550ES vs 50s vs 30

[TheFriendsOfMrGyro]

Hi,

Interested in a stable beginner heli. How does the 550ES compare to 50S nitro or 30 (or Trex 550 for that matter)?
Thanks

[TheFriendsOfMrGyro]

Hi,

Interested in a stable beginner heli. How does the 550ES compare to 50S nitro or 30 (or Trex 550 for that matter)?
Thanks

[Digger1973]

I only have experience with the 450 align. But I will say thundertiger I found to be better all around. It does come down to personal preference though.

Sent from my HTC One V using Tapatalk 2

[GimpyGolden]

Raptor E550 was my first machine.
Super stable and predictable.
Looks like the E550S has improved everything the original was lacking. Will make an excellent beginner through 3D trainer.

I still have my E550 as my night rig. Might update it some with the new lower frame and skids.

[TheFriendsOfMrGyro]

Thanks for the responses.
I have a Trex 450 but it is too agile for my beginner skills, that is why I was considering Raptor 30, which is pretty tame (in PhoenixRC sim at least). Then I saw 50s and then 550ES. I would prefer the ES simply because I do not want to deal with the nitro engine, but stability is the overriding concern.
Another concern is the 140degrees ccpm. My Futaba has 1S, 3S and 3E settings for swash types, would these work with the 140deg ccpm?

[GimpyGolden]

Not sure what radio you have but my Futaba 10C does 135/140, never heard of 1S, 3S or 3E.
If you in a real jam you could but the 90* swash or I'd even trade a brand new metal 90 swash for your brand new 140

Post which radio and I'll DL the manual and have a look.

[TheFriendsOfMrGyro]

Futaba 6EX:
1-S: Independent aileron, pitch and elevator servos linked to the swashplate. Most kits are 1-S type
3-S: With Aileron inputs, the aileron and pitch servos tilt the swashplate left and

right; with Elevator inputs, the three servos tilt the swashplate fore and aft; with Pitch
inputs, all three servos raise the swashplate up and down. (This one has a picture with linkages 120deg apart)
3-E: With Aileron inputs, the aileron and pitch servos tilt the swashplate left and right; with Elevator inputs, the servo tilts the swashplate fore and aft; with Pitch inputs, all three servos raise the swashplate up and down. (This one has a picture with Elevator @ 12 o'clock, Aileron and Pitch @ 3 and 9 o'clock)

[GimpyGolden]

None will work with 140* swash.
3-E is for 90* swash as I described, this was stock setup on the E550.
If you got this swash you'd be set.

3-S can be programmed to work with some mixing as described here on Futaba's website. It will take some work to get any interactions out.
This is the limitations of an entry level radio unfortunately.

[TheFriendsOfMrGyro]

"This is the limitations of an entry level radio unfortunately"
Indeed! Lack of subtrim was really bad when I was building my 450.
Thanks for your input.

[DWSchmidt]

I moved up from a Trex 450 to a Raptor 550E (first gen) and the difference was night and day! If the 450 was " fairly stable", the Raptor was rock solid. Even the guys watching the first time I flew it said they could see the difference. I would highly recommend the 550 as a trainer up through basic 3D trainer. It is larger than most 550 helis ( it's actually kind of a chopped 620) and will easily give 8-9 minute flights with stock motor/ESC, 550 blades and 6S 5000 cells. I still fly it this way and take it to the field almost every time I fly. I've since added a TracX flybarless head and BeastX and it's just as stable, but more maneuverable.

I'm sure the newer version will be just as good and I may also swap out the lower frames to aid battery changes.

D.W.