New Align 550L

[Lee2782]

Just found these pictures on Facebook of a new 550L

[Bonkievan]

. Sounds about right......Just after I've bought the Pro.

I like the sliding batt tray. Should sort the CoG issues out, one would hope.

[HeliAxe]

Originally Posted by Bonkievan

. Sounds about right......Just after I've bought the Pro.

I like the sliding batt tray. Should sort the CoG issues out, one would hope.

Let's hope they do get the CoG correct this time round.

Ordinary canopy BTW.

[Luigi_tuga]

Still looks heavy, and in the youtube footage i seen, also flies heavy, this without canopy...

[fcveras]

owowo just give me one to test... hehehe

[MikeG4936]

YESYESYES.... I have been waiting for a 550 dominator for almost a YEAR now. Finally!! My wallet is going to hate me!!

[Revenant759]

Originally Posted by Bonkievan

. Sounds about right......Just after I've bought the Pro.

I like the sliding batt tray. Should sort the CoG issues out, one would hope.

Seriously. My 550 pro hasn't even been in the air yet. Oh well, when I smash the frame... and.. well everything else on it I'm sure I'll try and move any compatible parts over

[Lee2782]

Originally Posted by Luigi_tuga

Still looks heavy, and in the youtube footage i seen, also flies heavy, this without canopy...

Do you have a link for the YouTube video?

[Luigi_tuga]

Do. It's the chinese Youtube, thought
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNzIwNDY2ODY0.html

[Funky]

I don't get it. If anyone wants a dfc with a sliding battery tray, get a 600dfc and put 550 blades on it. My align 550 and 600 look identical with the canopies on (besides color scheme). They are both the same length and height with identical size size canopies. My 550 weighs a pound less with the same head, tail, boom, supports, etc on both helis. The only difference between models anymore was the main frame and blade size. The current 550 dfc is a very good balance of overall power to weight for 6s packs with a very simple/cheap design. It can also fit odd shaped packs that other 550s won't accept between the frames. Personally, I prefer the old model (besides the DFC head).

I have a Logo and Synergy e5 with lipos that fit between the frames. It works but also makes swapping lipos a bit more of a task between flights. It is not so bad that I don't like the models, but it is a slight annoyance. Luckilly I am not running trays on my 550s so swapping packs between models is easy. I have 3 700s and a 600 with lipo tray setups. I would rather have lipos with no trays so I could easilly swap lipos between my helis that are the same size especially with the larger more expensive lipo sizes.

[MikeG4936]

Originally Posted by Funky

I don't get it. If anyone wants a dfc with a sliding battery tray, get a 600dfc and put 550 blades on it. My align 550 and 600 look identical with the canopies on (besides color scheme). They are both the same length and height with identical size size canopies. My 550 weighs a pound less with the same head, tail, boom, supports, etc on both helis. The only difference between models anymore was the main frame and blade size. The current 550 dfc is a very good balance of overall power to weight for 6s packs with a very simple/cheap design. It can also fit odd shaped packs that other 550s won't accept between the frames. Personally, I prefer the old model (besides the DFC head).

Well, if the 600 works well with 550 blades, why not make it lighter/design it specifically for one 6S pack? Plus, it also gives them a chance to rework and optimize the gearing for the 730MX motor. That's what I was waiting for.... I, for one, can't WAIT to buy a 550L!

[Funky]

Just my opinion on the models. I know many disagree and like tray setups. I think the current model is already on the edge of a good 550 weight, I wouldn't add any more without expecting a performance drop. I edited my post a bit to help explain why I prefer the current model and dislike tray setups.

[AlvaSpeed]

I can bet that the current Pro is lighter than the upcoming 550L.
I is a very minimalistic heli. And flies well.

[willy000]

Originally Posted by Lee2782

Just found these pictures on Facebook of a new 550L

I wonder if that L means its longer than the 550 DFC and PRO DFC with the 600 booms.
Maybe its a 570 like the Goblin.

[FNFAL]

I suppose change for change sake sells helis...and other things. Can you tell I'm a Luddite of sorts? I see limited benefit of a sliding battery tray for single lipo birds. The 550 is on the boarder for that, but part of its charm IS the single lipo option.

I do think I see a pinion support, which would be nice. And servo layout looks more natural. Getting away from that terrible bottom canopy latch is also good. But is it worth upgrading the predecessor over with all the wonderful aftermarket bling parts that's been out there for a while now...I wouldn't just yet.

And I still can't get used to that funky "plastic Jimmy Durante nose" receiver mount up front. I'm not a fan of plastic and the integration of it within a cf frame. And putting the heavier lipo at the bottom and the lighter motor at the top will lower cg and away from the disc.

But I'm sure they'll sell a ton....

[EdmHeliV]

I would like to be able to change batteries without having to take the canopy off!!

[ReadyToCrash]

i heard of some changes on 600efl too.
did you guys?

[AlvaSpeed]

Is it me or the "ALIGN" stamped on the frame is backwards?

[DCflyer]

Originally Posted by AlvaSpeed

Is it me or the "ALIGN" stamped on the frame is backwards?

Wouldn't worry about it - its likely a pre-production test model.

It was only a matter of time before Align revamped the 550 to match the rest. Good move on their part - the 550 was in desperate need of an update - not a new version - a redesign is what I mean.

The top mounted motor, servo layout, and ESC front tray are great improvements over the old clunky design. Then you have the sliding battery trays. Awesome. The batteries being positioned toward the center mast of the heli will give it a much more athletic feel, keeping all the weight centralized, rather than as far forward as possible like before. Elevator flips and piro moves should feel much more organic.

A little extra weight for these changes is welcome in my book. Like I said in another thread, all these new kits with low Kv motors are PERFECT for a 7S or 8S setup. As long as you have an ESC/motor that can support that voltage, I think a setup like that will be more common on these new kits to counteract any additional weight.

[Atomic Skull]

Originally Posted by Lee2782

Just found these pictures on Facebook of a new 550L

Looks like the airframe is basically a 550-ized 600 E Pro which means it's going to be even heavier than the current 550 which is already overweight for it's class.

Originally Posted by DCflyer

Wouldn't worry about it - its likely a pre-production test model.

It was only a matter of time before Align revamped the 550 to match the rest. Good move on their part - the 550 was in desperate need of an update - not a new version - a redesign is what I mean.

The boom mount and gears look to be exactly the same though and out of everything on the 550 and 600E Pro those are in most need of an update. The drive train on the Trex 550/600 is a decade old now and woefully inadequate for the kind of loads it's being asked to bear with modern power systems.

The RJX X-Treme 600 I just built has a 14mm thick CNC slant maingear an 8mm thick mod 1 CNC auto rotation gear and a steel front drive gear. Align needs to implement a drive system more like this one.



The auto rotation hub has two radial bearings, one on each side of the OOB and the auto rotation hub has pinch bolts that clamp it to the one way bearing cover. Also instead of a 3mm jesus bolt it uses two M4x8 bolts that thread into a tapped hole in the mainshaft.



This is the front drive gear and pulley. I bought the belt version but there is also a TT version which uses a single piece gearbox for the front TT gears. The front drive bearings are 6x19x6 compared to the 4x9x4 bearings Align uses and as I mentioned earlier the spur gear is steel.