Gaui X5

[dunkonu23]

The New Gaui X5. Apparently Flying-Hobby has a kit and it looks like they'll be the first to get them for public consumption... I can't afford a new helicopter right now so it looks like I'm gonna have enjoy this bird vicariously for a bit. It appears to be a 500-550mm bladed helicopter, torque tube tail drive, new gearing, new frame. If you look closely at the picture you can tell what's transferred from the 550 and what's not.

Scott

Attachments:

[dunkonu23]

More pictures:

Head:



Motor:



Head 2:



Canopy:



Tail 1:



Tail 2:



Scott

[Jerrymac]

I would love to make one of those my next winter's project if I can save up the funds by then. Might have to put off that Gaui 255 purchase that I have been thinking about.

It looks pretty awesome.

www.youtube.com/user/rctmv#p/a/u/0/KKzB_RITc34

[dunkonu23]

There are two videos we know of for this helicopter... One, in the post above appears to be Bobby Watts flying it. The second video based entirely on style, appears to be Bert Kammerer, but that's really just a guess. One thing that's not a guess is the helicopter appears to be a beast!

Scott

[Jerrymac]

Just looking at the pics, it looks like most of the head is the same as the 425 /550. I wonder if they will make a belt drive tail version, or , at least a belt drive conversion kit. Just my opinion, but I think the TT tail drives are just too fragile. On other helis, it seems like a few blades of grass struck by the tail blades is enough to damage the TT drive.

I prefer belt drive, so, if they don't offer it, I will find a way to make it belt drive from other Hurri parts.

[dunkonu23]

Apr 30, 2010 1:30:40 GMT -5 Jerrymac said:

Just looking at the pics, it looks like most of the head is the same as the 425 /550. I wonder if they will make a belt drive tail version, or , at least a belt drive conversion kit. Just my opinion, but I think the TT tail drives are just too fragile. On other helis, it seems like a few blades of grass struck by the tail blades is enough to damage the TT drive.

I prefer belt drive, so, if they don't offer it, I will find a way to make it belt drive from other Hurri parts.

Dunno.... Looks pretty prototype to me... here's a post on Helifreak that has a link to more pictures... the lack of cutouts on the frame indicates it's prototype to me...

www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=210753

Scott

[Jerrymac]

Yeah, I would have to agree with you. The plastic frames all have Gaui molded in them too, and the CF frames have Gaui cut in them. No cut outs of any kind on the frame in the early pics.

[Jerrymac]

Well, if the info on Infinity Hobby is correct, I don't think Gaui is gonna sell too many X5's. Not unless they are a BNF with choice of RX.

I certainly won't pay $670 usd for an X5 kit. Maybe half that.

I think Gaui better start building the "Legacy" 550 kits again if they want to sell any helicopters.

Tax refund has been deposited. The Gaui X5 is waaaaay over priced if that price is correct. Guess I will order a new MSH Protos 500 next week for my next project.

www.infinity-hobby.com/main/newsdesk_info.php?newsdesk_id=404&osCsid=2dae446383f02f5e8c24b5bd780c67b2

[dunkonu23]

If you're going to get the Protos, get the CF version. I don't know if they've fixed the static issues with the composite frame version. I know they have a conductive boom block that is supposed to help, but it's best to ask about it. I know Steve at ExperienceRC really likes his. When he flew his with me last year, it was incredibly quiet. When he landed, I thought he had done an auto. I also like the battery mounting method on that bird.

Please do consider ExperienceRC if when you pull the trigger on it. I won't get anything from it if you do, but tell them I sent you, anyway.

Scott

[Jerrymac]

Empire is now taking pre- orders on the X5 at a price of $699 USD.

It is my understanding that you can get them by contacting;

[e-mail]

This is somewhat confusing though as Empire is a dealer only site, so I dunno. Just what I read.

[dunkonu23]

I read their page and the way it appears pre-orders are going to work is this:

Write Jack. In the note, tell Jack what dealer you would like to use. From there it gets confusing, but a dealer is still involved. He's also starting something called the North America Hobby Collective and the pre-order is the start.

Empire is also offering a combo version of the X5 which IS competitively priced with the T-Rex 550E combo.

I'm definitely going to put my new Scorpion motor into my Gaui tomorrow to see just how it stacks up compared to Nexgen's. I would anticipate higher headspeed but less torque.

Scott

[dunkonu23]

More observations...

For those of us who have a T-Rex 450 Pro, the cyclic servo and main bearing mounting are almost identical.

Jack from Empire wrote that the swash was different, but I don't see it. There appear to be no differences in the head between he CNC version for the 450 and 550 other than the anodizing, that I can see.

I still think the battery tray needs to be wider to protect the battery from crashes and the frame needs more cutouts.

Scott

[dunkonu23]

Here is a link to an explanation of how the North American Hobby Collective works:

www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?p=2043958#post2043958

I'd explain, but Jack from Empire did a great job!

Scott

[Jerrymac]

AlleRC already has a complete list of all the X5 parts on their site, although they are not yet available. When I get some time I think I will check them out and see how many are the same as the old 425/550.

They are also now taking pre-orders on the X5 at AlleRC.

[dunkonu23]

I'll be willing to bet that from the Flybar cage down, other than the anodizing, the parts are identical, head wise. Probably grips, too... though I do so hope they get the thrust bearing thing right.

Scott

[Jerrymac]

The more I see about the X5, the more I would like to have one.

Unfortunately, I do have a heli budget and need some more batteries for my other helis, and at $100+ apiece it don't take long to use up the funds. I am gonna have an X5 someday though, just don't know when.

[dunkonu23]

The X5 manual is up on the Gaui site... From the looks of things, they've not changed the grip design much at all. I've asked if the manual is right. From the looks of things, it's the same bearing arrangement as found on the 425/550 main grips. They port that design to the tail, as well.

For those out there who don't know what I'm talking about, on most helicopters, thrust bearings are on the outside of the sealed bearings. They're there to absorb radial loads and to limit binding of the bearings that ride tightly on the feathering shaft and tail hub. On the Gaui 425/550 and apparently X5, the thrust bearings on the main grips and main rotor are sandwiched between the main feathering shaft and tail hub bearings. In my mind, this completely eliminates their effectiveness, but I'm not a mechanical engineer so don't quote me on it. Just know the bearing design has not changed at all unless the manual is wrong, of course.

Scott

[Jerrymac]

I never really quite understood this design either. Even my cheapo HB King2's have the thrust bearings on the outside of the roller bearings.

[dunkonu23]

Though not entirely Gaui, it does show the X5 being flown by Danny Szabo at the San Diego Fun Fly.

www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=216448

Scott

[Jerrymac]

Well, here is something interesting. HeliDirect dropped the Hurri 550 line a long time ago, but, I see they are taking orders for the X5, and started a parts listing for them too.

Could it be that they lost some of their longtime Gaui customers and are trying to get them back?