KDS 450BD Quality Issues

[Phecda]

The real problem is that I have become "fly-shy" on the KDS450, even though it's small (the reason I bought it) compared to my old and no-longer-airworthy "full-size nitro models". Walk-in-the-park, I thought as an old beggar. Well, even the 450 size has an awesome spool-up and the same care required. Only my v922 (250mm rotor) is REALLY almost care-free. I don't mind admitting any misconceptions.

Hopefully Dr Phil resides here.

(of course, 450-size parts are cheap as things go)

[Phecda]

Also, I chose a flybar version because, why have the servos working overtime when, as and when I do 3D it will be kinda gentle.

Given the above mechanical issues, I'm now starting to appreciate the potential benefits of "less mechanics" in an FBL.

It's not that I'm scared of ball joints. I still have an old mechanical Hirobo Vertol, which consists of about 68 ball joints flying in close formation. It is FlyBarLess, with the old brass gyro wheels...
http://homepages.vodafone.co.nz/~phad/

So it doesn't impress me just to say "the current manufactured stuff is not airworthy".
Unless you're a manufacturer of course

Some people claim KDS is a clone. I don't care if it's a clone or not. I bought a "metal version" coz that is "obviously" better. And nearly everything is made in China anyway, including my last American-branded fishing rod, and probably my underpants though a check is not scheduled till next month.

[Znybar]

Phecda I had a similar attitude to FBL setups which is why I bought a 4503D in the first place. I thought FBL setups were complex, expensive and 'detached' from flybar helis.

Then after watching my friends at the local field, not one of them flew a flybar heli, and their helis looked more dialed in than mine ever did. The tail didn't hold as well, wind upset it a lot more, and far out but are flybars complicated things to set up.

I got the blade 300X to see if I liked FBL setups, and I can honestly say I'll never touch a flybar again. It gives you so much more confidence, and you end up with a heli that flies a lot more like a larger one and handles wind better than the 450 flybar ever could.

Then I crashed the 300X, and it amazed me how simple the repair was. The setup literally took five minutes of my time after rebuilding it, I doubt a flybarred version would be similar.

I subsequently upgraded my 450 to a FBL head and all my future helis will be FBL. The 450 turned into a beast with a FBL head, much faster on the cyclic and feels like it has twice the power with the same motor.

In my opinion, from the 450 size and up helis get dangerous, and require the care of any dangerous machine. I generally have a look at the tail, head and belt of my helis after each day of flying. Once again, better safe than sorry!

[Big Island Guy]

Originally Posted by Znybar

Phecda I had a similar attitude to FBL setups which is why I bought a 4503D in the first place. I thought FBL setups were complex, expensive and 'detached' from flybar helis.

Then after watching my friends at the local field, not one of them flew a flybar heli, and their helis looked more dialed in than mine ever did. The tail didn't hold as well, wind upset it a lot more, and far out but are flybars complicated things to set up.

I got the blade 300X to see if I liked FBL setups, and I can honestly say I'll never touch a flybar again. It gives you so much more confidence, and you end up with a heli that flies a lot more like a larger one and handles wind better than the 450 flybar ever could.

Then I crashed the 300X, and it amazed me how simple the repair was. The setup literally took five minutes of my time after rebuilding it, I doubt a flybarred version would be similar.

I subsequently upgraded my 450 to a FBL head and all my future helis will be FBL. The 450 turned into a beast with a FBL head, much faster on the cyclic and feels like it has twice the power with the same motor.

In my opinion, from the 450 size and up helis get dangerous, and require the care of any dangerous machine. I generally have a look at the tail, head and belt of my helis after each day of flying. Once again, better safe than sorry!

Just want to add that the KDS FBL controller is very decent too - especially for the price. With its included LCD programming box, it couldn't be easier to set up and I've found it to be very tolerant of vibration. Obviously, of course one should strive to get rid of vibrations, but it doesn't have nasty habits like violently sending the helicopter into a death roll because of a vibration, like one well known brand does. At $149, its a really underappreciated sleeper.

[Phecda]

Yeah. And thanks.

The Vertol, flybarless with a mechanical gyro on elevator, suffered from severe pitch-up oscillations in forward flight. I even read flybarless (left alone) suffers this trait, on this forum I think. Though I don't doubt modern electronics fixes that.

As to costs (FBL was 20% more expensive RTF), my stupidity makes me laugh now. I already spent about as much as the heli on "parts" (cases, tools, batteries, chargers, some spare parts) without even an accident.

I mean, Potential Stupidity...:-)

[Familyman67]

what do you mean "potential" ?
In my case this is an absolute certainty! Are you guys down there so much different ?

[Znybar]

Well the beauty of FBL is that it's not a fortune of a heli upgrade. Once you get to control the 450 to a point where you want more everything (power, control, wind behaviour, speed), FBL is the way to go.

[clinton south africa]

The joys and absolute need dor a thorough first pre flight and plenty loctite bro :-) and a big thumbs up for the quote, oh so true!

Fair skies and happy landings!