Recieved my NEW 450X today

[RoboHeli]

Yeah, they didn't release a 450CFX...bummer, huh? A lot of us were assuming it would be a new frame with the 700X servo geometry like they did with the 300CFX.

Oh well. At least there are CF after market frames available.

[KiloXray]

Originally Posted by blkrvn1993

I would take that heli back to LHS! That is a version 1. Just look at the plastic frame in your pic. The new one has a carbon fiber frame!!!!

Originally Posted by blkrvn1993

Oops I was wrong! Looking at the Blade website. They have been released. And as usual, cheap plastic main frame. Typical Blade.

HAHAHAHA! Don't make back around these parts often, do ya?

[crashcopterman]

Originally Posted by KiloXray

HAHAHAHA! Don't make back around these parts often, do ya?

Funny!!

I'm not sold on the 700x servo setup, it's a b*#ch to work on! It really surprised me and had me in denial. I set one up for a friend two weeks ago and I'm not buying one because of that set up. Two on head and a separated elevator gives you room to do maintenance and tweak setup a whole pile easier than all servos on head. Heck, the 550x/600x setup is dang awesome in comparison. No question the look of the 700 head is totally top shelf, but on a 450 that gets crashed a lot, well lets just say if it happens I hope they make the servo arms more accessible.

So the "new" 450x is a copy of what most of us did a year ago.........how odd is that?

Steve

[jl0703]

The main differences on the 450x v2 are MG servos, helical main gear, and I believe a modification on the motor shaft (not entirely sure about that). And yes, a CFX version would have been nice.

Didn't fly maiden today since the wife "needed" to go furniture shopping. Oh well, tomorrows another day.

And maybe, just maybe, I'll post heli porn of the main gear and servos

[KiloXray]

Originally Posted by jl0703

The main differences on the 450x v2 are MG servos, helical main gear, and I believe a modification on the motor shaft (not entirely sure about that). And yes, a CFX version would have been nice.

Didn't fly maiden today since the wife "needed" to go furniture shopping. Oh well, tomorrows another day.

And maybe, just maybe, I'll post heli porn of the main gear and servos

Ahhhhhh. The old "you get some furniture and I get a heli" scam. I know it allllll too well. Lol.

You'll do just fine in this hobby.

[blkrvn1993]

Originally Posted by KiloXray

HAHAHAHA! Don't make back around these parts often, do ya?

Yes, I have long moved away from Blade. I will admitt that i did enjoy my original 450x before I sold it. It flew nice. Just didn't like the cheap componets.

[tulebender]

Originally Posted by jl0703

The main differences on the 450x v2 are MG servos, helical main gear, and I believe a modification on the motor shaft (not entirely sure about that). And yes, a CFX version would have been nice.

Didn't fly maiden today since the wife "needed" to go furniture shopping. Oh well, tomorrows another day.

And maybe, just maybe, I'll post heli porn of the main gear and servos

Congrats on your new heli. Just curious if the box that your 450x came in has an orange colored rectangle on the box that identifies the V2 upgrades. Thanks

[gmiller0]

Originally Posted by blkrvn1993

Yes, I have long moved away from Blade. I will admitt that i did enjoy my original 450x before I sold it. It flew nice. Just didn't like the cheap componets.

What are you flying now?

[KySky]

Originally Posted by tulebender

Congrats on your new heli. Just curious if the box that your 450x came in has an orange colored rectangle on the box that identifies the V2 upgrades. Thanks

My 450X V2 came in an 450X V1 box. But the box has the 450X V2 sku number and an round orange sticker listing the upgrades.

[tulebender]

Originally Posted by KySky

My 450X V2 came in an 450X V1 box. But the box has the 450X V2 sku number and an round orange sticker listing the upgrades.

le

Thanks Ky - I just wanted to be able to verify the new version when it arrives. Have you heard if they are going to upgrade the frame to cf later on?

[KySky]

Originally Posted by tulebender

Thanks Ky - I just wanted to be able to verify the new version when it arrives. Have you heard if they are going to upgrade the frame to cf later on?

Only things I've heard are rumors on this forum FWIW.

[jl0703]

Sorry for the late response. Work has been getting in the way of life. I work for the NYC Dept of Ed, and gearing up for school to open on Thursday for 1,1 million students poses a few challenges. But to answer your question, My 450x box is the v1 box with a large orange sticker on it listing the "improvements"

[blkrvn1993]

Originally Posted by gmiller0

What are you flying now?

Goblins!

[jbrandt]

Originally Posted by MrRoboHeli

Yeah, they didn't release a 450CFX...bummer, huh? A lot of us were assuming it would be a new frame with the 700X servo geometry like they did with the 300CFX.

Oh well. At least there are CF after market frames available.

While a 450CFX would have been "cool", it would have made it more expensive and just put cool looking fancy carbon fiber stuff on it without addressing some of its actual shortcomings (like the servos and motor, even though those are still not an issue for many people).

Most of the intended buyers (intermediate fliers who want a cheap "entry" level 450) won't notice the difference between a plastic and carbon frame. I know I wouldn't, but would certainly notice the increase in price.

At least the V2 addresses what many people consider the primary shortcomings of this heli withOUT increasing its price. Look at the 300CFX, Horizon Hobby is selling it for the same price as the 450x V2, and it still has the plastic gear servos, but at least it has a carbon frame, right? I was waffling between the 300CFX and 450x, and the cost of the 300CFX/450X V2 made it a no brainer.

[andycrazy]

Originally Posted by jbrandt

At least the V2 addresses what many people consider the primary shortcomings of this heli withOUT increasing its price. Look at the 300CFX, Horizon Hobby is selling it for the same price as the 450x V2, and it still has the plastic gear servos, but at least it has a carbon frame, right? I was waffling between the 300CFX and 450x, and the cost of the 300CFX/450X V2 made it a no brainer.

I cant understand HH pricing logic with the 450X V2 and the 300CFX. To me they have overpriced the 300CFX (is a CF frame and CF main blades really worth the extra cash) making it the same price as 450X. The 450X is a lot more heli for the money (its a pity really because I really like the 300 but there's no way I would buy a new one).

[tulebender]

I don't get the pricing either but am glad that the primary 450x issues are being taken care of without a price increase. I was leaning toward the 300 and then noticed the price of the 130x ($150) and that created more anxiety. Finally after doing the usual intense research I decided to go from my 200srx straight to the 450x. I get the feeling it might be a little easier transition than to either the 130 or 300. I was hoping for the cf frame as well but mainly because the plastic frame on the 200srx is really fragile and I don't know how tuff the 450x frame is. I wonder if Horizon realizes the stress they put us through by continually barraging us with fantastic planes and helis. Keep up the good work Horizon I'll learn to suffer through it.

[gmiller0]

That was a smart move going straight to the 450x... Crashing the 450 is pretty much the "same" cost as the 300x and you have a bigger Heli... It may seem big now, but once you build and fly a 550.... The 450x will feel like a nano cpx!!! Lol

[SumOFparts]

Definitely a smart move - a 130x is an awesome little heli - AS LONG AS YOU DONT CRASH IT.....and a micro is always gonna be way more susceptible to crashing.

Spent all my time chasing tail issues on my 130!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

450x had none of that - although the stock ds76t were not very long lasting.......

Its easy to tune down a 450x if you want - or run heavier packs - that will slow her down - for sure......


-

[andycrazy]

Originally Posted by gmiller0

That was a smart move going straight to the 450x... Crashing the 450 is pretty much the "same" cost as the 300x and you have a bigger Heli... It may seem big now, but once you build and fly a 550.... The 450x will feel like a nano cpx!!! Lol

Even the blades for the 450 and 300 are the same price. I must admit I would rather HH have kept the plastic frame on the 300 and uprated the electronics. I've never had an issue with the plastic frames (use a lynx brace on the 300) and I like the low weight.

[jbrandt]

Originally Posted by SumOFparts

Definitely a smart move - a 130x is an awesome little heli - AS LONG AS YOU DONT CRASH IT.....and a micro is always gonna be way more susceptible to crashing.

Spent all my time chasing tail issues on my 130!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

450x had none of that - although the stock ds76t were not very long lasting.......

Its easy to tune down a 450x if you want - or run heavier packs - that will slow her down - for sure......


-

I don't know that you can say a micro is more susceptible to crashing. I think people are more willing to take chances with one since crash damage (at least for, say, a nano CPx) is usually minimal, and (relatively) extremely cheap to fix IF anything does break.

I flew the crap out of the Scout (that I still have), even after I got more advanced helis. I crashed it constantly because I didn't really care about crashing it, and the thing was held together with CA glue and tape anyway. I would try to land it on ceiling fan blades (occasionally while the fan was turned on! lol). The same is true for my nano. I fly it much more aggressively and way closer to objects like trees, badminton nets or anything else in my back yard because I know it's not going to hurt anything. The spinning carbon fiber wheel of death that is my 450x I am a LOT more cautious with, if only because of the safety aspect. I've hovered it in my back yard, but will only "fly" it at wide open parks with no people.

Originally Posted by andycrazy

Even the blades for the 450 and 300 are the same price. I must admit I would rather HH have kept the plastic frame on the 300 and uprated the electronics. I've never had an issue with the plastic frames (use a lynx brace on the 300) and I like the low weight.

Well, sort of. When doing my research for a 300 vs. 450, I saw that microheli has plastic blades (that are quite well regarded for their quality and performance) for about $14. While the blades I found for my 450 (Pro 3D's) were also around $14, they're not what I'd call "nice" blades. The resin on the CF is blotchy and not all that smooth, especially on the leading and trailing edges. They are at least fairly well balanced. But I wanted the *cheapest possible* blades that would at least stand up to minor tip overs in grass (weedies would likely splinter) for my first several flights on the 450 since I just assume I'll break several pairs while learning to fly it. Once I'm more confident with it, I'll be spending the extra few bucks on the Align blades.

There are always design/engineering compromises:

1) High strength
2) Low weight
3) Affordability

Pick 2.

If you find you're always breaking the stock frame, maybe a stronger CF frame is for you. II plan to fly the crap out of my stock 450 and replace what breaks (if anything). Maybe get some blingy things as birthday presents to myself occasionally...