Getting Ready To Buy The HobbyKing Superlight Edge 540EP...

[NFA Fabrication]

This will be my second plane. My first/current plane is an E-Flight Apprentice with a bumch of modifications. I adapted to it quick with the help of the Realflight 6 simulator. I have spent a bunch of time with an Edge 540 3D plane on Realflight 6. The plane I am looking at it located here: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...arehouse_.html

I was also further impressed by it after seeing the review done by the Josh's ovet at Flitetest.com. Here is their review: http://flitetest.com/articles/edge-540/

I am tempted to just follow the HobbyKing recommendation on parts, but the guys at flitetest used different equipment, and the motor they used specifically, now has a dead link on their page that goes to HobbyKing.

This would be my first 3D plane, and I want to do it right. I already have a Spektrum DX8 and AR600 to use in this plane. Or AR8000 more likely if I swap it out with my Apprentice. Looking to do this reasonably inexpensive, and through Hobbyking if possible. They seemed to be happy with the 929, and 939 servo's, and the 60A Plush ESC. But the motor seems to have left the HK inventory.

Any recommendations on how to outfit the motor on this plane? Or any other items I should look to outfit differently?

[JetPlaneFlyer]

NFA,

If considering a plane of this size from Hobbyking then the one you should not overlook is the Slick 360:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...dProduct=20133
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...dProduct=20134

It's slightly larger than the Edge and it does have a few features that set it apart. The main one being that it has proper aerofoil tail feathers. The Edge along with most of the other HK 3D models of this size has flat plate tail surfaces. In addition to improved flying characteristics the aerofoil tails are much stiffer and stronger. The flat plate tails on previous HK 3D planes have been prone to flutter and breakage, the Slick solves that problem. Also the Slick is really a top quality kit, I can testify to this because I have one. Possibly the Edge is just as good but I cant say for sure as I don't have one.

The other thing is you can be 100% sure that the Slick flies awesome:

Michael Wargo Flies The Hobbyking 1300mm Slick

Not trying to put you off the Edge, it will probably be great too.

[JetPlaneFlyer]

If you are committed to an Edge then the Extreme Flight Edge 540 EXP is simply fantastic. A bit more pricey but still excellent value: http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66035

[DanWard]

I love all the 3DHS planes! I'd check them out before I paid freight from HobbyKing on a plane. But that is just my 2 cents and worth exactly that much

[NFA Fabrication]

Originally Posted by DanWard

I love all the 3DHS planes! I'd check them out before I paid freight from HobbyKing on a plane. But that is just my 2 cents and worth exactly that much

The one I originally mentioned ships from the USA, and actually ships from a warehouse that is less than an hour from my house, so it ships for cheap and fast. That other one mentioned by JetPlaneFlyer looks like possibly a slightly better option, but it does not ship from the USA.

On the FlightTest review, they mentioned using a larger motor, but the link they posted was dead. I have been into RC forever, but am reasonably new to planes, and don't know if I should just pick the recommended motor or aim for something a little more powerful like the FliteTest guys did. The goal is to keep this inexpensive, and use Hobbyking parts where possible.

[JetPlaneFlyer]

The recommended motor doesn't look suitable at all. The motor is designed for fitting behind the firewall with the shaft sticking through. The Edge is designed for the type of motor that bolts onto the front of the firewall with a cross-mount. A few people have commented about this problem in the discussion topic for the Edge.

This motor seems like a much better match: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...ner_Motor.html

Either 3 cells with a 13x7 or 14x7 prop or 4 cell with a 12x6.. should go great!

[NFA Fabrication]

Originally Posted by JetPlaneFlyer

The recommended motor doesn't look suitable at all. The motor is designed for fitting behind the firewall with the shaft sticking through. The Edge is designed for the type of motor that bolts onto the front of the firewall with a cross-mount. A few people have commented about this problem in the discussion topic for the Edge.

This motor seems like a much better match: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...ner_Motor.html

Either 3 cells with a 13x7 or 14x7 prop or 4 cell with a 12x6.. should go great!

Thank you very much! I want to keep the project inexpensive, but I don't want it to end up being a pile of ^%$# because of it. The FliteTest guys used 2 HK 929, and 2 HK 939 Servo's and seemed to be happy.

These are the ones they used:

929: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...856&aff=247441

939: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...458&aff=247441

I am a little concerned about the HK servo's because I recently purchased some MG90S servo's from them, and the cases were so fragile, that they can't even be mounted by the mounting ears, they break off with the slightest stress. They are OK for a foamie glue in type operation only.

[JetPlaneFlyer]

Those servos look ok for the price. Use the higher torque ones on the elevator and rudder and the faster ones on the ailerons. You get a nice performance boost in both torque and speed by running the servos on 6V so it's worth buying an external BEC that has the option of 6V operation, such as this: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...23v_Input.html

Alternatively some ESC's might output 5.5 or even 6v from their built in BEC anyway which could mean you could possibly the external BEC out. This ESC looks a good match: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...ontroller.html

[NFA Fabrication]

Originally Posted by JetPlaneFlyer

Those servos look ok for the price. Use the higher torque ones on the elevator and rudder and the faster ones on the ailerons. You get a nice performance boost in both torque and speed by running the servos on 6V so it's worth buying an external BEC that has the option of 6V operation, such as this: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...23v_Input.html

Alternatively some ESC's might output 5.5 or even 6v from their built in BEC anyway which could mean you could possibly the external BEC out. This ESC looks a good match: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...ontroller.html

I already have a spare CC 10A BEC that I plan on using at 6V. Thanks for the input. I should be able to have myself a nice little plane under $200 or close by the looks of it! Need to start filling those model slots on my DX8!

[NFA Fabrication]

After a little more research, it is looking like a better idea to go with the 3D Hobbyshop 48" Edge 540. It is only $45 more, has parts available, and has much better reviews overall:

http://www.3dhobbyshop.com/48-Edge-5...e_p_15959.html

Being the same size, I am assuming that many of the recommended electronics would be equally suitable for this plan. Thoughts?

[dahawk]

NFA,

I'm not a 3D guy but for what its worth virtually every member of our club that flys 3D, goes with 3DHS. Sad that they moved their shop from Austin to PA. I've looked at them up close and the quality is excellent from the airframe to the covering. Very professional.

Good luck !

Hawk