Gaui X4 section time!!!

[jasong911]

Regular radio because I like the gimbles better. And a throttle hold switch. And I like the timer on the DX8 on throttle advance. Cause I'm timer challenged. Can't pinch the included radio sticks either...designed for the xbox generation.

--Jason

[Jerrymac]

Ah, don't like the idea of no TH switch. My concern is that my grandson wants to learn to fly, and I am not real big on having him possibly dropping my DX7.
Last year I fixed up one of the old King 2's for him and put the stock RX back in, so he could use the stock TX with it. It is just too twitchy and unstable for him to learn on.

I think someday I will pick up an RTF version of the mCPx first. If he likes it, I will just get a BNF for myself. If he don't like it, I can always just bind it to my TX. The gimbals aren't a problem for me as I fly thumbs anyhow. I tried the 'pinch' method once but for me it feels like my fingers get in the way.

Jerry

[flyingfiz]

I must have too much money because I have just recieved delivery of a Gaui X4 Kit. I just happened to have all the electrics and a Scorpion motor left over from another project that didn't take place.
I must say that it looks great quality so far, and I had the 425 basic kit and enjoyed that very much. This is nothing like the 425 Hurry IMHO, more like an X5 than a 425.

I'm going to start the build in the next few days and whilst I have a spare Align 3G unit and receiver I think I might fork out for an AR7200BX.

I also think its a great size heli, I think 500 is about the best overall size as it can be flown just about anywhere, unlike my beloved X5 unfortunately, and its not too small in the air.

BTW the Canopy is great quality and I like it's visability, like the X5 FES.

best to all,

Phil

[dunkonu23]

The drive train is completely 425/550. Bearing blocks are slightly different. The motor mount is 425/550, but Head hunter parts will not fit without modification due to the servo layout...so there you go.

Scott

[Jerrymac]

Congrats on the new X4 Phil. Let us know what you think of it as you proceed with the build. Personally, I think it is way over-priced, but, that is just my own opinion. Basically, it appears to be a Hurri 425 with a CF frame instead of plastic. Another downside of the X4 for me is that I like the feel of a flybarred helicopter and have no intentions of ever going FBL. When flybars are gone, I will give up the hobby.

I like the 500 size myself. I have 2 plastic framed Hurri 425's that I really enjoy flying. Hopefully soon, one of them will be upgraded with a HeadHunter frame.

It is too bad that the HeadHunter upgrades don't fit the X4, as Scott just mentioned, because it would make it a whole lot better helicopter IMO. HH uses the same size bearings on the OW shaft (which are prone to failure) as the main shaft bearings, and the 'easy mesh' motor mount makes it a snap to set the gear mesh. ;D

Looking forward to your review/opinion of the X4 as you complete the build and get it in the air.

Jerry

[dunkonu23]

I sent a set of parts to a gentleman in Canada who was kind enough to try them out. So... they don't fit properly.

Scott

[flyingfiz]

Oh well, even if its just an updated Gaui 425 with CF frames and a different servo layout that can't be a bad thing.

It certainly looks a nice heli. The only other 500 size helis I have are both Align, so I thought I should have a Gaui in the mix.

I may start the build this weekend if its raining.

[Jerrymac]

I would guess that the X4 will fly great when you get it all dialed in. As I mentioned earlier though, I just don't think it is worth the price that Gaui put on it.
I am also surprised that Gaui didn't make a few changes to it that were a problem on the Hurricane 425/550 that uses the same gear train. Personally, I like the multi-gear drive system as it offers lots of gear combinations for different motors and head speeds, but, the 425/550 had problems with the bearings on the OW shaft failing prematurely due to their small size. Not sure if the motor mount is the same, but if so, setting the gear mesh is a real PITA as you have to keep taking the mount off and on to tighten the motor mount screws.

Those 2 issues were addressed quite well on Scott's HeadHunter frames, along with direct-to-swash servo arrangement. I think it is something that Gaui should have addressed also when designing the X4.

Anyhow, good luck with the build, and keep us up to date with any pros and cons as you start putting it together. Also, you may want to start your own build thread to keep your build info on track for others that might be interested in your thoughts on the X4, since this thread is just kind of a 'generic' one for general comments on the X4.

Jerry

[barryorbik]

I have one of the original the MCP-x's now with the extended boom and MH CNC swash which is brilliant but have just read on another forum the 130x is coming due out over here very soon. HH UK were letting potential customers fly one last weekend at one of the shows and the reports from those that were lucky enough to fly it are that it flies even better than the MCP-x and withstands even more crash abuse.

Just spent out on a new DX8 tx, so saving hard now - guess what for!!

Barry

[dunkonu23]

$279.99 for the 130x. It looks different than the mCP X, but man... I don't know if I can justify the cost. I think durability will be tested when it hits the field.

Scott

[flyingfiz]

Hi Guys,

I finished the Gaui X4 build on the weekend.

Now first let me say this I have built a Hurri 425 and a Hurri 550 CF kit, loved them both and they flew beautifully, but I sold them for an X5 which is just a whole different level. I liked the FB'd X5 with a Quark on it so much that I bought an X5 FBL with a Beast X, which I like even more.
So I have an idea about Gaui comparisons. And this X4 is NOTHING llike the hurri 425, it is a really just a smaller X5 with some build issues (more on that later).

Everything throughout the heli from the frame, to the cyclic servo geometry to the head and TT setup and it's X7 Tail section bears no resemblance to a 425 and every resemblance to an smaller X5 with an X7 tail.
Yes it is over priced (but that doesnt concern me - I have the money and I wanted one and I had all the other components) but it does have its issues.
The build was very difficult, the motor mount (identical to the X5) is set up too close to the two front cyclic servos and removing them is a complete pain, you must remove the whole motor mount including motor of course, the main shaft is too tight a fit into the head. The torque tube was very fiddly to get both meshes just right. The head geometry from the blade-grip arm linkages to the swash appear to be a too much of an inward angle - it is like the swash is too small a diameter and its much smaller than the X5. the instructions were wrong in places, the landing gear screw holes were too small, the canopy is a bit too loose at the bootom front and requires a mod. There were other niggles, but I'll spare you.

However on completion it looks great and if you were to put it in the middle of a hurri425 and an X5 everyone would pick it as the brother to the X5 and from that series line up. So no more talk about it being a 425 with a carbon fibre frame that is just not the case.

Overall it had the feeling of a prototype kit. If you hadnt built a few of these it would be a real challenge.
here is a picture of the motor and servos being too close and a picture of the finished product.

I'll give flight review as soon as I can (hopefully this coming weekend)

regards,
Phil.

[Jerrymac]

Thanks Phil,

Will be looking forward to your maiden flight review. The motor looks really close to the servos. What tooth count front gear are you using? The gear train looks to be the same as the Hurri 425/550 which offers a 42, 50, and 60T front gear. Looks like the X4 might be limited to using one of the larger gears to get clearance for the servos.

You stated that the swash seems too small. Wonder if the larger X5 swash would work better? Maybe Gaui needs to be notified of the issues that people have encountered with the first X4 kits, so that they might make some updates to them. Gaui is usually pretty good about correcting issues if they receive enough feedback regarding them.

I personally, have no interest in buying an X4, ( I'm a flybar guy myself) but, your comments and reviews are greatly appreciated here for others that might be interested in building and flying one. After all, we are a Gaui oriented site and any and all info regarding Gaui helis is appreciated.

Thanks for taking the time to offer your comments on your new X4 build.

Jerry

[flyingfiz]

Hi Jerry,

You are right in that the only similarity to the 425 is the gearing. I miss the big red main gear of the X5. I used the stock gearing that came with it and it was two sets of 61 tooth gears and an 18 (maybe 20) tooth drive gear. The motor is a 1400KV and as usual with Gaui's the head speed is supposed to be nice and high.

A guy on the Gaui section on Helifreaks has reported the 14 main problems with the build, one of which was him not being able to fit the shaft into the head of the X4. He had to drill it out with a bench drill (not good). I think his distributor was trying to help and got some assistance from Gaui for him, but Gaui seems to have ignored all the other issues and my kit was a recent purchase and I was hoping that all the issues would have been addressed, but it appears only the main ones have been.

regards,

Phil

[flyingfiz]

Hi Guys,

Below is a link to my maiden flight of the Gaui X4. I thought that the motor mesh may have been a bit too tight and it was the motor came down hot.
Always a nerve wracking experience so I just puddled around getting a feel for it.

The 3g system needed some adjustment and I'll have that sorted for next flight but it felt a bit skiddy and the tail didnt stop fast enough, so I wasnt about to push it.

It flew very fast, I was just trying to fly nice and slow but it kept on wanting to really get going.

A completely different feel to the Gaui 425, much more like the X5, not sure if that was down to heli design or the fact that it was FBL.

Any way a fantastic feeling heli, and when I dial in the 3G unit I think it will be sensational.

Best to all,

youtu.be/JZiNGN7ujSM

[Jerrymac]

Glad to see that you got your X4 in the air. My experience with Scorpion motors is that they all run hot, so probably just the motor and not the gear mesh causing it. Hope you get your FBL unit dialed in to your liking. Being a flybar guy myself, I don't know what all is involved in dialing in the settings on a FLB controller, but good luck with that aspect.

I think the combination of design and FBL is probably what makes it feel better than the stock Gaui 425. I have one Hurricane built on a HeadHunter frame that also uses direct-to-swash servos, along with some other very good upgrades, and it flys much better than my stock Hurris even with a flybarred head.

Thanks for posting your reviews on the X4. Hopefully it will help others that are considering building one.

Jerry