450 3d parts with 400 ?

[Bronek]

Hi

I'm considering buying new Blade 400 as my first heli (been training in Phoenix last few weeks) because they are cheap on ebay. My local shop (Brentford RC) has a stock of parts for Blade 450 3d but not for 400 (although they seem to have some upgrades for 400). I wonder if I will be able to use parts for 450 3d when inevitable happens. Or should I rather buy 450 3d instead and forget 400 if parts availability is wearing thin? I want to start with cheap helicopter, or more precisely with one which is cheap to fix. Happy to spend more initially but I noticed the higher cost of the kit, the higher cost of spares too.

As a novice I'll welcome any sensible advice

[Sburv]

Blades are a great Heli if your just starting out and want to get fly straight out the box.

Blade 450 3d are a good Heli that will get you in the air. Have you factored in the cost of a transmitter? I suggest looking at a Dx6i or similar.

I think some of the parts for the 400 and the 450 are interchangeable but can't be 100% to exactly what.

[shades]

I started with a blade 400 and then also got a dx6i. Still got the 400 and it still flys in a MD500 fuse :-)
Now use the DX6i for my sim as tx was upgraded.

This heli will teach you loads and IMO is a great starter.

DX6i for sale if you are interested.

[dave j]

i would go for the 450 streight from the start or the 300x

[Bronek]

Tx - bought DX6i together with Phoenix, now only need to find suitable heli for learning

Will consider Blade 450 3d if I know how is it better than Blade 400. I already learned 400 hugely benefits from few upgrades (e.g. servos, gyro, heavier paddles) but I presume the same would apply to 450 3d, no?

[Sburv]

Where is Vikki when you need her.

She is our resident BLADE expert.

[AlastairC]

From what I understand about the 450 compared to my 400 is that the gyro and tail servo are much improved out the box and work well. I spent too much making mine right as got a quark and the align tail servo of the 450 pro. So if you want a good flyer out the box suggest you look at the 450. The flybarless X version may in the end cost less with crash repairs as there are less pieces on the head to bend (as I well know)

[johnsandywhite]

I learned to fly on a TWISTER 3D Storm (look at my Avatar), which is a copy of the Blade 400. I have the 450X and it is a hundred times BETTER than the Twister 3D Storm. Flies in high winds and provided you use the standard manual settings and turn down the tail, then it is spot on. IMH&MHO.

[Bronek]

Thanks Alastair, this sounds like great advice. Exactly what I want is to keep the cost of upgrades and repairs low, as most likely there will be plenty of those :-s . Happy to spend more initially and 450X is a possibility, too.

[AlastairC]

Thanks Alastair, this sounds like great advice. Exactly what I want is to keep the cost of upgrades and repairs low, as most likely there will be plenty of those :-s . Happy to spend more initially and 450X is a possibility, too.

The BeastX on the 450X will fly great out the box and as johnsandywhite says it will be much easier to fly in the wind. I love my 400 as I learnt on it.... but would go straight for a flybarless machine if I had the chance to start again (and if they were available back then).