Introduction

bugstugler · Jan 07, 2009, 05:39 PM

Thanks for the review 78dave. Nice to see that more people are trying these.
I should point out though that they come on 3 channels not 2, with 3 in the air you can have dogfights which is fun as they can pick up a lot of speed

After flying this bird a lot you will find that it can handle a good deal of wind if you stay on top of it (dont TURN too hard and far or you will have an annoying bit of upwind flying to do!)- I commonly fly mine in 15-20 kph winds (very windy over here), this is especially great wind to fly in if you have a hill to ridge-soar at as you will get very long flights and the bird will go up and up.
airDemon64 just reported a timed 22 minute flight which is fantastic for a micro! (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...9#post11293873)

I bought a big lot of these from the distributor Batstangerz a while ago to sell them online but gave up on that, so now I am selling them off at a low price (see: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...=979362(asking $45 each).

These can ROG if you have hard packed snow, just make sure the switch is covered so that snow does not get inside.
For soft landings, just set up a good, long, approach and slowly drop off the throttle, you can then fly within a few inches of the ground and let it land softly.

village_idiot · Jan 07, 2009, 06:20 PM

Pretty cool, wish you could use a better quality TX with these.

Would be nice if they sold replacement bodies so that they could be opened to change the receiver to use with a better radio, and also to change the batteries.

bugstugler · Jan 07, 2009, 06:26 PM

The body is really easy to open, I have opened some of my own to take a look. All you have to do is remove the wings and carefully slice (not too deep or you will cut through some foam dimples) along the seam.
There is a lot of space inside so you probably could upgrade the radio gear. The part that might be dificult to upgrade would be the motor as the gearbox is molded to the shape of the motor. Seriously though, considering how powerful and long lasting the motor is I see no need to replace it.

airDemon64 · Jan 07, 2009, 07:28 PM

Thanks for the review Dave. I was actually thinking of writing my own review but jobs done, maybe I'll wait a year or 2 then post mine

Yeah Its a great bird, it has a much larger learning curve compared to the more "toy-grade" vamp or I-bird. I would definitely not say it is a "gliding" or soaring bird, its far too light to keep momentum so just spirals to the ground but if you just keep your finger on the throttle as low as possible it will stream right along, especially in winds.

Happy to see more people enjoying the Fenice, think people are avoiding it cause they're still using the "first flying bird" ad.

Edd

78dave · Jan 08, 2009, 05:26 AM

Guys, thanks for your comments. I agree with the thought that you need to stay ahead of it and not turn too much. The bird climbs great and when you do learn to fly it it is just plain fun. Bugstugler, thanks for adding your wealth of information.

xlcrlee · Jan 08, 2009, 05:52 AM

I can fly mine EXACTLY as shown in the online factory video: that INCLUDES gliding flight with outstretched, non-flapping wings! Further, I can do some tricks, including rolls and one semi-accidental loop! OK, I'm a very experienced pilot and know how to use the machine's natural tendencies to advantage (i.e., as in proper soaring, use, not fight with, "the force").

My two birds (already used to flying inside with normal-size and smaller Tim-birds) LOVE coming out with me and watching me buzz and tightly circle them (they, AND all dogs, love the wheezing sound too!). "Star" screams with excitement as Fenice quickly spirals higher and higher, which she thinks is way cool. Me too

Machy2k · Jan 08, 2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xlcrlee

I can fly mine EXACTLY as shown in the online factory video: that INCLUDES gliding flight with outstretched, non-flapping wings! Further, I can do some tricks, including rolls and one semi-accidental loop! OK, I'm a very experienced pilot and know how to use the machine's natural tendencies to advantage (i.e., as in proper soaring, use, not fight with, "the force").

My two birds (already used to flying inside with normal-size and smaller Tim-birds) LOVE coming out with me and watching me buzz and tightly circle them (they, AND all dogs, love the wheezing sound too!). "Star" screams with excitement as Fenice quickly spirals higher and higher, which she thinks is way cool. Me too

Lee; hi man, ahhh we need some vid. of the birds and the mechanical birds playng and flying together.
Have you posted info. before about your birds?
I would love to hear more, especially if you routinely excercise them using r/c toys, that is cool...
Please man inquiring minds need to know..
L8r...
Petey...

xlcrlee · Jan 10, 2009, 06:33 AM

first: it am WINTER here, boys! Kiki and Star fly indoors. When we visit my friend Susanne's huge 300 yr old house, instead of normal room-room flight, Star figured out to lead them on a grand tour of the whole house: like upstairs, around and down, ending at starting point. She is one clever, wild creature! Kiki likes his hanglider airtime, since before precision "landing practice", several times daily I fly it tethered for several minutes around the living room, letting him control it, like a child's amusement park ride (he uses body-shift, plus wings for various effects). Anyway, last night, Star decided that "enough was enough" and flew in formation with Kiki on his delta for around 20 times around the room (tiring her a lot!). If you search "Kiki piloting his Delta" in the total forum you might find a photo of Kiki doing so (I posted it previously). He HAS gotten bored with the Tim-birds, and won't circularly chase them any more, just fly after them in a straight line.

xlcrlee · Jan 10, 2009, 06:34 AM

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...ta#post9283491

Tres Wright · Jan 10, 2009, 10:15 PM

Sounds like you guys have had pretty good luck, mine didn't fly worth a darn. The actuator was not strong enough to turn the tail consistently. Sometimes it would turn, but then it might stick at full lock and not return to neutral and would just spiral in. I tried working on the tail to make it more free, but no joy. I've read some similar reports, so it sounds like the QC on these is iffy. You might get a good one or you might get a lemon

Machy2k · Jan 11, 2009, 03:02 AM

Yeah Tres the Qc is a problem, and of course if you get a good one your in.
On my best one the bellcrank popped off, I finally fixed it, My B channel has a range prob. but last night it flew great.
IMO the velcro on the back is a weak point in the design, but these birds fly like the Cybird P2 if you could compare the size.
When I flew my p2 the first time, it had powerfull flap strokes and was not flitting around like the P1, this bird is definately worth the dough (as long as you get a good one), lol

demisemiquaver · Jan 14, 2009, 01:14 AM

I'm reading the O.Z. site and it says the fenice and eledove come in different frequencies... is that 27mhz and 49mhz (I hope) or some just variation of 27mhz?

I ask cuz 27mhz does not work well where I live. I want one of these bad.

midlander · Jan 14, 2009, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demisemiquaver

I'm reading the O.Z. site and it says the fenice and eledove come in different frequencies... is that 27mhz and 49mhz (I hope) or some just variation of 27mhz?

I ask cuz 27mhz does not work well where I live. I want one of these bad.

The manufacturer says it works on 2.4 GHz. Not sure but I don´t think that Nathan Chronister does change the radio system.

bugstugler · Jan 14, 2009, 11:18 AM

They aren't sold on 2.4GHz, they come on three different channels on 27 mHz.
I should note that the birds are a simple enough design to mod and it would not be difficult to run say a Vamp 49 mHz RX in there. You could likely run Spektrum or Plantraco gear in there just as long as you can figure how out hot keep the motor and actuator working correctly.

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Introduction

Kit Contents

Assembly

Tail

Completion

Flying

Basics

Taking Off and Landing

Is This For a Beginner?

Flight Video/Photo Gallery

Conclusion

Jan 07, 2009, 05:39 PM	#2
bugstugler Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 86	Thanks for the review 78dave. Nice to see that more people are trying these. I should point out though that they come on 3 channels not 2, with 3 in the air you can have dogfights which is fun as they can pick up a lot of speed After flying this bird a lot you will find that it can handle a good deal of wind if you stay on top of it (dont TURN too hard and far or you will have an annoying bit of upwind flying to do!)- I commonly fly mine in 15-20 kph winds (very windy over here), this is especially great wind to fly in if you have a hill to ridge-soar at as you will get very long flights and the bird will go up and up. airDemon64 just reported a timed 22 minute flight which is fantastic for a micro! (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...9#post11293873) I bought a big lot of these from the distributor Batstangerz a while ago to sell them online but gave up on that, so now I am selling them off at a low price (see: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...=979362(asking $45 each). These can ROG if you have hard packed snow, just make sure the switch is covered so that snow does not get inside. For soft landings, just set up a good, long, approach and slowly drop off the throttle, you can then fly within a few inches of the ground and let it land softly.

Jan 07, 2009, 06:20 PM	#3
village_idiot Inciting Riots Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 7,985	Pretty cool, wish you could use a better quality TX with these. Would be nice if they sold replacement bodies so that they could be opened to change the receiver to use with a better radio, and also to change the batteries.

Jan 07, 2009, 06:26 PM	#4
bugstugler Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 86	The body is really easy to open, I have opened some of my own to take a look. All you have to do is remove the wings and carefully slice (not too deep or you will cut through some foam dimples) along the seam. There is a lot of space inside so you probably could upgrade the radio gear. The part that might be dificult to upgrade would be the motor as the gearbox is molded to the shape of the motor. Seriously though, considering how powerful and long lasting the motor is I see no need to replace it.

Jan 07, 2009, 07:28 PM	#5
airDemon64 the guy Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 191	Thanks for the review Dave. I was actually thinking of writing my own review but jobs done, maybe I'll wait a year or 2 then post mine Yeah Its a great bird, it has a much larger learning curve compared to the more "toy-grade" vamp or I-bird. I would definitely not say it is a "gliding" or soaring bird, its far too light to keep momentum so just spirals to the ground but if you just keep your finger on the throttle as low as possible it will stream right along, especially in winds. Happy to see more people enjoying the Fenice, think people are avoiding it cause they're still using the "first flying bird" ad. Edd

Jan 08, 2009, 05:26 AM	#6
78dave Dr. Dave Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA Posts: 1,032	Guys, thanks for your comments. I agree with the thought that you need to stay ahead of it and not turn too much. The bird climbs great and when you do learn to fly it it is just plain fun. Bugstugler, thanks for adding your wealth of information.

Jan 08, 2009, 05:52 AM	#7
xlcrlee Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Zurich Posts: 2,390	I can fly mine EXACTLY as shown in the online factory video: that INCLUDES gliding flight with outstretched, non-flapping wings! Further, I can do some tricks, including rolls and one semi-accidental loop! OK, I'm a very experienced pilot and know how to use the machine's natural tendencies to advantage (i.e., as in proper soaring, use, not fight with, "the force"). My two birds (already used to flying inside with normal-size and smaller Tim-birds) LOVE coming out with me and watching me buzz and tightly circle them (they, AND all dogs, love the wheezing sound too!). "Star" screams with excitement as Fenice quickly spirals higher and higher, which she thinks is way cool. Me too

Jan 10, 2009, 06:33 AM	#9
xlcrlee Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Zurich Posts: 2,390	first: it am WINTER here, boys! Kiki and Star fly indoors. When we visit my friend Susanne's huge 300 yr old house, instead of normal room-room flight, Star figured out to lead them on a grand tour of the whole house: like upstairs, around and down, ending at starting point. She is one clever, wild creature! Kiki likes his hanglider airtime, since before precision "landing practice", several times daily I fly it tethered for several minutes around the living room, letting him control it, like a child's amusement park ride (he uses body-shift, plus wings for various effects). Anyway, last night, Star decided that "enough was enough" and flew in formation with Kiki on his delta for around 20 times around the room (tiring her a lot!). If you search "Kiki piloting his Delta" in the total forum you might find a photo of Kiki doing so (I posted it previously). He HAS gotten bored with the Tim-birds, and won't circularly chase them any more, just fly after them in a straight line.

Jan 10, 2009, 06:34 AM	#10
xlcrlee Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Zurich Posts: 2,390	http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...ta#post9283491

Jan 10, 2009, 10:15 PM	#11
Tres Wright Live to ride... and fly! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Forney, TX Posts: 13,399	Sounds like you guys have had pretty good luck, mine didn't fly worth a darn. The actuator was not strong enough to turn the tail consistently. Sometimes it would turn, but then it might stick at full lock and not return to neutral and would just spiral in. I tried working on the tail to make it more free, but no joy. I've read some similar reports, so it sounds like the QC on these is iffy. You might get a good one or you might get a lemon

Jan 11, 2009, 03:02 AM	#12
Machy2k Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ft Lauderdale, FL. Posts: 932	Yeah Tres the Qc is a problem, and of course if you get a good one your in. On my best one the bellcrank popped off, I finally fixed it, My B channel has a range prob. but last night it flew great. IMO the velcro on the back is a weak point in the design, but these birds fly like the Cybird P2 if you could compare the size. When I flew my p2 the first time, it had powerfull flap strokes and was not flitting around like the P1, this bird is definately worth the dough (as long as you get a good one), lol

Jan 14, 2009, 01:14 AM	#13
demisemiquaver Just Say No To GMO Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Earth, System of Sol, Milky Way Galaxy Posts: 1,002	I'm reading the O.Z. site and it says the fenice and eledove come in different frequencies... is that 27mhz and 49mhz (I hope) or some just variation of 27mhz? I ask cuz 27mhz does not work well where I live. I want one of these bad.

Jan 14, 2009, 11:18 AM	#15
bugstugler Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 86	They aren't sold on 2.4GHz, they come on three different channels on 27 mHz. I should note that the birds are a simple enough design to mod and it would not be difficult to run say a Vamp 49 mHz RX in there. You could likely run Spektrum or Plantraco gear in there just as long as you can figure how out hot keep the motor and actuator working correctly.