XK X450 AVIATOR VTOL

[@FerralVideo]

Glad you showed the repair. that was scary looking damage from that crash!

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes, I was worried for a while

[@markpreston8273]

G'day from Tasmania, I'm mostly into RC surface vehicles but thought it would be cool to get a beginner plane, (never tried flying an rc plane or drone before) after watching your very informative video and a few others I choose the XK X450 Aviator VTOL I put about 10 batteries through it mostly in multi rotor mode, on its last flight I put the plane into a tree (I will blame the wind lol) this blew the thin tape like fuse in the left front speed controller plus the motor smelt a little burnt. I replaced them both with new units upon testing on the bench everything was working fine until I increased the throttle to about 60% whilst holding the plane down all three motors went into full throttle even though I moved the throttle back to idle, throttle remained on full for about 5 seconds then went to idle and shut off. I disconnected the battery and turned off the transmitter then went through the process of binding the plane facing away from me and on a level surface as directed in the instructions put throttle up then down, armed the motors then raised the throttle slowly again all is fine till I hit 60% throttle it then went into full throttle again. Throttle trim is set to neutral. Can you think why it would do this? am I doing something wrong? The only thing I can come up with is that maybe the main esc receiver combo also got damaged, Don't want to change it until I got some advice from you or others that are more experienced with these kind of electronics. Thanks In advance Mark.

[@plemli]

It's a clone of the mini Convergence with the vertical mode of the X-Vert. I have the original "full size" Convergence and the XV and both are pretty fun/interesting to fly. Amazing how we can fly VTOLs out of the box that were the stuff of dreams only a few years ago.

[@adamdms]

I think to buy one of these. Which one do you recommend?

[@plemli]

@@adamdms Any as they all are fun if you can manage both fixed wing and drones. The full size Convergence needs way more airspace while the xvert is more of an agile parkflyer. Both are 'old' with decent rebates to be had on the xvert. Neither likes wind. I have no experience with the mini convergence or the xk x450, but I assume the are worth a try.

[@alanchase7329]

I bought one this morning. Was flying it just now, hover mode at about 10 metres and the front left propeller came off. Best to check propellers are on tight before you fly.

[@robertkelly5515]

Really like this model, may be my next purchase.

[@markpreston8273]

G'day from Tasmania again, I'm happy to say I figured it out she's flying again, there was nothing wrong with the X450 (no sh*t Sherlock I hear you say lol) when I was testing the plane on the bench checking my repair job which needed 3 very small wires to be soldered to a very small circuit board something I hadn't done before I was holding the plane down so it wouldn't take off with wires hanging out, I think the gyro trying to overcome me holding it down gave it full thrust for a few seconds, so to prove my uneducated guess I put it back together and had it hovering in my living room without any problems at all, maybe this might help someone not repeating the same mistake I did. Have a great day and keep up the great job.

[@AndrewNewton]

Excellent, glad to hear you worked it out. I think you know more about this one than me now.

[@ukulelefatman]

Incredible how smooth the transitions are (once you fixed it) Looks like a great plane for kids who might find fixed wing too boring.

[@cyal8eravi8or57]

Who would find fixed wing boring?! I find Multi rotors to be the more boring of the two. Of course this plane does both.

[@ukulelefatman]

@@cyal8eravi8or57 Kids seem to be more interested in drones these days. This would be a good stepping stone to fixed wing.

[@cyal8eravi8or57]

@@ukulelefatman That's sad. Drones just always seem so boring and generic. But you're right. This is a great stepping stone to fixed wing...

[@typhoon109]

@@cyal8eravi8or57 I know!

[@Jack-cm9ye]

Does it come with the battery for the drone?

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes. everything included

[@3000gtwelder]

Pretty cool! Would be cool to have a FPV model, and maybe in 4S.

[@4cpus4me]

It looks pretty fun and with 3 props seems more controllable than previous VTOL's I've seen.

[@PetrincicBrosRC]

Great video my friend and pretty interesting bird. I was just watching it a few days ago. Big salute from Slovenia, Pilot Robert

[@carrboro_chapelhillfpv2442]

sorry, big Salute to you and your brother but, this craft is not worth the $130 they are asking for it. I bought mine from Tomtop, a new company I had never heard of, they are the worst as they have no customer service. Wish I had bought it from Banggood.

[@loc4725]

@@carrboro_chapelhillfpv2442 TomTop are spamners. I regularly get emails from them to my PayPal-only email address and although they've been booted off several email hosts they're now using a Chinese bulk emailer who ignores spam reports. AVOID!

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

@@loc4725 That's been my experience also! Plus Gearbest now don't appear to stock anything. Banggood is still working . Well, within the limits of Chinese suppliers - but as to the future who knows?

[@actionman9357]

Because of your video, I will go to BangGood and buy one! (I've been a BangGood customer since 2015, and NEVER had any problems whatsoever with BangGood!) Keep up the good work!

[@kanarimentos7056]

if you have problem breaking props you can use WLtoys XK X251 props work fine maybe little stronger

[@sziltner]

Knew you would figure it out! XK used to make some decent "toy" quads.

[@stevemann6082]

broken on the first flight is never a good sign, if it was a bit tougher and you could use your own receiver i might have gone for it. I don't need a transmitter with every model i buy, I must have about 20 now. thanks for the review

[@bogdog999]

TIP You never want to move servos by rotating the arm (or pivoting the motor manually in this case. It can be hard on plastic gears. Mine arrives Monday. Now I know one detail to check for before maiden flight. Thanks.

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks for the reminder, specially with these light weight components

[@leemaples1806]

Thats for flying on a rain-soaked field. You never have to touch the ground.Hand-toss and catch. lol I see the eagle was roosting there. Will it be sporting a folding prop soon. I heard you mention it in passing before.

[@robflyrc]

Andrew, did you try the red button?

[@AndrewNewton]

There's a red button?

[@robflyrc]

@@AndrewNewton at 3:20. For 3D/6G mode stabilisation?

[@Sandokans]

Hello Andrew. What distance with the remote control? More or less than 300m?Can you test this?! Thanks

[@AndrewNewton]

I would lose sight of it at about 200m

[@Sandokans]

@@AndrewNewton Thanks. Subbed to your channel.. I like way your reviewes..

[@TakeItToTheGround]

Out of curiosity can you bind & fly it with your multi-protocol Irange IRX4 lite module? I have the e-flight mini convergence and it is kind of the worst of both worlds. A poor plane & a poor multi-rotor. Despite your initial issues this looks to fly a lot better or your a better pilot or both.

[@AndrewNewton]

I am no multi rotor pilot. Others have said it's an improvement on the Convergence.

[@grumpyjohntxredneckrc6346]

Well The Chinese Knocked Off Another One! That's The Horizon Eflte Mini-Convergence VTOL w/Different Stickers... LOL Thanks Mate

[@thecraftking113]

John there all made somewhere in China😜😜 lol.. or possibly horizon owns them too. 😳 and selling in different brands.? Seems to work well enough though . ive seen a couple models from this company seems pretty good so far . ✌✌✌

[@grumpyjohntxredneckrc6346]

@@thecraftking113 I Know, Just Sayin... LOL I Luv All My FMS Planes, Horizon Bought Them Out, w/Great Planes, Hangar-9 & 10+? Other Companies Over The Years! ;~)P

[@paulkazjack]

Wonder what the range is?

[@AndrewNewton]

Check the specs in the link. I cant recall of the top of my head

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

@@AndrewNewton About 300 meters. Motor failsafe works (defaults to multi first) so it will glide like a lead brick!

[@DaveMerc]

I like the concept of it and it's unusual for sure with the 3 modes of flight. Would I buy one? That is another question to ponder. Looked like the eagle wanted to eat it :-)

[@AndrewNewton]

Eagle is more my kind of craft

[@DaveMerc]

Yes I like that Eagle too. That I could see purchasing.

[@RobisonRacing68]

I thought I saw that sitting there on the ground when you were flying the eagle!

[@bleeksbentbits3150]

Just curious.... Have you ever tried a tractor wing??? Im always surprised by just how well my bent, busted & well dusted Twin-Sumo flies SLOW, & stable too! :D

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes, Ex Air Synapse. They are so quiet

[@EnglishTurbines]

Careful Andrew, you might get to like a Multirotor...lol... In fact I love flying my Multis, especially when it's a bit too windy for Fixed Wing. It's like flying a gimbal stabilised Camera on FPV, surprised you haven't tried it TBH. They make wonderful filming platforms and flight paths / speeds can be very precise.

[@AndrewNewton]

I have built a few tricopters but they basically gave me the squits

[@EnglishTurbines]

@@AndrewNewton Squits..?...Having flown Tricopters and Multis, I can tell you they are very different..You should try a Multi Andrew, I won't tell anyone..lol.

[@boblarson990]

Mine came mashed, where can one send it back ?

[@AndrewNewton]

Very disappointing, they are delicate. Send it back to wherever you bought it I guess, after contacting their customer support.

[@DemoPwr]

Nice.. Thanks for sharing!

[@paulhope3401]

No 3d/6d flights?

[@AndrewNewton]

No idea what will happen at this stage

[@alasdair4161]

At first glance I knew it was Banggood with their signature box modifications... The concept looks sound, we just need someone to do a serious version (at least for the serious money they want) and preferably BNF to save on transmitter landfill.. Thanks for posting.

[@AndrewNewton]

Agreed.

[@Bellairvideo]

Konichewa from a Tokyo #1 Saw a glimpse this on your last video. Very nice.

[@AndrewNewton]

Tokyo! I envy your travelling mate

[@AntsRC]

see if it slope soars!!

[@MrZeek101]

Sir Andrew if this VTOL doesnt pan out I think this is a prime candidate for a Andrew Newton Airlines Micro Skyhunter VTOL ?

[@AndrewNewton]

Haha, very low on the list

[@heinojaegertube]

Ha ha. Not so bad. Uhu glue becomes with the Vtol ?

[@AndrewNewton]

Maybe it should

[@tapmad]

Most people crash their xk x450 because the linkages to the front motors are not solid, it is a two piece shaft, and are prone to slippage. They call it the 'falling leaf' crash. Best to put a spot of glue on that join because it will always 'unscrew' itself after a while. There should have been gear teeth at that join to stop it self unscrewing.

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks for the tips Rusty

[@prestonshute7243]

Small enough to fly in your garden. Cheers

[@rkxff9593]

where il get this boss pls

[@AndrewNewton]

Is the link not working?

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

One thing that pings me about Mr Newton's reviews is that, after having to select double speed to fast-forward through another poster's interminable droning-on video, I check in here and he still sounds more like a man's man than Donald Duck. :D

[@AndrewNewton]

A man's man, I like that. Could just be my ageing croaky voice.

[@Blizofoz45]

Really nice job fixing and troubleshooting that plane. Someone deep in the bowels of a Chinese factory made a mistake...for the price I can let it slide.

[@AndrewNewton]

I was concerned about how to do the review after the crash but it was a valuable lesson in trouble shooting

[@davidstuart4915]

waypoint gps module option for $20 would be good :)

[@robertkelly5515]

I am geting this model next, it looks like a really nice plane.It needs metal gear servo's though apparently the servo's which rotate the motors have plastic COG's so can wear out and cause a CRASH!!! of the Model.Not good.Anyway, I suppose it depends How well U fly it?!!! Hehehehehe

[@AndrewNewton]

Very light contraction but it's fine if nothing breaks

[@nadeemimran6295]

Twice the fun

[@PiefacePete46]

I smell a plot!... conspiracy to get you multi-rotor rated without you noticing! Good fun. :o)

[@AndrewNewton]

Save me!

[@BeeZee2]

Hmmm... think I'll save my money.

[@minuteman4394]

I wish I had

[@Cheeky_Chelsea]

@@minuteman4394 what happened?

[@minuteman4394]

@@Cheeky_Chelsea It was an interesting model to fly but I had a motor burn out after about a week

[@Cheeky_Chelsea]

@@minuteman4394 argh darn, it seems to have lots of issues after a few flights. My dad bought one but I'll save my money

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

Hey Andrew. Been waiting for a comprehensive review of this. You never did get the XK X520 or 420 Vtols. That would have been a fair advantage in understanding the quirks of these things. First thing anyone should do on receiving any of these XK multi modes is pull the back off the Tx and wire a DP switch across the stick mode & the photo button (the motor kill function) as, even if you read the manual first ;-) you will find that a much better way to save the props. When wanting to pull her up from plane mode you will probably be better going to Vtol mode first as the motors don't have to rotate and facing the belly to the flight direction should be a more effective "OH @*%T" move. Possibly like the XK X520 it's best to do this at about 50% throttle as the FC goes into "flutter & crash mode" if throttle is set too low. We've set our 5 to fly with center sprung throttles as 50% is required to use auto take off & land also. The extra flight mode on this makes it better in a bit of wind than the 520 but I think you've just shown how delicate all that extra jiggery pokery is on this. Our 520s have been flown full tilt into most of the local landscape & are still flying. Could you please check the AUW and the battery dimensions also? Cheers Oz.

[@AndrewNewton]

I did have the Eachine E500. Maybe you should have written the manual

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

@@AndrewNewton Yep I revisited your posts on the E500. It seems to have slipped into oblivion. And no, at my age I'd be just guaranteed to forget a fistful of important details! :D

[@properlytwisted2172]

Now...even with THIS one,I'll bet,if anyone can slope soar it,it's you!..LOL

[@AndrewNewton]

Big steep cliff and a gale might do it

[@alasdair4161]

@@AndrewNewton You could be the first person to slope a multirotor.. and show the world..

[@properlytwisted2172]

@@AndrewNewton LOL..;)

[@iforce2d]

uh-oh... the slippery slope to becoming a professional drone racer

[@AndrewNewton]

Dont look at me, I'm ashamed

[@locomotive282]

I wanna see you fly some multi rotors. You already have goggles.

[@AndrewNewton]

No thanks

[@TheObsessedGardener]

What 20 douchebags down voted this video? It's informative, entertaining and to the point. Those people can rack off. I really love these reviews, Andy. Cheers mate. Quick question: do you have any piloting experience? Glider, prop, hangglider or other? Im keen on getting into hanggliding at the end of the year.

[@AndrewNewton]

Tried hanggliding a few times about 40 years ago. It was thrilling but too dangerous back then.

[@1MIC2GO]

Well crap now I’m pretty much going to have to get one of these. :/

[@pabloricardodetarragon2649]

You can it's great fun and pleasure.

[@frankienv3906]

👍

[@The_Pub_]

I was told once that it was hard to polish a turd. Now I understand why!!! Your "Scratch Builds" are better value mate.

[@Inspire_guy]

Man how can you afford all these fantastic planes? I spent my last couple months worth of saving to buy the eagle plane. That's what having a child will do for you.

[@AndrewNewton]

Ha, I have bought about 10 planes in my life.

[@Inspire_guy]

@@AndrewNewton I have been so excited for my eagle to get here but my paypal was red flagged Monday and never went through. The struggle is real! Another week of waiting for shipping and a couple weeks to buy electronics. I have been swaping the same recover between the 2 planes I own I couldn't imagine having 10

[@crafter2u]

nice but no gps

[@pabloricardodetarragon2649]

And it does not make coffee.

[@markvandesande8855]

Nice now try 3d without stabilization on its a beast.😁👍🇬🇧

[@AndrewNewton]

I'm scared, but must have a go

[@MrVasmikey]

$130.00 seems a bit too steep for such a model.

[@pabloricardodetarragon2649]

I got mine for 108€. As engineer I admire all the job done on that model, hardware and software. It's a very high tech toy with lots of programming inside the receiver. For me it's rather cheap and shows the chinese ingenuity Besides It flies superbly and can be very precise so I have a big smile each time I fly it. It looks pretty durable. A few years ago you could not even dream of these aerial capabilities. I remember a STOL plane 20 years ago in a big meeting in Germany, that was a 2000 euros plane; it could not do one third of that this small beast is able.

[@lilrascalrc]

TECHNICALLY this is NOT "Thrust Vectored" because Thrust vectoring technology uses DUCTED AIR (or Jet) as in the UK Harrier or the US F35!! This is a Variable Direction Motor system!, like the USAF "Ospry Tilt Rotor" aircraft. This XK X450 has the WORST "Chiglish" users manual I have ever seen! They called the Joysticks "JoyStucks", even on the Transmitter the Mode 1 - Mode 2 switch button is labeled "STUCK"! There is absolutely NO description of how to use the Auto take-off or Auto Landing! It took me 20 minutes just to figure out the Binding process! My wife is from Taiwan (25 years in US) and she couldn't even understand what the manual was saying! What a disaster. ..... so much for the "Durability" of this EPO Foam airframe.

[@thirtythreeeyes8624]

Why do companies still do the down and out stick arming? It's terrible, a switch to flip when you put it into the ground is a million times better.

[@lilrascalrc]

TECHNICALLY this is NOT "Thrust Vectored" because Thrust vectoring technology uses DUCTED AIR (or Jet) as in the UK Harrier or the US F35!! This is a Variable Direction Motor system! This XK X450 has the WORST "Chiglish" users manual I have ever seen! They called the Joysticks "JoyStucks", even on the Transmitter the Mode 1 - Mode 2 switch button is labeled "STUCK"! There is absolutely NO description of how to use the Auto take-off or Auto Landing! It took me 20 minutes just to figure out the Binding process! My wife is from Taiwan (25 years in US) and she couldn't even understand what the manual was saying! What a disaster.

[@typxxilps]

Let's try vertical mode ... imagine it would have a rocket engine ... ... as vertical mode like space shuttle. You are using UHU glue , too? A german company which offered a school kid balsa plane called the small uhu ... for decades

[@carrboro_chapelhillfpv2442]

it not very good, mine died during its maiden hover test. Quality control failed, this should not surprise me as it is comming from China but, XK is normaly better than this. I would sugest just buying the original craft that this is built after, The E-Flight mini convergence.

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

Which component failed?

[@sparkles9868]

I watched a review about this a few days ago it's sl I w go respond to going in to reverse when hovering. Fell a sleep watching that review as not as good as your

[@AndrewNewton]

Good to hear thanks

[@vintageguitarz1]

NO ONE has any of these in Stock in the USA, everything is shipped from China who has the WORST Shipping and Post Office on Earth (1 to 2 MONTHS to the US!) Not even Amazon has them in USA warehouses!

[@frankienv3906]

It looks totally UNSAFE..!

[@randywessels9703]

rubbish plane

[@vintageguitarz1]

NO ONE has any of these in Stock in the USA, everything is shipped from China who has the WORST Shipping and Post Office on Earth (1 to 2 MONTHS to the US!) Not even Amazon has them in USA warehouses!