Originally Posted by Thunder Fighter

So you have the motor now? Let me know when you are planning on going out with it.

Looks like you found a home for a lot of the gear from the Protos.

//Dennis.

Dennis, except for the motor, the rest of the electronics were from the Protos. I'll let u know once I've trimmed her out properly.

ok..here is a short maiden flight of the ARK X500 heli before the rains set in. The tail has not yet been trimmed properly, as you can see, she piros in one direction, but not fully the other way. Got that fixed now and hope to get another video tomorrow night @ an indoor funfly sponsored by Aidan (arkinnovations.com)

ARK X-500 maiden (2 min 0 sec)

Another short video of the X500 hovering @ a local indoor funfly in Doncaster, Melbourne. Hopefully, next video will be taken outdoors when the winter weather clears.

ARK X-500 DISC indoor funfly (1 min 14 sec)

Been working on the best power option for my ARK X-500, using the stock motor (1550kV) with Scorpion 90A ESC on 3S 2500mAh lipo. Getting 4.5 mins putting back in 2000mAh. Using the 18T pinion rather than stock 16T. RTF weight 1.3kg. Headspeed is now much better but flight time is down to 4 mins.
Now experimenting on 2 x 2200 mAh lipo (connected in parallel) & getting about 6.5 mins FFF. RTF weight 1.45kg. Best weight out front for batts about 350g for CG.
I suspect 4S would be best power option for this heli. Will report back once I have received the lipos & tested it on her.

In order to fit the larger 4S lipos, I have had to make a minor modification to the ARK X500 design by relocating the canopy mount and using a bigger canopy. I chose to use my spare unpainted white Protos canopy and relocated the mount slightly higher up to accomodate the larger Protos canopy. To ensure a secure fit @ the base, I attached a velcro tab @ the base.
I have also painted the canopy in the Protos style, but used navy blue (to match the blue anodised metal head) instead of black on the top. The base remains in flourescent orange for orientation. The larger 4S setup will end up on the X500 Pro version, which has all metal setup including the tail, and CF horizontal and vertical tail fins and the newly painted canopy.

Looking good!

I remember reading earlier about a potential issue with the blade grip bearings. Did I miss the resolution to that, or am I imagining things?

Looking forward to more flight reports and video.

-Chris

Originally Posted by JustPlaneChris

Looking good!

I remember reading earlier about a potential issue with the blade grip bearings. Did I miss the resolution to that, or am I imagining things?

Looking forward to more flight reports and video.

-Chris

Hi Chris..the problem with the blade grips appear to be the usage of a 4mm sleeve within the blade grip between a (4 x 10 x 4) bearing and a thrust bearing. I replaced the sleeve with another (4 x 10 x 4) bearing and the slop in the blade grips are now gone. I have had 14 flight with her now. About to test her out on 4S batts with 13T pinion.

Nice! That sounds like a simple fix. Now if only there was a US dealer....

-Chris

Originally Posted by JustPlaneChris

Nice! That sounds like a simple fix. Now if only there was a US dealer....

-Chris

Chris..I feel 4 u man. Here in Oz, there's also no dealer for the ARK X500. I am importing them direct from Arktaiwan. I have just ordered & received the X500 Pro version. Looks really sweet with full metal head & tail and metal bearing support shafts and tail servo brackets. Its also got CF vertical & horiz tail fins. Will post details and pics once I have assembled, trimmed and ready for her maiden.

I just saw that www.bphobbies.com is selling the X500 in the US! Any updates on the flying?

-Chris

Yeah..I have since replaced the complete tail case of the ARK X500 due to worn out tail slider hub. Seems to be a common flaw with the base model and the cf version. I am now using the tail from the SJM430 heli.

Thanks for the update. Are you still flying on 3S, or did you get a 4S system going? I really don't know why I'm still looking at this heli since I already have a Protos, but I just can't help myself.

-Chris

I am now running this heli on 6S using the SJM430 motor. The motor mount bracket on the X500 does not have the standard screw mount holes and only the SJM430 motor seems to fit fine. Running her 6S is the ideal setup now, and she really comes alive. Also, the standard pinion from ARk Taiwan also fits on the SJM motor, so it all falls into place. I have since moved on from the X500, and have got my new CopterX 500 heli. But I still fly her from time to time to try on new manouvers. Good luck in whatever you decide.

Does the X500 wooden blade exchangable with Trex-500 CF blade? If it is not, what is the thickness at the chord of the X500? Thanks.

Originally Posted by MTDV

Does the X500 wooden blade exchangable with Trex-500 CF blade? If it is not, what is the thickness at the chord of the X500? Thanks.

Hi..the blade grips can take 10mm blades. The diameter at the blade root is 14mm.