There are a lot of people out there who cannot afford to fly the more expensive top of the line models. For this market XHeli.Com has cornered the market with their beginner RTF RC Helicopters. They say they are the largest retailers of RC Helicopters online. I have seen hundreds of ads for their website on-line and we decided to pick up on of their top 450 RTR 3D helicopters and do a review.
Their new flagship helicopter is the 2.4Ghz GENESIS 450PE RTF CCPM 3D RC Helicopter. We received a complimentary machine to do an unbiased review. In the following review we will outline instructions, build, parts quality/fit, durability, tun-ability, overall performance and value.
Genesis 450PE Model Specifications:
- Class: 450
- Build: CRTF (Completely Ready To Fly)
- Blade Size: 325-350mm
- Level: Beginner
- Frame Material:Aliminum
- Frame Type: Stacked
- Servo to Swash Linkage: Direct
- Servo Size: Micro
- Rotor Grips: Metal
- Head Block: Metal
- Links: Ball
- Swash: Metal
- Swash Type: CCPM 120°
- Tail Drive System: Belt Driven
- Tail Pitch Slider: 2 point
- Tail Blade Grips: Metal
- Tail Case: Metal
- Boom Struts: Carbon
Instructions — Score: 7
Since this is a READY TO FLY helicopter they actually only include what they called a “PILOT HANDBOOK” which outlines:
- Introduction
- Warnings
- Lithium Polymer Battery Warnings
- General Inspection Before Flights
- Blade Tracking
- Basic Adjustment and Tuning
- Controlling The Helicopters
- Advanced Adjustment & Tuning
- 3D Aerobatic Flying
Included is also a LIPO Battery warning sheet and an ESC programming instruction manual.
All of the included documentation looked great and was easy to understand as well. The only shortfall, which is major in our opinion, was the lack of an assembly or parts diagram in case you need to repair the helicopter and/or order parts.
Build — Score: 8
Since this is a RTF I will not be able to give you the low down on how easy it went together but I will give you our opinion on HOW it was put together at the factory. During our tear down everything was put together properly and using blue locktite. The only issue we had was with the blade tracking which we adjusted after the first flight or two. We were concerned that the wiring was held on using zip ties which on nitro helicopters can cause the wire coverings to be cut by vibration. We didn’t change them ourselves but if we were to keep this machine we would replace the zip ties with wax string or some other tie down method.
I believe the only issue we had with the factory build overall was that the landing skids were not glued into the struts and the blades needed tracking in flight. Other than that it was put together as well as can be expected.
The RTF kit contains the following:
- 2.4G Genesis 450PE RC Helicopter (100% Assembled RTF) ‘Fully Loaded Premium Edition’ by Exceed RC
- Alpha 400 Brushless Motor 3500KV
- 30A Volcano Series Speed Controller Fusion Power
- Professional Head-Lock Gyro
- 3S1P 11.1V 1800mAH LiPo Battery
- 4 9G Servos
- 2.4 GHZ Digital 6 Channel Multifunctional Exceed R/C Transmitter
- TX Cable + Programming Software
- Main Blade Holder
- Cable Ties
- English Manual
- LiPo Battery Charger NOT Included. Sold Seperately.
Parts Quality/Fit/Durability — Score:7
Parts quality and durability is the same you have come to expect from the original Align T-Rex 450 heli since most of the parts are very similar or identical in design. The frames are alum instead of carbon fiber, so in the event of a crash there is more chance you will bend the aluminum. Which could possibly be fixed, or might need to be replaced. The head is 100% aluminum, so it will stand up better in a crash compared to a mostly plastic head. You can expect the normal replacement parts like spindle, main shaft, flybar, and ball cups. The quality of the head pieces is good, there is some slop in the washout arms I noticed, but fairly typical for 450 heli’s. The same goes for the tail assembly.
Overall Performance — Score: 6
This is an exceptional helicopter for the price. The overall performance for a starter machine is more than adequate for the novice flier but many intermediate and advanced pilots will not find this machine’s flight performance and characteristics on par with more expensive machines like the Outrage G5, Align T-Rex 450 and the Next-D Rave. The slower servos, lower headspeed and soft dampening make precision flying difficult but this performance is on par with a machine in its usage class and price category.
Value — Score:9
While the Genesis doesn’t have the top of line electronics included in the kit, however for the price of the kit what is included is a very good deal.
Verdict — “Best 450 you can get for $329.00 RTF”
The Genesis 450PE is a bargain hunters dream blowing away any other helicopter in its PRICE class. To get an Align T-Rex 450 or a Next-D Rave you would have to pay well over $1,500.00 to get you flying. Here a complete novice could get up and running in a day for just $329.00. Amazing.
Price as tested was around $329.00 USD.
Available at XHeli.Com for $329.00 USD.
More information on this helicopter is available here.
One thing missing from the review: X-Hei says: “The installed mixing board controls mixing of the main and tail rotors. The board also contains speed controls, a external gyro for tail stabilizing and a BEC circuit that supplies power to the receiver and servos”. Does this mean I can’t pull out the receiver and use my own radio?