This is my first review on this website so please let me know any comments or suggestions.
Disclaimer: This is my first 450 sized Heli, I know there are a lot of brands but I chose to go with Align for my first Heli.
As a quick overall review of the Heli I would say that it is a 9/10 for quality of the kit.
The largest problem with the kit out of the box is that the screws that the bird comes with are junk, (they strip out too easy) and has way too small of a diameter alan key. Other than that the kit is very nice.
For the ease of build I would rate this kit at 8.5. It is fairly straightforward as long as you pay attention to the correct bag of parts as well as using the correct screws. I have embedded a timelapse build of the Bird below.
As you can see, the Heli goes together quite easily, especially for a first time build. It took me about 8 hours of full setup to get it working properly.
Time for the 3GX. This is a pretty good Flybarless unit, it actually preforms exceptionally well, but there is one huge problem with it. The software.
The software seems to be extremely picky, at least the latest version of it does. It has trouble connecting to the 3gx a lot of the time and crashes often. BUT when you do get it to work properly the programming is quite simple, just a bunch of sliders with captions that tell you exactly what everything does.
Another tihng about the 3GX is that it will accept a satellite rx module from spectrum/jr If you wanted to get by without a RX. But, you have to have a transmitter that allows you to reassign channels because spectrum likes to have gyro gain on channel 5 but the 3gx requires it to be on channel 6, so that is a plus and a minus because if you have a DX8 it works perfectly but if you have a dx6i you have to have a full RX module.
The Flybarless Head is also very "Crash Friendly". By that, I mean that there are very few parts to replace in a crash. I have had one bad crash with this so far and all that broke was the main blades, main shaft, feathering shaft, and main gear. I think the total cost of the crash was $35-40, and that is pretty good for a helicopter.
I would like to thank Freddy Cordova aka Freddy can fly on youtube.
He has an amazing video series on how to setup your 3GX every single step is covered.
Just a picture of the final build. I think it looks really nice
This picture shows where I have my Futaba Rx on the left of the picture.
The 3GX
The DFC Main Head is amazing it's extremely streamline as well as super simple to fix.
Showing the low CG of the DFC Head.
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Frank
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The main reason I decided to go with align is because I am extremely fortunate to have a local hobby shop that stocks all the major Heli brands. They are compleately online based aswell and have amazing customer service as well as fast shipping check them out! http://www.experiencerc.com/
I was also told that the build quality in the head, and shafts was what made it the beast that it is.
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As to the screws, yep, they could have been better.
But i think you are too "frightend" than anything will seperate in mid air flight.
A.) They must only bee tightended to a point where the Tool dosn't "bite" in the socket, AT ALL.
B.) Only tighten them to secure the mounted parts. Use "medium" strenght treadlock (Blue) to secure the screws from Falling out.
As to treadlock, use it with great care, it only has to go in between the treads, not anywhere else, and only where a metal screw goes into metal Mount. Not where plastic or carbon is the materials.
But a nice job there.
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I have build a T-Rex 450 Pro ver 1.A Lynx framed 450 Pro with version 1 1/2 tail, a T-Rex 600 Pro, and a SAB Goblin 700.
So i think i qualifi to know my ways arround them. ;-)
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I unfortunately made the mistake while building this to use the included thread lock (Red ) so that was my main problem when it came to stripped screws. I have replaced all the bearing block screws with higher quality ones just so I know I can get the thing apart.
I also just got home from IRCHA so keep a lookout for that video in a short while.
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