EXI 450 sized chopper

[CSpaced]

From one end of the spectrum to the other. After being blown away by the performance of the Beam E4, I was shown another 450 sized heli out at the field the other weekend. This is the EXI 450, it is a mix of CNC machined aluminum and plastic with aluminum side frames and it comes with blades. Oh yeah, did I mention it was $99?

I got to see it exactly how it comes in the box, and I was able to pick it up and play with it. All of the moving parts were smooth and there was no slop anywhere. The finish of the parts was equally as good as Align parts. The blades were plastic but a least its something. I gotta say I was impressed with it, and was surprised when I found out the price! It felt like a good solid airframe, and it looks pretty sharp too.

So here is the advertised highlights:

Extreme 3D capability right out of the box
95% factory-assembled
Direct-to-swash CCPM linkages
Stacked aluminum frames
Aluminum and composite swashplate
Tail servo boom mount
Stainless steel tail rotor hub
Belt-driven tail rotor
325mm PRO symmetrical plastic main blades
Auto-rotation system
Gun-metal gray aluminum head block
Gun-metal gray aluminum skids and tail boom

Specs

• Main Rotor Diameter:27.6 in (700mm)
• Tail Rotor Diameter:5.9 in (150mm)
• Gross Weight:22–24 oz (620–680 g)
• Length:25.6 in (650mm)
• Kit/ARF

Check out more here:

http://www.xheli.com/exi-450-arf-rc-helicopter.html

[mickeyo]

So has anybody flown one of these? What is everybody's take on this? What about weight with the aluminum sideframes? Just asking these questions because I'm considering getting one. I also read that it is trex part comatable. It must be just a clone of the trex. Not bad for $99, or is it as the saying goes, you get what you pay for?

[Toro]

everything from swash up looks "TREX"able. Tail probably is too... They probably whoever designed it, took a proven head/tail setup, and put a new set of side frames around it. Even that kind of looks like SE 450V2

[GaryMc]

EXI 450 setup:
Tower SG 90 cyclics.
Tower SG 90 rudder.
Telebee gyro.
Spektrum AR6100e.
Exceed RC Alpha 400 BL with 11T pinion.
Mega Power 2100 15c 3s.

Hovers well. Stable. Have not been outdoors yet.

Kit came with no paperwork - no diagram, no partslist no nothing.

Blades are 32g each and required no balancing.

All fasteners are Phillips screws with trim washers. No socket heads.

QUESTION:
What parts from which T Rex model fit this machine? I.e.
Feathershaft?
Mainshaft?
Main gear?
Flybar and see-saw?
Thanks.