Post by Chris Reibert on Feb 19, 2012 23:48:34 GMT -4
Review: Blade mSR X BNF Version by E-flite
Type: Electric FBL Fixed-Pitch Helicopter
Flying Weight: 1.09oz
Motor Main/Tail: Coreless
Blade Diameter: 7.13 in (181mm)
Tail Blade Diameter 1.46 in (37mm)
Electronics: AS3X Flybarless System
Battery: 3.7v 150mAh 15c
Sport Flight Duration: 4-6 minutes
Manufacturer: E-flite
Available From: www.bladehelis.com
Price: MSRP: BNF $119.99 RTF $149.99
About the Author Chris Reibert: crmodels
I have been in the hobby since I was just six years old back in 1986 when I started flying planes. I got into helicopters in the mid 90’s and have been hooked ever since. I have flown everything from coaxial and fixed pitch to full collective 3D beasts. Once you set foot in this hobby it’s an addiction that never gets old. You will meet many great people along the way and the friendships you will make are Priceless.
Introduction
The main reason I chose to review the new Blade mSR X is because people often ask me what should be their next transition helicopter after they have mastered coaxial helicopters before they enter the world of collective pitch helicopters. I am a firm believer in transitioning between the different types of helicopters to fully understand how they work and operate. It may not be the most cost effective way, but you will greatly benefit from the different types of helicopters. I have seen countless amounts of friends jump right into a full collective helicopter only to destroy it less than 20 seconds into their first hover. I have owned over 10 different Blade line of helicopters over the past few years ranging from a simple MCX to their 450 3D. I have to give E-flite the credit they deserve. They make it Extremely Easy for someone new to the hobby to be flying for minimal starting costs with all their RTF models. I still believe anything over a 450 size helicopter 500 and up should be built by the modeler not a factory. I am currently assisting my father in learning to fly R/C helicopters. He is in the process of transitioning from the Blade MCX into the Blade SR120 along side of using Real Flight 6 Helicopter Edition to practice. I feel confident that come spring he will be ready to jump into his 450 size electric with training gear.
Opening The Box
The mSR X BNF comes in a much smaller box than the RTF version. When you open the box you find the heli packed in a vacuum formed plastic insert to prevent shifting during the shipping process. A separate bag has the manual, CD, and a smaller bag with spare parts and a screw driver. The RTF version comes in a bigger box housing additional items which include the 4channel 2.4gHz radio, batteries, lipo, and lipo charger.
Assembly
The Blade line of helicopters all come preassembled. I still recommend going through the entire model and make sure everything is tight and verify nothing is broken. * Even a blade flying off a small sub micro helicopter can cause serious injury if taken to the eye*
Canopy
The red, black, white, and silver trim scheme in my eyes has been the nicest looking Blade color scheme to date. It is easily visible when flying outside.
Setup
I chose the BNF version because it allows me to use my own radio so I will be able to fine tune the swash plate and other settings to the way I prefer to fly. After charging the battery it was time to bind which is as easy as plugging the battery into the helicopter, turning on my radio while holding the bind button until you hear the servos glitch and then release button. The entire process takes less than a minute. Make sure all the controls are moving in the correct direction. Consult your manual if you have any questions.
Test Flight
With the radio bound and all the controls moving in the right direction it was time for the initial test flight. I slowly increased the throttle and got the helicopter into a hover. I was quite impressed how stable is was and little trimming it needed. Everything seemed smooth and with little adjustment you can get a hands free hover. I think this is due to the newly designed 4-in-1 board that's incorporates the DSM2/X RX, ESC, Servos, and AS3X 3 axis MEMS gyro.
Flying
This little bug has the flight characteristics as its bigger collective pitch siblings as to how it is controlled. I was doing circuits all around my living room and kitchen. You have to remember though as a transition helicopter it is not a stable hands off coaxial helicopter. If it is drifting to one side you will have to counter act your cyclic input to regain level flight. Though it might seem frustrating at first, having to learn these basic controls will further your abilities to transition to a collective pitch helicopter in the future.
Forward Flight- It tracked straight and true right out of the box. I have flown a few FP helicopters over the years and bar none this is the most responsive and aggressive yet. Stable when you want a slow solid hover and right into forward flight with the push on the cyclic.
Cyclic Response- Cyclic response seems crisp and responds just as quick as the MCPX. If it wasn't for the fact I couldn't flip a switch and put her into idle up and fly 3D I would have thought I was flying the MCPX with a different paint and trim scheme.
Collective Management- Being fixed pitch it lacks pitch pump as a collective model but hit that throttle and she gets up and goes. The size and power house of the coreless motors compliment themselves well.
Tail Response- This is perhaps the biggest change from a coaxial helicopter where normally the counter rotating blades change your direction. Here the mixer board controls the speed of a driven motor. Right out of the box I was doing funnels around my living room. Tail blowouts were minimal and far less than the MCPX.
Flight Times- Flight times averaged around 5 minutes with the stock 150mAh battery packs. I was able to stretch out a little more flight time and power using the Hyperion 160mAh 30c packs.
Conclusion
This little helicopter comes in a small package but packs a big punch. I was impressed from the second I put her into its first hover. I really enjoy flying this bird and would highly recommend it to anybody looking to make the transition from a coaxial helicopter. It is very fast and responsive when you want it but dial down the controls and you have a great fixed pitch trainer. If you feel you want something a little bit bigger and more stable I recommend the Blade SR120 which has a flybar. My father has had nothing but good luck with his so far. It is double the size and uses a bigger battery but it does not fly as aggressive as the mSR X. (I attached a picture below)
Pros
- Flybarless
- Fully Assembled
- Newer 4-in-1 Unit
- Batteries are inexpensive
Cons
- Some tail blow outs on hard backwards hurricanes
WILL TRY TO GET PICS AND VIDEOS SOON… Been Snowy
Here is what the Blade SR120 looks like. Its double the size and flybarred.