Any news on the Trex 500?

[oldschool269]

cool thread guys .
i myself have sold my 450s , in preperation for the 500 ...and am hanging on to the 2 600s i fly. with some coin ready for the next align heli ..i like the brand , so shoot me.

i agree the 600 elect has probably slowed. good batterys are a huge cost,

the highest profit would have to come with more sales, as you coulnt spin a profit unless you moved heaps of units. how many 90s would they sell over a month , to beginners ?? , yeah , a few units to pros and the not so pros , but like serious...

i hope align , or a rep of align is reading our words, but i hope they go carefully, and fill the whole line out , 450,500,600,700 . i think that is the future of align heli division, but its a waiting game ..
i hope they keep turning a Profit ., so the dont sell that divison of the company out !!
and suddenly the 600 parts dont fit quite as well..

helis overall has to be a small market for them , i would say the execs must like them or align woudnt even make them , it would be just more vaccumm cleaners,milk shake makers , and other products for the home . etc,

whats next is a matter of what their members of the board want to go with ...

i hope they go on to do both a 3d gasser , and a turbine , but i dont think this will be the case ...

wouldnt we all like to get a peek at the R&D offices in align right now today ...

i think the 500 will sell more parts and crash more to see a higher need for parts ...
i am looking forward to 08 to see the results.
Jason

[Big Fil]

Originally Posted by Finless

I will use Readyheli as an example using COMBO to COMBO pricing:
Trex450 SE V2 = $549
Trex 600 CF = $559

Not really a good comparison though as you are putting a fully blinged heli up against a heli with a slightly upgraded frame. Add up CF blades, full metal head, torque tube tail or just metal tail, and metal bearing blocks and the comparison is more true. In actuality the 600CF is a far closer comparison to the 450S CF kit. A 600SE kit would probably be $800-900 and probably upwards of $1000 if you threw in a puffed 6S battery.

[Finless]

OK well looks like I might be wrong then!

Word I got as of today (not telling where) is the 700 will be redesigned and HARD CORE. Not a larger 600 but a NEW design with innovations all over it. Although I questioned how much innovation there could be so we will see...

The 500 WILL be the next heli from Align.

Now do I trust this completely? Nope been hearing that since oh... about March this year..... but based on what I heard.... The 500 will be next. When NO CLUE...

So I was wrong in my speculation. GET READY folks... the 500 IS coming after all!

Bob

[kgfly]

The other interesting pricing challenge for Align is not only finding a suitable slot in their existing line up, but the fact that the competition are selling 500-class helis for less than Align 450-class helis. The HDX500SE is a around $50 to $100 less than a T450SE but still comes with G10 frame, CNC alloy everything else, painted FG canopy and FG blades. Similarly the HDX500SA (G10 frame, some CNC, plastic head and tail, plastic canopy, FG blades) is cheaper than a T450S.

Of course Align's reputation and distribuiton channels are powerful competitive weapons which might allow them to justify being more expensive than the smaller brands.

[bryguy17]

well, the sheer ability to get replacement parts will be a great factor in getting people into align 500 sized helis. for the HDX and other 500-sized helis, you will probably have to order parts. also, think of this, the HDX450 also comes with g10 frames and all the bling for 300 bucks. the SEV2 is 500, and i bet it still sells better. theres enough trust in align to offset uncut prices from other heli makers

[BruceW]

If for nothing else, at least all this speculation made some people in the know come out and correct the rumors. Now if it comes out before Xmas then I might reconsider the 10s T600e with a Neu motor I looked at today.

[iwasaseabee]

Waiting for the align 500 myself. As I feel the 600 is bigger than I need. I've been considering other brands but like the aligns. I Bought a used align e600 today with 2 align packs. Hope I didn't buy to soon?

[erniefritz]

thanks guy's for all the posts , hopefully there will be some spy photo's here pretty soon. I hear some ofthe pilots are going over to test fly in the next few weeks. I'm really curious to see what it looks like and how it fly's....

[Finsta]

Originally Posted by LITHIUMSTATIC

Damn I wish I could type that much.... I'm with kgfly on this one.

My .02 about JK.... I would make him fly what i gave him to fly if I were a heli manufacturing company. Sure I would get his input on R & D but wouldn't let him dictate the future of the company. That's not what they have hired him to do. He is a little man in the big sceame of things and Align is going to do what makes them the most money. That's business plain and simple.

I could not agree more. I have doubts that a company that probably sells 20 (450s) to 1 (600) nitro birds (of course I am guessing at this figure) is going to go with a larger heli that will sell 1 to 50 when compared to a 450 because they have a pilot that wants to fly a larger bird. The pilot will fly what Align puts out, even if it is a super micro sized heli. 500 sized makes the most sense to me. I know there are people out there that want a larger bird, but the big money is in the affordable electrics I think. it's What got me and a ton of other pilots able to get into the hobby. Actually, I think a gasser would be a better way to go than a 90 sized heli. Now I would go running for one of those from align. Yes, they do need a 90 sized heli as they are only missing out on sales, so perhaps they will come out with both around the same time.

[Finsta]

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Future Models
Align is currently set to release two new helicopter models, the T-Rex 500 and the T-rex 600 Nitro Pro. The former is an electric helicopter, larger than the 450 model but smaller than the 600 size model. The 600 Nitro Pro is a nitro-powered version of the T-Rex 600, and shares many major components with its electric counterpart.

[Manol]

I want an Align ELECTRIC 90 sized heli.

[csell]

Hello.

I have been following this thread for some days. I think many consider the T-rex 500, only becauce of the cost of 6s lipos. But instead, people can investingate what is the possibities to get a T-rex 600 at a similar price. Last sunday I wrote this in an another thred:

Originally Posted by csell

I want to show an approch to get started with the wonderfull T-Rex 600 without having to worry about the high battery prices and come away from Aligns 6S setup wich calculations show are inefficient compared to 8S setups.


I was in the situation considering to bay 1 or 2 high quality 6S lipo, that is 300 US$ or 600 US$.

I read, that when people bay their first or may be second high quality 6S lipo, many are reducdant to change to a higher voltage setup. And I understand why, the 300 US$ they allready invested in each.

But when people realize a 8S lipo and even a 10S high power lipo setup is more efficient, most had allready "invested" in several 6S lipos and then it can be rather expensive to change.

But lipos are something with a limited time of life. What is the alternative:


Instead I deceided to start this project. So far I am very happy with it.

Already when assembly the T-Rex 600 make space for other motors. Eather bay a T-Rex 600 ALU + rotorworkz G-10 frame or cut in the CF frame as I did, se post #124. To cut in the CF frame costed me 9 USD for a original Dremal 540 Cut-Off Wheel mounted on a original Dremel 402 Mandrel.

Bay a Castle Creations Phoenix 85HV, I used this offer wich include the USB link and with free worldwide shipping to $178.95 ,took 5 days:

http://b-p-p.com/proddetail.php?prod...434ea0f62d0d4b

I got a ZPower Z50A-800 motor, the last in stock for a reduced price. But others can bay at:

http://www.tppacks.com/products.asp?cat=10 to $124.95 but for the moment Out of Stock.

or

http://www.infinity-hobby.com/main/p...oducts_id=1903 to $119.99

Or an alternative http://www.infinity-hobby.com/main/p...oducts_id=1355 to $97.78

I think the NEU mid priced motors also is a option to consider.

How much did it cost so far. when I add the prices together I end up with prices in the range from 286 to 308 US$


When designing we have to make compromices. When using lipos the posiblities are very limited, 6S and may be 8S.

with a123 cells from DeWalt packs we must choose between 10s, 12s, 13s, 14s and even 15s. But we have the advatages we can start with 12s and increase the cellcount as our flying skills improve. Where to start, I deceided on 12s.

How much do they cost. I received quantety discount and ended up with free shipping, when I got mine on ebay.com

I payed 450 US$ for 5 DeWalt packs, that is 9 US$ each cell giving 108 US$ pr 12s a123 pack.

If you don´t want to build 3-4 a123 packs from start, you may be can bay some DeWalt packs together with friends or other members in your RC-Club.


So I succeded to get a high quality Castle Creation Phoenix 85HV ESC, A new more powerfull and cooler ZPower Z50A-800 motor together with 2 pcs 12s a123 battery packs, wich I charge in 15 min. for 500 US$.


Expensive? No. An alternative was to bay 2 pcs 6S lipo now for 600 US$, and continue to bay 300 US$ lipos once in a while.

Now I can bay more 108 US$ 12s a123 packs or increase to a higher cellcount if I need. and that for 9 dollar pr cell.


I se the 300 US$ part of it, for the new motor and ESC as an investment, not an expence.

With this investment I can change to a dual 4s or 5s high quality lipo setup if and when my flying skill reach the limit of todays a123 technology. I use the word change, as my new ESC and motor setup actually is the same high voltage setup used by several dual 4s pilots. I will just have to bay the 2 pcs 4s lipos.

2 pcs FLIGHTPOWER 4S EVO25-3700mAh ( total 8S ) only cost a little more than one FlightPower 6S EVO 25 4900mAh, and more important by making it this way, my way, I only begin to use the high priced high quality lipos when my flying skill demand it.

Regards Carsten

With this approch it is possiable to get started with the T-Rex 600 at a cost, not higher than a T-Rex 500 class.

What can make it even more attractive: If Align will introduce new low cost T-Rex 600 ALU or GF kits without motor and ESC. If you agree, I think we shall consider to promote it by make better written instructions and may be even videos for this approch.

I think peoble are reading the T-Rex 600 forum because the want a 600, not a comming 500.

Regards Carsten

[BruceW]

Since most people are following this thread for info on the 500 I thought I'd post a link to another thread with updated info just found over on TheTrexForums site.

There is also info on the release of the 700... possibly around spring 2008.

https://www.helifreak.com/showthread...598#post414598

[fogger]

And more "news"...

http://www.thetrexforums.com/index.php?topic=2287.0

in particular check out Kyna's post.

[LITHIUMSTATIC]

I want to know we havent seen any prototypes.

[BruceW]

It looks like Align is finally letting pictures leak out and we'll probably start seeing videos as well. Its possible that since this is a new design and not a scaled down 600, the early prototypes were constantly changing and something they weren't happy with. Either way, it looks like the flow of pictures will start happening any time now.

If the 500 ends up needing different batteries than two 450 packs in series then I might just go with a 600E on 10S (2x 5s 3300) since I have the area to fly it near my house.

[Finless]

Well if it is 425mm blades (which I was told would really be 450-455mm) then it will fly on 2 3S packs or a 4S pack and even possibly up to 5S. This is what the Lepton can use so it would seem it should work for the 500 as well.

2 3S packs on the Lepton was pretty decent but certianly not a power monger. 4S packs rocked pretty well and 5S was a freakin ROCKET (more than I needed). Thus if the size and weight is that of the Lepton this will probably be the same choices.

Bob

[erniefritz]

just found these pics of the new Trex 500 Canopy

[BruceW]

Originally Posted by Finless

Well if it is 425mm blades (which I was told would really be 450-455mm) then it will fly on 2 3S packs or a 4S pack and even possibly up to 5S. This is what the Lepton can use so it would seem it should work for the 500 as well.

2 3S packs on the Lepton was pretty decent but certianly not a power monger. 4S packs rocked pretty well and 5S was a freakin ROCKET (more than I needed). Thus if the size and weight is that of the Lepton this will probably be the same choices.

Bob

On my 450 I really like the power boost after going with the Scorpion HK2221-8 from the 430L and really don't want to step down from that type of performance. Since my desire is to re-use batteries from the 450 I may have to wait until others (hint hint) test out the power platform and report back if 6s(2x 3S 2200-2500(EVOLite)) is adequate. I might be happy if that provides comparable power between a 430L and 430XL/Scorpion/Neu1107H and flight times are in the 5-8 minute range.

If two 4S packs in series provides a great punch for the 500 I might be tempted to switch my 450 over to run on 4S. These are tough choices and I don't think I'll be one of the first to get the 500.

Uggh, this is going to be tough until more specs comes out.

[LITHIUMSTATIC]

Originally Posted by BruceW

If two 4S packs in series provides a great punch for the 500 I might be tempted to switch my 450 over to run on 4S.

thats going to be to way much. I would think a single 4s 2500mah would be the hot ticket.