E-Flite Viper 64mm EDF BNF Basic with AS3X+ and SAFE Select - Model AV8R Announcement & Review

[@oldguyflyer9221]

Adam, I got my hands on one of these and I just love it! Anyone looking for a "take anywhere" sport jet that looks and flies like you want it to, this is a excellent chose. The AS3X+ just locks the baby in tight. I've been flying mine with a NX8 (I did the programing) 4s 3200 50c G2 SMART battery. The Launch Assist is a God send for us +65 flyers with a bit of arthritise

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Congrats! Fantastic little jet. A bit of a sleeper...flies extremely well for its size. Yes sir...the launch assist is a great feature.

[@payitfwdrcl6171]

Sweet looking Viper from HH. Lights too with a 64mm. It only gets better. Well done my friend. ❤Rc. 😊

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Brad! Great lil jet!

[@TerranceNeill]

You look like you were having fun! I think Vipers, any size are the smoothest flying edf's out there. They fly as advertised and make a great 1st EDF Jet, Well done Adam!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

I was! Thanks man, and I agree, Vipers are pretty solid across the board.

[@jahairl227]

Really enjoy your R/C model reviews. Easy for novice and advanced enthusiast to follow. 👏🏻👏🏾👏👏🏼

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Glad you like them! Thanks very much.

[@mikessi]

All of the E-Flite Vipers seem to be very smooth, fast and capable of unusually slow flight. Very well done Team AV8R!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Mike, I agree...very well rounded series of jets.

[@SteffenRC]

What a great little Viper.. Love the performance and those lights.. You're right, its a premium 64mm Sport Jet for sure... Quality review....

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Will! I'm impressed...a lot of features in a 64mm sport jet

[@gblyndensrandomreviews]

Very cool Adam! It is cool that they added lights onto the smallest one and the flight modes is a great way to train folks on how to get the most out of flaps 👊🏻💥👊🏻

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks GB! I am very impressed!

[@purcellrcaviationchannel]

Great product review from the Top Of The Class Model AV8R channel! Loved the sunset flying footage, Adam... beautiful filming by Heidi 👍

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thank you Gina! It was a beautiful afternoon.

[@rohangupta9358]

You are one of the best channels. Love your content. Always helpful

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks very much!

[@DadsRCHangar]

Great Jet Adam, flown by an expert, but she looks like she would fly on rails. Great information as usual 🫡

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Chris!

[@IansRCExploits]

Looks a fantastic mid size jet, love all the features!! But really like the fact that it's set up for hand launching, great review Adam and Heidi 😀👍

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Ian! It is a really great jet!

[@MysteriousRJC]

Thanks for the great review. I’m thinking about buying this because I already owned the extra 300 which uses the same batteries …. looks like it’s quite a good little package.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks! Yep, this is in my mind the 64mm to have. Light, fast (GPS 97mph!), lights,flaps, easily removable gear, and it flies amazingly good. Plus as you said it uses common batteries. You'll enjoy it!

[@oldguyflyer9221]

Sorry about that, I meant to say a bit of arthritis in the shoulder joints. Don't laugh young people, your day will come! Anyway, A great review, nice flying, well shot review! Keep it up!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

It's all good man! Thanks very much!

[@scottelmore7928]

Great plane, great video and great breakdown on the price point! Scott

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks brother Scott! Nice lil jet!

[@SlowFlyer85]

Adam this edf looks great if all goes well in the middle of OCt you know I am coming back to edf great flying and review Heidi great Video Recording 👍👍👍👍😊😊😊😊

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

It does Frank...we're pulling for you brother!

[@jollyroger2226]

Fine demo flying. Seeing how sleek and fast looking the Viper is - doing some of the flipity do dah (tumble) type maneuvers isn't the first thing that comes to mind. But I can tell you had a good time with it all.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks man! Lol, yeah I like to do a bit of it all. Great little jet.

[@quilong]

I like all youtuber modelers but your channel has a great format, you can see that you have a lot of experience and talent in telling about it. When is bush flying again?

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks very much! We need to find more places to bush fly.

[@timmytfpv7316]

Just mine together tonight maybe took 10 minutes radio set up like you said took 30 seconds all done for you no glue easy screws its worth every dollar cant wait to maiden tomorrow morning

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

You're gonna love it!

[@timmytfpv7316]

Flew it today first with gear just to make sure then without hands down easiest hand launch EDF like throwing a paper plane so glad i bought it 👍

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

@@timmytfpv7316 Outstanding! IMO the best 64mm Sport Jet out there.

[@SunriseRCAviator]

Great video Adam!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks!

[@alexmctear7005]

Class pal good video

[@roachcoachhelis6387]

Cool little Viper I have the 70 mm and love it , is is a fast jet but it had no lights !!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

It is! Yep the 70 is an older mold, this one is brand new tooling.

[@roachcoachhelis6387]

@@ModelAV8RChannel my Taft hobby Viper 90 mm is close to that paint Scheme that's yellow white and black which I love those colors

[@TurnaRC]

Nice man, great review 👍🏻 Looking forward to getting one myself and wringing it out 🚀✈️

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Have fun with it! Awesone little Jet!

[@TurnaRC]

@ModelAV8RChannel Yes, Sir! There is no stock in Aus for about 4 more weeks, so I'll have to wait 😄 Love the 90mm- put a Kingtech K-45 in mine, E-Flite certainly knocked these evolution offerings outta the park I'm sure everyone will enjoy flying them indeed! Cheers

[@jcb6713]

nice info...great flight 👍👍

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks man!

[@erichoenderop1142]

Thanks - nice and honest review

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@KerryMcAllister-c3s]

Awesome as usual Adam! Just bought this Viper. I’ve never adjusted any of the gyro settings on my EFlite BNF’s. On this Viper, can that be done with regular first time set up, or using the included file from the RCVR?. Guess Imalways thought the BNF stuff was locked gyro settings. Cheers Adam! Kerry from Canada

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Kerry! With this one it is partially unlocked so you can adjust some of the AS3X+ settings either way. To fully unlock it you just need to do a factory reset in forward programming. When you do that however, you clear the RX and are forced to start over with the set up as if it is a RX out of a separate package. I would try it stock first, pretty good set up.

[@KerryMcAllister-c3s]

@@ModelAV8RChannel Thanks Adam! Much appreciated my friend! Kerry

[@williamhoodtn]

Great flying! HH really hit it out of the park (again)!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks man! Yes...they did. Grand slam I'd say.

[@mbx5brian]

Great video iam going to get one.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks! Enjoy it!

[@robw8703]

Lights are a nice upgrade. Spec it for 6S power and add retracts. Quite a few 64mm jets are hitting the marked spec'd for 6S power and have retracts. The Horizon Hobby faithful will enjoy this airplane but keep in other manufacturers are spec'ing their 64mm aircraft with things eFlite has yet to introduce (FlyFans 64mm L-39 comes to mind for comparison).

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

You know I flew one of those L-39s and it flew well, but felt heavy (guy was using a 3000 pack). I think when you get to that feature level, just make it a 70mm and use batteries many already have...they can take more common 3200 and 4000 6s and the slightly larger size handles the extras better . The whole point of airplanes in this category (64mm) is simplicity and being able to use common 2200 to 2600 4s packs that many already have. That flyfans is a good price...until you add RX as good as this Viper comes with and then buy batteries for it as most folks don't have 1800 to 2200 6s packs, which it flies best with from what I read about it. Lighter that way. The truth is...there are just a few 64mm 6s single engine jets available, but there are dozens of 4s 64mm out there...which is why most already have batteries for them.

[@MichaelRunge-mx9vo]

Great presentation of what looks like a model that should suit most EDF pilots apart from those who insist on the big 6s beasts. That said, I'm not an EDF pilot but rather a glider guy whose propellor experience is of the folding type! I've experience of fast machines, not just floaters. Would you advise against me entering the EDF world with this plane? I see that E-flite recomends the Habu 70 STS over this for an new jet pilot, but it's a considerable price jump in Australia. Keep up the great work.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks for the kind words man! If you've flown a "Hotliner" style aerobatic glider I think you'd be fine with the 64 Viper.

[@MichaelRunge-mx9vo]

@@ModelAV8RChannel Thanks for your advice.

[@ficosk8]

Similar to the Hobbyking 64mm but 4 instead of 6S. Probably pretty nice to hand toss and full gas 🤣 I like the colour! 👍🏼

[@FlightLogProductions]

It's unfortunate that E-Flite missed the mark making this a 4S jet instead of a 6S jet.. The HobbyKing 64mm Viper only really has 2 things going for it, Fully Painted BRIGHT colors and the 6S power system, though a majority of people that purchased the 1st run can't get the reverse thrust to work. But otherwise the E-Flight 64mm Viper is far superior in every way. and their Servo's are Many times superior to HobbyKing's.

[@ficosk8]

@@FlightLogProductions but the best 64mm Edf, the Freewing 2500kv costs around 40$ in offer. The paint would be much important for me as I don´t like unpainted foam :/, it looks so cheap :P The Hobbyking had/has indeed a very nice finish! I was amazed but sold it anyway since I have enough planes with retracts now....

[@JeffinLowerAlabama]

Adam great flying and review. Heidi amazing video. Zoom zoom zoom Jeff in LA USA

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Jeff!

[@MrHipwell1989]

Hey man, great review. Question, ive been flying an eflight habu 50mm for my first edf about 6 weeks now and seem to have got the hang of it, other than the fact it does not like to land, just wants to fly, will this be a good next step? will it be much harder to fly than the habu 50?

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks very much! No man, if you can fly the Habu 50mm, you'll have no issues at all with this...it flies even better.

[@referee494]

I recently bought the NX8+ and I am going to buy this bird as soon as it is available in Belgium. I will try the file from the reciever but I do trust you a lot with your experience so I was looking for the data you put in but, and I understand that I am the dummy here, but I have no idea were to look for your settings. Can you help me out on this one? BTW great vid again, thx.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks for the kind words man! On all our Reviews, there are chapters listed in the description. In the set up/set up info page chapter you'll find all our settings listed at the end of that chapter. Sometimes on one page, sometimes two. You can pause and print if you like. We have several viewers that do that. Congrats on the NX8+. GREAT TX.

[@ficosk8]

Wow!!!

[@AL-RCjunkie]

Hell yeah! Give it the beans! Been waiting for this review since HH released their video on YT at 9:30 this morning. I'd say they knocked it out of the park with this bird. On packs I have an abundance of, it's gonna be hard for me to not spend a few nights in the dog house for this one. Not that it's over priced at all. Just the last 4 planes I bought this summer were each " the last plane I'll need until at least Christmas"... 😊 Awesome job, Heidi! Great, informative and demonstrative review, per usual, Adam. PS- love the timely "pops" during the flights. If only the Viper had rocket pods 👍

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Hey Al! Thanks man Heidi and I appreciate the kind words brother! I totally understand man. This one is a winner. Super feature packed...and the performance doesn't suffer as a result. Don't always get both. Yeah somebody was enjoying some target practice.

[@Woolfy]

They still charge $250 for the F-15 bank and yank with no smart tech, flaps, lights... This is the first time I've actually been excited for a release. This will be my new main grab and go jet!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

It's a fun one!

[@lepapillon1330]

@ModelAV8RChannel I have the Viper 90, would you go for this , or for the Viper 70 for a quicker to fly 2nd practice jet? Something I can throw in the car easily and fly at my local field, vs a Club?

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

For that the 64mm is perfect. Take the gear off and hand launch it and have a blast. Performs well on 4s 2200 or 3200 packs, and you may already have some of those. The 70 needs a 3200 6s, and to be honest is a bit heavier and faster than I personally would be comfortable with at a park/field.

[@lepapillon1330]

@@ModelAV8RChannel Thank you!

[@matthewsilicki6091]

I heard your comments. I happen to have an ix12 with the latest firmware BEFORE this last update. Am I NOT going to be able to update the tx to as3x+ and if not could I still BNF with this plane?

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

You can still fly a BNF with AS3X+ with an iX12...you'll just be stuck with the AS3X+ settings for the model that are programmed in at the factory...however those settings are usually very good for most pilots. It is my understanding that you cannot update the iX12 with the expansion update or take advantage of the SMART TX file with the iX12.

[@anthonyevans1605]

Can i use the my DX8 transmitter whist using the only the basix as3x settings or will it just not work?

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

DX8 will work fine. AS3X+ is no different than the OG AS3X in that respect. You can fly any BNF with any DX transmitter and you'll just have the factory AS3X+ set up for that plane just as you would with an older BNF.

[@airhammer6203]

Good stuff AV8R, but all things considered, seeing how the $ is a bit high for what it is, I'd rather spend $40 more to purchase the full function 70mm F-22 from MRC. Most of us have a gyro rx laying around that still work just fine. AirHammer out!!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Hammer! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts when you get around to trying AS3X+...

[@airhammer6203]

@@ModelAV8RChannel I use the DX8G2 w/forward programming. Like you, I'm unsure if it's compatible. I'll check, but probably not. Edit: I'm frugal and I've always wanted a F-22.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

F-22's are awesome too man! Just FYI, you can still bind to and fly a BNF model with AS3X+ with a G2DX8. You may not be able to go in forward programming and make adjustments to it, but the factory AS3X+ settings will be fine for most pilots.

[@airhammer6203]

@@ModelAV8RChannel thank you my friend.

[@porkchop41]

If I get this BNF version, can I bind my NX6 without the AX3S+ transmitter update on it? If not, and I go ahead and update my NX6 with the AX3S+ update, do I then have to up date all the models (approx 20) in my NX6 to AX3S+?

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Yes, you can bind your NX6 to the Viper and take advantage of AS3X+ without the update. However, it is well worth doing the update. It will turn your NX6 into a 14 channel TX and you'll be able to load SMART TX files into your transmitter from the RX in BNF AS3X+ planes. You do not have to update all your RX's. You will still be able to fly and tune the OG AS3X. Once you try AS3X+ though...you'll be updating some of them I'd bet.

[@jayaustin3096]

Wow. The features are amazing for a 64mm. Alot of people are crying about the price before they see a great review like you give. That's why I always wait to pull the trigger until I see your videos. This is my price point for sure. Kinda like buying steaks these days. I'm not paying 14 dollars a pound for steaks or 500 dollars for a piece of foam. This is a great plane all the features we want. Retracts everyone says would just raise the price to 350. Horizons technology is getting so good that pretty soon we are going to forget how to program a reciever lol. I guess that's s good thing. Thanks adam. Like to see some bush flying one day.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks very much Jay! We appreciate the kind words. It really is "Top of the class" as they say. Features are very nice, but if it is at the cost of performance they aren't worth it...the Viper 64 has both, and that really impresses me. I have flown a couple of 64's that can perform with it speed/climb wise, but none this feature packed...and it out performs most 64's. We do need to do another bush flying vid...got to find some good places. Losing our old field really hurt us in that regard. It was perfect for it.

[@heathmikkola7157]

I've been wondering how this would compare to the H-King 64 mm Viper EDF released few months ago?

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

I haven't flown the HK. Looking at them this one uses more common 2200 4s packs, has LED's, and has AS3X+. Seems like a no brainer.

[@heathmikkola7157]

I feel and see that the electronics would be much nicer in the E-flite. Just mostly curious having a side-by-side comparison of the two where they're both very similar in size, both 64 mm but E-flite is 4S and H King 6s I'm wondering if this airframe Less is actually more?

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

This may help...I have a buddy that saw the HK Viper fly at Nall this year, and he saw me fly the EF. He couldn't tell a difference in speed (which surprised him), and said he actually thinks the EF may have better vertical. To be fair, when he saw the HK it was hotter than it is now, so that could have affected performance slightly. Either way...it seems to be very close speed/climb rate wise. As far as fit/finish he said it wasn't close. Comparing the pictures I can see that. I don't even have to tell you which one wins that contest...

[@gfoster420]

I have the dx6e transmitter and uploaded the as3x+ onto my Ar630. Turns out the dx6e is not capable of as3x+. They are incompatible. I had to send my Ar630 back to Horizon to have the software reflashed back a version.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Good to know thank you. Might be worth an upgrade...the NX7e+ is the same price the NX7E was, but now has 14 channels and voice capability...not to mention all the perks of AS3X+ and SMART TX files. Best deal going on a transmitter if you ask me.

[@EngineNoise305]

Wow how does this compare to the 6s habu?

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Performs as well speed wise, but is more aerobatic, takes cheaper batteries, is as easy to fly when set up tame, and it looks way sexier.

[@foxprogt]

The FlyFans L39 has it all (Flaps, leds, retracts on a 64mm jet) and is cheaper.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

The FlyFans L39 doesn't come equipped with a $90 RX that has AS3X+ (Best Gyro on the market), SAFE, and Telemetry. The L39 requires more expensive 6s packs in a size that isn't common for most...so they have to buy them, and it isn't one bit faster and doesn't have any more vertical or performance than the 4s Viper does (Yes, I've flown them both). Viper uses common 4s 2200 and 3200 that most already have on hand. And finally the L39 is heavy for its size as a result of all that and can't slow down anywhere near as good as the Viper. With the L39, once you buy batteries and a good RX...you've paid more for a plane that won't fly as good. So basically, if you want all the bells and whistles...just make the plane a 70mm. Trying to force it with a 64mm is like trying to do a Ford F-150's job with a Ford Ranger. At 64mm, keep them simple or make them a twin. Then you have enough thrust and size to make it make sense with handling characteristics and battery selection.

[@foxprogt]

@@ModelAV8RChannel I personally don't care to have + as i like to custom program all my settings anyway. I rarely even use AS3X equipped rx's in jets as i find most of them fly stable enough with out gyros. The L39 is still cheaper then the Viper pnp. My comment wasn't to say the L39 was better. It was a response to the comment you made at 26:50.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

The Viper PNP still uses common batteries most people have, the L39 still doesn't. The L39 isn't in this class. We're talking light weight sport or sport scale hand launcher/removable gear 64mm EDF's. Notice I didn't include retractable gear in the features I listed, but I did mention removable gear. There are only a few single motor 64mm EDF's with retracts for a reason. Once you want to put everything including retracts in one, you can make a better flyer by just making it a 70mm or bigger. And BTW...you can custom program AS3X + in a multitude of ways. You don't have to use the SMART file, and even if you do you can make changes in forward programming after. Your comment makes it clear you haven't really experienced a programmable gyro to the level of actually learning how to program and tune one to specific airframes. I flew for the better part of 40 years without them. I get tuning an airframe and I get the advantages of knowing how to. Where we differ is I've now learned how to tune with a gyro, and mix that with regular tuning to make my planes better than they have ever been before. Don't get me wrong...I still have some gyro less airplanes. They don't all need one for sure, but many times a light AS3X tune in addition to first tuning one regularly can put the cherry on top of the sundae and render an unbelievable result.

[@Bellairvideo]

Beautiful model! Well explained-Flown-Filmed. Love my original Viper. Glad to see the Oleo’s as on the Tomahawk. I recon it will come in @ A$499 when released here. Perfect little jet.🇦🇺🦘🪃⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Noel! It is a great jet!

[@user-wg2ld7sh9b]

Anyone have any thoughts on how this plane would compare to the Habu 70 SS? (Not the STS.)

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

We've flown both a length. The 70 Habu SS is a bigger plane and takes bigger batteries. 4s and 6s 3200 to 4000's. The Viper uses 4s 2200 to 3200. Speed and climb rates are similar if the Habu is on 6s...on 4s the Viper will smoke it. Viper is a bit more aerobatic...definitely knife edges much better. The Viper can get a bit slower as well because of the flaps. In my opinion the Viper is a better looking/sexier jet...just better styling, and it has LED's that really pop. Both are very forgiving, but the Habu is probably just a smidge easier to fly, but just. When they are both turned up with a more aggressive set up they are both impressive, but the Viper has the edge there a bit. Both are great EDF's and you can't really go wrong with either one. Personally, if I could have only one...it would be the Viper on style points alone.

[@ficosk8]

Wow, this small one has the same edf as FMSs 64 but 70A esc. Why should this push more than 45A? Just because of the airframe? But nice to have telemetry 👍🏼. It should take easily a 5S pack for a bit extra punch. I have flown a time that motor with 5S 👌🏼

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

The Avian ESC has a different timing set, so you get a few more actual KV. The 70 amp is for more margin/headroom. Often in flight loads with an EDF go up. Horizon has made it clear they are committed to making sure you get great performance with power systems that can handle abuse even in the worst WX conditions. You won't overheat this one even in July in Georgia with 100% humidity, lol.

[@ficosk8]

@@ModelAV8RChannel Hi Adam, thanks for your answer :) I did not think about timing and maybe Pwm. That may improve the power output and with a bigger ESC there’s more safety on the escalator side. Motor wise it will be OK too as I tested it with 5S no problem :) 6S went good just a few flights 🤣. Happy flights from south east Bavaria 🇩🇪 🇨🇱

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Happy Flying!

[@ficosk8]

Pole position by the way…

[@JLNYardBird]

13 years old I assume

[@ficosk8]

@@JLNYardBird por tres mas dos… just for pushing Adam’s KZbin presence :) 👍🏼