Jason Merkle
Senior Heliman
Location: Champaign, IL
| Tree-top....a few things....
Firstly, the packs have been flown in the ECO 8 for 31 minutes (It was using a brushless motor, but otherwise stock, flown by an intermediate pilot), a Corona (Also brushless, flown by an intermediate pilot) for almost 20 minutes before a crash shortened the flight  , many different Logo 10s for 15-25 minutes (By beginner, intermediate and even Gary Wright who is definitely an advanced pilot), and they will be flown this coming week in my Voyager E (Also brushless). Yes, they are all brushless - not out of neccessity to fly LiPos, simply by the choice of the owners who have used brushless for months on NiCad and Nimh packs because of all the benefits they offer over brushed set ups. Ther problem with "can" motors in these helis is that they simply cant handle the power of a 3 cell LiPo pack (10 cell equiv), and wont fly well on 2 cells (6/7 cell equiv). You cant argue with a brushless power system - you can get a brushless motor AND ESC for any of the above helis for $130-$200 that will fly them GREAT. Honestly, thats the first money you should spend before LiPos - that I know from past experience. Can you use can/brushed motors and LiPos? Yes, you can! It takes the right motor - for the ECO 8, it would fly awesome using a 3s4p pack with a Magnetic Mayhem ($22 Kyosho RC car motor). You cant fly for 30 minutes straight - youd need to break the flight into 3-4 shorter flights per charge. If not, the brushes and comm would melt
These same packs have also flown in "average" RCers airplanes like the E3D for 32+ minutes, a converted Magic 3D for over 30 minutes, and more in San Diego in front of hundreds at the Mid Winter Electrics a few weeks back. The list goes on and on - many of these tests have been my fellow pilots right here in Las Vegas. Most of them dont spend time on the net like us, but you can bet if they did, you would hear about!
Your thoughts that it requires "expensive helis" and "professional" pilots to fly these packs just isnt true. I can understand your frustration - but you have to understand that like anything new, experienced RCers get to try it first. Do you think "normal" pilots were the first to get the new Raptor V2 helis? No, guys like the Szabos who are experienced and sponsored pilots flew the heck out of them for weeks before they were available. Why? So TT could gain positive feedback from a well respected source and fix any potential problems. TT did their homework, and it paid off! Charlie is pursuing the same type of testing and feedback to produce a winning product line right from the start.
As for the "average" guy who flies larger e-planes (Larger than slowflyers) and helis sitting back to wait - theyre the first in line for these things! Ive seen the Flightenergy waiting list - they have dozens and dozens of pre-orders from "average" guys flying Coronas, ECO 8s, Logo 10s, Logo 20s, E3Ds, 12-14 cell sport planes, and it goes on and on. they actually have very few orders for speed 400 and slowflyer packs because they arent even offering them yet - theyre still in testing.
Fact is, guys like you are anxious, and that I understand. Im waiting for packs just as anxiously as you guys are! I have been lucky to test fly and get some to use for myself, but only a few. Im done with subC cells in all my helis - as soon as I can get more LiPo packs in a few weeks, all my 3000 mah packs will be sold on the Zone and here on RR - for a good bit less than what I paid.
Packs have already been shipped all around the country for testing and reviews by "well respected" pilots, and even many average pilots who frequent these forums - those reviews will be popping up shortly. And when the every day RCer guys start getting these things over the next few months, you can bet these forums will be flooded with info.
Its hard to wait - and its even harder to believe since you havent seen or flown them personally. But for guys like me and the hundreds of others who saw them 2 weeks ago in San Diego, and those around the counrty testing them, these are the real deal. Theyre the "no comprimise, more power, less weight and even better flight times than glow" packs we've been waiting for
If you dont want to buy any and wait - hey, thats completely understandable! Theyre pricey - even Im penny pinching and have been for months to have enough cash ready for when more packs do show up. But for me, I already dump a lot of funds into packs. I'll spend the same and get fewer packs, but now I get 3-4 times the flight time with a lot less weight many times, and even more power.
Jason |
