HK 600GT Newbie New Build... Need recommendations...

[eeeeegads]

Hello all...  I took the plunge recently and purchased one of the HK 600GT kits. I've read that larger models are actually easier to control and learn to fly on. I have almost 2 years simulator time (Phoenix), so I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be.

My question (which I am sure has been answered countless times, but I'll ask it again) is what motor, esc, battery combination would be best suited for my beginner setup? I have no interest in flying 3D with this model and would like to eventually put a nice scale fuselage on it. (A little extra weight to factor in) With that in mind, I'm looking for somewhat scale headspeeds, too. I'd like to get 5 minutes or longer flight time, too...  if possible...

Next, I've seen recommendations all over the place for cyclic servos, so I'm open to suggestion for these too... as well as the gyro/tail setup... although the general consensus is using a GY401 or a GY611...  suggestions?

I don't mind paying extra $$ for quality components, either.

So what do you guys think?

Battery size (6s or greater?)
ESC - Built in BEC? Amps?
Motor - Kv? Pinion size?
Gyro/Tail servo?
Blades?

Thanks guys!

[QMaverick]

Eeeehhhhmmmmm, take a new plunge and get a Fixed Pitch first...

[OneLeggedMAN125]

If you are confident in your ability to hover a helicopter in a sim then I don't see why a collective pitch will hurt. Just understand these large birds are dangerous if they get out of control or are built wrong.

Ok for batteries you will need (and these are all my suggestions) 6S 5000mAh 30C.

ESC's are tricky cause they can vary with individual flying styles and uses. For a bird this large I would recommend around 80-100Amps for the ESC. A good ESC is the Castle Creations. Fairly reliable and great at delivering consistent power even in an enclosed space like scale bodies.

Motors depend on the type of flying you wanna do. But for starters I would recommend the Align 600M, it's what I started flying my 600 with and I loved it.  The KV rating for a 600 should be around 1100KV but you can go a little lower if you want more torque, something I doubt you're into at the moment. And for pinions keep in mind that you are trying to achieve a headspeed that works for you. I would use a 13 tooth pinion with the Align Motor and Castle Creations ESC and 6S 30C battery. That will get you into the ultra stable 2000 headspeed.

Gryos are one thing on a helicopter that are worth the extra money for a great one. The better the gryo the better your bird will fly in all types of weather. So with that said there are a few to choose from that won't break the bank. The Futaba GY520, Spartan Quark, JR G770, Align GP780... There are quite a few any of those will do well.  I fly a GY401 on my 500 and I like it well enough but I wouldn't fly it on my 600.

Tail servos are also important cause without a quick powerful tail servo your machine will not react well enough to the gryo's inputs. So for that I recommend one of these: JR 3500G, Align DS650, MKS BLS980, Futaba BLS251 or BLS254.

Blades are another tough one. Some swear by great quality blades but until you learn how to fly well enough I would stick with some cheap carbon fiber blades like the TIG Z Weaves 600m from Hobby King. I flew those for a few months and they were good cheap blades.

[Wayne]

I flew a 600 nitro for the first time on Sunday and have to say, it was way easier than anything else I've flow to date.  Pretty much hover themselves, but then again, it might just be I am so keen on hovering little birds now that I didn't notice?

[Nuttcaze]

Most has been covered but a few other things

I use a GY401 on my 600GT with no problems, one thing I like about the GY401 is its alot less picky about the type of servo you use. Some of the newer gyros can be very picky, like my Futaba GY520. The GY611 is really nice but mounting the extra controller for the gyro is a PIA. I also have the Futaba GY501 which is just like the GY611 but not quite as good (still better then the GY401 though).

As far as blades, I also have the TIG Z weaves, even though they won't cost you alot of money they're still really nice blades. I have yet to buy a really expensive pair ($90+) of blades because honestly they won't do me any good, I don't fly 3D and they aren't gonna make my heli any easier to fly then it already is, oh yes, my 600GT does hands off hovers with ease. But here is a pair of even cheaper blades that still work good but nothing to write home about. I have a set and so does Blazemob, he has more time on his and really seems to like them.

.60 class Carbon Fiber Main Blade 600mm ($26 if you log in) - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=10697&Product_Name=.60_class_Carbon_Fiber_Main_Blade_600mm&aff=41515



Heli Direct has the exact same blades for $45 and many others that won't break the bank. one thing about the ones I listed, they also look a bit different, they have PRO in red writing in front of the 3D part.

http://www.helidirect.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=600mm&categories_id=120&inc_subcat=1

So now you just need to figure out your budget and buy equip that you can afford. But as OLM said, a good Tail Servo and Gyro will go a LONG way in making your heli easier to fly. 


 

[Nuttcaze]

I flew a 600 nitro for the first time on Sunday and have to say, it was way easier than anything else I've flow to date.  Pretty much hover themselves, but then again, it might just be I am so keen on hovering little birds now that I didn't notice?

I still can't believe you haven't dumped all your small birds for a big one yet, but maybe that might be changing soon, haha  

[Wayne]

No Nutt, I am keeping all my birds.  They are my children    Honestly, I need different size birds for different missions.  In the summer I will start flying the nitros outdoors where the wind always seems to be 15-25 mph!  On nice days I will get out the 450s and continue trying to act like a 3D pilot   In the winter I still need my hbfp to fly indoors and some 250s to attempt indoor 3D when the monthly indoor meets start back up in Oct!

Man, I don't know if those 3D blades are no good on a 600 or what, but that's all I will fly on my birds, all the way from 250 to 500, they track perfectly and I have not got one pair of them yet thats not perfectly balanced!  I do plenty of 3D with them and seen them outperform several pairs of Align blades 

[Nuttcaze]

oh they work great on the 600, just a bit lighter then most carbon fiber blades too 

[OneLeggedMAN125]

Nutt I've got a pair of RotorTech's on my 600 and the difference is incredible! The collective has much more pop and response to it... I think you should give them a go once to see for yourself but I'm sold.

[eeeeegads]

Far out, thanks to all for your input. I have to say OneLeggedMan, a special thanks to you as that info was exactly what I was looking for. Anyone else wanna chime in, please feel free... I'd like to hear about your HK 600GT build, the parts you used and your impressions of how it flies.....

Thanks again all.....

[Nuttcaze]

You really gotta build your heli has to suit you flying style, I'm not into any type of hard 3D so I didn't build mine to have monster power, I'm more of a lazy flier so I bought only what I needed to acheive that result  . If you go to my website page you can see the equip I used - http://www.myrcguides.com/HK600GT.html

[OneLeggedMAN125]

I agree with you 1,000%, you're heli should do what you want it to do.

Overall I built my HK600 to suit a slow stable flier at first but it's slowly turning into a 3D machine. I started out with the Align 600M motor, Turnigy 150Amp Esc, 6S 5000mAh 20C batteries, Hitec 422 servos, Align GP780 gryo, DS650 tail servo, and TIG blades. I have since upgraded all of the helicopter to Align hardware, except the frame... And for electronics I'm still upgrading but I am running an 1100KV motor and RotorTech blades. I am about to order some new servos but I'm not decided on what to get so I'm waiting until I make up my mind, either the DS610's or the Outrage Cyclic servos. Once I upgrade the cyclic servos all I'll have left is the ESC and I'll be grabbing a Kontroniks ESC for sure.

Eeeeeegads if you need any help choosing parts or setting up the helicopter for your flying style feel free to PM me, or just keep posting in here. I'm glad to help explain anything further if you need it.

Keep us posted on what you get and post lots of pics!

[eeeeegads]

Yea, that is, at this point, what I'm aiming for....  3D flight is cool and all, but just not for me....  I am really looking forward to sitting down and going over every nut and bolt as described in the assembly manual, as well as the tips I've learned both on this website and YouTube. I've spend a great deal of time studying Nuttcaze's videos, as well as several Trex "builds" on YouTube. I'm going to be very meticulous when setting this up. Ultimately, I'd like to do a scale fuselage and perhaps a multi-blade head...  but that is down the road... heh heh...

My intent, which you guys answered in spades, was to get this off the ground with quality parts that will enable me to fly a scale fuselaged heli....

I thought I'd ask what works and what doesn't based on experience...  why try and reinvent the wheel...  LOL.

Just one other quick question....  are brushless motors basically all rated the same... i.e. an Align 600M motor rated at 1100kv would be the same as any other 1100kv motor? Other than Align, what would you guys suggest as an alternative for my particular setup? Turnigy.... Scorpion? (I see these names used a lot, thus assume they are decent motors??)

Thanks again all............  can't wait to get airborn!

[wzak29]

This is what I have installed on my 600, still need more parts;

From Hobby King;
Turnigy T600 Brushless Outrunner for 600 Heli (880kv) (did not come with mounting hardware so you will
need these, you will also need bullet connectors)
Socket Head Bolt 4x10mm (10 pack)
Washers #4(bag of 100pc)
(tail servo) BMS-621DMG+HS High Speed Digital Servo (MG) 7.2kg / .10sec / 46.5g

Rhino Gear Ultra Hardened Steel Pinions - 0.7M 17T 6mm - T-REX 600 2pcs from, (RC SUPER SALES)  $2.50

A common problem with this kit is that the flybar cage is to tight, add these shims to correct this
(A Main Hobbies) OFNA Shim Kit (3x4.9x0.3mm) [OFN10411]

Also from A Main Hobbies, a good FG main blade; PTK-9108 ProTek R/C 600mm Fiber Glass Rotor Blades $29.99

FROM HOBBY PARTZ;
HobbyWing Platinum-150A-OPTO-V1 Brushless ESC $109.(no bec)
Exceed 5~7.5 Amp bec $18.00

Gyro gy401

[OneLeggedMAN125]

Just one other quick question....  are brushless motors basically all rated the same... i.e. an Align 600M motor rated at 1100kv would be the same as any other 1100kv motor? Other than Align, what would you guys suggest as an alternative for my particular setup? Turnigy.... Scorpion? (I see these names used a lot, thus assume they are decent motors??)

For your application I would answer simply yes but not really. Different motors have different efficiency ratings which come into play when you try and push them harder and harder. But if all you're after is scale flight the efficiency of the motor will only effect your flight times and with a large enough battery you won't have any problem getting 5 mins+.