CLSSY56
07-30-2009, 02:58 PM
E-Flite
Blade CX-3 RTF
http://www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=11&pictureid=121
Although this helicopter has been out for a while, I thought I would do a review from a different perspective. I've been flying the mCX for a few months now, buzzing around the living room. Feeling it's time to move foward, I bought a used CX-3 off of CraigsList. It's a larger sized micro coaxial helicopter then it's little brother the mCX.
http://www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=11&pictureid=122
The RTF comes with everything needed to fly, including DSM2 transmitter and receiver. Although it is based on the CX/CX2, it brings a Heading Hold gyro new to the table, along with a new scale body based on a MD 520N. (Fun Fact: The tail number N200MP, on the CX3, is actually a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air.)
http://www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=11&pictureid=125
Pre-Flight
I bought this knowing that it did drift to the right. Being a perfectionist, I decided to tackle this by adjusting the swash plate. After several tries of removing the body, adjusting and reinstalling the body, I decided to try to adjust it with the body off. This was a mistake as the CG is different. After learning that lesson, I got rather good disassembling the CX3 down to the core which is necessary to remove it from the body. I got it pretty dialed in so that the trims where near center.
FLIGHT
Although being more sensitive to stick movements, the CX3 flies just like the mCX (I should say that the other way around since the CX came first). I was able to hover it and fly it around my garage with ease. Next I decided to take it outside to see how the forward fight was like. I guess by design of the coaxial blades, forward flight between the CX3 and mCX seemed to be about the same, perhaps scale to size between the two. The CX3 however is still pretty much an indoor heli as any slight breeze will overcome the forward flight. I did a few laps around the back yard and then asked my wife to take some pics. When she walked out we ended up with a slight breeze every now and then. I decided to go ahead to get pics for the review. If you notice, I have the nose into the wind, which was too much for the heli to handle.
http://www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=11&pictureid=123
I brought it around for a closer photo op, but the wind/heli had decided on something different. It was drifting almost into my smoker grill, so in turn, I landed it quickly. The lower blade hit the concrete edge and shattered one tip.
CONCLUSION
This is a very nice heli and a good transition, however, I feel like I may out grow it quickly. It does take a little more concentration compared to the mCX as it's a larger heli and more costly to repair. With being larger, it will either do damage to the CX3 or the object it hits. I do feel that this is a closer step towards a full fledged heli, but due to the size, it might not be the best choice for everyone. I'm anxious to get my Blade CP Pro a new lipo and give it a shot soon, so stay tuned for an upcoming review.
Good Luck and Happy Flying!
:RC_Plane_Red:
:RC_Man:
Blade CX-3 RTF
http://www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=11&pictureid=121
Although this helicopter has been out for a while, I thought I would do a review from a different perspective. I've been flying the mCX for a few months now, buzzing around the living room. Feeling it's time to move foward, I bought a used CX-3 off of CraigsList. It's a larger sized micro coaxial helicopter then it's little brother the mCX.
http://www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=11&pictureid=122
The RTF comes with everything needed to fly, including DSM2 transmitter and receiver. Although it is based on the CX/CX2, it brings a Heading Hold gyro new to the table, along with a new scale body based on a MD 520N. (Fun Fact: The tail number N200MP, on the CX3, is actually a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air.)
http://www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=11&pictureid=125
Pre-Flight
I bought this knowing that it did drift to the right. Being a perfectionist, I decided to tackle this by adjusting the swash plate. After several tries of removing the body, adjusting and reinstalling the body, I decided to try to adjust it with the body off. This was a mistake as the CG is different. After learning that lesson, I got rather good disassembling the CX3 down to the core which is necessary to remove it from the body. I got it pretty dialed in so that the trims where near center.
FLIGHT
Although being more sensitive to stick movements, the CX3 flies just like the mCX (I should say that the other way around since the CX came first). I was able to hover it and fly it around my garage with ease. Next I decided to take it outside to see how the forward fight was like. I guess by design of the coaxial blades, forward flight between the CX3 and mCX seemed to be about the same, perhaps scale to size between the two. The CX3 however is still pretty much an indoor heli as any slight breeze will overcome the forward flight. I did a few laps around the back yard and then asked my wife to take some pics. When she walked out we ended up with a slight breeze every now and then. I decided to go ahead to get pics for the review. If you notice, I have the nose into the wind, which was too much for the heli to handle.
http://www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=11&pictureid=123
I brought it around for a closer photo op, but the wind/heli had decided on something different. It was drifting almost into my smoker grill, so in turn, I landed it quickly. The lower blade hit the concrete edge and shattered one tip.
CONCLUSION
This is a very nice heli and a good transition, however, I feel like I may out grow it quickly. It does take a little more concentration compared to the mCX as it's a larger heli and more costly to repair. With being larger, it will either do damage to the CX3 or the object it hits. I do feel that this is a closer step towards a full fledged heli, but due to the size, it might not be the best choice for everyone. I'm anxious to get my Blade CP Pro a new lipo and give it a shot soon, so stay tuned for an upcoming review.
Good Luck and Happy Flying!
:RC_Plane_Red:
:RC_Man: