Storm 450 - How Good?

[TexasC]

Looking around the internet, I ran across the Storm 450 on helipal's website. Does anyone here own one? What's the build quality? How good is the tx? Are the parts interchangeable with a T-Rex 450?

Before anyone tells me the obvious about just buying a T-Rex instead. I want a RTF since this will be my first 450 heli and I don't want to build one.

Thanks

[doc7592]

did u ever get a reply?

[TexasC]

No, apparently no one has ever heard of the Storm

[ARM_Coder]

Storm 450 is a fairly good "first cp 450 heli" with reasonable mechanics and electronics (the CF version is way better than the GF). It's focused more on stability and smoothness of flight than agility.

The CF version is capable of sports flying and some light 3D. Don't believe in that "3D Master" sticker on the canopy, though.

It has some space for improvements and upgrades, but too much upgrades will make it cost as much as a T-Rex, or even more. This is a heli to keep from the beginning to about 1~1.5 years, making some upgrades along the time. After that you will probably want a true T-Rex.

The advantage for a beginner is the lower initial and crash costs than the T-Rex, a better than average quality for a clone, and overall ease of maintenance due to its unique design.

Storm parts aren't easily found at the LHS, but can be bought online from Helipal or MyRcMart (Storm is branded as "RCX" there). I've never seen a shortage of Storm parts.

BTW, I have two Storm 450s. Now I'm reaching the point that's making me to consider trading them for a T-Rex 450 Sport V2 (two indeed, that will cost me some money), but I'm taking my time. Maybe 3~6 more months.

Cheers!

[TexasC]

Thanks for the info

[GRIMX]

I purchased the Storm 450 3G, it is the first heli I have ever flown that was literally RTF out of the box. very stable and the parts are great quality, the only set back is that they are located in Hong Kong. Over all a great bird for the price.

[ARM_Coder]

Originally Posted by GRIMX

I purchased the Storm 450 3G, it is the first heli I have ever flown that was literally RTF out of the box. very stable and the parts are great quality, the only set back is that they are located in Hong Kong. Over all a great bird for the price.

And the 3G has a big plus: the Storm with flybar uses the ancient rotorhead from the Trex 450 SE, this version uses a modern rotorhead.

Cheers!

Edit: despite my previous post, I still have the Storm helis, and I'm thinking to stick to them a bit longer!

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[Dex Olson]

My wife bought me one, the CF deluxe model with the crash kit, upgraded radio (futaba 6 ch), and aluminum case for our anniversary in Dec. My brother has been flying helis for several years and she noticed that I was interested in looking at videos etc.. on youtube. She didn't realize that, since I had never had my hands on a heli of ANY kind, I had no business with something like this.

However, here's the deal. The heli arived from Helipal with a bent feathering shaft right out of the (aluminum) box. It was supposed to be RTF which I would have assumed meant everything is ready to go but in reality, there was no locktite on any of the machine screws (including the Jesus bolt) and many of the screws were actually loose. The bearing and bolt flew out of the seesaw on the first run up causing it to pitch left and crash taking out the tail boom, main shaft, feathering shaft, tail shaft, and stripping the rudder servo. While repairing it I found the screws in the tail assembly were also all loose.

Bottom line is that while this is an exceptionally well designed clone, the workmanship during assembly leaves MUCH to be desired. Yesterday, while trying to get it in the air again, the GYRO went wacky and completely took control away from the radio. This is the second GYRO since the first one quit operating the tail servo all together. I've really just about had it with this thing. Over $600 in the pooper!!

[ARM_Coder]

Originally Posted by Dex Olson

My wife bought me one, the CF deluxe model with the crash kit, upgraded radio (futaba 6 ch), and aluminum case for our anniversary in Dec. My brother has been flying helis for several years and she noticed that I was interested in looking at videos etc.. on youtube. She didn't realize that, since I had never had my hands on a heli of ANY kind, I had no business with something like this.

However, here's the deal. The heli arived from Helipal with a bent feathering shaft right out of the (aluminum) box. It was supposed to be RTF which I would have assumed meant everything is ready to go but in reality, there was no locktite on any of the machine screws (including the Jesus bolt) and many of the screws were actually loose. The bearing and bolt flew out of the seesaw on the first run up causing it to pitch left and crash taking out the tail boom, main shaft, feathering shaft, tail shaft, and stripping the rudder servo. While repairing it I found the screws in the tail assembly were also all loose.

Bottom line is that while this is an exceptionally well designed clone, the workmanship during assembly leaves MUCH to be desired. Yesterday, while trying to get it in the air again, the GYRO went wacky and completely took control away from the radio. This is the second GYRO since the first one quit operating the tail servo all together. I've really just about had it with this thing. Over $600 in the pooper!!

Looks like the workmanship at Helipal has been flaky lately. That said, nowadays I don't trust any RTF heli before I do a thorough inspection.

What I find redeeming in the Storm is its clever design and overall mechanical quality, my complaints are that in the flyberred edition the feathering shaft is too thin, and the supplied gyro is a POS.

For one that likes the design, at myrcmart.com you can find barebone kits and parts far cheaper than at Helipal. They are branded "Rcx" instead of Storm, but are the same stuff.

Cheers!

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[mir2069]

I have had plenty of quality issues with exheli there products and service.Now I just got the Storm 450 3g deluxe flybarless in the aluminum case.I checked it over no issues with loose anything.started flying right away.I got from helipal and asked about 30 questions before purchase, they responded to everything in less then 24hrs.Most importantly i recieved it from hongkong in 9 days with regular shipping.It is an awesome heli all high quality parts especially the helicox gyro.You cannot beat the quality and price,but most important the customer service.I just wish they would open a shop in the usa to avoid those high shipping fees.As for ex-heli bailey needs to stop posting videos on u-tube and concentrate on product quality and service.
Thank my first post

[w4llet]

I have a storm 450 CF FBL with the helicox unit.

Its pretty stable in my opinion. I have no regrets.

Here goes a small video when I was setting up 3g unit on a windy day.

Tracks pretty well and heli feels very locked in.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxfctpUILG4[/ame]

Cheerz!

[jac_2011]

Originally Posted by ARM_Coder

Storm 450 is a fairly good "first cp 450 heli" with reasonable mechanics and electronics (the CF version is way better than the GF). It's focused more on stability and smoothness of flight than agility.

The CF version is capable of sports flying and some light 3D. Don't believe in that "3D Master" sticker on the canopy, though.

It has some space for improvements and upgrades, but too much upgrades will make it cost as much as a T-Rex, or even more. This is a heli to keep from the beginning to about 1~1.5 years, making some upgrades along the time. After that you will probably want a true T-Rex.

The advantage for a beginner is the lower initial and crash costs than the T-Rex, a better than average quality for a clone, and overall ease of maintenance due to its unique design.

Storm parts aren't easily found at the LHS, but can be bought online from Helipal or MyRcMart (Storm is branded as "RCX" there). I've never seen a shortage of Storm parts.

BTW, I have two Storm 450s. Now I'm reaching the point that's making me to consider trading them for a T-Rex 450 Sport V2 (two indeed, that will cost me some money), but I'm taking my time. Maybe 3~6 more months.

Cheers!

hello I would like to help me convert my storm 6s batteries
know of some batteries that fit the storm
also I have a mini titan helicopter e325se which I would like to convert it to 6s do not know if the weight of most concern him in flight greetings
and by

[w4llet]

1200 or 1300mah 6s batteries will work.

[ARM_Coder]

I'm having a hard time trying to sell my twin Storms here in Brazil... No, they aren't bad, in fact I think the Storm is a very underrated 450. But I'm moving to bigger helis so I no longer want to fly 450s...

Cheers!

[twwd]

Hi,

I am a new guy just getting started with Helicopters and I did purchase the Storm 450 RTF GF Helicopter. I am currently flying a CX4 RTF Coaxial beginner Helicopter and will stay with it until I am completely sure that I am ready for the Storm 450. I am looking forward to any help along the way that I may get from you. Forgot! I also purchased the Storm 450 Bare Bones CF kit to use for parts if needed!

Thanks! Any help from you will be greatly appreciated...

[ARM_Coder]

Originally Posted by twwd

Hi,

I am a new guy just getting started with Helicopters and I did purchase the Storm 450 RTF GF Helicopter. I am currently flying a CX4 RTF Coaxial beginner Helicopter and will stay with it until I am completely sure that I am ready for the Storm 450. I am looking forward to any help along the way that I may get from you. Forgot! I also purchased the Storm 450 Bare Bones CF kit to use for parts if needed!

Thanks! Any help from you will be greatly appreciated...

Welcome to the club! You are entering a hobby that's very demanding from you, but very rewarding as well. No pain, no gain is the perfect saying about mastering RC helicopters.

Transitioning from a coaxial to a 450 CP heli is not as straightforward as we'd like. I also started with a coax Walkera and moved to a Storm 450 GF like yours. It's a night and day difference:

- Coax helis are very stable because they self-level and never attain a high speed. CP helis, otherwise, don't self level and can zip around very fast.

- Coax can be flown indoors. Never try it with a 450.

- You can crash a coax and most of the times it will hold for another flight. Not the case of a 450 because it's heavier and much more powerful. And quite dangerous too.

I'm not trying do discourage you, to the contrary. Get a good simulator, a training gear for the Storm, and if possible, personal advice from a experienced hobbyist. Ask him to check the heli, to make sure it's in good shape.

In short, to succeed in this hobby, you will need:

- Heli(s) and batteries
- A decent charger
- Tools
- Spare parts
- A workbench (true or improvised)
- Simulator
- A safe place to fly
- Many, many hours of stick time
- Lots of study, HF is a great place to get lots of info
- Discipline and patience
- Perseverance
- Etc

Cheers!

[raj1]

I purchased a Storm 450 from Helipal.com. Intially I chose Mode 1 Transmitter (right throttle) when ordering and it arrived with binding done in the factory. I then got the Tx replaced to a Mode 2 (left throttle) which I had to bind myself with instructions from Helipal. The Tx is a WTH07 and not a storm. I am a novice having only 3 months of flying experience with very simple helis. I do not know how to set up the Tx for flying the Storm. An initial clumsy attempt ended up with a crash resulting in some damage as the heli just took off like a bullet sideways with the balance bar wrapping around the main blades. I have a bare bone kit to harvest spare parts from. My problem is how do I set up the Tx for safe flying. Please help.

Raj

[ARM_Coder]

Setting up the radio for a Storm 450 is quite straightforward, as this heli is just a classic flybarred CCPM-120 machine.

There are lots of tutorials about setting up a flybarred Trex 450, Google and Youtube are your friends.

Cheers!

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[Stitch400]

A friend just gave me one of these that has been crashed. I'm not having luck finding the parts online. My original Blade 400 is also in need of parts. My question is whether it might be better to buy a new kit to switch the electronics over to. And if so, which kit? I haven't flown helis in several years, and have to keep it as cheap as possible. So I'd appreciate any advice at all.

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