700 Maiden hover!!!

[Bhujang]

Fantastic flying Tom! Love the sound too! Was wondering what the head speed is as it seems nice n slow? When you did the loop what was that jitteriness sound like a vibration? Jut jut jut jut jut sound? Certainly looks very stable and a very capable flying machine! for blade! Looks like they got this one right

[SaneAdam]

Very smooth controlled flying Tom. Your progress is clearly evident from watching a few of your vids. Coming along very nicely.

I think people need to stop assuming the Pro range of Blade models will suffer from the issues related to the micro range. Making micro helicopters is nothing like offering a range of kits. At the end of the day a kit is a kit. Its an airframe, which looks to be well thought out and well produced. Fair enough one could take exception with a few of the components in the combo kits. But, if the tail wont hold on a 700, its down to build and setup and is easily curable. Not like trying to make micro's that fly properly right down to the software in the fbl systems and dealing with the problems of having tiny separate tail motors.

I find it odd that people would assume the issues of the micro range could in anyway play a part in the quality or success of the Pro range. But it would seem people do. So maybe Blade are fighting an uphill battle to shake the off that attitude from the majority of pilots. But is is unfair imo. I think the main problem is simply the fact they are so late to the race in terms of "Pro" level machines. But... all it takes is a few top pilots to get involved and fly their machines. Look at the profile Thunder Tiger have gained from having Nick Maxwell on board.

Anyway, i think it is clear that the Pro range deserves a place in the market along side the majority of other manufactures.

[tomatwalden]

Thanks, headspeed was governed 1800. The sound you can hear is the tail gain too high. I kind of knew it would be when I setup the vortex as the tail horn is too long. I need to switch to a shorter tail horn. My idle up 2 is set for just over 2000RPM, but I forgot to try it out!

The actual machine is lovely - have you read/heard the Helination review of it? Blade 700X Pro Series Combo Kit » RC Heli Nation

[George J]

Went better than your last one!!






Looks awesome mate!

Watched it a few times at the good bit, that is funny!

[Bhujang]

Very smooth controlled flying Tom. Your progress is clearly evident from watching a few of your vids. Coming along very nicely.

I think people need to stop assuming the Pro range of Blade models will suffer from the issues related to the micro range. Making micro helicopters is nothing like offering a range of kits. At the end of the day a kit is a kit. Its an airframe, which looks to be well thought out and well produced. Fair enough one could take exception with a few of the components in the combo kits. But, if the tail wont hold on a 700, its down to build and setup and is easily curable. Not like trying to make micro's that fly properly right down to the software in the fbl systems and dealing with the problems of having tiny separate tail motors.

I find it odd that people would assume the issues of the micro range could in anyway play a part in the quality or success of the Pro range. But it would seem people do. So maybe Blade are fighting an uphill battle to shake the off that attitude from the majority of pilots. But is is unfair imo. I think the main problem is simply the fact they are so late to the race in terms of "Pro" level machines. But... all it takes is a few top pilots to get involved and fly their machines. Look at the profile Thunder Tiger have gained from having Nick Maxwell on board.

Anyway, i think it is clear that the Pro range deserves a place in the market along side the majority of other manufactures.

I'd hardly call a 550 size heli a micro! The trouble with that "kit" was clearly evident to many world wide!

[tomatwalden]

I'd hardly call a 550 size heli a micro! The trouble with that "kit" was clearly evident to many world wide!

To be fair to the 550x, there's very little wrong with the actual airframe. The standard canopy mounts, and the canopy itself being the only two I can think of. The actual airframe is very good - the motor, servos and flybarless unit are solid too. The problem they had was with the eFlite ESC.

FWIW - Blade have now announced a partnership with Castle. All Blade Pro series combos will now come with the option of Castle EDGE 120HV, or 80HV ESCs depending on heli.

[Bhujang]

Thanks, headspeed was governed 1800. The sound you can hear is the tail gain too high. I kind of knew it would be when I setup the vortex as the tail horn is too long. I need to switch to a shorter tail horn. My idle up 2 is set for just over 2000RPM, but I forgot to try it out!

The actual machine is lovely - have you read/heard the Helination review of it? Blade 700X Pro Series Combo Kit » RC Heli Nation

Just about to read the review, just wanted to say really enjoyed watching the smooth way you flew this huge bird! Absolutely lovely to see and hear! Will re-read the build threads as well and see what electrics peps are using... 1800 head speed is sweet! So slow and graceful cant wait to get there, but like you said in the start of the post, im still s**ting on a 450X these machines need to be treated with the utmost respect that they deserve and with some of the headlines of late I have a very cautious and healthy respect for them so my 130X get most of the flight times safe n sound As for your garden, I even flinched and ducked when it pulled back! lol ha ha

[Bhujang]

To be fair to the 550x, there's very little wrong with the actual airframe. The standard canopy mounts, and the canopy itself being the only two I can think of. The actual airframe is very good - the motor, servos and flybarless unit are solid too. The problem they had was with the eFlite ESC.

FWIW - Blade have now announced a partnership with Castle. All Blade Pro series combos will now come with the option of Castle EDGE 120HV, or 80HV ESCs depending on heli.

I don't doubt that but they force sold their esc and servos!!! So like I said this time they got it right! and +1 on the partnership !

[tomatwalden]

J.. I have a very cautious and healthy respect for them so my 130X get most of the flight times safe n sound As for your garden, I even flinched and ducked when it pulled back! lol ha ha

I had my ipad on a chair filming it. I was stood a good 10 feet further back!

[tomatwalden]

I don't doubt that but they force sold their esc and servos!!! So like I said this time they got it right! and +1 on the partnership !

Yep - true. Thankfully they gave out £100 paybacks to people who wanted to change them. I took them up on this and replaced the ESC on my 550.

[SaneAdam]

I'd hardly call a 550 size heli a micro! The trouble with that "kit" was clearly evident to many world wide!

What issues did they have with the airframe? I must be out of the loop lol What was up with it?

[SaneAdam]

I don't doubt that but they force sold their esc and servos!!! So like I said this time they got it right! and +1 on the partnership !

Oh i see.... So, it was not an issue with the airframe?! Which is why i said in my post that there have been issues with components offered in the combo's. I did elude to that fact. But that is not the issues i was referring to in my post tbh. It was more to do with the overall flying quality of the machine which is ultimately down to build and set up in this day and age. Which of course different from the usual micro moans people have.

The fact that they "force sold" some components in the first Pro kit was not where i was coming from as ultimately it is still a solid airframe.

[Bhujang]

Just finished reading your build and the build review link you provided! Very sweet and I'm loving the canopy! Do you think you'll be selling the 450X now then? that's quite a fleet you got there now Tom. One to be proud of for sure! I will follow your flight vids for sure!