Conscendo Evolution 1.5m BNF Basic & AS3X - SAFE Select - Review Part 1 - This is going to be Fun!

[@williamhoodtn]

I love the plane! Painted my bottom wing tips bright orange and it really helps to see it better. I've also added some aileron servo covers since I belly land in grass. I also changed out the plastic folding prop to a metal version (38mmTurbo type w/4mm collet) w/carbon fiber blades after blowing up the stock plastic ones on 4S. Makes a nice difference and helps keep the ESC a bit cooler. I've had over 30+ min flight times, even with the 2200mAh 4S packs if you "keep your foot out of it" while still having some high-speed fun.

[@GroundControlRC]

It's an awesome sport glider isn't it. Aren't you lucky to have grass to land on ;-) I've only flown it with a 3S 2200mah LIPO but I want to put a much lighter 3S 1300mah in it and enjoy that power even more. I haven't put a 4S in it yet but that's definitely the plan. I've heard quite a few talk about the stock props blowing up on 4S. Maybe I should replace that stock prop before putting a 4S in it. One person stated he lost one of the props and then it was so out of balance it ripped the nose out of it. I did notice the stock props are much lighter and thinner than the stock props on the Lightning V2 and the Phoenix V2. I wonder if you can use the stock cross mount and collet with thicker more robust blades?

[@williamhoodtn]

@@GroundControlRC Yes, I've flown it with a Smart G1 3S 2200mAh battery and also the Smart G1 3S 1300mAh battery. That one if you slide it all the way forward really allows for a better CG and also VERY long flight times if you manage the throttle really well. Super fun! I would strongly recommend replacing the stock folding prop with the metal ones (I like the turbo nose as it lets more air through to cool the motor) and carbon blades which are really light-weight. I used the 9.5X7 Aeronaut props. I was lucky. When mine blew apart, it didn't damage anything else but certainly could have!

[@GroundControlRC]

@@williamhoodtn Thanks for that info! Yeah, I'd hate to have a bunch of damage because the prop couldn't hold up on 4S. I'll look into that prop and the turbo nose. I think the stock props are 9.5 x 7.5 Kind of and odd size anyway. 9 x 7 on 4S sounds a bit better.

[@GroundControlRC]

@@williamhoodtn I forgot to ask...where did you get the turbo nose?

[@williamhoodtn]

@@GroundControlRC It was Aloft hobbies. It was the ST-1822 Turbo (38mm) and CT-357 4mm collet. Use the 9.5x7 Aeronaut CAM carbon blades with this. I also have some 10x8 Aeronaut CAM carbon blades but it was cooking the stock ESC too much (GREAT 4S performance however) but I turned it down a notch with the 9.5x7 blades and the performance is more than acceptable (to me at least) on 4S while keeping the ESC temps "reasonable". YMMV.

[@helomike7000]

I've had the Conscendo S and the Conscendo Advanced and loved both (I beefed up the S with some carbon rods and gave it to my grandson). This design does it all! Sloping, gliding and not bad as a thermal glider either (love taking it to the beach and sloping). After getting some sand in the motor , I took a wire coat hanger, cut it, bent it and glued it to wing tips and front to keep the nose up. Now, unless I do a nose in landing, I no longer have a problem with sand. I've enjoyed the Advance so much that I laminated it. But with 4s... I think I've found my Christmas present for this year. ;-)

[@GroundControlRC]

Hey Mike! Hehehe....it's going to be insane on a 4S! I was very impressed with the amount of power on 3S so on 4S it's got to be close to unlimited vertical ;-) I'll be putting a 4S in it soon. I've never flown one with a Gyro so I'll have to test out the Safe Mode, just in case I ever need it ;-) A very impressive Sport Glider. That coat hanger MOD sounds like something I'd do ;-) See you in the Air!

[@jonoedwards4195]

Howdy Mike, I soak My Planes in salty beach sand daily and I find larger motors don't seem to suffer, smaller motors an gear boxes have died after a couple of flights but My larger motors no problems, My TXs are full of sand. Worst thing I find is the connections all turn green on batteries an tronics so I hit them with Innox. I give My Planes a blow out with compessed air after each trip, I reckon the moist salty seabreeze does more damage. Hahhahaaa, another Fellow skid designer, never thought of using coathanger, good idea thanks!

[@jeffhenderson934]

I really have enjoyed the two I have. I travel for a living and I’ll throw the Conscendo and a 50mm edf in the truck. If I find a Rec field, rural high school, or a big field, I’ll fly till the cops show up. It’ll fit your mood- slow and easy, or if you’ve had a bad day, you can fly like a pissed of teenager.

[@GroundControlRC]

Hi Jeff! It's a very high performance glider. I have a blast flying this on 4S. Packing a Sport Glider and an EDF Jet are very good choices for doing some hard flying or just cruising around. Every once in a while I do enjoy flying like an emotionally compromised teenager ;-) You have to stay in touch with you inner child. See you in the Air!

[@mssippijim]

Great video. These started life as a 2S, would like to see someone fly the Evo with 2S just to see how it does. I have one on order, and once I get used to it, I have some 2S with a bit of bulk to them, I might give it a try. From what I'm seeing for gliding, a 2200 is kind of overkill unless you want to stay up a long time. I don't think I've ever seen a plane get as many rave reviews across the board as this one does. It would be interesting to see a couple of small wheels on front spaced a little apart.

[@GroundControlRC]

Thanks! Yes, these sport glider are a great amount of fun. I imagine with the right wind you could stay up all day on one LIPO. I prefer close proximity aerobatic flying, not sailing, but a 2S would probably work fine for that. On 4S it's a Rocket ;-)

[@aaronstrom16]

There is a lot discussion over this plane, I have had my own mods that completely made it 100% better, when I broke the folding prop hub I found help rite away with the aluminum spinner and carbon prop I got from Esprit Tech..they have everything there. Out of the box this model will fly but not to its full potential.. the control surface hinges are stiff as heck...they all need alot of flexing especially the elevator..i ended up cutting out the elevator pinch hinge and installing dubro hinges along with a metal geared high torque servo...what a difference.. 100% better elevator response that doesn't mush out in a high speed dive...great video thanks for sharing!

[@GroundControlRC]

It's a very high performance Sport Glider but you're right it does need some attention in some areas. I'll have to check out Esprit Tech. I put carbon reinforcement in the fuselage and replaced the stock spinner / prop assembly with a metal alloy one before putting a 4S LIPO in it. I think I'll also carbon reinforce the tail. I think some flaps will help as well. Awesome flying Sport Glider ;-)

[@RAHorsch]

Hi Bob. Your channel is great. I just purchased and also fly on a TX16S. I have two timers set up, one for motor and one for total time in air. You should try a 3S 1300. Glides forever and balances easier. I easily get 24-30min on a 1300.

[@GroundControlRC]

I'm Tony and thank you for the kind words ;-) The TX16S is awesome isn't it ;-) It's my primary transmitter now. I almost put a 3S 1300mah LIPO in it but I have very few of them and I used them in the Eachine F-16 50mm EDF Jet which I also flew during that session. I'll try one of my 3S 1300mah LIPOs the next time I take it out as well as one of my 4S 1050mah LIPOs. I know that's going to be a blast! Awesome Sport Glider! I've now flown (3) different Sport Gliders and one yet to build. I'm hooked ;-) See you in the Air!

[@RAHorsch]

@@GroundControlRC Sorry Tony. I started with the Eachine Mustang 400 that I saw on your channel. Now I am hooked on flying RC. Thanks for the great reviews.

[@GroundControlRC]

@@RAHorsch Hehehe...no worries! I'm terrible with names ;-) That Micro P51D is one of my favorite Micro Planes of all time. I'm glad you're hooked on RC Planes as I can't imagine another hobby that's this fun. See you in the Air!

[@rockyjohnIII]

Had to watch review a second time, love your exuberance for the 1.5m glider.Waiting to see your reaction to a loop and roll from an unpowered glide.

[@GroundControlRC]

Hehehe...I was having a blast! I'll have to try that the next time I have it out. It certainly carries enough energy and momentum to perform a loop or roll with the throttle off ;-)

[@shortgreysma1274]

i love this plane , 1st flight, 1st crash in a tree (inversion of the controls) takeoff of the whole and it always flew well, now I will pay me the evolution...

[@GroundControlRC]

Awesome Sport Glider!

[@johntartaro2509]

Good review GCRC. I can see you really enjoyed flying this aircraft. I love mine and fly it almost every week. Before you cut the wings to make barn door flaps, try flaperons first. I found that the flaperons help a lot in slowing it down when landing. "Keep'em Flying..."

[@GroundControlRC]

Thank you much John! What an awesome Sport Glider. I can't wait to put a 4S in it ;-) How much deflection do you use on your flaperons?

[@johntartaro2509]

​@@GroundControlRC I originally set the flaperons for both take-off and landing (take-off 1/4" deflection down and landing 3/4" down). My Spektrum DX6 radio flap setting for landing is at 100%, it is as low as the servo can go. I only used the take-off flaperons once (I realized I didn’t need that capability), this aircraft is great on a hand launch with no flaperon help, so I since stopped using it. I have no elevator trim for the landing flaperons, I didn't need any. This is something you may have to add after you test the flaperons out. Keep’em Flying”

[@GroundControlRC]

@@johntartaro2509 Thanks for the info John. I've used flaperons on cubs before but not on a sport glider.

[@philipriding]

Man that glider soars, Nice one Tony

[@GroundControlRC]

Thank you much Philip! I couldn't believe how much power it had on a 3S. Time to put a 4S in it and really go crazy ;-) See you in the Air!

[@txdave2]

I fly mine on a 1300mAh 4s and it is amazing. I painted mine a bright fluorescent orange and yellow for better visibility, and added 2 position flaps. It is an absolute blast to fly.

[@GroundControlRC]

Hi David! I wish I had some 4S 1300mah LIPOs. I have (3) 4S 1050mah 95C LIPOs I'm going to fly with. I'll set my flight timer for 5 minutes and then check the voltage. That is going to be unreal on 4S ;-) Those colors are very nice for visibility and I bet you can see it from a long way away. Awesome Sport Glider! See you in the Air!

[@txdave2]

@@GroundControlRC This is one of the best flying RC planes I have flown. With flaps I can slow it down to a walking pace which makes for really slow and gentle landings.

[@GroundControlRC]

@@txdave2 Hey David! I am fortunate to have one ;-) I will put flaps in this one as well. The slower I can land it the better.

[@bobkeul7682]

I have flown with this plane, really great! You should really put a 4s in this baby! That will give you some fun;-)

[@GroundControlRC]

Hey Bob! It's a blast alright! 4S is going to be insane ;-) My 3rd Sport Glider and so far they've all been fantastic ;-) See you in the Air!

[@johnnymaynard299]

Great flight and an Awesome plane. Thanks for the review.

[@GroundControlRC]

Thanks Johnny! You're right! That is an awesome plane. On 4S it's Scary Fast ;-) See you in the Air!

[@jonoedwards4195]

Coorr! What a thing, an awesome maiden flying.Yum. The stupid AS3X ritual to activate the Safe setup, when Eachine can have a simple three stage switch in a 1/48 scale plane?? Ive had rotten luck with E-Flites and We pay double for Them down here. Unreal, next level Glider should help You move on from Your recent loss. Wow, I gotta admit I'm a little jealous at the same time stoked, Ive had Me peepers on this Bird for a time. Beauty GCRC, brilliant review thanks.Jealous of Your flying too Mate, ahhahaa!

[@GroundControlRC]

Thanks much Jono! I've never understood why anyone would design a gyro receiver that doesn't have full manual mode either. IMO the Gyro should have 6-axis, 3-axis, and full manual mode. How hard can that be? I was going to just order the PNF version and put a standard receiver in it but it was only $30 more for the BNF and since they charge a $100 for this receiver separately I pulled the trigger on the BNF to see what the AS3X was all about. I haven't messed with the telemetry yet as I wanted to get this one in the air ;-) Awesome performance and it will be insane on 4S! I'll be trying that very soon ;-) See you in the Air!

[@davidNH]

Tony you still flying this bird. I am thinking of picking one up soon

[@GroundControlRC]

Yes, I sure am but haven't flown it in a long time. I was just thinking of taking it out soon. I have so many projects going I haven't had much time to take my older planes out but soon. It's a great flying sport glider and on 4S it's awesome ;-)

[@rockyjohnIII]

Gliders like a neutral CG and remember landing is done " Dead Stick" so everything is in the setup prior to landing. Please look at Telemetry in this radio [inflight battery readout, current draw, and altitude ( andrew newton) ]

[@GroundControlRC]

I like a neutral CG on all my planes as I find they rotate in the pitch axis much easier. I've never had a larger plane with a gyro or telemetry so I'll have to investigate using the TX16S for telemetry. As you mentioned, Andrew is a wealth of information on these Sport Gliders. Thanks for the tip!

[@jonoedwards4195]

@@GroundControlRC I was only thinking of this while flying today, that beep for thermal gain could be a bit of fun, although most beeps when I fly are never good news?

[@GroundControlRC]

@@jonoedwards4195 Hehehe....yes, beeps do worry me ;-)

[@Jack-gy7cs]

Flaps, yes.....wheels no, just a little more substantial skids. Just my opinion of course. Fun flight.

[@GroundControlRC]

Hey Jack! I was leaning the same way. I'm going to try some more robust skids the next time I take it out. Hopefully they'll last more than one landing ;-)

[@98-24]

I just got mine and like you said it's going to have wheels on it before it hits the air...

[@GroundControlRC]

Hi Pat! This is such a high performance glider and you're going to love it ;-) Yes, I like to protect that fuselage and wingtips. I always put wheels or skids on mine. Good luck on your Maiden Launch!

[@Doggeslife]

Nice flights. Can I trade some of my trees for some of your sagebrush? I want more room! ;-)

[@GroundControlRC]

Thank you much! I won't trade the trees for sagebrush but I will most definitely trade all the sagebrush for some of that nice grass you have to land on ;-) I've got to figure out a way to get a couple of my planes in the Midwest next time I travel there. I want to be able to see the difference in performance at 700' ASL as opposed to 5700' ASL and land on some nice grass at the same time ;-) I'm going to have to make that happen.

[@Doggeslife]

@@GroundControlRC School has started, so no green grass for me. My runways look like yours right now, except I don't have a dirt road to land on. The 400mm lightweights don't really need one. I just plop them on the ground. Just did my second t-28 maiden, you can see the ground there...Just hard-pack dirt and weeds. Happy flying! P.S... My ASL is about 24-40 feet, but my micro flights don't appear any different from yours. The bigger craft are probably affected.. ;-)

[@GroundControlRC]

@@Doggeslife I'm going there now to watch the T-28! The EDF Jets seem to be the most effected by the high altitude where I fly.

[@Bigbeartubein]

Nice review my friend, this plane was a bit of a bear from the start, i actually reinforced the fuze before my maiden because it felt like it was gonna break during its easy assembly and thank goodness i did, my first landing i caught the left wing on yhe only tall grass on the runway and it whipped around so violently slaming the tail down without my reinforcements it would have snaped off, anyway i tryed to add some pics of the mods ive done,ie flaps, spars, beefy rudder hinges, and a nice nose wheel where the skid was leaving the bottom hatches able to be removed with three screws, Ps id still love to share some pics, keep on keepin on my dude

[@GroundControlRC]

Thank you much! Absolutely! You can provide links to the images here or on our Facebook Page. I'm going to be adding Flaps to this one. Did you say you reinforced the tail as well as the fuselage?

[@Bigbeartubein]

@@GroundControlRC i sure did, before its maiden, i was disappointed when i went to attach the horizontal stab and elevator the tail wagged around like a wet noodle, i bought this plane beings that it was the third version and my three favorite flying channels talked it up never once mentioning any of the flaws, many many flaws, it even boasted stiffer airframe on the box and horizon youtube,oh yea totaly forgot to mention one aileron servo broke after my second flight, mid flight barely made it safe to the ground i replaced both with parkzone 9g metal high speed its a ripper, i only have the one video on my page but its so much better i can land now with maybe 20 foot or less roll out even with the wheel. My page is bigbeartubin, for pics, you got a email, or fb msger should be able to find mine with my name

[@Bigbeartubein]

@@GroundControlRC so i ended up putting those pics up on my channel, happy flyin, cant wait to see your mods

[@GroundControlRC]

@@Bigbeartubein I will probably do the same thing and carbon reinforce the tail. I haven't had any issues yet but I have very few flights on it so far. Hopefully nothing breaks ;-) Yep, you can send those via messaging on our Facebook Page there's a link on the bottom right of the banner.

[@GroundControlRC]

@@Bigbeartubein I'll take a peek.

[@associatedblacksheepandmisfits]

Superfun. You heading to be a speed freak ! Lol.🙃

[@GroundControlRC]

Hey John! That speed is Terror Fun! I can't wait to put a 4S in it next time ;-)

[@associatedblacksheepandmisfits]

@@GroundControlRC pure adrenalin!

[@JasonAndrewReid]

I just bought this plane because of this review, I also purchased at TX16S, but I’m getting a little nervous. I’m reading about people having trouble with safe and AS3x when paired with the TX16S. But you were able to do it easily?

[@GroundControlRC]

Hi Jason! Fantastic Sport Glider isn't it ;-) Yes, I was able to bind to this Plane with the AS3X BNF Version and I've never had an issue. I would assume if they have an issue it would be with a specific version of OpenTX not the TX16S? I have just updated the firmware on my TX16S last week to the latest version of OpenTX and I haven't flown the EVO since then. Most of my Planes have DSM2/DSMX Receivers and they all work fine. Do you know what type of issues they were reporting?

[@JasonAndrewReid]

@@GroundControlRC Different problems like like -RSSi warnings from the TX16S when there are none. -unable to get both ASx3 and safe working on a single bind, they can only get one or the other. -no forward programming capabilities at all, some have even bought a used spektrum radio just to activate the Safe and ASx3 then bind it to TX16S All the problems seem to be with the AR637TA

[@GroundControlRC]

@@JasonAndrewReid Hum...sounds like maybe spektrum changed something on the AR637TA receiver. I've never gotten an RSSI alert on my TX16S as you can see in the videos and I've never had an issue changing the gyro mode. I wonder if downgrading the firmware on the receiver would fix that issue or did they get a bad firmware on the latest batch of those receivers?

[@JasonAndrewReid]

@@GroundControlRC hopefully 🙏🏻 everything goes smoothly as yours did. I don’t get my radio for another month. Maybe I’m worrying too much about things that may not even happen. Lol Thanks anyways for the video.

[@GroundControlRC]

@@JasonAndrewReid I have my fingers and toes crossed ;-) You'll love that plane and the TX16S.

[@paulhope3401]

Hi GC, well I think you certainly did that review justice flying like that on its maiden! and I'm really chuffed that you seem to like it. I've always felt the CE to be quite 'analogue' in feel despite the AS3X and for it to just feel like a larger, heavier more locked in model. Did you find the AS3X stabalisation to be intrusive at all? Cant wait to see you fly it on 4S and really keen to hear your thoughts on it compared it to the quite similar TopRC Lightning V2.. ;)

[@GroundControlRC]

Hey Paul! Thank you very much and for all your support. I did notice that it had carbon spars installed in the areas you spoke of. I wonder if that was a change they made based on feedback? I did not feel that the AS3X was intrusive at all. My concern was, how do I know how well balanced and trimmed the plane is if there is always gyro input? I was also a little worried that I didn't have it setup quite right but everything worked amazingly well. No issues at all. I wasn't brave enough to try the Safe Mode during the Maiden Flight ;-) I'll test it next time I have it out. It's an amazing Sport Glider and it has the best glide profile I've experience so far. It also performed the best stall turn right from the start. I'm thinking of cutting some flaps on the inboard wing and was wondering if you have done something similar? I can't wait to put one of my small 4S LIPOs in it now. Hehehe...what fun! See you in the Air!

[@paulhope3401]

@@GroundControlRC I'd need to see pics to know for sure but mine only had 1 piece of carbon either side in the lipo area.. and they dont seem to go in far enough to do much, so I glued in some carbon 2mm rods top and bottom. Its probably a bit OTT and I'd just go for some plastic ID card type stiffeners cut and glued into the top rear of the hatch and 1.5mm cf rod for the bottom if I was to do it again. I'm not minded to add flaps to mine as I'd rather keep the weight, complexity and potential failure points to a minimum, plus I've now got a good feel for landing aproaches..feathering the throttle to help slow it down a little as well as the luxury of landing on nice soft grass which helps... but I appreciate that your flying location and requirements are a bit different from mine. If after a few more flights you feel that you still need it, just go with what you think. Safe mode is absolutely nothing to fear, it turns it into such a pussycat that I've been allowing my 11 year old to fly mine with it on. I'd leave it on a switch just in case you ever fly into the sun again and you will be glad you did. Its a good stress reducer and I have used it a few times after doing similar to what you did and also losing orientation. I know some 'elitist' people look down on others for using it but thats their problem, I'm not too proud to admit that I have used it to save my CE on 2-3 occasions and the way I'm looking at is that I'm probably £400-£600 better off thanks to it.

[@GroundControlRC]

@@paulhope3401 I only see the (1) carbon spar on either side so It must be the same as yours. I'll add some additional carbon below those to add some additional support as I'm not known for my stellar landings ;-) I love having the Safe Mode and I do have it on a switch in case I need it, or I should say, when I need it. That would definitely have saved the Lightning V2 when I couldn't see it anymore. I would love to have a Safe Mode programmed on a switch on all my planes. Knowing you can take risk and still save the plane would definitely increase piloting skill more quickly. I've had some very close calls performing maneuvers I'm not practiced with, and like you said, it takes a lot of the risk out of the equation. I'm going to continue to fly it with the AS3X Receiver and then at some point replace it with a standard receiver just to see if I can feel a difference in the way the CE handles. Then put the AS3X back in afterward. I'm going to continue to use the AS3X to increase my skill level ;-)

[@paulhope3401]

@@GroundControlRC In that case, I'd highly reccomend you do add some strength to that area, its only when you see CE's with broken off noses that you realise just how little foam there is right on what is also a stress riser. Re-the non AS3X Please do..Replacing the Rec at some point once totally familiar with it sounds a great idea, I'd really love to hear if and how it changes the CE's character. I've just bought myself my first HK EFXtra :D Its probably way too much for me with my old eyes and slower reflexes... but it will sure be a blast for the short while until I inevitably bin it. :D

[@GroundControlRC]

@@paulhope3401 That EFXtra looks like a lot of fun ;-) Fast and agile! Let me know what you think of it. Yes, I will definitely add some more support in that area as I do not want to damage this plane ;-)

[@jamesturncliff5960]

I pre-ordered it when it first came out and I still haven't flown it too scared to. I have no depth perception I was born with a cataract in my left eye

[@GroundControlRC]

Hey James! One thing I found with these Sport Glider is that they are very stable and forgiving and also have great slow flight capability. Last year was my 1st time flying a Sport Glider. I like them so much I now have three. My depth perception isn't what it used to be as sometimes I miss my landing lane and put them in the scrub ;-) I think you'll do fine with this one as it's very well behaved.

[@amw4736]

program spoilerons into your radio for it...will slow it down a lot and properly timed you can catch it. Too bad you tore it up a bit.

[@GroundControlRC]

Yeah, all my aircraft get torn up a bit landing on this terrain. One of these days I'm going to have nice soft grass to land on...it's a dream I have ;-)

[@Hiergibtesnixzusehen]

can you recommend it for a beginner?

[@GroundControlRC]

That's a very good question. I would not recommend it for a beginner as it's a very high performance very fast sport glider. For a beginner, as far as motor gliders, I would recommend something like the Volantex Ranger 600. I would definitely enjoy the Ranger 600. I have the Ranger G2 1200mm Glider and it's one of my favorites. The Ranger 600 has the same airframe as the Ranger G2 but half the size, lighter, and less mass means less damage on crashes. www.exhobby.com/collections/rc-trainer-airplane/products/volantexrc-ranger600-rc-glider-w-xpilot-stabilizer-and-one-key-u-turn-for-kids-761-2-rtf?variant=38102046015678 It has (3) modes on the gyro so you can grow with it. I think Volantex sets the standard for gyro system as it also has a full manual mode for aerobatics. It comes with everything you need except for AA batteries for the transmitter. The only draw back is it's a brushed motor but you could always convert it to brushless later on or get something bigger with a brushless power system. I hope that helps. See you in the Air!

[@Hiergibtesnixzusehen]

@@GroundControlRC Thank you for the information. It helped me alot! 👍

[@GroundControlRC]

@@Hiergibtesnixzusehen You are most welcome ;-) See you in the Air!