Helicopter Advice

[Deranged]

Well I need some advice, I had a CP Pro and didn't like it, very twitchy and not fun outside, I am looking at getting either a MX400 or Trex 450XL, just want to know what his supported locally mostly, and right now I am leaning toward the MX400 since I am a beginner. I would really prefer an X400 as I would like to build it myself if possible. What is the price range around here for the X400 and how does everyone like them? I already have a DX6 that I have been using for sim use so glitching won't be a problem. I also plan to put the Trex XL tail boom on to run bigger blades eventually. Thanks

[cgroves]

I find that the MX400 has better local support. Both of the big shops in town usually have parts in stock which is really good for those occasions when the heli goes slightly faster than your fingers.

[Deranged]

What about prices does anyone know approximately how much they go for? Also I have read on the net there are issues with the center hub on the head, has this issue been resolved? or is it still recommended to go to an aluminum one? Also do any of the shops carry the X400 the unassembled version of the MX400? wouldn't mind building it myself from scratch.

[Sev Fontaine]

I picked my MX400 up for fairly cheap when they were on sale at great hobbies (119$) but now that the prices have gone up to 179$ again.... I'd recommend getting one from a local hobby shop.
About the center hub... I'd say if you're going to fly on your own without spectators then just wear safety glasses, keep the head speed down and you should be alright. If you plan on flying indoors where there are many spectators... I wouldn't trust the plastic center hub and would upgrade to an aluminum one right away.
As for building it from a kit... that really is the only way to do it for helicopters, but If you do get an ARF... like I did... I'd recommend you take it all apart and rebuild it correctly. (using blue loctite wherever metal screws go into metal parts) It's also a great exercise to learn where all the parts go for later on when you crash and need to repair it.

[cgroves]

I would second the comments regarding ARFs, you should tear down any helicopter you get and rebuild it from scratch. Helicopters are very fussy about proper assembly and pretty much anything that comes apart will cause a crash.
As for the heads, what is thae failure mode? Does the base model not have a metal feathering shaft which takes the main load of the blades? (Mine came with the aluminim upgrades so I haven't taken a basic MX400 apart)

[Sev Fontaine]

I'm not sure what the reported failure mode is for the plastic center hub.... I just heard of it both online and from a few local guys so I just took it at face value and upgraded to aluminum.
It is a steel feathering shaft so the blades shouldn't go flying off independently but they just might fly off together if the center hub was to fail.

[Dynamic Man]

I don't like to talk about what we have at the shop on line here, I feel it's not the place.

I will say we have the MX400 sport at about what Sev paid.

The MX400 pro is in my opinion the best deal. It has up graded aluminum parts and the ESC and motor for about $150 more.

The MX450 is the Bling machine and has dropped over $100 since Christmas. Down side is you still have to buy the ESC and motor. You have the most blinged out machine for sure but do you really need all the aluminum parts ? my opinion is you don't.

Drop by, we have all the Heli's in stock plus now Nitro machines too.

Fred