[B]New Parkzone Habu Jet[/B]

[flyingwing12]

New Parkzone Habu Jet


Why is this simple new jet $399

It makes no sense, i could make one myself, which i already have one, for about 70 dollars!.

WHY OH WHY IS IT SO EXPENSIVE!!!!

[Thomas B]

You are not just buying an airframe, you are buying a larger that typical foam EDF model that is fully equipped with a 2.4 rx unit that is ready to bind and fly. Look at the included equipment list below...there is NO WAY you can do that for 70 bucks.

Key Features:

E-flite BL15 3200Kv brushless ducted fan motor with E-flite Delta-V™ 15 ducted fan unit (installed)
E-flite 60A Pro with Switch-Mode BEC ESC (installed)
AR500 DSM2 5-channel sport receiver (installed)
4S 14.8V 3200mAh 30C Li-Po battery (included)
Variable rate 3- to 4-cell DC Li-Po balancing charger (included)
Full 4-channel control, includes fully functional rudder
Wing and airframe design optimized for a wide flight envelope
Silver Z-Foam™ construction
Removable landing gear

(it does not list servos, but they are included as well)

A plug and play version where you add your own RX and Lipo battery and charger is 100 bucks less, at 299.99

If you want to do all your own equipment, take a closer look through the information at Horizon: you will be able to buy an unpainted replacement airframe only for just 75 bucks......seems fair to me.

Some people just do not understand and all foamie models are not created equal........

[elfwreck]

New Parkzone Habu Jet


Why is this simple new jet $399

It makes no sense, i could make one myself, which i already have one, for about 70 dollars!.

WHY OH WHY IS IT SO EXPENSIVE!!!!

Hey now,
Well, I have to say, I'm impressed. You can and have made an equivelent model for only seventy bucks. Wow dude, molding the foam, building the ducted fan unit, motor, servos, ESC, reciever, battery and charger? All on your lonesome? Damn! You're good!

Myself? While I can cut foam or build up from wood or glass I can't mold foam. I'm not up to designing and building my own electronics either, especially making the plastic cases for those bits. So I buy that stuff. Not wanting cheap gear; stepping ESCs, jittery, double centering servos, low effciency drive systems, out of balance rotors and all I figure I gotta spend a fair buck to get them.

WeMoTec fan unit $70. HET 6904 fan-$50 (pick one)
Motor; $50-$150
Reciever; $45-$80
Servos; $26 x 4= $104
60 amp ESC; $135 (CC Phoenix)
4S-3200 LiPo $125 or more.
Charger; I paid $110 for a TP610 recently...
Nopw I just have to figure the cost of the airframe it self. Still, anybody can do all this for a mere seventy dollars with *decent* equipment deserves a medal. Of course if they're using garbage equipment they should be thropwn off of the the airfield for endangering fellow modellers.
High preformance models can't afford iffy gear, too dangerous.

RobII

[Xpress..]

New Parkzone Habu Jet


Why is this simple new jet $399

It makes no sense, i could make one myself, which i already have one, for about 70 dollars!.

WHY OH WHY IS IT SO EXPENSIVE!!!!

Well, I guess they could ship you a box full of the foam beads used to make Z-foam, and you could make it on your own using your own modls...

But seeing as there is already a PnP version for almost an on existent fraction of the cost of making your own molds, I think I'll buy that ;)

Also: READ the specs!!! One can find out why a plane costs so much if they just read the specs ;)

[mickydee]

Hi guys,

I have the E-Flight Hawk which uses an E-Flight 60 amp brushless speed controller, E-Flight brushless motor, and fan. This is the same stuff included with the Habu. Factor in the five servos included in the plug and play version of the Habu that sells for $299.99 and you are getting the airframe for less than $100.00. That does not sound unreasonable to me.

Mickydee

[flyingwing12]

but they thing is that its so expensive and a jet from nitroplanes is almost 200 dollars less!!!!

DAMNED NAME BRANDS!!!

[jasmine2501]

but they thing is that its so expensive and a jet from nitroplanes is almost 200 dollars less!!!!



That is because it's crap quality stuff and in a whole different size class. The motor on the PZ is $80 already, and E-flite makes some questionable stuff for sure, but their motors are always good. This is a larger EDF too - it's 920mm wing span! If you look at the Nitroplanes F4, which is one of the $200 ones (on sale) - it's only 540mm, and that is a huge difference where jets are concerned. The Nitroplanes F4 flies on a small 3-cell battery, and the PZ jet needs a 4-cell with 3 times the capacity - no crap-quality little battery is going to handle the BL-15 motor. There's tons of reasons to justify the price of the PZ kit, and at $299 for the receiver-ready version, I'd say it's competitive pricing too.

[Xpress..]

^What do you want? QUALITY components that are GUARANTEED to work on an airframe that has been TESTED to fly SOLID, or an iffy flying plane, that's had minimal testing, and is all hyped up using components that are sub par?

I think i'll take the jet made to fly, not the lawn dart ;)

[Thomas B]

but they thing is that its so expensive and a jet from nitroplanes is almost 200 dollars less!!!!

DAMNED NAME BRANDS!!!

your original issue was that you could make it for just 70 bucks....:) Looks like you abandoned that point.

Now you are comparing it to a low end Nitroplanes jet with a lower power system that is no way the equal of the Eflite offering.

The reason it costs mort is because it offers more value...it is just that simple. All PnP models are not created equal, period.

If you think the Habu is the same thing as a 180 dollar entry level chinese jet, you simply do not understand what you are talking about.

[WJCJR1]

Of course if they're using garbage equipment they should be thropwn off of the the airfield for endangering fellow modellers.
High preformance models can't afford iffy gear, too dangerous.
RobII
I see this all too often iffy equipment/poor sloppy build to just have it spiral down into the ground, come back the next day do it again etc. This point can not be iterated enough, one time someone getting whacked and fun's over! I have no quarrerls paying for quality equipment.


^What do you want? QUALITY components that are GUARANTEED to work on an airframe that has been TESTED to fly SOLID, or an iffy flying plane, that's had minimal testing, and is all hyped up using components that are sub par?

I like the E-Flite equipment and if an issue does arise Horizon Hobby's customer service is second to NONE! That's something I'll invest comfortably in as well. Parkzone servos though have not impressed me. Two new planes two fried servos on maiden, both elevator? Now I always test servos extensively on the ground before first flight, (Pre-Flight is not an adequate test for new servos-lots of movement until your hand hurts scary to lose an elevator in the middle of a loop) but if they make it passed maiden they're good forever.


If you think the Habu is the same thing as a 180 dollar entry level chinese jet, you simply do not understand what you are talking about.

Without any doubt this jet appears to be a beauty to fly unlike a lot of these lower level platforms that do not have near as much engineering/quality parts and construction invested in them. I look forward to getting one and will report back on it's true in air value as I expect the price will be worth it.

Wayne

[jasmine2501]

Yeah I sometimes wonder if some of these companies actually test fly their products, or if something changes between the version they test flew and the one that ends up being sold. That is one thing about the Horizon companies - the product is going to work. Sure, there is the occasional defective part, but you rarely see an unflyable design. If you look on Youtube for "nightflyyer" (yeah, two y's) - he did a review of a Spitfire model which he had to make extensive mods to. One of the selling points of the model was how nice it looked, but it was impossible to fly, and he had to destroy the look of it to get it to fly, and it still didn't look like it flew very good. IMO, a product like that isn't worth $1.

[flyingwing12]

your original issue was that you could make it for just 70 bucks....:) Looks like you abandoned that point.

Now you are comparing it to a low end Nitroplanes jet with a lower power system that is no way the equal of the Eflite offering.

The reason it costs mort is because it offers more value...it is just that simple. All PnP models are not created equal, period.

If you think the Habu is the same thing as a 180 dollar entry level chinese jet, you simply do not understand what you are talking about.

Buddy, they may not be the same, but with about a 120 dollar addition to the Habu??? no thanks.

come on guys, your acting like they have a SECRET service and will cut your balls off if you talk badly about the pricing,

i tell it like it is!
E-flites little brushless motor is tha EXACT same as grayson hobbies, but is about 30 dollars more. why?

the 10 Amp speed control, is about what, 30 dollars v the combo with the motor and ESC for 30 dollars?????

and the batteries are just out of this world.

but hey im 15, i dont have a job so im just speaking my mind.

[jasmine2501]

Confusion reigns...

This is a $80 motor - it is E-flite quality - I have tried other brands, and they don't measure up to E-Flite motor quality - there are better motors too, but they cost more. This is a 800-watt motor. Grayson hobby doesn't even have a motor like that - the only thing I could find that was close, was a Himax, and it wasn't quite strong enough - for $80.

And yeah, a 10-amp ESC is a cheapo thing, but we're talking about a 60-amp here... I found a Welgard for $30, but no BEC, so you need that too... the best one I could find was only a 5-amp, which would be marginal, for $15 - so that's $45... and it's low-quality stuff...

It is well-known that you can save a little money if you're willing to take a quality cut, but it's also well known that a good number of folks out there are not willing to take that quality cut. People constantly complain that E-flite stuff is over-priced, and then they compare it to HobbyKing parts, but it's not a fair comparison. That's like saying a Porsche is over-priced because a Toyota is so much cheaper.

[gp125racer]

Just like at the drag strip, some guys show up and run 1/4 mile 9 second times in a chevy luv pickup.

Did he go fast?? Yes
Did he do it cheaper then the vette in the lane next to him?? Yes
Is it the ferrari he wishes he really had?? Nope

Simple fact: Go with what you can afford and be happy. There are a million ways to skin a cat, but don't think your Chevy Luv is a Ferrari ;)

My 2 cents.
Don

[Thomas B]

Buddy, they may not be the same, but with about a 120 dollar addition to the Habu??? no thanks.

come on guys, your acting like they have a SECRET service and will cut your balls off if you talk badly about the pricing,

i tell it like it is!
E-flites little brushless motor is tha EXACT same as grayson hobbies, but is about 30 dollars more. why?

the 10 Amp speed control, is about what, 30 dollars v the combo with the motor and ESC for 30 dollars?????

and the batteries are just out of this world.

but hey im 15, i dont have a job so im just speaking my mind.

Well, you are certainly telling it like you think it is

Nothing wrong with speaking your mind, at all. However, you still have a lot to learn about the hobby, a lot of which would be vaild to the points we are making.

I have no qualms about complaining about prices when the complaint is justified, but in the case of your argument, you are simply not comparing apples and apples...you are comparing apples and oranges.

Based on your argument, a Honda Accord is not worth any more that a Kia Rio, since they are both small cars with four wheels and an engine.

The truth is that there is more value, both in the Accord and in the Habu, when compared to low cost entry level offerings. Right now you do not get the concept of product support and you are not comparing the product details. Try getting some product support on your 180 dollar entry level jet from a deep discounter and then try getting some from Horizon for the Habu. I think you can guess the results.

I do buy low cost R/C items, both, ARFs, RTFs and components...but I pick and choose them carefully and I know what I am getting and I am not silly enough to compare them point by point to a better product and claim they are just as good for less money.

Here is a huge difference.

None of the 180 dollar jets are 4 cell high performance models. The 180 dollar jets tend to have 200-300 watts at best and come with 3 cell 1300 mAH to 1800 mAh lipos. The power system in the Habu is capable of putting out over 640 watts on 4 cell 3200 mAh lipos, or more than double the power.

Visit Banana Hobby and take a look at what they are charging for the higher performance jets with 4 cell lipos....it is a lot more than 180 bucks.

http://www.bananahobby.com/1888.html

In fact, their 70mm F-117 with 4S 2250 lips, PnP is about $310 with no TX. RX or charger. You do get some cheap mechanical retracts and a working bomb bay, and this jet makes similar overall power to the Habu.

This is much closer to actually comparing apples to apples, but still is not an exact comparison. You do not get the excellent Horizon product support and the quality components, but you do get a few more $3.00 servos and some cheap mechanical retracts and a low end 20c 4S 2250 lipo.

[elfwreck]

Buddy, they may not be the same, but with about a 120 dollar addition to the Habu??? no thanks.

come on guys, your acting like they have a SECRET service and will cut your balls off if you talk badly about the pricing,

i tell it like it is!
E-flites little brushless motor is tha EXACT same as grayson hobbies, but is about 30 dollars more. why?
Hey now,
Oh? You've been to the factories? You've done the dyno tests? Sow me the results. Just because two motors look the same doesn't mean they're the same at all. Magnets, wire, case, all make a difference. Then there's the build quality. Nice tight winds or sloppy loose ones. Ever wonderr why yopur cheap motors come down smokin' hot but the higher end ones come down much cooler? Parts and workmanship, and that costs more.

the 10 Amp speed control, is about what, 30 dollars v the combo with the motor and ESC for 30 dollars?????

If you don't mind steppy, non linier action and power losses, go ahead and buy the cheap stuff. But don't ask me how I get higher speeds and longer flight times, you won't believe me.

and the batteries are just out of this world.

Every time I've tried cheap batteries within six months I was back to the pricey ones. Longer lasting, lower internal resistance. That's work some bread.


but hey im 15, i dont have a job so im just speaking my mind.[/QUOTE]

Are you sure you have one? Sorry, couldn't resist. Give it a few years, you'll be amazed at how much smarter we seem then.

RobII

[flyingwing12]

Hey now,
Oh? You've been to the factories? You've done the dyno tests? Sow me the results. Just because two motors look the same doesn't mean they're the same at all. Magnets, wire, case, all make a difference. Then there's the build quality. Nice tight winds or sloppy loose ones. Ever wonderr why yopur cheap motors come down smokin' hot but the higher end ones come down much cooler? Parts and workmanship, and that costs more.

If you don't mind steppy, non linier action and power losses, go ahead and buy the cheap stuff. But don't ask me how I get higher speeds and longer flight times, you won't believe me.

Every time I've tried cheap batteries within six months I was back to the pricey ones. Longer lasting, lower internal resistance. That's work some bread.




but hey im 15, i dont have a job so im just speaking my mind.

Are you sure you have one? Sorry, couldn't resist. Give it a few years, you'll be amazed at how much smarter we seem then.

RobII[/QUOTE]
I have acheived more than 15 min + of flight time with the " cheap stuff"
And yes sir/mam i do have a mind. Probably more sane than you paying that much for electronics that were made in china in the first place!

you lose, i win, get over it

[elfwreck]

I have acheived more than 15 min + of flight time with the " cheap stuff"
And yes sir/mam i do have a mind. Probably more sane than you paying that much for electronics that were made in china in the first place!

you lose, i win, get over it
Hey now,
Fifteen minutes? You think that's a long flight? Sorry kid. Last weekend I got an hour on my MPX Blizzard.
Also my Hacker motoprs are not made in China, not that Chinese is always bad, my motors are hand made in Germany. Costs a bit more but then they run 89 to 94% effiecent. Those cheesy Chinese knock offs only run around 65% on a good day and some as low as 35-40%. That's can brushed motor numbers. So you could be paying two bucks for a motor and get the same power.

Same with ESCs. Higher end ones are much more effiecent than the cheesy cheap ones. As much as four times as effiecent, that adds up fast.

If you run a cheap ESC at only 60%eff then you're only getting 60% power to the motor. The rest is heat. Now you add in a low end motor at 60% (give it a higher number than it deserves here) and you've lost close to eighty percent of your potential powerr to heat.
My drive systen loses only ten to twenty percent to heat. The rest goes into driving my model.
Whatever time or speed you're getting, with the same airframe I get easily double if not more. Just run the numbers.

Also, because I'm not running nearly as hot as your stuff (and have better magnets) my stuff won't degauss and be toast in six months to a year.

Do the research. Read the tests. Go out and invest in some decent gear and try it out. You'll never go back.
RobII

[Mike_Then]

Don't bother arguing; he's 15 and knows not of what he speaks. The "I win, you lose, get over it" statement speaks volumes of his maturity level. Tell you what, flyingwing12, go ahead and buy a cheap foamie jet from Nitroplanes or *shudder* Banana Hobby... in 6 months, come back to this thread and tell us how it's holding up.

Lose a servo on the maiden? Why, just give Banana Hobby a call and their "100% satisfaction guarantee" and "lifetime product support" will fix you right up! What's that? They won't answer the phone? You can't get them to answer online chat either? Dang, that sucks, sorry to hear. Just head over to their Support Forums, right here on RCGroups.com and their helpful staff will answer your posts and PMs right away. Wait, what did you say? It's been two weeks and you STILL can't get an answer about that bad servo that destroyed your pretty flying foam cooler on the maiden flight? Tsk, too bad. ;)

[foam and tape]

but hey im 15, i dont have a job so im just speaking my mind.

he, i'm 17 and I choose quality over cheap stuff any day. ;) I don't mind paying the price for it becuse anytime I have a problem HH is always there and I've never had a problem with any of their products.

During the JR indoor festival, my freind asked HH about his AR6100 (he broke both antennes off and asked what should he do to fix it) they just tossed him a new one and took the old one. Lets see you try to do that with bonanerhobby or those other cheap companys :rolleyes:

P.S maybe its about time for one :)

[jasmine2501]

Flight time is overestimated as an indicator of performance. What high flight times really mean is that your system isn't using the battery to its full potential. Like, when that Caddilac engine shuts off half the cylinders... it's getting better fuel economy, but it's not getting the same performance.

Possibly... long flight times for a long time might mean something. I have a Slow Stick I've been flying for 3 years with the same stuff (quality stuff) and good batteries - I get 20 minutes of flight time, with the lights on, with the same battery I've been using for 3 years. Castle, Hitec, Spektrum, Thunder Power... let's see you get that kind of flight time, AND reliability for 3 years with a Zippy/HobbyKing combo... it's not gonna happen.

HobbyKing has its place though - some of the cheap stuff is fine. Do I buy kitchen utensils at the dollar store and hammers at Harbor Freight? Heck yeah I do - cuz sometimes the price doesn't mean lower quality. I mean, who cares if there's a mis-print on the box of a wooden spaghetti server? I don't.

You need to figure out what quality means to you, and what you are willing to sacrifice - you either sacrifice quality, or money - pick one.

[quadracer111]

Accidental post

[elfwreck]

Hey now,
You know, that's another part of the equasion. Longevity.
I have a Hacker B50-13s that's about ten years old now and on the dyno it pulls the exact same numbers it did when new, no change at all.

My Logo 14 heli is still using the same TP battery it did five years ago. Sure it's not quite as good as new, but it flys the heli well enough fopr me to get good flights.

My Hacker B40-7L is still pulling the hotliner every bit as well as it did eight years ago, and I push that poor little motor *hard*. Ninty plus amps full tic...

I bought two Mini A/C motors back when they were the only 20mm bl motors available. Both are still working top notch. Long after the Himax 2025-4200 and E-flite 400 motors quit working, not that they're bad motors, just not as good as the Mini A/Cs.

Buy good equipment, take care of it, and it'll last a very long time.
Does it cost more? Sure it does. But it'll still work, often like new, after you've bought and burnt out three or five of the cheaper motors/ESCs/servos/batteries. Which is the cheaper stratagy?
"Buy cheap, buy twice (or more)"

RobII

[flyingwing12]

he, i'm 17 and I choose quality over cheap stuff any day. ;) I don't mind paying the price for it becuse anytime I have a problem HH is always there and I've never had a problem with any of their products.

During the JR indoor festival, my freind asked HH about his AR6100 (he broke both antennes off and asked what should he do to fix it) they just tossed him a new one and took the old one. Lets see you try to do that with bonanerhobby or those other cheap companys :rolleyes:

P.S maybe its about time for one :)

But from your fleet of airplanes you probably have a job and or rich parents.

if i had the money, i could have the best foamy out there made and shipped all over the world.

i have a deign thats completely unique. But i hate this about myself, im very secretive like the wrights!

i could draw a diagram for someone who wants to get a sketchy view of it

[teha99]

Buddy, they may not be the same, but with about a 120 dollar addition to the Habu??? no thanks.

come on guys, your acting like they have a SECRET service and will cut your balls off if you talk badly about the pricing,

i tell it like it is!
E-flites little brushless motor is tha EXACT same as grayson hobbies, but is about 30 dollars more. why?

the 10 Amp speed control, is about what, 30 dollars v the combo with the motor and ESC for 30 dollars?????

and the batteries are just out of this world.

but hey im 15, i dont have a job so im just speaking my mind.
Toyota Avalon is the exact the same size of the BMW M3, but why oh why is the BMW twice the Price!

[foam and tape]

But from your fleet of airplanes you probably have a job and or rich parents.

if i had the money, i could have the best foamy out there made and shipped all over the world.

i have a deign thats completely unique. But i hate this about myself, im very secretive like the wrights!

i could draw a diagram for someone who wants to get a sketchy view of it

nope, I work for that junk, plus I do buy from HobbyCity too. :eek::rolleyes: Their motors have yet to crap out on me...and I've had good luck with their servos too. Not all Chinese stuff is bad (atleast from Hobbyking/Hobbycity) I wouldin't waste my money on Bonaner hobby or those other places though. ;)

[elfwreck]

But from your fleet of airplanes you probably have a job and or rich parents.

Hey now,
So? Get a job; run errends, mow lawns, wash cars. It's not hard to come up with a few bucks. For that, if you bought good equipment in the first place you could reuse it, much cheaper that way.


if i had the money, i could have the best foamy out there made and shipped all over the world.

Say what?!? Hoiw silly can you get? Money doesn't make a foamie good.
One of my flying buddies never spends more than three bucks on a foamie airframe, now his avionics are top notch mind you. But he designs a model, dumpster dives for foam and other bits. Cuts and sands the foam to shape
covers his finished airframe with wall paper paste and brown packing paper
(from the construction dumpsters) and viola` he has a very fine cheap airframe. With his design and building skills his models generally outfly any of the kit or ARF models at the field. Designing and building a foamie is not about lots of cash, so drop this stinker for the ecrement it is.


i have a deign thats completely unique. But i hate this about myself, im very secretive like the wrights!
i could draw a diagram for someone who wants to get a sketchy view of it

So? Send your self a certified letter for copyright purposes, find a construction dumpster and build the thing. Put your lack of money where your mouth is kid. Otherwise folks will just continue to laugh at you.

RobII

[jasmine2501]

Meh... I wouldn't even bother - there are no new airplane designs. No reason to keep it a secret, just build it and have fun.

[dareh]

After reading all the arguments, I really wish Habu could come with retracts (specially with that price tag).
Cause I think most of the new edfs are coming out of the production line with retracts already installed.

[jasmine2501]

Yeah retracts would be nice. Most of the retract systems I've seen on the cheapo jets have been marginal in quality though. In fact in a few cases I would be worried about them stalling a servo and dragging the BEC through the mud. Retracts really need to be lined up perfectly and stay that way, and I'll bet it would add a lot to the price to get a retract system that meets the quality standard we're looking at here.

[elfwreck]

Hey now,
Looks like it wouldn't be too hard to rig retracts on this. I've got a set of micro airs that should fit right in.
I never liked the gear hanging down on model warbirds and jets. It just looks funny. I'll either hand chuck it or hack in some 'tracts.
RobII

[WJCJR1]

Yes retracts on this EDF would look nice and of course the functionality of retracts just adds to the whole package. I do agree most spendier EDF's are coming with retracts however I also agree with Jasmine and take it a step further. A lot of these others come with the same mediocre quality equipment as the retracts Jasmine mentions. So it comes down to do you want to buy a plane that has retracts that work ok, for now, and a plane that needs a powertrain overhaul because she won't leave the deck? Or do you want a great equipped excellent performing plane you can fit retracts to?

About the retracts; John Redman was just talking to us about the E-Flite retracts to be released very shortly. They look great and the no fuss with air storage/charging etc, here's a link to his latest comments on these LINK ( www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=807&page=4)

As you see from his comments and installation/use instructions these would fit the bill with the Habu. Only thing is the added weight he spec'd, if you want everything you can get out of her then every ounce counts, although on the other hand the wheels being out of the airstream may offset the weight penalty.

So there's an alternative for Habu Retracts and also think they will be popular on other planes, Trojan, Corsair(no nose gear version), Bf-109 etc. etc.

Wayne

[jasmine2501]

Now see... that's the way to do retracts. Most of the stuff I've seen just uses a standard servo and a crap-load of links and levers, and that kind of system can be problematic. The E-flite system has servos designed for use with retracts, so it's not going to have the problems associated with a stalled servo due to bad linkage - that is the primary advantage of air retract systems too. A stalled servo can drain a battery or fry a receiver or worse, and I would rather have the wheels down than risk my whole plane.

[dareh]

I've been working and designing different retracts for my jets and war birds, hoping to finalize a design and send it to production line, my main conclusion was that all the retracts are working well (gws micros, hobbico, servoless...) the only part that keep the retract functionning is the shock obserbing arms for the landing gear. There is no way to make a retractable landing gear as though and unbreakable as a piano wire landing gear (of course considering reasonable weight comparison) the only thing that can keep the retracts functioning and practical is the shock obserbing system used on them, and I have them ;-)

[elfwreck]

Hey now,
As mechanicals gothese look very nice and I'd use them.
Still they're a bit chunky. The micro airs I have weigh much less. The entire trike set weighs less than one main of these...
They sure look easy to rig up no rods to run or adjust, every bit as easy as air systems cheaper too I'm sure.

I've gone retract crazy lately, I've dropped them in a Formosa, FormosaII, Mach one, Mach none, and even a ducted fan Zagi, sort of a single motored YB-49 kinda thing.
What do these cost again?
RobII

[WJCJR1]

I think 119.00. If they work and install as easy they sound not a bad price I don't feel.

No more air pumps or air guns.

Yes a bit heavy. But for set-it and forget it there are costs I suppose.

Wayne

[ATIS]

I started to read this thread but had to stop as it was making me sick...

yes, the Habu is more expensive then NP but lets remember the biggest driver of cost... product DEVELOPMENT... NP sells planes designed by other companies... look at their planes and then go look at a few other places and the planes match up in size and detail but under different names. China's laws on copy right's suck. HH developes their own planes and actually test fly them to verify they perform to their specs...your paying for an original design, solid gear (none of that cheap crappy electronics that smoke if you look at them wrong), quality foam and the single most important factor.... GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE if you need it.

I have a bunch of HH products (and 4 PZ warbirds) and all have been great out of the box...never had an issue with any of them. My HL Su-27 brushless was $300 and it barely flew stock... twins pulling 19amps total!! Ended up dropping in EFlite 400 inrunners, 2 25 amp ESC's and then she flew like she should have! Theres a long mini-review on that weak EDF if you care to look it up.

[FLYBOY2000]

What is the recommended receiver for the Bind and Fly? Will the motor handle 5s?
I've got some Trex 5s 3700 packs that I'd like to use...I'm getting one..IN fact I'm swimming over to intercept the darn boat from China he hee.

[jasmine2501]

The Bind-n-Fly version comes with a receiver - AR500

Personally though, I would use the AR6200 in this jet.

[WJCJR1]

Jasmine I assume the 6200 due to the redundant receivers?

FLYBOY the motor is not rated to a 5S, could bolt a 5S rated motor to the fan however I am unsure what the fan is rated to RPM's. The current motor is already going to be turning ~46000 rpm 4S battery off charger. The ratings I recite are from E-Flite's site.

Wayne

[jasmine2501]

Yeah I like the extra receiver and it isn't that much more money. I would probably run a BEC too.

[Thomas Manson]

If I might contribute to this discussion...

There IS a great deal to be said about buying cheap RC gear from Hobby King or the other Chinese/Taiwanese retailers if you’re on a tight budget. As a poor starving student with an expensive hobby, places like Hobby King are god-send. Where else can you get a servo that costs $2.99 and small 3S lipo packs for $8? Heck, a bottle of foam safe CA from Hobby King is $5 versus $15 from my local hobby shop! That said, I understand I'm buying stuff that’s undergone minimal testing and is probably built by underpaid workers in depleted uranium and lead infested factories. I buy from Hobby King because it's cheap and most of the time, their products work well enough for me to enjoy the hobby. Sure, now and then I get a bum servo or a lipo that kicks the can after 6 months, but for the price I'm never all that upset when they pack it in. I'm just happy that I can still enjoy my hobby on a severely constrained student budget.

Later, once I've gotten my degree and established a steady (and hopefully comfortable!) income, than I'll start buying all the high quality gear that I REALLY want. The 9 second Ferrari Vs. 9 second Chevy was a great analogy :) Could not have said it better myself.

Sounds to me like Flyingwing12 is just a bit upset that the Habu is a bit out of his price range :) So, like everyone else has already told you, buy the $200 cheapie EDF and have a blast with it! Just don't be upset when you figure out that is isn't a repackaged Habu. While you're at it, how about sharing that amazing design of yours with all of us? If it's really cool, I'll build a prototype and see how it flies for you :)

Thomas.

[Pinecone]

Bottom line, if you think the Habu is too expensive, DON'T BUY ONE.

That is good, because that means they will be in the stores for those who appreciate them. :)

BTW a good comparison to the Habu is the Twister. The Twister is $200 for the airframe with fan and motor. You need a 60 amp ESC and 3 servos and an Rx and battery and charger to bring it to the Habu.

60 amp ESC (quality) - Eflite $85, Castle $100 on sale
3 digital servos. - $15 each = $45
Rx = AR500 = $50
Battery - Hobby City = $45
Charger - Hobby City $25.

Still adds up to $405. Hmm, close to the $399 of the Habu.

[Wind Junkie]

Bottom line, if you think the Habu is too expensive, DON'T BUY ONE.

That is good, because that means they will be in the stores for those who appreciate them. :)

BTW a good comparison to the Habu is the Twister. The Twister is $200 for the airframe with fan and motor. You need a 60 amp ESC and 3 servos and an Rx and battery and charger to bring it to the Habu.

60 amp ESC (quality) - Eflite $85, Castle $100 on sale
3 digital servos. - $15 each = $45
Rx = AR500 = $50
Battery - Hobby City = $45
Charger - Hobby City $25.

Still adds up to $405. Hmm, close to the $399 of the Habu.

Yes, but actually, you're getting 2 more servos, optional LG, a cockpit with pilot, working (effective) rudder and an assembled plane for the same price with the Habu.

The Twister is the closest comparison, but the Habu will steal it's thunder in many categories-- including looks IMO.

[ATIS]

I second Wind Junkie... the habu wins hands down.

[herk1]

Well to be fair, Multiplex is a high-priced European import brand to begin with, so that's hardly a median/standard to compare something to. That's would be like saying a new F-16 model release is a great deal because it doesn't cost any more than the Alfa F-16 ($169.99, with nothing included but the fan).

[Wind Junkie]

Well to be fair, Multiplex is a high-priced European import brand to begin with, so that's hardly a median/standard to compare something to. That's would be like saying a new F-16 model release is a great deal because it doesn't cost any more than the Alfa F-16 ($169.99, with nothing included but the fan).

I agree. This is just bottom line comparisons with size, weight, speed and handling of the end products and the price most people (in the US) will realize.

What would be the next closest EPP/EPO EDF for a 70mm fan with this weight and overall performance? One of the Sapac kits? RC Lander?

[herk1]

Actually the Habu AUW is quite a bit more than the Twister with stock equipment -- 45 oz vs. 31 oz. I keep wondering why people talk about the Twister and Habu like they were similar? The Twister is high-wing not low-wing, 3S power not 4S, much lighter and more modestly powered, styled like a fantasy-military-jet (think "Mattel") not a sport-jet, and like so many other Multiplex planes is hand-launch (no gear mounts) and only three channels. About the only thing in common with the Habu is the diameter of the DF unit.

If you really don't want plain EPS foam, and you want a 70mm, single-motor DF, you could always get one of the RCLander kits in the SEPO foam (Cougar, Panther, Hunter, F-16). Then there's the Windrider F-35 in PN foam. HobbyKing has a new Freewing-lookalike F-15 in EPO (their product description says 70mm anyway...but I haven't seen confirmation of that, and their numbers are always suspect). That's what I can recall off the top of my head. The RC Lander Panther has more similarities to the Habu than the Twister.

[Wind Junkie]

The Twister jumps out for comparison because it's also an EPO style plane with a 70" fan, and when powered similarly, flys similarly. The looks aren't the same, but as far as forum/function and complexity it's in the same niche.

But you're right in that it comes with the wrong fan to begin with for 4S, in that regard it's not a good comparison. Thanks for reminding me of that. In stock form the Twister really isn't the same animal or even in the same species as the Habu.

Guys are gearing up to get the "airframe only" version of the Habu. Perhaps now that more of them (us) will have the components, we'll also be looking at other planes in this class.

I really get the feeling that RIGHT NOW battery prices are getting better in he 3000 mAH size range where in past years we only had $80 choices-- now we have half that price. To me, that opens the door much wider for this size/weight plane, and I'm glad we have a major manufacturer jumping out with an offering like the Habu to take advantage and help expand this market.


Actually the Habu AUW is quite a bit more than the Twister with stock equipment -- 45 oz vs. 31 oz. I keep wondering why people talk about the Twister and Habu like they were similar? The Twister is high-wing not low-wing, 3S power not 4S, much lighter and more modestly powered, styled like a fantasy-military-jet (think "Mattel") not a sport-jet, and like so many other Multiplex planes is hand-launch (no gear mounts) and only three channels. About the only thing in common with the Habu is the diameter of the DF unit.

If you really don't want plain EPS foam, and you want a 70mm, single-motor DF, you could always get one of the RCLander kits in the SEPO foam (Cougar, Panther, Hunter, F-16). Then there's the Windrider F-35 in PN foam. HobbyKing has a new Freewing-lookalike F-15 in EPO (their product description says 70mm anyway...but I haven't seen confirmation of that, and their numbers are always suspect). That's what I can recall off the top of my head. The RC Lander Panther has more similarities to the Habu than the Twister.

[gundamnitpete]

Actually the Habu AUW is quite a bit more than the Twister with stock equipment -- 45 oz vs. 31 oz. I keep wondering why people talk about the Twister and Habu like they were similar? The Twister is high-wing not low-wing, 3S power not 4S, much lighter and more modestly powered, styled like a fantasy-military-jet (think "Mattel") not a sport-jet, and like so many other Multiplex planes is hand-launch (no gear mounts) and only three channels. About the only thing in common with the Habu is the diameter of the DF unit.

If you really don't want plain EPS foam, and you want a 70mm, single-motor DF, you could always get one of the RCLander kits in the SEPO foam (Cougar, Panther, Hunter, F-16). Then there's the Windrider F-35 in PN foam. HobbyKing has a new Freewing-lookalike F-15 in EPO (their product description says 70mm anyway...but I haven't seen confirmation of that, and their numbers are always suspect). That's what I can recall off the top of my head. The RC Lander Panther has more similarities to the Habu than the Twister.

pull the gear off the habu, and drop a 4S 3200 30C int he twister and the weight differences will be very small, and the lead the twister needs in the tail will prolly bring them dead even.

the twister and habu are very similar.

[Pinecone]

I agree that they aren't the same, but similar.

High quality foam, 70mm fan. Yes, the stock Twister is 3S, versus 4S for Habu, and the Habu has a working rudder. But to see where the Habu price comes from, the Twister is a good comparison.

Swap fan units, and see the performance levels swap also. :)

Or Habu motor in Twister fan? :)

[jasmine2501]

The E-flite motor actually works decent in the Twister on 4S, but it's hard to launch. That setup makes the whole thing harder to accelerate due to the extra weight. Even with wheels, it was hard to get it going.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ0vy_rC8dU

[obxfishfuzz]

got mine today an flew it this afternoon an it was great !!one of the best I have gotten right out of the box!!! :D an flying on 2650 4 CELL WITH NO PROBLEM !!

[Wilson Co]

so no one modding this thing yet?

considering picking one up to see how quick I can make it w/ a HET 2W20, 4s

[gundamnitpete]

so no one modding this thing yet?

considering picking one up to see how quick I can make it w/ a HET 2W20, 4s

it will get the same as the stock power. About 70-75mph with the gear hanging down, around 85-90mph without.

[mobywon]

so no one modding this thing yet?

considering picking one up to see how quick I can make it w/ a HET 2W20, 4s

Hi all,

I've been lurking around these forums for a while but haven't actually posted yet, so please be gentle! I'd first like to thank (or blame!) you all for the inspiration to take the plunge into EDF's. I've been all electric for a year now, and have been tinkering with various motor, prop and battery combos on prop driven planes and some of the results have been outstanding.

However, with your help and the ever persistant need for speed, I have been pushed over the edge and I'm now newly obsessed! I'm waiting for a Phase 3 Squall with vectored thrust, which I was planning to modify with a Lander 68mm 3575Kv SMF + 85A ESC also on order. I also ordered a second Squall (TMF) plane only as a spare and also to experiment with glassing. Yesterday I went to my LHS saw the Habu, and decided I had to have it as well. Well it WAS Christmas, and January 1st WAS my birthday after all!! http://static.rcgroups.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

My question is, do you think the Habu might be the better choice for the Lander unit?

Thanks!

Morey

[gundamnitpete]

Hi all,

I've been lurking around these forums for a while but haven't actually posted yet, so please be gentle! I'd first like to thank (or blame!) you all for the inspiration to take the plunge into EDF's. I've been all electric for a year now, and have been tinkering with various motor, prop and battery combos on prop driven planes and some of the results have been outstanding.

However, with your help and the ever persistant need for speed, I have been pushed over the edge and I'm now newly obsessed! I'm waiting for a Phase 3 Squall with vectored thrust, which I was planning to modify with a Lander 68mm 3575Kv SMF + 85A ESC also on order. I also ordered a second Squall (TMF) plane only as a spare and also to experiment with glassing. Yesterday I went to my LHS saw the Habu, and decided I had to have it as well. Well it WAS Christmas, and January 1st WAS my birthday after all!! http://static.rcgroups.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

My question is, do you think the Habu might be the better choice for the Lander unit?

Thanks!

Morey

If you are looking for speed, no. The habu is considerabley slower than the squall. On 2kw, the habu goes 120. This amount of power in a squall would take it to 160 mph

[SJ]

Anyone know when the "Airframe only" Hhabu will be out ?

[ATIS]

I thought I read sometime in late April...but dont quote me on that.

[SJ]

thanks...that sure is late :-)

[ATIS]

The demand for the RTF was higher then expected...so they will try and fill that demand and then the BNF...then will come the foam spare parts.

[mobywon]

If you are looking for speed, no. The habu is considerabley slower than the squall. On 2kw, the habu goes 120. This amount of power in a squall would take it to 160 mph

Thanks! Its just as well, turns out my Lander unit is defective. Feels like one of the magnets came loose in the motor, as it binds in one spot each revolution when I rotate the fan unit. I haven't taken it apart, but because the amount of friction is variable I'm thinking that's gotta be the problem. In the same shipment I also have a faulty servo, its a Corona DS939MG and it sticks some times. Of course, I only found this out AFTER I had completed the Squall.

Anyways, I'm debating on hand launching the Habu vs waiting till I finish my bungee launcher. Anybody have any feedback on this?

thanks,
Morey

[gundamnitpete]

Using the stock power, hand launching is no problem for me. I give about 4-6 clicks up trim, grab just In front of the intakes, and give it a nice big heave overhand. Works great!

[superstocktx]

New Parkzone Habu Jet


Why is this simple new jet $399

It makes no sense, i could make one myself, which i already have one, for about 70 dollars!.

WHY OH WHY IS IT SO EXPENSIVE!!!!

Dude.....until you have one sitting in front of you don't judge it. My friend got one and asked me to set it up for him. He bought the PNP version $299. The HABU is sweeeet!! and is well worth the money. Can't wait to fly it.