Pro more now but eventually that supplied motor has to go.

          Knowing what i know now i would have kept the Beam,i didnt sell my Beam because i didnt like it,i didnt think a 450 was needed in my fleet at the time but now i am doing evening park flying its much needed.

          I went for the Pro because of Leeds price as i needed a complete package.

          IMHO the Align package price is good but the Beam is the overall better heli.

          I will follow your progess with interest comparing the two and maybe if i let you fly my Logo or T Rex 500 V bar you will let me fly the Beam for old times sake

          Comment


          • #6
            Yup.. Was out in the local park till about 8.45pm last night giving it a few packs through the Helis!
            ANdy - CDMFC

            Align 700E 3g v3 - the gonnads
            Align 550 Beast X
            2 x Trex 450 Sport, Align 3g V2.1 Flybarless

            Proud owner of 3 x E.G.S.
            Citizen 00000197 - RCHELINATION - PODCAST

            Comment


            • #7
              the Beam came out before the PRO, the amusing bit for me is how the PRO seems to have some very very similar design elements to the BEAM
              Of course it is (the PRO) an original design by JK...... the best heli designer on the planet, or so he tells everyone
              Can I have a bigger hat for JK please, bigger hat......no much bigger! rofl
              Last edited by Ashley Davis; 22-05-2009, 02:43 PM.
              Sponsored by CSM, Optifuel


              Your RC Heli World

              Comment


              • #8
                Having spoken to Andy this afternoon i have decided to replace my Align motor with a Scorpion 8 now so will be ordering one from Rob.

                My particular motor is making the packs hot where as Andy said the Scorpion is not doing it to his packs where as the Align motor was so its just a case of saving my packs really as opposed to trying to get some moneys worth out of the Align motor before i eventually swapped it.

                Agree JK must have had a Beam sat on his desk when he came up with the `original` design of the Pro LOL


                Edit

                Needed more bits n bobs so ordered Scorpion 8 from Fast Lads,is £2 dearer but saves two lots of postage.
                Last edited by ChrisB; 22-05-2009, 07:22 PM.

                Comment


                • #9
                  If I were to replace my V2 it would be with a Beam. The Pro seems good but the motor is getting mixed reviews. What I have noticed is a few impartial forum members that own/flown the V2, Beam and Pro all say the Beam is the better heli. The Rave gets good reviews but it's unfair to compare due to the 350 blades. Not heard much about the Outrage lately? That got great reviews but seems to have gone a bit quiet now.
                  Pete



                  Comment


                  • #10
                    hello thought i'd jump in here coz i've had alot of 450's, did have a trex v2 se was good intitially but got sloppy and in accurate quite quickly and the phasing is slightly out, at the mo i own a rave and a beam, the rave is a good model but has its qwirks and isn't cheap
                    the beam on the other hand is well made very accurate and cheap to repair IMO the beam is the best 450 i've owned! absolutley love it
                    cheers Lee


                    If it ain't broke fix it until it is
                    yes i'm an idiot and no i couldn't care any less

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      The Beam is a cracking heli, me and my boys have the pleasure of owning 2 of the top current 450's the beam and the rave and my Mate has let me have a few flights of his pro, the pro and beam are very similar how they fly, the beam has a bit more power from a scorpion set-up that counter acts the extra weight.
                      The beam seems a tougher heli and my son has had no probs with it at all bar a soft main shaft from the original kit.
                      My mate has had also no probs with the 450.
                      My rave, being a batch 2 had all the ammendments in and has also been superb.
                      I think the top 3 are all as good as one another
                      James

                      Sponsored by
                      Align-Trex.co.uk
                      Optifuel/optipower
                      MKS servotech


                      5 Eddie gold stars and christmas star

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by acwman View Post
                        I’ve since fitted the Trex 450sev2 landing struts which give it a slightly wider stance, but also raises it sighlty. Ideal if you fly from grass, and gives the tail blades that extra ground clearance.
                        Andy

                        See I told you this was a good mod Andy....

                        Just got back home with my Beam, been out tonight to test the new motor.. I bought Andy's motor and ESC from his 450 Pro.. bolted it straight in and flew it tonight.. 3 Flights all back to back... defo more power than the 450 v2 motor in the heli.. Motor temps were just warm not hot at all and lipo's were of a similar temp as they normally are after a 5 1/2 min flight.. will charge batteries tonight as see what the cellpro puts back into them

                        Fast lads have differnt pinions coming in soon for the 3.5 mm shaft size.. so might drop down a size

                        Mikee
                        Mike

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Yup.. I have to give credit to Mikee in giving me that mod trick with the skids on the Beam.. Something very simple, but extremely effective!

                          Hope the motor goes well in the Beam for you.. I'm thinking the 12T may go well with that motor. Let us know how you find it.

                          Andy
                          ANdy - CDMFC

                          Align 700E 3g v3 - the gonnads
                          Align 550 Beast X
                          2 x Trex 450 Sport, Align 3g V2.1 Flybarless

                          Proud owner of 3 x E.G.S.
                          Citizen 00000197 - RCHELINATION - PODCAST

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Ashley Davis View Post
                            the Beam came out before the PRO, the amusing bit for me is how the PRO seems to have some very very similar design elements to the BEAM
                            Of course it is (the PRO) an original design by JK...... the best heli designer on the planet, or so he tells everyone
                            Can I have a bigger hat for JK please, bigger hat......no much bigger! rofl
                            TBH.. Never linked the two.. but looking at them now...

                            ...and I wondered why this align helicopter flew so well
                            ANdy - CDMFC

                            Align 700E 3g v3 - the gonnads
                            Align 550 Beast X
                            2 x Trex 450 Sport, Align 3g V2.1 Flybarless

                            Proud owner of 3 x E.G.S.
                            Citizen 00000197 - RCHELINATION - PODCAST

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              someone did ask about the Outrage..... my view on this one is that 325 bladed heli's shouldn't really be compared to 350mm bladed ones, the smaller heli's are at a big disadvantage as that extra 25mm of blade disc makes a lot of difference. You will get the same answer from Rave owners, to me it's a different size / class.
                              Sponsored by CSM, Optifuel


                              Your RC Heli World

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