15-03-2013, 10:40 PM
Jonathan,
It comes down to budget. Pick an amount you are prepared to spend then work backwards.
In 2009, my first heli was:
HK450 kit $40.00
3 x HXT servos $15.00 (3 x $5.00)
1 x MGxxx tail servo $15.00
1 x Turnigy 3700kv motor $18.00
1 motor pinion $3.00
1 x gyro $20
2 sets carbon fibre blades $30.00 ($15 x 2)
1 40A ESC speed controller $30.00
all up around $150. I flew the ar5e out of it doing figure 8s and circuits. Yes you need to add the receiver and yes, it was flybarred. I upgraded the ESC (not sure why. A new one didn't do anything differently). I replaced 3 servos after various prangs and several sets of blades, plus new head assemblies and feathering shafts which bend easy. Then I decided an Align canopy because the HK one looked crappy. Then I decided a better gyro was worthwhile (and it was). Add another $180 at the time (Align GP750). On reflection, I should have just bought an Align 450 SE kit. It all adds up
Also, nothing wrong with flybar helis. They handle very nicely. Many pro fliers still insist on flybar and F3C comps require flybar helis. The build cost is much cheaper too.
check out Zeejay Hobbies. Great chaps and super nice. http://www.zeejayhobbies.com.au/helicopt...t_277.html
Free shipping on orders over $150 at the mo.
Anything with belt driven tail is generally flybarred. Flybarless seem to come on kits with torque tube tail drive.
Most kits are "clones" of the Align 450 SE V2 or the 450 PRO. Both models are tried and trusted designs and no doubt why the Chinese clone them. Parts are so close to the originals (dimensions but not quality) that they can be interchanged between kits.
It comes down to budget. Pick an amount you are prepared to spend then work backwards.
In 2009, my first heli was:
HK450 kit $40.00
3 x HXT servos $15.00 (3 x $5.00)
1 x MGxxx tail servo $15.00
1 x Turnigy 3700kv motor $18.00
1 motor pinion $3.00
1 x gyro $20
2 sets carbon fibre blades $30.00 ($15 x 2)
1 40A ESC speed controller $30.00
all up around $150. I flew the ar5e out of it doing figure 8s and circuits. Yes you need to add the receiver and yes, it was flybarred. I upgraded the ESC (not sure why. A new one didn't do anything differently). I replaced 3 servos after various prangs and several sets of blades, plus new head assemblies and feathering shafts which bend easy. Then I decided an Align canopy because the HK one looked crappy. Then I decided a better gyro was worthwhile (and it was). Add another $180 at the time (Align GP750). On reflection, I should have just bought an Align 450 SE kit. It all adds up
Also, nothing wrong with flybar helis. They handle very nicely. Many pro fliers still insist on flybar and F3C comps require flybar helis. The build cost is much cheaper too.
check out Zeejay Hobbies. Great chaps and super nice. http://www.zeejayhobbies.com.au/helicopt...t_277.html
Free shipping on orders over $150 at the mo.
Anything with belt driven tail is generally flybarred. Flybarless seem to come on kits with torque tube tail drive.
(15-03-2013, 08:01 AM)corsair_pilot Wrote: Sweet thanks for that!
As I've had a look and there appears to be myriads of 450 models to choose from on HK, what would you suggest looking at?
Most kits are "clones" of the Align 450 SE V2 or the 450 PRO. Both models are tried and trusted designs and no doubt why the Chinese clone them. Parts are so close to the originals (dimensions but not quality) that they can be interchanged between kits.