mrhumble1 Heliman Location: Chicago, IL - USA
| 500 AppealI have never owned an electric heli before (I have a Raptor 90 now and love it), and I just bought a T-REX 500. It will be here tomorrow (Friday) and I will be in the air by Saturday or Sunday.
I was seriously looking at a 450 sized heli, until I noticed the cost difference. The 400s and 450SEs were not any cheaper (and in some cases, more expensive) than the 500. I got the T-REX 500 CF kit with blades (and motor, ESC) for $450, and I've seen 450-sized helis go for more than that. The only higher cost is for batteries, and those are not every day purchases. Since you don't need fuel, you save some money there.
Also, I have read MANY times that the 500 flies much bigger than the 450s. Sine I don't see myself ever paying $250+ each for 8 cell packs (for 600s), I think 500 is about as big as I will ever go. Besides, I want a smaller heli so I can fly more places.
When it comes to crash costs, I don't focus on that when I go out. I go out to fly, not to crash. I think that mindset (and a lot of patience) has served me well. Any crash will be unpleasant, and the for me cost is not the worst of it. Dealing with downtime and re-setting up a perfectly flying heli are much harder to take than buying new parts.
I did check parts prices on the 500, the costs are not that high compared to nitro helis. I would kill to find $64 blades for my R90, and a painted stock canopy for $38 is a steal.
I don't know why anyone is selling theirs. I can't wait to get mine in the air.
Jason |