Years ago I had a Trex5003G and a Blade 550X at the same time. I crashed the Trex a few times because I was new to big helis, but never the 550X. The 550 got some bad press due to ESC issues from what I recall, but I really liked it. It had enough power for me and was well made. It was reassuring and stable in flight, and like I've tried to convey to people when I've mentioned it before, it's like you could almost feel it's momentum and power through the sticks on your radio. That might make sense to some of you...? Just recently I got an Align Trex500XT Dominator, and didn't like it at all. It was minimally engineered and flimsy, was too big for a 500, and had quality and weird fitment issues. I'd take my old Trex500 or the 550X over it any day. I wish I'd never Craigslisted the 550. Glad Blade are still making this 480 - I might have to get one. As for the 500XT... I parted it out on eBay.
Like the 480, but please tell me you are going to have a BNF version. Look at whats in stock on the Fusion 270, BNF out of stock, in stock ARF. What does the tell you? Blade has always filled that void for the guy who doesn't want to be bothered with building or have the time to. Going this route will only alienate a large user base in an already crowded market.
Default To HH, I need a blade bnf fusion 480. I don't have the time to built. There are many folks like me out there no time to built. I was 100% sure that fusion 480 will have a BNF option. But it was not. I am looking for something bigger like a 500 or 550 size BNF machine. I have been flying these heli's for years now: Blade 450x v1, v2, 4503d, 500 3d, 360cfx, 270 cfx, 300 cfx, 230s, 180cfx, 120s, nano cp, Also Blade Chroma still going strong. I spend tons of money for my passion for this hobby. Lets keep the hobby alive. There are many BNF customers out there who wants bigger helis. Like 500 or 550 size BNF machine. You can have an option to call and order for bigger BNF machine. For safety concerned you can have something in writing from the buyer that you are not responsible if anything goes wrong. Or something ....
I’m sure this is a quality machine. I’ve had several smaller helicopters from you guys and have always been pleased. But over the years you guys introduce larger bird only to discontinue them in a year or so like the 600 etc. I just don’t trust you to stick with this machine for the long haul. It’s a shame.
I feel like if I were in the market for a larger heli, I'd get a 550L Dominator instead of this. Design's hardly changed in years, parts are plentiful. Blade seems to change their design (blade diameters, geometries) every year or two.
I think $500 for this helicopter is a bit much. Doing a little arithmetic while staying conservative with the price of the of electronics, and for the sake of argument you already have batteries for it. A motor and esc would run $150 easily. I don't think $75 for a motor and $75 for an esc is too much of a stretch. Then $50 for four servos at $200, and let's say $200 for a fbl system which is close to average price, as well as $40 for two spektrum satellite's. So all in total one could be looking at around $900. While the Align 500x running 480mm blades start as a combo kit for around $620-$740 depending if you get the belt or torque tube drive. Align is still a very good quality kit, much better than anything from Blade in the past. For the $900 price point one could argue to just get an SAB Goblin.
I agree. I own Trex 500X, the kit quality is amazing, comes with everything included, it flies great. The combo version costs at approximately $640 with everything included, except the receiver. It's easy to build, it flies great. I think, maybe the new Fusion 480 is for those who really want to stick with the brand.
Man, high5, I'm a bit jealous that I didn't buy the super combo, even the combo works just fine for me. But the price I got at AMain hobbies was hard to beat. Initially, I needed a BNF heli, was seriously considering Blade 360 just because it was already assembled. The key factors that outweighed any ARF BNF Blade product were: siiiize, 500X rotor diameter is 1058mm, everything included, brand quality and reputation, and of course the price. I'm not particularly a fan of Align or SAB, but realistically, when you see the new 500X - it's beautiful. Highly recommend to anyone who want a large entry level heli. And people here, don't be afraid to get a kit. It's a pleasure to build.I miss it.
I know a guy who has the 360, Trio 360 and who ended up suddenly buying Goblin 500))) With that said, my best small all around heli is 230S. It helped me get back to flying rc helis since 2012 after I crashed my Belt CPx 450.
Bunnyshooter 223 Im not knocking this model. Id like to see Blade climb out of their rut.... I just think Blade is in a tough position in the market... Cause they are playing catch up. Im gonna withhold my analysis... This is bold, and thats cool... Lets see what happens.
Bunnyshooter 223 My VERY nice align 500x super combo came with everything, minus rx for 750usd. This is a bare airframe for 500usd. So, with good guts this will easily be a 1100+usd bird to complete... Compared to the align at 750usd.... So thats my point.
The Fusion 480 is too expensive and many others will see it that way. Blade has learned nothing from the past Pro Series Helis. How can you call such a prize in such a competitive market?
Add a few dollars and you can get a Logo 480 kit which seems to have similar flight characteristics but great wide landing skids... What's the point? I guess people would prefer BNF at a small price, something they can put in an airframe without taking care of settings. The market for hard 3D capable helis is full, sorry guys X)
Where is BNF version?? What will happen to all the bnf guys moving up the ladder to a 500 size heli. You guys are doing a huge mistake by not selling as bnf version too. You guys should have buf & arf for both worlds. If the bnf guys start to build than they will move to something different. You guys should bring out the bnf version asap. It will sell like a hot cake. Your business professionals should think twice. You guys always sent out emails to get reviews. Here are the free reviews.
robin111fly If you cant build and program a heli YOURSELF, you have absolutely no business flying anything 500 and up... For safety reasons alone. Dont have any skill? Then stick to the quads.
Ganz ehrlich hab ich ein 230s 300x 450x 500x 700x gehabt und geflogen .... Für Anfänger gut aber hartes 3d hat kein Heli überstanden...Ich weiß nicht wie ihr eure Helikopter so hinbekommt aber auch mit professioneller Hilfe flogen meine Blades alle Kacke ...
Years ago I had a Trex5003G and a Blade 550X at the same time. I crashed the Trex a few times because I was new to big helis, but never the 550X. The 550 got some bad press due to ESC issues from what I recall, but I really liked it. It had enough power for me and was well made. It was reassuring and stable in flight, and like I've tried to convey to people when I've mentioned it before, it's like you could almost feel it's momentum and power through the sticks on your radio. That might make sense to some of you...? Just recently I got an Align Trex500XT Dominator, and didn't like it at all. It was minimally engineered and flimsy, was too big for a 500, and had quality and weird fitment issues. I'd take my old Trex500 or the 550X over it any day. I wish I'd never Craigslisted the 550. Glad Blade are still making this 480 - I might have to get one. As for the 500XT... I parted it out on eBay.
Now release a mCP X BL V2! Seriously that's what we all want!
Hell to the yeah!!!!! I want my MCPX BL BACK!!!!
they have! :)
James can really fly!...Thumbs Up!
Like the 480, but please tell me you are going to have a BNF version. Look at whats in stock on the Fusion 270, BNF out of stock, in stock ARF. What does the tell you? Blade has always filled that void for the guy who doesn't want to be bothered with building or have the time to. Going this route will only alienate a large user base in an already crowded market.
Sweet looking heli! I like it. I don't like the price. For around the same price you can get a Synergy 516, or Goblin 500.
Yes please
Default
To HH,
I need a blade bnf fusion 480.
I don't have the time to built. There are many folks like me out there no time to built. I was 100% sure that fusion 480 will have a BNF option.
But it was not.
I am looking for something bigger like a 500 or 550 size BNF machine.
I have been flying these heli's for years now:
Blade 450x v1, v2, 4503d, 500 3d, 360cfx, 270 cfx,
300 cfx, 230s, 180cfx, 120s, nano cp,
Also Blade Chroma still going strong.
I spend tons of money for my passion for this hobby. Lets keep the hobby alive.
There are many BNF customers out there who wants bigger helis.
Like 500 or 550 size BNF machine.
You can have an option to call and order for bigger BNF machine.
For safety concerned you can have something in writing from the buyer that you are not responsible if anything goes wrong. Or something ....
I’m sure this is a quality machine. I’ve had several smaller helicopters from you guys and have always been pleased. But over the years you guys introduce larger bird only to discontinue them in a year or so like the 600 etc. I just don’t trust you to stick with this machine for the long haul. It’s a shame.
I feel like if I were in the market for a larger heli, I'd get a 550L Dominator instead of this. Design's hardly changed in years, parts are plentiful. Blade seems to change their design (blade diameters, geometries) every year or two.
Not to mention way more bang for your buck with an align super combo.
I think $500 for this helicopter is a bit much. Doing a little arithmetic while staying conservative with the price of the of electronics, and for the sake of argument you already have batteries for it. A motor and esc would run $150 easily. I don't think $75 for a motor and $75 for an esc is too much of a stretch. Then $50 for four servos at $200, and let's say $200 for a fbl system which is close to average price, as well as $40 for two spektrum satellite's. So all in total one could be looking at around $900. While the Align 500x running 480mm blades start as a combo kit for around $620-$740 depending if you get the belt or torque tube drive. Align is still a very good quality kit, much better than anything from Blade in the past. For the $900 price point one could argue to just get an SAB Goblin.
I agree. I own Trex 500X, the kit quality is amazing, comes with everything included, it flies great. The combo version costs at approximately $640 with everything included, except the receiver. It's easy to build, it flies great. I think, maybe the new Fusion 480 is for those who really want to stick with the brand.
I have a Align 500xt. Beauty bird.
Super combo is very well equiped.
Man, high5, I'm a bit jealous that I didn't buy the super combo, even the combo works just fine for me. But the price I got at AMain hobbies was hard to beat. Initially, I needed a BNF heli, was seriously considering Blade 360 just because it was already assembled. The key factors that outweighed any ARF BNF Blade product were: siiiize, 500X rotor diameter is 1058mm, everything included, brand quality and reputation, and of course the price. I'm not particularly a fan of Align or SAB, but realistically, when you see the new 500X - it's beautiful. Highly recommend to anyone who want a large entry level heli. And people here, don't be afraid to get a kit. It's a pleasure to build.I miss it.
VDM_IAD
Good thing you avoided the 360...
I hated mine.
I know a guy who has the 360, Trio 360 and who ended up suddenly buying Goblin 500))) With that said, my best small all around heli is 230S. It helped me get back to flying rc helis since 2012 after I crashed my Belt CPx 450.
That's crazy mate!!! I will stick to my RC boats and sUAS Drones. lol
Squandered opportunity to make waves in the market. Sell this as two options, just as you do with the Fusion 270. $699 BNF would have made waves.
Xecuter1174
For 500usd as a bare airframe, i cant see how this is gonna be cost competetive with basically anything else out there. Stupid move Blade
Bunnyshooter 223
Im not knocking this model.
Id like to see Blade climb out of their rut.... I just think Blade is in a tough position in the market... Cause they are playing catch up.
Im gonna withhold my analysis...
This is bold, and thats cool...
Lets see what happens.
Bunnyshooter 223
My VERY nice align 500x super combo came with everything, minus rx for 750usd.
This is a bare airframe for 500usd. So, with good guts this will easily be a 1100+usd bird to complete... Compared to the align at 750usd.... So thats my point.
Brad Colman That's the number I'm coming up with too. That's more then my 550x SC costs. Damn you Blade, get your head out of your ass. Lol
Xecuter1174
Its almost like this kit is aimed at a market that doesnt exist.
Compared to everything else out there, this is to expensive for a bare bones kit. Blade should throw in a motor or electronics with the kit
Finally the only true comment in this video. IMO 500 is a little too pricy even though I already have one on order.
Video would be even better if you showed someone holding it, or some other way to get a sense of scale.
It will be a little bigger than a 450 class. Hope that helps your probbly looking at 3ft in lengh perhaps
The Fusion 480 is too expensive and many others will see it that way.
Blade has learned nothing from the past Pro Series Helis.
How can you call such a prize in such a competitive market?
HutschiFlutschi
Yeah. Align especially must be laughing their dicks off.
Add a few dollars and you can get a Logo 480 kit which seems to have similar flight characteristics but great wide landing skids... What's the point?
I guess people would prefer BNF at a small price, something they can put in an airframe without taking care of settings. The market for hard 3D capable helis is full, sorry guys X)
Be discontinued before you know it
Yeah thats too true
talked to Horizon they said they will support for two years after discontinued
Two years later and its still going strong..... I just got one, well my buddy did but i fly it.
Awesome bjrd nust a steep on the price ill just keep flying my double horse 3ch helicopter
Three-blade head please!
Where is BNF version?? What will happen to all the bnf guys moving up the ladder to a 500 size heli. You guys are doing a huge mistake by not selling as bnf version too. You guys should have buf & arf for both worlds. If the bnf guys start to build than they will move to something different. You guys should bring out the bnf version asap. It will sell like a hot cake. Your business professionals should think twice. You guys always sent out emails to get reviews. Here are the free reviews.
robin111fly
If you cant build and program a heli YOURSELF, you have absolutely no business flying anything 500 and up... For safety reasons alone. Dont have any skill?
Then stick to the quads.
BNF and SAFE. I'LL buy it. 250cfx is ok but too small. Come on Horizon.
id buy if it were a bnf. come on blade for us guys who dont want a build heli.
Ganz ehrlich hab ich ein 230s 300x 450x 500x 700x gehabt und geflogen .... Für Anfänger gut aber hartes 3d hat kein Heli überstanden...Ich weiß nicht wie ihr eure Helikopter so hinbekommt aber auch mit professioneller Hilfe flogen meine Blades alle Kacke ...
Bnf pleeeeezse