Blade Scout CX RC Helicopter

Buy Now from Mammoth Hobbies!

Horizon Hobby has come out with a RC Helicopter that is priced just a few dollars more than those found in local mall booths, but the Blade Scout CX RC Helicopter comes with a 2.4ghz radio and is backed by Horizon Hobby's world class support.

The "CX" means that the Blade Scout  features a co-axial rotor head design which eliminates the need for a separate tail rotor.  Co-axial helicopters are both less mechanically complicated and  generally easier to fly compared with their tail rotor equipped counterparts as the torque created by each main rotor cancels each other out.

How does the Blade Scout Fly?

The Scout is very stable in a hover and the transmitter includes trim buttons so you can tweak the elevator and rudder for a very solid hover.  At only 17 grams (a hair over half an ounce) the Scout is not only intolerant of any wind but even indoors I had to turn the ceiling fan off.  I tried it a few times outdoors but with even enough wind to barely stir a streamer the Scout doesn't have enough control authority to get back against even the mildest breeze.  Inside however the little Scout CX is a blast.

On the subject of control authority, those that took a moment to read the addendum to the manual will have noticed the Scout transmitter includes dual rates.  Before inserting the battery and linking the helicopter, simply turn on the transmitter and press down the right stick until it beeps twice.  The red RF light will start flashing and the transmitter will be in high rate.  You have enable this feature each time you want to fly in high rate as once you cycle the power on the transmitter it reverts to the standard control rates.

The high rate gave the Scout noticeably more nimble controls.  A fixed pitch helicopter by its nature is not made for aerobatics and a heavy hand in high rate will just make the rotor loose RPM and then the Scout will want to fall out of the air.  When the light inside the canopy starts to flash the battery is on its last leg and it's time to land.

Spare batteries are only about 5 dollars so it's my opinion that it would be well worth having a few extras on hand.

Blade Scout Technical Specs: