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DemonSpawn78 · 01-16-2013, 01:03 PM

Looking at the KDS 550 as a cheap beater heli. Something I'm not afraid of crashing or trying new things on.

Is it a good heli and a cheaper alternative to say the trex 550?

Any thoughts and input would he great.

Familyman67 · 01-16-2013, 03:22 PM

Hey DemonSpawn,

I have the KDS550 myself (just built it recently). The reason I preferred it over the T-Rex are as follows:

- It's much easier to expand into 12S drive, since it already has the same battery compartment like the KDS600. A 3500mAh 12S fits in nicely (yes I tried that). The T-Rex has the battery in a totally different place where it could never carry a 12S Battery.
- The standard KDS ESC as well as the 1200KV motor are robust and reliable. The ESC is even capable of 12S (the Align one is not)
- spare-part costs are about the same like Align
- spare-part availability is great (well at least over here in Europe) but with HK now also selling the KDS, it should be easy to get the spares anywhere in the world.
- The KDS has a belt driven tail and can also be flown at low rpm. The T-Rex, because of the torque tube needs high rpm all the time in order for the tail to hold
- I don't like the canopy design of the KDS nor the one from Align BUT I love the Mikado 500 canopy and that one fits nicely on the KDS, I doubt it would fit on the Rex.
- both are great machines and worth every dime you spend on them.
- both can be flown with the the BeasX or the Mikado V-Bar. I would not fly any of the two with the 3GX nor with the KDS e-bar system.
- both can carry my preferred Savöx Servos
- yet for me one of the most important points for the KDS is the fact that in my "flying squad there are 3 other KDS550s and one more KDS600 - so there are a lot of synergies around know how and spare parts exchange. So if you know of a gang of Heli-freaks that all fly the Rex, then this might be the better choice for you. The Rex is a nice machine as well - no doubt.

Ghostflyer1 · 01-17-2013, 02:46 PM

Actually the parts are much cheaper than the Align atleast here in the US and its a low parts count build from the start....

Familyman67 · 01-18-2013, 02:06 AM

you lucky dogs - that's a different story over here. In Europe thei're 'bout the same (yet moderate) price.

01-16-2013, 01:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
DemonSpawn78 Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Mar 2011	KDS 550 thoughts Looking at the KDS 550 as a cheap beater heli. Something I'm not afraid of crashing or trying new things on. Is it a good heli and a cheaper alternative to say the trex 550? Any thoughts and input would he great. __________________ http://www.facebook.com/RC.HangarTime

01-16-2013, 03:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
Familyman67 Registered Users Join Date: Jul 2012	Hey DemonSpawn, I have the KDS550 myself (just built it recently). The reason I preferred it over the T-Rex are as follows: - It's much easier to expand into 12S drive, since it already has the same battery compartment like the KDS600. A 3500mAh 12S fits in nicely (yes I tried that). The T-Rex has the battery in a totally different place where it could never carry a 12S Battery. - The standard KDS ESC as well as the 1200KV motor are robust and reliable. The ESC is even capable of 12S (the Align one is not) - spare-part costs are about the same like Align - spare-part availability is great (well at least over here in Europe) but with HK now also selling the KDS, it should be easy to get the spares anywhere in the world. - The KDS has a belt driven tail and can also be flown at low rpm. The T-Rex, because of the torque tube needs high rpm all the time in order for the tail to hold - I don't like the canopy design of the KDS nor the one from Align BUT I love the Mikado 500 canopy and that one fits nicely on the KDS, I doubt it would fit on the Rex. - both are great machines and worth every dime you spend on them. - both can be flown with the the BeasX or the Mikado V-Bar. I would not fly any of the two with the 3GX nor with the KDS e-bar system. - both can carry my preferred Savöx Servos - yet for me one of the most important points for the KDS is the fact that in my "flying squad there are 3 other KDS550s and one more KDS600 - so there are a lot of synergies around know how and spare parts exchange. So if you know of a gang of Heli-freaks that all fly the Rex, then this might be the better choice for you. The Rex is a nice machine as well - no doubt. __________________ Active: 130X / 300 CFX /KDS 550 V2 / 350QX / lots of foamies / DX8 / DX6i Retired: mSRX / 120SR / 300X / B-SR / HK450V2 DFC / mCPX (all versions) Last edited by Familyman67; 01-18-2013 at 02:07 AM..

01-17-2013, 02:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ghostflyer1 Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Feb 2010	Actually the parts are much cheaper than the Align atleast here in the US and its a low parts count build from the start.... __________________ GhostFlyer1 KDS Dual Innova 700's, Innova 450,, and to many others to list

01-18-2013, 02:06 AM	#4 (permalink)
Familyman67 Registered Users Join Date: Jul 2012	you lucky dogs - that's a different story over here. In Europe thei're 'bout the same (yet moderate) price. __________________ Active: 130X / 300 CFX /KDS 550 V2 / 350QX / lots of foamies / DX8 / DX6i Retired: mSRX / 120SR / 300X / B-SR / HK450V2 DFC / mCPX (all versions)

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