I have had a lot of time to think about this and it's time I post up my answer. I'm sure everyone on here can stand with me on saying $450 spent on a toy is a hard pill to swallow. I know I had a very hard time pulling the trigger on my latest purchase. But then I started thinking about what I'm getting...
DS410 x3 Cyclic Servos $83.97
DS520 Tail Servo $49.99
450MX Motor $49.99
Align 35a ESC $49.99
3GX Flybarless Gyro $238.99
TOTAL: $472.93
All we just priced out was the electronics for the helicopter I just ordered. Let me put this into perspective for you. I just hit the "Buy Now" button on an Align 450 Pro v2 3GX Flybarless Super Combo and spent $462.90. But if I would have purchased all of the electronics I got with that kit for my other Pro v1 heli, I would have spent not only the $77.00 for the Clone kit that could have blinded me, but also another $472.93 just for the electronics totaling $549.93. Almost $100 more than I spend on a true Align kit.
The kicker here is, even if I put all the best electronics on this clone, I would still be left with metal that is too soft and will fail, carbon fiber that is separating and looks like crap and a canopy that a 3 year old could have painted better and had $100 more out of my pocket.
So when you are deciding on what helicopter to get, don't just think about the cost of the kit, think about everything you will have to put into it and what it will do for you. Would you rather spend $462.90 for everything, or purchase a clone, run the risk of injury from parts flying off for $77 plus getting all of the electronics that are "Good" and spending almost $100 more than you would have by just purchasing the Align kit in the first place?
I don't know about you, but when I put it in that perspective the choice was pretty easy. Especially when I have my daughter out there with me when I'm flying!
DS410 x3 Cyclic Servos $83.97
DS520 Tail Servo $49.99
450MX Motor $49.99
Align 35a ESC $49.99
3GX Flybarless Gyro $238.99
TOTAL: $472.93
All we just priced out was the electronics for the helicopter I just ordered. Let me put this into perspective for you. I just hit the "Buy Now" button on an Align 450 Pro v2 3GX Flybarless Super Combo and spent $462.90. But if I would have purchased all of the electronics I got with that kit for my other Pro v1 heli, I would have spent not only the $77.00 for the Clone kit that could have blinded me, but also another $472.93 just for the electronics totaling $549.93. Almost $100 more than I spend on a true Align kit.
The kicker here is, even if I put all the best electronics on this clone, I would still be left with metal that is too soft and will fail, carbon fiber that is separating and looks like crap and a canopy that a 3 year old could have painted better and had $100 more out of my pocket.
So when you are deciding on what helicopter to get, don't just think about the cost of the kit, think about everything you will have to put into it and what it will do for you. Would you rather spend $462.90 for everything, or purchase a clone, run the risk of injury from parts flying off for $77 plus getting all of the electronics that are "Good" and spending almost $100 more than you would have by just purchasing the Align kit in the first place?
I don't know about you, but when I put it in that perspective the choice was pretty easy. Especially when I have my daughter out there with me when I'm flying!
