Jason Merkle
Senior Heliman
Location: Champaign, IL
| Ive got 2 Voyager Es still -
The stock motor works OK, but I will NEVER use it again. If you do fly with it, dont use 7 cells - you need to use 8 to get good power. Yes, the stock ESC AND motor can handle 8 cells - I and many others NEVER burned up the motor or ESC.
Whatever you do, dont use 3000 MaH NiMH cells - they get too hot. To get the most run time, use 2400s. They give about 4.5 minutes of strong power for loops and rolls (Basic ones - no 3D, it doesnt have enough power on the stock motor even with 8 cells for 3D). However, if you use 8 cells of the new Sanyo CP1700s, you save 4 ounces of weight over the 2400s, and the power goes way up because you save 4 ounces of weight! Flight time is 3.5 minutes, but the power even on the stock motor is very good - still, not enough for 3D. The problem with the stock motor is that the brushes only last 12-20 flights and cost $6 to replace. I tried all kinds of cheap RC car brushes but none worked as well as the JR ones.
After going brushless, I will never go back! I use the Hacker B40-8L heli motor with a 16 tooth pinion on 10 cells with a Schulze 45He ESC. Power is AWESOME! With 10 cell CP1700s packs it outclimbs .30s and most .50s - and flies VERY powerfully for around 4 minutes. With 2400s you get just over 5 minutes, but the added weight takes away power. Now, it has the power for 3D!
The problem is, this heli DOES NOT 3D! The cyclic is too slow - a roll takes 2 seconds even with max cyclic and tons of forward speed. One of my helis has EVERY upgrade available for it - carbon frames, carbon main blades, aluminum blades grips/washout/washout arms/mixer arms, and a few more and it flies great. But, it just wont 3D - this heli wasnt made for it. It loops, it rolls, it flies well inverted with the MS 420mm symetrical carbons, but it wont tumble or react fast enough for real 3D.
Instead I recomend the Mikado Logo 10. A little larger than the Voyager, but MUCH better built and it will 3D NO problem! Cost is not much more - once you buy a Voyager and put a brushless motor into it, it costs MORE than a Logo 10 with brushless!
I suggest the Logo 10 heli, Hacker B50-11L motor, Kontroniok Beat 55 ESC, and 12 cell 3000 packs. With this set up, it spins up to 1900 RPMs with the Mikado 500mm glass blades and 3Ds insane for around 4-6 minutes.
Head to:
http://www.ezonemag.com
Search the electric heli discussion forums for all the info you need on the Voyager and Logo 10!
The Voyager is NOT a bad heli - there are just better ones now 
Jason |
Kevin
