I am a relatively new owner of a 450SA. I have not had a heli for about 12 years and I was barely in forward flight back then. (Concept 30) I set it up with a DX7, DS285s and a 3400G on the tail. I have flown a couple of Blades. What can I say about the 450? Smooooooooth. I have flown this heli in moderate wind, I am getting into faster forward flight with it and having a blast. I use 2070 or 2100 three cells. I fly them for 6-7 minutes and put them on my CellPro. They are at about 50% and recharge in about 15-20 minutes on the 2C auto rate. I have let a couple of the 50 sized gas heli pilots I know fly it. They have both been impressed, much to their surprise. They said it would take them a long time to dial in a gasser as well it flew. You will not be disappointed with it. I have flown about 30 packs through it and the worst mishap I have had is a blade strike on a large Japanese beetle. He went flying and chipped the paint on my blade.
$15 and keep going.
Have fun.