Habu EDF Jet Review
This is a review of the new Habu EDF jet by Parkzone.
The Habu EDF jet is a great machine. First off, as far as bind-n-fly radio controlled electric jet aircraft go, this Habu EDF is the best I've seen yet. The Habu EDF may "seem" expensive; however, nothing could be further from the truth. If you count the cost of the parts separately, you're literally getting the plane for free. Seriously... it is better than that. Add it up:
HABU EDF JET PARTS BREAKDOWN:
Habu EDF jet BL15DF Motor: $80
EDF unit (fan): $30
Habu EDF Jet 60A ESC: $80
Spektrum Receiver: $60
4-cell 3200 Li-po Battery: $120
4-cell Habu EDF Jet charger: $40
5 pre-installed Servos $100
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COMPONENT TOTAL VALUE: $510.00
Habu EDF Jet plane: BETTER THAN FREE!!
So, if while the BNF version of the Habu EDF Jet may "seem" more expensive than your average park flier at $399, they practically pay you to fly this baby. I highly recommend taking possession of one quickly before this deal ends. My flight performance review is below
Habu EDF Jet / First flight Log
12/25/09 - 2pm...
Conditions: Windy: 12MPH / Clear skies
Location: Mission Bay Park Field / San Diego, Ca.
First of all the sound of this thing is incredible. Sounds like a cross between and Indy Car and a 25,000 RPM vacuum cleaner. On a rainy day you can just light this thing up at full throttle for a few seconds and get it out of your system. Don't even need to fly it---it sounds that good.
Rolling out, the steerable nose gear on the Habu EDF is the real deal. I took the time to get it straight and tracking was excellent. The acceleration was almost startling. I am experienced flying fast ships and this EDF jet really gets up and goes.
On the take off, the Habu wanted to roll out longer than I would have anticipated before lift off. Once in the air, it was vertical. I had bound the Habu EDF with a JR 9303 and didn't bother setting up the dual rates. That was a mistake. Well, only because I had been up all night playing Santa Clause for the kids and didn't get much to sleep or eat. Two cups of coffee was jittering my thumbs in a noticeable way. This baby is sensitive with a great roll rate. 28 years of RC experience and I actually had to take my thumbs off the sticks to make it look like I wasn't a rookie.
How fast is it? It is definitely quick. If you've ever seen a Parkzone Stryker fly wing (pusher prop), it seems maybe 15% faster that that, but much easier to see in the air. The Stryker is a lot lighter and easier to slow down, but the Habu tracks much straighter and seems to accelerate instantly.
So, let's talk about handling. I'll get more in-depth later, but for now, I'll cover the one question everyone wants to know. The slow speed handling of the Habu EDF jet.
I did a series of slow fly by's including multiple Harrier-style high drag nose up semi-stalls. First of all, don't take this too hard, but the Habu EDF won't slow way down without a real big whopping 30 foot recovery tip-stall. BIG-BIG. Always stalled to the right on mine. I know, I was heartbroken too. But, keep this one thing in mind. She does everything else well. EVERYTHING. It is possible that the big tip stall was exaggerated by a balance issue, so I will experiment with that soon.
So, after I had a good handle of the Habu's stall speed, I did several touch and go's. Even into 12 MPH of headwind, it still was landing at over 20MPH (guesstimate). She comes in hot. Not crazy hot, just hotter than most. Again, with the major tip stalls on my mind, I was probably over-compensating, so, I'll get some video up soon of the slowest possible flight.
Here are some pics below... (notice how much larger the included 4cell 3,200 is than a 2,200 3 cell pack. This battery has some amazing power.
Thanks for stopping by.
John Valenty
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