Comet 500 or Genius 490DX

[menaceman2424]

First off I would like to say that this seems like it is going to be a great site for all heli enthusiasts, newb's and pro's alike :D . I didn't see any of these brands in this thread description so I hope you don't mind me posting this here.

Anyways I am stuck between getting a Comet 500 or Genius 490DX (for those of you who may be new to the heli world like me, there are allot of brands out there replicating the successful design of the T-Rex and calling it their own, and because they are new company's their products are cheap and the Comet and Genius are two of those company's). I hope I don't get too flammed for wanting either of these, but my parents won't let me spend that much money to begin with, and a T-Rex SE is too much money in the eyes of my parents.

I have read good and bad things about the Comet and I haven't really read that much about the Genius (I'm assumong these are relatively new to the market). I have read that the electrical connectors are very poor quality on the comet and it seems some people have been having problems with the tail case too. The only thing I've read about the Genius is that it can use some parts from the T-Rex. Is that true, and if so what parts can it use?

Basically if any of you have any of these birds it would be cool if you could answer these questions or point me in a direction where I can find these answers:

1. How is the fit and finish of all the parts?

2. Can any broken parts be replaced with T-Rex parts?

3. If you bought it as a total package, where did you buy it, what parts(i.e. servo's, gyro, reciever) were included, and how did they work for someone who is begining to learn how to fly a heli?(I will probably buy a total package to get started and upgrade later)

4. How does it fly?

[balance_mind]

Hi

At a first look, the Genius seems like a good alternative for the TrexSE. It has the carbon fiber main frame, CNC parts which looks very much similiar to the SE with a very good price.

An online store used to have the info but they have removed it and not selling them anymore. However, I saw an ebayer selling them with the spare parts some time back.

Frankly if you do get the Genius, you might face spares replacement availability now other than the ebayer. Basic electronics you can still replaced them easily but the parts like rotor head etc you might not. It's still a question if other similar parts can replaced it or interchangeable and you can only know with a trial and error method with not much people to ask around. Not many has this heli to comment I guess.

Performance wise, I'm not too sure other than viewing a demo video. The flight video did not have much other than some basic
maneuvers.

Most importantly I guess is the support. No support especially for newbie might get frustrated and given up the hobby at the end.

Would suggest you get the Trex if you want that enormous support Start off with the XL and upgrade later if the initial cost for the SE is too high for your parents comfort. Or explained to them the pros on starting a good heli with great support.

Hope the above helps

[menaceman2424]

Thanks balance_mind that did help!!

Fortunately I have found a site to get all the parts, although they have to send them from Hong Kong. Hopefully more people will start selling their parts in time to come.

As for all the support.............there isn't much, but I did find a guy on another forum who has one and he seems to be extremely happy with it expect for a few minor problems. Right now I am waiting to hear from the people who made the Comet 500 to see if any of the T-Rex parts can be used on the Comet. If so then the deal is sealed. Luckily since the Comet is almost an exact replica of the T-Rex SE, I plan on running into many of the same problems that the guys with T-Rex's have, and I can just learn from there.

[balance_mind]

Hi menaceman

Saw a comet thread before but can't remembered where

Whichever you get, do check all the assemblies before you fly.

To me, RTF simply means you get everthing to fly but not necessary set up well to fly. Checked those screws. The last thing you want is having parts flying all over the places in the air and crashed.

[swatson144]

phil_3d wrings one out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lePuGYDlyR8&mode=related&search= so it can't be but so bad.

It's a lot of heli for a 1st machine.

No matter what you pick the rubber meets the road on repair parts prices and availability. So check them carefully and compare against Trex. Saving money on the initial purchase isn't a real good idea if your cost per crash is gonna be 25$ more. You'll probably hammer it pretty hard when you start learning (after hovering).


I have no experience with either and just wanted to point out a few generic thoughts.

Steve

[menaceman2424]

Thanks guys for the comments.

I didn't mention this, but I have been learning to fly on a Blade cx for the past 2 months and I can easily fly in circles around myself and I have basically mastered all the capabilities of the blade and I am ready for a bigger, stronger, and faster heli.

[swatson144]

Thanks guys for the comments.

I didn't mention this, but I have been learning to fly on a Blade cx for the past 2 months and I can easily fly in circles around myself and I have basically mastered all the capabilities of the blade and I am ready for a bigger, stronger, and faster heli.

I don't want to be negative but everytime I hear that it seems to be just before someones life gets very interesting!

Look up "Radd's school of rotary flight" and read it (if you have already in the past it'd be good to read it again" The coaxials teach a good bit of orientation but not much on how an inherently unstable heli reacts. The time invested in starting at square one trumps the money invested in repairs.

Many people start with a mini aerobatic heli as the first, so it is doable. I just don't want you thinking "I am the heli master" pop it in the air 20' and have some very brief but serious excitement, followed by the experience of shopping for your first repair parts.

Steve

[menaceman2424]

LOL thanks for the heads-up but I in no way intend to fly the Comet as I fly the blade right now. I will start with it like I did with the Blade. I myself have read of too many stories of people who did what you just mentioned and had a nice repair bill of over $150 on the first flight.

Plus I have flown a friends T-Rex and I know how much different it is, and how easy the coaxial is to fly. I was just pointing out that I am not a complete flying newb, but I am in no way a "heli master".

[swatson144]

Cool, Sounds like you are going have big fun. Giving Miss Fortune a hug and not meeting misfortune. :lol:

Have the big fun. Work hard to buy new toys and make sure your home to fly in the late evening when the wind lays.

Steve

[menaceman2424]

Well I got the Comet 500 and here are some pics:

This is not the final position of anything. The RX will be going as far back as possible, gyro under the boom, and the wires will be routed neatly. I also have two more HS-65 MG's coming so I only have one in the pics:

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/6171/p1040046ol0.jpg

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/8180/p1040048qd6.jpg

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/327/p1040049wu6.jpg

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/5599/p1040050tf6.jpg

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/6835/p1040052rm7.jpg

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/6545/p1040054qc6.jpg

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/9281/p1040055xb9.jpg

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/5521/p1040056ew2.jpg

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/2301/p1040057re0.jpg

[eddiemoth]

Wow, this is like a pice of jewlery. I don't see any plastic here on the head assembly. Not sure if it is me but do you think it looks like Trex? Now I know why you asked question #2. Keep us posted as you build and progess.