Description
The P6e
Charger is an electric version of the P6 Pantera. Like all 600-class
models, it's designed to accept 600mm long main rotor blades. This
means the model is large, which makes it easier to control when a
small one's a mere spec in the distance. And if you value your time,
then you'll appreciate being able to fly when there's a stiff breeze,
e.g. when models sporting 230-270mm blades are a handful for all but
the most expert. Speaking of flying, just like motorcycles have sport
bikes for carving corners and cruisers created for a more laid back
attitude, model helicopters have a personality, too. For example, do
you like a helicopter that's twitchy, or darts off at the merest
thought? If so, then a Charger probably isn't for you because we've
expressly designed it to be smooth and easy to handle – like a
cruiser. The gentle-and-predictable end of the handling-spectrum
means it's ideal for what some call big-sky maneuvers – like
upright and inverted flight, plus loops and rolls. Sure, it will do
mild 3D (flips and tumbles), but the fact is you have to work at it
because it's nature is to be smooth and steady. Of course, this
really pays off if you're a beginner because once you get in
trouble, the Charger will hover nearly hands off while you collect
your composure. If you want to relax and have fun when you fly, the
P6e Charger is the model you want.
Construction
Unlike quad-copter drones,
helicopters feature a main rotor plus a tail rotor to counter torque.
The tail rotor is attached with an aluminum tail boom. The advantage
of aluminum is it's both light and inexpensive (important because
tail booms are easily damaged in a crash). Of course, once you get to
be an expert we offer a more pricey carbon fiber tail boom – but in
the meantime your Charger has been design to be intrinsically less
expensive to repair vs. lightweight carbon models optimized for
3D–maneuvers.
Do you remember the
snap-together plastic models you build as a kid? Remember how quickly
and easily they went together? We've made the Charger just as easy to
assemble because the two frame halves merely snap together. Plus
we've done the hard stuff like per-assembling the rotor and tail
rotor assemblies. This means you don't have to be an expert builder
because you'll get perfect gear mesh every time! And because we use
the same kind of impact resistant engineering-polymer as is used in
police handgun frames from the likes Glock and Smith & Wesson,
the model is super tough. More so than models featuring carbon fiber
frames because a Charger will often bounce, bend, and flex instead of
shattering the way rigid materials crack like an eggshell. Basically,
this tough plastic is better for you because it absorbs the
occasional knocks – and this saves you money.
What else do you need?
- Battery Pack (8S to 12S
LiPo) – it depends on what you want to do
- Electric Motor (520 to
720kV) – again, it depends
- Throttle – also called
an ESC for Electronic Speed Control – 80-120A
- 3 Cyclic Servos – we
offer good, better, and best (to suit your budget)
- 1 Tail Rotor Servo
- Single-axis Gyroscope
- Transmitter and Receiver
(6-channels minimum . . . but an
8-channel is wiser)
- Main Rotor Blades – 600mm – in wood, fiberglass, or carbon fiber – it
depends
- Training Gear – if
you're learning to hover, think of these as training wheels!
- Assorted tools, plus a
pitch gauge, field box, battery charger, etc.
Technical Specs
- Length: 48" (1220 mm)
- Height: 17" (432 mm)
- Main Rotor Diameter: 56-1/32" (1423 mm) w/640mm main rotor blades
- Tail Rotor Diameter: 10-1/2" (267 mm) w/100 mm
- Main Gear Ratio: 8.7:1
- Tail Gear Ratio: 5.3:1
- Weight (gross): 7-9 lb (varies - largely depends on motor and battery pack)
- Main Blades: 600 to 640 mm (most folks use 600mm)
- Tail Rotor Blades: 87 to 95 mm
- Motor: 1500-4000W
- Radio: minimum 6-channels but best with 8+ channels
Unlike smaller, perhaps toy-like models, a P6e Charger is a hobby-grade product. As such, while we make recommendations in terms of a suitable motor, ESC, battery pack, servos, gyro, and more . . . the facts are a wide range of suitable equipment is available and may be perfectly acceptable. The choices often reflect tastes and budget. While we occasionally offer entry level package specials, ones which include servos, gyro, and blades, the facts are we have several possible motor/ESC combos so it's unlikely pre-selecting equipment will always suit your needs and desires.
Thus, in common with most other brands of 600-class models, what you're basically buying is the helicopter itself. The accessories required to prepare it for flight are left to your choosing. That said, we are happy to advise you. Just share with us how you want to fly your model and we'll guide you. This, because the equipment we may recommend if your ultimate interest is in installing the model within a scale fuselage (perhaps painted like your local new chopper) is probably going to be rather different from the equipment we may recommend if your goal is to learn aerobatic maneuvers. And both will perhaps be different if you just want to get your feet wet by learning to hover and fly circuits and have a really tight budget. As always, the answer as to the right level pf equipment for you is . . . it depends. Call 407-302-3361 and we'll be happy to help.