 Product Video
Product Review:
Hobby-Lobby Reflex
Perspective By:
Jeremy "Toro" Billeaudeaux
Manufacturer Contact:
Hobby-Lobby International
5614 Franklin Pike
Brentwood, TN 37027
Manufacturer Website:
www.hobby-lobby.com
FlyingGiants Ratings:
| Packaging: |  | | Kit Quality: |  | | Ease of Build: |  | | Huckability: | | | Overall: | | |
As electric models continue to be the nouveau dynamic aspect of our hobby today, we have realized the need for higher performance, lighter, more powerful airframes to keep our souls entertained, and our neurons stimulated. Hobby Lobby has accomplished just that with this little gem appropriately named the Reflex. This little park-flier class built up electric is a performer through, and through, and the ease of construction will place you at the field with in 3-6 hours with a shiny new Hobby Lobby Reflex. The Reflex 3D is an all built up airframe designed by Benoit Paysant-Le Roux, a world- class pilot, and designer. Benoit has done an outstanding job in the design department and Hobby Lobby has followed up with outstanding construction. The airframe is completely laser cut, and is extremely lightweight. The all balsa construction is covered in a lightweight film bringing the airframe to life in a vibrant display of multiple transparent color choices. This little airplanes colors are easily visible in the air, however at high altitudes there may be some disorientation as there is really no opposing color scheme, and the transparency lends to this. This is a small sacrifice for such an outstanding little airplane. The Reflex is a performer. From full 3D rates to tame throws, this little guy is a blast to fly. With recommended setup the airplane showed outstanding power to weight. It was a little bottle rocket when I put the ponies to her. When I slowed it down I noticed that it had very little coupling, hovered very easily, snapped outstanding, and would harrier all day long rock solid. The wing loading is extremely light making this little ship a little susceptible to a breeze greater than 5-7 mph, but a trade off there is it is perfect for large indoor spaces. On 3D rates this thing did it all, blenders, knife-to-knife snaps, endless high alpha knife and so on. On the more tame side of things, this little airplane would be perfect for a novice pilot with some experience. The reflex builds very quickly, and included instruction manual provides step-by-step photos. This little beauty uses the standard four channels: Ailerons (2 servos required), elevator, throttle, and rudder. A radio that is capable of exponential, and endpoint adjustments is a positive here. |
    The Setup included The Reflex, 4 HS 55 servos, 1 Hitec Electron Rx, 1 8 amp Jetti ESC, 1 APC 10x3.8 slow fly propeller, AXI 2208/34 brushless outrunner, and a 3cell polyquest 20c 11.1 v 800 mah battery. Also included with a trick little micro antennae by E flight that cut the length of the receiver antennae by about 20 inches or so.
In the box the Reflex was well packaged, and arrived without a scratch. Everything had its place and was neatly packaged. A full hardware compliment was also included into the kit, including wheels, collars, and gear. This is how she looks out of the package!! What a beauty, I fell in love at this point.
Plane: Hobby-Lobby Reflex
Manufacturer: Hobby-Lobby
Type: Electric Full-fuselage 3D aerobat
Wingspan: 35.5"
Length: 33.5"
Wingarea: 602sq in
Flyingweight: 13.12 oz
Construction of the Hobby Lobby Reflex is very straight forward, and if directions are followed no surprises should sneak up on you. The directions are fairly straight up, however I did notice some translation errors in them. No big deal, I was, as you should be able to follow, and adapt completely to the meaning of the pictures.     Here you can see just how much throw is available from the CA hinges. Not to shabby! The motor mount is very straight forward, and is accomplished by laminating a few pieces of ply and balsa together. It is than adhered to the fuselage by CA, and is re-enforced with cheeks that back up the mount providing a bulletproof connection to the airframe. A receiver cutout is provided in the airframe to really clean up the install of the receiver. It is large enough to handle large receivers, and allowed some area on the top, and sides to provide stowage of wires. Progress to this point was 28 minutes total time of assembly     The landing gear was a spring steel wire type, and is decent for flying off of concrete, or asphalt. A grass landing may cause these to bend or do damage to the airframe. I have flown off of concrete several times without any problems. Motor mounting was accomplished with the included AXI x mount. I secured the brushless powerhouse using microfasetners allen self tapping servo screws, and neoprene backed washers to prevent backout. Once all servos are mounted they are centered, connections are made. Once all connections are made precision centering is accomplished through sub trim settings on your transmitter. The ESC, RX, and battery are all velcroed into place in each pieces
respective area. Securing the battery was the most important as the bay that is cut out for the battery is built to accommodate a large variety of makes and manufactures of batteries. The antennae I used was the E flight "Lightenna" antennae, which shortened the antennae of the electron Rx down to 16 ½ inches. This little antenna still retains 90% of the original range of the receiver. I had no problem during flight tests specking this thing out and still retaining control. Total time of construction = 2 hours and 46 minutes. I didn't even work that fast either.    
Well the time came to put this little gem of Hobby Lobby's into the air. I charged the 800mah pack, and thought I would just see how it did before I really rang it out. I put the plane down, and put the power to it, and HOUSTON we have lift off !!! She went straight up forever. I pulled the throttle to about ¼ and just checked for general trim, and lightness. All's well, with 2 clicks of Right aileron, and 1 click of down. I threw her into a harrier just to see what kind of power was needed to keep it there. Hardly any was required, and it settled nicely and floated softly down like a feather. Brought it right in front and started to hover…. Steady, locked, predictable. It had plenty of rudder authority to straighten her out when she stepped out of line. Started torquen' just to see how she did…. NO problem… 6 torque rolls, and right back to hover… Harrier rolls, without a doubt, were easy as pie. Knife edge, was even easier.       | Hobby-Lobby International
5614 Franklin Pike
Brentwood, TN 37027 www.hobby-lobby.com | |
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