Hurricane 550 build videos

[shaggybirdman]

so how long has this heli been out, and is it worth getting? i'm still reading threw the posts about it, but would like to know what everyone thinks about it. i'm searching for a good economical big heli. the trex 600, or is it the 500 (the electric one) is not for me. way too much for a battery, but the hurricane 550 i can deal with. seeing it uses 2 trex 450 batteries i can deal with it.

i take it bigger flies better in helis like it does in planks?

[MartinS819]

Yes bigger flies better...way better compared to my TRex450. The Hurricane is still a farely new heli and there are a few problems, at least that I've seen. If you're gonna get it, get the CF kit with the metal head. This is the newest and most improved version. Secondly, the two trex lipos don't last very long. I'm getting about 3.5 minutes of flight time from my 2200 Lightning Power(aka Kong Power, Air Thunder) lipos. I'm running 2000 headspeed with an RCP 1100kV motor. Many Hurri flyers run two 3300 Flight Power packs and that greatly improves the flight time. Another aproach is to go with A123 batts. You could probably get longer flight times with the stock 850kV motor, but it's very sluggish. The GAUI ESCs need work too. I'm using the 50A GAUI and there are only three settings on it and I don't like that. Don't get me wrong if it seems I'm being critical of the Hurricane, I love mine, but you will need more than the stock setup to get it at it's full potential.

[Hawk18052]

I ordered my hurricain 550 and it's coming all the way for Hong Kong. 8 weeks I hafta wait when I could've just went to the hobby store 8 blocks away and have a trex 600E right now. Plus it would be easy to get parts instead of having to order everything so really really think about it. i haven't flown ether of them yet, saw some really cool videos and went with the 550 because of the money thing but now i kinda wish I woulda shelled out a few more bucks for the t-rex. Ask Finless Bob he would know.

End of Line,
Hawk

[Pinecone]

The Hurricane is a fine heli. It is not a super high end heli, but it doesn't cost like one either.

The early kits had some problems, that they worked out.

I agree that the CF/CNC version is much better, but the all plastic does fly reasonably well.

You can fly it on a pair of $50 - $80 Trex packs, or move up to 3200 - 3300 packs. But still the packs are a LOT less expensive than Trex 600 packs. Mine flies nicely on 2 x 3S 3200 Hextronics packs from Hobby City ($50 each). Trex 600 needs $250 - $300 per pack batteries.

Check out the Gaui Hurricane 550 section here on HF.

And Hawk18052, several of us tried to tell you to order from one of the good US dealers. You would have gotten your heli in 2 - 3 days.

[Hawk18052]

You know how this addiction is, I was gonna wait till I got my first Heli magazine and so on, was gonna wait and wait but kept searching online line. One thing led to another and suddenly I waz ordering, Wish like heck I would've found helifreak first but it's to late now. If I could go back in time I'd order the carbon fiber 550 pro kit and put it together myself, had know idea someone was nice enough to rip one apart on video - you know what the lame instructions are like that come with these things. I might have even got a T-rex 600 or waited for the 700. Ordered 2 new canopys from 2 different US dealers to keep me busy painting till I get the Heli.

End of Line,
Hawk

[shaggybirdman]

so what's out there besides the hurricane 550, and the trex 500, and 600 that won't break the bank for the kit, and batteries? i want a bigger heli for my next bird. the hurricane is still the fore runner, but are there any other options out there?

[Hawk18052]

Watch these and decide, This is what got me to by a Hurricane 550 instead of a T-rex 600. But very importaint, whatever you decide do not go with the "ready to fly" crap. watch Finless Bobs videos and you'll see why.

http://www.runryder.net/helicopter/r...ies/IRCHA2005/

End of Line,

Hawk

[MartinS819]

IMO the Hurricane is still the best heli for the price and it's larger than many heli's above the Trex 450 size. Other helis are the HDX 500/550 and the Hirobo Lepton. There are really many heli's to choose from at around the same size as the Hurricane, but like I said you can't really beat the value of the Hurricane, plus the fact that I haven't seen a company out there that has been busting out upgrades and fixes the way GAUI has.

BTW I'm still using the plastic frame and some plastic parts in the head. Only CNC I have are the anti-rotation bracket, flybar cage and elevator arm. Metal grips and a better ESC will be the next upgrade and she should fly better, although she flies great now. I'm not trying to steer anyone away from the Hurricane, just telling you what to expect when/if you get one.

[Pinecone]

Another choice is the Quick of Japan EP8. www.helicopterhobbies.com

Flies nicely on 52 2100.

[shaggybirdman]

Originally Posted by MartinS819

IMO the Hurricane is still the best heli for the price and it's larger than many heli's above the Trex 450 size. Other helis are the HDX 500/550 and the Hirobo Lepton. There are really many heli's to choose from at around the same size as the Hurricane, but like I said you can't really beat the value of the Hurricane, plus the fact that I haven't seen a company out there that has been busting out upgrades and fixes the way GAUI has.

BTW I'm still using the plastic frame and some plastic parts in the head. Only CNC I have are the anti-rotation bracket, flybar cage and elevator arm. Metal grips and a better ESC will be the next upgrade and she should fly better, although she flies great now. I'm not trying to steer anyone away from the Hurricane, just telling you what to expect when/if you get one.

what you using for batteries, and how long do you get to fly with them. i've herd of only 3.5 to 4 min flights. that's the problem with the big electric helis. flight time. i'm leaning towards the hurricane 550 though. i like the 2 3c pack configuration.

how much do you have into it so far as stated above? i'll be honest though. i may jump into a 50 size nitro bird next. just got my trex running, and have a 30 size shuttle just waiting for warmer weather.

more pros, and cons on the hurricane would be greatly appreciated.

[MartinS819]

Well for my setup, I've really just spent $$$ on the lipos, Lightning Power 2200mAah 25C lipos. I had the 401 from my Trex and my friend pitched in and gave me his DS821 servos. I did buy the Trex 600 boom and misc parts for that to fit for maybe $40 total, but the same friend donated his 600 plastic tail system to me. I've been really lucky to have bought a great ARF (used) Hurricane and having great friends. I think i've only spent $315 for the used heli with a bunch of upgrades and spares already, and about $120 for lipos and the tail system total. This setup from the ground up might cost I'm guessing $700-$800 dollars with the big components being the heli and the radio system, which is very cheap considering I've spent well over $1500 on my Trex 450! Of course, the CF and CNC version will cost more, that might bring you to the $900-$1100 mark, but still for a complete .30 size heli system it's not too bad...and cheaper still if you already have a radio system.

Yes with my RCP1100kV motor I'm only getting 3.5-4 minutes of flight time, but I'm planning on going to A123s and 3300+ lipos later on. Also, I'll have even more battery options if I get the upgraded frame from readyheli. I don't mind the flight time right now, but the ESC does need to be better. Can't get past 2000 headspeed from my setup due to the 50A ESC(I'm geared for 2200 BTW). I'm planning to get a Scorpion motor and ESC in though which should improve everything, but that's mostly bling, it runs ok right now.

The great thing with the Hurri is you have a ton of options. Depending on your flying style you can set it up from mild to wild and get a bunch of hop-ups and it'll still cost less than most extreme helis, like the Trex 500 or Logo 5003D. I think the main cons are the lipos. If you want the Tim Taylor "More Power!" heli, you're gonna want to get a higher cappacity lipo(s).

[Hawk18052]

Next on my list to buy, when I get money again. I like on the Ircha videos that Justin and his dad who was nice enough to say "well we are flying the hurricane 550 with rototek 515 blades and 6s3300's" so now I know what I want. just don't know what to do with the stuff that acutally comes with my heli. Should have just bought a kit.

L8r,
Hawk

[shaggybirdman]

would this be a good scale bird? is it really a 30 size? the flight time really bothers me though. plus i don't want to break the bank on my next heli. it is still in the running though. it the 600 a electric heli as well, or a nitro bird. what's the starting cost of a trex 500, and 600? run times for both as well if you know.

[Hawk18052]

I've seen your post and know you have bin here for awhile. Got my Hurricane550 Canopy (well actually 2) and it's big enough that I could wear it as a shoe. I put in front of my CX2 and you couldn't even see it. I'm pretty sure, with the right setup, you could put toast on your cat and fly it all over the place. Also go my night flying blades and they are as long as my arm, I think you could haul 2 cats with toast around.

Hawk

[Finless]

You guys should be really posting this stuff in the Hurricane 500 forum! Posting here is more to do with asking questions about my videos NOT sharing info about the heli. That's what the hurricane forum is for! Not all hurri users come here to see people talk about the heli.... In the hurri forum other can see what your talking about and contribute.

Thanks,
Bob

[Hawk18052]

I got all your videos and plan to follow them. You are very good at this and I don't want to get you mad. I got carried away.

sorry again,
Hawk

[Finless]

Not getting mad just suggesting that posting this in the hurri forum would be a better place so others that dont come here can read them and participate

Bob

[MartinS819]

OK guys, sorry 'bout the hijack Bob. Here's a link to a new thread I started in the Hurri 550 forum in case you guys want to continue this conversation.

https://www.helifreak.com/showthread...571#post606571

Please post all future replies in this new thread.

Thanks,
-Marty

P.S.- Bob, did you catch my one reply for you on page 4(post #39)? Regarding your gyro/rudder final setup.

[shaggybirdman]

oh man.. soooo sorry. i think i may have been the original hijacker. i'll shut up now, and goto the proper forum.

[njensson]

First I want to thank you Finless Bob for all the great videos. They realy got I newbee like me to understand CCPM, head setup and all the other stuff .
So I went and got myself a Hurry550 and a DX7, great heli. And then to my question, you mention in the headsetup video that the mixing arm on the bladegrip should be paralell to the swash and 90 to the mainshaft. But I have read on other forums that this is wrong. The Extreme 50 has a similar head and in there manual they say that angle on the linkage rod from the swash and mixer arm should be 90. (see pic.) What is right, I did it as you said in the video and my pitch angle is the same in positive and negative.