T-Rex XL & SE

[rscamp]

So what's the difference between the T-Rex 450 XL and SE that really matters? Is there more to it than just the metal bits?

[Alphatronique]

Hi

more presise control ,look better less flex for hard 3D flighting
but also mutch more expensive to crash ....

so if your not a experd and not buy it for the cool in sujest the XL
a XL whit a superframe STK (helidirect) and metal mixer lever flight
perfectly and low cost per crash ..

also plase keep plastic blade horder it not expensive to replace
and if it avoid mutch more expensive damage

Best regard

[hydravien]

its the bling, and some parts help it fly better, some are just for effect.
get an xl, cheaper to crash because you dont have to replace all the metal.

[sarawnty]

Hi,
The other side of the xl vs se debate is that the metal parts are less likely to break in a crash. I've seen many of the xl's beat themselves to death when they crash. I crashed my se pretty hard the weekend and I was surprised that all the metal parts, except for the main shaft & flybar, survived intack and straight.
Steve

[Heli3dflyr]

Just go with the T-Rex 600... its only a couple bucks more and one helluuva performer!! :shock: 8) :D

[martinic]

Alex - don't forget the batteries - then the 600 is a lot more! The new E-Raptor may be more interesting since it's got more power options without having to get the Dremel tool out.

On the topic, the XL CDE is a nice machine, but if you're value focused, then the SA may be a better option since it's direct eCCPM - that's the biggest difference between the XL CDE and the SE. The SE has direct links from the servos to the swash (as does the SA, but not the XL CDE) and this gives more direct control. You will feel this difference.

I've got the equivalent of an SE (upgraded bit by bit - $$) and it flies incredibly well. I've also got a mostly stock 450 XL (The original w. grey frame) with a direct eCCPM conversion kit and the newer XL tail slider and it flies nearly as well. The plastic head has flex/slop (hard to get rigid in such small parts), but the metal head is very precise and slop/flex free.

The metal parts don't break. The stacked CF frame on the SE does (it has a plastic base), but it's still reasonably tough.

Based purely on function and value, I would go for the SA and add in a set of Gorilla gear (nearly unbreakable landing gear struts) . I would add the full metal head after I broke the first plastic head part. That's under $400 - still not too far off an SE. Personally, I would just buy an SE and be done with it - it's really a great flying machine.

The cost difference between the models isn't so much when taken in the context of a fully outfitted heli. I currently fly 3S Tp Prolites (~$100 each, I have four), have a MR 6V BEC, CC35 ESC, JGF 450TH on 13T, HS56 on cyclic, GY401 with 9650 on the tail, and use a DX6/AR6000 radio. This is a very powerful setup. The only thing I want to change is to go to 4S to get 3K headspeed without bogging - currently I can only get to 2800. With the high headspeed I get only 6 minutes of flight while keeping the batteries at ~50-50C in the summer (25 C ambieny, thick, humid air) - I put 1400-1500 mAH back in, so it's only the temperature that's preventing longer flights. The same setup in the winter (indoors at the gym) will easily get 8-9 minutes.

[can773]

martinic

50C is cool....we run the TP Prolites up to 60-65C in the big pattern models and get lot of cycles from them. Cooler is better but I wouldnt be worried about pushing them a bit harder.

Also where do you get the conversion kit for an XL CDE to have a direct link servo setup? I hate the multitude of links in the stock setup.

[martinic]

Can773 - I worry because I toasted four G2 packs by running them at 60-65C - the middle cell (3S packs) died from heat stress. Two weeks ago I actually puffed one of my ProLite packs slightly (it's OK - balances fine and takes full charge, but it was enough internal venting to see it was not normal) running it up to 65C (took 1800mAH back). They're too expensive to take chances with. I have fun in my 6 minutes.

My Raptor 50 (OS Hyper, MP2) doesn't get much longer flights (it's not broken in/tuned fully yet) - about 8-9 minutes on a tank.

I'm just flying basic aerobatics (loops, rolls, flips) = nothing fancy yet.

When it gets cooler and the air isn't as dense in September, I'll end up increasing flight times again - but I'll do it by carefully monitoring the temperatures and mAh back in.

Are you running HV setups on the bigger ships? I woudl have thought that would result in lower temps on the cells (higher V, lower current)?

[martinic]

Can773 - This is the conversion kit (http://www.micro-heli-tuning.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=36&products_id=169) I used on the 450X. It's expensive, but works well and doesn't require modifications to the frame. Lots of folks have adapted stock frames, but it's a pain when you crash.

For the money, you could almost buy a decent CF frame these days. At the time, it was a good option.

[rscamp]

Thanks for your input guys! It sounds like it flies similarly. I was wondering about this because I might be able to afford the cheap one for this winter. I'd get the SE but I'm saving for a 50-size which will cost me $$$.

Ken at RCFlightStore has an eCCPM version of the XL here: http://www.rcflightstore.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_33&products_id=29

Note that he also carries Mikado if you want to get a more serious electric heli. ;)

Alex. I like to "engineer" my own power systems and the TRex 600 has some limitations in this regard. There will be so many choices soon. Hmmmm....

Steve. Converted your Titan to electric yet?

Chad. Currently keeping cool in Calgary. The thermometer on the garage says it is 8 Deg. C at this moment. :)

[can773]

Chad. Currently keeping cool in Calgary. The thermometer on the garage says it is 8 Deg. C at this moment. :)

Indeed :) I had the heat on in the car on my way into work :)

[martinic]

Rob, if the SE is out of the question, then consider the Trex SA. Horizon distributes it exclusively. GH has it for $229 - it has direct eCCPM through it's aluminum frame. It also has the aluminum head block. (I see it's on backorder until Sept. though)

As for "more serious" I wish my 50 had the power that my Trex does. :wink: In the States, most of the nitro flyers also have Trexes - you can do the same hard-core 3D moves with them but closer to home with no mess or fuss - and easier on the wallet when you crash due to the very low parts cost.

I fly my Trex at 6 AM at the ball park one block away from my house and don't disturb the neighbors. It's easy to take a couple of flights before work. I use the 50 when I go to the club field or want to fly when it's windy (>10-15 km/h).

[sarawnty]

Hey Rob,
I'm waiting to see what the new Raptor e620SE looks like and delivery time frame. Rather than convert my nitro, I'll get either the Trex 600 or the e620SE. I saw the Trex600 go last nite for the first time. There might of been issues with the setup but it didn't have the acceleration that the Raptor 50 nitro (w/ OS Hyper) has. However, I won't hesitate to get the Trex 600 if the eRaptor ends up being delayed.
Regards,
Steve

[rscamp]

Rob, if the SE is out of the question, then consider the Trex SA. Horizon distributes it exclusively. GH has it for $229 - it has direct eCCPM through it's aluminum frame. It also has the aluminum head block. (I see it's on backorder until Sept. though)

As for "more serious" I wish my 50 had the power that my Trex does. :wink: In the States, most of the nitro flyers also have Trexes - you can do the same hard-core 3D moves with them but closer to home with no mess or fuss - and easier on the wallet when you crash due to the very low parts cost.

I fly my Trex at 6 AM at the ball park one block away from my house and don't disturb the neighbors. It's easy to take a couple of flights before work. I use the 50 when I go to the club field or want to fly when it's windy (>10-15 km/h).

Thanks for the head's up. I'll take a look.

I'll try to make sure the 50 I get next year has lots of power - mainly by avoiding the 6s setup that is being pushed these days to reduce cost. ;)

[rscamp]

Hey Rob,
I'm waiting to see what the new Raptor e620SE looks like and delivery time frame. Rather than convert my nitro, I'll get either the Trex 600 or the e620SE. I saw the Trex600 go last nite for the first time. There might of been issues with the setup but it didn't have the acceleration that the Raptor 50 nitro (w/ OS Hyper) has. However, I won't hesitate to get the Trex 600 if the eRaptor ends up being delayed.
Regards,
Steve

I'm hoping the eRaptor works out. This size heli will fly much better on 10s. Based on all the system evaluations I've done I'm baffled at the choice of 6s for these helis. It can only be to reduce cost 'cause it ain't for performance. I need the power because I don't have good touch and I can't guarantee the integrity of my brain to move the sticks in the right direction. :roll:

[martinic]

On the Trex 600, Alan and Danny Szabo were flying 6S at XFC and at the 3D Masters. These were the new Extreme TP packs that Charlie Wang made up special for them. They probably would have done better using more poweful power systems though. No sure how many cycles they get out of them. They are competing against nitro 90 helis too.

Gary Goodrum at TPPacks is all for 10S setups for these birds.

It's interesting to note that when the Trex first came out, Align was showing it with NiMH packs! We've come a long way - the current crop of power systems is incredible.

I think I'll wait to replace my 3S packs with 4S once the next generation packs come out later this year or next Spring. 30C or 40C and even lighter? :shock: LiMn looks interesting as well.

[stikflyer]

While we are on the subject of T-rex's what does CDE, HDE mean, is one prefered over the other?

[martinic]

While we are on the subject of T-rex's what does CDE, HDE mean, is one prefered over the other?

Not sure about what the letters stand for, but the CDE is cyclic/collective pitch mixing (i.e. eCCPM: three servos share cyclic and pitch) and the HDE has one servo for each control (i.e. Normal/mechanical: pitch, aileron, elevator). T

he only real issue with the CDE implementation of eCCPM is that it has additional parts between the servos and the swash; in these little helis with their small pastic parts, you get flex. The SA (aluminum & plastic, low cost, value version) and the SE (carbon fiber and aluminum, premium model) with their direct eCCPM (servos directly connected to the swash via a single linkage) are better for control authority. The SE is actually a good value despite the price tag because it comes with all the upgrades. The upgrade parts don't break in crashes so you save in the long run; the SE also flies like a dream.

So, in order of preference (IMHO) and flight performance (lowest to highest): HDE, CDE, SA, SE.