Beam E4 and 450's in general

[trillian]

Maybe it's my imagination (probably is) but it seems like 450s in general have taken a bit of a back seat compared to where they used to be in terms of popularity. The exception perhaps being the new Blade models.

So much of this year has been either quite windy or low clouds (which equals low light) that I let my Beam E4 sit on the shelf until just the last month or so when I started flying it again. I had forgotten how good it is. Even in pretty windy conditions it just sits rock solid and tracks in a straight line (and that's totally stock and still with a flybar).

It got me thinking, where are all the 450s these days? And what about the XCell 450 and the mini Protos and the new TT Mini Titan? As I say, maybe it's just me and the clubs I fly at. There is one club with a regular flyer that has a 450 Pro and that's pretty much all he flies but otherwise they have been scarce. Maybe, like myself, it has just seemed like the weather wasn't suitable so the bigger helis have been getting flown and the 450 stayed behind.

Anyway, 'just thinking out loud really. I'm very happy to be flying the Beam again and the more I fly it the more I want to fly it, so it will probably be coming to the field with me most days now.

When it was so cloudy and dark earlier in the year I discovered that the Trex 450 SE series canopy fits straight on, so I have been using a bright orange one when the light hasn't been too good.

avroandbeam.JPG

[cupracing]

I sold my 450 pro as it always ended up crashing every session. Started to get expensive! the bigger models are far more laid back to fly, can be flown hapily in the wind and crash less, which means I enjoy myself more.

That said if this hobby ends up taking a backseat. I would have a 450, just to have fun with now again

[Scotvar]

I'm very much like you. I forgot just how good / how much fun the Beam is. It wasn't until a spell of bad luck and dumb thumbs left me with only the beam to fly that I dusted it off again. It'd been sitting in my loft for about a year and not done anything. I think I do in general prefer flying larger helis for there presence in the air but I have to admit I'm a touch annoyed with myself for disregarding the beam for so long. The last time I flew I had great fun with it and it really helped to build the confidence up again after a dumb thumb incident. I've promised the beam that I won't be neglecting it again even if it does still have sticky out bits (like most of my helis!).
I was thinking why 450s don't seem to be used that much now and perhaps the switch to flybarless has had something to do with it? I know you can get good fbl units at very reasonable prices now but I think a lot of people bought 450 size helis when starting out and as it seems fbl is the future and certainly here to stay perhaps that a swayed a few people towards 500 size helis? Just a thought!

Paul

[AcidDrink]

I fly my mini protos a lot. It's a great heli, I can't see myself selling it and will continue to fly it no matter how many 700s I own I really like micro helis for some reason.

[trillian]

I was thinking why 450s don't seem to be used that much now and perhaps the switch to flybarless has had something to do with it? I know you can get good fbl units at very reasonable prices now but I think a lot of people bought 450 size helis when starting out and as it seems fbl is the future and certainly here to stay perhaps that a swayed a few people towards 500 size helis? Just a thought!

Paul

Yeah, I suppose it could be two scenarios; For those that have more than one heli and end up finding they just tend to fly another one more and feel the 450 is collecting dust and may as well be sold. The other possibility being those that don't tend to have lots of helis at once and if the only heli they have is a 450 then they start looking to move up to something bigger and sell the 450 first.

It may seem odd but by the middle of last year what I wasn't flying nearly as much were my .50 nitros. I felt like I'd rather spend my flying time with a .90 but the 450 (and later the 500) were still nice changes of pace rather than just the same heli back to back (plus the fuel costs would really get prohibitive if I only flew a .90 nitro).

The other thing for me was that I used to fly with a few friends that had 450s and then that stopped due to various reasons, so there had been something of a time and a place that then changed.

[Mikej]

My Mini-Protos is my favourite heli (just don't tell Neagron 'cos I bought it from him), with a Beastx on it will fly in any winds, and is very responsive, yet relaxed and stable - I just love it. Add to this lower price spares and batteries, and it comes through in every way

[p4ddy]

I still fly my Airwolf 450.

[Si_B]

Been flying my 450 sport fbl a lot lately as I can't afford to bend any of the others at the moment and I'm trying to learn piro flips and backwards inverted which is a sure fine way of breaking something. I've been considering getting another 500, as the 450 is a little small when you give yourself a bit of height to recover, but you just can't beat the 450 for price. Had a cheeky session this afternoon and put 8 packs through my 450 in sunny skies and light winds and really enjoyed myself.

[simon1]

Every time I have sold a 450 I have missed it, just too damn cheap to run to be ignored, with the right electrics on it there is nothing wrong with them.

[Steve]

I think the 500/550 class has become the new 450.

[trillian]

Every time I have sold a 450 I have missed it, just too damn cheap to run to be ignored, with the right electrics on it there is nothing wrong with them.

Yeah the small size can be so convenient as well. I have a backpack that the Beam fits in perfectly and I can sling it around my neck and it weighs almost nothing. It reminds me of a 6 shooter in a holster! If only I could get by with just the Beam and a bunch of Lipos :-)