leejax02

My Feedback: (1)

Here are my experiences:
1. Blade CP is great heli because it forces you to fly the tail with a non headhold gyro, repairs are cheap and a smaller bird is always harder to flywhich makes flying a larger bird easier

2. Mx400 is a good heli, but does not shine as bright as the T-rex. Upgrade the tail (boom,belt and tail assembly) from a T-rex or a"stretch kit" to allow for 325mm blades which GREATLY stabalizes it. Get the CCPM conversion kit and in the future get a metal head when you outgrow the stock head assembly. Had one and it seemed a bit more stiff in the drivetrain than a Rex. If that is what the lhs stocks, then go that way.

3. T-rex is the best I have flown in micro period. In my Raptor 50 and 60 experience, this comes real close to that experience. It loves a higher headspeed to allow heli to do its thing. The Rex had a different gear ratio than the MX400 which is where it takes advantage of the head assembly. The 325mm blades will make you feel more comfortable. I am on T-rex #3 which is an SE and suggest you start with a CDE, had 2 and it actually flies as good with some basic hop-ups as my SE like the metal head/tail and frame, but then you could sell your Xl and get the SE cheaper.

No matter how you do it, you will probably end up with some form of a T-rex with either a T-rex/Mx400 hybrid or an Xl or a 450SE. Just depends where you want to go in relation the parts availability. If you can hover well with a Blade, you will do great witha a T-rex.

hdoc

Leejax02:

Yes, the Blade is really a great machine----After about 4 or so weeks, after perhaps 7-10 repairs, anything from a new Mainshaft to a total rebuild from scratch, it's all coming together. Time & cost of repaits are really nil compared to a Nitro-- Maximum time for the "Total Rebuild" (Frame & all) was about 2 Hours. It has been a wonderful learning experience, and I can finally hover well, (not tail out yet), but feel fully confident, finally, that I'm in control.

I think I'm convinced that the Trex SE is my next step. (Yes, I feel I'll outtgrow the Blade in about 2 Mos--Sure I won't be ready for 3-D, and as I advance, the repairs will be considerably more expensive & slower. Assume parts are easily obtained. My LHS claims they can't get them--Though they are a very well stocked place. I do have a Fut T8HUB S Xmitter which should fit the bill well.

To AL (AWS) -- Got the RealFlight G3 Flt SIM today, with the realization that certainly has to help with coordination especially with the ability to feed in all sorts of adverse winds, failures, etc. Was surprised that I could hover perfectly, but can also deteriorate gyro & overall performance abilities to match the "real thing".

Lloyd

fxstbi

My Feedback: (3)

This is what swayed me to get a T-Rex. There is a bazillion T-Rex's out there and a hand full of MX400's. Do the math............

aws23

Believe me I am not standing up for MX400 over a Trex but I do at least think they are equal. I flew 3 different Trex's over Christmas, the first that I had really flown. None of them came close to flying as well as mine but I set mine up. I think I have mentioned that set up is the whole thing and I have flown mine lone enough to have it set up perfectly-----for me?????Two of the fellows flew mine and both could not believe how stable it flew and yet is very very quick in idle up 3. I know if some time were spent on the Trex setup they would have been fine. fxsti, as I understand it the Trex has been out for 2 or 3 years (someone correct me if I am wrong) and the MX400 has been out for about 3 months. This could possibly explain the higher number of Trex's. Also with the Trex being such a great little machine I can see why the MX400 may take off a bit slow. And the MX has had a problem or two, center hub, slow on parts. I understand the first Trex had some problems also. I understand from your different posts that the MX400 is quite a bit cheaper and this could be a plus. Yesterday I put a set of 325mm carbon fiber blades on my MX and what a difference! Today the wind was gusting to 15mph and I flew it several times. It was a handful but very controllable. Again, I am not at all critisizing the Trex, I just think the MX is at least equal----

leejax02

My Feedback: (1)

The MX Pro as compared to the SE is not as well equipped out the box. You lose a total metal head, stretch kit including longer boom and blades, all metal tail, carbon fiber frame and argueably better electronics. Price/quality vs. price/quality and the T-rex comes out on top. The MX400 has been out for a few months, but the Ark x-400 has been around far longer and the x-400 guys still use T-rex parts. The Mx400 is a rebadge of the x-400, infact the serial number on my Mx400 read x400---------(forgot the rest).

No one is taking anything away from the Mx400, but compared to the T-rex, it is a good 2nd choice.

Kalock

I have actually in a way followed the complete path of this thread.

I started with a Blade CP which while fun was certainly not "that" fun. Especially since the 4in1 was bugged and it had a nasty tendency to attack the area within which it was flying. After trying to take out the X-mas tree it was relegated to the junk heap. I talked to Horizon and a couple of LHS and they were all aware of this issue happening in some cases (4in1 initializes then immediately goes full throttle and no radio inputs work, I verified there were no other freqency users in the area with a channel checker).

My next heli, after the blade tried to kill me, was an MX-400 because thats what the LHS I was buying from carried. I thought it was incredible compared to the Blade. So much more to tweak and learn and manage. Yet it sadly never flew. I spent HOURS getting some s75 servos mounted using those @#*&@^*# plastic nuts and a VERY long pair of needlenose pliers. I also put in an Align 420 motor with a 35AMP ESC with governor. This was followed by a flight test. Everything looked great as the heli spun up slowly (Funny slow start really does work). Blade tracking was perfect from the factory so I put her light on the skids to test mechanical zero on the 201 gyro setup. As soon as I put an input to the gyro I heard a buzzz WOOSH. The buzz was the T/R blade grips coming apart, the WOOSH was the blade buzzing my ear. I was a bit miffed at this and went to the LHS the next day to ask what happened. They looked at everything and asked if I followed the addendum that came with the manual, the one that tells you to disassemble the tail grips and rebuild them with loctite. Well I would have except it appeared someone removed the addendum from my box before they sold it to me. Apparently another customer had lost it and they gave him the one from mine then forgot to remove it from the shelf. I was also politely informed that they only carried replacement blades but they could order the parts the following Monday (It was Wednesday) and I would have them the next week on Friday. Being a more instant gratification type I declined their kindless and went looking for the parts myself.

After noticing the MX-400 was an X-400 and they shared tail systems with the T-Rex I found another LHS that carried T-Rex parts. Sadly he was out of the blade grips as another customer had just bought them. I asked all about the T-Rex while I was there and was very impressed with its much more substantial build. All linkages in the heli were ball on socket type versus z-bends so there was much less play on the owners completely stock 450. Also the links were a much higher grade of steel as they were unbendable with moderate force (I bent the swash links a couple of times on the MX-400 just picking it up. They are scary bendable with the longer links). I decided right there, while staring at a wall of spare parts and upgrades to get a T-Rex and trash the MX-400. I could never be happier with this decision. Since then I have pretty much taken my 450XL to the point of being an SE bird. The first add on was the CF frame with eCCPM. To those of you who think eCCPM is more difficult I suggest you may need to get your heads checked. I spent hours trying to get the mCCPM set up to where the servos were at 0 sub trim and everything was aligned. It took me less that 15 minutes to do this on teh eCCPM setup. Also with 3 servos managing the load response times are a lot faster even with cheap little S75 servos. Other upgrades have happened since then and the little thing flies like a dream. its twitchy and I have added a lot of exponential to tone it down for hovering but it is very stable.

I have since given the MX-400 to a friend in exchange for flight lessons on my new Raptro 50 and he is setting it up. Can't wait to talk to him tomorrow and see what he thinks considering he sold it to me in the first place

leejax02

My Feedback: (1)

Only reason it seems that the MX400 is getting so much attention is because it seems to have a better distribution company as the x-400 was the same heli.

aws23

Hi all, all of my posts are just my thoughts that have been accumulated over 35 years experience with helis. I felt that some of the new people might appreciate this. I have certainly benefited from this type of thing. I was going to try to explain "Collective Cyclic Pitch Mixing" in detail and the pros and cons of each, mechanical and electronic-----however----- I decided not to due to the condition of my head. Type "CCPM, explain" in google, the first article is "CCPM" open this and you will find an excellent explanation----- and lots of help in other aspects of proper setup of heli's.

cptsnoopy

For those who have not flown helis and do not have a computer sim, the blade cx or hirobo xrb are excellent helis to learn hovering. That is tail in, nose in, left and right. For those who have a computer sim and or have fixed wing rc experience then the blade-cp is a very good choice for a first heli. Once you have the hovering mastered in all directions, some simple turns and figure 8 patterns then going straight to the trex 450-xl or better is most likely the best cost/performance ratio that you can get. Parts are inexpensive and the 450-xl seems to be more stable and less snappy out of the box than the x-400. Plus, the trex has fewer parts and takes less time to set up. just another opinion.

hdoc

Al--And All--

Your 100% correct re set-up. I'm well experienced with multi,multi years of model building, electronics & Computers and am now learning to fly Helis. I have been meticulous at "repair" & set-up of the blade, and can almost get a hands off Hover----Well, not really, must fly the tail muchly, but it can hold in a very small area with minimal cyclic commands. Will get a HH Gyro for the Trex. My big problem is the small garage and occasionally the Blade is sacrificed to a Wall or garbage can when it comes after me. Too cold & windy in NY at the moment for outdoor flight.
To other novices in Heli flying (I still am after 6 Wks) DO NOT ACCEPT COMPROMISE in repairs or set-up. A Heli is a tempermental beast at best, and any compromise will make flying all the more difficult.
Al, I'm using the Sim and must admit it was a great investment. Building up the confidence & coordination well. even tried inverted flight last night--After 20 attempts finally got it right & hovered for a while. "I Was impressed"--Wow, the time & money I saved on repairs!!!!

Got my LHS to set up an account with the Trex people so will be getting it thru them.

As for the Blade--it's been a great learning experience. Should be doing Tail out Hovering soon, at which time I'll launch the Trex SE.

Lloyd

aws23

hdoc, I sure am glad the sim is working for you. It has to be the best $200.00 you will ever spend for helis or planes.

leejax02

My Feedback: (1)

Just thought the question was about the T-rex SE vs Mx400 Pro quality and bang for the buck.

Certain things are implied when questions are asked dealing with machines of certain skill level. Both are not toys and require some previous experience either from planes, other rc's, SIMS or lesser advanced helis. All advice given is given with that to be understood.
I started off years ago with a Kyosho Nexxus and getting that off the ground was too much for me as I knew nothing from air models with experience only from surface models.
Like the guys previously said, a SIM would be great. My first was a G2 and I enjoyed it. Taught me alot.

aws23

Leejax02, I guess I do get off on things that do not pertain to this thread. Sometimes the money people have to spend is just so much and I just want them to get as good as they can for a given amount of money. This I am sure is wishful thinking when heli's are involved. I think I have discussed this before but along with all the experience with lesser heli's, planes and work on the sim, the MOST important thing is help with setup. Nothing is more important than this----- If you look over the posts and see all the different helis that we all know will fly really well being downgraded, thrown away, traded off and their only problem is setup----The best most expensive nitro heli will not fly improperly setup. There is certainly nothing wrong with trading up and improving but lets give each heli a fair trial so we won't mislead someone else. Again, just my thoughts

tater312

I own 4 helis sceadu 30, walkera 36. shogun v2, and the trex 450 xl HDE. the trex is a well made machine very stable and is real responsive. the walkera was a copy of the shogun and was poor copy of it. tail gear drive was replaced with $65 belt conversion and changed all the electronics with futaba 3107,3108 servos, pcm rx, fut gy240 gyro and still does not compare to the shogun v2. shogun v2 is a nice stable machine for small spaces or clam days. I do fly it on windy days but wont go higher then 20feet. the trex handles high winds well and is very responsive. it almost handles as well as my nitro. suggest you buy a good brushless motor such as align 430, aon.

hdoc

Hi Guys:

It's been a couple of weeks, and my Blade Hovering has really become outstanding (for me). No repairs in 1 1/2 Wks!!! (? not trying hard enough)-- Whatever, can hold it fairly stable for a good 15 Min in my garage, with really total confidence. Not too much nose in, but am using the sim for that. It's really a great coordination developer.

My LHS finally set up his Align distributers, and I orderded "New" T-Rex 450 SE (CDE)---Looks like a totally upgraded kit compared to the "old one" and is only a few bucks more. (Aluminum drive gears, tail pinions, etc. etc.) Hope he can get it. Thanks for the help to date, and will keep you informed with progress. Should have it in 2-3 Wks.

Lloyd

Tow Cobra

Lloyd,

I'm a fellow LI'er. Perhaps we may shop at the same LHS (Willis?-I am guessing this because when I called the store today, they told me they were about to start carrying the T-Rex). I think we've followed a similar path as far as Heli's. I started with a blade CP about 4 months ago and it has been great. It has really taught me how to control a nimble heli. My latest upgrade from the LHS has been the metal swash plate. I have found that this has made my maneuvers more precise. I just recently bought/completed/and flew an MX 400 Pro. This is really a nice heli. I bought it because a major distributor had an "all you need" package so I felt that this was the best way to upgrade from the blade. Over the past several weeks, I have enjoyed flying the MX400 Pro primarily because unlike the blade, I can bring the larger heli out of doors even in the wind and hover as well as fly limited distances (as a relatively unadvanced pilot). More recently, due to many of the postings on this site, I have become convinced that the T-Rex 450 SE is the way to go and so I am planning on getting one. Visually, it is clearly superior to the MX400 Pro especially given the slick carbon fiber appearance. As a relatively new pilot, I'd say that the main reason I did not initially go for a T-Rex was that it seemed like a more advanced machine with many more options as far as configuration and hop ups but now my feeling is that this may be the better heli to really advance with. Intimidation kept me from the T-Rex but I think the MX400 has given me the experience to move up to what I hope will be a better machine as I continue to progress as a pilot.

JCDHeli

Hello I am new to this post and I must say it is very informative. I am planning to buy a MX-400 from tower hobbies see link below. Then I went to Ebay found seller selling a X-400. do you guys think that it is worth the money to spend on the towehobbies package or get the cheaper one from ebay.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...1p?&I=LZ2473**

http://cgi.ebay.com/280-RTF-ARK-X-40...QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks
JC

JCDHeli

Hello I am new to this post and I must say it is very informative. I am planning to buy a MX-400 from tower hobbies see link below. Then I went to Ebay found seller selling a X-400. do you guys think that it is worth the money to spend on the towehobbies package or get the cheaper one from ebay.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...1p?&I=LZ2473**

http://cgi.ebay.com/280-RTF-ARK-X-40...QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks
JC

hdoc

Snowblizzard:

Yes, I'm very friendly with Ken at Willis, and "Pushed" him to get the T-Rex. Why are you coming so far West ?? He mentioned that several people were interested so he finally did set up with the distributer. Spoke to him 2 D ago re getting the "NEW" T-Rex 450 SE(CDE) rather than the "old" one--Waiting for his call back. Ordered a whole package (servos,receiver, gyro,...) I have a Futaba T8UHP S Xmitter X 6 Yrs when I built a Raptor 30, but for various reasons never flew it. Will do so when the Springtime comes.

Tried a Piccolo 5 yrs ago but it was a total disaster. As I mentioned, I'm loving the Blade and get 2-3 15-20 minute flights in my garage/day. (I'm retired) Really feeling confident & can't wait for the 450 SL.

I do belong to 'HELI' (Helicopter Enthuastists of LI), but havent gone to meetings in at least a year (Poker Night) However we have a great field in Coram. Will be away for 2 Wks starting Wed, but back on the 15th. Hope my 'package' will be in.

Speak soon-- Lloyd

hdoc

JC

Re Tower or E-Bay, I personally feel that a direct LHS is the best as they will really work out any problems with you. I guess Tower has a good reputation and should stand behind what they sell if problems develop. E-Bay may well be less expensive, but the old addage-- You get what you pay for --- holds. You really have no Idea as to what you're getting, and if you're new to the hobby, you'll really need help. I've been in RC about 40 Yrs, and Heli's 7 Wks. I'm really flying well at the moment after much practice, and my LHS has been invaluable re help,information, and a total stock of replacement parts which I needed almost 3X/wk. Cost me more for rebuilding than the original Blade, but my last repair was about 1 1/2 Wks ago and the convenience of the LHS has been well worth it.

Lloyd

Tow Cobra

Lloyd,

I go West for many of my purchases because I believe that the best hobby shop in LI lives there (I'm also from Nassau and recently moved out East). There are many hobby shops out east including one shop that specializes in RC heli's that I recently discovered ( I believe it is in Coram) but there is no beating the 2 story hobby shop that is stocked as well as the one on Willis Avenue.

As for JC, I did purchase the MX400 Pro from a large online retailer. The reason I bought it online line is because it seemed like the simplest way to get everything I needed at once to get in the air with a more advanced heli (I've been flying a blade for a while). I think the kit is quite good and since I have been flying it (a few weeks), I've been quite satisfied that it is a very competent heli. You should consider parts, though. I recently had a small crash and broke several plastic head components and now I'm grounded. I can't find parts at any of the local stores so now I'm waiting for the parts to ship from the large online retailer. On top of this, the online site didn't have all of the components that I broke in stock so I'm going to have to improvise to keep the heli in the air.

Peter (AKA Snoblizzard).

hdoc

Peter (& all) --

Was flying my Blade this morning outside in the 60 Degreee NY weather, when a gust came along & "gusted" it into a tree. The carbon blades are great, but the blade holder link snapped--Took 5 min to replace it, but dropped a bearing on the floor & couldn't find it. Went to my favorite LHS, got the bearing, and happily found out that my "New" T-Rex SE(CDE) is on it's way. Anyone know what 'CDE' stands for. He also informed me that he'll also be carrying a good line of 'support' (Repair) items as he does for the Blade.

JC-- That's what I meant about having a good,well stocked,supportive LHS. Had my Blade flying 15 Min after I left the LHS. (I live 10 Min from the LHS). Makes a "crash" far less painful when you have immediate access to the parts.

Will be away the next 2 Wks, hopefully enjoying warm sunny weather. Back then---

Lloyd

Tow Cobra

Lloyd,

I agree that access to parts is key. I actually was able to get my recently crashed MX400 back in the air with Trex head components that I was able to buy from the hobby shop I recently discovered. The guy at the store said he didn't know if they would fit my MX400 but I told him that for about $20 (the cost of the parts I picked out), I was willing to take a chance to get the bird back in the air (and I'm planning on getting a Trex one day anyway). It turns out that the MX400 and Trex head components (at least the ones I broke) are essentially identical (I did visually compare what I was buying with my broken heli parts before buying, though). Further research showed me that according to the description posted at Helihobby online, they indicate that the MX400 and Trex have similar if not identical head parts. So, JC, if you want to get an MX400, you may be able to repair it with parts made for another heli if you luck out as I did and I got to fly my MX400 Pro several times on Saturday after a 2 hour rebuild.

My only problem with having a store as well stocked as Willis (the LHS for me and Lloyd) is that I usually end up lusting after something else when I go there. The SnowBlizzard (or my tag name) was my most recent purchase when I was trying to buy some simple upgrades for the blade CP. RC is just too addicting for me.

Peter

Tow Cobra

Lloyd,

Given the run in between your blade and the wind, I'm going to guess that you'll really love the bigger helicopter (i.e. Trex). What I've found since getting the MX400 Pro is that I really like flying outside and this bigger machine takes wind gusts without much trouble. It seems that everytime I take my blade CP out, it just gets blown out of control and something gets broken and this really isn't fun. Unless it's really breazy out (wind gusts get up to 50mph where I live), I'm willing to bring out the MX400 with no problem (usually gusts up to 15mph or so).

Peter

hdoc

Peter:

As I understand it, the mechanical parts of the Trex & MX400 are essentially the same. Just as the Honeybee2 & Blade are identical in ALL respects. Come out of the same Chinese Factories with different Labels--My step son informed me the same is true in the Garment industry - Probably the same factories in China!!

Yes heavier is better, at least more stable, both in plain hovering or maneuvering, wind or not. The Trex will be 2-3X heavier than the Blade, but I understand it will take off like a bat out of Hell if you 'blink' at it. Mentioned I have a 'Virgin' Raptor 30 I built 6 Yrs ago, which at 10-12# should be 'rock stable'. Will take it out to the field in Coram in the springtme, fly it, and probably sell it. After flying, the nitros are so dirty & greasy, my wife would kill me if I brought it into my car. (have a friend who will take us)
The Electrics are so clean & more or less quiet at any size.

Actually, I'm up to really totally confident hovering with the Blade. Mark(At Willis) suggested it as my first, and despite the countless repairs, couldn't be happier with the learning experience. Walk it up & down the 60 X 14 X 7 Garage, but am uncomfortable at 6 Ft altitude with the 7 Ft ceiling.

I'll be around tomorrow--Leaving Wed--Back in 2 wks. Really anxious to get back for the Trex- !!!

Lloyd