Help me make a decision!

[Reformed Nitroaddict]

Well - I have finally narrowed it down to one of three planes. Here are my choices....

1. Precision Aerobatics Katana Mini ARF

http://store.xtremercproducts.com/mikapl.html
http://xtremercproducts.com/images/katana.jpg


2. Stevens Aero G-Ride Kit

http://www.stevensaero.com/cart/cart.php?target=product&product_id=152&category_id=2
http://www.stevensaero.com/cart/images/gride-flying.gif


3. E-Flite Mini Funtana ARF

http://www.rchobbies.org/e-flite_funtana.htm
http://h1071118.hobbyshopnow.com/ProdInfo/EFL/250/EFL2075-250.jpg


====================================

I love the Katana - but it aint cheap at 110.00. The G-Ride seems to be my favorite, but I have never built a kit or covered a model before. The MF is of course very popular, but everyone has one and the landing gear are horrible.

Any ideas?

[Jason T]

I haven't flown any of these but the Precision Aerobatics Katana Mini ARF looks the best. :)

[Mike Parsons]

Having flown all three..here is the order I like them best:
G-ride
Katana
Funtana

The G-ride has a very unfair advantage in that it will come in at 10oz less than the other two. If you dont mind building and cover, go with the G-ride. If you dont want to build, then definately go with the Katana.

-Mike

[Reformed Nitroaddict]

Mike - the Katana is just beautiful - but the G-Ride has my heart - much less expensive and can use my 2015 motor.

I am sure I can build it, and would like to try, but am very concerned about covering. I have never done that before, and am very anal when it comes to asthetics. How hard is it? Really....

[NimbleGimbal]

go for the mini katana, and steer clear of the funtana :)

[GWR]

The Fliton "Flubber" and "Jumping Jack" got all of them beat:D

[Mike Parsons]

I am sure I can build it, and would like to try, but am very concerned about covering. I have never done that before, and am very anal when it comes to asthetics. How hard is it? Really....
Building is the fun part :) It will go together in no more than a few nights. On these smaller models, I use Solite. Bill also carries that. It has a good shrink rate, but will not warp the surfaces. If you use anything other than solite or maybe ultracoat lite, they will warp. The covering is very easy to work with. You just have to take the approach of one peice at a time. And dont be afraid to use multiple peices to cover an object.

Here is one of the best threads on covering with Solite that I have encountered and contributed too. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52764 There is lots of information and technique there.

Here is my third or fourth attempt at covering with Solite. This is the .40 size CAP 232 from Stevensaero

[Reformed Nitroaddict]

Mike - I am leaning more and more to the Stevens-aero kits. Your CAP looks great - do you lay the different colors over each other? How does that work?

[Mike Parsons]

Thanks. The colors are actually only overlayed by 1/8th of an inch and then the surface is covered as a whole. For example on the wing: I outline the entire wing shape on a peice of cardboard. I think draw my design on that and cut it out. I then use those as templates to cut out the colors, but increase the overall peice by 1/8". I use a peice of glass to lay the cardboard design under and then just line up the pieces to match the design and go over the overlap with a covering iron. Then the entire sheet gets picked up and layed over the wing. I normally start with the LE and tack the entire thing down. Then pulling the slack out, I tack down the TE and then the ends. Cut the excess off and cover the bottom of the wing (normally solid). Then the entire thing gets hit with a heat gun, being careful not to leave the gun in one place to long or else it will melt the covering.

Single color jobs are much easier. You can also lay over trim peices if you spray water down and treat them like water decals. I just dont like to do this with really large pieces. The silver strip down the fuse was applied like a water decal.

-Mike

[Reformed Nitroaddict]

Hmm - See thats the problem - I'm so picky about my planes that I will have to have some sort of design on them - so a single color won't work, ha ha.

I guess I will just have to bite the bullet - I just hate to spend a couple weeks putting the model together and then messing up on the covering job.

[STLPilot]

I can sell you this one of a kind E Cap for $90! :P

[Jason T]

Mike,

I forgot you had that one. The covering job on it was excellent.

Jason

[Reformed Nitroaddict]

STL - wow - that is really nice - is that a stevensaero kit? Something to consider for me - what are the specs?

BTW - Everyone, I have a recently revived Himax Outrunner 860 that needs a home. Could I use this motor in a G-Ride? Or any other kit that someone would recommend for it?

The motor has a max amps of 8A continuous and 15sec bursts to 12A. So, with a 11.1V pack, would put out roughly 88watts of power. Says the G-Ride should weigh in at 14-16oz. Wonder if this would be enough power?

[Reformed Nitroaddict]

Well - I have decided on the Stevensaero G-Ride kit. This will be my first kit, so while not too concerned about building, I am concerned about covering. I will post photos of the build in a new thread when the kit arrives.

Here is my planned layout - will this work?

Stevensaero G-Ride
Himax 2808-860 Outrunner
GWS 11.1V 1300mah lipo 8C
E-Flite 15A ESC
JR Micro Rcvr w/ 4 GWS Naro servos

Plane has a 36.5 inch wingspan and a AUW of about 15oz. The motor should put out about 95watts of power on a 9x6 APC prop with about 14oz of thrust.

Does everyone think this is sufficient?

[Mike Parsons]

It'll work and give you good sports performance. The verticle will be limited, but it will fly it nice. Look forward to the build :)

[JFGrn]

I can sell you this one of a kind E Cap for $90! :P

Here's a the same Cap for $59! Plus they have another nice number called the
Dragon 3D.

http://www.raidentech.com/4el3dcap232r.html

John

[STLPilot]

Dolp ... oh well. Looks like we've been invaded again. I wonder if he's going to keep it at that price when it comes in stock.

[Fly-n-3D]

I was thinking about the mini Edge for my next plane. It's not out until August though.

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Shop/ByCategory/Product/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFL2225

[Reformed Nitroaddict]

Wow - both of those planes look great. Alot of ARFs out there, but I really want to try my hands at a kit - will allow me something to do for a bit, as I like to build and customize my planes. Plus, the G-Ride is a much lighter plane which will allow me to use the BL that I already have and the batts I already have rather than having to go out and buy new equipment.

[JFGrn]

Have considered the Stella? It's a little more 3D capable then the G-Ride, but can still
hold nice lines when wanted. Best of both worlds.

http://www.stevensaero.com/cart/cart.php?target=product&product_id=6&category_id=2

John

[Reformed Nitroaddict]

JF - Very interesting - for some reason, I thought the Stella was much smaller. I was mistaken. Hmmm.....I will have to do some more research before purchasing on Friday.

[incomming]

cermarks little banshee

[paddyH]

I love my G-Ride :)

http://homepage.mac.com/pharbord/.Pictures/Photo%20Album%20Pictures/2005-02-07%2012.47.58%20-0800/Image-D19195AD794811D9.jpg

[Reformed Nitroaddict]

Paddy - That one came out great! Best G-Ride I have ever seen! What are you powering it with? AUW?

[paddyH]

Thanks, it is definately my best build/finish to date

Initialy powered on standard spec GWS 350 C-C and KAN650 flight pack, flew just fine - just no vertical
Now its got brushless Tornado 2015-4100 (110W) it's got nice raced alloy gearbox
and 3 ratios included (6.6:1, 5.33:1, 4.43:1) matched with Tornado 20amp ESC
currently running 6.6:1 with 9x7 gws slowfly prop, flight pack is 9.6v KAN1050, it peaks at around 14amps static and runs nice and cool, but I should move to LiPo soon

AUW is 11oz without flightpack, 17oz with the KAN1050 (hence move to LiPo)
anyone recommend Lipo for the G-Ride?

[Reformed Nitroaddict]

paddy - that setup is identical minus the batts that I was planning on going to with mine.

Doing measurements and asking around - the best lipo for the plane was a 3S1P pack in either 10C 1500mah, or 12C 1200mah.

My setup was going to be:

Himax 2015-4100 (same motor, diff name)
5.33:1 Gearing
9x6 APC SF prop
1300mah 3S lipo.

Estimating AUW to be about 15oz.

[paddyH]

nice. didn't know the himax and the tornado were the same.
thanks for the LiPo spec. what charger do you use? I don't like spending more than I have to and think there are alot of overly sophisticated models out there. Also bear in mind that we are paying around 1:1 USD to GBP for our kit over here. It's getting better but not quick enough for me

[paddyH]

how do I do the thumbnail image thing? much better than filling the thread with large images

[Reformed Nitroaddict]

paddy - I use the Hobbico MK II, which for 50.00 USD charges lipo, nimh, and nicad - but it isn't the best charger. Works though, and cheap.

I am running the 2015-4100 in my Formosa too, which weighs about 16oz, and am only drawing 10amps with amazing power. If you lowered the amp draw on your G-Ride, you could get the GWS 1300mah 11.1V lipo packs. They only cost 30.00 USD, but are 8C so they can only handle 10.2 amps.

==============================

I like the larger pics you post, but to upload them as thumbnails:

- Goto the "Go Advanced" button instead of quick reply.
- Type message, and scroll down to the "Manage Attachments" button.
- Upload files accordingly.

[paddyH]

Sorry got distracted (we're beating the Ozzies in the Ashes series!! it's been 20 years)

Thank you for the LiPo advice,

take a look at my .mac photo gallery for more pics of the G-Ride
http://homepage.mac.com/pharbord/Gallery/PhotoAlbum48.html

I purchased and was guided by Mark @ http://www.electric-planes.com/
He is (i think) sole UK retailer of Steves Aero kits, he also retails Mountain Models plus some other very nice looking stuff.

Mark has stopped selling the G0Ride in favour of the Stella. He says the Stella is cleaner though the air and a little more accurate (I guess this comes from the size increase)

I think there is a lot of flexibilty in how you prop this model (to fit your style) I'm running a 9x7 gws slowfly, it moves a lot of air fairly quickly and is very cheap

Let us know what you decide

[paddyH]

Hey just checked out the ETana
http://www.electric-planes.com/etana.htm
Does not look quite as nice (cap like) as G-Ride or Stella, but I bet it flies even better???

hope I haven'r made it even harder for you to decide

Hey It's Friday - What did you buy????

[Reformed Nitroaddict]

paddy - Still only 130pm here - will be going to the LHS this evening to pick something.

[electric-planes]

Thanks, it is definately my best build/finish to date

Initialy powered on standard spec GWS 350 C-C and KAN650 flight pack, flew just fine - just no vertical
Now its got brushless Tornado 2015-4100 (110W) it's got nice raced alloy gearbox
and 3 ratios included (6.6:1, 5.33:1, 4.43:1) matched with Tornado 20amp ESC
currently running 6.6:1 with 9x7 gws slowfly prop, flight pack is 9.6v KAN1050, it peaks at around 14amps static and runs nice and cool, but I should move to LiPo soon

AUW is 11oz without flightpack, 17oz with the KAN1050 (hence move to LiPo)
anyone recommend Lipo for the G-Ride?

Hi Paddy!

Thought I'd sign up and join you guys.
With the 9.6V pack and the 9x7 you should comfortably be able to drop to the 5.33:1 gearing; that'll give it a boost. I use that setup on 3 LiPos with a 8.5x8 prop. Goes great.

Mark

[electric-planes]

nice. didn't know the himax and the tornado were the same.
thanks for the LiPo spec. what charger do you use? I don't like spending more than I have to and think there are alot of overly sophisticated models out there. Also bear in mind that we are paying around 1:1 USD to GBP for our kit over here. It's getting better but not quick enough for me

The charger I use is the JP LiPo charger at £15.99.
It works perfectly and is VERY simple to setup, meaning there's less chance of an impromptu BBQ:D .

I have 2 other more elaborate chargers which cost me over £100 each, yet I use my 2 JP chargers almost every time.

Mark

[paddyH]

Hi Mark, pleased you joined us

Nitro - did you get your G-Ride?