Mini-Review Eflite Blade CX3 modifications - Part 1

[Razors edge 29]

Blade CX3 Mods


So as a few people on here know, I have decided to beef up my E Flite Blade CX3, which is also my first R.C helicopter. I bought this heli due to the fact that I was told it could fly outside in moderate wind conditions. Well, as a newbie pilot and very green on the sticks, I went through enough blades, landing gear, bent shafts, other parts and became easily aggravated with this bird. Anyone, who owns or has flown a Blade CX3 knows how easily it is to damage, especially for a newbie like myself. I had started to mod this heli in an attempt to replace all the weak parts with more “crash proofing” materials that would also allow me to fly it outside. I began by purchasing all E Flite’s aluminium upgrades, which include the following:
A. Upper bearing holder
B. Swash plate
C. Lower Rotor head (as a side note, this will not work with the flyrcrivsud.com Blade Grip Kit. But the kit comes with a crash resistant, light plastic material that is specifically engineered for this kit.)

I should also mention that the CX3 came stock, with an aluminium upper rotor head. I had also installed a Microheli CX3 aluminium battery tray and Superskids 400 Series landing gear with CX3 adapters. All these upgrades are great, but weight became a factor, large in part due to the landing gear. Don’t get me wrong, the Superskids 400 is an excellent product, but a little too heavy along with my ther modifications. I would recommend these to anyone with a 400 series helicopter in a heartbeat. I knew the weight factor might be an issue when I ordered them, but I took the chance anyways.

The Microheli battery holder however, I was less than impressed with. In the pictures it looked nice and fancy and is relatively light, however, it is finicky and did not fit very well onto my CX3 main frame. Not to mention, that the quick connect feature of the battery tray hardly ever stayed clipped in and was often a nuisance. I am not bashing Microheli by any means; simply this product did not work for me.

That aside, I did install all of the mods and did a few test flights. The heli would hardly make it 3 feet of the ground and would constantly fly forward and not track properly. I believe the tracking issues were also related to the battery tray, despite attempts to correct this by moving the battery further rearward and playing with swash/gain/mixing pot adjustments. The heli would not fly properly no matter what I did. However, when I removed the landing gear and flew, very carefully, with only the battery tray to land on, the heli would fly upwards of 14 ft easily in doors but still all over the place.

These tests and observations lead me to believe that weight is a huge factor with this bird. (I know you might not agree Sven, but I am going with light weight option here, lol)
I decided to do away with the skids, battery tray, but keep the aluminium rotor upgrades. Thus, I needed to find a replacement for the skids and battery tray. I did some online research and came across many options, but one company in particular nabbed my attention. This research brought me to www.flyrcrivesud.com. This is a Canadian company, located near Montreal, Quebec who mainly engineers after market upgrades for the CX series R.C helicopters. They believe that keeping the weight down is a key, integral component of flying and performing well with these machines. After doing some research, reading reviews and looking through there product line I decided to make some purchases. I purchased, the new Zero Blade Strike Drive (prevents blade strikes), the Blade Grips Kit (better stability and durability) and the Racing Conversion/Outdoor Flight Kit (for outdoor use). I also purchased some additional blades, inner shaft and main gear. As an incentive, any order over $50, the shipping is free world-wide and they throw in a nice landing pad.

My parts arrived today by Canada Post, took about 4 business days, which is not bad in Canada from Quebec to Ontario. The parts were neatly wrapped, secured well and arrived damage free. Upon inspection of the parts, I was impressed at the engineering and fit and finish of these products. Also, I had ordered short flybar from Boomtownhobbies.com which also arrived today, which made me happy  I have decided to wait to install these mods because, I also wish to replace the main frame which I can get from my LHS this Friday. I believe that the main frame was also flexing a bit, particularly the tongue that holds up the spectrum/gyro components which I understand is a weak point in the main frame.

Thank you for taking the time to read Day 1 of this modification process. Feel free to comment and ask questions. See picture and descriptions below.

Thanks


Razors Edge 29, a.k.a Ryan B


More to follow after installation:

[Balr14]

RiveSud used to sell Lama V3/V4 mods, too. I used their stuff to modify my V4. I had to fabricate some aluminum braces to remove the flex caused by the big tailboom rubber band. But, after that everything was very durable.

[Razors edge 29]

Yeah they still do make parts for other helis, I also ordered some stuff for my S300. So you were happy with the parts/service? Did your boom have two rubber bands or just one?

[Balr14]

Originally Posted by Razors edge 29

Yeah they still do make parts for other helis, I also ordered some stuff for my S300. So you were happy with the parts/service? Did your boom have two rubber bands or just one?

I believe I used just one band, but it came with two; I thought the second one was a spare. Shipping stuff from Canada to the US is slower than getting it from China. But, the parts were quite good.

[Razors edge 29]

Yeah Canadian shipping unfortunately is not speedy that's for sure. Its fast in Canada, but not outside, or vice versa. Plus i got burnt from ordering from Horizon Hobby who uses UPS - too expensive in customs/brokerage fees.

[Razors edge 29]

I am also going to add Aero Nut motors when they arrive and may later on try a set of Bocca ceramic ball bearings, but that will come later. I might get some mega battery packs as well.

[frieslander]

Originally Posted by Razors edge 29

Yeah Canadian shipping unfortunately is not speedy that's for sure. Its fast in Canada, but not outside, or vice versa. Plus i got burnt from ordering from Horizon Hobby who uses UPS - too expensive in customs/brokerage fees.

Ouch, USPS IS EXPENSIVE. Highway robbers charger me $40 for a $60 item.

NEVER SHIP WITH UPS ACCROSS BORDERS!

Also the shipping accross the borders is slow at times and reasonable at other times. I am still waiting for a used V3 that was shipped on July 4th.

Tim Horton's; the wife and I go there every afternoon for coffee and chit chat with a gang of up to 8 regulars at a time.

[Razors edge 29]

Lol I thought I would get some Canadian comments about that. See, this is my plan to bring them all out so we can identify who else is Canadian, lol. I drink tea now since I quit smoking.

[Razors edge 29]

In fact, I am drinking one as I type this, lol

[erdnuckel2]

Originally Posted by frieslander

Tim Horton's; the wife and I go there every afternoon for coffee and chit chat with a gang of up to 8 regulars at a time.

Since our first trip to Canada in 2004 (montreal) one of the definite favorites of my sister and her friend! For me a big draw is their Raspberry Danish !

Sorry for the OT Ryan! As you can see, I also started my perfect heli project ...

Regards,
Sven

[Razors edge 29]

No problems

[Gunner_969]

Originally Posted by Balr14

RiveSud used to sell Lama V3/V4 mods, too. I used their stuff to modify my V4. I had to fabricate some aluminum braces to remove the flex caused by the big tailboom rubber band. But, after that everything was very durable.

Can you please explain more about the aluminum braces?

I use the RiveSud boom as well and find the rubber band is squeezing the landing gear so much, the landing gear looks like: \ / instead of being straight.

[Razors edge 29]

I also wish to know how to cure this problem (I haven't had it yet, but sounds like I might)

[erdnuckel2]

Originally Posted by Razors edge 29

I also wish to know how to cure this problem (I haven't had it yet, but sounds like I might)

Honestly, that is another point that I always felt being designed better by Xtreme (I don't want to brag or play the smarty pants or anything, believe me).
But that was the problem of the former boomtown versions (1-3) I believe and seems to be the case with Sonny's boom.
I my eyes extreme found a pretty clever solution there and (I mentioned that in another thread an will detail it in "the making of the BLUE&GREEN Machine") it can be done very luxuriously AND cheap at the same time ... so cheap,that you can actually afford to buy real carbon fiber fins for the difference !! Oh and btw, there is no problem whatsoever (at least I never had one) in carrying a heli by the Xtreme tail boom.

Sven

[Balr14]

Originally Posted by Gunner_969

Can you please explain more about the aluminum braces?

I use the RiveSud boom as well and find the rubber band is squeezing the landing gear so much, the landing gear looks like: \ / instead of being straight.

It's been over a year since I had a V4, so this is from memory and may not be quite accurate. But, it should provide the general idea.